Category: Devotional

Friday

“And it is my prayer

that your love may abound more and more,

with knowledge and all discernment.”

~Philippians 1:9, ESV~

 

Please pray for Jennie’s father-in-law, Mr. Steve Hatchel of Texas.  He will be having a MRI this morning to check on the work done by chemo and radiation.  Pray for the family as they await results.

Macy Gueldner

I got to visit with Macy’s grandmother and great-grandmother this week.  They feel so blessed to see the progress she has made.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/macygueldner/journal/view/id/53ffe571ca16b4f204094393

Walker Wilbanks

http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/26382809/walker-wilbanks-saves-lives

Hope Center

We got a lot of work completed at the Hope Center today. The Hope Center will house a food-bank and thrift store and is a ministry of Two Rivers Association. Bro Ronnie (our compassion missionary) and I would like to thank everyone who came out today and worked even though the air-conditioning is still not working. Bro. Steve and Bro. Chris from FBC Roseland, Bridgett Gill, Bro. Michael (Youth Pastor at FBC Kentwood), Bro. Don Vanover, my wife Tracy and my daughter Katheryn and of course our Hope Center Director Bro. Sylvester. We hope to move a lot of donations from Amite to the Hope Center Saturday morning. Please let me know if you can help-rain or shine we have to move the stuff. -Bro. Stan

Study of Ruth – 10:00 this morning at FBC, K

It’s time for out annual Fall Food Round-up.  Bring your canned goods, paper supplies, and cleaning supplies to FBC, Kentwood.  The pick-up will be early on the morning of September 15th.  You may leave your donations in the stairwell at the office entrance (where you click the button to enter).

Baptist Press –  BPNews.net

New Zion Baptist Church will host a Fifth Sunday Singing this Sunday at 6:30 P.M.  You are invited to worship with them.

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

God keeps on blessing and blessing.  I hope you see His work in your life.

Anna Lee

Thursday

“As for me,

I vow that I will not sin against the LORD

by ceasing to pray for you.”

~1 Samuel 12:23a, HCSV~

 

Susan Rimes is doing much better.  Let’s hope and pray the stones are gone for good now.

Ray Blackwell had his feeding tube removed yesterday.  That a positive step!

Hope Center in Roseland – From Bro. Stan

A few of us are meeting tomorrow (Thursday) at the Hope Center (Two Rivers Baptist Association) in Roseland to clean the building. Anyone can join us from 8:00am until 10ish. PLEASE NOTE-the A/C is still not working and the building is dreadfully hot. Would wait but the building is going to be inspected by the food-bank people next Tuesday and as the old saying goes-we gtta-getter done! I will have a cooler full of drinks iced down-Bro. Stan

Ladies’ Night: Ice Cream Party

  • 6:15 tonight at FBC,K
  • Girls, Youth young ladies, adult ladies
  • No tickets needed
  • Hoping to see you!

Baptist Press –  BPNews.net

Devotional, Scriptures, a Quote, and a Song

  • “A Picture of Humility” –  http://odb.org/2014/08/28/a-picture-of-humility/
  • God resists the proud,                                                                                                 but gives grace to the humble.                                                                                                                     ~James 4:6~                                                                             We live by faith,                                                                                                           not by sight.                                                                                                                                          ~2 Corinthians 5:7 ~
  • “The most powerful position on earth                                                                                                 is kneeling before the Lord of the universe.”                                                                                                                                                   ~Our Daily Bread~
  • “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” –  http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/myfluptt.htm

Part two of telling about the wake and funeral for Mrs. Betty Moore:  The funeral was as special as “Miss” Betty was.  Yesterday, was another reminder of how special friends and family are.  Let’s all celebrate when someone leaves a body that is tired and gets to be in heaven with parents, spouse, children, other family members, and numerous friends.  Let’s also celebrate those people we still have in our lives each day.  

Say something extra special to people today!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“He said to them, ‘

Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”

~Matt. 4:19, NKJV~

 

Connon Corkern and his family are both happy and thankful to be home.  Thank-you for helping to pray him through his last hospital stay.

Katherine Hudson  lives in SW LA and has been battling lupus for about ten years.  In the last fourteen months she has been hospitalized ten times, with stays of five or more days.  In addition, she has been to the ER a number of times.  The lupus is out-of-control and fighting her body.  Please pray for Katherine.

Baptist Press –  BPNews.net

New entries on Rev. Kevin Smith’s blog –  http://revkevreflections.wordpress.com/

Devotional, Scripture, Song, and a Quote

  Hope comes with help from God and others.                                     ~Our Daily Bread~

 

Going home to my childhood church in Roseland for a wake brought back many memories and familiar faces.  It’s good to see the familiar place and faces.  It’s also good to remind me of many people who impacted my life and those of my family.  I suppose it is our “roots” as much as the house where I was raised and the school where I attended for six years.  The people in these three places will forever be very special to me.

Like me, you have places that were special in your life.  More importantly, at this stage of life, we might be the ones impacting the lives of others.  I pray we follow God’s leadership in what we do and say so we will be a positive influence on others and most importantly, a witness for God.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Encourage each other every day while it is ‘today.’”

~Hebrews 3:13a NCV~

 

David’s sister-in-law has both parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Courtney of Holden, hospitalized in Baton Rouge.  Please pray for them, their family, and for the medical staff caring for them.

Resa Birch DeLee is hospitalized in Greensburg, not Baton Rouge.  Please add your prayers for her and her family.  (Thanks to Yvonne Birch for the correction.)

Please continue to pray for Mr. Bud Callihan.  He will have another procedure when he gets better.  He’s at home for now.  Pray for his family as you pray for him.

Walker Wilbanks, the football player who got sick on the field Friday night, passed away.  Please pray for his family, his school, and all those who knew him.

http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/26364634/jackson-prep-football-player-dies?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass&utm_content=buffer4660b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Operation Christmas Child

Majel Dean has started making tote bags to hold clothes, toys, or even the OCC shoeboxes later.  She needs help with fabric, ribbon, and cutting.  Each tote requires a 12.5 inch by 40 inch rectangle.  She could also use some grogain ribbon and cotton clothesline cording, etc. for the ties.  Each tote requires two pieces 33 inches long for the tie.  If you can help, please bring the fabric and cording to FBC, Kentwood.  The totes will be folded and placed inside the totes until the children get their boxes.

I hope you have found a way to create something for the boxes.  If you need ideas check out some of the OCC  sites on Pinterest.  There are still “ornaments” on the Christmas tree at church if you would like to purchase some gifts for the boys and girls.

One young  man selected his ornaments and then enlisted various family members to help with the purchases.  He has been trained to know the importance of missions and the good the shoeboxes do around the world.  He involved his family with him.  Good training and a wonderful involvement.  Do you need to involve a family member, child or youth,  in helping others?

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

“Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party

We will meet at the Cafe at 11:00 to celebrate the birthdays of ladies who celebrate/celebrated a birthday this month.  It is so special to remember some of the ladies who passed away recently and their attendance at the birthday parties during some of their last months.  What an honor it is to celebrate birthdays and to see how each of the ladies are respected and loved.  If you would like to join the ladies, meet us at today for lunch and birthday cake.

Ladies’ Night: Ice Cream Party

  • Thursday at 6:15 at FBC, K
  • Special music by Mrs. Janet Bridges
  • Devotional led by Mrs. Anne Hurst
  • Demonstration of making ice cream in a bag by some very young ladies
  • Homemade ice cream
  • Ice cream recipes to take home
  • Etc.
  • Ladies of ALL AGES (children, youth, and adults)
  • Do not have to be members of FBC
  • No cost, but we would appreciate a head count (FBC – 229-8111)

“Women of the Bible”

  • New Bible study that begins Friday morning at 10:00
  • No charge
  • Each lesson is independent of all the lessons
  • No homework, but Scripture references given for those who wish to read ahead.
  • Do not need to be members of FBC
  • Friday’s study – Ruth – Ruth 1-4

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

Think outside of “your little world”.  What can you do for others?

Anna Lee

Monday

“For as the rain comes down,

and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

~Isaiah 55:10-11, NKJV~

 

Please continue to pray for Mrs. Mildred Birch.  She is still experiencing an allergic reaction to one pill that was prescribed by a doctor.  She has had a number of shots and new prescriptions trying to overcome the allergic reaction.

Reese Birch DeLee is hospitalized in Baton Rouge.  Please add her to your prayer list.

Pray for Andy Taylor as he sees a neurologist.

Susan Rimes continues to deal with pain following her kidney stone procedure.  Pray she feels better soon.

A football player, Walker,  from Jackson Prep is in a coma after the Friday night game.

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/high-school/prepsreport/2014/08/24/jackson-prep-holds-prayer-vigil-walker-wilbanks/14520857/

The Sunday School Teachers of FBC, K will have a supper/training tonight.

Devotional, Scripture, a Song, and a Quote

  • “More than Waiting” –  http://odb.org/2014/08/25/more-than-waiting/
  • A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.                                                                                              ~John 16:16~     It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.                                                                                                                                       ~Acts 1:7~ “Let me tell you what He has done for me.”                                                       ~ Psalm 66:16~
  • “I Love to Tell the Story” –  http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/l/ilttts.htm
  • “Wait and witness till Jesus returns.”                                                         ~ Our Daily Bread~

What is blessing it is to be with able to attend church.  Our responsibility continues throughout the week.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours,

and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain;

and it did not rain on the land

for three years and six months.

And he prayed again,

and the heaven gave rain,

and the earth produced its fruit.”

~James 5:17-18, NKJV~

 

Please continue to pray for Connor Corkern and his family.  Connor is still in Children’s Hospital.

Looking Ahead to Special Days

  • Today – Breakfast at Pine Ridge
  • Tuesday – “Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party at the Cafe at 11:00
  • Thursday – Ladies’ Night: Ice Cream Party at 6:15 at FBC, K
  • Friday – New Bible study series at FBC, K at 10:00 – “Women of the Bible” – Ruth 1-4

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

As I grew up and a number of times since then, I have found myself at the piano banging out this song.  The longer I banged and the more I told God I counted on Him, the sweeter the song began to sing.  My piano and this song have played such a big part of my life.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“We … saw how powerless we were to help ourselves;

but that was good,

for then we put everything into the hands of God,

who alone could save us,

for he can even raise the dead.”

~2 Corinthians 1:9 LB~

 

Operation Christmas Child

Check out the Christmas tree at FBC, Kentwood to see if there is an ornament listing something you can purchase for the 200 shoeboxes we will be packing in October.  You still have plenty of time to make your purchases.

  • “I have someone at my church that LOVES to donate to OCC shoeboxes. She has started looking for bargains all year and drops them off every week or so, specifically for the packing party in November. Our party would not be as successful without her. She is a encouragement to me too. God is using her passion to help children and show the love of Jesus.” – Tammie L
  • #TBT In 2001, Operation Christmas Child delivered over 21,000 shoebox gifts to children in Mozambique! — with Corinne Byrne Opdyke.
  • “At Millbrook Baptist in Aiken SC our VBS collected over 2000 items for shoeboxes this year. All of this will be used for a packing party in the fall.” – Kathie N.
  • We love that JD Stevenson showed his support for OCC when he decided to use his 10th birthday party as an opportunity to pack shoebox gifts! Check out the video to see how JD, along with friends and family, blessed children in need! 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “Keeping Darkness at Bay” –  http://odb.org/2014/08/23/keeping-darkness-at-bay/
  • “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father.”                                  ~Matthew 5:16~                                                                                                                                                        “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”                          ~Matthew 25:40~
  • “Share His Love” –  http://www.hymnary.org/text/the_love_of_god_is_broader_than_earths

I hope you will use this weekend God has given you to share His love with others.  

Anna Lee

Friday

“Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—

crowds of both men and women.”

~Acts 5:14, HCSB~

 

Mrs. Nancy Whitebol and Dr. Kent Brantley were the two ebola patients hospitalized in Atlanta, but are now well.  She was released Tuesday and he was released Thursday.  Thank God for these answers to our prayers.

Ray Blackwell is fighting to regain he can.  Pray with him and his family that he will continue to improve.

Joe Easley is in Greensburg hospital with more problems.  Jean  continues to be in rehab.  Pray for this family.

Yvonne Curtis was here last night and shared her beautiful singing ability despite time spent yesterday with her cardiologist.  She has a problem that will be addressed, but sang beautifully to the Lord last night and said she would continue to do so as long as she has breath.  Pray for a solution will keep her healthy.

Our help has been requested to help clean and prepare the building that will be the Hope Center.  I will let you know the date.  Contact me if you will be willing to help.

David and I are so blessed by all who make the Third Thursday meetings so awesome. Once again there was a good group, new people, and a number of churches represented, but mostly it was the sweet Spirit of God that visited last night.

Baptist Press –  BPNews.net

Devotional, Scripture, Quotes, and a Song

“Kindness is Christianity with its working clothes on.”

Anna Lee

Thursday

“You are a chosen race,

a royal priesthood,

a holy nation,

a people for His possession,

so that you may proclaim the praises of the One

who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

~1Peter 2:9, HCSB~

 

Mary Catherine Gueldner –  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/macygueldner/journal/view/id/53f460afa689b4e73e68cc93 

Ray Blackwell is in ICU at North Oaks following surgery since his stroke.  Please pray.

Bud Callihan is still at Lakeview.  Continue to pray for him and his family.

Third Thursday – We will meet at the cabin tonight at 6:30.  We’re expecting and looking forward to a great night.  Call if you need more information.

Bible Study – We will complete another study Friday and celebrate with lunch at Osyka Seafood.  Next Friday, we will begin a new study of “Women of the Bible”.  It is a good time to join us if you are available on Friday mornings.  Begin by reading Ruth, chapters 1-4.

God’s Storehouse – David and I will make another trip to Amite tomorrow to deliver red beans and rice to them to share when people are in need of immediate help. Thanks to all who contributed to their request for help.

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

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

I’ve been in circumstances when I knew nothing to do but to trust Jesus.  I am continually working to trusting Jesus without ever considering what I can do myself.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh.

Is there anything too hard for Me?”

~Jeremiah 32:27, NKJV~

 

James Morgan of Amite is home.  The doctors did not identify his problem, but he is better.

Operation Christmas Child (from OCC facebook page)

  • The OCC Relay Center at FBC in Elgin, TX make handmade items for their shoebox gifts. These items include puzzles made from popsicle sticks, dresses with matching dolls, magnetic fishing games, crocheted hair accessories, and sewing kits! You can find instructions on how to make many of these items on our Pinterest page here: http://bit.ly/OCCpinterest1
  • A shoebox recipient in South Asia shared her testimony, “I am twelve years old and come from a very poor family. I have five brothers and sisters. Our father works in a brick factory and I also make bricks with my family. I have never been to school, church, or Sunday school. Whenever I would see the other kids going to school, I would think that God doesn’t love or care for us. I believed that was why He made us poor. Last month I asked my parents for new shoes because my old ones were spoiled, but they refused because they didn’t have any extra money. I became very upset and angry. In my heart I asked, ‘why did God make us so poor that we can’t even buy a pair of shoes.
    “A few days later I received a shoebox gift at the local church. When I opened the box I was amazed to see a pair of beautiful shoes that were my size and several other lovely gifts. That day they told us that God always loves and cares for us, regardless of who we are. I realized that God loves me and decided that I will also love God. I was able to attend school with the other children in my village. I am so thankful to God and those families who send these gifts to us from a country faraway.”
  • After one distribution event in Lithuania, one young woman came up to us and told us that she had received a shoebox in the same place ten years ago. She hardly could hold her tears back because the event and the shoebox she received at that time made a great impact in her life. Her parents would not allow her to go to church, but she would read the booklet ‘The Greatest Gift of All’ and pray to Jesus. This year she came to the OCC event with her child and decided to join the local church.
  • “I’m working on making drawstring tote bags large enough for the shoe box to fit in! The child can carry all their goodies or their whole box in it if they’d like too! – Simply Shoe Boxes
  • “Love wasn’t put in your heart to stay. Love isn’t love until you give it away.” – Michael W. Smith
  • A former shoebox recipient, now living in Spain, shared his testimony, “Some years ago, when I was a child living in Peru I received a box from OCC. It was really special for me to receive some toys as my parents were really poor. Now I love to volunteer in the Processing Center in Spain to make it possible for more children, living in difficult situations, to receive these boxes with gifts just for them. ”

      I hope you have that “Christmas is August” spirit.  By starting early, we have               plenty of time to make our purchases or make our crafts.  Enjoy this special                 “giving” project.

Devotional, Scriptures, and a Song

  • “Our Foundation” –  http://odb.org/2014/08/20/our-foundation/
  • For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.                                                                     ~1 Corinthians 3:11~                                                                                                                                              “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”                                                                                 ~Matthew 7:25-26~
  • “The Solid Rock” –  http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/myhopeis.htm

Take advantage of the opportunities God gives you to be a witness.

Anna Lee