FBC – Page 142 – The Prayer Link

Thursday (Posted early)

Take on an entirely new way of life –

a God-fashioned life,

a life renewed from the inside

and working itself into your conduct

as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

~Ephesians 4:22-24 (MSG)~

May 6th is the National Day of Prayer. If you are in the Kentwood area, Spring Creek Baptist Church will host a prayer lunch and First Baptist Church, Kentwood will host a service at 7:00. You are invited to attend either or both of these services.

CaringBridge

Samaritan’s Purse Responds to
Historic Floods in Nashville

Dear Friend,

Much of Nashville is under water, thousands of people in Tennessee have been driven from their homes, and nearly 20 people have died in some of the worst flooding in memory.

Our first Disaster Relief Unit arrived in Nashville last night, and we are coordinating a response with local church partners. Volunteers are being mobilized from across the country. More emergency relief equipment is on the way.

Our crews specialize in cleaning out mud-soaked houses so that they can be repaired. As we work, we help families cope with their losses and offer them hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Just a few days ago, I was in Nashville for the Dove Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House, which is now flooded. It is hard to imagine the scope of the destruction.

The people of Nashville need our prayers. So do victims of recent tornadoes in Mississippi and floods in Rhode Island, where Samaritan’s Purse also has deployed Disaster Relief Units. Thank you for lifting them up and helping to meet their needs in the Name of Jesus. May God bless you.

Sincerely,

Franklin Graham
President, Samaritan’s Purse

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Pray for people who have been affected by the flood.

Volunteer to help flood victims in Tennessee. Church teams are especially welcome.

Give to support our U.S. Disaster Relief ministry. It costs us about $22 per day to provide a volunteer with meals, camp lodging, and other services.

Thank-you for praying each day. I know prayer makes a difference!

Anna Lee

Sunday

I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love,

so that you, together with all God’s people,

may have the power to understand how broad and long,

how high and deep, is Christ’s love.

~Ephesians 3:17-18 (TEV)~

Please pray for Rev. Percy Frazier. He will be having surgery April 5th.

Frances Gay was able to come home about 8 P.M. last night. Thank God for her improvement so she could return to Kentwood.

Continue to pray for my Texas relatives. Micah (22) will have surgery to remove most of his brain tumor in a couple of weeks. His aunt, my cousin Sharla, is about the same. Pray for the family as they have a number of people with serious illnesses that will only be cured when they get to heaven.

Wednesday

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble.”

~2 Corinthians 1:3-4a, NKJV~

Thank-you to those who helped to provide or prepare lunch for the BCM (Baptist Collegient Ministries) at SLU today. The meal will be at Noon. Thanks to those going to share and to serve the food. May this ministry be effective in drawing students into the BCM today. I think a big pot of jambalaya cooking in front of the BCM will draw in a few extra students today. Pray for Bro. Bucky as he shares God’s word today.

Mr. “Cete” Dillon will have another eye procedure Thursday in Mandeville. Pray it is successful this time. “Miss” Ruby is doing very well. Thank-you for praying for her lately.

Eddie Keith Schwartz will have eye surgery Monday in Covington. Please be in prayer for him.

CaringBridge: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/larkindorris/journal

Baptist Press Stories for Mar. 2, 2010

—————————————

Overlooked aspect of health care bill could fund abortion

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32400

OLYMPICS: ‘The Pin Man’ makes Christ known at Winter Games

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32401

World Cup kicks off in 100 days

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32402

Retirement contributions may rebound

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32403

Retired editor Wm. Fletcher Allen dies

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32404

FIRST-PERSON: Pitchers and catchers report — will Dads?

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32405

FIRST-PERSON: Getting rid of fear of witnessing

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32406

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

MANY PEOPLE ARE looking for a sign from God…

They want to know for certain that God is there, that he really is who the Bible says he is. They are willing to believe in Him, but first they demand some sort of sign. They say, “God, if you’re really there, show yourself to me! Then I will believe in you!”

The truth is that God has given a sign. It is a miraculous sign — the sign of the empty tomb. Jesus of Nazareth, also called Christ, claimed to be God’s Son. His earthly life ended on a wooden cross outside Jerusalem. The Bible says that His death paid the penalty for our sin. Then Jesus was buried. If he had remained in the tomb, there would be no sign that Jesus really is the Christ. But in order to prove that sin is forgiven through the cross and that we can have fellowship with God forever, Jesus was raised from the dead. His resurrection is the sign that Christianity is true — a sign recorded in Scripture and confirmed in historical accounts from many reliable eyewitnesses. Philip Graham Ryken

“And while the crowds were thickly gathered together,

He began to say, ‘This is an evil generation.

It seeks a sign,

and no sign will be given to it

except the sign of Jonah the prophet.”

Luke 11:29

Thank-you for praying today. Your prayers mean so much to many people! Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Monday

“Indeed we count them blessed who endure.

You have heard of the perseverance of Job

and seen the end intended by the Lord—

that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”

~James 5:11, NKJV~

Ora Lee Wilson said her sister, Barbara Clark, is doing better. Please continue to pray for Barbara, the medical staff caring for her, and for her family.

Continue to pray for Chuck Pittman as he continues to wage a bettle against cancer.

The associational WMU meeting will be this morning at 10 o’clock at FBC, Kentwood. The meeting will be followed by a covered dish luncheon. All ladies are invited.

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

IT WAS JANUARY 13 and Frank and Cindy had gone outside to look around after the ice storm was over…

The night was clear and very cold. Returning to the cozy confines of their den and sipping on hot cups of coffee, the couple began sharing their recent observations. Frank said, “Did you see those trees that were uprooted by the weight of the ice? I bet we will have some roof damage, and I sure hope the pipes under the house don’t freeze tonight.” Almost oblivious to her spouse’s grumblings, Cindy exclaimed, “Weren’t the stars beautiful?”

They both were standing in the yard surrounded by the same icy devastation, but there was one key difference. Frank was looking at the damage, while Cindy was looking at the stars.

Exactly the same thing happened, when the twelve spies entered Canaan shortly after they were freed from Egyptian bondage. All of them saw the same beautiful, productive land, but ten of them focussed on the giants that inhabited the land. Only Caleb and Joshua were able to see God and His power waiting to give them the land of promise.

Our challenge for 2010 is to look for the blessings of God rather than the problems of the world. May we spend our time walking through the doors that He opens for us rather than complaining about the ones that are closed. Don Loftis

“Then Caleb quited the people before Moses, and said,

‘Let us go up at once and take possession,

for we are well able to overcome it.”

Numbers 13:30

Monday

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God

as a workman who does not need to be ashamed,

accurately handling the word of truth.”

~2 Timothy 2:15, NASB~

Revival at FBC, Kentwood has been great. I haven been to Greenlaw, but I’m sure they are also having good services. The Monday – Wednesday meetings at both churches will be at 6:30. “Y’all come!”

Today, I want to remind you to pray for a few people.

Mrs. Kathryn Sanders
Chuck Puttman
Mrs. Faye Price
Mrs. Nat McKinney
Rev. Butch Reviere
Cliff and Lauree Titus

I wish I had read this before teaching a lesson on the prodigal son yesterday.

Prodigal

The Prodigal Son, in the Key of ‘F’

Feeling footloose and frisky, a feather-brained fellow forced his fond father to fork over the family finances. He flew far to foreign fields and frittered his fortune feasting fabulously with faithless friends.

Finally, facing famine and fleeced by he fellows in folly, he found himself a feed-flinger in a filthy farmyard. Fairly famished he fain would have filled his frame with the foraged foods of the fodder fragments left by the filthy farmyard creatures.

“Fooey”, he said, My father’s flunkies fare far fancier.” The fugitive found feverishly, frankly facing facts. Frustrated by failure and filled with foreboding he forthwith fled to his family.

Falling at father’s feet, he floundered forlornly. “Father, I have flunked and fruitlessly forfeited family favor,” But the faithful father, forestalling further flinching frantically flagged the flunkies. “Fetch forth the finest fatling and fix a feast.”

But the fugitive’s fault-finding frater frowned on the fickle forgiveness of the former folderol. His fury flashed. But fussing was futile, for the far-sighted father figured such filial fidelity is fine, but forbids fervent festivity?

The fugitive found. “Unfurl the flags, with fanfares flaring Let fun and frolic freely flow ” Former failure is forgiven, folly is forsaken And forgiveness forms the foundation for futile fortitude.” (Charles Hastings Smith)

“And he arose and came to his father. But hen he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

Posted by Mike Benson

Set your mind to having a great week!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.”

~Mark 10:43 MSG~

Caring Bridge

Baptist Press

November 13, 2009

VIRGINIA–In Ethiopia, uncovering the truth. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31686

LOUISIANA–Great Commission resurgence requires radical change, Rankin says. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31687

WASHINGTON–Calif. reverses on non-embryonic research. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31688

WASHINGTON–Attorney: ENDA would ‘burden’ religious groups. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31689

WASHINGTON–Down diagnoses in unborn up, births down. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31690

GEORGIA–‘Fireproof’ makers to announce next movie. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31691

COLORADO–Colo. Baptists mark 54th meeting. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31692

GEORGIA–Ga. Baptists minister in the rain. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31693

SOUTH CAROLINA–S.C. Baptists address legislative issues. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31694

MISSOURI–Anglo-Hispanic ties grow in Mexico (Mo.). http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31695

TENNESSEE–INTERNATIONAL DIGEST: Christians concerned over Orissa acquittal rate. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31696

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): If he talks & behaves like a terrorist … http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31697

KOMpray

40 Days and 40 Nights

Can you imagine??? Some missionary kids in Africa get to go to a bush camp, visit a crocodile farm, eat foreign foods! Missionary families working with Sub-Saharan African people groups can go to a special training called 40/40. For 40 days and 40 nights, they learn how to live in Africa and learn more about the culture there.

Missionaries are real people who sometimes get nervous about talking in the local language. Their 40/40 training helps them not be so nervous. It’s a little like you. When you first learned to read, it was kind of scary to stand in front of a class and read from a book. But now? You are an expert, aren’t you? …okay, maybe you need more practice… That’s just what the missionaries and their children need—practice. 40/40 helps them get that practice.

One missionary learned so well, he went into a village by himself and talked to the chief of the village. Then he sat in the yard with 23 people and told them about Jesus. He was SO excited!

Prayer Requests from Missionary Kids

Please pray for my friends because not all are Christians. Please pray for my family that they will be safe and please pray for me that I will know God more, (I am a Christian but I still need to learn and need God’s help). JESSE, age 13 (East Asian peoples)

Me and my family are going to the US for a year. And we won’t go back to the same country when we go back to the field. I am very, very, very sad. After we go to the USA for a year we are going to a different country. Got to go and thank you. Bye. PS. Please pray for my family. AY, age 8 (East Asian peoples)

Who’s missing? Whose mission?

You play a key role in teaching children about God’s love for children who live in Peru, Ghana, India or China, about the people He uses to show His love and about His commission to all who love Him to tell His story around the world. During 2009, we invite you to join us as we focus on “Who’s Missing? Whose Mission?” More than 1.5 billion people are still missing out on the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Do your children know they have an important role in helping to reach them?

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

RECENTLY MY WIFE and I sat in the backyard swing discussing how busy our lives had become…

Between activities at work, a full schedule with our church family, grandchildren and various other commitments, we determined that we hardly had time to even talk with one another. We continued with a discussion of the reasons for all that we were involved in when my wife said, “You know, one of the sweetest times I can remember was sitting in the carport, eating cheerios, watching the rain pour down, and talking to each other’s hearts.” She remembered how relaxed we were when I was recovering from heart-valve replacement and she was looking after me. Memories are the wallpaper of our hearts, and on those sheets we write the things that matter and affect us the most. I understood exactly what she was feeling, because I felt it too.

How much joy do we miss because we have allowed the world to dictate what we do with our time, and because we allow others to assign importance to the real treasure that makes up our lives–our time? We fill up every minute with things that “must” be done or else. More often than not, that “or else” amounts to virtually nothing. Our time is the most important commidity we have. We measure our very lives by time and write on our hearts the memories that matter. Those we help, those we love, those we pray for, those we share with, and those we serve are all written in the time record of our lives.

Perhaps the lesson is that no matter what we “must” make time for, we should never neglect to just eat cheerios and watch the rain. Don’t just use time…make it count. Ken Upchurch

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16

Reminders

Revival at Greenlaw Baptist Church led by Rev. Gibby McMillan
Revival at FBC, Kentwood led by Dr. Bill Richardson and Rev. Dennis Walker. Bring side dishes and desserts for dinner tomorrow.

Have a great day today as you prepare for the Lord’s Day tomorrow.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

We are to use our blessings to bless others.

“I will make you into a great nation.

I will bless you . . . and you will be a blessing to others.”

~Genesis 12:2 NLT~

Senior Adult Branson Trip

We arrived about 5:45 p.m., checked into motel and went to dinner. Tues. we see 12 Irish Tenors, go on Showboat Branson Belle for dinner and then to Baldknobbers show. Sounds like a full day.

Majel Dean

Pray for the LeBauve family as they make funeral arrangements for “Miss” Lois today.

Pray for Jean Carter DiMauro’s family as they also approach time for her funeral.

Caring Bridge Sites

Baptist Press

November 9, 2009

RUSSIA–Russia may restrict missionary activity. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31647

WASHINGTON–Pro-lifers win major victory in House. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31646

TEXAS–Chaplains at Fort Hood face wide-ranging needs. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31648

TEXAS–Fort Hood-area churches offer refuge. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31649

TEXAS–Gov. urges Fort Hood community to mutual support. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31650

VIRGINIA–FIRST-PERSON (Mark Edworthy): The wall became a door. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31651

ILLINOIS–FIRST-PERSON (Mark Coppenger): One down. One to go. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31652

MISSOURI–BERLIN WALL RETROSPECTIVE (R. Philip Roberts): True freedom. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31653

VIRGINIA–Liberty students swing election, get lesson in democracy. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31654

FLORIDA–Fla. Baptists to brave Ida winds & rain. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31655

Mature

TOP TEN SIGNS YOU’RE GROWING MORE “MATURE”

10. Your teeth spend the night in a jar.

9. You have an executive “lift” chair.

8. It takes you longer to go to sleep than it did to get tired.

7. You and the pharmacist are on a first-name basis.

6. It takes you twice as long to look half as nice.

5. The pressing question of your life is, “Where did I park the car?”

4. You get winded playing Bible Trivia.

3. You know all of the answers, but nobody asks you the questions.

2. You walk with your head held high…to see through your bifocals.

1. Shuffleboard doesn’t sound too bad.

“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.” Proverbs 16:31

Posted by Mike Benson

Pray for our senior adults as they have fun and are walking, talking testimories to others as they spend the week in Branson.

Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee

Monday

Three requests from Susie Sharkey

Please be in prayer for Wanzie Williams. She had to go to the ER yesterday. She said they told her that her blood pressure was high and treated her for inter-ear. She is still going on the senior trip anyway.

Please be in prayer for Roy Frazier. He is in MD Anderson and is having congestive heart problems. Roy is Julee Sharkey Frazier husband.

Also my daughter-in-law (Heather Sharkey) wanted me to put Buddy Colton on the prayer list. He also is going to MD with cancer.

Pray for the senior adults as they begin traveling at 6:30 this morning.

Stay alert to the Hurricane Ida updates. Pray for those in the path of the storm. Make early preparations in case we are affected.

Captain Kirk S. Varnado
(January 18, 1940 – November 8, 2009)

Captain Kirk S. Varnado was born January 18, 1940 and passed away at 1:18 A.M., Sunday November 8, 2009 at his residence in Amite. Kirk was 69 years young and a native of Independence.

Captain Kirk was a retired supply boat captain with over 30 years of service. After retireing his passion was riding his motorcycle.

Captain Kirk is survived by his 2 daughters,Krystal Varnado, Amite, and Deborah Varnado, New Smyrna Beach, FL.; 1 son, Billy Shane Cooley, Sandusky, Ohio; 6 grandchildren, Raven Cannon, River Hayden, Riley Hayden, Emily Cooley Taylor Cooley, and Justin Cooley; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Iley and Alva Antonio Varnado; previous wives, Deborah P. Varnado and Delores H. Varnado; 1 sister, Virginia Golman; 5 brothers, Edgar Iley Varnado,Donald Earl Varnado, Henry Norton Varnado, Charles Bernard Varnado, and

Visitation will be at McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 12 Noon until Religious Services in the Funeral Home Chapel at 4:00 P.M. with Rev. Larry Blades officiating. Cremation to follow conclusion of services.

In lieu of flowers the family request plants or pick-up cards for later use.

An on-line Guestbook and to view a video tribute is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N and Hwy. 16 West behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Bond Eye Clinic.

Repentance

WHEN BABIES ARE born prematurely, one of the most common critical problems is with their underdeveloped lungs…

In September 1996, the New England Journal of Medicine reported the results of a pilot study that offered hopeful treatment. The treatment is surprising. In the study, doctors filled the lungs of critically ill premature babies with liquid — an oxygen-rich liquid. Through this liquid the babies actually “breathe.”

Normally, when fluid fills the lungs, people drown. But this special oxygen-filled fluid actually saves lives.

In a similar way,

there is a sorrow that kills

and another sort of sorrow that brings life.

Sorrow because there are consequences for my sin

drowns my spirit and brings death;

godly sorrow that produces repentance brings life.

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation,

not to be regretted;

but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

2 Cor. 7:10

Posted by Mike Benson at October 31, 2008

Thanks for praying today. Your prayers mean so much to so many.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone . . .

If you fall, your friend can help you up.

But if you fall without having a friend nearby,

you are really in trouble”

~Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 CEV~

Missions Rally

FBC, Kentwood

Tonight at 6:30

Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Rankin

Dr. Rankin leads the International Mission Board.

His extended family has served for many years as missionaries

and continues to do.

This will be once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Continue to pray for Mrs. Faye Price. She’s still at North Oaks. Pray for her family as they continue to stick by her day-by-day. It has now been eleven months since “Miss” Faye had heart surgery.

Thank God that Jim Slaven’s heart is not damaged from the problems he had Staurday.

Pray for the many people with viruses and different forms of the flu. Pray they will recover completely without spreading what they have.

Continue to pray for David Allen and his family.

There have been several updates for some of the children we have been praying for. You may need to read the journal section of the links below. Caring Bridge sites:

Ruth Konzleman sent word this morning that Dennis Konzleman just passed away. Arrangements will be posted when they become available. Your prayers for the family will be appreciated.

I think I may have shared this devotional before, but as I think of long-term illnesses like some I have mentioned today I realize we may need this reminder. I hope some of you can relate to this or share the message with someone else who is weary and needs encouragement.

Weary

THE WORST DEFEAT in a college football game came on October 7, 1916, when Georgia Tech played Cumberland College of Tennessee…

The final score was 222 to 0. The much smaller Cumberland players were mauled.

Cumberland had discontinued its football program before the season, but was not permitted to cancel its game against the Engineers. The fact that Cumberland’s baseball team had crushed Georgia Tech earlier that year 22-0 (amidst allegations that Cumberland used professional players) probably accounted for Georgia Tech coach John Heisman’s running up the score on the bulldogs.

Cumberland received the opening kickoff and failed to make a first down. After a punt, the Engineers scored on their first play. Cumberland then fumbled on their next play from scrimmage, and a Tech player returned it for another touchdown. The Bulldogs fumbled again the next time they had the ball, and Tech took two plays to score its third touchdown. Cumberland lost nine yard on its next possession, then gave up a fourth touchdown two plays later.

The Engineerss led 63-0 after the first quarter and 126-0 at halftime. Tech added 54 more points in the third quarter and 42 in the final period. Cumberland’s longest play during the game was a 10-yard pass (on 4th and 22). Tech scored on every one of its drives.

Sometimes our situation seems hopeless. We’ve dropped the ball and we don’t feel like picking it up again and running with it. We’ve been knocked down time and time again, and we just want to quit the game. But what we feel like doing and what we should do are two different things.

“Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest

if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9 NIV

Posted by Mike Benson

Have a fantastic day. Be sure to schedule in 6:30 for the Missions Rally!

Anna Lee

Monday

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles,

some prophets,

some evangelists,

and some pastors and teachers,

for the equipping of the saints.”

~Ephesians 4:11-12a, NKJV~

Mrs. Faye Price continues to be at North Oaks. Please keep her in your prayers.

Tomorrow night at 6:30, Dr. Jerry Rankin will be the speaker at FBC, Kentwood. Dr. Rankin has served as a missionary for many years and is now president of the International Mission Board. You are invited and encouraged to attend.

Panic

THERE WERE SOME anxious moments at our house as my daughter and I prepared for our mission trip…

Late in the packing process we discovered that my passport that had been set out earlier, was not a current passport! That current passport was not where we expected it to be.

For about an hour, we gave the term ransack new meaning. God answered our fervent prayers and we found the all-important document.

Those who travel understand the seriousness of misplacing a passport. This document shows you are a citizen of the United States and have been cleared for travel to other countries. Without it I would have been denied admission to Peru. Actually, I wouldn’t have been allowed onto the plane headed for Peru. I would have been left behind.

As I reflect upon that nerve-wracking episode, I think of a more vital appointment. Jesus spoke about it in Matthew 25:31,32:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and
all the holy angels with Him, then He will
sit on the throne of His glory. All the
nations will be gathered before Him, and He
will separate them one from another, as a
shepherd divides his sheep from the goats”
(NKJV).

Following the pronouncement of judgment, only two destinations will await those who have been sentenced. Of the two, heaven and hell, all know the destination to which they want to go.

Earlier in that chapter (verses 1-13), Jesus spoke the parable of the wise and foolish maidens. Ten young women anxiously awaited the arrival of the bridegroom. The wait was longer than expected and five of them found that their supply of oil for their lamps was not sufficient. While they were away buying oil, the bridegroom came and the door was shut. The five foolish maidens were barred from the celebration they had dreamed about. They should have made better preparation.

There will be those at the Day of Judgment who will experience panic far worse than I recently felt. They will assume they’re ready for the coming of Jesus — but they won’t be. For them there will be no second chance. The sound of heaven’s door closing will be heard, and it will prompt “weeping and gnashing of teeth” ( Matthew 25:30). As you read this, realize one thing: You have this opportunity to make preparations for the coming of the Lord. You may not have another opportunity. We urge you out of genuine Christian love to prepare your soul for the certain arrival of Jesus Christ! Tim Hall at http://forthright.net

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them.” Matthew 25:1-3

Posted by Mike Benson

A great week awaits us. Let’s get going!

Anna Lee