• Heather Z., recovering from viral meningitis
• David Kennedy, recovering from surgery and multiple infections
• Sheila Webb's mother, recovering in a nursing home
• Kevin Talbot, job opportunity with Lockheed Martin
• Mike's Dad, kidney stones and an allergic reaction to antibiotics
• Mike's Uncle Roger, cancer has spread to the liver, chemotherapy has been stopped and hospice has started
• Ashley's friend, Nicole, 25 years old with a blocked artery, pending angioplasty
• The Bolton family
• Justin Talbot, doing poorly in summer school
• Debbie Talbot's sister, Leslie, in need of mental and spiritual uplifting
• Youth Pastor Search Committee in need of discernment
• Pastor Doug and family, under a lot of stress
• Dominique Lavigne, pending surgery to repair ruptured ear drum 8/13

• Praise for the Webb family's recovery from recent illness

"How blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee." Psalm 84:5 NASB

The blessing of strength from the Lord is a provision every one of God’s people must have. And God wants to give us His strength, in an abundant supply. But God’s ways are higher than man’s ways, and God’s thoughts are higher than man’s thoughts (Isaiah 55:8,9). This is undoubtedly true, when it comes to the strength of the Lord. God’s ways of strengthening us are different than man’s ways.

"The God of Israel is He that giveth strength and power unto His people." (Ps.68:35 KJV). God’s will is to strengthen us, and to give us power in His ways. We are commanded, "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." (Eph.6:10). God wants us to be strong. Strong in Him, strong in love, strong because we are filled with the Holy Spirit. We must have an unshakable confidence, that God’s purpose is to make us strong in Him. When we face situations which we don’t understand, or when we encounter obstacles, difficulties, or painful situations which we were not expecting, it is easy to lose sight of God’s purposes.