Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Sin Foundations - Let Me repeat


"Now Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the Negev, and settled between Kadesh and Shur, then he sojourned in Gerar.  And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, 'She is my sister.'  So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 

"But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, 'Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.  Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, 'Lord, wilt Thou slay a nation, even though blameless?  Did he not himself say to me, 'She is my sister'?  And she herself said, 'He is my brother.'  In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have not done this..'

"Then God said to him in the dream, 'Yet I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.  Now therefore, restore the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will life.  But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.'" Genesis 20:1-7

A "besetting sin" is one that haunts you because you fall back to a familiar behaviour under stress.  Here we see the mighty of prophet, confident of God's promise of a nation from his loins, trying to protect himself from danger by endangering his wife.  Now, take a few moments and think of why our loving Father would want to remind us of this.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene 

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  Please send updates!  For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:   Please pray for Adrian, he is fearful for the first time as he faces this, hopefully last step in his treatment to replace his T-cells.  First they will kill his immune system, he will be in isolation in Royal Brisbane Hospital for 4-6 weeks starting tomorrow. If any of you can help by visiting him, please contact me.  PB needs a heart-kidney transplant and is waiting in the hospital now.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS.  Yesterday evening, I had a late call to let me know that my project, actually the product and entire department where I was working has been dissolved.  So please pray for the wisdom of my next steps.   Deepak:(who still needs our prayers for his situation) asks that we please pray for Melanie Karunaratne, a young mother who has two little boys and is in the hospital with cancer.  Raven - they found a lump under her arm and are doing further tests.  Pray for Paul R, that his present challenges will work out and that he would grow his time management skills.  Pray for Milo and Sabine as they travel to Germany, that they are safe and healthy and accomplish what they need to during the next six weeks.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Betinna’s husband, Jim (with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) has had a good result from the bone marrow transplant and she has asked me to thank everyone for their faithfulness in prayer.

Isaias is feeling better, yet some of his family seems also to be unwell now.  Also thank you for the local support Isaias has been given.   PNS is finally recovering and will be here for a visit soon.  Thank you, Father for giving me the ability to get on line again and for this unexpected  time of rest and reflection.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:   David R doing well through complicated health challenges.  Tim (my little brother) with CPRD, needs financial help and satisfying work.  For Audley and Beverly’s situation and his new endeavour.

For Carlton still suffering from horrible infections and pain in his bones.  For Nancy who is growing stronger and for Fred as he cares for her.  For PJ

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Barbara (sister-in-law) eager to find new work since her project ended.  Be with Hans as he struggles through changes in his life – that he will cling quietly to the Lord. 

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray the Lord’s hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His purposes in surprising and wonderful ways! 

Carla & Paul K for good results from their business plans.  Please pray for Deborah as she deals with a difficult situation, that she would keep her focus where it must be and that her hurting heart is soothed by the Father as He brings about the result that is His will.

For Tarrega, as his hearts settles and strengthens.  For Linda and Ian.  For Rob and his daughter. For Reg.  Pray for Annette and her career adventures.  Pray for wisdom for my brother as he deals with an important matter.  For David K, in his studies and Matthew K as he grows up.  Elaine and Jim back in Hong Kong.


PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children there and for the many nations and individuals suffering from global financial mismanagement.  Pray for the Catholic Church and that the new Pope will always put Jesus first.  

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