Category: Devotional

Sunday

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and His ears are open to their prayers;

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

~1 Peter 3:12~

Lindsey Sanders is now home from the hospital.  Pray she will be able to get proper treatment to help her recover.

Marsha C. Bankston is still in North Oaks.  She has received six units of blood and is better, but she is still undergoing tests to determine why her liver is enlarged.

Continue to pray for the people whose lives have been devastated by the tornadoes this week.

Thought for the Day: WHO INFLUENCES WHOM?

There’s a story that Thomas Wheeler, CEO of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, tells on himself.  He and his wife were driving along an interstate highway when he noticed that their car was low on gas.  Wheeler got off the highway at the next exit and soon found a rundown gas station with just one gas pump.  He asked the attendant to fill the tank and check the oil, then went for a little walk around the station to stretch his legs.

As he was returning to the car, he noticed that the attendant and his wife were engaged in an animated conversation.  The conversation stopped as he paid the attendant.  But as he was getting back into the car, he saw the attendant wave and heard him say, “It was great talking to you.”

As they drove out of the station, Wheeler asked his wife if she knew the man.  She said that she did.  They had gone to high school together and had dated steadily for about a year. ” Boy, were you lucky that I came along,” bragged Wheeler.  “If you had married him, you’d be the wife of a gas station attendant instead of the wife of a chief executive officer.”

“My dear,” replied his wife, “if I had married him, he’d be the chief executive officer and you’d be the gas station attendant!”

So, which of the two had the greater influence on the other – the husband or the wife?  You see, in any relationship, both parties have an influence on the other.  After 34 years of marriage, I have influenced my wife to be different than she was 34 years ago (she now enjoys playing computer games) and she has influenced me to be different than I was 34 years ago (I eat more vegetables than I used to!).  It would be interesting to consider which of us has had a greater pull on the other through the years.

But an even more important question is this:  Who has the greater influence on the other — you or the world?  That is to say, has the world shaped you and made you what you are today, or have you changed the world around you by your influence on it?

Christians are called by God not to be transformed by the world, but to be a transforming influence on the world.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described our calling in this way:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?  It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Make a decision today not to let the world pull you away from God.  Rather determine to live in such a way that will draw the people around you closer to God.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

The ladies of our association will meet Monday at East Fork Baptist Church to learn more about North American Missions and the Annie Armstrong Week of Pray for American Missions (US and Canada).  It is covered lunch and begins at 10:00.  I hope to see you there.

Week of Pray for North American Missions

2012 Week of Prayer for North American Missions
and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering®

Theme: Whatever It Takes

Scripture: Mark 2:1-5 (HCSB)

“When He entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that He was at home. So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and He was speaking the message to them. Then they came to Him bringing a paralytic, carried by four men. Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above where He was. And when they had broken through, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic was lying. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

National Goal: $70 million

Dates: March 4-11, 2012

The annual Week of Prayer for North American Missions is March 4-11, 2012. This year, five missionaries representing thousands of missionaries serving throughout the United States, Canada, and their territories are spotlighted. The other three days focus on ways Southern Baptists are reaching the lost in North America.

The Annie of the Offering

http://www.anniearmstrong.com/whoisannie/

Have a meaningful Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

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

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

Wednesday

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?

And not one of them is forgotten before God.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

~Luke 12:6-7a, NKJV~

Pray for Chris Sasson today as he has surgery.

Continue to pray for the Titus family as they keep watch over Cliff.

Pray for people who are dealing with a virus that is going around.

Jadon Pailot was “walking” with his mother holding his hand.  Thank God for continue progress for this young man fallowing his recent brain surgery.  He’s still free of seizures.  Thank God for that too!

Kathryn Sandifer Sanders
(February 4, 1919 – February 28, 2012)

A resident of Kentwood, she died at 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. She was born February 4, 1919 in Progress, MS and was 93 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 12 Noon until religious services at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 2, 2012. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood.

Completed information will be added on Wednesday.

 

 

Thought for the Day: Had lunch yet?

Dr. Harold Urey, Nobel prize winner in Chemistry, was walking along a sidewalk one day when he ran into another professor. They chatted for a few minutes, then, as they parted, Dr. Urey asked the other, “John, which way was I going when I met you?” “That way,” said the other, pointing. “Oh, good. That means I’ve already had my lunch,” muttered the professor as he walked away.

I have to confess to being somewhat absent-minded myself. That’s one of the advantages of growing older — every year, I have a more acceptable excuse for forgetting things. I forget where I’ve left my keys, I forget others’ names, and perhaps most irritating of all, I sometimes forget where I’ve left the remote control for the TV (how in the world did people ever cope with having to get up to change the channel? — but that’s another subject)!

All of those forgotten things bother me, but what bothers me even more is that I have a tendency to forget God. Not so much when times are rough (I need Him then!), but when times are good. God knew that might happen. That’s why He warned the Israelites before they entered the land of Canaan:

“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God..lest — when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 8:11-14a).

Would you forget your head if it wasn’t screwed on tight? Just don’t forget who your Head is!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

If you have a child or grandchild at SLU, remind them to attend the BCM (Baptist Christian Ministry) today for a jambalaya lunch provided by FBC, Kentwood.

 

Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee


Tuesday

“But you are a chosen generation,

a royal priesthood,

a holy nation,

His own special people,

that you may proclaim the praises of Him

who called you out of darkness

into His marvelous light.”

~1 Peter 2:9

A friend who went to North Oaks last night reported the Jimmy Schwartz was doing well and would be able to go home today.  He also said Mrs. Katherine Sanders is scheduled for surgery today.  Please continue to pray for these families.

Pray for the family of the young man killed in the PHS accident yesterday as well as the eight other people and their families.  Pray also for the faculty and student body at PHS  and the Ponchatoula area residents.  They have had a several tragedies lately.

Pray for the family of Cliff Titus as they hope and pray for improvement.

Thought for the Dat: The beauty of the scar

The following story by Lih Yuh Kuo appears in “Chicken Soup For the Soul”:

A little boy invited his mother to attend his elementary school’s first teacher-parent conference. To the little boy’s dismay, she said she would go. This would be the first time that his classmates and teacher met his mother and he was embarrassed by her appearance. Although she was a beautiful woman, there was a severe scar that covered nearly the entire right side of her face. The boy never wanted to talk about why or how she got the scar.

At the conference, the people were impressed by the kindness and natural beauty of his mother despite the scar, but the little boy was still embarrassed and hid himself from everyone. He did, however, get within earshot of a conversation between his mother and his teacher, and heard them speaking.

“How did you get the scar on your face?” the teacher asked.

The mother replied, “When my son was a baby, he was in a room that caught on fire. Everyone was too afraid to go in because the fire was out of control, so I went in. As I was running toward his crib, I saw a beam coming down and I placed myself over him trying to shield him. I was knocked unconscious but fortunately, a fireman came in and saved both of us.” She touched the burned side of her face. “This scar will be permanent, but to this day, I have never regretted doing what I did.”

At this point, the little boy came out running towards his mother with tears in his eyes. He hugged her and felt an overwhelming sense of the sacrifice that his mother had made for him. He held her hand tightly for the rest of the day.

In a similar manner, Jesus Christ bears a scar — many scars, in fact. There are those who find that somewhat embarrassing (“You mean to tell me you worship a man who was crucified?”). However, realizing that his ugly scars are the result of his efforts to save me, they suddenly take on a special beauty.

Those scars led Thomas to say, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). They lead me to say the same thing. I’m so thankful that something so ugly and horrible has taken on such beauty, because of the great love that Jesus Christ had for me.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed.” (Isa. 53:5)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

I’m looking forward to ministering with some others from my church as we prepare and serve lunch to the BCM students at SLU tomorrow.  If you are bringing food to the church, be sure to have it there by 9 A.M.  Thanks for helping.

The Beth Moore study, “James: Mercy Triumphs” is going very well.  The home assignments teach so much and the service projects are truly meaningful.  It is great to be able to go through this study with so many special ladies.

Have a wonderful day.  Be careful out in the wet weather.  Show God’s love to those you meet today.

Anna Lee

Monday

“Teach a youth about the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

~Proverbs 22:6, HCSB~

Continue to pray for Jimmy Schwartz and Mrs. Katherine Sanders who are at North Oaks.  Thank God for all the qualified medical people at church yesterday who stepped up to help when needed.  What a blessing to have had them there to begin helping immediately.

Mrs. Barbara Erwin is having some problems walking.  Pray she only overdid it last week and that she doesn’t have a bigger problem with her artificial hip.

The Beth Moore study of James is in week two.  Last night four additional people joined us.  I’m already looking forward to the Thursday night group.

Thought for the Day: Storms of life

The following quote comes from Kim Sherer:

“One night while my young son, Ryan, was sleeping, a storm began brewing outside. After a loud clap of thunder, I heard him wake up so I headed toward his room to comfort him. He asked me to stay with him until he fell asleep. As I lay there I realized he hadn’t asked me to make the storm go away, but to stay with him. How many times, I wondered, have I asked God to take away the storms of life, when instead I need to ask him to stay with me and help me weather them more peacefully?”

What a beautiful thought!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Father, we do indeed pray for your comforting presence in the storms of our lives. As much as we might desire for the storms to go away, it is much important to us that you remain with us and see us through the storms. Thank you for your assurance that you will do that for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Have a wonderful Monday.  Remember, He is with you during the storms of life!

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

Friday

“Guard my words as your most precious possession.

Write them down and also keep them deep within your heart.”

~Proverbs 7:2 TLB~

God blessed the many women who attended the first session of the Beth Moore study, “James: Mercy Triumphs”.  We have already learned so much.  If you are interested in joining us, please let me know as soon as possible.  Come study and learn with us.

I understand there was a good group of men and boys to eat tenderloin and watch the movie “Courageous” last night.  Stay tuned, you will more from this group.

Sharon Martin said her dad, Earlo LaBauve, has had a set-back, but is already doing better.  If he continues to do well, he should be able to be home soon.

Thought for the Day: Searching for God

No doubt, you have received a sweepstakes notice at some time from American Family Publishers. You know how it works. You look over their magazine bargains — and the chance to buy a few for your office or waiting room. In return, they give you the opportunity to win large amounts of money.

In 1997, their mailing list included the Bushnell Assembly of God in Bushnell, Florida. The computer somehow twisted the name of the church and a sweepstakes notice addressed to “God of Bushnell” was sent to the church address.

The letter read, “Dear God, We’re searching for you. You’ve been positively identified as our $11,000,000 mystery millionaire!”

The letter went on to say, “What an incredible fortune there would be for God! Imagine the looks you’d get from neighbors. But don’t just sit there, God, come forward now and claim your prize!”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they truly were searching for God? If they sensed what Pascal called a “God-shaped void” in their lives and realized their need to come to know God and to understand what God could do for them? If they understood that the “prize” God offers is so much greater than the prize they were offering?

The good news is that God is not hiding and that those who truly are searching for him can find him.

“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.'” (Acts 17:26-28a, NIV)

It is humorous that someone would be searching for God in order to give him 11 million dollars. He owns the “cattle on a thousand hills” (Psa. 50:10) and needs nothing. But he has blessings beyond measure for those who would seek him out. May you be counted among those who “reach out for him and find him.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Have a great day, rain or no rain.

Anna Lee

Thursday

“It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer;

and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”

~Isaiah 65:24~

 

Carol Jean Gill

Hello everyone who’s been praying for Carol Jean. I talked to Fernie Ray a little while ago and he says they are planning on transferring her to an LTAC in Denham Springs, hopefully tomorrow! Praise the Lord, this is good news! It has been almost 4 weeks since the accident. Yesterday, they had her in a chair most of the day and my brother said her smile would melt your heart. In this new unit, she can see her little dog Daisy and we expect miracles, because God is in that business.

 I should have said “we continue to pray for miracles because God is truly capable of creating miracles”.

Cliff Titus is still in critical condition in ICU at Southwest.  Please be in prayer for him and for his family.

Pray for Katie Miller as the time to deliver her baby is very close.

Wendell H. Scott
(August 14, 1940 – February 21, 2012)

Wendell H. Scott was born August 14, 1940 and passed away at 6:25 p.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at his residence. He was 71, a native of Magnolia, MS and a resident of Roseland.

Mr. Wendell served our country in the United States Air Force where he Retired as a Master Sergeant.

He is survived by his daughter, Cynthia S. Ellzey and husband Jerry Lynn, Jr., Roseland; son, David Scott and wife Robina, Gates, TN; sister, Jerrie Elizabeth Kinchen, Hammond; brother, Jessie Wayne Scott, Boutte; 6 grandchildren, Jamie M. Scott, Tickfaw, Jerry Ellzey, III and wife Rachel, Sacramento, CA; Rosanne Ellzey Diddon, Greensburg, James Hunter Ellzey, Sedona, AR, Violet Rae Scott, Gates, TN & David Jacob Scott, Gates, TN.

Preceded in death by his mother, Mamie Cutrer Scott Chilsom; father, Jessie Walter Scott; daughter, Lisa Marie Scott; 2 infant children, Anita Scott and Jessie Wayne Scott.

Memorial service will be held at a later date at the home of Cynthia and Jerry Lynn Ellzey, Jr.

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

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

Thought for the Day: Using What God Has Given Us

A band director was having a lot of trouble with one of his drummers. He talked and talked and talked with the drummer, but performance didn’t improve.

Finally, in front of the whole orchestra, he said, “When a musician just can’t handle his instrument and doesn’t improve when given help, they take away the instrument, give him two sticks, and make him a drummer.”

A whisper was heard from the percussion section: “And if he can’t handle even that, they take away one of his sticks and make him a conductor.”

It is a biblical principle that if we are unable to handle the responsibility that God has given us, it can be taken away. Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25 about three servants who were given money by their master and were told to make use of it while their master was gone. When he returned, two of them had used their “talents” and one had not. Jesus concluded the parable by saying:

“For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” (Matt. 25:29)

I need a constant reminder that all that I have has been given to me by God to use for His glory. It is an exciting thought to realize that as I use what God has given me, He will bless me with even more opportunities for service. On the other hand, it is a sobering thought to realize that if I fail to make use of what I have been given, I may lose it.

So what are you doing with what God has given you?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

The Thursday night group for the Beth Moore Bible study begins tonight.  This will be the first meeting for this group.  It is not too late to join us.  We will meet at 6:00 in the basement level of the main building.

Make today a better day for someone!

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