Sin Foundations - Guilt

"And it came about at that time, that Judah departed from his brothers and visited a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.  And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her and went in to her. 

"So she conceived and bore a son and he named him Er.  Then she conceived and bore a son and named him Onan.  And she bore still another son and named him Shelah; and it was at Cherzib that she bore him." Genesis 38:1-5

Judah, like Reuben, was the son of Leah, a child born to a mother not wanted by his father.  Like Reuben, Judah tried to find a way around killing Joseph.  He chose profit from selling Joseph rather than death.  But his life would never be the same.  He left the "family" to settle eight miles away and married into a Cannanite family without even consulting his father.  Yet God had a plan no matter what Judah might want or do and His plan would work out through Judah. 

God knows when we will disobey.  God knows the rational we will whisper to ourselves.  He knows the guilt that will cover us like a clear film, suffocating our ability to think clearly.  Nevertheless, His plan will continue to be worked out one way or another for His glory and His purposes.  Rest in that...it is so true!  Have a good weekend.

"Am I a God who is near," declares the Lord, 'and not a God far off?  Can a man hide himself in hiding places, so I do not see him?' declares the Lord.  'Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?' declares the Lord." Jeremiah 23:23-24

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

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 through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  Pray for those facing the worst day of bush fires in New South Wales.  PNS, as he goes for yet another meeting today in regard to a new project role. 

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray for heart healing for Patty, who lost her three year old daughter four years ago and still can't move on from her loss!  Fand lost her father-in-law, please pray for the family.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  In a most miraculous way, Hans has found a job.  Thank you for praying.  Adrian's pain is lessening and he is able to work on getting some normal movement back.  He is preparing for hospitalisation to relieve the pain from the damage done to his spine from the cancer.  Carlton (painful bone infections) is feeling a bit better finally.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Raven - has just had the final dose of chemo and is surrounded by the healing support of her family as she recovers.  David R losing his eyesight due to macular degeneration - I would love to go home to see him before he can no longer see me.  For Audley and Beverly’s situation and his new endeavour.  For Nancy who is growing stronger and for Fred as he cares for her. 

Scott for mental and physical healing, God focus and ability to think clearly.  Pray for the two surviving sons of Melanie Karunaratne in New Zealand.  

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Barbara (sister-in-law) that the Lord would encourage her as she waits for a new project or full time role. 

For PJ that he may find projects to fill his needs.  Please pray for a new project for me and the wisdom of my next steps - the end of the month is a brick wall for me now.  A 6-12 month project that looks like I will get won't start till late November.

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!

Isaac's Dad (84 years old) after a heart attack still needs procedures and for Isaac in the Philippines where his ministry is searching for the Lord's fruit.  Pray for Milo as he studies in Germany till February and for his mom, Sabine as she adjusts to this time away. 

Carla & Paul K for good results from their business plans.  For Linda and Ian.  For Rob and his daughter.  For Reg.  Pray for Annette and her wonderful family.  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.