Sin Foundations - Partial Truth

"So Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, 'What have you done to me.  And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin?  You have done to me things that ought not to be done.'  And Abimelech said to Abraham, 'What have you encountered, that you have done this thing?'

"And Abraham said, 'Because I thought surely there is no fear of God in this place; and they will kill me because of my wife.  Besides, she actually is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife; and it came about when God causes me to wander from my father's house, that I said to her, 'This is the kindness which you will show me:  everywhere we go, say of me, 'He is my brother.'''

"Abimelech then took sheep and oxen and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored his wife to him.  And Abimelech said, 'Behold, my land is before you; settle wherever you please.'

"And to Sarah he said, 'Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; behold, it is your vindication before all who are with you, and before all men you are cleared.'

""And Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, so that they bore children.  For the Lord had closed fast all the wombs of the household of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife." Genesis 20: 8-18

Have you ever toyed with God, trying to get what you wanted?  Have you ever forgotten, even for a moment that your Father is watching over you, even during the most awful and frightening times -- that as His child you are NEVER alone and NEVER without hope. 

Here Abraham fell back into his besetting sin (lying) and rationalised it way, never imagining that God would punish someone else for his sin.  Yet, God also used this as a way to work out another step of His plan for Abraham.

I've been getting regular text messages from Adrian (see prayer request below).  Yesterday, right before one of these dangerous procedures, when, had I been in his place I would have been so afraid, he texted me:  "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow."  Please hold him up right now.

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 in pain and unable to sleep as the treatment has just begun to kill his immune system before they replace his T-cells in the hope of stopping this cancer.  He will be in isolation in Royal Brisbane Hospital for 4-6 weeks. If any of you can help by sending him an email or card and perhaps paying him a visit in a couple of weeks, please contact me.  PB needs a heart-kidney transplant and is waiting in the hospital now.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS.  My project, actually the product and entire department where I was working, has been dissolved.  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.