Month: September 2011

Stand firm in one spirit,

contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.

~Philippians 1:27 NIV~

Pray for the people of Texas as they continue to fight wildfires that have destroyed many homes.  Pray for the firefighters safety and skills as they fight a fire they are not used to.  Pray for those away from their homes who are wondering if their homes are safe.  Pray for those whose homes have already been destroyed.  May thousands of people “jump in” to help these people move on to a future life.  May they realize the temporal things like homes can be destroyed quickly, but God is there for them forever.

I received a text message from Kelly Gehringer and she said that they found Patsy Lee had a urinary tract infection, that was making her disoriented and retaining fluid. They have put her on IV antibiotics and she is in North Oaks. Thanks so much for the prayers. Gloria Gill

Jesse Dean’s back surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday morning at 7 A.M.in Hammond.  Cover him with your prayers.

Majel’s nephew, Joe, will have surgery Monday in Jackson.  Please add him to your prayer list.

Please pray for these young men as they recover.

OFA football players injured in the game Friday night. Ryan Riggins broken fibula, Rhett Riggins dislocated shoulder, Landon Murphy twisted knee, Cody Shaw bruised shoulder 

Lisa King

Mrs. Kenneth Felker’s wife came home yesterday.  He is so glad to now have both his wife and daughter home.  Thank you for praying for them, but continue to remember them in your prayers.

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

“Finally, brethren, pray for us,

that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified,

just as it is with you.”

~2 Thessalonians 3:1~

WORLD LEADERS. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa of Bahrain (Middle East, east of Saudi Arabia).

BAOTOU, CHINA (BOW-toh). When autumn comes, many young people head back to school or to a new school. Please lift up all the students in this city, especially all the new college students. For many of them, this is the first chance for them to spread their wings and start taking more responsibility for their own lives. Pray that local brothers and sisters will be faithful to reach out to these young people with the love of Jesus Christ!

NORTHERN THAI/KHON MUANG OF THAILAND (cone MOO-ung). Mrs. C is a new believer, and her husband, Mr. Y, is open to the Gospel. They routinely welcome late-afternoon guests. Typically, these are young men who share an interest in horses, guns, and all things “cowboy.” Several weeks ago one of their number died unexpectedly, and they are trying to make sense of life and death. Mrs. C boldly shares her testimony and the Gospel. Mr. Y explains what he has read in the Bible and gleaned from tracts, evangelistic movies, and conversations with Northern Thai Team members. Every night there is a new topic like, “If I become a Christian, what happens when my family needs me to go to the temple?” or “Can I go to my Buddhist friend’s funeral? or “What about my tattoos with spiritual power?” In the end, Mrs. C tells them, “You really won’t understand until you believe.” That sounds like 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT), which says, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” The cowboys plan to meet on Wednesdays to find out more about the God of the Bible. Pray that the Lord will give them the faith to believe. Pray that they will become a “cowboy church” that multiplies itself. “Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes” (2 Thessalonians 3:1, NLT).

Thought for the Day: Facing Adversity Over and Over

Did you hear about the teacher who was helping one of her kindergarten students put his boots on? He asked for help and she could see why. With her pulling and him pushing, the boots still didn’t want to go on. When the second boot was on, she had worked up a sweat. She almost whimpered when the little boy said, “Teacher, they’re on the wrong feet.” She looked and, sure enough, they were.

It wasn’t any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on-this time on the right feet. He then announced, “These aren’t my boots.”

She bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, “Why didn’t you say so?” like she wanted to. Once again, she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off. He then said, “They’re my brother’s boots. My Mom made me wear them.”

She didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. She mustered up the grace to wrestle the boots on his feet again. She said, “Now, where are your mittens?” He said, “I stuffed them in the toes of my boots…”

As I read that, I thought about how many of our frustrations come about as the result of having to do something over and over. Let me give you an example. A number of years ago, I was having some back trouble and the doctor told I needed surgery. I counted down the days until I could find some relief. The surgery went well (in fact, I went home less than 12 hours after surgery), but the recuperation didn’t go as planned. Instead of getting relief, I found myself back under the doctor’s knife six weeks later.

I remember that the greatest source of frustration wasn’t the surgery itself. It was the fact that I thought I was getting better, but I had to start all over again. Just when I thought I was making progress, I encountered a setback. I was able to easily muster the emotional strength to face the first surgery, but it was much tougher the second time.

I’ve seen the same thing happen in a number of different areas. I suspect you have, too. Maybe you were hoping to get bills cleared up only to be hit with an unexpected dentist bill or car repair. Maybe it’s harsh criticism you’re dealing with, a situation at work that’s making it difficult to maintain your Christian standards, or perhaps the struggles of dealing with a rebellious child. You think, “I can handle the difficulty I’m going through as long as I can see the light at the end of the tunnel”. Only just when you’re about at the end of the tunnel and you taken about all you can take, you realize that there’s more adversity ahead and the light is barely visible. I understand; I’ve been there.

The Christian life is long and sometimes difficult. There are times we feel we just can’t take it anymore and we want to give up, especially when we’ve had to face the same adversity over and over and over again. May this passage serve as a source of comfort and strength to you:

“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:29-31)

I pray that your strength will be renewed this day as you wait upon the Lord. Hang in there!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, NC

May the Lord renew your strength today.  

Blessings,

Anna Lee