Category: Devotional

Monday

“Never be lazy,

but work hard

and serve the Lord enthusiastically.”

~Romans 12:11, NLT~

From Cheryl Hughes Greene:

I wanted to let everyone over there to know that Aunt Viola’s husband, Uncle Gene passed away at 9am yesterday morning. His obit is in the Morning Advocate; his full name Eugene Cody from Georgetown, Ms. and lived in Watson, La.

I also ask for prayers for John. He had his tonsil and ulvea removed a couple of weeks ago. Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning he was having a pretty bad bleeding from this. He is home now, but still under strict orders from the doctor.

Eugene W. Cody

A native of Georgetown, Miss., and a resident of Watson, he passed away Sunday, April 25, 2010, at his home surrounded by his loving family and a host of friends. He was 80, a member of First Baptist Church of Central and Boilermakers Local 582. He worked for Dow Chemical for 21 years. Survived by his wife of 60 years, Viola Hughes Cody; daughter, Marcia G. Fauver; sons and daughters-in-law, John W. and Cheri Cody and David C. and Donna Cody; sister, Alice Merle Berry; brother, H. Mitchell Cody; grandchildren, Matt Cody, Misty C. Sharpe and her husband, Josh, Christy C. Gardner and her husband, Gary, Jessica F. Semons and her husband, Todd, Marissa Fauver and Jacob Fauver; five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, John Lee and Nancy Mae Cody; grandson, Josh Cody; five brothers and a sister. Visitation at Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs, Monday, April 26, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation resumes Tuesday, April 27, from noon until service in the funeral home chapel at 2 p.m. Burial in Evergreen Memorial Park.

CaringBridge

Pray for Jesse and Majel Dean as they get into their new (and temporary) routine involving home health nurse, therapy, drip, etc.  Pray Jesse gets better and Majel has the strength, endurance, and wisdom to help Jesse get better.

Pray for my sisters and me as we continue to deal with health issues of my parents.  Pray for us to have medical wisdom to make good decisions.  Pray for Momma and Daddy as they help care for each other.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

LEADERSHIP MAGAZINE RELATES the following story…

A young Englishman was in Germany when the Nazis degrade the Jews in the streets.  At first he was sick at the sight and rushed down a side street.  The next time he felt he could look and stopped for a full minute.  The third time he watched.  The fourth time, as he stood with the jeering crowd, the sight seemed less revolting.  He was becoming, he told himself, “objective.”  And with this came the realization of his peril.  This was not a part of life, a social phenomenon for study,  It was the breath of hell (E.M. Blaiklock, Leadership, Winter, 1983).

How can can one reach such depths that he becomes desensitized?  How sad that so many have become callused to the things that go on around us:

.  An unborn child is killed every 20 seconds.

.  There were over 1,750,000 last year.

.  God and the mention of Jesus have become a matter of abhorrence and have replaced in schools trumpted with condoms, safe sex, and godless humanism.

.  Our society glorifies murder, rape, adultery, homosexuality, nudity, profanity, and fornication through movies and television.

.  Churches have reached out to those in immoral relationships and accepted them.

Many have become desensitized to sin.  Mark S. Aites, “Indifference,” Life’s Daily Struggles, The 31st Annual Lectureship–ETSOPM, 256-257

“‘Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?

No!  They were no ashamed; nor did they blush.

Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;

at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down,” says the LORD.”

Jeremiah 6:14

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are

and what we are living for.

Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up,

he had his eye on us,

had designs on us for glorious living,

part of the overall purpose

he is working out in everything and everyone.

~Ephesians 1:11-12 (MSG)~

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell is improving.  Please continue to pray for her and her family.

Pray for people to stay alert to the possibility of bad weather today. Especially pray for those who are traveling.  Our daughter-in-law and grandchildren did not leave early this morning as planned, but will try to leave later depending on the weather report.

CaringBridge

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

…SOMEDAY YOU MAY have to confront someone you love who is caught in sin…

That’s something we don’t talk much about–confronting in love the person who is caught in a sin.  But the Bible is clear that we have a responsibility to hold one another accountable, to correct and rebuke one another, to confront in love, and to restore people from sin.  If you see a brother caught in a sin and you say, “It’s none of my business,” you don’t really care about your brother, and you’re ignoring Christ’s command (See Luke 17:3; 2 Timothy 4:2; Galatians 6:1).

So one of the applications to the sermon on Nathan and David is that there will be times when you have to confront someone you love.  But a good sermon will take that application a step further and give examples.  I tried to think of times when people might have to confront someone they see committing sin, and I began to write down ideas in my manuscript.  “If you know that your friend is having an affair, or you discover that someone is embezzling money from his business, or you’re a student and you see someone cheating on a test, what do you do?”  Then I remembered visiting the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.  Etched on the wall is their slogan, “We will not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.”  That’s a great illustration of how even people outside the church realize the need to confront those who have done wrong.

Then I remembered that a young man in our church is attending the Air Force Academy.  His father once told me a story about his son taking tests there.  He once told his dad that whenever they’re taking a test, they all keep their heads down and nobody ever looks up.  Ken said, “Why is that, son?  Are they afraid they’ll be tempted to cheat?”  “No, Dad,” Josh answered, “We’re afraid we will see someone else cheating and have to turn him in.”

Then I remembered that a young man in our church is attending the Air Force Academy.  His father once told me a story about his son taking tests there.  He once told his dad that whenever they’re taking a test, they all keep their heads down and nobody ever looks up.  Ken said, “Why is that, son?  Are they afraid they’ll be tempted to cheat?”  “No, Dad,” Josh answered, “We’re afraid we will see someone else cheating and have to turn him in.”

That’s a great story, and it made a good illustration in the sermon because it helped me bring to light situations that might arise in every-day life when we are called upon to confront someone who has sinned.  We don’t go looking for people’s faults.  In fact, we prefer not to find any.  But sometimes we can’t ignore them, and we must lovingly confront.  Bob Russell, “When GOD Builds a CHURCH, 34-35

“Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!

Thus says the LORD God of Israel:

‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping,

and gave you the house of Israel and Judah.

And if that had been too little,

I also would have given you much more!

Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight?

You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword;

you have taken his wife to be your wife,

and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.

Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house,

because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.”

2 Samuel 12:7-10

Have a great preparation day for the Lord’s Day!

ANNA LEE

Wednesday

For 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)~

TODAY’S PRAYER
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
APRIL 21, 2010

“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~

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 Milo Djukanovic of Montenegro (southeastern Europe between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia).

AIDS. Paper, scissors and glue bottles clutter the table as laughter lifts the spirits of those gathered around. HIV/AIDS victims are making paper beads! It is slow going, but inexpensive and reproducible. Everyone has learned the process and is now making beautiful necklaces and earrings for sale. These HIV/AIDS victims are at various stages of health, and some more able to do the work than others. S is very thin, using crutches to walk here. He has not missed a single day, but he cannot make a bead! He sits quietly, laughing and joking, fiddling with the paper in his hands. Today, however, even S has found a productive task: glazing the beads made by others in the group. His smile is bigger than ever! Give thanks that HIV/AIDS victims at Bophelong Community Center in Tembisa, South Africa, are able to work with their hands, but most of all, that they are able to hear stories about God’s love. Pray that they will come to know the Savior personally and experience the difference between ritual and relationship with Jesus.

CHEMNITZ, LEIPZIG, AND DRESDEN, GERMANY (KEM-nitz, LIPE-tzik, DREHZ-din). As the weather warms up and people begin to spend more time outside, members of the Hope for Saxony Team will be out and about, trying to build relationships with young people, “punkers” and others. Pray for new relationships, open hearts and minds, and the deepening of already-established relationships. http://www.hope4saxony.blogspot.com/

Maggie Allen has had surgery at Tulane.  Pray for her and for her family as she recovers from the surgery.

CaringBridge

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

EACH OF US lives some of our days in the war zone…

We face battles, challenges, and shock. When we see the missles whizzing by overhead, we need someone who will encourage us. Encouragement is transfusing some of your courage into another life. The Bible says, “In the last days perilous times will come” ( 2 Timothy 3:1). The book of Hebrews says we ought to be more and more involved in encouragement as those days approach. When the perilous times increase and the battles intensify, we will need encouragement more than ever.

One of the motivations behind Paul’s letters to the New Testament churches was his desire to encourage his friends. These early believers were members of churches scattered throughout the ancient Roman Empire, a time ruled by cruely and persecution. These persecuted, isolated followers of Christ, trying to make their way in the world, often met in caves and catacombs of Rome for mutual encouragement. They faced life-threatening challenges every day. Paul, who founded most of these churches, wrote to communicate his heart to them. In the beginning verses of almost every one of his letters, Paul labors to deliver a word of hope and affirmation:

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the world world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of HIs Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers” ( Romans 1:8-9).

If you received a letter like that from Paul, wouldn’t you be encouraged? To know that he put you on his prayer list and prayed for you every day and night? David Jeremiah in The Joy of Encouragement

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,

as is the manner of some,

but exhorting one another,

and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10;25

I hope you will take time to read this Baptist Press article on Tebow.  He has used his great athletic ability to share his strong faith.  Thank God for  young people like Tebow who gladly stand up for their faith.  Pray he continues to do so.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32751

Have a great day.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

Forgive us the wrongs we have done,

as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us.

~Matthew 6:12 (TEV)~

Continue to pray for Jesse Dean.  Pray for Majel and the rest of the family too.

Micah Tolleson got to go home yesterday.  Please continue to pray for him and his family.

CaringBridge

Baptist Press:http://www.bpnews.net/

MIST

smell.jpgAS WE SAT at the supper table, it was The Maiden who first heard the ominous hum from the next street over…

She sat at attention, caught ours, and about the moment we all heard it, she pronounced, “The mosquito truck!” Up we jumped, all three of us, to close windows and The Missus, in the voice of General Patton, sent me running to rescue items off the clothesline in the back yard.

Not that we weren’t glad to hear it and let the truck spray its cloud of poison to free us of pests. Just last week a health official from the city knocked on our door to warn us that an unconfirmed case of dengue had occurred in our quadrant. She also wormed her way in to check for possible breeding spots in standing water.

But we didn’t want the foul-smelling, mosquito-killing mist in our house and on clothing.

Our defensive operation of clockwork skill comes from long experience of trucks that regularly spray the area.

Would to God our response was as prompt and energetic when the clouds of immorality and doctrinal departures waft our way.

But we prefer last-minute swerves and faith in contrary winds to avoid the inevitable visit that temptation regularly makes up our street.

After all, we persuade ourselves, it’s impossible to avoid everything. A little bit of tolerance shows we’re not radicals. And, you never know, the individuals showing bad signs may straighten up.

But when sin is seeping its way toward them, people don’t often straighten up by themselves. They succumb.

And the creeping of immorality and lessening standards doesn’t find an automatic correction, as if they were airplanes drifting off course. They slide into ditches of ruin.

Departures of doctrine and morals must be met with prompt, energetic responses. When prevention doesn’t knock them in the head, every doctor knows that the earlier the signs are treated, the better the chance of saving the soul.

Every mechanic knows that the knocking sounds in a car won’t go away by themselves. The longer it’s left, the higher the bill.

In the church, these departures are everybody’s business. The New Testament doesn’t leave it to elders or preachers. The order is for every saint, “you who are spiritual” ( Galatians 6:1NET). Here, “spiritual” is a synonym for “Christian.”

It’s everybody’s business because departures of doctrine and morals are never restricted to a single person. They spread. They cause direct hits and collateral damage.

The old saw that we’re either part of the solution or part of the problem applies here.

So next time you hear the faraway hum of the mosquito truck, jump up and run for the windows. J. Randal Matheny at http://www.forthright.net/final_phase/the_mosquito_truck.html. Randal is a missionary in Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil and is editor of http://www.forthright.net.

“Flee also youthful lusts;

but pursue righteousness,

faith,

love,

peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

1 Timothy 2:22


Posted by Mike Benson at April 19, 2010

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Anna Lee

Monday

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,

the power and the glory,

the victory and the majesty;

for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;

Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,

and You are exalted as head over all.”

~1 Chronicles 29:11~

Pray for Margaret Huber as she has surgery at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge today.

Mrs. Julia Forrest asks us to pray for Julia and her family in Julia’s continued battle with Parkinson’s.

The Landon Estay family was at church yesterday.  Landon made sure I got to see Calab who is doing much better than the doctors expected.  Calab is precious and really does have a head full of hair like his big sister did at that age.  Thank God for all the prayers that have already been answered in Calab’s young life.

CaringBridge sites:

“F”

alipstick.jpg

DURING THE ATTACK on Pearl Harbor, nurses ran out of marker and so they used their own lipstick write to write on the foreheads of wounded patients…

“M” meant a sailor had received morphine.

“C” meant he was in critical condition.

“F” meant he was fatally wounded.

Imagine nearly all of the people you meet in your daily walk has a letter “F” on their forehead. They are fatally wounded by sin ( Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23 and its effects. Will you simply stand by and watch them perish, or will you offer them the ONLY life-giving, soul-saving, cure ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)?

“Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way

will save a soul from death

and cover a multitude of sins.”

James 5:20; cf. Jude 23.

Posted by Mike Benson

Have a marvelous Monday!

Anna Lee

Sunday

Look around at the nations;

look and be amazed!

For I am doing something in your own day,

something you wouldn’t believe

even if someone told you about it.

~Habakkuk 1:5 (NLT)~

Jesse Dean is not any better, but has been transferred to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital.  Pray for his infection to clear up so doctors can address his back problem


Harrell Sharkey will probably need a hip replacement.  Pray for him as he also continues to get some pain relief.

Continue to pray for all the travelers stuck in airports because of the volcanic ash from Iceland.  May their time of waiting and waiting be a time when they will be open to ministry of Christians.  May Christians not miss the opportunity to minister to those in numerous airports!


KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

LEE STROBEL (The Case for Christ, p. 277) TOLD of how he moderated a debate between William Lane Craig and a national spokesman for American Atheists, Inc…

He spoke of how he watch “the faces of people as they discovered–many for the first time–that Christianity can stand up to rational analysis and rugged scruting.”  His comments abou tthe conclusion of this debate are also interesting.  “In the end it was no contest.  Among those who had entered the auditorium that evening as avowed atheists, agnostics, or skeptics, an overwhelming 82 percent walked out concluding that the case for Christianity had been the most compelling.”  Then he said, “Incidentally, nobody became an atheist.”

When people begin to consider the evidence for Jesus, Christianity, and the Bible, they soon learn who the true fools are.  Brad Price in First Corinthians atwww.abiblecommentary.com

The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’

They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity;

there is none who does good.”

Psalm 53:1

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Friday

If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you,

your Father in heaven will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive others,

then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.

Matthew 6:14-15 (TEV)

From James Rimes

Please pray for Marshall Bridges as he deals with a problem that may require surgery to correct.

Pray for my Texas relatives

Micah’s surgery went well.  He will be in ICU for now.  His two brothers stayed at the hospital overnight.  As you pray for Micah, please remember his extended family.  There are a number of physical issues that are “showing their ugly heads” at this time.

Jesse Dean was still at North Oaks.  He cannot get in at Jackson, but my see a doctor from Baton Rouge in Hammond.  He is still in pain.  Please continue to pray for Jesse and Majel.

Pray for Mrs. Katherine Sanders and Alice Mary as “Miss” Katherine sees a doctor in Baton Rouge this morning.

Continue to pray for my parents.  Daddy sees another doctor this morning in Hammond.  So far, all the reports are good.

Alice E. Wilson

Alice “Granny” Evans Wilson, 86, departed this life April 14, 2010, at McComb Nursing and Rehab.

Visitation is 6 to 9 tonight at Terry’s Creek Baptist Church and Friday at 10 a.m. until services there at 11. The Revs. David Fortenberry and Todd Sumrall and Bro. Clark Wilson will officiate. Burial will be in Amite River Baptist Church cemetery in Amite County, with Jones Family Funeral Services of McComb in charge of arrangements.

BECAUSE I’M A CHRISTIAN

Because I’m a guy, I must hold the television remote control in my hand while I watch TV.  If the thing has been misplaced, I’ll miss a whole show looking for it, though one time I was able to survive by holding a calculator.

Because I’m a guy, when I lock my keys in the car I will fiddle with a wire clothes hanger and ignore your suggestions that we call a road service until long after hypothermia has set in.  Oh, and when the car isn’t running very well, I will pop the hood and stare at the engine as if I know what I’m looking at.  If another guy shows up, one of us will say to the other, “I used to be able to fix these things, but now with all these computers and everything, I wouldn’t know where to start.”

Because I’m a guy, when I catch a cold I need someone to bring me soup and take care of me while I lie in bed and moan.  You never get as sick as I do, so for you this isn’t an issue.

Because I’m a guy, I can be relied upon to purchase basic groceries at the store, like milk, or bread.  I cannot be expected to find exotic items like “Cumin” or “Tofu.”  For all I know these are the same thing.

Because I’m a guy, when one of our appliances stops working I will insist on taking it apart, despite evidence that this will just cost me twice as much once the repair person gets here and has to put it back together.

Because I’m a guy, I don’t think we’re all that lost, and no, I don’t think we should stop and ask someone.  Why would you listen to a complete stranger — how in the world could HE know where we’re going?

Because I’m a guy, whatever you got your mother for Mother’s Day is ok, I don’t need to see it.  Did you remember to pick up something for my mom, too?

Because I’m a guy, you don’t have to ask me if I liked the movie.  Chances are, if you’re crying at the end of it, I didn’t.

Because I’m a guy, I think what you’re wearing is fine.  I thought what you were wearing five minutes ago was fine, too.  Either pair of shoes is fine.  With the belt or without it looks fine.  Your hair is fine.  You look fine.  Can we just go now?

Because I’m a guy and this is, after all, the 21st century, I will share equally in the housework.  You do the laundry, the cooking, the cleaning, and the dishes.  I’ll do the rest.

It does seem that a lot of behavior on the part of men can be explained with the simple phrase “it’s because I’m a guy — that says it all”.

Likewise, a lot of the behavior we as Christians exhibit in the workplace, at home, or at school, should be explainable by the phrase, “it’s because I’m a child of God”.  That says it all — that’s why I do what I do and say what I say.

“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; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)

When people wonder about our actions, they should be able to look at our lives and say, “Oh yes, he acts that way because he’s a Christian.”  Whether they appreciate it or not, may they see that Christ truly does make a difference in the way we live.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Dear intercessor,

CompassionNet has moved into the age of social networking.  Please consider becoming her “friend” at http://facebook.com/compassionnet.

She’s posting priority prayer requests, video links, people group photos/requests, and much, much more.

Thank you for considering the possibility of inviting her into your circle of friends.  She’s a world changer that you’d be proud to call your “friend!”

Blessings,

Ed

Ed Cox, director
Office of Global Prayer Strategy, IMB

Have a great Friday!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Then all this assembly shall know

that the Lord does not save with sword and spear;

for the battle is the Lord’s,

and He will give you into our hands.”

~1 Samuel 17:47~

Pray for my cousin, Micah Tolleson, as he has surgery at 9:45 this morning to remove a benign brain tumor.  He will be in Tyler, TX.  You can read comments from his family and friends at

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/micah_tolleson/mystory

Other CaringBridge sites for you to check:

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell surgery will be early Friday morning in Covington.  Please pray for her, her family, and the doctors.

Jesse Dean did not get moved to Jackson yet.  He is still in Hammond.  Continue to pray for him.

Mrs. Elaine Bennett has been admitted to the hospital for a brief stay.  I know you will want to add her to your prayer list.

Jeanne Bond Tate’s “Granny” passed away.  Pray for the Wilson family.

KneEmail

"At the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson

WATCH THE POWER of one…

One good Samaritan rescued a wounded man on the Jericho Road.  cf., Luke 10

One aged man (Noah) was instrumental in saving mankind from extinction.  cf., Genesis 6; Hebrews 11:7

One man (Moses) who felt unqualified confronted a Pharaoh and led the Exodus.  cf., Exodus 3

One woman (Esther) broke longstanding tradition, walked into the king’s throne room and saved an entire nation from genoside.  cf., Esther 4

One boy (David) faced a nine-foot giant and saved the Israelites from slavery.  cf., 1 Samuel 17

One boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish fed thousands. cf., John 6

One slave girl was instrumental in healing a world military leader.  cf., 2 Kings 5

One vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of England in 1645.

One vote gave America the English instead of German language in 1776.

One vote saved Andrew Jackson from impreachment in 1868.

One vote gave Adolf Hitler control of the Nazi party in 1941.

“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11


Remember, you are invited to join us at the cabin at 6:30 tonight for food, fellowship, and a devotional led by Jan Hammons.

Make wise use of your power!

Anna Lee

Sunday

When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites!

They love to stand up and pray

in the houses of worship and on the street corners,

so that everyone will see them.

I assure you, they have already been paid in full.

~Matthew 6:5 (TEV)~

Caring Bridge

Thanks for the prayers for Daddy.  He seems better already and is looking forward to being released from the hospital.

Baptist Press Stories for Apr. 9, 2010
———————————–
John Paul Stevens, court’s leading liberal, to retire
FIRST-PERSON: Do dead people talk?
Stupak says he won’t seek re-election
Missionary: Coal families’ attitudes uplifting
Paper provides ‘Just the Facts’ about SBC structure, methodology & finance
Cooperative Program: A sacred effort
M.E. Dodd, CP originator, loved cooperative ministry
Dodd would warn against ‘fractured’ CP, granddaughter says
Hankins comments on GCRTF session with state execs
FIRST-PERSON: Mourning man’s inhumanity toward man
FIRST-PERSON: Tea & taxes
FIRST-PERSON: Go see ‘Letters to God’
FIRST-PERSON: Young leaders gain passion for stewardship, CP

CLOSET

aac.jpgHOW DO YOU build a “sanctuary” in your busy life; a place where you can meet with God…?

Build a “closet.”

Isaac’s closet was in a field ( Genesis 24:63). Peter’s closet was on a housetop ( Acts 10:9).

You must fashion your own.

It may mean leaving the kids with your spouse, while you sit out on the back porch with a cup of coffee and your Bible for fifteen minutes.

It may mean snatching a few minutes when your baby is taking his or her afternoon nap.

For those who have a long drive to work, your sanctuary may be in your car with a CD player. It may mean posting a passage of Scripture near your steering wheel, where you can meditate and pray about it during the time that you drive.

It may mean reading your Bible during your lunch break at work.

It may mean taking the first ten minutes to read and pray in your office each morning.

It may mean putting your tennis shoes on and going for a walk with your Bible in hand.

It may mean sitting in your garage or workshop with a CD player to listen to sermons.

It’s not what the sanctuary looks like or where it is that matters. It’s what you do there that makes it a meaningful place. The sanctuary does not provide rest. What takes place there in the desert is what refreshes the inner man. (Steve Farrar)

“But you, when you pray, go into your room,

and when you have shut your door,

pray to your Father who is in the secret place;

and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6

Posted by Mike Benson

Have a great Lord’d Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

God showed his great love for us

by sending Christ to die for us

while we were still sinners.

~Romans 5:8 NLT~

Mason Carter’s surgery went well yesterday morning.  Thank you for praying for him.

Harrell Sharkey continues to have additional tests to help identify his problem.  Pray for a diagnosis so treatment can begin.

Jesse Dean was injured at work Thursday.  Pray for him as he seeks relief from back pain.

Rev. Bobby Eads has been hospitalized for heart issues.  He’s home now.  Keep Bobbie and Suzie in your prayers.

Daddy was admitted to North Oaks last night.  He had a lot of tests yesterday afternoon and night.  Pray for Daddy and Momma as they are separated during this time.  They are usually together 24 hours a day every day!  This is the first time I can remember him being in the hospital overnight.  It’s also difficult for Momma and Daddy because they are together 24 hours of every day and have been that way since Daddy retired.

Lerlene Allen Johnson

(June 18, 1926 – April 9, 2010)

A resident of Amite, died at 1 a.m. on Friday, April 9, 2010 at her residence. She was born June 18, 1926 in Amite and was 83 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 12 Noon Monday. Services conducted by Bro. Marshall Wallace. Interment Briar Patch Cemetery, Loranger. Survived by daughter, Shearon J. Koleszar, Amite, 4 sons, Roger Johnson, Amite, Thearon Johnson, Amite, Wesley Johnson, Amite, and Galen Johnson, Amite, sister, Mary J. King, Amite, 12 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by parents, William and Mattie Ballard Allen, 3 brothers, Benjamin Allen, James Allen, and Charles Allen, granddaughter, Kristie Koleszar.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

WHEN SOMEONE HAS just become a Christian and started out in the Christian life, what advice would you give that person about Bible classes…?

Would you say, “Now the church has Bible classes every Sunday and Wednesday, but they aren’t really important.  That the church assembles on Sunday night but you do not have to go if you do not want to”?  Or would you say to a son or daughter, “I know that you would like to go today, but I want to read the paper, or I want to sleep late this morning, and I don’t think those Bible classes are to important anyway”?

What advice would you give…?

When we willfully neglect the services (as some are doing) we are telling our children and those around us that the church is not important to us.  Our children may even feel the church is not important enough to become members of it.  Then what could we say for ourselves?  Could we say, “Lord, I did my best to teach them the true value of the church–I did this by going and taking them to every service?”  via Main Street Monitor, Manchester, TN

“Jesus said to him,

‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart,

with all your soul,

and with all your mind.”

Matthew 22:37

Have a great weekend!

Anna Lee