Sin Foundations - Scheming

"Rebekah said to her son Jacob, 'Behold, I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, saying, 'Bring me some game and prepare a savoury dish for me, that I may eat, and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death.' 

"'Now therefore, my son, listen to me as I command you.  Go now to the flock and bring me two choice kids from there, that I may prepare them as a savoury dish for your father, such as he loves.  Then you shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death.'" Genesis 27:6-10

God does not need our help to work things out for His glory, yet often we persist on "giving Him a bit of a hand".  Rebekah did not have confidence in God's ability to sort our His plan for His glory and set another sad example for his son Jacob.

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 Scott, in particular:  mental and physical healing, God focus and ability to think clearly.  Please pray for Tarrega who is in now home from the hospital after a heart proceedure.  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 having dialysis today 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 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.