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

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 29:1 – 30:24 (“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”)

This Week’s Memory Verse: “This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.”  1 Timothy 1:18

Remember These In Prayer:

Sherry Carden came through her outpatient esophagus procedure on Tuesday, and is now recovering at home.  It is hoped this will help resolve the issues Sherry has been having with swallowing.

Linda Russell continues to recover at Bristol Regional Medical Center following her heart valve repair surgery on Monday.  She will likely remain hospitalized through most of the week.  It would be best that there be no visitors for now.

Sheila Frakes was discharged Tuesday evening from Johnson City Medical Center after scans revealed no information about the source of the blood clot that was found in her lung.  She has been placed on blood thinners, and will follow up with her primary care physician next week.  She sends her thanks for the prayers offered for her.

Lucy Hagerty is scheduled to undergo hip surgery today.  Say a prayer that all will go well, and that she will be given the relief she has needed.

Dave Clark is scheduled to receive his first immunotherapy treatment today.  Pray for God’s help in making these treatments effective.

An anonymous request for prayers has been received as one of our members prepares for an outpatient procedure this week.  Ask the Lord that all will go well, and that the findings will be good.

Ruth Humphrey, aunt of Elizabeth McConnell and Melissa Jacobs, was to have undergo spine surgery on Tuesday at Johnson City Medical Center.  We have received no update on how things went.

Jazmine Ryan continues to undergo treatments for traumatic issues she experienced before her adoption by Megan and Greg Ryan.  Cards with encouraging scriptures have been requested, but let Megan or Greg know if you plan to send a card so your name can be added to her list.  Her address is 1751 Oak Plains Road, Ashland City, TN, 37015.

Tina Thornton remains hospitalized at Johnson City Medical Center.  She will undergo dialysis again today in an attempt to remove some of the excess fluid that has built up in her body.

Carl Walker was moved on Tuesday from Sycamore Shoals Hospital to NHC Healthcare in Johnson City.  Pray for God’s power to assist Carl’s healing and recovery.

The family of Delora Tidwell, mother of Patti Fatherree, will receive friends this coming Sunday from 2:00 to 2:30 at the building of the Central Church of Christ, with a memorial service following at 2:30.  Keep Patti and all of Delora’s family in your prayers.

Christian teens from around our region are at High Rock Bible Camp this week.  Ask the Lord to watch over this effort, and to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Bible Study This Evening: Come join several of your Central family members at 7:00 as they gather to open God’s word together.

Schedule Change: Tim Hall’s class on “Miracles, Signs, and Wonders” will not meet this evening, but will have its opening class next Wednesday.  Plan to stay with the adult class in the auditorium tonight.

Rotens On The Road: Georgie and Fred Roten are visiting with his sister and brother-in-law this week.  Dorothy suffers from dementia, and Glynn, almost 92, watches out for both of them.  He asks that we remember them in our prayers.

Honor Flight Breakfast will be this Saturday from 8:00 until 12:00.  Come support the efforts of this organization by enjoying a good breakfast and making a donation to the work they do.

Daily Focus On Pause: You will not receive Daily Focus again until Saturday morning.  I plan to leave for Nashville this morning to attend the National Prison Workers’ Seminar, hosted by the Hillsboro Church of Christ and Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry.  Prayer requests will be sent out as needed.

Adversity’s Blessing:  *  “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant.”  (Horace)  *  “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  (James 1:2-4)