Friday

“For the Son of Man

is come to seek and to save

that which was lost.”

~Luke 19:10, KJV~

Please pray for Cliff and Lauree Titus. Cliff has had one of those difficult weeks as he fights pain.

Update on Charlie Banks

Friends, family and countrymen… Lend me your ear!

We realize a few days have passed since our last update. We haven’t forgotten you all — our faithful prayer partners, friends and family. We praise God that you are still remembering us and we are thankful for the encouragement, comfort and laughter that each of you bring to us.

Yesterday, Dad had his stitches removed. His incisions look good and so far no infection. Praise the Lord for no infection. The physical therapist comes 2-3 times a week. He really works Dad. With the exercise and extra time in a bed, Dad’s arthritis is bothering him in his right hip. Please pray that he would be able to bear this pain. Pray that his pain would be eased at this time. Pray that he would remain patient. He keeps saying, “Shouldn’t I be doing more?” We remind him that he must take “baby steps” to recover. Your emails and calls always help lift his spirit. He can be reached at 770-478-8907. We are seven hours ahead and usually stay up until 10:30-11.
This morning we awoke to find Mimi sick. She had diarrhea all night and now she is vomiting. Pray for quick healing for her and that no one else will get sick in our home. She is an amazingly strong women, both emotionally and spiritually. However, I know that she is remaining strong for Dad and needs much prayer for her well-being as well. Pray for Mimi’s continued strength physical, emotional and spiritual as she returns home.

One good thing we have seen through this ordeal… Well, many good things, but we will share one right now. The young man who hit us, Adrian, is not a believer of Jesus Christ. Wes has continued to serve and show God’s kindness to him in every meeting. When they met with the lawyer this week, we learned that he was driving with a suspended license and no insurance. This young man has a lot against him. He could face prison depending on how the law rules. This is not our desire. God spared Dad’s life, as well as all of our family. We pray that God will spare this young man and that he would learn responsibility through this ordeal. We can all say that God has given us many chances. Wes had dinner with Adrian on Monday evening he and shared his life testimony with Adrian. We pray that each meeting with Adrian will bring him closer to a relationship with Jesus. Even if he has no hope for the coming things in his future — Christ is waiting to give him Hope and a new future. Pray for Adrian.

You’ve asked… Our spirits are well. It is an up and down journey. Yes, we trust God in all things. Some days are harder than others. Each of us seems to experience the lows, questions and doubts at different times. Keep praying that God will lead us to His Word that is full of promises. I remember when I had my accident — God surrounded me with His Word daily. If a scripture stands out to you about this time, please pass it on to us.

We praise God for you.

Vessels 4 Christ, Tamara for the Banks family
Team Romany /IMB
Www.teamromany.com

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

“Let the little children come to Me,

and don’t stop them,

because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,”

Luke 18:16b

CONFUSED ABOUT WORSHIP

There is a huge problem in South Africa among the Zulu males. They are really confused about worshiping God. There are lots of ways to worship God-we sing hymns and choruses, we pray, we serve God because we love Him. These are just some of the ways we worship God. But in South Africa the problem is much bigger than what song to sing.

Many Zulu males think it is okay to worship their ancestors and consult witchdoctors for every sort of problem. So they call themselves ‘Christians’ while worshiping other gods. The Old Testament teaches us in the Ten Commandments, “Do not have other gods besides Me.” (Exodus 20:3, HCSB)

As Christians, it is not okay to worship anyone or anything except God. These Zulu men are causing problems in some churches in South Africa. Please pray for the churches that they will study the Bible and know what God says. Pray for the people that they will worship only God. Ask God to help these confused Zulu men understand that they should only worship Him. Pray that they will repent and stop worshiping their ancestors and trusting the witchdoctors.

Also pray for schooling, that parents will have wisdom to choose the right school for their children and that their children will shine for Jesus in these schools. SARAH, age 18, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Please pray for me. This is my last year at highschool…pray that I will have patience and will persevere. Pray about my decision on which college I should go to. Please pray for my family, too, that they will not give up on reaching the unreached. The work can be stressful. HOPE, age 17, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

About 8 million people live in Johannesburg, South Africa. They live in big modern homes, block homes or squatter areas. People from many parts of South Africa and many other countries live here. They speak more than a dozen languages. Pray for safety- there is lots of crime. Pray for leaders to be developed in the small church. BEN, age 11, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Please pray that I’d be a strong witness to the girls on my soccer team. Ask God to help me get through the rest of homeschool without feeling too lonely.

CALLIE, age 17, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Pray that my cat will be OK. Pray for my “chowkidar,” his wife and their new baby. You say that like CHOKE-ee-dahr. A “chowkidar” is someone who watches over things at your house. And pray that everybody in all the hospitals in the world will be OK. JACK, age 10 (South Asia)

Pray for my school, Mountainview. MARIAH, age 8 (Pacific Rim)

Pray for me that I will make new friends in my country when I move. CALEB, age 11 (Pacific Rim)

I am praying for my friend that lives in Thailand. He is not a Christian. Thailand is very hot, hot and hot-and a lot of fun.

Please pray that God will help the people in Maltu to know about Jesus. DAVID, age 7 (Pacific Rim)

Shared by Mr. K.K. Kennedy:

Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election 1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

ISN’T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL?!!

Ruth Evangeline Owen
A resident of Amite, she died at 4:05 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at her home. She was 97 and a native of Athens, Ill. She is survived by two daughters, Freda E. Owen, and Carleen O. Vining and husband David, all of Amite; son, Eugene K. Owen and wife Judy, Cleveland, Miss.; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene W. Owen. Private services will be held at a later date. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

Baptist Press

October 2, 2008

TEXAS–Galveston residents cope with Ike’s clout. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29048

TEXAS–Houston’s Baptist centers meet post-Ike needs. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29049

TENNESSEE–SBC finishes ahead of budget, CP down slightly. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29050

KANSAS–Church sees CP’s spiritual dimension. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29051

INDIANA–Ind. Baptists celebrate half-century mark. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29052

ALABAMA–Baptist family appears on BBC reality show. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29053

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Rebecca Ingram Powell): ‘It’s a pleasure waiting on you.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29054

Cottage Prayer Meetings Tonight:

• Judy Fowler
• David and Anna Lee Alford
  

READ THE SIGNS CAREFULLY

 

Three Irishmen, Paddy, Sean and Shamus, having left the pub a wee late one night, found themselves on the road which led past the old graveyard.

“Come have a look over here,” says Paddy, “it’s Michael O’Grady’s grave, God bless his soul. He lived to the ripe old age of 87. Good blood, those O’Grady’s!”

“That’s nothing,” says Sean. “Here’s one named Patrick O’Toole, it says here that he was 95 when he died. Aye, those O’Tooles are a hardy bunch, they are!”

Just then, Shamus yells out, “Forget him, here’s a fella that lived to be 145 years old!”

“What was his name?” ask Paddy and Sean.

Shamus stumbles around a bit, awkwardly lights a match to see what else is written on the stone marker, and exclaims, “Miles, to Dublin!”

Signs are valuable, but only if we understand what they were intended to mean. I am reminded of a time when some Jews came to Jesus looking for a sign:

“Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, ‘When it is evening you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red”; and in the morning, “It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.” Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.’ ” (Matt. 16:1-3)

What were the “signs of the times” that the Jewish leaders could not discern? I think they were the signs — the miracles — Jesus performed. They said that they wanted a sign, but they had already been given many. And even when they were given the greatest sign of all — the resurrection of Jesus Christ — they would fail to understand its significance.

We have the signs of Christ written down to point us to the fact the he was indeed the Son of God (John 20:30-31). Read the signs carefully.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a fantastic Friday!

Anna Lee