Scripture for Today

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

Prayer Focus

Today let’s pray for people around the world who are struggling with sickness, housing problems, relationships, etc. May they turn in God to help with their problems.

Read the Bible in 2026

• August 8
• I Chronicles 25-27

Obituary

Lydia Grace McKnight

Aug 2, 1984 — Aug 11, 2026

Brandon, MS

Lydia Grace McKnight, 42, passed away on Tues. Aug. 4, 2026. Visitation will be held on Tues. Aug. 11, 2026, from 10am-11:15am at Crossgates Baptist Church in Brandon, MS. Funeral Services are 11:30am on Tues. Aug. 11, 2026, at Crossgates Baptist Church with burial in the Alford Cemetery in Kentwood, LA. Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS is handling arrangements.

Lydia was born on Aug. 2, 1984, in Baton Rouge, LA. She graduated from Nursing School in 2016 and served as a nurse for 10 years, in which she earned several Daisey Awards for her care and support. Lydia’s favorite color was green, she enjoyed Harry Potter movies, making jewelry, crocheting, singing and listing to music. Most of all she loved traveling to the mountains and spending time with her daughter. She was greatly loved by her family and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her daughter, MaKayla Moon; parents, Michael & Gina McKnight; sister, Sara McKnight (Seth Graham) and her nephews, Samuel Graham, Seth Michael Graham and Henry Graham.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com

Sunday School Lesson (August 9)

• “Trust”
• Judges 7:1-8, 19-23

Prayer Request

George Bales is at home. Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Pray for Ora Lee Wilson as she awaits surgery.

Devotional

“Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.”
Isaiah 58:10

Coming Soon – Pine Ridge Ladies Bible Study based on The Girl’s Still Got It by Lizz Curtis Higgs. September will be here soon.

Also coming in September – Study on Grief at FBC, Kentwood. The classes will be on Sunday afternoons. Contact the church office for additional information.

One More Scripture

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”  1 Thessalonians 5:15

Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee

A Scripture to Start Our Day

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men. Isaiah 29:13 (KJV)

Prayer Focus

Today, each of us can choose our own prayer focus according to what is on our hearts and written in our prayer journals..

Read the Bible in 2026

• August 7
• I Chronicles 22-24

No New Obituaries for our Area Today

Obituary for a Former Roseland Resident Many of You May Remember:

Wilton Earl Hughes

January 7, 1940 – August 3, 2026

IN THE CARE OF

Drum Funeral Home – Conover, North Carolina

Wilton Earl Hughes passed on August 3, 2026, at the age of 86.

Wilton lived in Claremont, North Carolina.

A Graveside Service will be held at Oxford Baptist Church , 5965 Springs Rd., Conover, North Carolina 28613, on August 15, 2026, at 10:00 am.

(I knew the family when I was a child and later taught both of his daughters.)

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com

Sunday School Lesson (If you have not already begun to prepare for Sunday, you may want to do so today.)

• “Trust”
• Judges 7:1-8,19-23

A Devotional Thought

“Let’s come before him with thanks! Let’s shout songs of joy to him! The Lord is a great God, the great king over all other gods.” Psalm 95:2-3

Have a wonderful day including times of pray periodically as He leads you.

Anna Lee

A Scripture for Today

Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elemental spirits of the world, and not after Christ. 

 Colossians 2:8

Prayer Focus

George Bales had a better day yesterday. Only God know abouts the day any of us is facing today!

Use your prayer list and the list in the church’s Wednesday night bulletin to guide your prayers today. There are many in need of prayers on any given day.

Read the Bible in 2026

• August 6
• I Chronicles 18-21

Obituaries

There are no new local obituaries this posted this morning.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com

Choose the articles you wish to read today.

Sunday School Lesson

• August 9 – “Trust”
• Judges 7:1-8,19-23

Additional Scriptures for Today

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

  Matthew 25:40

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.'”

Hebrews 12:28-29

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”

Psalm 107:8-9

Blessing of the Backpacks

Sunday, we will have the blessing of the backpacts during the Children’s Moment. Parents, you are asked to allow your child to bring their backpack to church this Sunday for a very special prayer time for this this school year.

Thank-you for checking in and for praying!

Anna Lee

Today’s Scripture

“These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me…And they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.”

Matthew 15:8-9

Prayer Focus

Pray for George Bales who is in ICU at North Oaks. As you pray for him, pray for his family and the medical staff.

Read the Bible in 2026

• August 5
• I Chronicles 15-17

No New Obituaries for Our Area this Morning

Baptist Press

Now that America is 250, how should Christians keep standing for their faith?

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/now-that-america-is-250-how-should-christians-keep-standing-for-their-faith

Scripture about Thankfulness

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:16

Scripture about Service

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’   Matthew 25:40

Today, and any day, is always a good day to work on your personal prayer list and to pray.

Anna Lee

Today’s Scripture

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 

 John 14:23 (KJV)

Today’s Prayer Focus – Loving God

Read the Bible in 2026

• August 4
• I Chronicles 12-14

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com

Sunday School Lesson

• August 9
• “Trust”
• Judges 7:1-8,19-23

Death

Wilton Hughes, a former resident of Roseland, died yesterday. (David saw a post from one of his daughters.) Wilton was 86 years old. I’ll share more when the information is available.

Devotional Thought

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”   

Colossians 3:23-24

Mission Involvement

If you are involved in an ongoing mission project, great! Keeping working.

If you are not involved in a hands on and ongoing mission project, gather some information and make a choice. Then, get involved. You’ll be blessed,

Coming Soon

A four Sunday class about dealing with grief will begin in September. Call the church office for more information and to sign up.

Closing Scripture

Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. 

Proverbs 23:17-18

Be an encourager today. There are folks who need you today.

Anna Lee

Good Morning. Let’s start the day with this Scripture.

Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you.

Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you.

Yes, I will help you.

Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

 Isaiah 41:10

Prayer Focus

Please continue to pray for George Bales who has been hospitalized at North Oaks since Friday. He is scheduled for medical tests today.

Also, pray for Ora Lee Wilson as she has waited a long time for a procedure she needs.

Read the Bible in 2026

• August 3
• I Chronicles 9-11

Obituaries

This in early on Monday, so there are no new obituaries listed at this time.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com

I’ve already found several articles I plan to read later.

A Verse of Thanksgiving

Some of the things you might want to thank God for today:

• Family
• Little children
• God’s Word

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Special Prayer Request

Pray for teachers as they begin a new school year today. I can easily imagine all they have to do today. Pray for the teachers you know by name.

I am so thankful God chose teaching for my career and for the many students I had the opportunity to teach. Thank God for allowing us to have our chosen careers. Some, but not all, are blessed to become teachers.

I understand students will begin classes next week. I’m sure many are still enjoying their summer vacation….

Coming Soon

The Pine Ridge Bible Study will resume next month. We will be studying about the Biblical character, Ruth. Contact Kathy Wales if you need more information.

Have a wonderful Monday.

Anna Lee

Thank-you, God, for waking me up this morning.

A Scripture for Today

For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father.” Romans 8:15

Prayer Focus

Let pray for Bible study and worship in churches today – your church, my church, churches along the highways, and churches in little settlements on the backroads all through the countryside.

Read the Bible in 2026

• August 2
• I Chronicles 7-8

Obituaries

There are no new obituaries listed for today in our area.

Baptist Press

Perhaps there is an article here that interests you today.

https://www.baptistpress.com

A Verse of Thanksgiving

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

Ephesians 1:16

I’m excited to see and hear what God has planned for us today.

Anna Lee

Today’s Scripture

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3

Prayer Focus

Prayers are requested for George Bales and the Toney family. Thank you for praying specifically for them.

Read the Bible in 2026

• August 1
• I Chronicles 6

Obituaries

There are no new obituaries listed for the Kentwood area this morning.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com

You can find articles with pictures and a podcast about church personnel.

Sunday School Lesson

I hope you have already begun to studen the lesson for tomorrow and will spend some time on reviewing the lesson. You nay not have studied the lesson at all. If so, today is your final day to prepare. The lesson can be found in Judges 6.

Any day is a good day to celebrate Jesus. Tomorrow may be too late though.

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” Psalm 95:1–2

Personal Mission Projects

Ask God what He has in mind for you about the way he wants you to be a missionary for Him today. He will guide what you say and do today if you will just follow His lead.

Use Your Opportunities to Share

Telling others about Jesus is a bold move for some people. Don’t miss the opportunities He provides for us.

Reminder

Use this day to prepare for tomorrow as much as possible. It is never too early, but Monday will be too late.

I pray for God’s watchcare over each of us this weekend.

Anna Lee

Today’s Scripture

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation…To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV)

Prayer Focus

Who or what do you choose to pray for? Always feel free to pray for what’s on your heart. I can only give a suggestion, but I certainly do not know who or what is on your heart.

Read the Bible in 2026

• July 31
• I Chronicles 3-5

Obituaries

There are no new obituaries listed for us locally this morning, but if you know of a family member or friend with a death close to their heart, please pray for them.

Sunday School Lesson

• August 2
• “Called”
• Judges 6:1-4 and 7-16
  • Study enough that you are able to contribute to the class discussion.

Baptist Press

College students see God at work during 8 weeks with IMB 

Other articles today – https://www.baptistpress.com/

Devotional Thought

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:15

Missions

Today is a wonderful way to participate in helping with a mission project at your local church. For instance, if you are a member of FBC, Kentwood, you might want to cook or bake something to share through the manna program, buy some school supplies for local children to have available when school begins in couple weeks, or buy needed items such as bouncy balls or small toys or games for children who will receive a “shoebox” and learn about Jesus in the coming year. You can always contribute to help pay for shipping of cartons of shoeboxes.

Thank God for these and other mission opportunities. Choose one for today.

This Weekend

The youth in many area churches will participate in a Disciple Now weekend. Pray for the youth and those leading them. It’s never too late to volunteer with some local needs in places like the Hope Center. You can give of your time or canned goods and other items that are needed.

A Closing Scripture

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”   

Ephesians 2:10

If you do not have a church or your church is involved in different ministries, find a way to serve on your own or join in with a more active group. The key is to be involved!

Anna Lee

Today’s Scripture

I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

Prayer Focus

Pray for the youth of FBC, Kentwood as they have a Disciple Now weekend this weekend at the church.

Read the Bible in 2026

• July 30
• I Chronicles 1-2

Obituaries

There are no new obituaries listed for our area.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Sunday School Lesson this Week

• August 2
• “Called”
• Judges 6:1-4, 7-16

Lead On Podcast

Jeff Iorg

https://www.baptistpress.com/lead-on

Coming Soon

Special Study at FBC – “Daffodils”

• Preparations For and Handling of Grief
• Held the four Sundays of September
• 4:00 – 5:00. P.M.

Closing Scripture

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”    Ephesians 2:10

Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee