Friday

“Rejoice in hope,

be patient in tribulation,

be constant in prayer.”

~Romans 12:12, ESV~

Kirstie Birch, daughter of Bill and Sharon Birch, is having her heart procedure today at Lakeview in Covington.  Please be in prayer for her and her family.

Diane Turner’s mother, Mrs. Dorothy Ricks, is now in Kentwood manor.

Mrs. Birtie Hano is now a resident of Tangi Pines in Amite

Stacey Scarle

Stacey is having another surgery this morning. One spot is not healing as it should. Please keep her in your prayers today.

Better late than never!  It’s never too late to pray!

• Susan Fairburn has a heart stent now.
• Mrs. Evelyn Bridges fell, but is doing better now.
• Mr. W.K. Anthony and Ferrie Gene Blackmon had cataract surgery.
• Rafe Cutrer, son of Raymond and Brandy, got a good report this week.
• Mrs. Mickey Cade was at church Sunday.

Maggie Lee Henson for Good

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson

Get to know the future president of the IMB

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34666

THE GREATEST LAWYER

The story is told of a lawyer named Strange who died.  His friend asked the tombstone maker to inscribe on his tombstone,  “Here lies Strange, an honest man, and a lawyer.”  The inscriber insisted that such an inscription would be confusing, for passersby would tend to think that three men were buried under the stone.

However he suggested an alternative: He would inscribe, “Here lies a man who was both honest and a lawyer.”  That way, whenever anyone walked by the tombstone and read it, they would be certain to remark: “That’s Strange!”

Lawyers don’t seem to be seen in a very positive light (though we have no hesitancy about turning to one in times of need!).  Perhaps it is true that a few “bad apples” have given a black eye to the lawyer profession.  But that could be said of many other professions (including preachers).

Jesus had some rather harsh thing to say about the lawyers of his day (Luke 11:46,52), but they were not lawyers in the sense we understand the word; rather, they were “experts” in the Jewish law.

The truth is, lawyers perform a valuable service to our society, providing an advocate for those unable to speak for themselves.  And Jesus is himself referred to in scripture as a lawyer!

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (I John 2:1)

The Greek word translated “advocate” means “one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense.”  That means Jesus is our defense attorney!  As Christians stand before God to be judged for the sins we have committed, it is Jesus Christ who presents our defense.  What comfort and assurance in that truth!

Praise be to God for providing us such a capable attorney!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thanks for praying today.  Your prayers are so important to many people.  I believe in the power of prayer!

Anna Lee