Who can say I have made my heart clean? I am pure from sin.
Proverbs 20:9
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s pray for people as they make plans for Sunday. As a child, I can remember my family with an unofficial schedule each Saturday. It was something like this:
clothing selected and ironed, if needed?,
food planned and usually prepared?
guests?
set the dining room table,
clothing – choices, washed?,
ironed?
shoes polished?
lesson prepared?
book and Bible together with offering?
shoes polished?,
etc.).
Today, I don’t have such a rigid plan because we only have two people and each one can take care of most of their own preparation. Sunday lunch is also easier and less formal.
Back to Prayer
We can pray for our staff, teachers in all the classes, attendance, families who haven’t fully decided to attend, scheduling that conflicts with church, families, music, bulletins that inform, lead, and encourage, technology, attendance, decisions, etc.
Baptist Press Article About Prayer by Dr. Waylon Bailey
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was born September 28, 1941 in Independence, LA and was 84 years of age. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of Vietnam and also served in Germany. Charles was a member of Taylor Creek Baptist Church. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Robin Bennett Milton (Danny) and Cathy Bennett Slovensky (Greg); 1 son, Charles “Chucky” Bennett (Lisa); mother of his children, Clarette Bennett; sisters, Joyce Marie Forrest, Lettie Ann Goforth, and Mary Lou Hill (Wayne); and brother, Larry Bennett; grandchildren, Tasha Nettles (Sammy), Clayton Jarreau, Cody Slovensky (Cheyenne), Brandon Slovensky, Joseph Bennett, Jennifer Cowart, and Keith Cowart; great-grandchildren, Madilynn Gardner, Leila Nettles, Jordan Jarreau, Jaclynn Stogner, Lincoln Slovensky, Leah Slovensky, and Lottie Slovensky; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Isaac H. Bennett and Annie Blount Bennett; his sisters, Catherine Irene Bennett and Ruby Bennett Martinez; his brothers, Leslie Eugene Bennett, Isaac “Bill” Bennett, Ivey Alphonse Bennett, and Vincent Dewitt “Monkey” Bennett. Visitation at Taylor Creek Baptist Church, 1936 Hwy 440, Kentwood, LA from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Monday, April 20, 2026. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Additional Scripture to Ponder
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
Good morning, friends! Let’s thank God for allowing us to wake up this morning. What a blessing!
Verse for Today
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s pray for young families who have preschool age children. We know these children need the most attention and can do the least for themselves. Let’s pray for the parents who deal with the needs of their children and all the other responsibilities of life too! May they make wise decisions and have lots of patience. Many of us are long past that stage, but we surely can remember those days. Let’s pray for those at this stage of life now.
Read the Bible in 2026.
April 17
Genesis 46-47
Another Scripture
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 16:13
It’s always a good to have a list of special Scriptures you can quickly refer to. Many people write them inside the cover of their bible. Others post them around their home so the will see them frequently or keep special notebooks with these Scriptures. This is also a good way to memorize Scriptures.
Our current needs are for crayons and pencil colors. When we get enough of them, we can begin to pack the pencil bags with school supplies.
Annie Armstrong Offering
In Southern Baptist Churches we are currently collecting gifts for this offering which is for all our work in North America. Your church probably has some special envelopes in the pews or on a special table. If you see no special envelopees, just use whatever you have and label it “Annie Armstrong”. Thanks for showing your concern for people in our area of the world.
Don’t Forget
Please pray for families with young children.
Add anything else to you prayers today that God lays on your heart.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. —Romans 12:2
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s focus our prayers on some of the older people in our churches. Some of the names that come to my mind are Theople Hurst, Ferrie Jean Blackmon, and Barbara Erwin. Start praying for these people and add some of your neighbors or relatives. There are many things we can learn from our senior adults. One is knowledge of God’s Word. Another is faithfulness in attendance at church. They add so much to our churches!
Read the Bible in 2026
April 16
Genesis 43-45
Obituaries
There are no new ones posted for our area this morning.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord isunfailing loveand with Him is full redemption. PSALM 13o:7
2026 Graduates
We will soon be thinking of graduations and graduates. They will soon be considering what they will be doing in the coming months and years. There are many life-changing decisions. Pray for them to carefully decide what they will be doing in the fall and beyond. Pray also for those the seniors will turn to for assistance in decision-making.
Operation Christmas Child
At prayer meeting last night I was given some socks from a class. They were white sports socks with colorful decorations and had been purchased at a Super Dollar Store. When you are shopping, please check to see if there are some in a size for boys 10-14 years old. With some help from each if you, we could get the socks we need soon. Thank-you to the classes who have already helped us with purchases or funds for purchases.
Two of our current needs are boy’s socks and crayons.
“Manna” Ministry
The ladies who head up this ministry periodically could use some help with food preparation or delivery. If you are willing to help, talk to Haley, Toni, or Jackie. You wil be blessed as you bless others!
Thank-you for reading and praying today. Think what a difference you make!
For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12
Today’s Scripture
That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
1 Timothy 4:10
Read the Bible in 2026
April 15
Genesis 41-42
Scripture about Hope
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead
and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
1 Peter 1:21
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s focus some prayer time on praying for those we know who need to find their way to God which often starts by making a decision to attend a church service. May something in their life, a child, a death, a visit, etc. get them to thinking about their need for God.
Have you heard someone say “God doesn’t need you, you need Him”?
Choose to read some or all of the articles posted today.
No New Obituaries Listed for Our Area This Morning
V.B.S.
It’s time to begin thinking about working this summer in your church. You can teach, play, cook, care for babies, etc. Check schedule and find where you will have children this year.
Operation Christmas Child
We are now collecting socks for boys 10-14 years old and crayons. If you can purchase some of these items, please turn them in to me at church this month.
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 1:3
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s pray for the daily lives of our family members and friends. Many families have had to face death of a family member recently. Let’s pray for all these families.
Obituary
Mary Marie Wilkinson Tate
September 8, 1928 – April 12, 2026
.A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at The Lodge at Tangi Pines in Amite, LA. She was born September 8, 1928 in Liberty, MS and was 97 years of age. She was the oldest living member of East Fork Baptist Church where she was an active member since 1966. She is survived by her daughter, Dianne Frazier Easley; son, Roger Dale Tate and wife, Peggy; 3 grandchildren, Chris Edward Frazier and wife Lynn, Charles Dale “Chuck” Tate, and wife Jeanne, and Matthew Ross Tate and wife Chablis; 12 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Lamar Tate; parents, Franklin Leslie Wilkinson and Sarah Prentiss Jacobs Wilkinson; 6 brothers; and 2 sisters. Visitation at East Fork Baptist Church from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Friday, April 17, 2026. Services conducted by Rev. Jay Avance. Interment East Fork Cemetery, East Fork, LA. Pallbearers will be Chris Frazier, Chuck Tate, Matthew Tate, Colton Frazier, Benjamin Tate, Joshua Tate, Sutton Tate, and Owen Brown. The family acknowledges with great appreciation the loving kindness she was shown for the last two and a half years that she resided at The Lodge at Tangi Pines. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to East Fork Baptist Church or the charity of you choice. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
We have most of the socks for girls that we need, so now we will begin collection of socks that fit boys 10-14 years of age. Please hand them to David or me at church.
Spring
Spring is my favorite season of the year. It bring me hope after winter, the season that brings death to many plants.
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. —Proverbs 23:18
2 Corinthians 4:18
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Closing Scripture
Psalm 62:5-6
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years.”
—Genesis 1:14
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.
On the evening of March 1, 2026, Curtis Eugene Cade passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born on July 29, 1931, to the late William A. Cade and Bertie Lee Blackwell Cade in the community of Silver Springs in Pike County, Mississippi.
As a young man, he served in the United States Navy from 1950-1954 and was in active-duty service during the Korean Conflict. In 1956, he received his diploma from Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi and began his career as a barber in Canton, Mississippi. He later returned to Pike County, married Helen Lucy Pounds, and continued his 46-year career barbering in Osyka until his retirement and the sale of his barber shop in 2001.
He loved being outside and worked diligently to provide for his family. For many years, he was a beekeeper and took great pleasure in caring for and harvesting the honey from his hives. He gained so much enjoyment and took great pride in growing his garden every year knowing that if he put in the work, the Lord would always bless it and provide. The blessings of these harvests were generously shared with family and friends.
He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and more recently Bala Chitto Baptist Church. Through his servant heart, he glorified God and ministered to those around him, not just in the church, but in his barber shop, the community, and in his family. He was once described by a family member as the “humble hero that our Cade family as a whole cherishes and needs”.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers William Jack Cade, James Malcolm Cade, Arthur Berton Cade, Glen Blackwell Cade, and Royce Lamar Cade; one sister Mary Ellen Cade Mondul; his wife Helen Lucy Pounds Cade; one daughter Judy Catherine Cade Haygood; son-in-law John Dorsey Lee, and his second wife, Patsy Rawls Conerly Cade.
Survivors include three daughters Darlene Freeman (Randy) of Osyka, Ellen Brunson (Alan) and Lisa Winstead (Terry) of Madison; one son-in-law Ronald Haygood of Liberty; one brother Raymond Cade (Fairba) of Osyka; one sister Maxie Foster of Florence, Alabama; and three grandchildren Daniel Fair (Kaila), Anthony Fair (Jaimee) of Osyka, and Lauren Winstead Waggener (Dallas) of Madison; five great-grandsons Anthony Dean Fair, Dallas Adrian Fair, Wyatt Lane Fair, Noah Loghan Fair, and Jack Cullen Waggener; one great-great-granddaughter Ariana Fair; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
On Thursday, March 5, 2026, visitation will begin at 10 A M at Catchings-Sharkey Funeral Home, 1023 Old Brookhaven Road, Summit, Mississippi, followed by a service at 12:00 noon. Graveside services will be held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2151 Mt. Zion Road, Osyka, Mississippi.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Daniel Adrian Fair and Anthony Dean Fair, Sr., and great-grandsons Anthony Dean Fair, Jr., Dallas Adrian Fair, Wyatt Lane Fair, and Noah Loghan Fair.
If donations are preferred in lieu of flowers, the family asks that they be made to The Gideons International.
Good morning, Friends! I hope you are ready for a great weekend.
A Verse to Start the Day
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”.
Romans 15:13
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s pray for the peace talks between the U.S. and Iran.
Read the Bible in 2026
April 11
Genesis 30-31
Obituary
Cewilla “Faye” Allen Strong
October 20, 1939 – April 9, 2026
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at The Lodge at Tangi Pines in Amite, LA. She was born October 20, 1939 in Greensburg, LA and was 86 years of age. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Tracy Carter (Frog) and Robin Delatte (Shea); 2 sons, Brian Strong (Kim Schramm) and Jimmy Strong (Rhonda); grandchildren, Kayla Dunnington (Ryan), Brittany Carter, Austin Carter (Kyia), Ira Carter, Jr. (Amanda), Kory Strong, Cameron Strong, Lewis Watkins, Addie Watkins, Jackson Strong, Judson Strong, Sonny Pierce (Alaina), Stephanie Pierce (Zach), Emily Kleinpeter (Hunter), and T.J. Strong (Meryn); great-grandchildren, Catori, Ethan, Dalton, Bryson, Ava, Oakley, Clara, and Kennedy; brother, Dennis Allen (Debbie). Preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Addie Allen; husband of 59 years, Ronald Strong; grandson, Rowdy Dunnington; 3 sisters, Shirley Lee, Carolyn Tarver, and Vesta Allen. Visitation at Kedron Baptist Church from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Services conducted by Bro. Sonny Pierce. Interment Kedron Cemetery, Amite, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
Have a good preparation day for tomorrow.
Don’t forget the VBS meeting after church tomorrow morning.
Good morning, friends. I’m so glad I can share with you today.
Today’s Verse
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. – Isaiah 54:10
Today’s Prayer Focus
We need to pray the conflict in Iran can be solved with agreements, not bombs, today.
Peace with God
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – John 14:27
If you are interested in working in VBS this year, there will be an short meeting after church Sunday morning. If you are possibly interested, attend the meeting.
A Special Springtime Verse
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. —James 5:7
What opportunities await for you to be a spokesman and/or worker for God today?
Today, let’s pray for the many young families in our church. Many of them are growing. Thank God for the families. Pray for them as they grow and raise their children as members of a church family.
Read the Bible in 2026
April 9
Genesis 25-26
Obituary
Patricia “Patsy” Travis Brumfield
June 26, 1948 – April 8, 2026
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at The Lodge at Tangi Pines in Amite, LA. She was born June 26, 1948 in Magnolia, MS and was 77 years of age. Patsy loved sewing her beautiful quilts, picking blueberries and riding in the woods with her brother. She was “Pappy” to numerous nieces and nephews who loved going to her home. She was active in her church and loved her church family. She is survived by her daughter, Tricia Day Lee; sister, Janet Travis Alessi; brother, Tommy Davis Travis and wife, Ginger; and many nephews and nieces to whom she was their specially loved “Pappy”. Preceded in death by her husband, Walter Nix Brumfield; parents, Elijah T. “Lige” Travis and Marguerite Travis; brothers, Richard Travis and Lige Travis, Jr.; brother-in-law, Jeffery Alessi; nephews, Davy Travis and Barrett Black; and niece, Gracie Travis. Visitation at Taylor Creek Baptist Church from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Friday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Services conducted by Bro. Danny Smith. Interment Pine Ridge Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. The family wants to send a special thanks to Kim (infusion nurse) who made cancer treatments a joy instead of a chore and to the staff at The Lodge at Tangi Pines who made her feel at home and loved during her time there. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
The Prayer Link 
You must be logged in to post a comment.