Good evening, Family! 💁🏻♂️💙
This week, we praise God for:
💟 The Vega family was extremely grateful to have John attend worship service with them. He went through over a month of radiation, and it's now complete. They are grateful and ask the church to pray for continued health. They also thank the Lord for protecting them from a potentially deadly caraccident.
💟 Vanessa's family is grateful that whatever challenges she faces- and she faced a troubling situation this week, that God always grants her what she needs. Her family is grateful for the church family who keeps all of their children covered in prayer.
We are praying for:
🛐 Each and every silent prayer request lifted.
🛐 The Santiago family as they mourn the sudden and unexpected passing of Dennis, brother to Ivan and Mima, who were part of the State Street Spanish Church. May the Lord grant them all strength and courage during this incredibly difficult time.
🛐 Micharen lifted up her family after losing her uncle. She asked that we pray for continued strength and courage for her entire family as the prepare for the burial in the Dominican Republic,
🛐 Christine, Sue's friend, who was just diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and is in need of healing and strength.
🛐 As many of you know by now, Catheryn and Connor are expecting their first baby, due around Christmas time.🎁 Originally expecting twins, they tragically lost one of the babies earlier in the pregnancy and took time to grieve with their families.
They praise God for reaching the 20 week milestone with their little fighter, and ask the church to keep them and Baby in their prayers.
🛐 Amel; that God would grant him traveling mercies and protection from Covid.
🛐 Astrid's twin brother, who received a tough diagnosis. Astrid is requesting prayer for him, that God might help him turn it around. Please keep him, Astrid and the rest her family in your prayers.
🛐 John's test results; that they come back favorably.
🛐 Healing for Carole's dad.
🛐 Protection over Elijah as he had to return to Florida. May God protect him, especially his little mind, that he won't be negatively impacted by all of this upheaval.
🛐 Healing and protection for Maria's sister, Roberta and their dad.
🛐 Doris' granddaughter, Skylar, and for her entire family.
🛐 Karina and Alejandro as they travel to St. Croix to visit his mom, and then to Grenada for their delayed honeymoon. May God watch over and protect them add they travel, and keep them safe from Covid.
Tonight's Devotional was shared by Peter, who saw a very real connection to the Bible Study lesson we have been studying and wanted to share. 💙 Thank you, Peter! 🙂
Characteristics of the Lord’s Servants
When we hear the phrase “serving God,” we usually think of activities like teaching Bible study or visiting the sick. But the most important thing about a servant of the Lord is character. Though today’s passage was written about pastors, it is applicable to every believer.
Those who serve God are not to be quarrelsome but instead should show kindness and patience when wronged. Frequently we want to argue our point and fight for our rights. And if offended, we’re quick to retaliate or hold a silent grudge. But Paul advises us to instead exercise self-control and respond with the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
God wants His children to know how to instruct and correct others with gentleness (2 Timothy 2:25).
All believers—even those of us who aren’t specifically gifted to teach—should be able to convey biblical truths, explain the gospel, and wisely correct those who have believed false teaching.
Finally, we must pray for those who don’t know God, asking Him to lead them to repentance and knowledge of the truth. Only the Lord can save, but He uses His children’s godly responses to open doors.