We can also be like Eve and Mrs. Potiphar - when we reach for something we know isn't good for us - OR - isn't in line with your commandments. Sometimes we want to go "just far enough" - testing the boundaries - before we pull back at the last minute - before we have totally committed to the sin. At other times, we don't care and go full steam ahead, knowing what we are doing is wrong, but doing it anyway. Often we think "I'll ask for forgiveness later, but for now . . . I'm going to do it!" Maybe it's something small - no one will notice (except YOU of course!) or maybe it is life altering.
As fellow worshipers we praise you for Your Wisdom, Your Love and Your Mercy. We ask You to continue to lead us to the right path, to help us turn our heads and hearts away from sin - in plenty of time - to avoid evil. Please help us stay focused on You and realize that we are not just reading a story in a fun Bible study, but witnessing an example of how easy it is to go astray from You. And . . . when we have gone too far, please help us find our way back to You.
We love you and want to be the children You designed us to be. We realize that each one of us is only one step away from veering off the path of righteousness You have set before us. We ask for your guidance in the name of Your Precious Son - our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
For the past few weeks, we have been praying for Lois' friend Mary as she went through breast cancer surgery on Thursday, June 12th. Lois praises God for Mary's successful surgery and clear lymph nodes. Sadly, Mary's Mom passed away - she left today to drive to Columbus to lay her mother to rest. Please keep Mary in prayer as she mourns the loss of her Mom, then returns home to begin further treatment.
Praise for Vacation Bible School - a total of 184 children came to our church to share in the love of Christ. Please pray that seeds have been planted in the minds of these precious children.
Marj asked for prayers for a family member, Ed, who had been suffering with headaches - he was recently diagnosed with 2 brain tumors - one responded to treatment and the other did not. Please keep Ed in prayer as he begins a medical trial to treat the non-responding tumor.
We have been praying for Dreama's friend, Susie, who has been fighting breast cancer - chemo, double mastectomy and radiation. Susie shaved off her own hair prior to beginning chemo. As you can imagine and many of us have experienced, it has been difficult for Susie to come to terms with having cancer. Dreama told us that, perhaps even thanks to prayer, Susie has begun to come to terms with this and has begun to fight this disease.
Mary Ann gave us an update on Darla's husband, Joe. He has been doing quite well. He was told by medical people that most people don't survive the kind of blockages he had - they don't usually even make it to the hospital. Joe and Darla believe God has great plans for them. Please continue to keep them in prayer.
Barb asked for continued prayer for, her Mom, Rowena, who has had lymphoma for about 3 years. She has been having chemo every 6 months over this 3 year period and she is weak from all of the treatment. Please keep her in prayer for comfort, strength, endurance and to stay in remission.
Marj updated us on Lorraine's daughter who broke both her ankles - she has had surgery and has begun to improve. Lorraine will remain there for the summer to take care of the children. Please keep them all in prayer for strength, patience, endurance, and healing.
Judy sent an email on Tuesday (6/24) as follows: Our neighbor and friend, Terry Meyer, passed away this morning. His wife was with him and her family is around her now. Thanks so much for your prayers for him. Please now lift up Rita. Love you all Judy Waddling
Judy W told us about her friends Terry and his wife, Meyer. Terry has had leukemia for many years. Meyer has been told Terry needs to be on hospice now which has begun. Neither has been saved. Please pray that they will open their hearts to Jesus and accept Him as their Savior. Please pray often for Terry as his time is running out.
Anna told us of her friend, Tim Banks who has been a caregiver for his Mother for many years. Sadly, she passed away on Saturday. Tim is really struggling with his loss. We know that being a caregiver is a full time job and can also cause quite a void in our lives when we no longer have that. Please pray for Tim's grief and that the Lord lets him know the plans He has for him to fill that void.
Karyl's best friend, Sheila, lost her eldest daughter to brain cancer. Now another of Sheila's daughters, Erin, has breast caner. Please pray for Erin's treatment to be successful. Pray for her comfort and healing. Please pray for Sheila to have strength and endurance as she supports Erin through this most difficult time. Please also pray for Sheila's two other daughters - to keep them safe and free from cancer.
Judi gave an update on Glen Mantooth, who traveled to the Holy Land with the group. His daughter, Katy, told us that Glen is expected to arrive in Orlando on Wednesday morning. He will not return home to The Villages but will go to a rehab in Orlando nearer to Katy. It is a long journey home under the best of circumstances. Please pray for his comfort and his health during this flight and also for his healing once he returns home.
Please pray for the 185+ children recently rescued from sex traffic trade. 200 pimps were also arrested. Please pray for an end to this horrific crime, for healing for these children who have seen and experienced what no child should, and for those who have not yet been rescued.
Tens of thousands of children have been entering our borders. Regardless what we think about whether they belong here or not - let's remember that they are children who have been uprooted from the only world they have know (good or bad) - they are pawns being used in a political battle. Please pray for these precious children, realizing how scared and alone they must feel in a foreign country where they likely don't even speak our language. Remember Matthew 19:14 tells us that "Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Thank you for your prayer requests this week. Please return here to remind yourself to pray for them and to see if any updates have been posted.
Blessings and love . . . Judi