~~ August 25, 2026 ~~

FOCUSED Ministries, Inc.

Focusing On Christ Until Spiritual Excellence is Demonstrated

Proverbs 4:25-27 Hebrews 12:1-2

In this edition...

Listen and Lean in with Dr. Baker

Weekly Prayer

Giving

Dr. Baker is Founder and CEO of FOCUSED Ministries, Inc.

With Dr. Baker

Feel Like You Don't Have Joy? God's Got it!

Do you all remember the words from this children's song?

The Joy Of The LORD Is My Strength

The joy of the LORD is my strength

He gives me living water and I thirst no more

The joy of the LORD is my strength!

When the children sang this song, they laughed, jumped, and danced around, just having a good ole’ time. There was something beautiful about their innocence that was carefree, joyful, and without worry. In Matthew 18:1–5, Jesus used the innocence and humility of the children to teach us an important lesson. Scripture tell us, At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me” (Matthew 18:1-5 KJV).

So, how you living? Are you living with the kind of childlike faith that trusts God even when you don't understand what He is doing? We are certainly living in uncertain times, and it can be challenging to trust God when life feels uncertain. But here's the good news: God has not changed. His Word has not changed. His promises have not changed. God said that He would supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). His love for you runs deep, even in difficult and uncertain times. In fact, His love runs so deep that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to save us. And Jesus willingly said, “Not My will, Lord, but Your will be done.” (Luke 22:42, KJV). That is the kind of faith God desires from us. Not a faith that only trusts Him when everything is going well, but a faith that trusts Him in everything. We may not understand His plan, but let’s trust His heart for us.

In His love and always FOCUSED on Him,

Dr. Baker, Founder & CEO

PS. Visit the MyGivingCircle website to vote for FOCUSED Ministries, Inc. See below. Thank you in advance for your support.

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This week's prayer is offered by MySissy, Pastor Kwajalein Thomas. She Co-Pastors the Oasis At Faith Worship Center in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, Dr. Derrick Thomas, Let's agree with her as she prays.

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven (Matt. 18:19 KJV).

Father, in the name of Jesus,

Your Word declares, “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing” (Isaiah 43:18–19 KJV), and “I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten"

(Joel 2:25 KJV).

So, we ask You to restore what has been lost or what we perceive as losses: lost time, opportunities, resources, relationships, confidence, peace, joy, vision, and purpose. Where the enemy has stolen, where circumstances have taken, and even where our own decisions have caused loss, give us wisdom, grace, and strength to recover. We declare what Your Word says: “I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV). Father, restore us completely. Restore our strength. Restore our passions. Restore our expectation. Restore our ability to dream again. Heal the places that still carry the evidence of us singing life’s “…shoulda’s coulda’s, woulda’s” …what should have been, what could have been, or what would have been. Your Word says: “And David recovered all” (1 Samuel 30:18).

Just as David strengthened himself in You and pursued what had been taken, give us courage to move forward. Show us what to pursue, what to release, what to rebuild, and what to leave behind. We declare that we don’t live a life of just surviving setbacks and losses; this will be a season and life of recovery. And Lord, we thank You that we realize that restoration and recovery does not always mean returning to what used to be. We realize that restoration can also mean receiving something new, greater, different, better, and more aligned with Your purposes and plans for us. So today, we embrace:

New beginnings

New perspectives

New opportunities.

New strength

New relationships.

New doors

New strategies.

New disciplines

New expectations

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Offered by Pastor Kwajalein Thomas

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Prayer of Repentence

If you’re questioning your faith or considering following Jesus for the first time, this message is for you. Today is a beautiful opportunity to say “yes” to Christ, a decision that can change your life and into eternity. If you’re unsure where to begin, click the Prayer of Salvation link here. Know that FOCUSED Ministries is praying for you and here to support you every step of the way. Jesus loves you, and so do we. Blessings!

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FOCUSED Prayers Devotional

A daily devotional

We hope you're enjoying the journey as we go through Today's devotional, August 26, is another prayer offered by Mrs. Tricia Murray on August 26, 2020 with the accompanying scriptures found in Ps. 24:7-8. Be blessed!

Get your copy at Christian Faith Publishing, or anywhere you get your paperback or hardcover - Reader House, Amazon, Barnes & Noble Book Sellers, or on digital books - Kindle, iBooks, and iTunes. Already have your copy? Use THIS LINK to write us a review on Amazon. Thank you in advance. Proceeds go to support the ministry.