Newsletter, 7/24/2020

Taking Thoughts Captive

Several passages in Scripture speak about the importance of holiness in our thought life. One passage
in particular offers a clear battle plan to accomplish the mission of maintaining purity of mind. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (10:4–5, ESV). Three steps arise from this text to aid
us in our struggle for a clear conscience before God.

The first thing we must do is diagnose the problem. The weapons of this war are “not of flesh” because this war is for our minds and is spiritual. The fight takes place with arguments, opinions, and thoughts. We must identify whether our thoughts are holy or unholy, right or wrong, good or bad. Once we accurately diagnose the problem…

The next step is to disclose those unholy and evil thoughts to God in prayer. In other words, confess those sins to God. Agree with God that these are “strongholds” built up in your mind which you have constructed in order to keep Him out. But in truth, nothing is hidden from His sight and He knows every careless thought which we have entertained. So come clean about these sins so that God might clean you of them.

The third and final step is to dispose of those strongholds in our minds. “Destroy” them so that disobedience might be eliminated from the mind. Christ takes control of our minds so that our thoughts no longer control us. “Take every thought captive” denotes that this is ongoing, continuous action. Holiness and sanctification are lifelong processes that began when we obeyed the gospel and end when we either die or Jesus comes back, whichever comes first.
~Nick Perez

Fairmont Park Church of Christ (Midland, TX)
Live Streaming & Recorded Sermons & Bible Classes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FPCOFC/
Website: https://www.fmpchurch.com/
App: (Apple & Android) Fairmont Park Church of Christ
*Children’s resources now available
The Christian Chronicle
The Christian Chronicle has compiled a list of Churches of
Christ nationwide who offer live streaming services.
https://christianchronicle.org/churches-of-christ-offeringlivestream-worship/
“Let the Bible Speak” – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/LetTheBibleSpeak

Praise & Worship Sunday Mornings – 10:45 am

• We are complying with state and county guidelines
• Sunday morning worship is now open, and still online
• Sunday Bible classes canceled until further notice
• Junior Worship canceled until further notice
• Wednesday Bible classes canceled until further notice
• Potlucks canceled until further notice
• Food Pantry by appointment only
• Travelers Motel – food service only
• Shower Shuttle canceled until further notice
• Recommendations – Those who are over 60 or have underlying health conditions are encouraged to stay home.
• Guidelines – If you are sick, stay home. Wash your hands. Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.

Contact Info for our Shut-Ins

• Jewel Cherry, 2117 Bridgewood Way, Modesto, CA 95355
• Nadine Greff, Vintage Faire, 3620 Dale Rd, Rm. 25, Modesto, CA 95356
• Mary Ellen Heinrich, Casa de Modesto, 1745 Eldena Way, Room 906, Modesto, 95350
• Betty McGoldrick, 13754 Jasper St., Lathrop, CA 95330
• Russ Ortloff, 511 East D Street, Oakdale, CA 95361
  Evelyn Wood, Bethel Assisted Living, 2345 Scenic Ave., Apt. 323, Modesto 95355

***Please submit additions, corrections & updates to the office.

NOTE: Our Shut-ins are not allowed visitors at this time. Please take the time to send them a card or note of encouragement if you can.

Recent Prayer Requests

Jacqui Coulter – son David’s father, Lewis Wilhelm, passed away unexpectedly
Barbara Hammond – brother John struggling to recover from month-long illness Paula Meler – hand pain; mom, Lee Boydstun, having angiogram soon
Jack Hairston – recovering from cataract surgery Jim & Bonnie Greff – sister-in-law Denise Libby hospitalized with complications with a ruptured gallbladder
Art Turgeon – hospitalized with a mass on his pancreas, awaiting biopsy results
Rosell Wade – will be having a COVID test prior to the procedure on August 21st
Nick Perez & Family – mourning the loss of relative Frank Prince Caleb Collins – in rehab in Santa Clara
Buddy Gray – having heart palpitations; friend, Dee Rambo, awaiting surgery William Smith – friend Regina Christopher diagnosed with precancer
Monte Wohnhas – recovering from ankle surgery Glenn Graham – recovering from infection at home Andrea Bailey – mourning the loss of her mother Sharon Corley – sister-in-law Jan will begin chemo for B cell lymphoma
Michael Brown – coworker Ethan awaiting biopsy results Linda Shadden – 18-month-old grandson, Perry, recovering from emergency lower intestinal surgery Carey Higginbotham – brother-in-law Jeremy recovering from spinal surgery, has cancer throughout his body, given 7-12 months to live
Terry McEnery – strength, courage & direction from God Vickie Laguna – mom, Georgia Springer’s dementia is progressing Modesto Gospel Mission – 22 cases of COVID-19
Jean Wallers – hospitalized with COVID-19
Alicia Root – Brenna is considering baptism Leadership / Civil Unrest / Essential Workers / Unemployed

Health Care Workers

Tonya Barnard, RT
Susan Brown, Urgent Care worker
April Burnett, working at San Quentin (granddaughter of Ron & Roxanne
Kemper)
Debbie Cree, RN
Krista Gray, RN
Rick Kelley, PA
Rose Kelley, PA
Ellen Tostado, Medical Lab Technician
Tamara Wallers, RN
Betty Weldon, RN
Joan Wohnhas, surgical sterilization
Dawn Young, RN (Shower Shuttle Volunteer)
Christie, RN (daughter of John & Patty Ford)

Loved Ones with Cancer

Tonya Barnard’s grandma
Deb Barnes
Marianne Durso
Josh Leslie’s grandmother
Gabriel Hall’s father
Terry McEnery’s uncle Ed
Elene Patton’s father
Clementina Robles
Clementina Robles’ brother Joe
Jody Thompson’s son-in-law
Sheila Walls

Continue to Pray for Improved Health & Strength:

Danny Allsup
Tonya Barnard
Mary Benitez
Chris Brocco
Jim Calibro
Charlie Cook
Sherry Day
Darlene Evans
Mary Ellen Heinrich
Vickie Laguna
Carole Long
Russ Ortloff
Lee Walls’ sister Doris
Sheila Walls’ sister Margo
Darlene Wengel