Devotional – Page 201 – The Prayer Link

Saturday

So get rid of your old self,

which made you live as you used to—

the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires.

Your hearts and minds must be made completely new,

and you must put on the new self,

which is created in God’s likeness

and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.

~Ephesians 4:22-24 TEV~

Please continue to pray for those who have been listed lately and for other concerns you may have that have not been listed. If you have a concern you would like to share, please fell free to send me a message. I’ll be happy to post your concern for others to pray.

http://www.forthright.net/kneemail/2006/01/morning.html

I hope you take time to read this devotional by Mike Benson.

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

Anna Lee

Friday

“Carry one another’s burdens;

in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

~Galatians 6:2, HCSB~

CaringBridge

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 4, 2010

—————————————

Baptist volunteers in Haiti charged with kidnapping

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32213

SUPER BOWL: Even with Dungy gone, faith still the foundation for Colts’ coaches

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32214

Obama calls for restoration of civility

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32215

VBS at ‘Saddle Ridge Ranch’ previewed

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32216

Xbox 360 gains a Bible app

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32217

FIRST-PERSON: An Xbox dream

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32218

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

AMY CARMICHAEL HAS a note in her little book If…

“A cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.”

If it is full of sweet water and is jolted, what will come out of the cup? Sweet water. If you gave it a harder jolt, what’s going to happen? More sweet water. If someone is filled with sweet water and someone else give him a “jolt,” what will come out? Sweet water! Jolts do not turn sweet water into bitter water. That is done by something else.

Jolts only bring out of the container what’s already in the container. If you’re filled with sweetness and light, and you get jolted, you’re going to spill sweetness and light. If you’re filled with honey, the honey will come out. If vinegar comes out, what does that prove? It shows what was already in the container. In other words, bitterness is not based upon what the other person did at all. It is the result of what we do and are. Jim Wilson

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking

be put away from you, with all malice.”

Ephesians 4:31

I’m so thankful for Mike Benson and his wonderful devotionals. He has blessed me tremendously through his writings.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, f

or it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,

for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

~Romans 1:16~

Rev. Butch Revier will be meeting with his doctor to determine if he needs some form of addition treatment. Pray for the doctor as he makes a decision and for Bro. Butch as he continues to heal.

Rev. Bill Ichter, former minister of music at FBC, Amite and longtime music missionary to Brazil, us undergoing a series of daily cancer treatments. He is about half way through the scheduled treatments. Pray he will continue to be able to sustain his energy level and endure the remaining treatments.

Continue to pray for my cousin, Sharla T. Hodges, in Texas. Please add another cousin, David Tolleson, who recently began his military career. He has had health issues that have caused him to be hospitalized in California. His dad is flying out to be with him and to hopefully bring him home in a few days.

HAITI. Pray that IMB missionaries currently doing relief work in Haiti and the Dominican Republic will be able to focus on the best thing to do in the midst of massive need and great chaos. They have been working non-stop for days. Please pray that the Lord will give them strength to carry on their tasks today and to trust that He will provide their every need for tomorrow. Relief workers, missionaries and media teams have seen more than their minds can grasp and far more than they would want to remember. Intercede for them as they seek ways of coping with the images.

Michael V. “Mike” Guillot
(August 9, 1939 – February 2, 2010)

He was born on August 9, 1939 and went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Mike was 70, a native of Thibodaux and a resident of Loranger. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sherry Currier Guillot; 2 daughters, Heidi Guillot, Loranger and Danielle Guillot, Loranger; his beloved grand-dog, Buster; also survived by his brother, Ed Guillot and wife, Linda; sister, Evelyn Vidrine and husband, Ray, all of Thibodaux; brother-in-law, Stanley Currier and his wife, Sheila; sisters-in-law, Pat Barrilleaux and her husband, Vernon, Paula Cleland and her husband, Carl, Robbie Orsi and her husband, Ron, Cindy Alston and husband, Sam, all of Loranger, and Chris Blunck and husband, Carl of Mobile, Ala. numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Marie Guillot; sister, Beverly Andrus of Thibodaux. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday and at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Husser, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Services conducted by Fr. Paul Yi. Interment St. Dominic Cemetery, Husser, LA.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL and straightforward way of winning with people is to give them a compliment — a sincere and meaningful word of affirmation…

If you want to make others feel like a million bucks, you’ve got to master this elementary skill. And it’s essential that you learn to give your compliments in front of others as well as one-on-one. Why? Because that private compliment turned public, instantly and dramatically increases in value.

As commander of a $1 billion warship and a crew of 310, Mike Abrashoff used grassroots leadership to increase retention rates from 28 percent to 100 percent, reduce operating expenditures, and improve readiness. How did he do it? Among other things, he placed supreme importance on public compliments.

“The commanding officer of a ship is authorized to hand out 15 medals a year,” he wrote. “I wanted to err on the side of excess, so I passed out 115.” Nearly every time a sailor left his ship for another assignment, Captian Abrashoff gave him or her a medal. “Even if they hadn’t been star players, they got medals in a public ceremony as long as they had done their best every day. I delivered a short speech describing how much we cherished the recipient’s friendship, camaraderie, and hard work.” Abrashoff wanted to make them feel good by complimenting them in front of others.

Whenever you have an opportunity to publicly praise another person, don’t let it slip by. You can create those opportunities, as Captain Abrashoff did, but you can also find countless opportunities if you look for them. John Maxwell

“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles

(which is translated Son of Encouragement),

a Levite of the country of Cyprus.”

Acts 4:36

Have a great day! Be extra careful if you get out today.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

As for God, his way is perfect;

the word of the LORD is flawless.

He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

~2 Samuel 22:31 (NIV)~

Caring Bridge

From Tricia Wilson:

Friends,

I just wanted to tell you about the Good News Club (see www.cefdallas.org) we are beginning at our elementary school. In the fall, I prayed about women who might come alongside me in this, and God has put together a great group. There are 6 of us on the team….maybe in the future, we will expand? This Friday, February 5^th at 3:45 we will begin this adventure! Preparing to start this up, has been much more work than I ever anticipated. I also have thought several times that I wish someone else was the leader of this team, and I could just play my small part, but God has given me this privilege, and I pray I’ll be faithful to the task. Will you please pray for our team of moms who are volunteering to do this? Their names are: Angie, Jessica, Yulanda, Kimberly, and Susan. Please pray we will be flexible as we have no idea how many kids will even come or if the schedule we’ve created will work. I am responsible for teaching the lesson each week. Can you believe I get to share the Gospel in a public school for 7 weeks?

Please pray:

Thank you,

Tricia

HAITI. Access to airports and shipping docks remains highly restricted. Intercede for IMB, NAMB, state convention, Baptist Global Response, and governmental organizations, asking that they will be able to work together efficiently, providing direly needed assistance to the broadest number of people in the shortest period of time. While everyone wants to go immediately, director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s mission division, Cecil Seagle, said, “At this point, all we can sleep safely in Port-au-Prince is 55.” Ask God to assist teams as they coordinate additional logistics for others to come and offer aid. Our hearts break and long to “do something.” Please give as the Lord leads you (http://www.imb.org), offer loving support to Haitians in your community who themselves are not able to get home to see their families, and do not cease to pray.

Rueben Wayne Rogers
(August 23, 1985 – January 30, 2010)

A photo is available athttp://www.mckneelys.com/index.cfm.

A resident of Amite, died at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Amite. He was born August 23, 1985 in Hammond and was 24 years old. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2010. Services conducted by Rev. Mitch Williams. Interment Natalbany Cemetery, Independence. He is survived by his parents, Kenneth and Ginger Rogers, Amite; sister, Amanda Bankston and her husband, Chad, Loranger; niece, Brianna Bankston; grandparents, Charles and Jennie Rogers, Amite and Gloria and Ken Dyer, Columbus, MS; several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jeremy Rogers; nephews, Caleb and Chase Bankston; great-grandmother, Florence Rushing. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family to assist with expenses.

Baptist Press Stories for Feb. 1, 2010

—————————————

So. Baptists detained in Haiti on mission to aid children

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32180

Senate OKs tougher sanctions on Iran

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32181

Christian opposition (again) credited with defeat of Hawaii gay unions bill

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32182

SUPER BOWL: CBS’ James Brown to keep an open mic for Christians, non-Christians alike

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32183

PRO BOWL: Players say God is in control

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32184

Missions ‘prime time’ for revitalized church

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32185

CP .63 percent behind 2009 pace

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32187

FIRST-PERSON: Putting a face on Facebook

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32186

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

IN A SERIES of very difficult technical reviews conducted in a foreign country, the company representatives with whom I was meeting became extremely upset about the products from my company…

I had a translator for the meeting, hired from an outside firm. I had asked him to translate the words exactly, and with the same emotion as they were spoken.

Unhappy with my reply to a question, an engineer across from me began to speak with great emotion. My translater looked at me with sad eyes, told me he was sorry, and then began to deliver a translation filled with wrath and anger directed solely at me. When he finished, he apologized for the verbal beating. I thanked him for his kind work, for he only reflected the speaker, as I had asked. He was just the instrument.

We reflect the image of our Lord. We are the translators of God’s Word to those who do not pick up a Bible. Others can see Christ in us and He will be glorified. There is no need to apologize when the translation of our life reflects the Word of God. Pete Nash

“But we all, with unveiled face,

beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,

are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,

just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

~2 Corinthians 3:18~

I trust the words of this post will speak to you and encourage you today. I pray you will find time to pray before continuing your day.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth.”

~Romans 1:16~

Wayne Criswell and brothers-in-law

Wayne did well with his procedure Friday and will get the results in a few days. The Dr.s feel like this is most likely some scar tissue from an old bout with pneumonia about 30 years ago.

Please add my brothers: Jim Brent who lives in Austin had a biopsy of the prostate on Thursday, and Max Brent who lives in Ohio had back surgery on Tuesday.

Mary Criswell

Callie Cole

Forgot to remind everyone that the Callie’s Mission T-shirts are here. You can look at the shirts on calliesmission.org, and there are several colors and designs to choose from. The sales will go to Callie’s Mission to generate funds for those scholarship recipients selected. There will be three students selected and sent to the uttermost parts this year. Please pray for those interested in applying for the scholarships. They will be writing their essays about their calling to missions, and we all know how difficult it can be to put our hearts on paper.
We are so thankful to all of you who are supporting Callie’s ultimate dream to bring others to the feet of Jesus!!

Love,
Tom and Frances

A Lesson in Pruning

by Dr. Charles Stanley
John 15:1-4

Years ago I lived in Fruitland, North Carolina. It was apple country, and several of my parishioners were growers. When I stopped by to visit one of them, his wife told me that he was in the orchard. So I walked out back to find him mercilessly cutting branches from one of the trees. Without thinking, I said, “You’re going to kill that tree!” He turned around and said, “You stick to preaching, and leave the pruning to me.”

This gentleman and I became friends, and it was from him that I learned about the pruning process. In order to produce an abundant crop of the best fruit, he had to cut as he did. It might look as if the tree was going to die, but new growth would spring from the wounds. Our conversations helped me to understand why the Lord sometimes acts as a pruning
force in people’s lives.

To get a plentiful crop of spiritual fruit, our heavenly Father must remove anything that distracts or deters us from serving Him. The process is often painful. I know I’ve cried out, “More, Lord?” when He has taken the “knife” to me. But the result is always satisfying—I am a better, more accurate reflection of Jesus Christ after God cuts away a fleshly habit or worldly attitude.

Being loved by God does not mean we will be coddled—our comfort is not His primary interest. A grower must prune an apple tree to get a bountiful harvest. In the same way, God must sometimes let us feel pain so He can bring forth greater growth and more spiritual fruit.

Have a special Saturday!

Anna Lee

Friday

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into the world,

and we can take nothing out of it.

~1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NIV)~

Chuck Pittman is home and reports that he had a good day yesterday, the best in a while. Please continue to pray for Chuck.

Roger Pittman will be having a procedure at North Oaks this morning. Pray for Roger today.

Butch Reviere is getting rest in Washington Parish. He may come to Kentwood the first of next week. Pray for him as he continues to recover from his surgery.

From Sherry Rosamond

My friend, Lisa Westmoreland’s, mother is in the hosiptal and E would like for everyone to keep her and her mother in your prayers.

APPRECIATING VALUABLE THINGS

The story is told of a man who was sued by a woman for defamation of character. She charged that he had called her a pig. The man was found guilty and fined.

After the trial he asked the judge, “Does this mean that I cannot call Mrs. Johnson a pig?” The judge said that was true.

“Does this mean I cannot call a pig Mrs. Johnson?” the man asked. The judge replied that he could indeed call a pig Mrs. Johnson with no fear of legal action.

The man looked directly at Mrs. Johnson and said, “Good afternoon, Mrs. Johnson.”

Such name-calling is obviously wrong, but Jesus told us there are some people who are “pigs” (and not in the sense of eating too much). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)

There are some people who are “dogs” and “pigs” in the sense that they have no appreciation for things of a spiritual nature. Just as a pig has no appreciation for precious jewelry, so it is that some people have no appreciation for the precious truths of God’s Word.

John MacArthur has written, “There will be times when the gospel we present is absolutely rejected and ridiculed and we will make the judgment to turn away and speak no more, deciding that we should ‘shake off the dust of [our] feet’ (Matt. 10:14) and begin ministering somewhere else.” (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Matthew 1-7)

I agree. There are times when those I speak to show such a lack of appreciation for God’s Word. My greater concern, though, is making sure that I don’t have that same attitude.

“Father, I pray that my heart may always be tender and open to the valuable lessons you want to teach me. May I never ‘trample underfoot’ those things which are truly important. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

TODAY’S PRAYER

IMB
JANUARY 29, 2010

“I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing to You among the nations.”

~Psalm 57:9~

HAITI. IMB missionary Dawn Goodwin asks that we pray that they can quickly find locations to set up base camps in Jimani, both on the border in the Dominican Republic and within Haiti itself. Doug Roberts, Sam York and Steve Flook are working hard to make that happen. Intercede for physical stamina for all the Haiti response team and for all the missionaries in the Dominican Republic who are pulling together and working around the clock! The joint Southern Baptist response to the Haiti earthquake launches this coming week with four “strategically selected” medical teams. Four “strategically selected” medical teams are being sent through the Dominican Republic to Haiti, along with two representatives from the Florida convention who will continue to make arrangements for trained disaster relief teams to travel in and out of the country. The death toll has grown beyond our ability to fathom the pain and loss, but we must remain vigilant in praying for those who are suffering infection without adequate medication. Ask God to protect Haitians living in improvised camps from the spread of contagious diseases.

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 Alvaro Colom Caballeros of Guatemala (Central America).

BAMBARA OF MALI (BAHM-bah-rah). Bambara Team members Mitch, Arnett and Steve set out into the African bush, carrying not much more than a GPS device, a pan of cupcakes, and some sleeping gear. They didn’t know where they were going. They didn’t have a plan other than prayer and trusting God to provide them with lodging. Their mission? To find an untouched place to start a new work. In three days, they hit seven villages. True to their culture, the Bambara were hospitable to the strangers in their midst. Mitch, Arnett and Steve were offered a place to sleep each night. Along the way, they gave the traditional gift of respect, cola nuts, to a variety of village chiefs–some warm, some stern. The three sat under the stars and explained the “new religion of Christianity” to some stately elders devoted to another belief system. They ate lots of rice with their hands, endured a blister bug attack, and unwittingly terrified a few children who had never before seen white men. They were looking for a place that was open both to hearing about Jesus and to learning new ways of farming. They write: “Next year, we hope a team of volunteers can restart our ‘Foundations for Farming’ project in a new village, one more open to improved planting techniques. Please pray that God will lead us to choose the right village in which to start work. Pray that He will open hearts there and that the ultimate result will be the birth of a new church. “http://www.gobambara.org/

CENTRAL TIBETANS IN ASIA (ti-BEH-tuns). The traditional celebration of the Tibetan New Year includes many Buddhists rituals. Therefore, as the holiday approaches, many of the Central Tibetan believers will choose not to participate in the festivities, while others may give in to the pressure from family and friends to carry out tradition. Ask the Lord to give Central Tibetan believers creative ideas and God-glorifying ways to incorporate different aspects of their culture into their celebration of the New Year. Pray that they will boldly stand up for Jesus and give a clear testimony of their faith to those who question or even persecute them for not following the Buddhist traditions.

Have a wonderful day today. Make today count for something!

Anna Lee

Thursday

You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need,

his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 (MSG)

Mike Benson’s KneEmail

http://www.forthright.net/kneemail/2010/01/rejoice.html

Have a wonderfully, blessed day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“But my God shall supply all your needs

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

~ Philippians 4:19~

Wayne Criswell

Wayne Criswell is having a needle biopsy of his right lung Friday morning, at North Oaks in Hammond. Please pray for him and those doing the procedure.

Thanks,

Chris Wales

Sharla Hodges

Please continue to pray for my cousin as she adjusts to her new home. Pray she will be in rehab soon.

ADRIANNA KATE CAVANAGH, AGE 3

And a resident of Franklinton went to be with God early Tuesday January 26, 2010 at Riverside Medical Center with her family by her side. She fought a courageous battle against cancer for the last ten months. Adrianna was born December 6, 2006 and her three short years on earth were a blessing to all who knew her. She was loved greatly by her family and supported through it all by a wonderful community. Adrianna was full of joy and brave during her fight but she had a unique understanding that God would care for her. She and her entire family felt blessed by the countless prayers from people all around the world. Her faith was peacefully rewarded with mommy and daddy holding her hands as she went to heaven.

Survived by:

Loving parents: Joe and Stephanie Simmons Cavanagh of Franklinton

Grandparents: Reggie and Judy Simmons of Franklinton Brian and Irene Cavanagh of Torrington, CT

Aunts and Uncles: Kristi and Rob Crain of Franklinton Betsy and Jason Labat of Prairieville, LA Brain Cavanagh of Torrington, CT Kate and Keith Bouchard of Unionville, CT Jackie and Wade Wilkinson of Long Beach, NY

First Cousins: Wesley, Andrew and Jacob Crain Jack Bouchard Emma Wilkinson

Also numerous great-aunts and great-uncles and other cousins

Adrianna also had a special real dog that she loved named Finn.

She was preceded in death by her uncle Matthew Cavanagh, Joe’s twin brother. Also her great-grandparents Gary and Josie Stafford, Othar and Maude Simmons, Joseph and Eileen Gormley and Fred and Ellen Cavanagh

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home Friday January 29th from 5 pm until 9 pm. Visitation will continue Saturday after 9 am at First Baptist Church of Franklinton. A funeral service will be held at the church at 11 am with Rev. Luther Stanford and Rev. Jay Cook officiating. Burial will follow in Ellis Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in Adrianna’s honor to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans or to bandofparents.org, an organization committed to the research and eradication of childhood cancers.

http://www.actionnews.us/News/tabid/55/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/422/Northshore-mourns-passing-of-Adrianna-Cavanagh.aspx

http://www.actionnews.us/News/tabid/55/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/433/Funeral-services-set-for-this-weekend-for-three-year-old-Adriannna-Cavanagh.aspx

Today’s devotional is entitled Misery and was written by Mike Benson. We’ve all been there. Us the link below to ready the devotional.

http://www.forthright.net/kneemail/

Count your blessings today!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,

in the breaking of bread,

and in prayers . . .

and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

~Acts 2:42-47~

Mrs. Katherine Sanders is home again and improving. Keep her in your prayers.

Pete Lee is in ICU still and hopefully will be ready for surgery this week. Please keep Pete and his family in your prayers.

Dr. Landrum Salley

I have major surgery scheduled for Monday. I tend to have a low sodium level, and that could prevent me from taking a general anaesthetic and therefore delay the surgery. It’s to correct an abdominal hernia, which I acquired when all my abdominal muscles were cut when I had emergency surgery five years ago. We will appreciate your prayers. And thanks again for keeping us posted on what is happening in a town where we spent sixteen years and still love

Callie Cole

Good Evening,

Callie is doing well. She has not made any great strides over the past few days but is still responding well to family and friends. It is good to see how her friends have adjusted and can now talk to her and treat her just like they used to. Not sure but this is probably very difficult for them to do. It does my heart good to see them crack a joke or do something to try and get a response out of her, and most of the time it works. Frances works hard with her during the day along with the therapists to keep her mobile and to increase her range of motion as well as working on the swallowing, which is going very well.

There are a great group of guys working on our building project. It has not been the greatest weather for construction but it hasn’t slowed them one little bit. As a matter of fact they are putting this building up faster than I can get what I need to get done to stay ahead of them. The Lord has truely blessed our lives by using people in ways that we could never have imagined. I thank the Lord every day for all of you who continue to lift my daughter and our family up to the Most High. I know that we shouldn’t be, but we are amazed at the prayers offered up on our behalf, and all of the things that people have done and continue to do for us out of love. I ask that the Lord bless each one of your lives and to know how you have blessed ours.

Sunday, Bro. Floyd preached a message from Genesis chapter 39 on Joseph. We were reminded how Joseph remained faithful to the Lord and to himself. I decided to read chapter 37 and also chapter 40 just to jog my memory and the Holy Spirit showed me something else. Joseph was a righteous man. He did almost everything right and yet he was sold as a slave by his own brothers, he was thrown into prison and then forgotten by a man he had helped and left in prison for two more years for no crime at all. Through all of this Joseph remained faithful and the Lord was able to fulfill his purpose through this man because of it. You see, the Lord had a great purpose for the things that happened that no one knew about. Thank you Lord for showing us what we need to see at just the right time.

Please continue to pray without doubt as I know you are.

Tom

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
JANUARY 26, 2010
“Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.” (Psalm 54:2)

HAITI. For updated information and prayer requests related to the Haiti earthquake, please visit http://www.imb.org/main/pray/ and Ed Cox’s blog, http://imbprayerdir.wordpress.com.

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 Kuupik Kleist of Greenland (northern North America, northeast of Canada).

CHINA. More than 98,500 Chinese students studied in U.S. universities last year. Pray that many of them will receive Christ this year while in the United States as churches, families and individuals open their hearts and homes to these bright young Chinese adults. Pray that Christians in the United States will see this as a great mission field, and will also comprehend the great influence the students may have someday when they return to their homeland.

DUTCH INDIGENOUS OF THE NETHERLANDS. Please pray for a small evangelical church in Holland. From this small church, a group of believers is prayerwalking the city and asking God to bring revival in the land. Recently they discovered a portion of the city with a concentrated amount of occult influence. They have decided to focus in this part of the city for awhile. They ask you to agree with them in prayer that strongholds will be broken and that the truth of the gospel will penetrate the hearts of those who live in this area specifically. Pray also that the occult organizations will be rendered powerless and not be able to influence the lives of those in this area.

Baptist Press News

http://www.bpnews.net/

Welton H. Brumfield, Jr.
(February 25, 1933 – January 25, 2010)

Welton H. Brumfield, Jr. a loving son, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather was born on February 25, 1933 and passed away at 5:55 a.m., Monday, January 25, 2010 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, Covington. He was 76, a native and resident of Amite.Mr. Welton is survived by his daughter, Becki Brumfield Biandolillo and husband Mike, Amite; a son, Greg Brumfield and wife Nicole, Amite; mother, Mrs. Josephine H. “MerPhinie” Brumfield, Amite; son-in-law, Danny Richardson, Amite; companion, Connie R. Evans, Amite and her granddaughter, Lindsey; 11 grandchildren, Gretchen Ockman and husband, Mike, Jared Richardson, Lindsey Jo Brumfield, Blair Reid, Chelsea Brumfield, Grant Welton Richardson, Gray Richardson and wife Donna, Ashley Brumfield, Blake Welton Brumfield, Sydni Biandolillo and Alexis Biandolillo; 4 great-grandchildren, Keegan Ockman, Kelsey Ockman, Kelton Baugh and Grayson Richardson

Preceded in death by his father, Welton H. Brumfield, Sr.; his wife, Jacqueline “Jackie” Eubanks Brumfield; daughter, Laurel “Lauri” Brumfield Richardson; brother, Claude “Hank” Brumfield; sister-in-law, Eleanor “Cricket” Vessier Brumfield; and sister, Sara Frances Brumfield.

Pallbearers are Grant Richardson, Gray Richardson, Jared Richardson, Blake Brumfield, Claude Brumfield & Bryan Brumfield. Honorary Pallbearers are Johnny Peterson, Larry Mobley, Buck Cefalu, John Bush & Ray Fontaine.

Visitation will be at First United Methodist Church, Amite, on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. until Religious Services at 2:00 p.m. with Bro. Brady Whitton officiating. Interment in the Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA.

Mr. Welton graduated from Amite High School in 1951 and received his Business Management degree from LSU in 1955. He served as a pilot for SAC in the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1958 and returned to Amite. He first owned Brumfield Tractor Co. from 1953 to 1988 and also manager of Brumfield Sales & Service in Kentwood from 1971 to 1978. He became general manager of Brumfield Motor Co. in Amite in 1971 and subsequently dealer in 1975 after the death of his father. He sold this dealership in 1998. During this period he served on the National Dealer Council at Ford Tractor Division and also served as one of five dealers in the country for a two year term on the National Dealer Council for Ford Motor Company. He also served on the board of Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association and was the President of LADA from 1977-78. He has been active in the First United Methodist Church for many years. He has served as Chairman of the Board of his local church, as the First lay President of the Council of Finance & Administration of the Louisiana Annual Conference and its First Lay Chairman for the Board of Pensions of that conference. He also served on the General Council of Ministries for eight years at the national level. He was a delegate to two sessions of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church and four sessions of the Jurisdictional Conference. He has also served as director on the Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston, LA since 1976. He was elected to board of Central Progressive Bank in 1977 and has also served and is presently serving as a Director for Blossman Bamcshares and recently elected Chairman of the Board.

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

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

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

TO BE “SAVED” means to be made safe…

It implies that the unsaved person is in danger. Mark 16:16 speaks of salvation and safety from sin. When the term saved is used in reference to a Christian, it means he is made safe from the guilt and eternal consequences of his sins (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 15:2; Ephesians 2:15; Titus 3:5). This safety is brought about by God’s pardon, which can be affected in no other way. It means the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). This salvation is equivalent to the promise of pardon for those who believe and are baptized. Many religious people balk at the idea of placing baptism in such a connection with salvation (that baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sins). However, we must remember that it was Jesus Himself Who placed baptism in this connection. When a mind revolts at any of His words, it is not His fault but their fault. The stubborn heart bears sole responsibility for one’s failure to heed God’s Word. When considering the concept of being saved, one must take into account the power of God to deliver an individual from the bondage of sin by the power of the Gospel. H.D. Simmons

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved;

but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Mark 16:16

Have a blessed day!’

Anna Lee

Monday

But as for me, I will sing about your power.

Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.

For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.

~Psalm 59:16 (NLT)~

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

ALLEGIANCE IS LOYALTY to or support for a particular person, cause, or group…

Many times in history’s past, leaders have given their allegiance to those whom they thought would provide them the greatest protection, if they were to be attacked by an enemy. Yet, invaribly there would be those poor choices made by a kind or leader in choosing an ally.

Ally is to join or enlist somebody, in an association with one or more other states, organizations, or individuals for mutal help and support or the achievement of a common purpose.

On one such occasion a king many years ago had the opportunity to choose whom he would pick as an ally. He could not wish to have every nation around him as an ally because even they were at odds with each other. He had to pick the strongest and hope that this new ally would not turn on him in the process. You see, his kingdom was the smallest of them all. So, he looked to the hills around his kingdom and tried to make a decision.

He had the choice between choosing one or two of the nations that touched his border or he could choose God.

Here is what he said, “I life up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip — He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you — the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm — He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121

What a wonderful example of a deep trust in God by this king of Israel! Is this how we make choices in our lives as Christians? Do we pick the people of importance around us to create our success in life? Do we choose the strong financially, professionally, gifted, or the most in number for our security or do we really trust God with our welfare, and most importantly, our eternity?

Whom will you choose today, God or man?

As Christians, choosing God as our constant ally is the only option in this life. We should do this in all matters pertaining to our present life. The eternal consequences of not having Him on our side at all times is too paralyzing to imagine! Mike Price

“…If the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us

when their anger flared against us they would have swallowed us alive;

…Praise be to the LORD who has not let us be torn by their teeth…

Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

~Psalm 124:2,3,6,8~

Have a blessed week!

Anna Lee