Devotional for August 4, 2021

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 Jesenia. Thanks, Jess, for helping us to look up!☝🏽

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?

This true story inspired me and I think it will inspire you to see obstacles and mountains differently...in the light of the God's awesome power...not merely your own! 🏔

Todd Huston is a remarkable young man. Todd set the world record for climbing the highest peak in all 50 of the United States. The previous record was 101 days. Todd shattered that record single-handedly by completing his 50 climbs in 66 days, 22 hours, and 47 minutes.

His toughest climb was Mount McKinley in Alaska. Mount McKinley rises out of the Alaskan range to a majestic elevation of more than 20,000 feet, the highest point in North America. Its jagged peak lies just 3.5 degrees south of the Arctic Circle. The mountain is per- petually covered in a shroud of snow and ice. Climbers who have attempted the ascent know that the moun- tain’s moods are capricious and unforgiving.

One of Todd’s biggest tests came when he met a group of climbers on their way down from Mount Kinley. “What’s it like up there today?” Todd asked. One of the men shook his head. “Bad storms and high winds. We were locked in at Denali Pass for three days.”

Todd Huston had to make a choice. Was he going to try it? Was he going to take on this tremendous obstacle with only one leg? You see, Todd had lost his leg in a waterskiing accident when he was only 14 years old.

Todd’s faith and courage led him on.

When asked how he was able to climb mountains not just physically but also the mountains of discourage- ment and disillusionment Todd said “If you are going to look at your affliction, injury, fear, or how others treat you and focus on that, you are going to live around it. But, if you focus on the Lord and his promises, He will get you through it.