“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 29:1 – 30:26 (“Wail, ‘Alas for the day!’ For the day is near the day of the Lord is near; it will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.”)
This Week’s Memory Verse: “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3
Scroll down this page for a list of prayer requests.
Take Time For Your Soul: This evening at 7:00 you will have another opportunity to join with other Christians as we open our Bibles together. Only a handful will be at our building, but we’re asking to come to you through the Internet. An email will be sent out later today with all of the details and links for these opportunities. Please join us! (Classes for children from birth through grade 6 will begin at 6:15.)
If You Use An Android Phone to access Facebook or YouTube, please also have an alternate device (laptop, tablet, smart TV, etc.) ready if possible. If the sound on your phone does come through well, try using one of the other devices. Let us know what your experience is like. (Our audio live stream continues to work well.)
A New Feature Tonight: During our broadcast of this evening’s devotional at 7:00 we will introduce a new feature that we think you’ll be happy to see. No further clues; you have to be watching to know what it is!
Social Distancing Will Continue: On Monday Governor Lee announced that his “Safer At Home” measures would lapse at midnight on April 30. However, he has also made clear that Tennesseans will need to continue social distancing, hand washing, wearing masks, and staying close to home when possible. The news will discourage some, but we stress again that these measures are saving lives – perhaps our own.
Fabric Facial Masks will be an important part of our wardrobes for the foreseeable future. I know of at least four of our sisters in the congregation who have made these masks. If you would like to be listed as a source for these masks, let me know and we will do that. P.S. We’re not asking you to provide these masks for free, so let me know your asking price.
Register For High Rock’s Spring Retreat: High Rock Bible Camp’s Spring Retreat will happen virtually this coming Friday through Sunday. A number of presentations will happen on the Zoom platform, all designed to encourage young people from God’s word. “I Love To Tell The Story” is the theme. Go to this site to register (scroll down to “Registration For Virtual Sessions”). If you don’t register, you won’t receive the email containing the “keys” to get in. Also, each family should plan to use only one device, as “space” is limited.
Remember These In Prayer:
Gene Arrowood remains in ICU at Johnson City Medical Center as he recovers from surgery on Friday to relieve pressure on his brain from bleeding. There is still some drainage from the surgery site; when that heals he will be moved to a regular room. Carol Arrowood, his daughter, reported on Tuesday that he is eating better, but has had some pain from having to be moved around. Keep our brother in your prayers.
Jade Vance, daughter of Stephanie and Isaac Vance, came through her thrombectomy on Tuesday at Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Dean Neal, her grandmother, reported that the doctor was able to remove all of the large blood clots. Jade was doing well at last report.
Chance Simmons, brother of James Simmons, will undergo surgery today at Johnson City Medical Center to clear blockages in his leg arteries. Chance lives with James and their cousin, Rodney Hendrix. Prayers for all to go well with the surgery would be appreciated.
Skylar Strong, daughter of Judy and Randy Strong, continues to wait for a kidney, and is undergoing nightly dialysis. She has had to stop working, due to her lowered immune system, and is not in school, so she is homebound. Keep Skylar in your prayers.
June Selby is now in Skilled Nursing at Cornerstone Village as she begins rehab from last week’s surgery to repair a broken hip. Fred has been able to stand outside of her window and talk to her on the phone. Pray for God’s comfort for both June and Fred, and for healing for June.
Tristan Summie, 22-year-old son of a friend of Charla and Jerry Bacon, is in ICU in Knoxville after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He has lost the use of one side of his body, and cannot speak. He is in the military, and underwent a procedure on Tuesday to cauterize an av fistula in the brain where the bleeding occurred. Charla has asked that we pray for God’s help.
Emma Harrod, a young lady for whom we have been praying since November of 2016, is at Franklin Woods Hospital with low blood counts and signs of infection. Her PEG tube needs to be replaced, but her platelet levels are too low. Her mother is the only family member who can be with her. Arlene Kellum asks that we pray for Emma, her mother Jodie, and all who are close to Emma.
Glenda Kellum, mother of Danny Kellum, is doing better in Searcy, Arkansas after being hospitalized following a fall nearly a month ago. Danny has been there to help clean out Glenda’s apartment, as she has had to move to new quarters. Pray for Glenda’s continued improvement, as well as safe travel for Danny when he returns.
Dana Loveless, wife of Chad Loveless, the preacher for the Old Hope Church of Christ in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, is fighting stage-4 breast cancer. Chad has asked for brethren everywhere to send cards for her 50th birthday on May 4. Her address is 2828 Old Hickory Blvd, # 1801, Nashville, TN, 37221.
Too Many Words! * “An intellectual is a man who takes more words than necessary to tell more than he knows.” (Dwight D. Eisenhower) * “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:1,2)
