*~ March 15, 2023 ~*

FOCUSED Ministries, Inc.

Focusing On Christ Until Spiritual Excellence is Demonstrated

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

Thank you

Mrs. Cathy Milici

Contributing Editor to the FOCUSED Prayers Devotional

for this week's prayer offering

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1-8 KJV).

Father God,

We thank You for the work and supporters of FOCUSED Ministries, for the faith we have obtained through the righteousness of our Savior Jesus Christ, and for the opportunity to share our faith through the work of this ministry. This week, we especially praise and thank You for the FOCUSED Prayers Devotional that is nearing completion. Thank You for everyone and everything that has contributed to the success of this project. We bless this work and pray that it will bless hearts wherever it is sent, motivating people to pray and glorify You. We pray that grace and peace will be multiplied to the readers of this book and that they grow in the knowledge of God and of Jesus, our Lord.

Father, You have given us such great and precious promises so that we might be partakers of the divine nature. This week, help us to be diligent in adding virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity to our precious faith. We know that as these things grow in us, we will be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you so much, Father, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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Youth Central

Lord,

Thank You for this day. Thank You for keeping us all safe and for protecting us. When we are worried about tomorrow, bring us back to Your presence with us today. And when we cannot escape the anxiousness of what could come, pour out Your peace into our hearts and minds.

Loving God, please grant us peace of mind and calm our troubled hearts. Our souls are like a turbulent sea. We can't seem to find our balance so we stumble and worry constantly. Give us the strength and clarity of mind to find our purpose and walk the path You've laid out for us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Caroline C., age 16

Mark your calendar for our upcoming sessions:

Registration now open (click to register)

March 25, 2023, 1:00 pm

Topic: Your Thought and Your Deeds

Next session: April 22, 2023 - Registration opens April 10

**Location information available upon registration.

Parent(s) & guardian(s), connect with us...

Dear Young People... (and everyone else...;)

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life (Prov. 22:1, 4 NIV).

What does it mean to have a good name? I've often said to my students that when their name is mentioned in any circle, it should be spoken of in a positive way. As an educator who has worked with a number of students over my career, there have been many, many opportunities to talk about students with my colleagues. Students experiencing academic challenges, emotional challenges, social challenges, or just challenges. Often, the challenges that students face are not in their control, some are. What efforts are you making to make sure your name isn't evil spoken of, by anyone? Do you put forth effort to do better? I tell my students that I appreciate the try when faced with something new. It's better then I can't and just giving up. There is so much more to this passage but I'll say this, don't let your name get caught up in stuff unbecoming. If you confess Jesus as your Lord, let your name represent Jesus Christ and all that He stands for. If you have not yet given your life to Jesus, click the Prayer of Salvation link below and pray that prayer. Your life will be changed and your name esteemed better than silver or gold!

Thanking God for His grace and mercy as we continue to grow, expand, and move forward, in Jesus' name! Looking forward to our next GirlsFOCUSED/BoysFOCUSED session March 25, 2023.

In His love,

Dr. Baker

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Dr. Baker, Founder & CEO, educator and published author of The Effects of an Afrocentric Curriculum on Reading Scores of African American Third, Fourth, and Fifth Graders, a doctoral work. She believes that through the Word of God, hearts can be healed and lives transformed. She believes that her God-given purpose is to help people, especially young people, experience the saving power of Jesus Christ. Her desire is for people to know that no matter what they have encountered in this life, they are here for God’s purpose and by His design.