Monday

“Put off your old self,

which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

and … put on the new self,

created to be like God in true righteousness

and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22b-24 NIV

Carl Wayne Stevens is home!  Nora has good help with Julee there for a few days.  Keep praying.

Martha Griffith keeps losing weight.  Pray for her as more tests were done when she was hospitalized Wednesday through Friday.  Pray the test results lead to something that is helpful to her.

Dickie Meeks, a former football coach at OFA, has had a long, successful career.  Now, he is number one of the transplant list for a heart transplant in Texas.  Please pray for him.

 

John Wheat – I did not find an obituary for John Wheat, but will check again later.

 

Scripture Reading for Today – Genesis 29-31 and Psalm 9

 

Baptist Pressbpnews.net

Louisiana Baptist Message baptistmessage.com

Thom S. Rainerthomrainer.com

Waylon Baileywaylonbailey.com

Ponder Anew – http://www.patheos.com/

Treasures in Heaven

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moths and vermin destroy,

and where thieves break in and steal.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where moths and vermin do not destroy,

and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is,

there your heart will be also.

~ Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)~

“Mansion Just Over the Hilltop”

Do you have a mansion ready for you in heaven?

Anna Lee

Sunday

I will give them an undivided heart

and put a new spirit in them;

I will remove from them their heart of stone

and give them a heart of flesh.

~Ezekiel 11:19~

 

Please continue to pray for my high school classmate, Sandy Wilcox Toney.  She is still in St. Tammany.  More tests will be done tomorrow to help identify why Sandy continues to lose weight.

Mrs. Inez Randall is still in St. Tammany Hospital. Let’s pray they find a way to help her and get her back to Amite.

Please pray for John Wheat.  She has several connections to Kentwood.  Pray for the Wheat family as they deal with his newly-diagnosed cancer and their lack of a home due to the August floods.

Sammy Broyles is back at North Oaks.  Pray for him and his family as his health is not as good as it once was.

A request I’m passing on from the Frazier family.

Please add Fred Martin to your prayer list, he was hospitalized in Texas tonight with pneumonia and fluid on his lungs.

Please pray for families who are struggling with the cold temperatures.  May they make if safely through this last really cold night of this weather front.

Pray for those who have to be on the highways to early this morning before the temperatures rise above freezing and the ice melts malts.

 

Scripture Reading –  Genesis 25 – 28 and Psalm 8

 

Thom S. Rainerthomrainer.org

Waylon Baileywaylonbailey.org

 

Seek good, not evil, that you may live.

Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.

Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts.

Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.

~ Amos 5:14-15 (NIV)~

“Be Ye Doers of the Word”

Let your actions reflect your words this week.

Anna Lee

Saturday

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8~

 

Rusty Stevens said his dad, Carl Wayne, is doing “great”!  Thank you for your continued prayers for the Stevens family.

Ready for more good news?  Doctors in Memphis were able to make an adjustment in Gail Smith‘s port without having to put in a new one.  Thanking God for that and praying for Gail as the port will soon be put into use.

My high school friend, Sandy Toney, is hospitalized at St. Tammany.  Sandy has been sick and losing weight for many months.  Please pray with me that they will soon have her on the mend.

 

Bible Reading Plan – Genesis 22-24 and Psalm 7

 

Baptist Pressbpnews.net

 

Follow God’s example, therefore,

as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love,

just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us

as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

~ Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)~

Here we are on love again.  Is there any doubt about how important love is?

“Love is the Theme”

Bible Study – I’m went to town yesterday wondering if anyone else would show up for Bible study.  Six ladies attended despite the cold temperatures and the light rain.  God teaches us lessons we need to learn.  Don’t doubt Him or those who want to learn about His Word!

Lottie Moon Missions March – We will show our support for missions, especially the Lottie Moon emphasis for international missions, on the last Sunday of January.  That will be a good day to give to the offering or to give again.  If you notice the Christmas tree by the organ. you will notice more ornaments on the tree.  Each one represents $500.00 toward our goal.  Let’s get our tree decorated all the way to the top!  Whether we give that day or not, we’ll all be able to walk around the church to say we support missions.

Stay warm.  If you have a problem, ask for help!  There are people who will be glad to assist you!

Anna Lee

Friday

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

 They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

 

“Great is Thy Faithfulness”

 

I checked on Carl Wayne Stevens.  One of his daughters-in-law said he is doing better than expected.  Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Mrs. Inez Randall was admitted to St. Tammany last night.  As you pray for her, pray for her family as they travel back and forth to Covington.

 

The weather will be unusually cold here the next few days.  Pray people have made/will make the necessary preparations and use good judgment as the days of extreme cold visit with us.  One of my concerns is for those whose homes are not well insulated and for those who are/become sick during this time.

 

Baptist Pressbpnews.net

 

Scripture Reading – Genesis 19-21 and Psalm 6

 

If you have a weather related problem, please feel free to call someone for help.  If you think your neighbor might have a problem, check with them and help as needed.

Anna Lee

 

 

Thursday

Wash and make yourselves clean.

Take your evil deeds out of my sight;

stop doing wrong.

Learn to do right;

seek justice.

Defend the oppressed.

Take up the cause of the fatherless;

plead the case of the widow.

 ~Isaiah 1:16-17 (NIV)~

 

 

Margaret Oliver is  doing well.  Please continue to pray for her improvement.

Carl Wayne Stevens was moved from ICU to a step-down unit.  Pray for him as he continues to recovery from heart valve surgery.

Jeana Lee-Newton was taken to wound care and from there to Ochsner in New Orleans.  She is being treated for infection and pneumonia.  Please pray for Jeana and her family.

Leon Givens, Jr.

April 19, 1937 – January 02, 2017

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public%3Aobituaries.view&o_id=4058342&fh_id=10545

Bonnie Crawford
(July 30, 1931 – January 4, 2017)

http://www.jonesfamilyfuneralservices.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=4058336&fh_id=12269

 

 

What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

~Matthew 7:9-11 HCSB~

“Give of Your Best to the Master”

 

Friday Morning Bible Study – According to the weather reports, I think we will be able to have our Bible study Friday morning before the bad weather gets here.  See you at 10:00.

 

Baptist Pressbpnews.net

Louisiana Baptist Messagebaptistmessage.com

 

Bible Reading Plan for 2017Genesis 16-18 and Psalm 5

 

Looking ahead, there will be an associational WMU meeting at East Fork Baptist Church on Monday, January 16th at 10 A.M.  We will honor WMU members who moved to heaven during 2016.  Our meeting will be followed by a covered dish meal.

 

Last night in missions class, the children talked about  how to be a blessing to others.  That’s something for all of us to ponder today.

Anna Lee

 

 

Wednesday

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,

but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

~Mark 16:16, HCSB~

 

Monday, I shared with you about John Wheat, Ora Lee Wilson’s brother.  This will give you a little more information.

http://www.wafb.com/story/34175470/wife-racing-against-time-to-get-flooded-home-fixed-for-husband-diagnosed-with-cancer

Please continue to pray for Carl Wayne Stevens and his family.

 

“Yours, LORD, is the greatness

and the power

and the glory

and the splendor

and the majesty,

for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to You.

Yours, LORD, is the kingdom,

and You are exalted as head over all.”

~1 Chronicles 29:11 HCSB~

“What if it were Today?”

 

Daily Bible Reading

 

FBC, Kentwood – All groups will meet in the sanctuary at 6 P.M. beginning tonight and continue for each Wednesday and each Sunday.

 

Baptist Pressbpnews.net

 

God provides opportunities daily.  What we do with the opportunities is up to us.

Anna Lee

 

Tuesday

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth.

The former things will not be remembered,

nor will they come to mind.

~Isaiah 65:17~

 

I know we are all thankful the storm damage was not any worse yesterday.  Did we take time to thank God?

Robert Callihan has had some panic issues since his surgery.  Let’s pray for him.

Jerry Lindsay is home from the hospital where he had back surgery.   Pray for a good recovery.

 

Bible Reading for Tuesday – Genesis 8-11 + Psalm 3

Baptist Pressbpnews.net

 

Thom S. Rainerthomrainer.com – “Ten Major Trends for Churches in 2017” and other thoughts

Waylon Baileywaylonbailey.com

 

“Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes” 

Ephesians 4:23 NLT, 2nd ed.

“Holy Spirit, Breathe on Me”

 

Today is a good day to put on work clothes and help a neighbor, a friend, or even a stranger.

Anna Lee

Monday

“Throw off your old sinful nature

and your former way of life,

which is corrupted by lust and deception.”

~(Ephesians 4:22 NLT, 2nd ed.)~

 

 

Ora Lee Wilson’s brother, John Wheat, was just diagnosed with brain cancer which has already spread throughout his body.  He is at OLOL in Baton Rouge.  As you pray for him, pray for his wife and other family members.

Kenneth Birch continues to realize the last surgery was helpful.  He was able to go to church yesterday.  Thank God for the improvement Kenneth has received.

 

Bible Reading Plan 

1/2/17 – Genesis 4-7 & Psalm 2

Baptist Pressbpnews.net

 

“God be gracious to us and bless us,

And cause His face to shine upon us,

That Your way may be known on the earth,

Your salvation among all nations.”

~Psalm 67:1-2, ESV~

“Take the Name of Jesus with You”

 

There will be a change at church Wednesday.  We will ALL meet in the sanctuary at 6 P.M. for the first fifteen minutes before going to our individual meeting locations.

Anna Lee

Sunday, 1-1-17

And we know that in all things

God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

~Romans 8:28~

 

Keep Mrs. Margaret Oliver in your prayers as she recovers from Friday’s surgery.

Pray for Carl Wayne Stevens and his family as he prepares for a heart valve replacement Tuesday.

 

Wayne Bailey, Pastor of FBC, Covingtonhttp://waylonbailey.com/2016/12/31/happy-new-year/

Thom S. Rainey, CEO and President of Lifewaythomrainey.com

 

Join the Bible ProjectJointheBibleProject.com – Sign up to get a daily email about reading the Bible and watching some videos.  You can also pick up a copy of the Bible reading plan for one year on card stock, so it will hold up to daily use for one year.  These are available at FBC, Kentwood.

Today – Genesis 1-3, Psalm 1, and Video, Genesis 1-11 

https://thebibleproject.com/product/genesis-1-11-video/

I think you will love the animated cartoon story of these eleven chapters as you see the drawings appear before your eyes!  It is an amazing video.

Today is a good day to mark some dates on your calendar.

  • Associational WMU, Memorial Service – Jan. 16th at East Fork at 10 A.M.
  • Third Thursdays – We meet every month at 6:30 at the cabin.

 

“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body” (Ephesians 4:21-25 NLT, second edition)

“Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go”

 

Take the challenge, “Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go”, in 2017.  You can also include whatever He says , I’ll do.

Anna Lee

 

 

Saturday

Great peace have those who love your law,

and nothing can make them stumble.

 

I did not hear a report following Margaret Oliver’s surgery yesterday.  Let’s pray she is doing well and will continue to do so.

 

Scripture Writing – Write the verse/verses of your choice today.

(Tomorrow we will begin a new plan for daily Bible readings.)

 

Baptist Press bpnews.net

 

    “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

~Psalm 23:6b~

“Surely Goodness and Mercy”

 

Do something out of your usual daily pattern of life today.

Anna Lee