Category: Devotional

Monday

The weather alerts on my phone got me us even earlier than usual.  I’m thankful the worst of the weather did not last too long here.  Please pray for others who are in the path of the bad weather today.

On coming to the house,

they saw the child with his mother Mary,

and they bowed down and worshiped him.

Then they opened their treasures

and presented him with gifts of gold

and of incense

and of myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream

not to go back to Herod,

they returned to their country by another route.

~Matthew 2:11-12~

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “A Place of Shelter” – http://odb.org/2015/12/28/a-place-of-shelter/
  • I long to . . . take refuge in the shelter of your wings.                                                                                                                                                    ~Psalm 61:4~      

                         (I think a lot of people have been seeking God’s shelter because of the bad                                 weather.  How great it would be if all people would seek that shelter on a                                  daily basis!)

Wear that smile all day.  Share it with someone else.  Even on out worse days, there is plenty to sing and smile about.

Anna Lee

 

Sunday

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host

appeared with the angel,

praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men

on whom his favor rests.”

~Luke 2:13-14~

Kristi Allen

Born: October 03, 1980
Died: December 24, 2015

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=3536083&fh_id=10545

Elizabeth “Betty” Pevey Lee

Born: April 30, 1933
Died: December 25, 2015

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10545/id/3536108

 

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – Jude – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1&version=NIV

Scripture Writing – Philippians 2:5-8 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A5-8&version=NIV

Lottie Moon Offering -Let’s continue to support our international missionaries, those returning to the states and those staying on the field.

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

“Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party

  • Tuesday
  • 11 A.M.
  • The Cafe
  • Celebrating December Birthdays

 

Two Rivers Associational WMU

  • Quarterly Meeting
  • East Fork Baptist Church
  • Third Monday – January 18th
  • Memorial Service for members who passed away in 2015

 

Have a wonderful Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

 

10 But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for all the people.

11 Today in the town of David

a Savior has been born to you;

he is Christ the Lord.

12 This will be a sign to you:

You will find a baby wrapped in cloths

and lying in a manger.”

~Luke 2:10-12~

 

 

Yesterday‘s rain and warm temperatures made for a different Christmas in 2015.  I thank God for the day, regardless of the temperature or the rain.

 

Tuesday – “Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party at The Cafe to celebrate December birthdays (11:00 A.M.)

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – Acts 27-28

Scripture Writing – Galatians 4:4-7

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song 

 

Waylon Bailey – WaylonBailey.com

Thom S. Rainer – TomRainer.com

 

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – International Mission Board – “Making Disciples and Multiplying Churches” – http://www.imb.org/about-us/history.aspx#.Vn59tMArLx4

Let’s do our part in making disciples here and around the world!

Anna Lee

 

Christmas 2015

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child,

and bear a Son,

and they shall call His name Immanuel,”

which is translated, “God with us.”

~Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)~

 

Dan Turner’s Story

Update & Merry Christmas

by DanMan

It’s been a few weeks since I updated everyone on my progress and I wanted to get in here and share what I think is good news. Today is Christmas Eve and I’ve had two more follow-up appointments since my last update. My intrathecal Baclofen (ITB) pump dose is now at 500 mcg/day and the spasticity of my left leg, ankle, and foot is nearly gone. My left hand is still lagging behind just a little bit, but still, it is better.
Since things have improved enough to allow me to start setting new goals for myself, I started back to school on December 7. I got to where I was comfortable enough to sit at my desk and do course-work. I just wanted another degree in a field where I have great interest. I enrolled at ITT Technical Institute and am working toward a Bachelor’s Degree of Information Systems & Cyber Security—who knows where that could lead in the future? I’m just enjoying learning and making good grades again—I’ve missed accomplishing things like that and am very thankful to be able to do it again! I must say, I am totally impressed with the level of professionalism and customer service at ITT Tech. I have an assigned counselor, Mark, that really went above and beyond to get me started and he still calls every few days to make sure all is going well.
Additionally, I began working out this morning—especially focusing on strengthening my left leg. My left leg felt like a boiled noodle when I finished. I anticipate some soreness over the next few days, but soreness means “progress”—bring it on!
Anyway, I just wanted to drop in and update everyone. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas!

Betty Hoyt Cox

Born: July 22, 1941
Died: December 19, 2015

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10545/id/3531997

Bodie Paul James

Born: November 05, 2002
Died: December 23, 2015

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10545/id/3535167

James “Captain Jim” Taylor

Born: June 20, 1940
Died: December 24, 2015

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10545/id/3535055

 

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – Revelations 18-22

Scripture Writing – Luke 2:17-20

 

 

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Support Returning Field Personnel

 

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

As you enjoy your family today, please remember why we have this wonderful holiday!

Anna Lee

Christmas Eve

While they were there,

the time came for the baby to be born,

 and she gave birth to her firstborn,

a son.

She wrapped him in cloths

and placed him in a manger,

because there was no room

for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-7

Frieda Jones

PRAYER OF THANKS!!! I DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE THE CHEMO TREATMENTS. I GO TO THE ONCOLOGIST IN TWO WEEKS. SHE WILL PRESCRIBE THE CHEMO TABLET THAT I TAKE FOR FIVE YEARS. I AM HEALING SLOWLY. I AM THANKFUL TO EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR MY HEALING BOTH PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL. HOLIDAYS ARE EXTREMELY ROUGH!!! RIGHT NOW EVERYDAY IS ROUGH. GOD IS BETTER TO ME THAN I DESERVE!!! HE PROVIDES FOR ME BEFORE I EVEN KNOW I HAVE THE NEED!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS. LOVE YOU ALL. GOD BLESS.

Angie Nielson’s dad passed away.  Please pray for the Edmonson family.

David got a good report from his PET scan yesterday.  As a precautionary measure, he will have a bronchoscopy after the holidays.  That procedure can be the focus of your prayers for him for now.

Read the Bible in 2015 – Song of Songs 7-8

Scripture Writing – Luke 2:13-16

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Don’t forget the Christmas Eve services tonight.  The one at Pine Ridge begins at 5 P.M.

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

May your celebration be a blessing on your life and the life of others.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

Christmas is about our eternity!

“But to all who believed him and accepted him,

he gave the right to become children of God.”

~John1:12 NLT, 2nd ed.~

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year for most people, but many people are burdened with problems, sicknesses, death, sad memories from past Christmas seasons, etc.  We all know some people in those situations.  We, not just you, should be thoughtful and kind to these folks, especially during the Christmas season.

Maybe we can help turn on their Christmas spirit of even light up their world with the message of why we celebrate this season of the year.  It is about a “light” much better and more lasting than any Christmas light.  It’s about Jesus and the reason he came to earth.

Read the Bible in 2015 – Psalm 146-148

Scripture Writing – Luke 1:46-50

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

 

Mission Trip – Pray for the youth and adults from New Zion and East Fork as they return home today.  Thank God for their willingness and hard work!

 

Brenda Fay Stevens Catalanotto

Born: July 10, 1949
Died: December 20, 2015

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=3533404&fh_id=10545

Family Christmas Supper and Candlelight Service at FBC,K tonight

  • Supper at 6
  • Candlelight service at 7

 

Be sure to include Christ in your Christmas!

Anna Lee

 

 

 

Tuesday

“This will be the sign for you:

You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth

and lying in a feeding trough.”

~Luke 2:12, HCSB~

 

Johnny “Lil Man” Santangello is having some difficult days.  Please pray for him and his family as they sit with him this Christmas season.

Mr. James Miller started another five days of injections yesterday.  He needed a unit of platelets, but did not need blood.  Pray for him and his drivers as they make trips Tuesday-Thursday and again Monday.  Then, his next round of injections is scheduled to begin January 19th.  Pray for “Miss” Mary too.

David will be having a PET scan at noon to check out something that showed up on a recent CAT scan.  Pray for us as we wait for results.

 

 

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Read the Bible in 2015 –Esther 1-5

Scripture Writing – Luke 2:4-7

 

 

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

 

 

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Southeast Asia – http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/details.asp?StoryID=13798&LanguageID=1709#.Vnk8z8ArLx5

 

Merry, merry Christmas!  Find ways to celebrate the birth of Jesus with family and friends this week.

Anna Lee

Monday

But the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary,

you have found favor with God.  

You will be with child

and give birth to a son,

and you are to give him the name Jesus.

~Luke 1:30-31~

“Majesty of Heaven” was wonderful again last night.

Pray for the youth of East Fork and New Zion and the adults going with them on a three day mission trip.  They have a big job ahead of them!  How many people do you know who would give up three days of their Christmas vacation for a mission trip?

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – Deuteronomy 29-31

Scripture Writing – Luke 1:51-56

 

Waylon Bailey – http://waylonbailey.com/

Thom S. Rainer –  thomrainer.com

 

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – South Asia – http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/details.asp?StoryID=13798&LanguageID=1709#.Vm67PGQrLx4

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song 

Have a wonderful day of giving to others.  That’s the spirit of Christmas!
Anna Lee

 

Sunday

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

~2 Corinthians 9:15~

 

Johnny Belgard continues to improve.  He may be moved from ICU to a regular room today.

Resa DeLee had received a good report on her cancer problems.

 

Read the Bible in 2015 – 3 John

Scripture Writing – Luke 1 35-38

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Philippines – http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/details.asp?StoryID=13798&LanguageID=1709#.Vm67PGQrLx4

 

Churches – FGC,K

“Majesty of Heaven” – If you missed the cantata at FBC,K last night, you may want to see/hear them tonight at 6:00 unless you already have other plans.

Pine Ridge United Methodist Church

A breakfast buffet is served at 8:00 this morning.  Donations will be given to the Methodist Children’s Home.

New Zion Baptist Church 

Christmas dinner will follow the worship service.  Christmas caroling at the nursing home will be done tonight.

Roseland Baptist Church

Byrum Humphrey, the pastor, received a degree from NOBTS this week.

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Have a great Lord’s Day!  God gave so much when He gave his only Son.  We need to be better givers.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

Saturday

To us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

~Isaiah 9:6~

 

 

Today is the day to visit the Estay family and celebrate Claire Estay who has already gone to heaven.  You can visit Landon, Alicia, and other family members from 2-4 P.M. today at FBC, Kentwood.

Tonight, and tomorrow night, at 6 P.M., you can return to the church for “Majesty of Christmas” as presented by the combined choirs of FBC and EFBC.

 

Read the Bible in 2015: Acts 25-26

Scripture Writing: Luke 1: 30-34

 

 

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

 

 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Mexico – http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/details.asp?StoryID=13798&LanguageID=1709#.Vm67PGQrLx4

 

Reminder – Tomorrow morning at 8:00,  you can be a part of something important.  Pine Ridge does a monthly breakfast.  Donations go to help with a need the ladies select.  This month, the Methodist Children’s Home will receive our donations.  Come enjoy a full breakfast bar, meet some new friends, and support a need for children.

 

Christmas is a time of giving.  God did that first by giving his only Son for us.  This year, focus more on giving.  You can never give more than He did.  The more you give, the more you will be blessed.

Anna Lee