Saturday

“So be very careful how you live.

Do not live like those who are not wise.

Live wisely.

I mean that you should use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times.

So do not be foolish with your lives.

But learn what the Lord wants you to do.”

~Ephesians 5:15-17 (ICB)~

Today, I’m going to let you make your own prayer list. Take your time and fill in the answers. That’s your prayer guide.

Homebound
Hospitalized
Nursing home patients
People who live alone
People who haven’t received a personal phone call lately
People who haven’t received a “Just Because” card or letter lately
Families of those hospitalized
Families of nursing home patients
Families who are at great distances from older members
Families without any relatives close by
Families with recent deaths
Families where someone has lost a job
Families where food is in short supply
Families where students have to do school work without any supervision
Families without church connections and support
Churches that are unable to get their messages out to their flock
Churches that are making decision about reopening
Churches that are not financially strong
Hospitals that have important decisions to make about treatment
Businesses that have been closed
Families unable to pay bills
People who don’t read their Bible and pray
People who are seeking God
Law enforcement personnel
People who have worked many extra hours for the last couple months
Decisions that are more difficult during this pandemic
Etc.

Read the Bible in 2020 – May 2

Judges 15:1-16:31
John 2:1-25
Psalm 103:1-22
Proverbs 14:17-19

If you are at this point in reading, you have read 33% of the Bible already. Keep going. You’re doing very well.

If you are not up-to-date, read a little extra each day until you catch up. Another option is to read the assignments, but finish a little later. I’m ahead want to stay there. The main point is just to read and learn something new each day. Let God guide your reading.

Baptist Press –http://www.bpnews.net/

Louisiana Baptist Message – https://baptistmessage.com/

Have a wonderful day as you pray for others.

Anna Lee

Monday

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,

a light on my path.”

~Psalm 119:105 (NIV)~

Read the Bible in 2020 – April 27

Judges 7:1-8:17
Luke 23:13-43
Psalm 97:1-98:9
Proverbs 14:7-8

Nita Russell Miller is doing better and now tests negative for the virus. She is not allowed to go back to the nursing home for thirty days, so she will be staying in the hospital as she regains her strength. Pray for her and her family as she continues to improve. Thank God for her improvement.

Lloyd Hayden of Arcola had a light stoke that has only left a little weakness. He is scheduled to return home today. Pray for him as he returns home for recovery. Lloyd will get good care from four generations of ladies in his family. Thank God for Lloyd’s good news.

Ollie Simmons is also doing better. (Maybe I should call today Good News Monday.) He has improved and will probably “bust out” of the hospital today. This is another reason to thank God today.

While I’m on this line of thinking and thanking God, I would like to share again how much David has improved. From being too weak to get up from a chair, needing blood (23 units), hospitalizations, a walker, a cane, tremendous weight loss, no appetite, malnourishment, more trips to the. doctor than I can count, etc., he is GREATLY improved. Our neighbors are even reporting to other neighbors that he is working in the yard (and LOVING it). I send Jennie pictures of him outside and working. Her first word is “AMAZING!”. We have an amazing God who has decided He has a reason to leave David here for His purpose. We are so blessed.

I hope you were able to watch and enjoy some church services yesterday. We were. I want to remind you that the church services from numerous churches are available online for us to view on other days of the week, not just on Sundays.

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

Annie Armstrong Offering for North American missions – 273 million people in North America are lost, without Jesus in their hearts. https://www.anniearmstrong.com/about/the-mission/

Giving helps give those millions an opportunity to live for Jesus!

Anna Lee

The Lord’s Day

“Oh, that they would always have such a heart for me, wanting to obey my commandments.”

~Deuteronomy 5:29 (TLB)~

Ollie Simmons, young son of Stan and Bethany, had a successful knee surgery yesterday. The results were better than hoped for. Please continue to pray for Ollie.

I think the new methods of having church, drive-in and tune in, are really catching on. Even some of the smallest churches are now getting involved in one way or the other. David and I have enjoyed being able to “tune-in” to several services each Sunday.

FBC, Kentwood invites you to “tune-in” on Facebook or YouTube.

Sundays at 10:30 A.M.
Sundays at 6:00 P.M.
Wednesdays at 6 P.M.

This is Cooperative Program Sunday. Some churches will be celebrating with a drive-through missions offering. The Cooperative Program is vital in the work of our churches.

Read the Bible in 2020 – April 26

Judges 6:1-40
Luke 22:54-23:12
Psalm 95:1-96:13
Proverbs 14:5-6

I hope you realize that we have read one-fourth of the Bible so far this year, a small portion each day. If you haven’t joined in yet, it is never too late to jump in and read with us. If you get behind, it only takes a little extra reading to catch up. I did just that yesterday. In fact, I am a little ahead.

Hardcopies of the reading plan will be available at FBC. Call and ask that a copy be set aside for you.

Another option is to refer to a list on your phone or computer. The site is: https://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/readingplan/oneyearbiblereadingplan_1up.pdf

The last option is to listen to it being read for you.https://oneyearbibleonline.com/

One option for having Sunday School with your family online is https://bibleproject.com/church-at-home/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=quarantinemail&utm_content=image_of_god

You may want to set aside some time each week to do this with your family or to share it with your family to watch in their home. Then, you can talk about it with them.

Let’s make sure our friends and families know about all these ways to have a substitute for gathering together at our churches during this time.

Anna Lee

Thursday

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,

but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

~2 Timothy 1:7~

Pray for Caleb Estay, son of Landon and Alisha. He has been hospitalized. His problem could only be an infected knee, but his symptoms warranted the hospitalization to be sure. Pray for answers soon. Pray for the anxious family as they await the answers. Thank God for facilities and personnel in place to help people during these difficult times.

Buddy Morris has been getting radiation daily. Today, he will have a PET scan to check the current situation which will determine the future treatment. Pray for Buddy, Eleanor, and Ellen.

Pray for people to stay faithful in following the suggestions offered for doing our part in fighting Covid – 19. Let’s not grow weary, but instead stay alert.

Read the Bible in 2020 – April 23

Judges 1:1-2:9
Luke 21:29-22:13
Psalm 90:1-91:16
Proverbs 13:24-25

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

Louisiana Baptist Message – https://baptistmessage.com/

Be sure to tune in to church services on Sundays and Wednesdays. If you are like me, you are taking this opportunity to watch several every Sunday and Wednesday. I certainly am thankful for the technology that allows us to “join” in worship at various churches.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

Praise the LORD, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits . . . .

~Psalm 103:2~

My cousin, Scott Tolleson, got to leave the hospital after six days. No more infection, so he is back at home. Everyone was both thankful and tired last night.

Robin Alford, Walton and Peggy’s second daughter, is continuing to improve from her ankle injury. Six weeks down and six more weeks to go. Peggy and her sister, Polly, are still there to help Robin manage all the stairs. Robin in looking forward to moving into a one-level home soon. Thank you for your continued prayers for Robin.

Kami Frazier Bourque, a former student, who is studying to be a nurse has had Covid – 19, but is now home. Pray for her as she continues her recovery and returns to nursing school.

Jameson McDaniel was born yesterday. He weighed 5 lb. 3 oz. and was 18.5 in. long. Celebrate the birth of this child with Austin and Brittany.

An article the will be a guide to church leaders as they plan to reopen their churches in the coming weeks:

https://elbamissions.org/dr-richard-blues-blog/f/info-reopening-our-churches?fbclid=IwAR3esFlPfUQzQS1k7_1epG2qJmKOvzeDH63h3gsYE9N-qt8zuVdgWK8tVJY

Rebecca Ann Anderson Desmond

April 20, 2020

A resident of Amite, LA, Becky passed away on Monday, April 20, 2020, at her home. She was born September 26, 1950 in New Orleans, LA and was 69 years of age. Becky was a skilled and compassionate nurse, and generous and dedicated supporter of many philanthropic causes. She served on the boards of many community organizations over the years, both in Louisiana and her longtime home state of North Carolina. She is survived by her husband, Tim Desmond, MD; mother, Frances Snell Anderson; sister, Claire Anderson Bel; brothers, Andy Anderson and Pat Anderson; nieces, Angie Anderson Danielson (J.R.), Megan Bel Miller (Joel), Erin Newman (Craig), Hannah Anderson, and Molly Bel (Danny Strickland); great-nieces and great-nephews, Abbie Holmes, Savannah Danielson, Luke Danielson, Millie Danielson, Parker Miller, Caroline Miller, Anna Newman, and Anderson Newman; and sister-in-law, Kim Andrews Winslow and husband, Eric. Preceded in death by her father, Edwin Stanley Anderson; brother-in-law, Buddy Bel; and sister-in-law, Nadine Anderson. Memorial Services will be held at a later date. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com

Read the Bible in 2020 – April 22

3 Judges 1:1-2:9
Luke 21:29-22:13
Psalm 90:1-91:16
Proverbs 13:24-25

May your help to bring some “Sonshine” in lives today!

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Every word of God is flawless.”

~Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)~

A baby needs many things to grow, but the most obvious requirement is nourishment. You can hold, rock, and sing to a baby—but without milk, the baby won’t grow.

Our hearts are the same way. To grow spiritually, we need spiritual food. We get that from the Bible, God’s Word.

Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow up into your salvation”.

~1 Peter 2:2~

Read the Bible in 2020 – April 19

Joshua 19:1-20:9
Luke 19:28-48
Psalm 88:1-18
Proverbs 13:12-14

Today’s service on FB – Kentwood First Baptist Church – 10:30 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.

Many other churches have services too. Check them out.

Corona Virus – Pray people will stick with following the rules!

Stay home except for ESSENTIAL trip for food, medicine, and doctors.
Don’t have company in your home.
Keep a 6 ft. distance between people.
Wear masks when in public.
Wear gloves for pumping gas, using ATM, etc.
Get out and get some sunshine.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
No groups of more than 10 people.

Keep praying!

Anna Lee

Saturday

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

~Colossians 2:6-7~

Buddy Morris got home from North Oaks yesterday. Please continue to pray for him and his family.

One of my first cousins who has Huntington Disease has been having a difficult time lately. He is hospitalized in NE Louisiana because of an infection, but five of his six children live in Texas. Pray for Scott Tolleson and his family.

Plan today what church service or services you want to watch tomorrow. There are many available in our area and across the country. I been watching some local, and not so local, services. When I start a new one, David usually recognizes the voice and joins me.

Read the Bible in 2020 – April 18

Joshua 16:1-18:28
Luke 19:1-27
Psalm 87:1-7
Proverbs 13:11

Did you do something to bless someone yesterday? Who will you bless today?

Anna Lee

Monday

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

~1 Peter 1:3~

Read the Bible in 2020 – April 13

Joshua 7:16-9:2
Luke 16:1-18
Psalm 82:1-8
Proverbs 13:2-3

Baptist Press –http://www.bpnews.net/

Buddy Morris is back in North Oaks. We was admitted yesterday afternoon. Please pray for Buddy and Eleanor. Also, please pray for the staff who are working with Buddy.

No matter how many Easter services you watched, there’s always a few more online and waiting for you. Many of us enjoy seeing the services from former pastors or churches where our family member attend. We even watch Franklin Graham speaking from city park in NYC. They are there for us today or any other day. They bless my heart.

Pray for the many who had wind or tornado damage. Also 12 lives were lost, Pray for the families. Pray also for those who will face the storm as it continues to move across our country.

Please continue to pray for the many who are sick in our area. Some are in the hospital, but many are at home.

Thank God for watching over us each day. I love to read stories of lives that are saved and God receiving the credit.

I know many people who always talked about having time to stay at home. Now that most of us are quarantined, that doesn’t seem the same. Be careful what you ask for.

Anna Lee

Easter

“He is not here; he has risen!”

~Luke 24:6-7~

My favorite Easter hymn has always been “Christ arose!”

Read the Bible in 2020 – April 12

Joshua 5:1-7:15
Luke 15:1-32
Psalm 81:1-16
Proverbs 13:1

Most of our area churches are now broadcasting services one way or the other now. Many will be observing the Lord’s Supper today. Take this opportunity to watch/participate in several services. Happy Easter!

If you have heard too much about the pandemic, follow the rules for staying home, practice safe distancing, and wash your hands frequently. You might also want to remember this fact: 98.5 % of the people who get the virus survive. There is no need to panic!

The weather may be an issue for most of the day today. If you do not have power or internet service when you want to watch a service, it will probably be available later. We are possibly going to get heavy wind and heavy thunderstorms. Stay home and be safe from the weather too today.

Focus on Jesus today. We all know we have worship opportunities. We can read our Bibles and pray at any time.

Secondly, focus on others today. What can you do from your home to check on someone in their home?

Even though today may have some challenges, repeat after me: GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL! Believe it!

Anna Lee

Monday

“We often suffer, but we are never crushed.

Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up.

In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again . . . because we know that God raised the Lord Jesus back to life.

And just as God raised Jesus, he will also raise us to life.

Then he will bring us into his presence together.”

~2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 14 (CEV)~

Bro. Tom Higginbotham had three by-passes yesterday and is doing well now. Thank-you for your continued prayers for him.

When I think of Bro. Tom, I think of missions. He was a big promoter of everything to do with missions. During the time he was the interim pastor at FBC, Kentwood, he guided the people in supporting missions in a bigger.

It’s time for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions. With all that is happening in our world now, I cannot think of a better time to support missions.

There is a 1.5% death rate with the Covid – 19 virus. There is also a 98.5% recovery rate. Let’s be thankful for the 98.5% and continue to strive to increase that number.

Yesterday’s church services from FBC, Kentwood were both very good. If you missed them, you can find them on Facebook, Kentwood Baptist Church or on You-tube. I have been amazed at all the online church services. You can watch a couple a day for a week and many to choose from. I think that is great!

Read the Bible in 2020 – April 6, 2020

Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20
Luke 11:37-12:7
Psalm 78:1-31
Proverbs 12:19-20

Remember, the rule for the day is STAY HOME if at all possible. If not, WEAR A MASK.

Anna Lee