Sin Foundations - Power & Jealousy

"Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.  And when Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; and Esau said to Jacob, 'Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.'  Therefore his name was called Edom. 

"But Jacob said, 'First sell me your birthright.'  And Esau said, 'Behold I am about to die, so of what use then is the birthright to me?'  And Jacob said, 'First swear to me'; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.  Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank and rose and went on his way.  Thus Esau despised his birthright." Genesis 25:28-34

The two boys were rivals from the time they were in the womb.  One a hunter in times of plenty, the other a "solid-hearted" man who tapped his foot waiting for the birthright to be transferred.  Add parents who choose their favourites and you have trouble brewing.  Esau did not care about his birthright and Jacob did not care to wait for God's plan to work out. 

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, his physical pain is so difficult now for him.  He needs the arms of the Lord surrounding him with warmth and love right now.  His isolation is difficult as he begins this 4-6 week journey as they 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:  Please pray for John, Patti's husband how has had his second knee surgery and is not progressing well.  He needs to manage his health now to prevent blood clots and infections.  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.  Remember Daniel Craver, now 4 years old, he had a liver transplant last summer.  Now he has signs of fever and that his body is rejecting the transplant.

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) got to go out for the first time on Monday, his birthday!  Please thank everyone again, for their prayers.  She sent this message today for Adrian:  "Jim and I can send an encouraging email.  We know that God is God and that He has Adrian in His hands." 

Isaias and his wife Judith need prayers for their ministries in Mindanao, Philippines from 31 July to 20 August, as they have a very heavy teaching schedule during this time - guard their health and hearts.   PNS is finally recovering and has arrived, pray for him finding a job and continued growing strength and bless him for his patience.

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 and that there will be an unexpected, satisfying job in his chosen field for him.  My project, actually the product and entire department where I was working, has been dissolved.  Please pray for the wisdom of my next steps. 

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.