Category: Praises, Requests, & Updates

Robert Frohn of Amite had a heart attack yesterday and stints put in last night. He is in ICU at North Oaks. Please remember him in prayer this morning.

CaringBridge

• http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathyjothompson/journal?jid=5860120
• http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole/journal?jid=5859159

CONTRAST

IF I OFFERED you a method for making a million dollars, and it was s certain process, would you listen…?

What if I offered you the ability to live your life in a wise, godly manner? Would you listen? Sorry, but I do not have the million dollar deal figured out, but I do know where to find the process for living.

That process is found in Psalm 1. It contrasts the difference between the man who wants to live in a godly manner and the one who does not. The contrast is between day and night. One many follows the way of God and is blessed. What is his process? First, he makes his own decisions about what he is going to do. He avoids evil company and refuses to associate with people who are cynical about everything. We often have to work with such people, of course, but we do not need to spend our “off” time with them.

The godly man looks to the true source of wisdom and strength — God Himself. He drinks in godliness as a tree drinks in the water running along its roots. Because of that action and attitude, the man yields fruit. He prospers.

On the other hand, the man who lives as if God were irrelevant is like chaff. He is blown away and has no lasting impact on life. Evil is its own worst enemy and is self-destructive. As the psalmist puts it, “The way of the wicked will perish” (v. 6). Oh, that might not happen right away. In fact, some of the world’s biggest scoundrels seem to have it all. But appearances are deceptive. What they build will not last.

God keeps the way of His people: “For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous” (v. 6). These two ways of living could not be more diverse. One way is day; the other way is night.

Where do you live? Don M. Aycock & Mark Sutton, “The Difference Between Day and Night,” Still God’s Man, 147-148

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalm 1

Posted by Mike Benson

I think the weatherman who promised cooler weather yesterday was wrong.  Today, the report is for hot weather.  Take care of yourself and others today.

Anna Lee

“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth.

For I am God, and there is no other.”

~Isaiah 45:22, HCSB~

The youth from Osyka have returned from M-Fuge.  They had a wonderful experience.

The mission team from FBC, Amite made it to Mexico City yesterday.  Pray for their time of ministry there.  Also, pray for the health of the team.

KneEmail

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

Mike Benson, Editor

I HAVE A confession–I didn’t pay any real attention to the World Cup…

Yes, I dabbled in “football” (e.g., soccer) when I was a youngster, but the sport just didn’t hold my attention. Sure, there was a lot of movement on the playing field, but a score of 2-1 or 2-0 just wasn’t sufficient for my personal taste. There simply wasn’t enough “scoring return” for all of that cumulative exertion. “He shoots–No!” “He shoots–No, he missed!” “He shoots–and the ball goes wide!” That mantra continued for all but a few, brief moments during every game. But enough about my sporting affections.

Several days ago, I stumbled across an article in USA Today pertaining to the World Cup. The piece said:

“The Dutch will literally be praying for victory in the World Cup Final.

On Sunday morning in the village of Obdam, north of Amsterdam, the
Rev. Paul Vlaar and the members of his choir plan to wear orange
robes for Mass before the Netherlands’ match against Spain kicks off
in South Africa.

The candles, piano and even the snacks served with coffee afterward
will also bear the national hue.

‘I will say a special prayer and talk about the football game in my
sermon,’ Vlaar said Thursday.

He is expecting only a few hundred people in his small parish church,
but the Catholic priest has caught the mood of the nation as it heads
to its first World Cup final in 32 years…”  Friday . July 9, 2010 . 8C

I had to stifle a laugh when I first read those brief paragraphs. The big news of the day was about how a nation bowed in reverential prayer for a win over their European opponents.

May I ask a few questions…? Forgive my sarcasm, but a few points seem in order:

1. Have we really come so far as human beings that we think God is concerned with the outcome of a soccer match? With all of the issues that plague our planet and the souls of mankind, is the Almighty bending His ear to hear prayers about an activity with no eternal dimensions?

2. Have we become so selfish that we can petition the Lord for a victory in this realm?James said, “You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3). Toask amiss is to ask for the wrong reason. “Lord, help us to crush the Spaniards today as we battle them for supremacy in this epic struggle…”

3. The apostle Paul’s mandate to preachers says, “Preach the Word…” (2 Timothy 4:2a). Read that again slowly, “Preach…the…Word.” And why are we to preach the Word? Because it’s the only message for a lost and dying world (cf., 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21). A worship service and a sermon that majors on the outcome of a football game obviously can’t accomplish the Lord’s purpose. People are hell-bound and separated from the Father (Romans 3:23). They need the Word, not ESPN.

4. Paul spoke of those “whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame–who set their mind on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19). Earthly things, perhaps like a football match?

If this whole situation weren’t so sad, it would be humorous. Dear friends, God is not Santa Claus–One who grants our whims like a child’s Christmas list. Worship is not about my wants; it’s about what the Lord desires and commands.  Mike Benson at: http://www.forthright.net/fidelity/worship_and_the_world_cup.html

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

~Colossians 3:2~

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee