Good Evening, Family!๐ค
This week, we praise God for:
๐ Angelica is very grateful to God that out of 1,000 students at her University, she is one of only 6 students chosen to advance to the next level in competing for a full scholarship for her Masters degree. May the Lord open only doors that fit into His perfect plan for her life!
๐ We ALL give God the honor and glory He deserves for bringing all of our graduates and students through to this stage of their lives and we trust Him for all the rest!
๐ We praise God for allowing Gilbert and Evelyn to be there for Armando and his family during the last days is his life and we thank Him for bringing them home safely.
๐ Marรญa thanks God for keeping Jordan safe while he's away from home, and asks that we keep him in prayer always!
๐ All of the young people at the Lighthouse. Their willingness to help, to serve and to lead are an inspiration to everyone. We are so very BLESSED to have each of them! ๐ค
We are also praying for:
๐ The UPDATE on our brother, John Vega. His results came back and there WAS cancer within his tumor. John will be beginning radiation immediately because the doctors believe that will be enough to get rid of any residual cancer left behind. We are praising God for that good news and will keep him in prayer! Please also pray for our sisters, Pat and Angelica, as they support John through this journey!
๐ Carole's husband has contracted Covid and is having difficulty breathing. Doctors are considering admitting him to the hospital. Please pray for the Lord's healing and for him to be kept from any serious illness or effects. Please also pray for our sister Carole, that the Lord might trade her peace for her worries.
๐Stacey's son, who also tested positive for Covid. May the Lord protect him from any serious illness and may He also protect their family.
โ๏ธ Armando's family and loved ones as they move through the grieving process.
๐ Nelly's neighbor, Provi, as she recovers from surgery.
โ๏ธ Micharen's grandmother, who will be traveling from the Dominan Republic. May the Lord shield and protect her on her journey.
๐ Our brother, John Vega, who is still awaiting test results. We are praying for good test results and renewed health!
๐ Nelly, and for answers to her health questions. May God grant her team of doctors the wisdom they need to figure out this mystery.
๐ Diana, Leianaโs mother, as she grieves this unimaginable loss. Pray for strength as she has to endure the prosecution phase of this nightmare.
๐ Bianca, Vishal and Sebastian Suri. May the Lord shower their beautiful family with blessings from above.
๐ Our sister, Evelyn, as continues to recover from her surgery. May she experience less pain with each passing day towards a full recovery.
๐ Vasthi's friend, Rosa and her family.
๐ Micharen's aunt, uncle, and cousins, Ralph and Jr. May the Lord work out miracles on their behalf.
๐ Doris' friend's daughter, Ari, who was exposed after visiting a friend's home m the friend's dad, who is a police officer, had Covid and was not aware. Ari was informed once he tested positive and she is now positive as well. Pray for taking for them both and for protection for Ari's family.
๐ Maria, who has been suffering from Tinnitus in her ear. Sheโs asking for prayer as she is going to see a specialist. Letโs ask for wisdom and for the doctor to offer her much-needed relief and healing.
๐ Angelica, as she has been given new and exciting opportunities at work, and in her educational career as she pursues her Master's degree.
๐ Doris, and her daughters, Jackie, Amanda and their children, Skylar, Heaven Lee, Dorian, Zaire and Amir. May God keep working miracles in their lives.
๐ Seth...that God would continue to shower him with His goodness, grace and love. May God work out the NEXT MIRACLE in his life! Pray for his MRI, that Seth would handle it well and that the results would be favorable, knowing that God has always come through.
๐ Anna Ortiz. Kristina provided us with this update: They found another lump behind her neck and she's now receiving treatment for that as well. Despite it all she's in good spirits and thankful for the prayers.
Tonight's Devotional was written by Pastor Rick Warren, and shared by Ruth. ๐ค๐ค A powerful challenge for all of God's Children. ๐ Thank you, Ruth! ๐
Be Color Blessed, Not Colorblind
Some people say, โWhen I look at people, I donโt see their race. I donโt see their color.โ Thereโs a word for that: liar!
Nobody is colorblind when it comes to race. And God doesnโt want you to be colorblind. He wants you to be color blessed.
God loves color! Just take a look outside. Everything he makes is in color, like sunsets and flowers. Look at all the different people around the world. The way he created you demonstrates this.
We need to learn to see all people the way God sees them.
The Bible says, โThe Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heartโ (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV).
Quite frankly, thatโs a tall order for most of us. Itโs not natural to look at the inside before the outside. Weโre trained to make snap judgments based on outward appearance.
Some people you trust just by looking at them, others you donโt. Books are judged by their covers. Homes are judged by their curb appeal. People are judged by how they look, dress, and talk.
So ask God to help you start seeing people the way he sees them. Look at their heart, not their skin.
Itโs one of the first steps toward overcoming prejudice in your lifeโand in the world around you.
Talk It Over
โข Have you been judged by your appearance instead of being judged based on what youโre like on the inside? If so, how did that affect you?
โข Do you have any prejudices against other people? Take that to God today and confess it. Ask him to change the way you look and judge others.
โข What steps can you take to be color blessed instead of colorblind?
โข In the future, what will you do if you find yourself judging someone based on their outward appearance?