Saturday

“If you continue in My word,

then you are truly disciples of Mine.”

~John 8:31 NASB~

Jadon’s Story

http://jadonsisstory.blogspot.com/

Thought for the Day: He was a stranger

The owner of an old-fashioned corner grocery store in a small country town was fond of quoting a scripture after each sale. He had three old friends that would sit around a pot-bellied stove, playing checkers on a faded board. His ability to produce a scripture for all occasions never ceased to amuse the old timers, and they would listen to see what verse he would come up with that was relevant to the sale made.

A lady purchased some material and he said, “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” A man bought a sack of flour and he said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” A little boy bought some candy and as he rung it up he quoted, “Suffer the little children to come unto me.”

It was nearly closing time when the chimes over the door jangled loudly. A well-dressed young man, obviously a stranger from one of the larger towns down the road, entered. “Can I help you?” offered the proprietor.

“I need a blanket for my horse,” said the man. “He’s out in his trailer and it’s too cold for just one. Bring me the nicest one you’ve got!” The store owner went in the back store room and came back with a brown blanket. “That’ll be five dollars.”

“Five dollars? You’ve got to be kidding!”, said the man. “This horse is a thoroughbred. He gets only the best! He wouldn’t stand still for an old five-dollar blanket.” Without comment, the store owner took back the blanket, then merely selected a different color and brought it out. “This one’s $25 dollars.”

“Now, look,” said the young man, “Perhaps I didn’t make myself plain. This isn’t just any old horse! He’s worth thousands! Now I want the best, most expensive blanket you’ve got! Understand?” The owner once more went into the store room, pulled out another color of the same material and brought it back. “This is the only one left, and it’s $100.” “Now that’s more like it!” enthused the fellow as he paid. Throwing the five dollar blanket over his shoulder, he left.

The old timers stared silently at the shopkeeper as they waited to see what possible scripture he could come up with for that sale! Going behind the register, he rung up the hundred dollars and said, “He was a stranger, and I took him in.”

I feel certain that’s not what Jesus meant when he spoke of the need to take in strangers! In Matthew 25, Jesus is very concerned about our attitude (and actions) toward those who are in need. If fact, Jesus connects our concern for the needy with eternal salvation.

Do we make a conscious effort to see the needs that exist around us? What have you done lately to help meet those needs? Just a gentle reminder in the midst of a hectic month.

“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Deut. 10:17-19)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Do something special for someone today!

Anna Lee

Baptist Press

BPNews.net

Thank God for family and friends who were spared in the tornado outbreak yesterday. Pray for families who lost homes and businesses. Say special prayers for families that lost loved ones.

Anna Lee

Friday

“Then He said to them,

‘Follow Me,

and I will make you fishers of men.’”

~Matthew 4:19~

Baptist Press News

BPNews.net

Thought for the Day: Faith when the rains begin

A newcomer to Seattle arrives on a rainy day. She gets up the next day and it’s raining. It also rains the day after that, and the day after that. She goes out to lunch and sees a young kid and, out of despair, asks, “Hey, kid, does it ever stop raining around here?” The kid says, “How should I know? I’m only 6.”

Residents of Seattle don’t tan — they rust!

I hear it only rains twice a year in Seattle — August through April and May through July.

Q: What do you call two straight days of rain in Seattle?
A: A weekend.

Q: What does daylight-saving time mean in Seattle?
A: An extra hour of rain.

Seattle may have a reputation for having a lot of rain, but it’s impossible to think about much rain without Noah and the flood coming to mind. The story of Noah is well-known, even among children, and its lessons are deep. Through this brief narrative, we are reminded of all of the essential elements of our relationship with God: God’s hatred of sin and the assurance of His judgment, God’s grace in providing a way of salvation, and Noah’s faith which led him to obey God completely.

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

May your faith sustain you when the rains begin!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

I hope you have more faith than “rain” in your life.

Anna Lee

Thursday

“The Lord is my shepherd;

I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in fields of green grass

and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.”

~Psalm 23:1-2 GNT~

Scott and Katier Miller have a new baby girl, Eden Paige Miller. Thank God for this child’s arrival.

I want to share the good news that two young children in our are are making the “first steps” in learning to walk. If you know Rafe Cutrer or Jadon Pailot, you will understand the excitement and joy of the families and friends. These young boys we have prayed for are taking steps to greater freedom of movement which touches our hearts and reinforces the need for our continued prayers.

Please look at the picture on “Miss” Katherine’s obituary and see what our church will look like with the steeple addition that “Miss” Katherine wanted. The steeple is not there yet, but the picture lets you see “Miss” Katherines dream.

http://www.mckneelys.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1409466&fh_id=10545

Tonight, we will have week two of the Beth Moore study of James for the Thursday group. We will meet at 6 P.M. in the basement area under the auditorium. The study is amazing as it leads us to fresh understanding of the Scripture. It’s not too late to join us.

Baptist Press News

http://www.bpnews.net/

Thought for the Day: The reason we remember great people

These are reported to be actual epitaphs on tombstones:

Here lies
Johnny Yeast
Pardon me
For not rising. (Ruidoso, New Mexico)

Here lays Butch,
We planted him raw.
He was quick on the trigger,
But slow on the draw. (Silver City, Nevada)

Anna Wallace
The children of Israel wanted bread
And the Lord sent them manna,
Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife,
And the Devil sent him Anna. (Ribbesford, England)

Margaret Daniels
She always said her feet were killing her
but nobody believed her. (Richmond, Virginia)

Anna Hopewell
Here lies the body of our Anna
Done to death by a banana
It wasn’t the fruit that laid her low
But the skin of the thing that made her go.
(Enosburg Falls, Vermont)

Harry Edsel Smith
Born 1903–Died 1942
Looked up the elevator shaft to see if
the car was on the way down. It was. (Albany, New York)

An anonymous tombstone:
I was somebody.
Who, is no business
Of yours. (Stowe, Vermont)

In Memory of Beza Wood
Departed this life
Nov. 2, 1837
Aged 45 yrs.
Here lies one Wood
Enclosed in wood
One Wood
Within another.
The outer wood
Is very good:
We cannot praise
The other. (Winslow, Maine)

How sad to come to the end of your life and others not have anything good to say about you! Hebrews 11 could be viewed as a collection of epitaphs of many who had died. The chapter starts with these words:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” (Hebrews 11:1-2)

I like how the New Century Version translates verse 2: “Faith is the reason we remember great people who lived in the past.” That’s true, isn’t it? Every single person in the Bible we regard as “great” was a man or woman of faith. That faith made a difference in the way they lived and responded to God. That’s why we remember them.

May your life be characterized by faith in God so that those who prepare your tombstone won’t struggle with finding something kind to say.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Trusting you will see the fruits of some of your prayers today,

Anna Lee

Sunday

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

~John 8:31b-32 NKJV~

Lindsey Sanders is doing much better, but more tests are doing done to evaluate her heart problem. Keep praying.

Mike Moore of West Monroe, will be leaving Monday for Menphis where his cancer behind his eye is evaluated now that surgery has been done. Please pray for Mike, his family, his friends, and those treating him.

Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/

Please continue to pray for the many grieving families. Our area has experienced a number of deaths in the last month or so. Grieving is not over when the memorial service is completed. Friends and church families mean so much at such times.

Beth Moore sessions for week two.

Sunday at 4:30

Thursday at 6:00

Come early and enjoy visiting with members of your small group. If you missed the first session, you are welcome to join us now. I will schedule a time to show session one again.

Thought for the Day: Missed opportunities

The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer’s beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, “Son, go stand out in that field and I’m going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter.”

The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood – pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber – as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.

The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed… but the bull had no tail!

Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available.

The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often opens doors — opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence on the world around us. If we allow them to pass by (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.

“Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message.” (Col. 4:2-3a, NCV)

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10).

May you take advantage of the doors God opens for you this day!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Reach out and catch the opportunities you have before you this week.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart,

and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles,

‘Brothers, what shall we do?’

And Peter said to them,

‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ

for the forgiveness of your sins,

and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

~Acts 2:37-38, ESV~

Gloria Gill asks for prayer for Lindsey Sanders who is in Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS with pneumonia and a thyroid that is not working properly. Thank-you for praying.

Boyd sees three doctors today at Ochsner in New Orleans. Pray he doesn’t have any blood clots today and the doctors will have determined the cause of the ones he had.

Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/

Thought for the Day: A difficult word

I heard about an office whose answering machine was set up to instruct callers to leave their name and address, and to spell any difficult words.

Early one Monday, when the secretary was reviewing the weekend messages, she heard an enthusiastic young woman recite her name and address, and then confidently offer, “My difficult word is reconciliation. R-E-C-O-N-C-I-L-I-A-T-I-O-N.”

Reconciliation can be a difficult word. It’s not that it’s difficult to understand. Webster defines the word “reconcile” as “to restore to friendship or harmony, to settle or resolve.” The word can be used in a variety of ways, but when it’s applied to people it basically means to get two separated people back together again. So we talk about a husband who wants to be reconciled to a wife who has left him. A father who wants to be reconciled to a wayward son. And a lost sinner who needs to be reconciled to God.

While not difficult to understand, reconciliation can be a difficult word to put into practice. It can be very difficult to get two family members who are at odds to be reconciled. And it can sometimes seem very difficult for us (or for others we know) to be made right with God.

A man once went to a preacher because he was having some family problems. He wasn’t a very well-educated man and sometimes got his words confused. He said, “Me and my wife need a re-cancellation.” What he meant to say was reconciliation, but the word re-cancellation wasn’t a bad choice. Because there can be peace for those who have been separated only when sin has been canceled. As sinners before a righteous God, we need a “re-cancellation”. And that’s exactly what Jesus made available when he died on the cross.

“….by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.” (Col. 1:20-22)

Thanks be to God for making this difficult word a reality in our lives.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

I hope we all get to enjoy a beautiful day today.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice

is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. “

~Matthew 7:24 NIV~

Beth Moore Bible Study – James: Mercy Triumphs

FBC, Kentwood

Two groups to choose from

Sundays at 4:30 in the church basement (Begins today)
Thursday at 6:00 (Begins later this week)

Workbook – $15.00

Baptist Press News

http://www.bpnews.net/

Heart to Heart with Holley: What success really means

Define it with titles.

Step on the scale.

Climb up the ladder.

We chase it until we’re exhausted.

Success.

What does it really mean?

I look through the sacred pages one day looking for an answer.

And I find, all the way through, it really comes back to one word.

Obedience.

Not results.

Not awards.

Not exceeding expectations.

Just obedience.

We are servants who bring our Master joy when we do what he asks.

No more, no less.

Success isn’t as complicated as we make it.

And it’s attainable. For all of us. Every day. Wherever we are.

Even this week.

Doesn’t that make your heart feel freer?

Woo-hoo!

–Holley

Thought for the Day: Summed up in one word

Ole and Lena’s bull took sick and died, so they needed to go to the auction to buy a new one. Ole had to get the crops in and couldn’t leave the farm, so Lena took the train to the city to buy a bull. If she was successful, she would take the train back to the farm, then she and Ole would go to town with the truck to pick up their newly purchased bull.

The bidding was furious at the livestock auction, and Lena found herself bidding on the last remaining bull. It took everything she had but ten cents, but she was finally the successful bidder.

Unfortunately, the train home was fifty cents. “Please, Mr. Conductor, couldn’t you make an exception just once?” pleaded Lena. “Sorry lady,” he replied, “but you can send your husband a telegram to tell him your problem. The office is just down the street.”

At the telegraph office, Lena asked, “Mister, how many words can I send to my husband for a dime?” “It’s ten cents a word,” the clerk answered. Lena pondered her dilemma, then finally said, “OK, here’s the
message: COMFORTABLE.” (Got it? No? Read it again, s-l-o-w-l-y.)

Condensing a lengthy message into one word can be quite a challenge. How would you condense the message of the gospel into one word? Love? Grace? When the New Testament summarizes the preaching of the gospel, it does it in this way:

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached Jesus to him.” (Acts 8:35)

Philip’s message to the Ethiopian eunuch, summed up in one word, was Jesus. No doubt, Philip had much to say on the subject. I’m sure he spoke of why Jesus came, what Jesus did for us, and what our response to Jesus needs to be. His message obviously even included a mention of baptism, since the eunuch was led to ask further about that.

But, if the essence of our teaching ever becomes anything other than a focus on Jesus, it is no longer the gospel. All that we say and do is of significance only as it relates to our Lord and our Savior.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Friday

“’Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.’

And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him.”

~Luke 8:39, HCSB~

Baptist Press: Linsanity, Tebow-mania & the evangelistic witness

Bryan Cribb

pnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=37195

Thought for the Day: Encourage one another

You will likely recognize the name of Jackie Robinson as the first African-American to play Major League baseball. In his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson faced hatred nearly everywhere he traveled. Pitchers threw fastballs at his head. Runners spiked him on the bases, ugly insults were written on cards and spoken from the opposing dugouts. Even the home crowds in Brooklyn saw him as an object of reproach.

During one game in Cincinnati, the taunts and racial slurs seemed to reach a peak. To make matters worse, Robinson committed an error and stood at second base humiliated while the fans hurled insults at him. Another Dodger, a Southern white man by the name Pee Wee Reese, called timeout. He walked from his position at shortstop toward Robinson at second base, and with the crowds looking on, he put his arm around Robinson’s shoulder. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.

That reminds me of a similar story in the Bible. Saul was a most unlikely candidate for Christianity. I doubt if he was on anybody’s soul-winning list. Except God’s. The reason is that you would have been locked up or killed before you got through the first Bible study. The words Saul and persecution were synonymous. So, Saul had a bit of a problem when he became a Christian. Everybody was afraid to get close to him. The members of the Jerusalem church thought that Paul was pulling a fast one, that he was only pretending to be a disciple (verse 26).

After all, that was a perfect plan — pretend to become a member of the church, get the names of all of the members, call the Sanhedrin and then take the whole bunch to prison. Sounds like a spy story, doesn’t it? But, they weren’t about to fall for that one! But Barnabas accepted him.

There are a couple of things about Barnabas that we need to imitate. First of all, he was a man who insisted on believing the best in others. When others suspected Saul of being a spy, Barnabas insisted on believing he was genuine and real. The world is largely divided into people who think the best of others and people who think the worst of others. “[Love] doesn’t keep track of wrongs….never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.” (I Corinthians 13:5,7, GOD’S WORD).

Barnabas was also a person who didn’t hold a man’s past against him. It happens so often that whenever a man makes a mistake, he is forever condemned in our eyes. It is a wonderful characteristic of God that he doesn’t hold our past sins against us. We, too, should never condemn a man just because he has failed in the past.

What a great example! We’ve all been there — standing in need of someone to face our problems with us. And we have those around us who need the encouraging arm around the shoulder.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (Galatians 6:1-2)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Have a great Friday. Take time to encourage someone today.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath and doubting.”

~1 Timothy 2:8~

Please continue to pray for the families of all four ladies involved in the accident that occurred two and a half weeks ago. Pray for each family individually. “Miss” Carol Jean’s family reports she is basically about the same and thanks you for the prayers you have offered thus far.

The family of Eugene Travis requests prayers for him as he has medical tests and procedures.

Thoughts from Courtney Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/2012/02/love.html

The early sign-up for “James: Mercy Triumphs” is going well. A second order for books has been made. For those interested in doing a little preparation ahead of time, read the book of James. I even found “Mercy triumphs” in one of the verses!

Roy S. Ardillo, II
(May 29, 1951 – February 11, 2012)

A native of Amite and a resident of Pine, he died at 2:50 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital in LaCombe, LA. He was born May 29, 1951 and was 60 years of age. He was a U. S. Army veteran of Viet Nam. A Vigil service followed by the Rosary will be conducted at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, with visitation to follow until 9 p.m. and resuming from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, at 12 Noon Thursday February 16, 2012. Services conducted by Fr. Mark Beard. Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Survived by wife, Gaynell Gaudet Ardillo, daughter, Cindy Ardillo Gill and her husband, Mike, son, Richard Ardillo, 2 step-sons, Clinton Billedeaux and his wife, Kimberly, Steven Billedeaux, father, Nick P. Ardillo Sr., one sister, JoAnne Ardillo Falcone and her husband, Vincent, three brothers, James “Rube” Ardillo, Jay Ardillo and his wife, Kerri, Thomas F. Ardillo and his wife, Michelle, grandchildren, Michael Gill, Jr., Matthew Gill, Maylyn Ardillo, Paris Billedeaux, nieces and nephews, Joseph, Jonathan, Margaret & Madeline Ardillo, Vincent & Joshua Falcone, Nikki Falcone Messina, Melissa Ficklin Clark, Amanda Ficklin Mixon & Jason Ficklin, uncles & aunts, Thomas Bellavia, Frank Bellavia, Mary Frances Ardillo, numerous cousins. Preceded in death by mother, Angelee Bellavia Ardillo, and brother, Nick P. Ardillo, Jr. Special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital in Lacombe, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Families are so important. A new movie, “The Vow”, gives us an example of a couple who worked through especially difficult problems to regain love and then to remarry. I have not seen the movie, but have heard from others who did. I think the book and/or the movie might be a plus for any family or soon-to-be family. Take time to read what Baptist Press has to say.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=37170

Dr. Danny Smith, pastor of Spring Creek Baptist Church, has given me permission to share some of his thoughts periodically. I think we can all benefit from what he said yesterday.

Pain, loss, sorrow, grief all things we have experienced and struggle with from time to time. Truth is there is no easy way to deal with any of them.

There are those who insist time heals all wounds but as time rocks on and hurts persist we find that is not right.

Then there are those who say you just have to work through it you just have to go through these steps but then we wear out the path the steps are located on and still have our ache still have our pain and they say give it time.

But there is one who can and does help in these times and He does that first by being with us.

He does it secondly by taking it from us.

And He does it finally by taking it us away from all of it.

No this does not change the pain or take away the sorrow but it sure gives us somewhere to take it and of course that is to Jesus. Where else no where! Who else? No one!

Thought for the Day: Willing to die

The following story is related by Kim Noone in the book, “A Cup of Chicken Soup For the Soul”:

“One day a drill sergeant came out and threw a hand grenade into a group of young soldiers. The men all ran away and took cover away from the grenade. Then the drill sergeant told them that the grenade was not set to explode and he just did it to see their reaction.

“The next day a newly recruited soldier joined the group. The drill sergeant told the other soldiers not to tell the new soldier what was going to happen. As the drill sergeant came out and threw the grenade into the crowd of soldiers, the new soldier, not knowing it wasn’t going to explode, threw himself on top of the grenade to prevent it from killing the other men. He was willing to die for his fellow soldiers.

“That year the young man was awarded the only medal for courage and bravery that had not been won during battle.”

How many people would you be willing to die for? Be honest now! Maybe your husband or wife, one of your children, but the list starts to get pretty short after that, doesn’t it?

Can you imagine dying in the place of a convicted criminal? Someone is scheduled to die on death row for murder, and you say, “Please let me take his place!” Not very likely, huh?

Paul was so right when he said, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8)

Why would Christ do that? As long as I define love by my own personal limitations, it will always be impossible to comprehend. Only the love of an Almighty God could be willing to sacrifice so much. I am led to respond in praise, and in a desire to give all my love and obedience to the One who loved me more than life itself.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

How many ways can you show love to others today? You don’t have to die for them, but you can thank the One who die for us. That was love!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources

he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.”

~Ephesians 3:16 NLT~

Great sorrow seems to have settled in with many families lately. I don’t ever remember going to so many wakes and funerals of friends and family. I refuse to continue to count them. I ache for families who have lost loved ones lately, most of them in unexpected situations. I know these times are much easier with God carrying us through the difficult days. I cannot imagine what it would be like without that knowledge.

“Stand in the storm. When the going gets tough, make adjustments, but keep standing.” Unknown author

Life has given me some storms lately, but having God stand with me allowed me to seek Him more and to keep on standing. I pray each individual and each family touched by problems of any kind will be able to keep standing because they have God walking through the journey of life with them.

I’m doing well with the storms of my life. I can smile, face people, encourage others, etc. Life doesn’t give “free passes” to us. We have to know God is with us and wants us to continue on. If He is not your journey mate through life, I pray you will seek someone who can steer you in His direction. He is the one and only way to travel through life!

That’s my sermon for today!

Baptist Press News

http://www.bpnews.net/

Thought for the Day: Jesus will give you rest (parts 1 & 2)

I heard a story about a young mother with three children. The phone rang one day and a voice on the other end of the phone said, “Honey, it’s Mom. I called because I know that you’re busy with the kids, and I want to give you some help. I’m going to stop by to clean the house, take care of the baby, and prepare dinner for when the boys get home from school.

“I want you to get ready to go to my beautician, I’ve paid her already, and she’s going to give you ‘the works,’ your appointment is at 1:00. Give George a call at the office and tell him that you’ll meet him at Olive Garden for dinner, it’s on me…”

At that point, the young mother interrupted and said, “George, who is George?”

“Your husband.”

She said, “My husband’s name is Fred.”

“Oh. Is this 365-3212?”

“No this is 365-3213.”

The caller said, “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’ve got the wrong number.”

After a pause, the young mother said, “Does this mean that you’re not coming over?”

Do you ever feel like you could use a phone call like that? Do you ever find yourself wishing someone would just come along and take care of things for you so that you can have a little rest?

I remember back in the 1970’s, there was a big concern that computers and technology would radically change how many hours a week people would work. In fact, there was testimony given to a Senate sub-committee forecasting that within 20 years, the average American would be working only 22 hours a week. They said, “The great challenge would be figuring out what to do with all the excess time.” Now here we are, 30 years later, after major advances in technology — how many of us are wondering what to do with all the excess time on our hands?

Our world has become the world of the Red Queen of Alice in Wonderland. She said, “It takes all the running you can do to stay in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that.”

That’s why what Jesus offers is so very precious. He says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

It’s one of the most beautiful promises in all the Bible. It was a promise made to the Israelites as they headed toward the land of Canaan — forty years they traveled and traveled in the wilderness, until finally they arrived at a land of rest. And it’s the promise made to those of us who are Christians as we look forward to heaven. The Hebrew writer says, “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” (Hebrews 4:9).

I don’t know about you, but one of the things that I’m most looking forward to when I get to heaven is being able to rest. I’m not talking about sitting down in a Lazy-Boy recliner with my feet propped up and a remote control to a big screen television in my hand. That’s not heaven. I just know that heaven will be a place where we won’t experience the feeling of being so tired, so utterly worn out. Sometimes when people ask me how I am, I just want to say, “I’m tired. I’m just so very tired.” Heaven is going to be place of rest.

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on…that they may rest from their labors.” (Revelation 14:13)

But when Jesus said, “I will give you rest”, I think he was talking about more than just heaven…..

(to be continued)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

In 1930, something very unusual happened. It’s still an open case in the FBI missing-person file. On August 15th of that year, after dining with his family, a New York State Supreme Court Justice named Joseph Carter hailed a cab and was never seen or heard from again. The FBI thought his disappearance might be worked-related because the judge had heard a lot of mob cases. But there was no real evidence to support that theory. All the investigations led to a dead end. The only clue was a note Joseph Carter left for his wife and family. It said: “I am very, very tired. Love, Joe.” That was it. That was the last anyone ever heard from him.

I can’t help but feel that there’s a lot of us who feel the same way. And Jesus has something to say to the person who is exhausted, to the person who is worn out, frustrated and weary. He offers rest.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

As I said in part one, we are looking forward to the rest that awaits us in heaven. But I don’t think Jesus is talking about heaven here in Matthew 11. I think he’s offering rest for our souls here and now. Somebody to help carry our burden. In Galatians 6:2, Paul says to “Bear one another’s burdens” and we can do that for one another. There have been some times in my life when I’ve gone through some things that I just don’t think I could have handled if I didn’t have brothers and sisters in Christ to be there for me. But what we do for one another in a small way, Christ does for us to a much greater measure.

Whatever burden you are carrying right now, Christ says he’ll be there for you. Whether it’s problems in your marriage, or maybe your children are in trouble at school or with the law. Maybe it’s burdens of loneliness, burdens of taking care of sick relatives, burdens of disappointment, of rejection, of addictions. Maybe the burden of not knowing which way to turn next. Life is filled with stress, with cares, with worries.

The reality is that life can be very difficult. But these are the very kinds of burdens that Jesus wants us to bring to him. Jesus is saying, “Come to me all you who are struggling with life in any way and those of you who have burdens that you can’t carry alone, and I will help you with your struggles.”

Do you remember the last time you made a trip to the airport with all your luggage? A couple of years ago, we took our daughter to the airport. She had absolutely crammed her suitcases as full as she could get them because she was moving to Germany. One of them weighed 65 pounds and the other one weighed 83 pounds. Fortunately they had the little wheels on them, because I can’t imagine what it would have been like if we had to lug those things all over the airport trying to find the right ticket counter. And, I want to tell you, when the ticket agent took those suitcases from us and we didn’t have to carry them around anymore, that was a wonderful feeling. No more burden.

That’s what Jesus does for us. Jesus is always on the lookout for hurting people. People who are bold enough to admit — Lord, I need some help. I can’t carry these problems alone.” And he’s promised to do it. He said, “I will give you rest.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Thankful for the journey-mate and the rest!

Anna Lee

Friday

“Continue earnestly in prayer,

being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”

~Colossians 4:2~

If we are to “continue earnestly in prayer” for some of those we have been praying for, I will remind you of some families to pray for.

Jadon Pailet Family of Ian Russ Guzzardo Family of Catherine Simmons

Carol Jean Gill Family of Roy Russell Family of William Ed. Hatcher

Pauline Strickland Family of Lorna Smith Family of Jason McKean

Boyd and Jennie Hatchel Family of Dorothy Ricks Family of Kelly Dunn Sofge

Earlo LaBauve Avis Sullivan Andy and Betty Taylor

Jill Brister Gail Pittman-McDaniel Family of Tripp Roth

Susan Rimes Billy Carl Strickland Velta Morris

Dr. Derry Magee Raymond Anthony Robbie Lynn Callihan Kirby

KaLeigh Powers Jimmy Tolar Jimmie Shaw Family

These are some of the people for whom we have prayed. You can pray for these and your own additions.

Jadon Pailet (Late last night)

Please pray for Jadon. We were admitted to childrens today because his blood cultures were positive. We will not know what kind of bacteria it is until tomorrow. The culture may have been contaminated but they don’t think so because he is so sick. We need prayers right now.

Baptist Press

BPNews.net

Thought for the Day: When everything goes wrong

Here is a list of "Murphy's Laws for Churches" (author unknown):

* Video projectors always work before the class meeting begins.

* The probability of the preacher tripping over the mike cord is greater on "Bring A

Friend" Sunday than any other week.

* The largest Bible Class will show up when the teacher feels his/her worst.

* No matter how many bulletins you print, you'll always need one more.

* A member living 15 miles away will be 15 minutes early; members living two blocks

will be 15 minutes late.

* The shorter the agenda, the longer the business meeting.

* Saying "Let us pray" or singing "Just As I Am" causes babies to cry.

* When you answer the Bible teacher's question right, nobody remembers; when you

are wrong, nobody forgets.

* The furnace only fails when the outside temperature is more than 20 degrees

below zero. The air conditioner only fails when the outside temperature is 90

degrees or above.

* When the preacher misspeaks in a sermon, at least half of those taking notes

will write the remark down as an important thought from the sermon.

Murphy's Law ("Whatever can go wrong will go wrong") manifests itself in a multitude

of ways in our lives. In fact, there are times when it seems that EVERYTHING is going

wrong. How we react to those situations says a lot about our character.

Do we react by saying, "Everything will turn out all right eventually"? We

may be living in a dream world.

Do we react by saying, "How could God do this to me"? Our bitterness may cause

us to turn away from God.

Or do we react by turning to God, praying for strength, trusting Him to see

us through?

In Acts 4, the apostles were threatened by government officials and forbidden to

preach in the name of Jesus. They prayed, "Now, look on their threats, and grant

to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word...." (Acts 4:29)

Father, there may be those reading this message whose world has come crashing down

around them. May you bless them with strength; make them mindful of just how much

they need your help. May you use the times when things go wrong as opportunities to

manifest your glory in a special way. In Jesus name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Knowing Russ Guzzardo, I don’t think he will mind me sharing his thoughts on Facebook last night, just hours after burying his newborn son.

Just want to thank God for comforting me today. I want to thank him for all the people who have been praying for my family and put there words to action today by attending or participating in the services today. God you are an awesome GOD. Thanks for family and friends, I love you all.

With all the sadness around, especially the last two weeks, let’s remember we serve and awesome God who loves us dearly!

Anna Lee