Category: Baptist Press

Tuesday

“[Zacchaeus] was too short …

[but] when Jesus got to the tree, he looked up …”

~`Luke 19: 3, 5 (NIV)~

 

 

Roger Pittman is recovering well at home.  Please continue to pray for Roger and his family during this recovery time.

 

Chloe Neyland has been to a room.  Lisa will be staying with her until they can come home.  Continue to pray for Chloe and Lisa as well as the other family members.

 

 

Ferdinand L. “Pollock” Gwarda
(January 4, 1928 – April 10, 2011)

Ferdinand Lawrence “Pollock” Gwarda was born January 4, 1928 and passed away at 12:40 a.m., Sunday, April 10, 2011 at the home of his best friends, Jimmy and Aimee Ballard. Pollock was 83, a native of Detroit, MI and resident of Roseland.

At the age of 17, Pollock joined the Merchant Marines with a desire to see the world. It was during this time he met Freddie Ballard and a lifelong friendship evolved. After retirement from the Merchant Marines, Pollock resided in New Orleans. In 1987 Jimmy Ballard moved Pollock to Roseland where he resided until his death.

Pollock is survived by Jimmy & Aimee Ballard and their children of Arcola.

Private Services will be held later.

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

 

Milton Adams Phillips,Sr.
(February 12, 1951 – April 11, 2011)

Milton A. Phillips, Sr. passed away on Monday, April 11, 2011 at his residence near Kentwood. He was born on February 12, 1951 in Kentwood to James B. and Pauline Robinson Phillips. He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Tom Ed, Alvie and Johnny Phillips; 3 sisters, Gracie Dean Phillips Edward, Annie Lea Phillips Duggan and Jesse “Cordy” Phillips Stevens; 2 nephews, Thomas “T” Phillips and Christopher Phillips, 3 nieces, Helen Dean Street, Lois Mims and Helen Phillips Wascom. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Robin Trahan Phillips, formerly of Houma; 1 daughter, Anita D. Brecheen, Kentwood; 3 sons, Milton A. Phillips, Jr., Kentwood, Justin J. Phillips and his wife, Nicole, Osyka, MS and Adam Chaney, Denham Springs; 6 grandchildren, William D. Brecheen, Graci M., Allana B., Justin, Jr. and Camryn N. Phillips and Olivia Chaney. He worked for Karl Ott, Jr. for over 20 years in the logging business then started boilermaking in 1997 until diagnosed with cancer in 2009. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6:00PM until 9:00PM, on Thursday and from 11 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. Milton Kliesch. Interment Pine Ridge Cemetery, Kentwood.

 

SBC leaders issue Annie Offering challenge

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35023

 

Enjoy this beautiful day, compliments of the one who make the world and all in it.

Anna Lee

 

Saturday

“Then Jesus said to her,

‘Your sins are forgiven. …

Your faith has saved you;

go in peace.”

Luke 7:48, 50 (NIV)

 

Josh Yarborough arrived from his military base in Japan.  Join with the family in thanking God for his arrival in Kentwood.  Thank God for taking care of him.

 

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell is back in the Greensburg hospital.  Keep on praying for her and for her family.

 

Baptist Press: Good reading to keep you informed.

http://www.bpnews.net

 

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10
Mike Benson, Editor

THERE IS AN old tale, attributed to Aesop, concerning a man who had two wives…

One was old; one was young.

The man was getting gray.

His younger wife did not want to be confused for his daughter, so when he was with her, while he was sleeping, she would pluck out his gray hairs.

The older wife welcomed the gray hairs.  She was tired of being confused for his mother, so when he was with her, while he was sleeping, she would pluck out the dark hairs.

Soon, he was completely bald.

If you try to please everyone, you will please no one.

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more,

just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God.”

~1 Thessalonians 4.1~

 

Enjoy another beautiful day and prepare for the Lord’s Day!  Thank God for Alan Benson and others who write devotionals that touch our heart with gentle reminders.

Anna Lee

 

Friday

“Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer;

listen to my plea for grace.”

~Psalm 86:6, ESV~

 

Callie Cole

Just a note to update you on Callie’s first day of school. (She will only go once or twice a week from 9 till 1.)  Callie had a good time.  She was a little disappointed because she did not get to visit with friends.  I explained that she will be able to go to break and visit some once the weather gets warm and stays warm.  She is so cold natured that I just don’t chance unnecessary exposure.
She attended a class that she has never been exposed to so maybe we can determine her short term and long term memory deficits.  Can she store new information?  We are not sure.  The school work she has been doing and doing well is probably a review of things she has studied.  Time will tell.
Please continue to lift her up in prayer as her journey takes another turn.  And remember to thank Him for the recovery that has taken place.
We are still believing there will be a full recovery but realize it is only in His time.

Much love,
Frances

 

 

Chole’s Surgery
Chloe’s surgery will be Friday April1, 2011 @8:30 . Please pray for her and her , family and the doctors.
Thanks
Laura
Rev. Jeff Phillips
Bro. Jeff Phillips, associate pastor at Milldale Baptist Church in William Wallace Association is having surgery for facial fracture tomorrow (Friday) in Baton Rouge. Please keep him in your prayers.
Bro. Stan Statam
Pray for my family today as we take Momma back to the doctor this morning.  Pray for wisdom in all that is said.
‘Not done weeping yet,’ missionary in Japan says
Thanks for praying for these and other pray needs.  As you pray for physical needs, be sure to pray for spiritual needs.
Anna Lee

Friday

“Devote yourselves to prayer;

stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

At the same time,

pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message,

to speak the mystery of the Messiah

–for which I am in prison.”

~Colossians 4:2-3, HCSB~

Did you catch all the verbs and all the commands?

 

 

Roger Pittman will be having a heart procedure next Monday.  Start to wrap him in your prayers.

 

Baptist Press Stories for Mar. 24 2011

—————————————

Major pro-life legislation sweeping S.D., nation

http:B//www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34906

Stetzer at NAMB: Make church planters heroes among Southern Baptists

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34907

‘Transformational’ retreat aids pastors

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34908

NEWS BRIEFS: David Platt weighs in on Rob Bell controversy; Colo. civil unions advance

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34909

Ethnic leaders share missions summit goal

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34910

National Acteens Panel named by WMU

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34911


WorldCrafts launches new branding & website

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34912


WORLDVIEW: Not later — now

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34913

 

Thank you for praying for the many who have been listed lately.  Your prayers make a difference.  My daddy talks about how sick he was this time last year.  People began praying for him as plans were being made to admit him to the hospital.  Once there, no more fever and no more violent chills that had occurred daily for a while!  Daddy said it was because people had started to pray for him!  Thanks!

Anna Lee

 

Wednesday

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
MARCH 23, 2011

“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 89:1)

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 President Felipe de Jesus Calderon Hinojosa of Mexico (southern North America).

JAPAN IN CRISIS. Hearing that her husband would be entering the Fukushima nuclear facility to try to avert disaster, a Japanese wife bravely said, “I hope that you will be the savior of Japan.” As we continue to pray for Japanese families who have suffered such loss in recent days, let us also continue to pray that they will place their faith in the One who can truly save them for all eternity. Christ has already paid the price to redeem their souls. Pray that those whose lives were forever changed as the earth shook and the ocean roared and those for whom life continues as usual will seek to know the Savior who died on Calvary so that they might truly live. Less than 1 percent of Japan’s people know Christ.http://eastasianpeoples.imb.org/

AMERICAN PEOPLES. Give thanks to God with a worker who writes: “Her face was full of wrinkles, and her hands a bit unsteady, as she led me outside of the church building. She said, ‘I want to show you where we prayed when we were locked out of our building. Following the revolution, our pastor and leaders were in jail and our church building was padlocked, but a few women and children gathered here each Sunday to pray, sing and worship God. We prayed for our neighborhood and for our nation, and I know that today many of those prayers are being answered.’ As I looked back into the open building at the now thriving, growing church, I knew I was standing on holy ground, seeing the truth of James 5:16b: ‘The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.’”

WOLOF OF SENEGAL AND THE GAMBIA (WUHL-uf). “In December, a team from a partnering church worked with teachers and students who were taking English,” writes the Wolof Team. “Teams from this church have been coming here since 2009. They are now realizing that they have an opportunity in one village, where they can spend all their time living with the villagers, sharing chronological Bible stories with them, and experiencing life in the village. They have shared with the chief imam (religious leader) and the chief, answering some of their questions about sin and about how we know that our prayers are answered. The question on everyone’s heart is the same wherever they go: ‘Is God real and is He interested in me?’ The chief imam and chief of the village have told this team that the village is completely open to them. This team has prepared college students and individuals as old as 72 years of age to story the Bible chronologically and to share their testimonies. Pray that this village will continue to be open and that understanding will come to those who have heard the testimonies and stories of the volunteers.”

 

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Thanks

We deeply express our gratitude to North American Mission Board for featuring us and our ministry in the missionary week of prayer, 2009.  We are thankful to NAMB for their prayer and financial support.  We know all of our Southern Baptist churches in North America will be praying for us and NAMB is acting as a channel of blessing for us.
We praise God for NAMB and all of its stuffs for their great encouragements.
We hope NAMB will continue their support to us for our frontiers missions work in New England.

Paul and Elizabeth Biswas
Church planting missionary in New England
129A Brown Street
Waltham, MA 02453

 

Baptist Press Stories for Mar. 22 2011

—————————————

In quake-torn Japan, a baptism is celebrated     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34891

Native American-focused event examines ways to remove barriers to Gospel     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34892

Thousands of Bibles headed to soldiers

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34893

Full face transplant recipient given self-described ‘miracle’     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34894

Elliff sees IMB role in strengthening CP

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34895

Indiana Baptists launch exec. direc. search

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34896

FIRST-PERSON: Are Christians obsessed with gays and abortion?     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34897

 

 

Continue to pray for those who have undergone surgery or are hospitalized as well as those grieving over deaths in families.  Spend some time praying for those who do not have Jesus in their lives.

Anna Lee

 

Tuesday

Do not merely listen to the word,

and so deceive yourselves.

Do what it says.

~James 1:22 (NIV)~

 

Please pray for our young friend Layton Bankston of Roseland who is leaving for Afghanistan today.

 

Baptist Press Stories for Mar. 21, 2011

—————————————

Abortion rights supporters find new target: crisis pregnancy centers     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34884


Japanese layman undertakes evacuation effort, buses 31 from danger zone     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34883


Japan missionaries relocate, vow to return

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34885

 

Rural church’s windfall plowed into missions     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34886


Porn gains its .xxx Web domain

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34887


Iorg ponders a Spirit-filled seminary

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34888

Elliff, in teleconference, answers questions

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34882


BP Ledger, March 21 edition

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34889


FIRST-PERSON: The pain — and hope — after a loved one’s death     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34890
—————————————

Kneemail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10
Mike Benson, Editor

SOLOMON TOLD IT right when he said, “Of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12)…

The number of books extant today would dwarf any library Solomon ever saw or imagined. We have old books, new books, reprints, classics, even e-books. Now you can purchase a hand held device and wirelessly download entire books to it for reading anywhere, at your convenience–a virtual library in your pocket. If we were to take time to count all the volumes in our homes, we might be surprised how many books accumulate over the years. As a preacher, my religious library has grown with time, including hundreds of volumes of greater and lesser value (though it is still small compared to many). Some I would hate to part with. Others just occupy shelf space. In younger days, I was driven to build up a library, thinking that more books translated into more advantage to a preacher. These days, it is only occasionally that a book is added to the collection and I am more motivated to actually read what is on the shelf, rather than be on the lookout for something new to place on the shelf. Good books can aid immeasurably in Bible study, depending on the caliber of their content, and assuming they are read with a discerning eye, educated in the Scriptures. Though a fan of helpful books, I was, nevertheless, struck by an observation that Alexander Campbell made about his father:

“In my boyhood, when entering into his study, in which he had a large and well-assorted library, I was wont to wonder on seeing, with a very few exceptions, only his Bible and Concordance on the table, with a simple outfit of pen, ink, and paper. Whether he had read all these volumes, and cared nothing more for them, or whether he regarded them as wholly useless, I presumed not to inquire, and dared not to decide. But such was the fact” (Memoirs of Elder Thomas Campbell, p. 271).

Isn’t that really what it ought to come down to? For all that can be said in favor of things like commentaries (bad examples of which can do much harm), there is nothing to take the place of a man alone with his Bible. It is easy for our perceptions to be colored by something read elsewhere, and we may end up missing what the Bible actually says because we have been helped into a misunderstanding by an unhelpful book (or article, preacher, etc.). Whatever benefit we reap from other sources, we will always need open Bibles, prayerful hearts, and minds keen on learning exactly what God wrote. And, perhaps, the church would be in better shape if, along with having his honesty of heart, more of our preachers had desks like Thomas Campbell’s.  Weylan Deaver at: http://wdeaver.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/of-making-many-books/
“I will delight myself in Your statutes;I will not forget Your word.”  Psalm 119:16

 

Thanks for praying today.

Anna Lee

Saturday

 

“O Lord, God of my salvation,
I have cried out day and night before You.
Let my prayer come before You;
incline Your ear to my cry.”
~Psalm 88:1-2~
THE SEARCH IS ON

The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers.  He dialed the employee’s home phone number and was greeted with a child whispering, “Hello?”

Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a youngster, the boss asked, “Is your Daddy home?”  “Yes”, whispered the small voice.

“May I talk with him?”, the man asked.  To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, “No.”

Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, “Is your Mommy there?” “Yes”, came the answer.  “May I talk with her?”  Again the small voice whispered, “No.”

Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child.

“Is there anyone there besides you?”, the boss asked the child.  “Yes”, whispered the child,  “A policeman.”

Wondering what an officer would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, “May I speak with the policeman?”  “No, he’s busy”, whispered the child.  “Busy doing what?”, asked the boss.  “Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the fireman”, came the whispered answer.

Growing concerned and even worried as he heard a loud noise through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, “What is that noise?”

“A hello-copper”, answered the whispering voice.  “What is going on there?”, asked the boss, now alarmed.

In an awed voice the child answered,  “The search team just landed the hello-copper!”

Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated the boss asked, “Why are they there?”

Still whispering, the young voice replied along with a muffled giggle, “They’re looking for me!”

It reminds me of how we act toward God at times.  When we have done something that we know is wrong, we sometimes, like Adam and Eve in the garden, try to hide from God.  Not physically, of course.  But we try to distance ourselves from God by neglecting worship with God’s people, Bible study, prayer.  We try to avoid God, hoping He won’t notice.

But like the little boy in the story, we know that God is searching for us, doing everything in His power to bring us back.  And even at times when I’ve done something I’m ashamed of, I appreciate that so much.

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?….Or what woman, having ten coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?” (Luke 15:4,8)

Is Somebody looking for you today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina


Baptist Press News
Have a great day of preparation for the Lord’s Day!  Thank God for the many blessing He has provided for you.  Petition Him for the needs on your heart.  Then, listen!
Anna Lee

 

 

Friday

“We are God’s workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works

which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

~Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)~


….please add Charles Rowland to the prayer list, he is experiences health issues right now and in the hospital in New Orleans.
Thanks
Debbie Powers

Mrs. Martha Dykes Traylor went home from the hospital yesterday.  Continue to pray for her improvement.

 

UPDATE: IMB missionaries in east Japan to relocate

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34860

 

Pray for the world situation this morning and pray for those who can make a difference.


THE SEARCH IS ON

The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers.  He dialed the employee’s home phone number and was greeted with a child whispering, “Hello?”

Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a youngster, the boss asked, “Is your Daddy home?”  “Yes”, whispered the small voice.

“May I talk with him?”, the man asked.  To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, “No.”

Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, “Is your Mommy there?” “Yes”, came the answer.  “May I talk with her?”  Again the small voice whispered, “No.”

Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child.

“Is there anyone there besides you?”, the boss asked the child.  “Yes”, whispered the child,  “A policeman.”

Wondering what an officer would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, “May I speak with the policeman?”  “No, he’s busy”, whispered the child.  “Busy doing what?”, asked the boss.  “Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the fireman”, came the whispered answer.

Growing concerned and even worried as he heard a loud noise through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, “What is that noise?”

“A hello-copper”, answered the whispering voice.  “What is going on there?”, asked the boss, now alarmed.

In an awed voice the child answered,  “The search team just landed the hello-copper!”

Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated the boss asked, “Why are they there?”

Still whispering, the young voice replied along with a muffled giggle, “They’re looking for me!”

It reminds me of how we act toward God at times.  When we have done something that we know is wrong, we sometimes, like Adam and Eve in the garden, try to hide from God.  Not physically, of course.  But we try to distance ourselves from God by neglecting worship with God’s people, Bible study, prayer.  We try to avoid God, hoping He won’t notice.

But like the little boy in the story, we know that God is searching for us, doing everything in His power to bring us back.  And even at times when I’ve done something I’m ashamed of, I appreciate that so much.

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?….Or what woman, having ten coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?” (Luke 15:4,8)

Is Somebody looking for you today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

Be a blessing to someone today!

Anna Lee

Saturday

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

~Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV)~

 


Update on Johnnie Smith

Johnnie smith has been home sceen last sunday and doing good. Thanks to all or friends and family for there prayers and calls.

 

Jadon’s Story: The Past Couple of Days

My neurologist called first thing Wednesday morning. She didn’t want to increase my vimpat. She wanted to increase my banzel. So that’s what we did. The past two days haven’t been the best for me. Yesterday my mommy had to come home from work. I was crying, having seizures, and just miserable. We went to the pediatrician and I have a nasal and throat infection. She put me on antibiotics. She also gave me a cream to help my rash that I just can’t seem to get rid of. My seizures have not been good either. I’m having about 80 a day. I have done a little better this afternoon. My mommy has only seen about 10 small spasms. I’ve also been saying da da da all afternoon. So hopefully I will get to feeling better and my seizures will go down. I will keep you update. I love you and please continue to pray for me.

 

Baptist Press News

http://www.bpnews.net/

 

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2.10
Mike Benson, Editor

THE KEY WORD is through…

God promises you will get through the waters of grief, the river of sorrow, the furnace of pain.  Somehow you will get through.  What you experience today will not last forever.

One encouragement here is God knows who you are.  He is your Creator, and he calls you by name (Isaiah 43.1).  You are His, and He will take care of His own.  In time of sorrow you feel unimportant and unknown.  God knows you, and you are important to him.

God also knows where you are.  He knows when you’re fighting the current of the river of sorrow, when you’re walking through the firey furnace of suffering.  Others may not know what you’re experiencing.  One the outside you may have everyone believing you’re fine.  But inside you’re about to drown.  God knows — and He is there for you.

When Daniel’s three friends were thrown into the furance, the king watched (Daniel 3.22-26).  And what he saw amazed him: the men were not harmed, and a fourth person was with them in the furnace.

God knows how you feel: alone, afraid, uncertain about the future, isolated, maybe rejected.  God made you with your emotions, and he knows how they can overwhelm and control you.  God will never condemn you for the way you feel.  Tell him how it feels — He will listen.

God knows what you need.  You need someone to share the pain, to walk through this long valley with you.  He promises His presence.  He also promises His love.  God gave you His Son to conquer death and give hope.

Live on promises, not on explanations.  Even if God explained by your loved one died, the answer wouldn’t end the heartbreak or quench the questions.  Instead of explanations, God gives promises, which keep you moving ahead, giving hope and new strength.

You’ll get through your grief.  It won’t end today or next month.  But there is an end.  Just face today.  Tomorrow will take care of itself.  Don’t burn today’s energies on tomorrow’s problems that aren’t here yet.

You’re going to make it through.  David W. Wiersbe, “Going Through,” Gone But Not Lost, 77-78

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire,

you shall not be burned,

nor shall the flame scorch you.”

Isaiah 43.2

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Week of Prayer

North American Missions Emphasis 2011 “Start Here”

“When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest’” (Matthew 9:36-38, HCSB).

Spiritual awakening and revival will never come to our families, churches, communities, continent or world without it first coming to our individual hearts. Even Christians strong in their faith and the expression of it in word and deed need times of renewal and reflection on where God has brought them and where He is leading them to go. We need renewal. We need revival. We need to experience afresh God’s power and presence in our lives. We need His eyes to see, His hears to hear, His heart to love, His hands to touch, and His mind to engage people where they are and lead them to Him. Only then can we move out toward others with evangelistic passion and purpose.

To “Start Here” is to look inward at ourselves. It is to examine our hearts, our thoughts, and our actions. It is to discover the strengths and weaknesses of our faith. The mirror that reflects our inward condition is God’s Word. We must respond to God’s desire for us to explore His Word, listen to His voice, and invite His Spirit to move in our lives so we can freely and sacrificially give ourselves to His Kingdom work as we live out the Great Commission task.

“Start Here” is to also see those around us with God’s eyes and to respond to what we see with His hands of love and His heart of compassion and His message of Truth and salvation.

The landscape of lives that make up North America will never be fully cultivated and harvested without God first touching Christians’ hearts to see the field and discover their personal roles in fulfilling the Great Commission. Christians must see the crowds and not be overwhelmed by the vastness of the needs. They must “start here” – with one person, with one prayer. Those that have discovered God’s abiding presence, even in the midst of fear, inspire and motivate us to join them in having passion and compassion that reaches from one’s heart all the way around the world – knowing sometimes the world is as close as the person right beside you.

Southern Baptist North American missionaries are a key element in the task of fulfilling the Great Commission, but the call is for everyone’s involvement. As we support this great missionary force through prayer, through financial support, and through going to serve alongside them, we must recognize that their task is ours as well. They serve in hard places with dedication and perseverance, but they need our active participation.Missionaries first fall on their knees in prayer before standing up and moving into the field on their feet. They are role models in being fully used by God to bring the gospel to all people. They trust the Holy Spirit to move in the lives of people and rest assured that God has called them to be both faithful and fruitful. They know the joy of seeing transformation come as a new follower of Jesus starts here with simple faith and trust.

This year, will you commit to “start here” by re-examining your heart to discover His will and way for your life as you live out the Great Commission call? What transformation do you need to witness? How will you respond?

To learn more about the North American Missions Emphasis, which includes the Week of Prayer and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, visit http://www.anniearmstrong.com.

 

Don’t let the rain bring discouragement to the day!

Anna Lee