Sin Foundations - MINE!

"Then Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dub in the days of his father Abraham, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham' and he gave them the same names which his father had given them.  But when Isaac's servants dug in the valley and found there a well of flowing water, the herdsmen of Gerar quarrelled with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, 'The water is outs!;  So he named the wall Esek, because they contended with him.

"Then they dug another well, and they quarrelled over it too, so he named it Sitnah.  And he moved away from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it; so he named it Rehoboth, for he said, 'At last the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.'" Genesis 26:18-22

The wells now are the focus of the story.  Isaac had just been caught in lying about his wife's relationship to him.  Now he is caught between a hostile city, a waterless countryside and greedy neighbors.  He laboured on wells only to have them taken. 

Like his early gains, timely relief and encouragement from the Lord.  Eventually with tenacity, God rewarded him.  Today ,  God engages us in the same types of struggles.  When we learn the lesson of consolidate the learnings from life, not pioneer through new things the struggles ease.

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.  He needs the arms of the Lord surrounding him with warmth and love.  His isolation is difficult as he begins a 4-6 week journey, as they kill his immune system and replace his T-cells in the hope of stopping this cancer.  He'll be in isolation in Royal Brisbane Hospital. If you can help by sending him an email or card and perhaps paying him a visit (in a couple of weeks - he is too ill for visitors presently), please contact me.  PB needs a heart-kidney transplant and is waiting in the hospital now.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Please pray for Tarrega who is in the hospital having heart proceedures.  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 with two little boys.  She's in the hospital with cancer.  Raven - in hospital.  Has had surgery and begins chemo and radiation.  Remember Daniel Craver, now 4 years old (we prayed as he had a liver transplant last summer).  It seems 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 as he studies in Germany till February and for his mom, Sabine that she will adjust to this time apart.

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) 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 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 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.