"Now the two angels came to Sodom in
the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them he rose to meet them and
bowed down with his face to the ground.
And he said, 'Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your
servant's house and spend the night and wash your feet; then, you may rise
early and go on your way.'
"They said however, 'Now, but we
shall spend the night in the square.'
Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his
house and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread and they
ate." Genesis19:1-3
Lot was no fool and he was no common man. "Sitting in the gate", means he was
a prosperous man of means and influence, well regarded by those in Sodom. Yet, he definitely recognised the purity and
righteousness of these three and wanted to distract them from the simmering sin
surrounding them before they were exposed to it.
The three of them must have felt sad for Lot, who chose to "joust
with evil" daily. But he was
fearful for them and persuaded them to stay safely within his house. We know when we are "playing with the
fire of sin" and we also know consequences await, yet there is a certain
pride to imagine that we can be victorious against evil in our own power.
"Let no one say when he is tempted,
'I am being tempted by God' for God cannot be tepted by evil, and He Himself
does not tempt anyone. But each one is
tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth
to sin, and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived my beloved brethren." James 1:13-16
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, who has the last two days of chemo before being
hospitalised for 4-6 weeks while he undergoes a very serious procedure to
replace his T-cells. He will be in the
Royal Hospital in Brisbane...if any can help by visiting him, please contact
me. PB
needs a heart-kidney transplant and is waiting in the hospital now/
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS. 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. Adrian as he continues to
struggle through his cancer.
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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