Daily Focus, January 27, 2020

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”  James 4:8

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 2:1-22 (“Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you.”)

This Week’s Memory Verse:For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

Remember These In Prayer:

Karen Stevens remains at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville.  She is scheduled for skin graft surgery either today or Wednesday, and other treatments are being done.  Her doctors hope to get her back home by this weekend, her daughters reported on Sunday.

Marshall Danby is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery this morning.  Prayers for all to go well would be greatly appreciated.

Mary Lou Cooper will soon meet with specialists after learning that her recent biopsies of lymph nodes had cancer cells.  Ask the Lord to bless our sister with the most effective approaches to dealing with this situation.

Jordan Simerly left on Sunday with his parents for Texas as they will consult with specialists about the diagnosis of lymphoma he was recently given.  He greatly appreciates the prayers and well wishes of his Central family.

Violet Yates has experienced some large spikes in her blood sugar level the last few days, leading her to feel poorly and need injections of insulin.  She remains at home, and otherwise is getting along about the same.  Her daughter Glenna asks that we pray for things to stabilize.  For now it would be best that there be no visitors, due to the seasonal prevalence of contagious illnesses.

Juanita Mathes is at Quillen Rehab Hospital following a recent health event that stemmed from extremely high blood pressure.  She is scheduled to be discharged to return home tomorrow.

Carl Cornett, a member of the Northeast Church of Christ who is known to several here at Central, is in ICU at Mountain Home VA Medical Center.  He is being treated for pneumonia and recovering from major surgery.  His wife Jessie passed away just a few weeks ago.

Ray Markland and Alvin Bailey were both with us in worship on Sunday, as well as A.J. Farmer, granddaughter of Judith Frye.  Let us remember to give thanks to God for hearing our prayers for each of these.

Several hundred in China have contracted a deadly coronavirus, and a few cases have now been diagnosed in other countries, including the U.S.  Pray for God’s help to bring this outbreak under control, and to help those who already are afflicted with it.

A New Birth!  Elly Grace Malone was born Friday evening, the newest member of Christy and Tyler Malone’s family.  Weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and measuring 19 inches long, she joins big brother Easton.

Another Great-Grandchild!  June and Fred Selby announced on Sunday the arrival of their newest great-grandson, Samuel Coles Selby.  Fred noted that this child’s great-great-grandfather (Fred’s father) had the same name.  This makes 12 great-grandchildren for June and Fred.

Our Prison Outreach Is Expanding: As reported yesterday at our evening worship assembly, Central’s prison ministry is reaching more men than ever, and several have acted upon the hope God gives them.  If you weren’t able to be with us, we urge you to listen to the report online.  If you’d like to know more about how you can help with this work, speak with Marshall Danby, me, or any of the several others who are involved.  It was really special to have Rodney and his family with us, a man we worked with at Mountain City who is now doing very well on the outside.

Can You Help?  The pantry is in need of empty gallon or half-gallon, clean milk jugs. If you have any to donate, please leave them outside the pantry door.

Try:  *  “The one who falls and gets up is stronger than the one who never tried. Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying.”  (Roy T. Bennett)  *  “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:7)