Operation Christmas Child – Page 71

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Luke 2 New International Version (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ²(This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 2014

“Training Takes Travel and Time” – http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/lmcoatworkview.asp?PageNavID=111&StoryID=13342&LanguageID=1709#.VJuh-MAAs

Boyd and Jennie Hatchel, missionaries supported through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, will share during the 10:30 service Sunday morning at FBC, Kentwood. You are invited to join us in worship.

SBC Disaster Relief – If you are on Facebook, you may want to “friend” this group to receive updates on work in Mississippi following the tornado this week and other projects they are working on.

Recovery from the Amite Tornado – A number of groups and many individuals are helping friends, relatives, and complete strangers put their lives back together in Amite. What a Christmas blessing they are to those who had so much damage.

Samaritan’s Purse – I watched Rev. Franklin Graham on the Fox News Christmas Special last night. This link takes you to that and to other stories you may be interested in.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

“The Smells of the Stable” – http://odb.org/2014/12/25/the-smells-of-the-stable/
They shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.” ~Matthew 1:23~
“Silent Night, Holy Night” – http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/i/silntnit.htm

Last night, Christmas Eve, David and I were privileged to attend a Christmas Eve service at Pine Ridge United Methodist Church. Bro. Kevin Smith read Scriptures from Luke 2. The familiar carols were beautiful. Communion was special. We held candles as we sang “Silent Night”. What a wonderful service with a packed sanctuary.

Bro. Kevin’s message, “An Announcement from a Stable”, contained these three main thoughts.

God humbled himself to be like us.
Christmas is a time for family.
Christmas is for everyone.

Carry those thoughts with you throughout this day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

But when the time had fully come,

God sent his Son,

born of a woman,

born under law,

to redeem those under law,

that we might receive the full rights of sons.

~Galatians 4: 4-5, NIV~

“For God loved the world in this way:

He gave His One and Only Son,

so that everyone who believes in Him

will not perish but have eternal life.”

~John 3:16, HCSB~

Christmas Eve Services

Pine Ridge United Methodist Church – 5:00 Wednesday afternoon
Hillsdale Baptist Church – 6:30 P.M.

Christmas Service

Spring Creek Baptist Church – 6:00 Thursday in new church facilities

What a blessing!

An electrical fire at Tangipahoa United Methodist Church did no structural damage. The Tangipahoa Church will meet with the Pine Ridge Church Sunday.

What an opportunity!

Many area church collected shoeboxes of gifts for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) and are now collecting funds, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO), to support missionaries and their work. Missionaries Boyd and Jennie Hatchel will be sharing at FBC, Kentwood at 10:30 on Sunday, December 28th. They and their ministry, including giving out the OCC shoeboxes, are supported through the LMCO. You are invited to join us for the service.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

“Because You Gave” – a photo essay –http://www.commissionstories.com/asia/interactives/view/because-you-give-chalkboard-gives-insight-to-imbs-work

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

“Remember the Wrapping” – http://odb.org/2014/12/22/remember-the-wrapping/
[Jesus] made Himself of no reputation . . . coming in the likeness of men. ~Philippians 2:7~
“Away in a Manger” – http://www.carols.org.uk/away_in_a_manger.htm

But when the time had fully come,

God sent his Son,

born of a woman,

born under law,

to redeem those under law,

that we might receive the full rights of sons.

~Galatians 4: 4-5, NIV~

“For God loved the world in this way:

He gave His One and Only Son,

so that everyone who believes in Him

will not perish but have eternal life.”

~John 3:16, HCSB~

Anna Lee

Thursday

In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God;

we trusted in him, and he saved us.

This is the LORD, we trusted in him;

let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

~Isaiah 25:9~

Mrs. Alice Faye Lee fell Tuesday night and broke her shoulder. She saw a specialist in Baton Rouge yesterday. Pray for her as she heals.

Clinton H. “Bud” Callihan, Sr.

Born: May 19, 1929
Died: December 16, 2014

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=2865611&fh_id=10545

Shared by my friend, Carol Bennett Sealey, who worked processing “shoeboxes” in Atlanta last week:

Just learned that yesterday the Atlanta Processing Center finished processing 1,445,117 boxes for 2014. Wow!!! That’s a lot of souls that will be touched and witnessed to. I am so excited that I was able to be a part of a group from our church that went and participated in this awesome event.

Spring Creek Baptist Church Drama Team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEoX9X46W0k&sns=fb

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

“The Best of Gifts” – http://odb.org/2009/12/01/the-best-of-gifts/
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! ~2 Corinthians 9:15~
“Away in a Manger” – http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh217.sht

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Sunday, at FBC, Kentwood, we will have a missions march to show support for missionaries. Gifts can be received at that time or later.
Quotes from Lottie’s time in China
- “What we need in China is more workers. The harvest is very great, the laborers, oh! So few. Why does the Southern Baptist church lag behind in this great work?”
  Nov. 1, 1873, Tungchow
- “How many there are … who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God.”
  
  Sept. 15, 1887, Tungchow
- “Why should we not … instead of the paltry offerings we make, do something that will prove that we are really in earnest in claiming to be followers of him who, though he was rich, for our sake became poor?”
  Sept. 15, 1887, Tungchow

Third Thursday (TONIGHT) – Tonight at 6:30 at the Alford cabin

Friday Morning Bible Study

Tomorrow at 10:00
Studying Lois and Eunice
Acts 16:1-3 & 2 Timothy 1:1-8

Pregnancy Testing, Questions Answered, Information Shared

Friday (9:00-4:00)
The vehicle will be parked at Hope Center on Highway 51 in Roseland.

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Share the spirit of Christmas and the true reason for Christmas with someone today.

Anna Lee

Thursday

The true light that gives light to every man

was coming into the world.

He was in the world,

and though the world was made through him,

the world did not recognize him.

~John 1:9-10 (NIV)~

Mr. Bobby Lawson is in North Oaks again. Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Mrs. Fay Shoemaker is in rehab and doing well. Keep her in your prayers.

Please continue to pray for Mr. Frankie Gehringer. His medication is being adjusted to help him feel better.

Sherman Cutrer seems to go from one issue to another. He is at Kentwood Rehab. Pray for him to have some better days soon.

Please continue to pray for Randy Taylor. He’s been fighting a long, hard battle.

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Third Thursday at the Cabin – We will meet one week from tonight. I’m already looking forward to our sweet time together.

First Baptist Church, Kentwood will present the Christmas musical “Joy, Joy, Joy” Sunday evening at 6:00. Bro. Jonathan Statham will be directing the choir and orchestra this year. You are invited to attend. Pray for all those participating in the musical.

This week, the Friday morning Bible Study will focus on Mary, mother of Jesus. Our Scripture passages are Luke 1-2 and John 2:1-11. Please feel free to join us at 10:00 in the fellowship hall of FBC, Kentwood. Contact me if you have questions.

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

“Christingle” – http://odb.org/2013/12/25/christingle/
That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. ~John 1:9~ The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…. ~John 1:29~
“This Little Light of Mine” – http://www.negrospirituals.com/news-song/this_little_light_of_mine.htm

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – It takes $139/day to support a mission family and their work. If we meet our goal at FBC,K. we will be able to support a missionary unit for five months. I know it is early in the month, but it is interesting to know we have already collected money to cover 15 days. I’ve never considered our goal that way before.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering from the Perspective of the past of FBC, Lafayette –http://stevehorn.org/2014_12_08/a-new-perspective-on-the-lottie-moon-christmas-offering-for-global-missions/

I think you will find this very interesting.

I like that word “shatter” that was used. Let’s pray and give again this year with the purpose of supporting missionaries (and to “shatter” that goal to do so).

Anna Lee

Sunday

“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,

and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

~Psalm 34:18~

(Holidays are extra difficult for some people. Do something to help ease their pain.)

Bad weather will be in our area this morning. Make wise decisions.

Tresa Rhodus

Born: August 23, 1964
Died: November 22, 2014

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10545/id/2816425

New Zion Baptist Church will hold a Thanksgiving dinner this morning after morning worship.

Tonight, the Community Thanksgiving Service will take place at the Kentwood Methodist Church.

Today ends the collection process for OCC Shoeboxes. I’m thankful to hear the numbers in our area are good, but know we could always do better. Our goal for next year has been set. We hope to meet, and exceed, that new goal. I trust our other local churches, schools, and organizations plan to do the same. Blessings will abound!

Next Sunday, we will have the annual Lottie Moon Tea for our association in combination with Ladies’ Night. All girls and youth are invited to come with their mother, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers.

Devotional, Scripture, Quotes, and a Song

“Outlasting Bitterness” – http://odb
If anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ~Colossians 3:13~ Notice that next to last word. It’s not easy, but “must” leaves no room for doubt!
Hate hurts the hater more than the hated,

no matter how justified it may seem.

~Our Daily Bread~

When we forgive someone,

we look more like Jesus than at any other moment in our life.

~Our Daily Bread~

“The Love of God” – http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/The_Love_of_God/

Thankfulness: Day 23 – Today, I want to thank God for “timeless truths” (the site used above, but mainly the truths we have been taught which were taught to generations of families before us and will continue to be taught for generations of families until the Lord returns.

Hanging on to “timeless truths”! We can both share them and still keep them!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.”

~Matthew 28:19-20a, NASB~

Susan Rimes continues to improve. Let’s hope and pray with her that this surgery will enable her to live a healthier life.

Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

David and James took the 222 shoeboxes packed by our church to FBC, Franklinton Friday morning. They saw, at the one collection site, over 1,800 boxes that had already been collected and witnessed a very organized collection process. Thank-you to each one who helped in any way. Think of all the little children who will have an opportunity to “meet” Jesus because of the shoeboxes. God bess you for your efforts!

Christmas cards with stamps on the envelopes will be given to the prisoners in the parish jails through the associational Women’s Ministry.

Cards have been donated, but need stamps. Please place stamps, in multiples of ten in the jar on the table under the stairs to the balcony of FBC, Kentwood. The deadline for the stamps is November 30th. Thank-you for helping provide an opportunity for families to be reconnected at Christmas. Thank-you to those who have already donated stamps.

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Devotional, Scriptures, and a Song

“The Warmth of the Sun” – odb.org
“I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. My eye wastes away because of grief.” ~Psalm 6:6-7~

“The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.” ~Psalm 6:9~
“At Calvary”

https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/342

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vvMPD0iwGk

Thankfulness: Day 22 – Retirement

Today, as I reflect back over the last few years, I can truly say I am thankful to be retired. It’s not that I sit and rock all day though. It’s that I have the opportunity to do so many things I could not do while I was working. I think God that I had a job that allowed me to earn my retirement, health to be able to enjoy retirement, and all the opportunities these years have provided. God has richly blessed me.

Have a great weekend! Be a blessing to someone!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,

always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer,

because of your partnership in the gospel

from the first day until now.”

~Philippians 1:3-5, HCSB~

Thanks for praying each day.

Please pray for Susan Rimes as she has surgery at 2:40 this afternoon at North Oaks. She will be hospitalized overnight with plans to come home tomorrow.

Pray for Betty Simpson. She has pulled a muscle in her back. She home, but it just takes time to get over a problem like this. Pray for Betty during this time.

Reminder: Young at Heart at NZBC at 10:30 this morning. Enjoy Yvonne Curtis’ beautiful singing.

Thankfulness: Day 18 – Caregivers! If you have been ill or had a relative or friend who had a medical problem, you know they always have a primary caregiver, paid or unpaid, relative or no relation, part time or full time. The caregiver is often behind the scenes and not desiring of attention, but so essential to the health of someone else. I have known some wonderful caregivers. They work long hours and serve as needed to do more tasks than you can imagine. I thank God for caregivers who help other live a better quality life and more days than they would without the caregiver.

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Tuesday – Operation Christmas Child – Shoebox Collection Day #2

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

“Rooted Love” – http://odb.org/
Do not forget to do good and to share. ~Hebrews 13:16~
“Be Ye Doers of the Word”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8zbLfPjkos
- ****http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/m/c/k/mckinney_bb.htm

Stay warm! Spend part of this day praying and doing for others (physical, emotional, spiritual needs).

Anna Lee

Monday

“My heart’s desire and prayer to God

concerning them is for their salvation!”

~Romans 10:1, HCSB~

This is the greatest decision any person could ever make!

I’m so thankful to be able to report that Joe Easley was at Sunday School and church (NZBC) yesterday. He even was able to be in the choir. I know there were many people thanking God as for the progress Joe has made. Joe and his family were surely saying “Thank-you” the loudest!

Mallory is back in the burn unit in Richmond. We are so thankful the family is right where God placed them this year. What a blessing it is for her to receive such specialized treatment. She continues to take everything in stride. She’s a real inspiration!

This is the week for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox collections to be turned in. All those boxes will be on the way for little children soon. I thank God for knowing each box is an opportunity to introduce a child to Jesus. Pray with me that many of the children will be saved because of the boxes packed in many churches, schools, etc.

I have two announcements to share.

Young at Heart will be at 10:30 Tuesday at New Zion Baptist Church. Mrs. Yvonne Curtis will be the guest musician. Young at Heart is for the senior adults in this area. You will be welcomed and blessed by being there.
David and I invite you to our cabin for the Third Thursday gathering this week at 6:30. Young and old are invited to join us.

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

“Defeated Adversary” – odb.org
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ~1 Peter 5:8~
“Day by Day” – http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/d/a/daybyday.htm

(This great hymn was written over a hundred years ago. It is still so meaningful to us because God doesn’t change. He is just as faithful to us today as he was to those who lived when the hymn was first written, played, and sung. We are all so much better because of God’s faithfulness to us!)

May you be a witness of God’s faithfulness this week. May you see Him all around you.

Anna Lee

Friday

“All humanity will come to You,

the One who hears prayer.”

~Psalm 65:2, HCSB~

Thankfulness – Day 14: Warm home on a cold night!

I have good reports/updates we have been looking forward to hearing.

Don Dickinson was scheduled to come home yesterday.
Chris Wales is scheduled to come home today.
Susan Rimes’ thyroid surgery is still scheduled for the 18th as previously planned.

Karen Miller is in Alabama with her mom. Pray for them as they check on Mrs. Rigby‘s current situation with treatment.

Reminder – Next week is the time for churches to turn in their “shoeboxes” so they can be shipped to needy children around the world. Remember, the boxes take “Jesus” along with the gifts.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations/

The closest location to us is FBC, Franklinton.

First Baptist Church Hours
950 Self Street – Franklinton, LA 70438

Mon: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Tues: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Wed: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Thurs: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Fri: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Sat: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sun: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Mon: 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Gay marriage, ‘faith’ spur judges to resign

At least six magistrates in North Carolina have resigned after receiving a memo from the state’s Administrative Office of the Courts threatening criminal prosecution if they refused to perform gay wedding ceremonies.

Housing allowance survives at appeals court

A federal appeals court overturned Thursday (Nov. 13) a decision striking down the 60-year-old ministerial housing allowance, and Southern Baptist leaders applauded the ruling.

Ellis first black pres. of Tenn. convention

The election of Michael Ellis as the first African American president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention is a “long-overdue historic thing,” nominator tells annual meeting. “Race doesn’t matter,” Ellis said after his unanimous election. “That’s what I love about our convention.”

No church too small for global missions, pastor says

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Pastor encourages churches of all sizes to keep banding together to extend missions reach.

Fla. & Cuban Baptists thank John Sullivan

Florida & Cuban Baptists show their thanks to John Sullivan, who retires as the state convention’s executive director in February. The convention, at its annual meeting, also adopted a budget that continues toward a 50-50 allocation of churches’ Cooperative Program gifts with Southern Baptist Convention missions and ministries.

(Bro. John has played an important part in the lives of my Texas relatives. I cherish the memories of hearing him preach and staying in his home after a hurricane caused the Tollesons to abandon their home until services could be repaired in their area. Momma and I drove to Texas to pick up my aunt and three cousins. Thankfully, they survived a close call when their new church gave in during the second half of the storm. They had moved from the new building to the old building during the eye of the hurricane. God protected all those who found refuge at the church that night. Bro. John and Uncle Charles served together on staff of two churches in Texas.)

Ky. Baptists urged to ‘Tell Your Story’

Kentucky Baptist leaders share their salvation testimonies at annual meeting; convention parts company with one of its universities and severs ties with a Louisville congregation over its stance on homosexuality.

Arkansas Baptists: ‘Every One Matters’

An estimated 1,000-plus Arkansas Baptist messengers and guests converged on Trinity Baptist Church in Texarkana Oct. 27-29 to conduct business, worship and hear inspiring sermons and entity reports during the 161st annual meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, Pastors’ Conference and related meetings.

Bible Study: November 16, 2014

First-Person
Erich Bridges
WORLDVIEW: The rise & fall of walls

Bob Phillips
MORMONISM: Joseph Smith & polygamy — a teachable moment

Catherine Parks
FIRST-PERSON: The wedding & the marriage

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

“Heartbreak and Hope” – http://odb.org/
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him. ~Lamentations 3:25~
“….My anchor holds and grips the solid rock.” – “In Times Like These” – http://www.namethathymn.com/christian-hymns/in-times-like-these-lyrics.html
- Be sure to read the story of this hymn – who wrote it, who sang it, etc.

As the weather turns to winter, be sure to think about and do something to help someone else who might not be blessed with a warm home, sufficient clothing, sufficient heat, etc.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

But love your enemies,

do good,

and lend,

hoping for nothing in return;

and your reward will be great.”

~Luke 6:35a, NKJV~

Thankfulness – Day 5: I’m thankful I was raised in a home with both parents who taught me about God and a good value system. We weren’t rich, but my family worked to provide the things they thought were most important.

Chris Wales

11:25 PM
Chris finally got to his room. He’s very sensitive to anesthesia and isn’t awake still. The surgery was successful and he did great! All the glory goes to God! I wanted to thank everyone for their faithful prayers. They were answered! God blessed our lives through you. Forever grateful,
Kathy

Mr. Bobby Lawson

Mr. Bobby is home from the V.A. hospital. They have determined he had a pneumonia problem and added some medication.

Johnny “Lil Man” Santangelo

Results of the MRI were not available yesterday afternoon. Pray they are available this morning before a couple of appointments Johnny and Meagan have scheduled. Pray that the MRI shows progress with the treatment he has received.

Susan Rimes – Pray for Susan and the surgeon she will meet with tomorrow to discuss plans for thyroid surgery.

Operation Christmas Child

World War II vet Reggie Peterson loves packing shoeboxes! This year, he packed his 14,000th gift for a child in need!
“NE New Mexico full time volunteer Barbara J. Merhege has a heart for children all over the planet! Barbara makes … cute teddy bears and crochets scarves every year in upwards of 200 plus each yearly! Can you picture the joy of the faces of those children?! Thank God for our dedicated volunteers!” – Dana R. — with Miosotis de la Rosa.
“This year I explained Operation Christmas Child to my four year old, Jude. Whenever he heard about the kids in need, his heart immediately went out to them. He decided to sell his own toys and bake cookies to raise enough money to fill 10 shoe boxes. After a successful yard/bake sale, and many donations from family, friends and community members, he reached his goal! He and his sister, Leila, are so excited to send these gifts to different kids around the world and to share Jesus with them! You can make a difference to someone, no matter what your age!” – John and Elizabeth H.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) partnered with Operation Christmas Child to bring joy to children around the world!…
“A few years ago, I prayed for a way for any abilities I have to be used to help others. I was led to crochet for OCC shoeboxes, and since then, I’ve teamed up with a church in my community that furnishes the yarn and I make hats, headbands, purses and barrettes for their shoeboxes. I just learned that this small, but dedicated, congregation has packed 2089 boxes for this year’s distribution! They also send a team of volunteers to a distribution center every year to help get boxes ready to ship. Way to go, First Baptist Church, Nash, TX!… Big Texas hugs to everyone who works so hard and so from the heart for this wonderful ministry!” – Kate M.
“Sean has been packing shoeboxes with his church for the past 8 years and this year chose Operation Christmas Child for his Eagle Scout Project. He raised funds to pack and ship 100 boxes.” – Angela F.
If you have not packed some shoeboxes, it is not too late. Don’t miss this great opportunity to be blessed while blessing needy children.

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Devotional, Scriptures, and a Song

“Less than the Least” – http://odb.org/?tz=-06
I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant. ~Genesis 32:10~

God, be merciful to me a sinner! ~Luke 18:13~

“The is a Fountain Filled with Blood” –http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/f/tfountfb.htm

Be sure to read the story of William Cowper’s attempts to take his life. None of them worked because God had a greater plan – for Cowper to write hymn lyrics!

The Birth of Jesus

They shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.” ~Matthew 1:23~

But when the time had fully come,

God sent his Son,

born of a woman,

born under law,

to redeem those under law,

that we might receive the full rights of sons.

~Galatians 4: 4-5, NIV~

“For God loved the world in this way:

He gave His One and Only Son,

so that everyone who believes in Him

will not perish but have eternal life.”

~John 3:16, HCSB~

[Jesus] made Himself of no reputation . . . coming in the likeness of men. ~Philippians 2:7~

In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God;

we trusted in him, and he saved us.

This is the LORD, we trusted in him;

let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

~Isaiah 25:9~

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! ~2 Corinthians 9:15~

The true light that gives light to every man

was coming into the world.

He was in the world,

and though the world was made through him,

the world did not recognize him.

~John 1:9-10 (NIV)~

That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. ~John 1:9~ The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…. ~John 1:29~

“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,

and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

~Psalm 34:18~

If anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ~Colossians 3:13~ Notice that next to last word. It’s not easy, but “must” leaves no room for doubt!

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.”

~Matthew 28:19-20a, NASB~

“I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. My eye wastes away because of grief.” ~Psalm 6:6-7~

“The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.” ~Psalm 6:9~

“At Calvary”

“I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,

always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer,

because of your partnership in the gospel

from the first day until now.”

~Philippians 1:3-5, HCSB~

Do not forget to do good and to share. ~Hebrews 13:16~

Stay warm! Spend part of this day praying and doing for others (physical, emotional, spiritual needs).

Anna Lee

“My heart’s desire and prayer to God

concerning them is for their salvation!”

~Romans 10:1, HCSB~

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ~1 Peter 5:8~

“All humanity will come to You,

the One who hears prayer.”

~Psalm 65:2, HCSB~

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him. ~Lamentations 3:25~

But love your enemies,

do good,

and lend,

hoping for nothing in return;

and your reward will be great.”

~Luke 6:35a, NKJV~

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant. ~Genesis 32:10~

God, be merciful to me a sinner! ~Luke 18:13~