Sin Foundations - Desperation's Result

"Then he said, 'Is he not rightly named Jacob, for he has supplanted me these two times?  He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.'  And he said, 'Have you not reserved a blessing for me?'

"But Isaac answered and said to Esau, 'Behold, I have made him your master, and all his relatives I have given to him as servants; and with grain and new wine I have sustained him.  Now as for you then, what can I do, my son?'  And Esau said to his father, 'Do you have only one blessing, my father?  Bless me, even me also, O my father.' 

"So Esau lifted his voice and wept.  Then Isaac his father answered and said to him, 'Behold, away from the fertility of the earth shall be your dwelling.  And away from the dew of heaven from above.  And by your sword you shall live, and your brother you shall serve; but it shall come about when you become restless, that you shall break his yoke from your neck.' 

"So Esau bore a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him; and Esau said to himself, 'The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.'" Genesis 27:36-41

Often when things do not go our way, we may grow resentful, even bitter and brittle.  We may lash out at those around us and yet, sometimes when things do not go our way, we might do better to look back and review the journey we have taken to arrive where we are.  Perhaps some spiritual soap is needed?

"If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us."  I John 1:8-10

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:   Isaac's Dad (84 years old) after a heart attack.  He's been released from one hospital and returned to another in the hopes of finding adequate care - the hospitals where he lives are primitive and Isaaic and his family are now arguing with him to let them take him to a distant, but modern hospital.  He wants to save them the cost and to die at home.  PB needs a heart-kidney transplant and is waiting in the hospital now.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Scott for mental and physical healing, God focus and ability to think clearly.  Deepak needs our prayers for his situation, asks that we please pray for the two young sons of Melanie Karunaratne - who passed away.  

Raven - her cancer has spread to her lymph nodes, bone scan came back ok second time around, lungs are still iffy, but the spots are too small and too close to blood vessels to safely biopsy right now - looking at four rounds of chemo, then radiation, then pill.  Chemo starts this Thursday (15 Aug). 

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  John, Patti's husband is now recovering well after his second knee surgery.  Tarrega is home recovering from the hospital after a heart procedure.  Daniel Craver, (4 years old) released from hospital with a bad flu rather than the suspected rejection of his liver transplant. 

Adrian is on his way home from what was to be a much longer stay in the hospital for his cancer treatment with nearly normal blood stats.  Thank you all for praying for him.  He is still very weak.

Betinna's husband, Jim (with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) got to go out from the hospital for the first time for his birthday!  She thanks everyone for their prayers and sends this message 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 feeling better and needs our prayers as he continues to look for a job and that he will continue to grow in strength.

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) has had a few very promising job interviews.  Pray the Lord has one of these positions for her.  Be with Hans as he struggles through changes in his life – that he'll cling securely 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 for Milo as he studies in Germany till February and for his mom, Sabine that she will adjust to this time apart.  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 her Heavenly Father as He brings about the result that is His will.  She also sends special wishes for Adrian's recovery.

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.