Thank you to everyone who joins us daily at 5:14 p.m. to pray for healing and wholeness for others. God takes care of our needs as we take time daily to pray intentionally for others. I am grateful for the praise reports we receive like the one I received today from Minister Florence Evans.  Minister Evans has been visiting Sister Stephanie Campbell on our S & S (Sick and Shut-in) list below. Sis. Campbell underwent successful cancer surgery recently and was informed that there is no metastasis, and she will not need chemo/radiation! As Minister Florence put it. “She is home walking in healing and praising God for his goodness.” 

We also received reports from Elder Desiree Marshall and Elder Arlene McClain who have been visiting Elder Gwen Christian. Elder Dez reports “She’s coming along quite well.” Please keep Elder Gwen in prayers! She underwent lengthy surgery today and is in recovery tonight.

My wife, Elder Betty Sumner, is also making good progress as she recovers from a recent fall and extensive leg injuries.  I spent the first half of today at Urgent Care and the second half at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center (all day today) after experiencing severe leg pain and swelling above the knee for the last four days.  After X-rays, Ultra-sound, and blood testing, it was narrowed to a muscle contusion.  Thank God! It’s painful and walking is difficult. But there is no blood clot or anything else of a more serious nature!

Now for a brief thought for this week:

“Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever” (Psalm 111:10 NLT).

True Wisdom or Artificial Intelligence

Many who think they are wise do not possess true wisdom. They may be able to explain quantum mechanics like Einstein, break down astrophysics, or just believe or pretend they are “a very stable genius,” like…  but apart from the fear of the LORD, all of that is a form of artificial intelligence. Why? Because “the fear [reverence] of God is the foundation of true wisdom.” And all who fear the LORD will obey his commandments.  As we submit to God, resist the devil, and obey his commandments, we grow (increase) in wisdom.

So, if anyone thinks they are “a very stable genius” and does not truly fear the LORD or obey His commandments– well, I’ll let Paul finish this one:

“Stop deceiving yourself. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you must become a fool to be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, ‘He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness’”(1 Corinthians 3:18-19).

When you are concerned enough about others to esteem them and their needs above yourself and your desires, you are demonstrating love and reverence, fear of the LORD. So, thank you again to everyone who joins us in prayer daily for the health and well-being of others. If you have not joined us yet, all you have to do is take a look at the list below and PRAY! If you forget to join in at 5:14 p.m. Pray for the people on this list at some point during the day.

Reminders: I would love to hear from you!!!  If you would like to respond to any of my thoughts, share a praise report, a prayer request or share something I can include in the next weekly focus, please just shoot me an email or text me at the number below.

Project 2024: “If My people who are called by my name would humble themselves and pray…”

Also, please do not neglect to VOTE in November!

And please continue to join us at 5:14 p.m. each day as we pause to pray.

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).