Category: Baptist Press

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
NOVEMBER 4, 2010

“Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray.” (Psalm 5:1-2)

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 Administrator Brian Lacy of Christmas Island (Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia).

LAST FRONTIER. Please pray for seven volunteer teams that will be traveling to an area in November that is home to several unreached people groups. Some recent teams have encountered more resistance from the religious leaders there than they have in the past as the Gospel has begun to fall on fertile soil. Pray for safety and courage, but especially for wisdom as these teams share and nurture within these unreached people groups.

ROMANIA. Baptist representative Troy Geddes and other members of Team Eastern Romania ask you to pray for the development of an Urban Outreach Training Center in their city. Their desire is to see highly directional training for the Romanian people within their area, with an additional focus on the multiplication of groups. Pray that the Father will continue to lead them according to His plan and purpose. Intercede for those within their people group to have hearts and minds made ready by the Spirit with a passion for reaching their neighbors, friends, families and cities for Christ.

FBC, Kentwood will be hosting revival services Sunday through Wednesday.  You are invited to attend.  Cottage Prayer Meetings have been held this week.  Tonight, they will be in the home of George Eddie and Alice Faye Lee and at our cabin.  You are invited to attend one of these meetings at 6:30 tonight and the revival services next week.  I’ll post the names of the speakers at another time.

KneEmail

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

I AM NO political activist, and I was in no small way annoyed and worn out by the political phone calls and ads..

Yet, there was an amendment on the Colorado ballot that did have my undivided attention.  It was simply called “Amendment 62,” an amendment to our state constitution recognizing the independent “personhood” of the unborn child.  By an overwhelming 7 to 3 ratio, our state’s voters denied that amendment.

There are many reasons to recognize the personhood of the unborn child.  The child has its own unique DNA, fingerprints, blood type, many times is even of a different gender, and is distinctly identified as a human being.  The child develops early and rapidly, having blood vessels form in the third week after conception, eyes and the beginning of esophagus, gallbladder, liver, lungs, pancreas, pharynx, stomach and trachea form in the fourth week. The face of the child begins to look human by week five, and the heart begins beating around the same time. The brain of the child can sense smell by day 35.  The beginning of the toes are evident by day 42.  Consider that all of these developments are occurring before or around the time a woman discovers she is pregnant (cf.http://sfuhl.org/).  The most compelling reason requires a belief both in God and scripture, which not only gives us our moral bearing regarding life and love of children but also gives us God’s view of the unborn child.

The Bible tells us that God knew the unborn child even before He formed the child in the womb (Isa. 44:1-2; Jer. 1:4-5).  It further states the love and relationship God has with the unborn child (Ps. 22:9-10; 139:13-16).  In Luke 1:39-44, Elizabeth recognizes the personhood both of the unborn child in her own womb and that in Mary’s womb.  If Mary had been pro-choice and had sought to exercise that choice to abort (and why would a pro-choice Christian deny her that “right”?), the world’s only Savior would not have been born.

The greater concern here is the collective callus on the heart of a nation.  For just short of four full decades, we have legally sanctioned the killing of unborn children.  With the practice now entering a third generation of legal and societal acceptance, I am very concerned about the conscience of an entire culture.

There is an incredible website out there called www.physiciansforlife.org, a voice for medical professionals against the horrific practice of abortion.  On the site, they say, “How ironic that the ‘love’ generation should spawn such a culturally accepted abomination as abortion.”  The site is filled with studies and data about the health risks and problems for the mother who makes this choice as well as an endless amount of statistics and research on the matter.

Our task is great.  It begins with our valuing all human life and the eternal implication residing in every person.  This deserves our prayers and our concern.  If we will be more aggressive in teaching the gospel to the lost, we stand a better chance to reach the heart of a nation hardened by years of choosing evil rather than good on this matter.  May God grant our nation a softened heart and may He bless us all, including those unborn who simply want to live.  Neal Pollard at: http://preacherpollard.wordpress.com/2010/11/03/how-the-nation-views-its-most-vulnerable/

16 These six things the LORD hates,

yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

17 a proud look,

a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood.”

Proverbs 6:16-17

Have a great day!  Enjoy the cooler temperatures.

Anna Lee

“And let us consider one another

in order to stir up love and good works,

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,

as is the manner of some,

but exhorting one another.”

~Hebrews 10:24b-25, NKJV~

Today is election day.  Be sure to vote!  Cast your vote to represent your values.  Pray for our country to be the nation God would have us to be!

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
NOVEMBER 2, 2010

“But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him.” (Psalm 4:3)

HAITI EARTHQUAKE. Please intercede for the peoples of Haiti, as Hurricane Tomas is projected to make landfall there on Friday. It is currently a Category 2 but appears to be gathering speed. Pray earnestly that Tomas will be redirected out to sea by God’s power and strength. Even if Tomas does not make landfall, the resulting heavy rains could be devastating to the 1 million Haitians still living in tents due to the catastrophic earthquake. There is the potential of soaring deaths from mudslides and escalating illnesses from the ongoing cholera outbreak. Pray for God’s mercy, and for workers to have strength and wisdom as they seek the Lord’s help in this situation.

INDONESIA. Once again, natural disasters are jolting the people of Indonesia to an awareness of the fragility of life. Please continue to be in prayer for the families disrupted by the recent earthquake and tsunami that impacted Mentawai Island, and pray for those in the vicinity of Mt. Merapi, a volcano that continues to pose a threat. Pray that God will open eyes to the problem of sin and the need of a Savior. Pray for believers who will show the mercy of Christ in the midst of crisis, and ask that they will be sensitive and bold at the same time. Pray that in the midst of these events, God will show His mighty power to save all those who believe on His Son.

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 Sebastian Pinera Echenique of Chile (western South America).

FUTA TORO FULANI OF WEST AFRICA (FU-tah TOH-roh fu-LAH-nee). “November is a wonderful time for Thanksgiving–not just the holiday, but ‘the attitude of gratitude.’ We are so grateful for what our Father provides for us to accomplish His work. We are blessed by the generous giving of Southern Baptists and the infinite prayers you lift up on our behalf. We are thankful for our Futa Toro Team members who are already on the field, working with the Futa Toro Fulani, and ask you to lift us up as we meet as a team to discuss, explore, and determine new and different methods of getting the Gospel to as many of the Futa Toro Fulani as possible. Pray that we will be united as a team and will be led and driven by the Spirit.”

KASHMIRI MUSLIMS OF INDIA (KASH-meer-ee). “Sometimes we feel like you’re our only hope around here.” An outgoing MBA student with a short beard and wire-rimmed glasses pulled a worker aside at a concert for peace in Kashmir and spoke these words of encouragement. Students across Kashmir have been unable to attend classes, take exams, or interact with their teachers since violence and unrest exploded in June of this year in Kashmir. Most of them have been under virtual house-arrest for most of the time or have been caught up in the fury or depression of the times. At the beginning of October, on one of the first “open” days, workers organized a musical concert to promote understanding among Christians and Muslims after rioting had broken out the previous month concerning the alleged desecration of a Quran. Both local musicians and Christian worship leaders from the West were featured, and several large groups of MBA students from the local university showed up. Please pray for those who attended the concert and heard the name of Jesus being praised, as well as saw several local believers praying in the name of Jesus in a public way. Also pray that upcoming campus events in November will impact these students for Christ in deeper ways and will bear lasting fruit for the kingdom on campuses in Kashmir. Most of all, pray that soon a group of these MBA students will be saying, “Jesus, You’re our only hope around here.”http://www.go2southasia.org/

SUPPOSE I’M VISITING in your home and I notice a lovely vase on the coffee table…

I pick it up and admire it, but suddenly, it slips from my hand, falls to the floor, and breaks!  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” I say, and I offer to pay for it.  I know I have a fifty-dollar bill in my wallet, so I think I’m safe.

But you tell me there are only two such vases in the world, and the other one is valued at $2,000!  Am I any sorrier now than I was a few moments ago?  Yes.  I am $2,000 sorrier!  What made the difference?  Knowing the cost.

THOUGHT:  Many people look carelessly upon Christianity, thinking it’s just another of the world’s great religions.  But when we look at the Cross of Calvary and realize what our salvation cost, suddenly Christianity and the One whose life it represents take on a whole new meaning.

So, then, what value do you place on Jesus?  George Vandeman

18 “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things,

like silver or gold,

from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

19 but with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

1 Peter 1:18-19

God withdrew from Hezekiah

in order to test him

and to see what was really in his heart.

~2 Chronicles 32:31 (NLT)~

Correction concerning Frances Gay:  Frances is in remission, not cancer free.  Thank God for the good news.  Remission is wonderful!

Pray for Petey Harper as he has cancer treatment in South Carolina this week.  His sister, Keri/Cissy is with him.  Pray for her as she travels home later.

Lloyd Hayden continues to need our prayers.  He continues to have problems related to his diabetes and his medicine.  Your prayers for him will be appreciated.

Continue to pray for Jimmy Tolar.  He continues to be plagued with several issues.

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
OCTOBER 25, 2010

“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 19:14)

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 Philemon Yang of Cameroon (western Africa, between Nigeria and Chad).

BAOTOU, CHINA (BOW-toh). Thank God that believers have become more numerous in this city. Please plead with the Father to bless His children in Baotou with godly, gifted, faithful, well-rounded leaders who will shepherd His flock with clean hands and pure hearts. Ask Him to bless training events so that participants will grow not only in knowledge and skill, but also in integrity of character.

SHAN OF THE PACIFIC RIM. A worker was able to visit with and encourage T, the believer for whom you have been praying. T realizes now what Jesus meant when He said, “But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown” (Luke 4:24). Pray for T, as he longs to share Truth with those in his hometown and the surrounding villages, but is the only believer right now. P, his younger brother, has not yet decided to follow Jesus, but remains interested. Pray that P will soon choose to follow Him.

Rebooting and Starting Over

Thought For The Day

Alan Smith

The following are some suggested new error messages for Microsoft Windows:

1) Smash forehead on keyboard to continue.

2) Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue.

3) Press any key to continue or any other key to quit.

4) Press any key… no, no, no, NOT THAT ONE!

5) Close your eyes and press escape three times.

6) Bad command or file name! Go stand in the corner.

7) Keyboard not attached. Press F1 to continue.

8) CONGRESS.SYS corrupted… Re-boot Washington D.C? (Y/N)

9) Runtime Error 6D at 417A:32CF: Incompetent User.

10) Error reading FAT record: Try the SKINNY one? (Y/N)

11) WinErr 547: LPT1 not found. Use backup…..PENCIL & PAPER.

12) Backup not found: (A)bort (R)etry (P)anic.

Wouldn’t it be nice if every time we made a mistake in real life, we received an “error message” telling us we did something wrong, along with instructions on how to correct it? And wouldn’t it be nice to keep “backups” so if we did something stupid we could go back and put in the backup, continuing on as if nothing had ever gone wrong? And if things get really bad, wouldn’t it be nice just to be able to “reboot” and completely start all over again from scratch?

In essence, God has given us a way to do just that. Part of the blessing of becoming a Christian is the ability to start afresh. Paul said of the Corinthians:

“Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (I Cor. 6:9b-11).

Thanks be to God for giving us all a way to “reboot” and start over.

–Alan

Thanks for praying.  Make today a good start to your work week.

Anna Lee

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God,

and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart

and with all your soul.”

~Deuteronomy 4:29~

Madison Watts continues to impress the doctors and her family with her improvement.  Please continue to pray for her.

Caleb Estay will have minor surgery today.  Please pray for the family as they wait and for the doctor as he/she works with Caleb.  Also, pray for a easy recovery period.

I hope you will take the time to read the following Baptist Press article:

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33890

“¡Gracias Señor!” (Thank you, Lord!)

SOMEBODY IMPORTANT

The story is told of a famous football coach who was on vacation with his family in Maine.  When they walked into a movie theater and sat down, the handful of people there applauded.  He thought to himself, “I can’t believe it.  People recognize me all the way up here.”  Then a man came over to him and said, “Thanks for coming.  They won’t start the movie for less than ten people.”

Ouch!  That’ll deflate an ego in a hurry.  That’s the trouble with thinking you’re somebody important — not everyone is as convinced of that as you are!  I heard about one man who was hesitant to go on vacation.  When someone at work told him, “Don’t worry.  We can get by without you here for a while.”, his response was, “I know, I know.  I just don’t want anybody else to find that out!”

Humility.  One of the most difficult-to-find traits in our society.  And one of the most important traits in the eyes of God.  How often we try to raise our esteem in the eyes of men when we ought to be showing our willingness to lower ourselves.

“When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.  But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’  Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:8-11)

Look for an opportunity today to take a “lower seat.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thank you for praying today.  Have a terrific Tuesday.

Anna Lee

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro

throughout the whole earth,

to show Himself strong

on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”

~2 Chronicles 16:9a~

Continue to pray for two ladies who are dealing with heart issues.  Mrs. Mildred Birch is in Baton Rouge General on Blue Bonnet.  Also, Mrs. Brenda D. Bryant who is undergoing tests.

Chilean engineer gives miners sermons, music

Posted on Oct 12, 2010 | by Tristan Taylor

SANTIAGO, Chile (Baptist Press)–As the day of their rescue draws near, trapped miners in Chile are listening to recordings of sermons, Bible studies and Christian music a half-mile underground, thanks to the efforts of Chilean engineer Igor Bravo.

Bravo has been part of the rescue efforts for 33 trapped miners in northern Chile for weeks. But it isn’t only the miners’ physical needs that concern him — it’s their spiritual needs as well.

“I had to help in some Christian way,” Bravo said. “If there is an opportunity to share the Gospel — even if we’re extremely occupied — and to contribute to the Christian cause and evangelism, it’s something that’s in [my] blood.”

A partial collapse blocked the mine Aug. 5, leaving the miners trapped in a living room-sized chamber for more than two months. Bravo owns the geo-technical monitoring company that is helping the rescue efforts on the desert surface 2,300 feet above the miners.

A member of First Baptist Church of Santiago, Bravo realized that though the miners’ physical needs were being met, their spiritual needs had been overlooked. He called his pastor, Luis Cortéz, for help.

Cortéz recounted: “He [Bravo] said, ‘I’m here basically by myself providing the spiritual support…. If you are able to send me materials, hunt, search and call [for them].'”

Cortéz contacted Radio Harmonia, a Christian broadcasting station in Santiago, which was able to provide MP3 files of pastor Adrian Rogers’ sermons and Bible studies in Spanish along with Christian music. Rogers, the late pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., was a former Southern Baptist Convention president, author and TV-radio speaker.

While Cortéz made contacts in Santiago, Bravo searched Copiapó, the nearest town to the mine, for other spiritual materials. He found 33 New Testaments and two entire Bibles that met the size restrictions for what could be sent down the chamber.

On Sept. 17 he sent the materials to the miners via the “paloma,” a device used to transport objects between the trapped miners and the surface. (“Paloma” means “pigeon” or “dove” in Spanish.)

Three of the 33 trapped miners were evangelical Christians when the mine collapsed. Since that time, two more of them have made professions of faith. One of the original believers, José Henríquez, has been leading Bible studies for the miners each evening.

“It [Bible study] started out 5, 10, now 20 participants,” Bravo said. “[The people on the surface] have José Henríquez identified as the spiritual leader; they call him ‘The Pastor.'”

Bravo wrote Henríquez’s name in one of the Bibles and sent it specifically to him but left the other blank. Henríquez says he intends to give the second to the Bible study’s best student.

As Bravo ministered to the miners, he knew their families waiting at Camp Esperanza (Hope) needed spiritual encouragement as well.

“A lot of people don’t know the Lord,” Bravo said. “That’s when the second need surfaced.”

Bravo called on the Chilean Baptist Union for help, and soon pastor Marcelo Leiva of Vallenar Baptist Church in Vallenar, Chile, was on-site comforting the miners’ families.

“Pastor Marcelo has been fundamental in meeting that need,” Bravo said.

Amid ensuring that both the miners and their families have the spiritual support they need, Bravo continues to play a vital role in the rescue efforts. His company determined the size of the rock blocking the mine following the collapse and is currently monitoring the status of the rescue shaft.

“I was very involved in the technical aspects and then later became involved in the spiritual,” Bravo said. “It’s been a great blessing.”

(Tristan Taylor is an IMB writer in the Americas.)

Swirling in My Head and Heart by Rev. Jason Dukes

I grew up in New Orleans. One of the guys I played basketball with there used to utter a phrase that still makes me smile. When a player would make a strong move to the basket, particularly if he slammed it down over someone, then my friend would scream out, “RIGHT ON THEY HEAD!!!” It was quite amusing, both the dunk and the declaration.

Well, this last Sunday morning, we wrapped up a series on Romans 12 called “It Just Makes Sense.” We focused in on Romans 12:17-21, which says:

17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine , I will repay ,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry , feed him , and if he is thirsty , give him a drink ; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head .” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

We talked a lot about the lie of our culture that love is nothing more than a feeling that you lose when someone treats you poorly or when a relationships gets tough. In fact, just the opposite according to the New Testament teachings of Jesus and of Paul.Love is the choice to give your life away to someone and be more concerned about who he / she is becoming than about our own interests, no matter how they are treating you at the present time.

Paul, in Romans 12:17-21, challenges the Jewish Christians living in their segregated ghetto of Rome to not think so much of themselves that they forget to choose love even toward their enemies. Revenge is not an option. The bitterness behind revenge usually does more damage to the one exerting revenge more than the action damages the one upon whom revenge is being exerted. Paul even goes so far as to challenge his readers to actively serve their enemy. Feed them. Give them drink. Be hospitable. In so doing, they will heap burning coals on their enemies head.

What in the world does that mean?

My mom had always told me this phrase when challenging me to be kind to someone being unkind to me. The implication seemed to be some kind of bonus to aggravate them by exposing their rudeness with my kindness. Some sort of appeaser while we wait for a vengeful God to pull out His great and mighty revenge taser in the sky and rain down wrath upon our enemies. While that might still be an option, at least upon those who choose unbelief and defiance toward a loving, patient, graceful and JUST God, my dad suggested otherwise.

Sunday afternoon, he shared the following story with me:

Coals of fire may refer to making the enemy feel guilty and ashamed, but Dr. Ray Robbins suggested an interpretation that fits the context of unconditional love much better.

He was in the Holy Land and was talking to a Bedouin who, in the course of conversation commented, “That would heap coals of fire on his head.” Dr. Robbins stopped the conversation and asked the man what the saying meant to him.

The Bedouin said before matches were invented, a traveler in the desert would carry a hopper of coals on a pole above his head. He would carry it for the purpose of building a fire in the absence of matches, and he would carry it above his head so that the rising heat would not make him hotter than the desert sun already was. If a rider found another camp, he would stay there as a guest for the night.

Desert hospitality called for the host to do all he could for him to make him comfortable during his stay. When the traveler was about to leave and after the host had done everything else he could to meet the needs of his guest, the last thing he would do for him would be to fill the hopper with fresh, burning coals and lift it up over the rider’s head for the next leg of his journey. An amazing show of hospitality.

The meaning, therefore, Dr. Robbins suggested – Anyone who arrives at your camp, do what you can to help him. Be good to him as long as he will let you, even to the point of sending him away with an abundant act of love.

In the context of Romans 12, this certainly fits. And Paul calling for such hospitality even for an enemy certainly fits the call for us to love like our Savior loves. Not a feeling lost but an active choice to give, even to someone who lacks the same expressive love towards you.

So, this week, look for ways to heap coals of fire right on they head!

3 But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? [Romans 2:3 & 4]

Look for ways to show love this week (even to those who do not show love to you)!

Anna Lee