Sunday

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE

“There are thorns and snares on the path of the crooked;

the one who guards himself stays far from them.

Teach a youth about the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

~Proverbs 22:5-6, HCSB~

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, asking you to pray for movies and radio programs to have a positive influence on those who watch and hear.

The opening scene begins with a young man, Kareem, walking down the street of the economic capital of the country, Casablanca (meaning “white house”). Later in the film, he is joined by his life-long friend, Adil. Both of these young men live difficult lives. Their days are filled with mischief on the streets, struggles at home, and simply trying to figure out their purpose in life. While these two young men are characters in a critically acclaimed film, “Casa Negra,” the lives their characters portray are very real and astonishing. “Casa Negra” is a Moroccan film that shows the deep, dark secrets of the city and its misfits, and brings to light the difficulties that many young Moroccan Arabs face.

“In the Bible, does Jesus actually say He is God?” asked A and J. The Hausa Team has known these two young men for over three years. They have endeared themselves like adopted sons. They have been and continue to be well educated in Islam. A and J have often watched the ‘JESUS’ film. They acknowledge that they believe Jesus’ teachings are good, but they have difficulty acknowledging that Jesus is anything more than a prophet. A couple of weeks ago, J said, “We have never known Christians like you, and now I find myself caught between Islam and what you are telling us.”

* Please pray for A and J that they will fully embrace the love of Jesus.

* Intercede for believers as they work on various Christian radio and film projects.

* Pray for Hausa and Moroccan youths to be able to learn about the Way so that when they are old, they will not depart from God’s truth.

Caring Bridge Sites

Baptist Press

November 6, 2009

TEXAS–Chaplains at Fort Hood quickly mobilize. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31636

WASHINGTON–Health care bill’s fate still uncertain. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31637

MAINE–Maine Question 1: How it prevailed. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31638

INDIA–In India, he shares Gospel despite dangers. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31639

TENNESSEE–CULTURE DIGEST: 3-day ‘Esther Fast’ planned for Dec. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31640

ARKANSAS–Ark. Baptists focus on ‘Generation Now.’ http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31641

NEW YORK–FIRST-PERSON (Todd Starnes): An American hero. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31642

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): They can’t blame the Christians anymore. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31643

The LaBauve family is appreciative of your prayers.  Please continue to pray for them.

Add Rev. Butch Reviere to your prayer list.  He has been undergoing some tests.

Please continue to pray for:

  • Chuck Pittman
  • Mr. Orin Davidson
  • Dr. Jimmy Dukes
  • Chance O’Hern
  • Jimmy Schwartz
  • G.G. McElveen
  • Robert Ricks
  • Gwendolyn Bean
  • Betty Bethel
  • David Allen
  • Mrs. Maxine Turner
  • Billy Wilkinson
  • Mrs. Frances Bell

THE BLESSING OF BEING SINGLE

Sophie and Shirley, two elderly widows in a Florida adult community, are curious about the latest arrival in their building — a quiet, nice looking gentleman who keeps to himself.

Shirley says,” Sophie, you know I’m shy.  Why don’t you go over to him at the pool and find out a little about him. He looks so lonely.”

Sophie agrees, and later that day at the pool, she walks up to him and says, “Excuse me, mister.  I hope I’m not prying, but my friend and I were wondering why you looked so lonely.”

“Of course I’m lonely, he says, “I’ve spent the past 20 years in prison.”

“You’re kidding!  What for?”

“For killing my third wife.  I strangled her.”

“What happened to your second wife?”

“I shot her.”

“And, if I may ask, your first wife?”

“We had a fight and she fell off a building.”

“Oh my,” says Sophie.  Then turning to her friend on the other side of the pool, she yells, “Yoo hoo, Shirley.  He’s single!”

It worries me when I see single people overly anxious to find a mate. Perhaps, though, we have contributed to the situation by treating singleness like it’s some sort of disease.  Singles often comment that they feel out of place at church (activities tend to be family-oriented) and feel they are sometimes regarded as less important than married people. While marriage is a God-ordained institution, I think we do a disservice by suggesting that singles are somehow “incomplete” until they find that “certain someone.”

The truth is, while Paul held marriage in high regard (Eph. 5), he preferred being single and recommended it to Christians at Corinth in the difficult situation they were facing (I Cor. 7).  Single Christians have the opportunity to serve God in ways that married Christians would have difficulty doing.  Of course, the opposite is also true.

So what is the lesson to be learned?  Whatever situation you find yourself in, seek to serve God with all your heart.  If you are single, use your singleness to serve God as best as you can.  And if you’re married, use your married status to do the same.

“But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk…..keeping the commandments of God is what matters.” (I Cor. 7:17,19b)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

There is a jambalaya benefit for David Allen at FBC today (11:30 A,M,)  Donations will be received.

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

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