From Mike & Mary Jo Beasley
Mary Jo and I are reading The Serpent of Paradise. a book written by Erwin Lutzer that provides an in-depth understanding of our enemy, the devil. The book is sharpening our awareness of the spiritual battle around us, while encouraging us to trust God more fully in life's various contexts. These contexts include helping not-yet-believers come to faith in Jesus. Below are a few stories of some dear people in our lives we care about and seek prayer for.
Danny, the young neighbor we befriended 5 years ago graduated early from high school. He plans to start in pre-med this fall at Benedictine University. We've loved and prayed for Danny for the years we've known him. The first year we met, he made sure we understood he was a convinced atheist. ... at 12 yrs old! A few weeks ago, while driving him to a shop to get his car fixed, I asked if he'd like to read and talk about The Life of Jesus. Recently, with great joy, we met at Panera to start our weekly discussion of Him! We had a great time together talking about the Lord of creation and how His life impacts us today. Danny is asking some really good questions. Interestingly, he thought he lost his copy of the book. But he found out his mom had taken it so she could read it while on the train to her job in Chicago! Please pray God would use the scriptures and our time to open Danny's heart to trust Jesus. Please pray the same for his mother.
John is a new customer I've worked with for several months. I've had a growing desire to pray for him and see the splendor of Christ grip his heart. In a conversation we had last week, I explained to him how my trust in God gives me hope in turbulent times. Pray God would open John's heart to the love and hope found in Jesus Christ, and pray I'd have the words to speak with him on this subject when in his company. Pray also my consulting work for his company would yield fruitful results.
Kelly is a new believer in Mary Jo's neighborhood study. She needs prayer for understanding her recent decision to become a believer and for being nurtured in fellowship and in the scriptures.
While Steve was finishing up at U of I, we enjoyed having him over for dinner periodically last year. He recently began work as an electrical engineer for a Chicago based company, where his Hindu friend Adi plans to start work this year as well. Steve has shared his faith in Christ with Adi, and believes God is directing Adi's life in a way, so please pray God would open Adi's mind and heart to faith in Christ. Pray also for Steve, as he relates to Adi in this process.
Lastly, thank you for praying for those of us participating in the SBL (marketplace network) .... that God would guide and strengthen each of us to better "know Jesus and make Him known" in our own workplace contexts.
Contact Mike and Mary Jo