Daily Focus, November 15, 2018

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

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 17:1-58 (“And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.)

This Week’s Memory Verse:Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Remember These In Prayer:

Sue Neeley remains at Johnson City Medical Center after being admitted last Friday.  Her blood counts have been holding more steady, but she has an infection, possibly from dental work recently done.  She continues to be examined and monitored.

Glynn Payne, husband of Fred Roten’s sister, was discharged on Wednesday from the hospital in Newark, Delaware, and is now back home.  He had suffered a fall on Sunday, but apparently did not suffer any broken bones.  Fred sends his thanks for the prayers.

Barbara Sweeney, mother of Amber Lafon, was admitted to Johnson City Medical Center earlier this week after suffering a stroke and a possible heart attack.  We had no update on her condition on Wednesday.

John Holsclaw, uncle of Rebekah Hunt and a member of the Elizabethton Church of Christ, remains at Franklin Woods Hospital, but was in declining health at last report.  Pray for God’s blessings to be upon him.

Mary Anne, neighbor and friend of Linda Barrette, is continuing to consult with specialists about the pain she has been experiencing.  She appreciates the prayers that are being offered for her.

California residents are seeing the extent of the devastation caused by wildfires over the last few days.  Almost 9,000 homes have been burned, and the death toll has reached 58, with many still unaccounted for.  Pray for the Lord’s intervention to bring this disaster to an end.

Bags Are Now All Distributed!  Last night at Bible study the remaining empty bags for “Sharing Thanksgiving” were taken. Now let’s be sure to fill them and return them to the building by Sunday morning.  If you’d like to make a monetary donation to help buy the hams for the meals, please hand your gift to Lucy or Perry Jernigan, or to Kathy Torgerson or Ruth Boggs.

55-Plus Dinner This Evening: If you are old enough you should consider joining others from your Central family for the 55-Plus Dinner at 6:00 this evening.  Get involved with family activities at Central!

Hearing Rescheduled: The court hearing for Cathy Carter-Bisner was postponed to this coming Monday at 1:30 at the Washington County Justice Center in Jonesborough.  Pray for good to come from this hearing.  If you are able to attend to show your support for Cathy, that would be appreciated.

Appealing For Justice: WCYB-TV ran a story earlier this week about a class at Elizabethton High School that is appealing to the governor of California to reconsider a 20-year-old murder conviction.  One student in that class who was interviewed was Zakk Lombardo, who has attended Central for many years.  Click here to read the story, and let Zakk know that we’re proud of him for getting involved in a cause like this.

Perfect Unity:  *  “The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more.  I am not a Virginian, but an American.”  (Patrick Henry)  *  “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”  (Galatians 3:27-29)