Category: Baptist Press

“But you shall receive power

when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria,

and to the end of the earth.”

~Acts 1:8~

Money, letters mount for Jon-Mike Williams

http://www.hammondstar.com/articles/2011/02/08/top_stories/education/

5677.txtINTERNATIONAL

It is not too late to write an email!

MISSIONS PRAYERLINE

IMB
Wednesday, February 9, 2011

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance,” (James 1:2-3, NASB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, praying with you for those facing persecution.

Workers among Iranian Arabs struggle to impact the local church in the face of intensifying persecution. Ask the Father either to offer new strategies that are effective or to allow current strategies to transcend the hostilities to the Gospel. Pray for leaders to be trained, allowing them to multiply healthy churches inside the country.

Local believers of Coal City, China, have been facing an increase in persecution. Although this has not been widespread, there have been reports of believers being questioned by various authorities, people not being allowed to travel to meetings, and at least one leader being asked to leave the area. It is not unusual for the authorities to confiscate tracts and other printed materials. Our brothers and sisters persevere despite opposition and courageously spread the message of Christ. Pray that the local church will be strengthened and refined by these trials.

The Berber people worshipped in both French and their native Kabyle dialect. Men were singing praises, dancing, and praying to the Father. It was amazing! After about an hour of singing, the Word was brought forth. Then the leader called forward those who wanted prayer. Several walked to the front, and the congregation encircled them with outstretched arms. At the end, one young woman believed–it was a glorious day! Many of these believers can never go home to North Africa due to the threat hanging over their lives. They are willing to give up family and familiarity in order to serve the Lord.

* Please lift up those who are being persecuted for righteousness sake, and ask that those who believe will continue to praise Him.

* Intercede for workers that they not allow hostilities or discouragement to overwhelm their call.

* Give thanks to the Father that believers are being added to the family despite various trials.

KneEmail

At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.  Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

JOHN R.W. Stott, an English theologian, states, “Vision begins with a holy discontent with the way things are…”

It is possible to become so content with our church that we become complacent.  We are busy building homes, families, and careers, while trying to live in a chaotic, change-filled world.  Sometimes the last thing church members want to see changed is their congregation.  They like the stability of church being the same week after week.  Unfortunately, that sameness can breed complacency and weak ministry.

Discouragement may set in, even bitterness.  And the lighthouse God called into existence only emits a weak light.  But with vision, the future begins to grow and become clear and larger than the past and present.  Discouragement and complacency are replaced with hope.  J. David Schmidt

“For as the body without the spirit is dead,

so faith without works is dead also.”

~James 2.26~

Thanks for praying today.  Your prayers mean so much to so many!

Anna Lee

“Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged!

I am the Lord your God,

and I will be there to help you wherever you go.”

~Joshua 1:9 (CEV)~

Maggie Lee Henson was the young girl who died as a result of a blown out tire while on a church bus.  Her mother, Jinny, has shared her heart at the eighteen month anniversary of Maggie Lee’s death.

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

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell’s procedure has been changed to Thursday.  At this time, she will be admitted to the hospital Wednesday.  Continue to pray for her and her sweet family.

Mrs. Micky Cade is now in Kentwood and staying with Teri.  Continue to pray for a full recovery for “Miss” Micky.

Bro. Joe Baugh shared how his daughter and granddaughter shared their faith at the time of Bro. Joe’s mother’s funeral services.  Be sure to ask him about them. Thank God for people who bravely witness to unsaved family members!  Those are usually the hardest ones to share with.

In Egypt, Christians Hoping, Praying for Greater Freedom

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34573

“That we won’t blink. That we will find ways to join the Lord in the midst of this chaos and let the Good News ring out in ways that will help people find true freedom in Christ. That’s what I want to see more than anything else. I want people to know Him — and in knowing Him, to know what it’s like to really be free.”

THE MOST EXPENSIVE MEAL IN HISTORY

Did you hear about the expensive meal at Burger King in Palmdale, California?  George Beane ordered two Whopper Jr.s and two Rodeo cheeseburgers when he pulled up to the drive-through window. The cashier forgot that she had entered the $4.33 charge on his debit card, and she punched in the numbers again without erasing the original ones — creating a total bill of $4,334.33!  The electronic charge went through to George’s checking account and left him penniless.

It was promoted as “the most expensive meal in history.”  That seems a little extreme to me.  I’m sure there are many other meals which have brought a higher tab than that.  But, I would like to cast MY vote for the most expensive meal in history.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve ate some fruit which turned out to be extremely expensive.  It cost them their home in the Garden of Eden.  It cost them their relationship with one another.  It cost them their relationship with God.  And additional costs have been passed down to every man and woman who have lived on the face of this earth ever since.

The truth of the matter is that sin always has consequences.  We play games in our mind and try to deny it because we like to play with fire thinking that we’ll never get burned (even though everybody else has).  We like to flirt with sin thinking that “I can do this and it won’t hurt anything” but it always does.  Sometimes, like Adam and Eve, sin affects our relationship with others around us — husbands, wives, children, parents, church family, friends.  And sin always affects our relationship with God.  And if our sin remains unforgiven, it can cost us our eternal home.  It’s a high price to pay for a few moments of selfish enjoyment.

Listen to this warning from James:  “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’  For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.” (James 1:13-16)

Don’t be deceived!  Partaking of sin will result in a bill far greater than you ever could have imagined.  Even greater than the cost of burgers in California these days.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Stay in and keep warm today.  Help your neighbor if they are not prepared for this weather.

Have a blessed day!

Anna Lee