“God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

~Philippians 4:19 ESV~

Sherrill Caraway had to stay another night at the hospital. Hopefully, today is the day he will be able to return to Greensburg. Keep praying for him.

Christian Ratliff will be having implants in his ears to help improve hearing loss due to his illness. Surgery is this morning at seven. Please pray for hearing improvements.

I don’t have an update on Irene Lascaro. Please continue to pray for her though.

The Two Rivers Associational WMU meeting will be at 10:00 this morning at East Fork Baptist Church. ALL LADIES are invited to attend.

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 20

Genesis 41:17-42:17
Matthew 13:24-46
Psalm 18:1-15
Proverbs 4:1-6

The January Bible Study at New Zion Baptist Church will continue focusing on Jeremiah. Bro. Darryl Miller will continue to lead the group through Wed. The meeting begins at 6:30 each night.

Be alert in the colder temperatures the next couple of days. Stay warm and healthy.

Anna Lee

I received a call saying Mrs. Irene Lascaro fell and broke her hip, for the third time. She was being transported to the hospital at that time. I do not have an update. The third break will bring new challenges for her and for her surgeon.

You may not know “Miss” Irene, but I told you about the wonderful job she did sharing about Lottie Moon and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions. I was so glad to see her that day because I hadn’t seen her in a while.

Please say a special prayer or two for her this afternoon as decisions are made about how to deal with this latest fracture.

Thursday

“Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.”

~Galatians 6:9 TLB~

I was asked to add Betty Braden to our prayer list. She had an aneurysm repaired at North Oaks.

Buddy Morris‘ cardiologist approved him for surgery next Wednesday. The doctor will be working on the artery that has some blockage. Begin to pray now for surgery on the 22nd.

Dr. Anjanetta Varnado did well with her surgery yesterday. The surgeon thinks all the cancer was removed, but pathology reports will give more information. Pray for a full recover for her.

Scott Tolleson is home from the hospital, but is dealing with a lot of pain. Medication is helping him to rest some. Please pray for Scott and Brenda.

Josiah Huckaby has had some sick days, but hopefully is better. This is one of the reports shared yesterday.

PRAYER…there’s power in it! The power of the Almighty God. The God who spoke all things into existence, except for us. The God who chose to form us with his own hands. The God who is sovereign & His answers to our prayers are good…even if we don’t think so.

As parents of a medically fragile child, we can testify to this. We can give you numerous examples of the power of prayer & the sovereignty of God. Last night was no exception…

Josiah has been having a lot of congestion since Friday but was otherwise fine. Monday night before bed he seemed to be feeling better but around midnight he started getting worse. So I sent a message to our pediatrician yesterday morning & he got us in yesterday afternoon. Josiah fought a low grade fever all day even after getting Tylenol scheduled. His oxygen requirements gradually crept up throughout the day & he looked so pitiful especially when he’d start a coughing fit. He tested negative for flu/RSV so we had a culture sent off from his trach but won’t have results until the end of the week. So we started an antibiotic & cough syrup. Last night we asked our church to pray for a restful night of sleep & quick improvement. God answered both of those requests! Josiah slept 14.5 hours last night & we have been able to wean his oxygen some this morning! He’s even up playing & smiling…and flirting (👇🏻 that is his flirty smile this morning)! We are praying this antibiotic will take care of whatever the issue is & that he continues to improve & that we can manage this at home instead of going to the hospital. To God be the glory!!! Job Huckaby

Sherrill Caraway of Greensburg is hospitalized in Baton Rouge. In the past few days, Sherrill has had a heart cath., surgery, and possible a heart attack. Please pray for him and his sweet family. If you have ever attended a Two Rivers Senior Adult Revival, you have seen his wife, Margaret, who is is charge and has been for a number of years.

Update on Sherrill. Skip has been doing a good job posting. Sherrill had a 80% blockage and they were able to put a stint in. Right now he seems to be doing good. We would like to thank everyone for your prayers. God has led all the way through this.

Update on Sherrill. Doctor just came in. Going to keep him in hospital another day. He said looks like he had a light heart attack. He had a good night. So if today and tonight go ok we will go home tomorrow. Once again thank you to everyone who has been praying. Would still appreciate them.

Read the Bible in 2020, January 16

Genesis 32:13-34:31
Matthew 11:7-30
Psalm 14:1-7
Proverbs 3:19-20

God loves prayer warriors! One reason is because they are selfless!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

~Jeremiah 29:11~

Dr Ajanette Varnado is having cancer surgery today, please pray for her and her family

Shared by a TPL reader

We will certainly want to pray for her and her family today.

Milton “Buddy” Bel

January 26, 1945 – January 12, 2020

Milton Duaine “Buddy” Bel, mayor and lifelong resident of Amite, passed away at the age of 74 on Sunday, January 12, 2020, at North Oaks Medical Center. He served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, and he, along with his wife, owned Cabby’s Restaurant for over 20 years. He was previously elected as a school board member and Amite City council member. Buddy was preceded in death by parents, Milton J. Bel and Gwen Evans Bel; brother, Richard; and brother-in-law, Dick Toups; nephews, Taylor Bel and Scott Toups. He is survived by his wife, Claire Anderson Bel; daughters, Leigh Anne Bel Lambert, Megan Bel Miller (Joel), and Molly Bel (Danny Strickland); sister, Betty Jo Toups; brother, Patrick Bel (Elena); and grandchildren, Marie, Hunter, and Jaden Lambert, and Parker and Caroline Miller. Visitation at First United Methodist Church, Amite, from 8 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 17, 2020. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amite First United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice, in memory of Buddy Bel.

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 15

Genesis 31:17-32:12
Matthew 10:24-11:6
Psalm 13:1-6
Proverbs 3:16-18

Don’t forget to bring extra 2020 calendars for the Tangipahoa Parish Jail ministry.

I worked on the donations for Operation Christmas Child yesterday. I will post a running total after the end of the month. You can leave your donations in the classroom next to the choir room or in one of the totes in the fellowship hall or under the stairwell to the balcony.

Looking forward to some of God’s sunshine today.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

~2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV~

George Pike is having gamma knife surgery today. Please remember him in your prayers.

Today, I would like to add two family members.

David’s brother-in-law, Harold Newman, is very sick. Harold and Bonnie live in Bay St. Louis.
My first cousin, Scott Tolleson, is having surgery in Shreveport this morning. Scott is 63 and suffers from Huntington Disease.l

I haven’t mentioned the items I collect for a jail ministry. Yesterday, someone asked if I was collecting 2020 calendars. Yes, I would love to have them if you have some extra ones or find them at a good price. Thanks for helping those in jail.

WMU Memorial Service &

Quarterly Meeting, Monday,

January 20, 2020 @ 10:00

@ East Fork Baptist Church

If a WMU member in your church has passed on, please contact me by text or call me at 225-485-4648.

Come join us in honoring deceased members, bring a dish and bring a friend. Thank you! Linda Graves of EFBC

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 14

Genesis 30:1-31:16
Matthew 10:1-23
Psalm 12:1-8
Proverbs 3:13-15

God loves for us to be concerned about other people and to act with compassion.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.

~Luke 1:68~

Wanda Smith went to visit with her daughter and await the arrival of a grandson. Knox was due Monday and arrived Saturday. Mother, baby, daddy, and grandmother are all fine and sharing lots of smiles.

Donald Alford will be in St. Tammany a little longer. He’s in room 380. He has a great attitude!

Barbara Elizabeth Sharp

July 07, 1943 – December 21, 2019

Barbara Elizabeth Sharp entered into eternal rest lovingly surrounded by her family on December 21, 2019. Barbara was born in McComb, MS and was 76 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton H. Sharp, Jr. M.D. and Lucille Guwang Sharp. She is survived by her two children, Charles “Chuck” Goodwin Schibler II and Becky Schibler Cooper, her brother, Clinton H. Sharp, III M.D. and her sister, Sally Sharp Schneider.

Friends and family are invited to attend the graveside service on Monday, December 23, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Amite Cemetery.

Lottie Moon Offering – 100% of your generous gifts provide missionaries the services they need to live among the unreached peoples they serve.

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Scripture Writing – Luke 2: 4-7

Luke 22

Judas agrees to catch Jesus

1 The Passover festival when the Jews eat flat bread was coming soon.

2 The leaders of the priests and the teachers of God’s Law wanted to kill Jesus. They were talking together about how they could do this. It was difficult because they were afraid of the people.

3 Then Satan began to live inside Judas Iscariot. Judas was one of Jesus’ 12 apostles. 4 He went to the leaders of the priests and he talked with them. The police that worked at God’s Great House were also there. Judas told them how he could give Jesus to them secretly. 5 They were very happy and they promised to give him money for this. 6 So Judas said that he would do it. Then he waited for the right moment to help them to take hold of Jesus. He wanted to do it when the crowd was not there with Jesus.

Jesus eats his last meal with his apostles

7 The day came for Jewish people to eat the meal of flat bread which has no yeast in it. They had to kill a young sheep for the Passover meal on that day. 8 So Jesus said to Peter and John, ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us to eat. Then we can all come and eat it.’ 9 They asked him, ‘Where do you want us to prepare the meal?’

10 Jesus replied, ‘Listen. When you go into the city, a man will meet you. He will be carrying a jar of water. Follow him until he goes into a house. 11 You must then say to the master of that house, “Our Teacher sends this message to you: ‘Where is the room for visitors? I will eat the Passover meal there with my disciples.’ ” 12 The man will then show you a large room upstairs. It will have all that you need in it. Prepare the Passover meal there for us all.’

13 So Peter and John went into the city. They found everything that Jesus had told them about. So, they prepared the Passover meal.

14 When it was time to eat the meal, Jesus arrived. He sat down with his apostles to eat it. 15 He said to them, ‘I have wanted very much to eat this Passover meal with you. It has to happen before I die. 16 I tell you this: I will not eat another Passover meal in this world. Now it is a picture. But when God begins to rule in his kingdom, then this meal will become completely real. I will eat it again then.’

17 Then Jesus took a cup and he thanked God for the wine. ‘Take this cup,’ he said to them. ‘Each of you drink some wine from it. 18 I tell you this. I will not drink wine again until God begins to rule in his kingdom.’

19 Then he took a loaf of bread and he thanked God for it. He broke the bread into pieces and he gave some of it to each of them. He said, ‘This is my body. I am giving it to save you. When you eat this meal from now on, remember me.’

20 Then after supper, Jesus took a cup of wine and did the same thing. He said to the disciples, ‘This cup shows the new promise that God makes because of my death. When I die, my blood will pour out of my body. I will do that for you. 21 But look! The person who will give me to the rulers is sitting at the table with me. His hand is eating the same food as I am. 22 The Son of Man must die in the way that God says. But it will be bad for the man who gives me to my enemies.’

23 The 12 apostles asked each other, ‘Who is the man that would do this thing?’

Jesus tells who is most important

24 Then the apostles began to argue among themselves. They were arguing about which of them seemed to be the most important. 25 Jesus said to them, ‘Kings of other countries use great authority over their people. Leaders of those countries want people to say good things about them. 26 You must not be like that. The most important person among you must become like the least important person. The person who is your leader must become like your servant. 27 Tell me, which person is the more important one? Is it the person who sits at the table to eat? Or is it the servant that puts out the meal for him? Yes, it is the person who sits at the table. But I am here to be your servant.

28 You have never left me. You have been by my side when trouble came to me. 29 So now I tell you that you will rule with me. My Father has said that I will rule with him in his kingdom. I also say to you that you will rule with me. 30 In my kingdom you will sit at my table. You will eat and drink with me. You will sit like kings on rulers’ chairs. You will judge the people of the 12 families of Israel.’

Jesus tells Peter what will happen

31 Jesus went on to say, ‘Simon, Simon, be careful to listen to me! Satan has asked to have authority over you all. He will shake you as a farmer shakes seeds. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that you will continue to believe in me. And this is what you must do: When you have turned back to me, you must help your brothers to be strong again.’

33 But Simon replied, ‘Master, I am ready to go to prison with you. I am even ready to die with you!’ 34 Jesus said to him, ‘I tell you this, Peter. Very soon, you will say that you do not know me. You will say that three times before the cockerel sings early tomorrow morning.’

35 Jesus then asked the disciples, ‘When I sent you out without a purse, a bag or shoes, did you need anything?’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘nothing.’

36 ‘Now it is different,’ he said. ‘If you have a purse or bag, you should take it with you. If you do not have a sword, sell your coat. Use the money to buy a knife. 37 Let me tell you why. Long ago people wrote in the Bible what must happen to me. It says, “People will think he is one of the bad people.” And this must happen to me soon, so that it becomes true.’

38 The disciples said, ‘Look, Master, we have two long sharp knives here.’ Jesus replied, ‘That is enough.’

Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives

39 Jesus left the city. He went to the hill called the Mount of Olives. This is what he usually did. His disciples went with him. 40 When they arrived there he said to them, ‘Ask God to help you, so that you do not want to do wrong things.’

41 Then he went away from them about as far as you can throw a stone. He went down on his knees and he prayed, 42 ‘Father, if you want, you can save me from this time of great pain. But I do not ask you to do what I want. Do what you want for me.’

[ 43 Then an angel came to him from heaven. The angel made him stronger. 44 Jesus began to have troubles in his mind. He prayed again even more strongly. His sweat became like blood and it fell to the ground.]

45 Then Jesus finished praying and he stood up again. He returned to the disciples. He saw that they were sleeping. They were very weak and tired because they were so sad. 46 ‘You should not be sleeping,’ he said. ‘Get up and pray! Ask God to help you, so that you do not want to do wrong things.’

The soldiers catch Jesus

47 While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd of people came towards him. Judas led the crowd to that place. He was one of the 12 apostles. He came near to Jesus to kiss him. 48 Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, why do you want to kiss me, the Son of Man? You are helping my enemies to take hold of me!’

49 The people near to Jesus saw what was happening. They asked him, ‘Lord, should we use our weapons to fight?’ 50 One of them hit the servant of the leader of the priests. He cut off the servant’s right ear. 51 ‘That is enough!’ Jesus said. He then touched the man’s ear and made him well again.

52 Then Jesus spoke to the people that had come to take hold of him. They were the leaders of the priests, and the leaders of the police in God’s Great House. Other important Jews were also there. He said to them, ‘You have come here with long sharp knives and heavy sticks. Do you really think that I am leading people to fight against our country’s rulers? 53 No! But I was with you every day in the yard of God’s Great House. You did not try to take hold of me then. But now really is the time and the place for you to work. Now it is a bad dark time, when the Devil has authority.’

Peter says that he does not know Jesus

54 Then they took hold of Jesus. They took him away and they brought him to the house of the leader of the priests. Peter was following them, but he did not go near Jesus. 55 People lit a fire in the yard of the house and they sat round it. Peter went and he sat with them. 56 A girl who worked there then saw Peter in the light from the fire. She looked carefully at him and she said, ‘This man also was a friend of Jesus.’ 57 Peter replied, ‘Woman, that is not true! I do not even know him.’

58 After a short time, someone else looked at him. ‘You also are one of their group,’ he said. Peter replied, ‘Man, I am not one of them.’

59 After about an hour, another man said, ‘I am sure that this man was a friend of Jesus. He also is from Galilee.’ 60 Peter replied, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about.’ While Peter was still speaking, a cockerel sang loudly. 61 Then the Lord Jesus turned round and he looked at Peter. Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him: ‘You will say tonight that you do not know me. You will say it three times before the cockerel sings in the morning.’

62 Then Peter went outside away from the house and he cried a lot.

The soldiers laugh at Jesus and they hit him

63 The men that were holding Jesus were laughing at him. They hit him many times. 64 They covered his eyes with a cloth and they said to him, ‘Show us that you are a prophet. Tell us who hit you!’ 65 And they said many other bad things against him.

The Jewish leaders ask Jesus questions

66 When it became day, the Jewish leaders met together. The leaders of the priests and the teachers of God’s Law were at the meeting. Then other men brought Jesus to stand in front of them. 67 They asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah? If you are, tell us.’ Jesus replied, ‘If I do tell you, you will not believe me. 68 I could also ask you a question. But if I do that, you will not answer me. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be sitting in the most important place. He will be sitting at the right side of the Most Powerful God.’

70 ‘So, are you the Son of God?’ they all said. Jesus replied, ‘You say that I am.’

71 Then they said, ‘We do not need anyone else to speak against this man. We ourselves have heard what he has said about himself.’

Pine Ridge United Methodist Church will be serving breakfast this morning at 8 A.M. Join them as they again help a family with a need.

Don’t forget “The Greatest Story Ever Told” presented by the adult choir of FBC, Kentwood tonight at 6 P.M.

Anna Lee

Friday

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

~Luke 1:30-31~

Amy Renae LaBruzza Lewis Lobre

April 01, 1973 – December 12, 2019

Amy Renae LaBruzza Lewis Lobre crossed into eternal peace December 12, 2019. Amy was born April 1, 1973, in Hammond. She was 46. Her family and loved ones will always remember her infectious laughter that filled every room she entered. Her positive outlook persevered through a lifelong illness which she never stopped fighting to overcome. She maintained a healthy and active lifestyle, loved traveling, and she became a successful and dedicated nurse. Amy loved her family deeply, sharing a special bond with her nieces Mallory Lewis and Brooke Stilley. Amy is preceded in death by her “Paw Paw”, Ralph E. Lewis, Sr. of Kentwood; and paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis LaBruzza of Amite. Amy is survived by her husband, Richard “MY Ricky” Lobre of Mereaux, Louisiana; her mother, Rebecca Raborn Davidson and stepfather, Paul D. Davidson, Sr. of Tickfaw; her father, Larry LaBruzza of Amite; her “Stepdaddy”, Gene Lewis of Kentwood; and little sister, Amanda Lewis of Tickfaw. Amy was also survived by two children: son, William Aaron Chambliss of Kentwood and his sons, Laythen and Zayne; and daughter, Megan Sydney Stephens of Channelview, Texas and her son, Mason. She is also survived by her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Raborn of Kentwood; and Mrs. Ralph Eugene Lewis, Sr. of Kentwood. Friends and family are invited to attend the memorial service on Friday, December 20, from 4-6 pm at McKneely Funeral Home in Amite.

Nettie Jean Russell

March 11, 1947 – December 15, 2019

A resident of Hammond, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born March 11, 1947 in Independence, LA and was 72 years of age. She is survived by her daughter, Dawn Raiford and husband, Chris; her children, Halie, Sayer and Sammy Raiford; son, Karl Warner, III; his children, Larissa and Brodie Warner; son, Joshua Warner and wife, Jennifer; his children, Jayden and Jayce Warner; 1 brother, Charles “Sonny” Russell and wife, Ann; 2 sister, Becky Davis and husband, Charles and Bonnie Hardy and husband, Bill; 1 aunt, Jerry King. Preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Nettie Russell; twin sister, June Graves; sister, Jackie Ricks. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 11:00AM until services at 2:00PM on Friday, December 20, 2019. Following services a Celebration of Life gathering will be held at Chris and Dawn Raiford’s Home, 295 Pinecrest Dr., Hammond, LA 70401. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Scripture Writing for Dec. 20 – Luke 1: 46-50

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering –

Clean Water for Rural Villages

https://www.imb.org/give/project/clean-water-for-rural-villages/

Most of us have had to boil our water periodically, but have never had the awful water conditions some people in other places face on a daily basis. Do you or your group need a new project? Here is a great opportunity for you.

Opportunities in the coming week:

Sunday morning – 8 A.M. – Breakfast benefit at Pine Ridge

Sunday – Christmas programs in many churches (FBC, Kentwood – 6 P.M.)

Tuesday – Christmas Eve services in many churches (FBC, Kentwood – 6 P.M.)

Check your local church schedule carefully.

Luke 20

Jesus talks about his authority

1 One day, Jesus was teaching people in the yard of God’s Great House. He was telling people the good news about God. Then the leaders of the priests and the teachers of God’s Law came to him. With them were some other important Jews. 2 They asked him, ‘Tell us what authority you have to do these things? Who gave you the authority to do them?’

3 Jesus replied, ‘I also will ask you a question. Tell me the answer. 4 John baptized people. Did God give him the authority to do this? Or did men tell him to do it?’

5 The Jewish leaders talked to each other about Jesus’ question. ‘We could say that God gave John his authority. But if we say that, Jesus will say to us, “Then you should have believed John.” 6 But we do not want to say that only men gave John his authority. Then all the people would throw stones at us to kill us. They are sure that John really was a prophet from God.’ 7 So the Jewish leaders answered Jesus, ‘We do not know who gave John his authority.’

8 Jesus said to them, ‘You will not answer my question. So I will not tell you what authority I have to do these things.’

Jesus tells a story about farmers

9 Then Jesus began to tell this story to the people. He said, ‘A man planted vines in his garden to grow grapes there. He found some farmers to work in the garden for him. Then he went away to another country and he stayed there for a long time.

10 The time to cut the grapes arrived. The man sent a servant to speak to the farmers. He wanted them to give him some fruit from the garden.

But the farmers hit the servant with sticks and they sent him away with nothing.

11 The master sent another servant to go to the farmers. They hit him with sticks too, and they did other bad things to him. They also sent him away with nothing. 12 The master then sent a third servant to the farmers. They hurt him badly too, and they threw him out of the garden.

13 Then the master of the garden said to himself, “I know what I will do. I will send my own son to go to them. I love him very much. Perhaps they will respect him.” 14 But the farmers saw him coming. They said to each other, “This is the son of our master. When our master dies, his son will receive the garden. So, we should kill the son and then the garden will be ours.”

15 So they threw the son out of the garden and they killed him.’

Jesus went on to ask, ‘Then what will the master of the garden do to those farmers? 16 I tell you, he will come to those farmers and he will kill them. Then he will give the garden to other people to work in.’

When the people heard this, they replied, ‘That must never happen!’

17 Jesus then looked at the people and he said, ‘You say that this must not happen. But you have read this in the Bible and you should know what it means:

“The builders refused to use a certain stone.

They thought that it had no value.

But now that stone has become the most important stone at the corner of the building.

18 When a person falls on to that stone, it will break his body into pieces. When that stone falls on top of someone, it will destroy him completely.” ’

The leaders ask Jesus a question

19 The teachers of God’s Law and the leaders of the priests knew that Jesus had told this story about them. They were the bad farmers in the story. So they wanted to take hold of Jesus immediately. But they did not do it, because they were afraid of the people.

20 So this is what they did to catch Jesus. They gave money to people to ask him difficult questions. These people seemed to be good, but really they were not honest. Instead, they wanted to make Jesus say something wrong. Then they would take him to the ruler of the city to punish him. 21 So these people went and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, everything that you say and everything that you teach is right. We know that. You do not say something different to an important person to make him happy. Instead, you teach everyone the same true message. You really teach us what God wants us to do. 22 So, tell us your answer to this question: Should we pay our taxes to the Roman ruler, Caesar? Is it right to give that money to him, or not?’

23 Jesus knew that those men were not really honest. They wanted to make him say the wrong thing. 24 So he said to them, ‘Show me a coin. Tell me, whose picture is on this coin? Whose name is on it?’ 25 The men replied, ‘It is Caesar’s picture and Caesar’s name.’ Jesus then said to them, ‘So you should give to Caesar the things that are for him. And give to God the things that are for God.’

26 So the Jewish leaders could not make Jesus say anything wrong. They were very surprised at his answer to their question. They could not say anything more against him. All the people who were there saw this.

The Sadducees ask Jesus a question

27 Then some of the Sadducees came to see Jesus. The Sadducees do not believe that anyone becomes alive again after they die.

28 They wanted to ask Jesus a question. ‘Teacher,’ they said to him, ‘Moses wrote this in the Bible for us: “A man may die and leave a wife but no children. Then that man’s brother must marry the woman. Then their children will be called the children of the brother who died.” 29 But once there were seven brothers. The oldest brother married a wife. Then he died before they had any children. 30 So the second brother married this woman. But he also died without children. 31 Then the third brother married the woman. The same thing happened to all seven brothers. They all died but they had no children. 32 After all this, the woman also died. 33 You teach that one day dead people will become alive again. So, on that day, whose wife will the woman be? She had married all seven of those brothers.’

34 Jesus answered them, ‘Men and women who are alive on earth are the ones who get married. 35 But God has chosen some people to live again with him. He will raise them up after they have died. Those people will not marry. They will not have husbands or wives, 36 and they cannot die any more. This is because they will live as the angels live in heaven. They are children of God. He has made them alive again to live with him. 37 It is true that God makes dead people become alive again. Moses showed us this in his report about the bush in the wilderness. He told us that our Lord God is the God of Abraham. He is the God of Isaac. And he is the God of Jacob. 38 But God is not the God of people who are dead. He is the God of people who are alive. For God, all people continue to be alive.’

39 Some of the teachers of God’s Law agreed with Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘that was a very good answer.’ 40 After that, they were all afraid to ask Jesus any more questions.

The Messiah is someone that King David calls his Lord

41 Jesus said to them, ‘Why do people say that the Messiah will be King David’s son? 42 David himself said this in the book called Psalms:

“The Lord God said to my Lord,

Sit at my right side until I beat your enemies completely.

43 You will even be able to put your feet on them.”

44 You see here that David calls the Messiah his Lord. So can you really say that he is just David’s son?’

Jesus speaks against the teachers of God’s Law

45 All the people were listening to Jesus. Jesus then said to his disciples, 46 ‘Be careful not to do the same as the teachers of God’s Law. They want people to think that they are important. So they walk about in beautiful long clothes. They like people to praise them in the market place. They choose to sit in the best seats in the meeting place. They like to sit in the most important places at special meals. 47 They take things away from women after their husbands have died, even their houses. Then they pray for a long time so that other people will praise them. Because they do these things, God will punish those men much more than other people.’

Spread some love in God’s name today.

Anna Lee

Friday

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

~Isaiah 7:14~

Eli Neyland will be having ear surgery on the 20th. Please begin praying for him.

Bryan Tate is in St. Tammany hospital with pneumonia and dehydration. Say some special prayers for him.

Scripture Writing – December 12 – Matthew 1: 18-20

2019 LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING GOAL

The goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for 2019 is $165,000,000.

LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING THEME

I saw a great multitude from every nation and all tribes and peoples and languages standing before the throne. Revelation 7:9

Generous giving to the 2019 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® makes a difference among the multitudes. Men, women, children, and entire communities are transformed as a result of this offering. Your gifts enable thousands of missionaries to live among, serve, and share the gospel with people who have never heard it until now.

Every December since 1888, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering has empowered Southern Baptist’s international missions work. At the beginning of this giving season, we start with a week of prayer dedicated to international missions, taking place December 1-8.

Luke 13

Stop doing wrong things or die

1 At that time, some people were with Jesus. They told him what happened to some people from Galilee. They had been burning animals as a gift for God. Pilate sent some soldiers to kill them.

2 Jesus replied, ‘Think about those people from Galilee. Perhaps you think that they had done more bad things than other people from Galilee. Do you think that is why they had to die? 3 No! But I tell you this. All of you have done many bad things. So you must change how you live and you must turn to God. If you do not, you will also die as they did.

4 And you remember what happened to those 18 people in Siloam. A high building fell down and it killed them. Perhaps you think that they had done more bad things than the other people in Jerusalem. 5 But I tell you, no, they had not. All of you have also done many bad things. So you must change how you live and you must turn to God. If you do not, you will also die as they did.’

A story about a fig tree

6 Then Jesus told this story. ‘A man had a garden where he grew fruit. He had planted a fig tree there. But when he came to look for fruit on it, he could not find any. 7 So he said to his gardener, “Look, for three years, I have come to look for fruit on this tree. But I have never found any. So cut the tree down! I do not think that it should be here. It is wasting the ground.”

8 “Master,” the gardener replied, “please leave the tree in the ground for one more year. Let me dig round it and let me put some good soil there. 9 If I do that, next year, the fig tree may have some fruit on it. If it does not, I will cut it down for you.” ’

Jesus makes a sick woman well again

10 One day, Jesus was teaching in a Jewish meeting place. It was the Jewish day for rest.

11 There was a woman there that had a bad spirit inside her. It had lived in her for 18 years and it had made her ill. Her back was bent. She could not stand up straight. 12 Jesus saw her and he called her to come to him. He said, ‘Woman, you are now better from your illness.’ 13 He put his hands on her and immediately she could stand up straight. She praised God.

14 But the leader of the meeting place was angry because Jesus had made a sick person well on their day for rest. He said to the people there, ‘There are six days each week when we should work. Come on any of those days and get well. But you should not come on our rest day to get well.’

15 ‘You are wrong,’ the Lord Jesus said to him. ‘You teach one thing but you do something different yourselves. On the day for rest you will undo the rope on your ox or your donkey and take it outside. You then give it water to drink. Is that not true? 16 Now look at this woman. She belongs to the family of Abraham. But a bad spirit from the Devil has made her ill for 18 years. It is like he has tied her up. So it must be right to make her free on our day for rest.’

17 These words made the leaders of the meeting place feel ashamed. But the other people there were very happy. They were happy because they had seen Jesus do many good and powerful things.

Jesus tells stories about seeds and yeast

18 Then Jesus said to them, ‘I will tell you a story about the kingdom of God and what it is like. 19 It is like a very small seed of the plant called mustard. A man took this seed and he planted it in his garden. The seed grew and it became a tree. It was so big that birds came and made their homes among its branches.’

20 Jesus went on to say, ‘Here is another example of what the kingdom of God is like. 21 It is like how yeast works. A woman took some of it and she mixed it into three large bowls of flour. Then the yeast went through all the flour so that it grew big.’

A story about a narrow door

22 Jesus was continuing his journey towards Jerusalem. On the way, he went through towns and villages. In each one, he taught the people. 23 One day, somebody asked him, ‘Sir, will God only save a small number of people?’

24 Jesus said to the people there, ‘Do your best to go in through the narrow door. I tell you that many people will want to get in there. But they will not be able to go through it. 25 Soon the master of the house will get up and he will shut the door. And then you may still be standing outside the door. You will knock and you will say, “Master, please open the door for us to come in.”

But the master will reply, “I do not know you. I do not know where you come from.” 26 Then you will begin to say, “But Master, we had meals with you. You taught us in the streets of our villages.”

27 But he will tell you, “No! I really do not know you. I do not know where you come from. You have done very bad things, so go away from me, all of you!”

28 Then you will cry very much because you are standing outside. You will bite your teeth together. You will see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the place where God rules. You will also see all God’s prophets there. But God will shut you outside. 29 At that time, people will come from everywhere in the world, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. They will all come to take their place in the kingdom of God. There they will sit down together to eat a great meal. 30 Listen! At that time, some people that are not important now will become the most important. And some people that are now the most important will not be important then.’

31 At that moment, some Pharisees came to Jesus. ‘Go away from here,’ they said to him. ‘Go somewhere else, because Herod wants to kill you.’

32 ‘Herod is a bad man,’ Jesus replied. ‘Tell him this: “I am still causing bad spirits to come out of people. I am still making sick people well again. I will continue to do all these things for some more days. On the third day I will have finished my work.” 33 Anyway, I need to continue my journey for some more days. If they are going to kill a prophet from God, it has to be in Jerusalem.

34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Your people have killed God’s prophets. And they have thrown stones to kill other people that God has sent to you. Many times, I have wanted to bring all of your people near to me. A female bird covers her babies with her body to make them safe. But you would not let me keep you from danger like that. 35 So listen! Your great house will now become like a wilderness with nobody in it. I tell you this. You will not see me again until the day when you say, “Great is the man who comes with the authority of the Lord God.” ’

“Shoeboxes” are being shipped from all the processing stations to places all around the world now. I’m so thankful to have had a part in this great effort to tell others about Jesus again.

Anna Lee

Sunday

But God is wise and good.

Wise people understand

and they show that God is right.’

~Luke 7:35~

Macy Lee, daughter of Tim and Beth G. Lee, will be having her gall bladder removed on December 17th. Please be in prayer for Macy and her family as they look ahead to this procedure.

Smiley Conerly will be having his surgery first thing in the morning. Please cover him with your prayers.

The Lottie Moon Tea program yesterday involved lots of people. The tables were beautiful! My favorite part was the Lottie Moon Story by my friend and co-teacher of many years ago, Mrs. Irene Lascaro. A surprise was a father/son singing group who sang some Christmas songs. Many of us met the Blounts for the first time yesterday. I think we’ll be seeing more of them. Thanks to all you participated in the program and in preparations. Thanks to others who just came. It’s hard to cover every minute of the event, but let me end by saying, all together, it was a beautiful event.

Scripture Writing – December 8 – Psalm 72: 1-7

Tonight at 6 P.M., the children of FBC, Kentwood will present their annual Christmas program. You are invited to come. May lives be touched by this experience, especially young lives of those involved.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Day 8 – https://montgomeryfbc.org/2019-lottie-moon-christmas-offering-week-of-prayer-day-8/

Today, we will read Luke 8.

Luke 8

The women that helped Jesus

1 After this, Jesus went to visit many towns and villages. He told people the good news about the kingdom of God. The 12 disciples were going round with him. 2 Some women were also travelling with them. These women had been ill, but Jesus had made them well again. One of the women was Mary from Magdala. Jesus had sent seven bad spirits away from her. 3 Another of the women was Joanna, the wife of Chuza. Chuza had authority over all the people that worked in the house of King Herod. Another of the women was Susanna. There were also many others. These women were using their own money to help Jesus and his disciples.

A story about a farmer that planted seeds

4 Lots of people were coming to Jesus from many towns. A large crowd had already come together when Jesus told this story:

5 ‘A farmer went out to plant seeds in his field. While he was throwing the seeds, some of them fell on the path. Then people walked on them. Birds came down and they ate those seeds. 6 Some seeds fell on ground with rocks in it. They started to grow. But the young plants died because the ground was not wet enough in that place. 7 Some seeds fell among thorn bushes. Those bushes grew up with the young plants. They stopped the seeds from growing into strong plants. 8 But some seeds fell on good soil. Strong plants grew from those seeds. Each of these plants made 100 seeds.’

When Jesus finished the story, he said, ‘You have ears, so listen well to what I say!’

Jesus explains why he tells stories

9 Jesus’ disciples asked him about this story. They asked him what it meant. 10 Jesus replied, ‘God has let you know what these stories mean. You understand how God rules in the lives of his people. But other people only listen to my stories. They look, but they do not really see clearly. They hear the words, but they do not really understand.’

Jesus explains the story about the seeds

11 Jesus went on to say, ‘This is what the story means: The seeds are like the message from God. 12 Some seeds fell on the path. That is like some people who hear the message, but they do not think about it. The Devil comes and he takes the message away from their minds. He takes it away so that they cannot believe it. Because they do not believe the message, God does not save them.

13 Some seeds fell on ground with rocks in it. This is like people who hear the message from God and they are very happy for a time. But they are like plants that have not grown down well into the soil. They believe in God for a short time. But when they have any problems, they stop believing.

14 Some seeds fell among thorn bushes. This is like some other people who hear the message from God. But they start to have many troubles in their minds about how they will live. They want to get more money and more things. They think that this will make them happy. So they do not let God’s message change them. They are like plants that do not grow into strong plants.

15 But some seed fell on good soil. This is like other people that hear the message from God. They understand the message and they keep it in their minds. They are good and honest. They continue to believe and do not go back. These people are like a good plant that grows well and makes lots of new seeds.’

16 Jesus went on to say, ‘People do not light a lamp and then cover it. They do not put the lamp under a pot or under a bed. Instead, they put it in a high place. Then other people that come into the room can see the light from the lamp.

17 God hides some things now. But there will be a time when people will see them. God keeps some things secret now. But there will be a time when people will understand those things clearly.

18 So you should think carefully about what you hear. The person who has received some things will receive more. But some other people have nothing. They think that they have a little bit. But they will lose even that.’

The mother and brothers of Jesus come to see him

19 Then Jesus’ mother and his brothers came to see him. But they could not reach him because of the large crowd of people who were there. 20 Someone told Jesus, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside. They want to see you.’

21 Jesus replied, ‘I will tell you who my mother and brothers really are. My mother and my brothers are those people who hear God’s message and do what he wants.’

Jesus stops a storm

22 One day, Jesus got into a boat with his disciples. He said to them, ‘We should go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they started to cross the lake. 23 While they sailed in the boat, Jesus began to sleep. Then a strong wind started to blow across the lake. Water began to fill the boat and they were in danger. 24 So the disciples went to Jesus and they woke him. ‘Master, master, we are going to die here in the water!’ they said.

Then Jesus got up and he spoke strongly to the wind and to the water. ‘Stop!’ he said. The wind stopped immediately and the water became flat. 25 Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Why do you not believe in me?’

All this frightened the disciples and they were very surprised. They asked each other, ‘Who is this man? He even tells the wind and the water what to do. He speaks and they obey him!’

Jesus makes a man well

26 Jesus and his disciples went to the place where the Gerasene people lived. This place is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus got out of the boat there, a man from the town came towards him. Bad spirits were living inside him. He had not worn any clothes for a long time. He did not live in a house. Instead, he lived in a place where they buried dead people. 28 When he saw Jesus, he screamed. Then he went down on his knees in front of Jesus and said in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, you are the Son of the powerful God above! We have nothing in common! Please do not hurt me.’ 29 He said that because Jesus had already said to the bad spirit, ‘Come out of this man.’

The bad spirit had often taken hold of the man and people watched him carefully. They held his feet with metal chains. But when the bad spirit took hold of him, he often broke the chains. The bad spirit then caused him to go into the wilderness.

30 Jesus asked the man, ‘What is your name?’ The man replied, ‘My name is Army.’ He said this because very many bad spirits had gone into him. 31 These bad spirits asked Jesus not to send them away to the world below.

32 There was a large group of pigs there and they were eating on the hill. The bad spirits asked Jesus, ‘Let us go into the pigs.’ Jesus replied, ‘You can go into them.’ 33 So the bad spirits came out of the man and they went into the pigs. All the pigs rushed together down the hill into the lake. They all died there in the water.

34 The men who were taking care of the pigs saw this happen. They ran away. They told the people in the town and in the villages what had happened. 35 So the people went out from these places to see what had happened. They came to Jesus. The man that the bad spirits had come out of was sitting there, beside Jesus’ feet. Now he was wearing clothes and his mind was well again. When the people saw this, they were afraid. 36 Some people had seen Jesus make the man well. They told the other people how he had done this. 37 Then all the Gerasene people who lived in that place said to Jesus, ‘Please go away and leave us.’ They said this because they were very afraid. So, Jesus got back into the boat so that they could leave that place. 38 Then the man that the bad spirits had gone out from said to Jesus, ‘Please let me come with you.’ But Jesus replied, ‘No. 39 You must return to your home. Tell everyone about all that God has done for you.’

So the man went away. He went everywhere in the town and told all the people, ‘Jesus has done very good things for me.’

Jesus makes a young girl well

40 When Jesus returned to the other side of the lake, the crowd was very happy to see him. They were all waiting for him to come back. 41 Then a man called Jairus came to see him. He was a leader at the Jewish meeting place. He went down on his knees at the feet of Jesus and said, ‘Please come to my house. 42 I have one daughter. She is 12 years old and she is very ill. She will die very soon.’

So Jesus went along. A crowd of people went with him and they were pushing against him. 43 There was a sick woman in the crowd who had lost blood for 12 years. She had paid all her money to doctors and she had no money left. But nobody could help her to become well again. 44 She came in the crowd behind Jesus and she touched the edge of his coat. Immediately she stopped bleeding. 45 Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’

Everyone round him said, ‘It was not me. I did not touch you.’ Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, there is a big crowd round you. Many people are pushing against you.’

46 Jesus said, ‘Someone did touch me. I felt it when something powerful went out from me.’ 47 The woman knew that she could not hide herself. So she was very afraid. She came to Jesus and she went down on the ground in front of him. She spoke so that all the people could hear her. She said, ‘I wanted to be well again, so I touched him. When I did that, I became well immediately.’ 48 Jesus said to her, ‘Young woman, you are well again because you believed in me. Do not have any more troubles in your mind.’

49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone arrived from Jairus’ house. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ he told Jairus. ‘Do not ask the teacher to come now.’

50 Jesus heard what the man said. So he said to Jairus, ‘Do not be afraid. Just believe in me. Then she will become well again.’

51 When they arrived at the house, Jesus would not let everyone go in. He took only Peter, John and James. He also let the mother and father of the girl go into the house. 52 All the people there were crying loudly because they were very sad. ‘Do not cry,’ Jesus told them. ‘The child is not dead. She is only asleep.’

53 But the people knew that she had died. So they laughed at him. 54 But Jesus went and held the child’s hand. He said to her, ‘My child, get up.’ 55 Then she became alive again. Immediately she stood up. Jesus said to her parents, ‘Give her something to eat.’ 56 They were very surprised. Jesus said to them very strongly, ‘You must not tell anyone about what has happened.’

Jesus is the reason for this great Christmas season!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

~Matthew 25:40~

Charles Howell McGregor

December 24, 1939 – December 06, 2019

A resident of Greensburg, LA, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2019 at St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg, LA. He was born December 24, 1939 in Clarksdale, MS and was 79 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Brecheen McGregor; daughter, Dawn McGregor Bridges and husband, Oscar; son, Jay Michael McGregor and wife, Lisa; step-sons, Gary Conleay and wife, Emily, Randy Conleay and wife, Debra, and Justin Lehmann and wife, Courtney; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Peggy McGregor Bourgeois; former son in law, Clayton Blades. Preceded in death by his parents, Prentiss and Thelma McGregor; son, Mark Howell McGregor; step-daughter, Audrey Conleay Lehmann; grandsons, Hunter McGregor and Aaron Cole Lehmann; sister, Marteen McGregor Ainsworth; and a special niece, Kim Brun. Special thanks to Diontrinise “Mooky” Westbias and the staff at St. Helena Parish Hospital. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5:00PM until 9:00PM on Thursday and from 8:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Friday, December 13, 2019. Services conducted by Rev. Burdette Thomas. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. Pallbearers will be Warren Hovis, Josh Conleay, Cody Waller, Quincy Hodges, III, Evan Lynn and Robert Strickland. Honorary Pallbearers will be Logan McGregor and Ryan McGregor. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

The annual Lottie Moon Tea is TODAY!

Spring Creek Baptist Church
2:00 P.M.
Be inspired by the life of a great missionary lady in China.
Get in the Christmas spirit with carols.
Enjoy sitting at a beautifully decorated table.
See wonderful friends from throughout our association.

Scripture Writing – December 7 – Jeremiah 33: 14-16

LMCO – Day 7 – https://montgomeryfbc.org/2019-lottie-moon-christmas-offering-week-of-prayer-day-7/

Special December Bible Reading – Luke 7

A Roman officer believes that Jesus can help him

1 After Jesus had finished speaking to the people, he went to Capernaum. 2 A Roman officer there had a servant that he liked very much. The servant was very ill and he was dying.

3 The officer heard about Jesus, so he sent some important Jews to speak to him. ‘Please go to Jesus,’ he said to them. ‘I would like him to make my servant well. Ask him if he would come to do that.’ 4 The Jewish leaders went to Jesus. They asked him, ‘Please would you do something to help this Roman officer. 5 He loves the Jewish people. He himself built a meeting place for us.’

6 So, Jesus went with them. When he was not very far away from the house, the officer sent some friends to talk to him. He told them to say to Jesus, ‘Sir, I do not want to be a trouble to you. I am not good enough for you to come into my house. 7 That is why I did not come to talk to you myself. Instead, just say that my servant will get better. I know that he will then be well again. 8 In my work, someone has authority over me. I also have authority over other soldiers. I say to one soldier, “Go!” and he goes. I say to another one, “Come!” and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this!” and he does it.’

9 When Jesus heard this message from the officer, he was very surprised. He turned towards the crowd that was following him. He said to them, ‘I tell you, I have not found anyone like this man in all of Israel. Nobody else believes in me as well as he does.’

10 The friends of the officer then returned to his house. When they arrived there, they saw that the servant was well again.

Jesus makes a dead man alive again

11 The next day, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large group of other people went with him. 12 When he had almost reached the gate of the town, lots of people were coming out. They were carrying a dead man on a mat. They were going to bury him. His mother had no other sons and her husband was also dead. A large crowd of people from the town were going with her.

13 When the Lord Jesus saw her, he felt very sorry for her. He said to her, ‘Do not cry.’ 14 He went to the box and he touched it. The people who were carrying the box stopped. Jesus said, ‘Young man, I am telling you, get up!’ 15 Immediately, the dead man sat up and he began to talk. Jesus then gave him back to his mother.

16 Everyone there was very afraid. They praised God and said, ‘A great prophet of God has appeared among us. God has come to save his people!’

17 This news about Jesus went all through Judea. The people in the places that were near there also heard about it.

Jesus talks about John the Baptist

18 Then some disciples of John the Baptist went to visit him in prison. They told him about all the things that Jesus was doing. So John chose two of them to go to the Lord Jesus for him. 19 He said to them, ‘I want you to ask Jesus, “Are you the special person that God is sending to us? If not, should we still look for someone else?” ’

20 So the two men came to Jesus. They said to him, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you. He wants us to ask you, “Are you the special person that God is sending to us? If not, should we still look for someone else?” ’

21 At that time, Jesus was making many people well. They had many different illnesses. Some had bad spirits in them. Jesus also caused many blind people to see again. 22 Then he said to the two men that John had sent, ‘Go back to John. Tell him what you have seen. Tell him what you have heard. Blind people can now see again. People that could not walk can now walk again. People who had a bad illness of the skin are now well again. Deaf people can now hear again. People who had died now live again. Poor people are hearing God’s good news. 23 If anyone believes in me and does not turn away, he will be really happy.’

24 The two disciples of John then left. Jesus spoke to the crowd about John. He said to them, ‘You went out to the wilderness. What did you go there to see? Was it a tall piece of grass which the wind was blowing this way and that? No, you did not go to see that. 25 So, did you go to see a man who was wearing expensive clothes? No! People like that do not live in the wilderness. They have many beautiful things and they live in great houses. 26 So, what did you go to see? Did you go to see a prophet sent by God? Yes! But I tell you, John was even more important than a prophet. 27 This is what they wrote about him a long time ago in the Bible, when God said:

“Listen! I will send someone to go in front of you.

He will speak my message.

He will prepare a way for you.” ’

28 Jesus also said to the people, ‘I tell you, John is greater than any person who has ever lived up to now. But now anyone who belongs in the kingdom of God is greater than John, even the least important of them.’

29 Many people heard what Jesus said. Even the men who took taxes on behalf of the government agreed with his message. They had asked John to baptize them. They all said, ‘What God says about us is right.’ 30 But the Pharisees and the men that studied God’s Law did not want John to baptize them. They did not believe the message that God was giving to them.

31 Jesus continued to teach. He said, ‘I will talk to you about the people that are alive today. I will tell you what they are like. 32 They are like children who are sitting in the market place. They are playing games. They shout to other children,

“We made happy music on a flute for you,

but you did not dance.

Then we sang a sad song but you did not cry.”

33 You are like those children. When John the Baptist came, he often did not eat food for a time. He never drank wine. So you say that John has a bad spirit in him. 34 Then I, the Son of Man, came. I both eat and I drink. So you say about me, “Look at this man! He eats too much and he drinks too much. He is a friend of bad people and men who take taxes on behalf of the government.” 35 But God is wise and good. Wise people understand and they show that God is right.’

A woman pours expensive oil on Jesus

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat a meal with him. So Jesus went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down to eat. 37 In that town was a woman who had done many wrong things. She heard that Jesus was eating a meal at the house of the Pharisee. So she took a small stone jar with oil in it, and she went there. The oil had a very nice smell. 38 She went into the house and she stood behind Jesus. She was crying and she made his feet wet with her tears. Then she made his feet dry again with her hair and she kissed them. She then poured the oil out of the jar on to his feet. 39 When the Pharisee saw this, he said to himself, ‘This man cannot be a prophet from God. If he were, he would know all about this woman. He would know that she is a very bad person. He would not let her touch him.’

40 Jesus said to him, ‘Simon, I want to tell you something.’ Simon replied, ‘Yes, Teacher, tell me.’ So Jesus told him a story about two men:

41 ‘Someone had lent two men some money. He had lent one of them 500 silver coins. He had lent the other one 50 coins. 42 Neither of the men had enough money to pay him back. Then the man that had lent them the money forgave them. “You do not need to pay back my money,” he said to them both.’

Jesus then asked Simon, ‘Which of these two men will love that man most?’ 43 Simon replied, ‘I think that it is the man that needed to pay back the most money.’

‘You are right,’ Jesus said. 44 Then he turned towards the woman. ‘You see this woman,’ he said to Simon. ‘When I came into your house, you did not give me water for my feet. But she has washed my feet with her tears and she has dried them with her hair. 45 You did not say “Hello” to me with a kiss. But this woman began to kiss my feet when she came in. And she has not stopped. 46 You did not put oil on my head. But she has brought oil with a nice smell and put it on my feet. 47 So I tell you, this woman has done many bad things. But I have forgiven them. She loves me a lot, because I have forgiven her a lot. If I only forgive someone a little, that person only loves me a little.’

48 Then Jesus said to the woman, ‘Woman, I forgive you for all the bad things that you have done.’

49 The other people at the meal talked among themselves. They said, ‘Who is this man? Can he really forgive the bad things that people have done?’

50 Jesus said to the woman, ‘You have believed in me, so God has saved you. You may go now, and be happy.’

Don’t forget the Lottie Moon Tea!

Anna Lee