Category: Scripture Writing

Thursday

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,

obeyed and went,

even though he did not know where he was going.”

 ~Hebrews 11:8 NIV~

 

 

 

Josiah Huckaby (written by his mom)

This boy was quite the little character last night! I was able to get a couple of videos of him “talking”. Shaking his head NO is definitely a favorite activity. He’s getting better at 1 syllable sounds (mostly yeah but he has started making some consonant sounds) & I even got “da” out of him last night.

Since his vent pressures are still a bit too high for him to start working with a speak valve (which changes the airflow so that air can pass over his vocal cords allowing him to talk with a trach), we have an evaluation next week to see if he qualifies for an AAC device to help him communicate his wants & needs with us while he is technically non-verbal. It will most likely be some type of tablet with special software that allows him to pick from several options on a grid. We are really excited about this opportunity!!!

 

 

 

Willie Hebert is my cousin Fran’s husband.  He has been having some health issues lately and will be having some important tests on the 12th and 13th.  Please pray for Willie and Fran.

 

 

 

Floyd Fowler continues to have issues with pneumonia.  Pray for him and his doctor as he works for a solution.

 

 

 

John Truman Causey

December 31, 1930 – December 03, 2019

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at The Carpenter House in Baton Rouge, LA. He was born December 31, 1930 in Kentwood, LA and was 88 years of age. He was a U.S. Army Veteran during Korea. He was a dairy farmer, worked for the State of Louisiana in the Office of Motor Vehicles, and served as a bailiff for Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. He was a mason in the Spring Creek Masonic Lodge and a member and former Deacon for East Fork Baptist Church. He is survived by 3 nieces, Laurie G. Speed, Rae Lynn G. Simeon and Leslie G. Colvin; sister-in-laws, May Hoppe, Patty McDaniel and Nita McDaniel; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Margie McDaniel Causey; parents, Derrick and Carrie Adams Causey; 2 sisters, Ruby May Gill and Ada Causey. Visitation at East Fork Baptist Church from 5:00PM until 9:00PM on Friday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 10:30AM on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Services conducted by Rev. Ernest Graham. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Mr John and “Miss” Margie were camping friends with my parents for many years.  We called momma, “Momma Dot”.  Since my momma passed away, Mr. John has called me “Momma Dot”.  He wasn’t confused, just letting me know seeing me reminded him of my momma.  By the way, I don’t look like her.

 

 

 

The Lottie Moon Christmas Tea will be Saturday at Spring Creek Baptist Church at 2 P.M.  Ladies, young to old, are invited to join in the special day.

 

 

 

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 

https://montgomeryfbc.org/2019-lottie-moon-christmas-offering-week-of-prayer-day-5/

 

 

 

 

Luke 5

Jesus asks some men to go with him

1 One day, Jesus was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret. A crowd was pushing to get near to him. They were listening to him. He was speaking God’s message to them.

2 Jesus saw two fishing boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left the boats there and they were now washing their nets.

3 One of the boats belonged to Simon. Jesus climbed into it. He asked Simon to push it away from the shore. Jesus sat in the boat and he started to teach the people.

4 When Jesus finished teaching, he said to Simon, ‘Now take the boat out into deep water. Then put the nets into the water to catch some fish.’

5 Simon replied, ‘Teacher, we worked all last night and we did not catch anything. But because you say it, I will put the nets into the water again.’ 6 So they went and they put the nets down into the water. When they did that, they caught many fish. There were so many fish that the nets began to break. 7 So Simon shouted to the other fishermen that worked with him. ‘Come here!’ he said, ‘We need you.’ When they saw that, the men came in their boat. They filled both boats with the fish. There were so many fish that the boats began to go down under the water. 8 When Simon saw all the fish, he went down on his knees in front of Jesus. ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I am a bad man. So please go away from me.’

9 Simon said this because he was very surprised. He was surprised because they had caught so many fish. His friends in the other boat were also very surprised. 10 James and John were very surprised too. They were Zebedee’s sons and they worked with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid. You have been catching fish. From now on you will catch people!’

11 After that, they went and they pulled their boats up on the shore. Then they left everything behind and they went with Jesus.

A man with a bad illness of his skin

12 One day, Jesus was in a certain town. A man with a bad illness of the skin was there.

When the man saw Jesus, he threw himself down on the ground in front of him. He said, ‘Sir, if you want, you can make me well again. Please do it.’

13 Jesus put out his hand towards the man and he touched him. He said, ‘I do want to help you. Be clean again!’ Immediately, the illness left the man. 14 ‘Do not tell anyone about this,’ Jesus said to him. ‘Instead, go and show yourself to the priest. Take a gift to him for God. Moses taught the people what gift to take to God when they are clean again after this kind of illness. This will show everyone that you are now well again.’

15 After this, more and more people started to hear the news about Jesus. Crowds were coming to hear him teach. Sick people also wanted him to make them well. 16 But Jesus would often go away from the crowd to pray in quiet places.

Jesus makes well a man that cannot walk

17 One day, while Jesus was teaching in someone’s house, many people were sitting there. Some of them were Pharisees. Other people were teachers of God’s Law. They had come from many villages in Galilee, and from Judea and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was there with Jesus to make sick people well.

18 Then some men arrived. They were carrying a man on a mat. The man could not walk or move his legs. They tried to get into the house, because they wanted to bring the man to Jesus. 19 But the house was full of people, and they could not get in. So, they carried the man on to the flat roof of the house. Then they made a hole in the roof. After that, they put the mat down through the hole. The man was still lying on it. He came down in the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. 20 Jesus saw them. He knew that they believed in him. So he said to the sick man, ‘My friend, I forgive you for the wrong things that you have done.’

21 The Pharisees and the teachers of God’s Law were there. They heard what Jesus said. So they began to think among themselves, ‘Who is this man? He is speaking as if he is God. Only God can forgive people for the wrong things that they have done.’ 22 Jesus knew what these men were thinking. He told them, ‘You should not be thinking these things. 23 I said to this man, “I forgive you for the wrong things that you have done.” Instead, I could have said to him, “Stand up and walk.” Which one is easier for me to say? 24 But I want you to know this. I, the Son of Man, have authority here on earth. I can forgive people for the wrong things that they have done.’

Then he said to the man who could not walk, ‘I am saying to you, “Stand up. Pick up your mat and go home!” ’

25 Immediately, the man stood up in front of them all. He picked up the mat that he had been lying on. He went home. He was praising God as he went. 26 What had happened surprised everyone. They said, ‘God is great and powerful! We have seen very strange and special things happen today.’

Jesus asks Levi to come with him

27 After this happened, Jesus went away from that house. He saw a man that took taxes from people on behalf of the government. He was working in his office. His name was Levi. Jesus said to him, ‘Come with me and be my disciple.’ 28 So Levi got up and he went with Jesus. He left everything behind.

29 Soon after this, Levi made a large meal for Jesus at his house. Many people also came and they were eating with them there. Many of these people also took taxes on behalf of the government. 30 Some Pharisees and teachers of God’s Law saw them there. So they said to Jesus’ disciples, ‘You eat and drink with these bad people and men who take taxes on behalf of the government. That is not right.’

31 Jesus answered them, ‘People who are well do not need a doctor. It is people who are ill that need a doctor. 32 Some people think that they always obey God. I have not come to help people like that. Some people know that they have done wrong things. I am asking those people to come to me for help. I want them to change how they live.’

33 Then the Jewish leaders said to Jesus: ‘The disciples of John the Baptist often stop eating food for a time. Then they can pray to God a lot. The disciples of the Pharisees also do that. But your disciples never do that. They continue to eat and drink every day.’

34 Jesus answered them, ‘When a man marries a wife, his friends cannot refuse to eat food at that time. Nobody can stop them from eating while he is with them. 35 But there will be a time when people will take that man away from his friends. Then they will stop eating food.’

36 Jesus told them this story: ‘Nobody tears a piece of cloth from a new coat to mend an old coat. If he does that, he will have torn the new coat. Also, the piece of cloth from the new coat will not look the same as the old coat.

37 And nobody pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does that, the new wine will tear the old wineskins. He will lose the wine and the wineskins will also spoil. 38 Instead, you must put new wine into new wineskins.

39 Also, nobody wants to drink new wine after he has drunk old wine. He will say, “The old wine is much better.” ’

 

 

 

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

Wednesday

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” 

~Galatians 6:9 NIV~

 

 

 

Carl Wayne Stevens, 76, beloved husband and father, left this world peacefully to be with Jesus surrounded by his beloved wife and children on December 2, 2019. He entered this world on August 3, 1943 in Magnolia, MS, born to Amy Belle and Wayne Stevens.

He is survived by his wife Nora Hodges Stevens; his children, Carl W. “Rusty” Stevens II, M.D. (wife Cherilon) of Laurel, MS, Julee Stevens Pousson (husband Mitch) of Nashville, TN, Micah Stevens (wife Mica) of Laurel, MS, Matthew Stevens, M.D. (wife Lindsey) of Tupelo, MS; his grandchildren, Ben Stevens, M.D. (wife LeighAnn), Sara Beth Stevens, Mitchell Pousson II, Madeline Pousson, Christian Pousson, Preston Stevens, AmyBelle Stevens, Eli Stevens, Parker Stevens, Sawyer Stevens, Addison Kate Stevens; his sister, Denise Stevens of Houston, TX.

He is preceded in death by his parents Amy Belle and Wayne Stevens and his brother Preston David Stevens of Kentwood, LA.

Carl owned and operated a dairy farm for 29 years while also working as a rural mail carrier for 22 of those years. After retiring and moving to Laurel, MS he began a new career as owner and operator of Daylight Donuts. Carl was an absolute joy to everyone who knew him. He was known for his wit, kindness, sincere love for and acceptance of all. He put special emphasis on his relationship with his sister, children, and each of his grandchildren. He deeply loved and cherished Nora, his one true love of over 55 years and the life they built together. He loved well and was loved well.

Friends are invited to share their memories of Carl with his family during visitation at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 4593 Indian Springs Rd, Laurel, MS, on Friday, December 6th from 12:00 – 2:30 pm. Services will begin at 2:30 pm with interment to follow at Lake Park Hills Cemetery, Laurel, MS.

Pall Bearers will be; Ben Stevens, M.D., Mitch Pousson, Mitchell Pousson II, Christian Pousson, Preston Stevens, Mike Moise, Terry Bridges, Larry Sanders.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his name to: The American Heart Association and The American Lung Association.

1 Cor 13:13 – And now these three remain – faith, hope, love. But the greatest of these is love.

 

 

 

Operation Christmas Child – Our shoeboxes were sent to Dallas for processing.  Boxes from there appear to be going to Central America, as usual, because that area is closer to Dallas than other processing centers.

 

 

 

Scripture Writing – December 4 – Isaiah 11: 6-10

 

 

 

Bible chapter to read today – Luke 4

Luke 4

The Devil tries to make Jesus do wrong things

1 Then Jesus returned from the river Jordan. He was full of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness. 2 He stayed there for 40 days and he did not eat anything. During this time the Devil tried to cause Jesus to do wrong things. At the end of 40 days, Jesus was very hungry.

3 The Devil said to Jesus, ‘If you are the Son of God, speak to this stone. Tell it to become bread.’

4 ‘No!’ Jesus replied, ‘The Bible says that food alone cannot cause people to live.’

5 After that, the Devil led Jesus up to a high place. In one moment, he showed Jesus all the countries in the whole world. 6 He said to Jesus, ‘I will let you rule the whole world. I will give you power over all these things. That power all belongs to me. So, I can give it to anyone that I choose. 7 Just go down on your knees and worship me. Then I will give you power over the whole world.’

8 ‘No!’ Jesus replied, ‘The Bible says,

“Only worship your Lord God.

He is the only one that you should obey.” ’

9 The Devil now took Jesus to Jerusalem. He took him to stand on the highest part of God’s Great House. Then he said to Jesus, ‘If you are the Son of God, jump down from here to the ground. 10 You know that the Bible says:

“God will tell his angels to keep you safe.”

11 “They will hold you safely in their hands.

They will not let you hurt your foot on a stone.” ’

12 ‘No!’ Jesus replied. ‘The Bible says,

“Do not do a foolish thing to see if your Lord God will save you.” ’

13 The Devil tried to make Jesus do many wrong things like that. When he had finished this, he left Jesus alone for a time.

Jesus goes to Nazareth

14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee. The Holy Spirit continued to give him power. Everyone who lived near there heard the news about him. 15 He taught people in the Jewish meeting places. Everyone said good things about him.

16 Jesus went to Nazareth, the town where he had grown up. On the Jewish day for rest, he went to their meeting place. This was what he usually did. He stood up to read aloud from the Bible.

17 They gave him the book of messages that God had given to his prophet Isaiah. Jesus opened the book. He found the place where Isaiah wrote:

18 ‘The Spirit from the Lord God is on me.

He has chosen me to tell good news to poor people.

He has sent me to tell people who are in prison, “You can go free!”

I must say to people that cannot see, “See again!”

I must cause people that are like slaves to become free.

19 I must tell everyone, “This is the year when God will be kind to his people.” ’

20 When Jesus had read this to the people, he closed the book. He gave it back to an officer of the meeting place. Then he sat down to teach the people. Everyone in the meeting place was looking carefully at him.

21 Jesus said to them, ‘Today this message has become true. It has happened while you were listening.’

22 Everyone was talking about Jesus. They were surprised at the good way in which he spoke. They said to each other, ‘He is really only the son of Joseph. Isn’t that true?’

23 Jesus then said to them, ‘Now you will tell me the proverb, “Doctor, make yourself well!” You will also say, “We have heard that you did many surprising things in Capernaum. This is your home town, so do the same things here!” 24 I tell you this, people do not accept a prophet of God who comes from their own town.

25 What I tell you is true. There were many widows in the country of Israel when Elijah was alive. At that time, it did not rain for three and a half years. So people were very hungry in all the country. 26 But God did not send Elijah to help a widow in Israel. Instead, God sent Elijah to the country called Sidon. There he helped a widow in a place called Zarephath.

27 Here is another example: When God’s prophet Elisha was alive, there were many people in Israel with a bad illness of the skin. But God did not make any of them well. Instead, he made a man well who was from the country called Syria. That man was called Naaman.’

28 The people in the meeting place heard what Jesus said. They became very angry. 29 They stood up and they made him leave the town. They took him to the top of the hill where the town was. They wanted to throw him over the edge to the bottom. 30 But Jesus walked through the middle of the crowd and he went away.

Jesus causes a bad spirit to leave a man

31 Jesus went to a town in Galilee called Capernaum. On the Jewish day for rest, he taught the people there. 32 The people were very surprised at the things that Jesus taught them. He spoke with authority. 33 In the meeting place was a sick man. He had a spirit of a bad demon that was living inside him. The spirit caused the man to shout loudly. 34 He said, ‘Jesus from Nazareth, leave us alone! Do not destroy us! I know who you are. You are God’s Holy One!’

35 Jesus said to the spirit, ‘Be quiet! Come out of the man!’ Then the bad spirit caused the man to fall to the ground in front of the people. It came out of the man but it did not hurt him.

36 All the people were very surprised and they said to each other, ‘Listen to what this man says! He has power and authority. He tells bad spirits to come out of people, and they come out.’ 37 So, they began to tell everyone about Jesus. Because of this, people in all the places near Capernaum heard the news about Jesus.

Jesus makes many people well

38 Jesus then left the meeting place and he went to Simon’s home. The mother of Simon’s wife was ill and her body was very hot. So, they asked Jesus to make her well. 39 Jesus came and he stood near her. He told the illness to go away and immediately she was well again. She got up and she prepared food for her visitors.

40 When the sun was going down, people in the town brought to Jesus all those people who were ill. They had many different kinds of illness. Jesus put his hands on each ill person and they became well again.

41 Also, bad spirits came out of many people. They were shouting, ‘You are the Son of God.’ The spirits knew that Jesus was the Messiah. Because of this, Jesus stopped them. He would not let them speak.

42 Early the next morning, Jesus went to a place where he could be alone. The people went to look for him. When they found him they said, ‘Do not leave us! Please stay here with us.’ 43 Jesus replied, ‘I must go to other towns to tell everyone the good news. I will tell them how God rules in the lives of his people. That is what God sent me to do.’

44 Then he travelled to many towns in the country called Judea. He went into the Jewish meeting places and taught people there.

 

 

 

Special Christmas related activities involving FBC, Kentwood this week:

  • Christmas lunch at the church this morning at 11 for senior adults
  • Lottie Moon Tea – Saturday at Spring Creek Baptist Church at 2 P.M.

 

 

 

Yesterday was assigned a title. “Giving Tuesday”.  Please don’t limit your giving to one day a year!  Give of yourself regularly and without needing a special designation.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

Tuesday

Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him.

As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

~Hosea 6:3~

 

 

 

Lottie Moon Week of Prayer for International Missions – Day 3 – Gospel on the Move = https://www.imb.org/lottie-moon-christmas-offering-resources

 

 

 

Emilie McKenzie‘s second arm surgery went well.  Emilie was able to return to Kentwood without a cast!

 

 

 

Carl Wayne Stevens passed away late yesterday.  His funeral services will be in Laurel.  I’ll post an obituary when one becomes available.

 

 

 

Katelyn Brooke Marcotte

April 16, 1996 – December 01, 2019

Katelyn Brooke Marcotte, a resident of Livingston Parish, passed away Sunday, December 1st, 2019. She was 23 years young, born April 16th, 1996. Katelyn had a heart of gold and full of life. She had a personality that could brighten any room. She loved to make life fun and creating memories that will last a lifetime, especially with her children and her mama. Katelyn was always happiest when she was surrounded by her family. She will forever be loved in our lives and we will cherish the memories she helped create. Katelyn will be joining her brother, Dustin Corey McDaniel in heaven. She was survived by many loved ones, including her mother and father, Julie and James Holton. She leaves behind her 3 beloved children, Bradley Scott, Ryan James, & Brooklyn Grace. She also leaves her older brother, Raymond Dakota Gill and fiancé Linda Bugg and 4 nieces and nephews, Danica, Riley, Charleigh, and Corey Gill; her older sister Kelly Holton and 4 nieces and nephews, Jason and Kalisa Andrews and Jehovah and Johanas Dillon; and older sister, Nikki Holton with a niece and nephew, Savannah Holton and Brayden Thorton; Aunt Brandi Hilbun, Kyler and Brittany Rayborn, Kristin Sincard, & Raquel McDaniel. Katelyn had numerous additional cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends who will miss her tremendously. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Friday, December 6, 2019. Services conducted by Rev. Larry Blades. Interment Hyde Cemetery, Chesbrough, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

 

 

 Scripture Writing – December 3 – Isaiah 11: 1-5

 

 

 

Luke 3

John the Baptist prepares people to meet Jesus

1 This report is about John, the son of Zechariah. It happened when Tiberius Caesar was ruling the Roman world. He had ruled for about 15 years. Pontius Pilate was ruling the country called Judea. And Herod was ruling the land called Galilee. Herod’s brother Philip was ruling the countries called Iturea and Trachonitis. Lysanias was ruling Abilene. 2 At this time, the leaders of the priests were Annas and Caiaphas. John was living in the wilderness. While he was there, God spoke to him.

3 John went to many places near the river Jordan and spoke a message from God. ‘You have done many wrong things,’ he taught everybody. ‘You must turn away from them and change how you live. Then God will forgive you and I will baptize you.’

4 The prophet Isaiah wrote this message from God in his book:

‘Somebody’s voice is shouting in the wilderness,

“The Lord will come soon, so prepare a way for him to follow.

Make the paths straight for him.

5 Fill in every valley and make every mountain and hill flat.

Take away every curve so that the road is straight.

Take away all the rocks so that the road is flat.

6 Then everyone will see how God can save them.” ’

7 Crowds of people were going out into the wilderness. They wanted John to baptize them. He told them, ‘You are like dangerous snakes! God is angry. You are trying to run away from him. But he will soon punish people like you. 8 You have to show that you are sorry. Change how you live. Stop doing things that God does not like. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We are in the family of Abraham. God will surely not punish us.” Listen! God can take these stones and make children for Abraham out of them! 9 You are like trees that have bad fruit. God has an axe ready to use. He will cut down every tree that does not make good fruit. He will throw those trees into the fire.’

10 ‘So, what should we do?’ the crowd asked.

11 John answered, ‘If you have two shirts, give one away. Give it to someone who does not have even one shirt. If you have some food, give some of it away. Give some to someone who has no food.’

12 In the crowd, there were people that took taxes on behalf of the government. These men also wanted John to baptize them. They asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ 13 John told them, ‘You must take the right amount of money from people. You must not take more money than the rules say you should take.’

14 Then some soldiers asked John, ‘What about us? What should we do?’

‘Do not rob people of their money,’ John replied. ‘Do not say that a person has done something wrong, if he has not. It is wrong to get money by doing that. You should be happy with the money that you receive for your work.’

15 At this time people were thinking, ‘Is John the Messiah that God has promised?’ They were all hoping that he might be. 16 John knew what they were thinking. He said to them, ‘I baptize you with water. But someone else is coming soon. He is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to undo his shoes for him. This other person will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 He is like a farmer that brings the wheat home from his field. He uses a special tool to throw the wheat up in the air. He does this to make the wheat seeds separate from what remains. Then he cleans his yard. He carefully stores all the seeds to keep them safe. But he burns everything else in a great fire that nobody can put out.’

18 John said many more things to the people. He was telling them the good news about how God could change their lives. 19 One day John told the ruler Herod that it was wrong for him to marry Herodias. Before that, she had been the wife of Herod’s brother. John also told Herod that he had done many other bad things. 20 So then Herod did an even worse thing; he locked John up in prison.

John baptizes Jesus

21 While John was still baptizing all the people, he also baptized Jesus. When he did that, Jesus was praying. Then the sky opened. 22 The Holy Spirit came down on to Jesus. When he came down like that, he looked like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son and I love you. You make me very happy.’

The ancestors of Jesus

23 Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his work. People thought that he was the son of Joseph.

Joseph was from the family of Heli.

24 Heli was from the family of Matthat.

Matthat was from the family of Levi.

Levi was from the family of Melchi.

Melchi was from the family of Jannai.

Jannai was from the family of Joseph.

25 Joseph was from the family of Mattathias.

Mattathias was from the family of Amos.

Amos was from the family of Nahum.

Nahum was from the family of Esli.

Esli was from the family of Naggai.

26 Naggai was from the family of Maath.

Maath was from the family of Mattathias.

Mattathias was from the family of Semein.

Semein was from the family of Josech.

Josech was from the family of Joda.

27 Joda was from the family of Joanan.

Joanan was from the family of Rhesa.

Rhesa was from the family of Zerubbabel.

Zerubbabel was from the family of Shealtiel.

Shealtiel was from the family of Neri.

28 Neri was from the family of Melchi.

Melchi was from the family of Addi.

Addi was from the family of Cosam.

Cosam was from the family of Elmadam.

Elmadam was from the family of Er.

29 Er was from the family of Joshua.

Joshua was from the family of Eliezer.

Eliezer was from the family of Jorim.

Jorim was from the family of Matthat.

Matthat was from the family of Levi.

30 Levi was from the family of Simeon.

Simeon was from the family of Judah.

Judah was from the family of Joseph.

Joseph was from the family of Jonam.

Jonam was from the family of Eliakim.

31 Eliakim was from the family of Melea.

Melea was from the family of Menna.

Menna was from the family of Mattatha.

Mattatha was from the family of Nathan.

Nathan was from the family of David.

32 David was from the family of Jesse.

Jesse was from the family of Obed.

Obed was from the family of Boaz.

Boaz was from the family of Salmon.

Salmon was from the family of Nahshon.

33 Nahshon was from the family of Amminadab.

Amminadab was from the family of Ram.

Ram was from the family of Hezron.

Hezron was from the family of Perez.

Perez was from the family of Judah.

34 Judah was from the family of Jacob.

Jacob was from the family of Isaac.

Isaac was from the family of Abraham.

Abraham was from the family of Terah.

Terah was from the family of Nahor.

35 Nahor was from the family of Serug.

Serug was from the family of Reu.

Reu was from the family of Peleg.

Peleg was from the family of Eber.

Eber was from the family of Shelah.

36 Shelah was from the family of Cainan.

Cainan was from the family of Arphaxad.

Arphaxad was from the family of Shem.

Shem was from the family of Noah.

Noah was from the family of Lamech.

37 Lamech was from the family of Methuselah.

Methuselah was from the family of Enoch.

Enoch was from the family of Jared.

Jared was from the family of Mahalalel.

Mahalalel was from the family of Cainan.

38 Cainan was from the family of Enosh.

Enosh was from the family of Seth.

Seth was from the family of Adam.

Adam was from God.

I trust you are enjoying reading Luke.  This prepares us for Christmas.
Anna Lee

Monday

But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart;

consider what great things he has done for you.

~1 Samuel 12:24~

 

 

 

Baby Hudson Hobgood continues to improve.  Please continue to pray for him and those caring for him.

 

 

 

Pray for Emilie McKenzie as she has surgery on her arm again today.

 

 

 

Smiley Conerly will be having surgery a week from today.  Please begin to pray for him if you have not already done so.

 

 

 

Scripture Writing – December 2 – Isaiah 9: 6-7

 

 

 

Lottie Moon – Day 2 of Week of Prayer – A Season of Change –https://www.imb.org/day-2/

 

 

 

Luke 2 – Easy English Bible

Jesus is born

1 At that time, Caesar Augustus was ruling the whole Roman world. He made a law and told his men, ‘Count everyone who lives in the Roman world.’ 2 This was the first time that the Romans had made a list of everyone’s names. Quirinius was the Roman ruler of Syria when it happened.

3 Everyone went to his own home town for the Romans to count them. 4 So Joseph went to his home town, Bethlehem. He was living in the town called Nazareth, in Galilee. Bethlehem was in Judea. King David had been born there, so Bethlehem was called the town of David. Joseph belonged to the family of David. That is why he went to Bethlehem.

5 Joseph took Mary with him so that the Romans could count them. She went because she had promised to marry him. She was going to have a baby.

6 While they were in Bethlehem, after some time, her baby was born. 7 This was her first baby, and it was a boy. She put cloths round him. Then she put him in an animal’s feeding box. She did this because the rooms for visitors were full of people.

Some shepherds leave their sheep to go and see Jesus

8 That night some shepherds were living out in the fields near Bethlehem. They were keeping their sheep safe. 9 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to them. A bright light from God shone all round them. That frightened them very much. 10 The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen! I bring you good news. This news will make everyone very happy. 11 Something happened today in the town of David. Someone special was born. He is the one who will save you. He is the Messiah. He is the Lord. 12 I will tell you how you will know this baby. You will find him with cloths round him. He is lying in an animal’s feeding box.’

13 Just then many more angels appeared in a great crowd. They were praising God. They said:

14 ‘God is great! He lives in the highest place.

He will be good to the people on earth that make him happy.

They will have peace in their minds.’

15 After that, the angels went away and returned to heaven. Then the shepherds said to each other, ‘We should leave the sheep and go to Bethlehem immediately! The Lord God has sent his angels to tell us what has happened. We want to see this baby.’

16 So they went in a hurry to Bethlehem. When they got there, they found Mary and Joseph with the baby. The baby really was lying in a feeding box. 17 After they had seen the baby, they told everybody about him. They told them what the angel had said to them about him. 18 Many people heard what the shepherds said. They were very surprised. 19 Mary remembered everything that the shepherds had said. She thought about it all for a long time. 20 The shepherds then went back to their sheep. As they went they praised God. ‘How great you are!’ they said to him. ‘How good you are! Everything that the angel told us was true! We have heard good news. We have seen very special things!’

Mary and Joseph take Jesus to God’s Great House

21 When the baby was eight days old, it was time for the priest to circumcise him. His parents gave him the name Jesus. The angel had told Mary that they must give him that name. He told her that before she had the baby inside her.

22 Long ago, God gave Moses rules for his people to obey. One rule told people how to become clean after a baby was born. The time came for Mary and Joseph to do this. So, they took the baby Jesus to God’s Great House in Jerusalem to show him to the Lord.

23 This is the rule which Lord gave to his people: ‘The first male baby born to a woman belongs to me. So you must bring him to me. 24 When you do this, also bring two special birds for the priest to kill.’ So that is what Mary and Joseph did.

25 At this time, a man called Simeon was living in Jerusalem. He was a good man and he obeyed God. He had waited a long time to see the special person who would save Israel’s people. The Holy Spirit was with him. 26 The Holy Spirit had told him, ‘You will not die yet. You know that the Lord God has promised to send his Messiah. You will see him before you die.’ 27 Now the day had come. The Holy Spirit told Simeon that he should go to God’s Great House. Mary and Joseph were bringing the baby Jesus to do what God’s rule said. 28 Simeon went to them. He took Jesus and he held him in his arms. Then he thanked God. He said:

29 ‘Master, I am your servant.

You have done what you promised to me.

Now I can die with no trouble in my mind.

30 I really have seen the person that you have sent to save your people.

31 You have sent him to the world and people everywhere will know about him.

32 He will bring light to people so that they can know you.

He will show you to those people who are not Jews.

He will also show that your people of Israel are very special.’

33 That is what Simeon said about Jesus. His message surprised Mary and Joseph very much.

34 Then Simeon asked God to be good and kind to Mary and to Joseph. After that, he spoke to Mary, the mother of Jesus. He said to her, ‘God has chosen this baby. Many people in Israel will become worse because of him. And many of them will become better again because of him. He will be like a sign that points to God. But many people will speak against him. 35 This will show their secret thoughts about God. This will make you very sad, too. It will seem like a sharp knife is cutting into you. That is how sad you will be’.

36 A very old lady called Anna was also there in God’s Great House. She spoke messages that the Holy Spirit gave to her. She was the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the family of Asher. She had lived with her husband for seven years and then he had died.

37 After that, she had lived alone until she was 84 years old. Now she never left God’s Great House. She stayed there day and night to pray to God. Often she went without food so that she could pray better.

38 At that moment, Anna came to where Mary and Joseph were standing in God’s Great House. When she saw the baby, she thanked God for him. Then she began to speak about him to other people there. Many people were waiting for God to make Jerusalem free. These were the people that she spoke to about the child, Jesus.

39 When Mary and Joseph had finished everything that God’s rules said, they returned home. That was in the town called Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up. God was good and kind to him and he became strong. He learned many things and he could understand them well.

Jesus visits God’s Great House as a young boy

41 Every year, Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.

42 When Jesus was 12 years old, his parents took him with them to Jerusalem. They went as usual for the festival. 43 When the week finished, Mary and Joseph left Jerusalem to return home. But Jesus stayed behind and his parents did not know this. 44 They thought that he was with their group on the way home. They travelled for a whole day. Then they began to look for him among their family and friends.

45 They could not find him, so they went back to Jerusalem. They looked for him there. 46 After three days, they found him in God’s Great House. He was sitting there among the teachers. He was listening to what they were saying. He was also asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard Jesus was very surprised. He understood so many things and he could answer difficult questions. 48 When his parents saw him there, they were also very surprised. His mother said to him, ‘My son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have looked everywhere for you. We have had a lot of troubles in our mind.’

49 Jesus answered them, ‘You should not really have had to look for me. I must be doing what my Father wants me to do. Really, you should have known that.’ 50 But they did not really understand what he was saying to them.

51 Then Jesus returned to Nazareth with them. He did what they wanted. His mother, Mary, was careful to remember all the special things that had happened. She thought about them a lot. 52 Jesus grew up into a man. He became strong and he could understand more and more things. People thought he was a good man. God also thought well of him.

I know many of you have read and studied these verses, but do yourself a favor and take some time each daily to find a quiet spot and read them again.  Let them put you in the real Christmas spirit.  Go back to Luke I and read 1 and 2 today if you missed yesterday.
Find that quiet spot.
Anna Lee

Sunday

Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods.  

Rather, worship the LORD your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

~2 Kings 17:38-39~

 

 

 

Please continue to pray for Emilie McKenzie.  She will have another surgery on her arm Monday.  She’s looking forward to not wearing a cast soon.  Pray for Emilie and those involved in her surgery.

 

 

 

Wesley C. Ryals

July 18, 1958 – November 15, 2019

Wesley C. Ryals, a resident of Kentwood, LA died peacefully in his sleep, November 15, 2019. He was born July 18, 1958 on an Airforce base in Cambridgeshire, England. Wesley was a quiet soul except for his huge, wonderful laugh. He enjoyed a simple life with friends and family. He is survived by brother and sisters: Brenda Prudhomme and husband Michael, Jerome Ryals and wife Irena of Adelaide, Australia, Gina Carver, and Michelle Brisbois; nieces and nephews: Kellie Prudhomme, Wendy Baron, Marta Sproles, Jaime Ryals, Emily Ryals, Hannah Carver and Joshua Ryals. Preceded in death by father Jerry Ryals, mother Charlene McKenzie Brisbois, grandparents; W.O. and Minnie Ryals, Price and Maude McKenzie, infant sister Deborah Ann Ryals, and infant brother Jerry Jay Ryals. A graveside military ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at New Zion Cemetery, 2 New Zion Road, Tylertown, Mississippi at 10:00 a.m. He will be laid to rest next to his daddy. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

 

Scripture for today – Luke 1 (East English Bible) – One chapter each day until Christmas!

Luke 1

Luke writes the facts about Jesus

1 Many people have written about the things that have happened in our country. 2 Some people were present when these things started to happen. They saw everything that happened and they told us about it. They are the people who wrote down the Good News for us. 3 I have checked the facts about what really happened. So now, I know about all the things that happened from the beginning. I am writing to make the facts clear to you, my important friend Theophilus. 4 People have already taught you about these things. Now you can be sure that they are true.

What happened before John the Baptist was born

5 There was a man whose name was Zechariah. He lived when Herod was king of Judea. Zechariah was a priest and he belonged to a group of priests from the family of Abijah. He had a wife called Elizabeth. She also was from the family of the priest called Aaron.

6 Zechariah and Elizabeth obeyed God all the time. They obeyed God’s rules and they did not do wrong things. They lived in a way that pleased God. 7 But they had no children. Elizabeth could not have a baby and they were both getting old.

8 One day, Zechariah’s group was working at God’s Great House. He had a special job to do there. 9 The priests chose one of their group to go into a special room inside God’s Great House. This time they chose Zechariah. His job was to burn incense there.

10 While Zechariah was burning incense in the special room, many men were outside in the yard. They were praying to God.

11 The incense was burning on a special altar, when one of God’s angels appeared to Zechariah. The angel was standing at the right hand side of the altar.

12 When Zechariah saw the angel, he was very surprised and very afraid. 13 The angel said to him, ‘Zechariah, do not be afraid. God has heard what you prayed. He will give you what you asked for. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a baby boy. You will call him John. 14-15 He will be very important to the Lord God. So, he will make you very happy. Many other people will also be very happy because he has been born. He must never drink anything with alcohol in it. From the time that he is born, the Holy Spirit will live inside him.

16 He will teach many people in Israel. Then they will turn their lives back to the Lord their God and they will obey God again. 17 John will prepare the people for the Lord to come to them. The Holy Spirit will lead John as he led Elijah. John will do powerful things as Elijah did. He will help fathers to love their children. He will teach people who do not obey God. Then they will know what things are right. And they will do them. Then they will be ready when the Lord comes.’

18 Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure about this? You know that I am an old man. My wife is also old.’

19 The angel answered, ‘I am called Gabriel. My place is to stand in front of God. I am always ready to work for God. He has sent me to speak to you. He told me that I should tell you this good news. 20 Now listen to me. Because you did not believe my message, you will not be able to speak. You will not speak again until the time that your son is born. My message will really become true at the right time.’

21 While this was happening, the people outside were waiting for Zechariah. They were thinking, ‘Why has Zechariah stayed for such a long time in the special room? Why has he not come out yet?’ 22 When he did come out, he tried to talk to them. But he could not speak. So they knew that God had showed him something special in the room. He was moving his head and his hands about, to tell them what had happened. But still he could not speak.

23 When Zechariah had finished his work in God’s Great House, he returned home. 24 Soon, a baby was growing inside his wife Elizabeth. She stayed in her house for five months. 25 ‘The Lord has now given me a baby,’ she said. ‘He has been kind to me. Because of this, other people cannot say bad things about me now.’

What happened before Jesus was born

26 When Elizabeth’s baby had grown inside her for nearly six months, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth. Nazareth is a town in Galilee. 27 Gabriel went there to visit a young woman. Her name was Mary. She had never had sex with anyone. She had promised to marry a man called Joseph. He belonged to the family of King David.

28 Gabriel went to Mary and said, ‘Hello, Mary. The Lord God loves you very much. He is very near to you.’

29 Mary had a lot of problems in her mind about what Gabriel said. She did not understand why he said it. 30 ‘Do not be afraid, Mary,’ Gabriel went on to say. ‘God has been kind to you. 31 Listen! A baby boy will grow inside you. When he is born, you will call him Jesus. 32 He will be great. People will call him the Son of the powerful God who is over all. The Lord God will make him king. He will rule as his ancestor King David ruled. 33 He will rule over the family of Jacob for all time. He will be king for all time, without end.’

34 Mary asked, ‘How can this happen? I have never had sex with anyone.’ 35 Gabriel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of God who is over all will cover you like a shadow. So, your child will be special to God. He will be completely good. He will be called God’s Son. 36 Another thing! Your cousin, Elizabeth, is very old. People said that she could not have a baby. Listen! She also will have a son. The baby has grown inside her now for nearly six months. 37 There is nothing that God cannot do.’

38 Mary answered, ‘I am the servant of the Lord. I have heard what you have said. I want it to happen to me just like that.’ Then the angel left her.

Mary visits Elizabeth

39 After that, Mary prepared herself to travel. She hurried to a town in the hills of Judea. 40 When she arrived at the home of Zechariah, she said, ‘Hello’ to Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary speak, she felt her baby move quickly inside her. The Holy Spirit filled her. 42 She spoke to Mary in a loud voice, ‘God has made you very happy. He has been good and kind to you more than to other women. He has also been good and kind to your baby. 43 You are the mother of my Lord and I am not an important person. So it is very good that you have visited me. 44 Listen! When I heard you say, “Hello” to me, my baby moved quickly inside me. He was very happy. 45 The Lord has told you what will happen. And you believed what he told you. Because of that, God has made you a happy person.’

Mary’s song

46 Then Mary said,

‘All of me wants to praise God and say,

“Lord, how good and great you are!”

47 I thank God because he is the one who saves me.

48 I know that I am not an important person.

God knows this, and he has been kind to me.

Listen! From now on, all people will say that God has made me happy.

49 Yes, God has done great things for me.

He is very powerful and strong. He is good in every way.

50 He is kind to people who respect him.

He will always be kind to people like that.

51 He has shown how strong he is to do great things.

Some people think that they are very important.

But he has sent them away in different directions.

52 Some people were ruling countries.

But he has taken their power away from them.

He has given power to people who do not feel important.

53 He has fed hungry people with good things to eat.

But he has sent rich people away with nothing.

54 He promised that he would be kind to his people, Israel.

Now he has come and helped them.

55 He made a promise to Abraham and to our other ancestors.

Now he has done what he promised.’

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. Then she returned to her home.

John the Baptist is born

57 The time arrived for Elizabeth to have her baby. She had a son. 58 Her family and the people who lived near her heard about her baby. They knew that the Lord had been very kind to her. They saw that she was happy. So they were happy too. 59 When the child was eight days old, people came to circumcise the child. They wanted to call the child Zechariah. This was the same name that his father had.

60 Elizabeth said, ‘No. His name will be John.’

61 They replied, ‘But you do not have anybody in your family called John. That cannot be right.’ 62 So they used signs and asked his father. They wanted to know the boy’s name.

63 Zechariah asked for something to write on. He wrote, ‘His name is John.’ Everyone was very surprised at what he wrote. 64 Immediately, Zechariah could speak again. He could speak without difficulty. He began to thank God loudly.

65 The people who lived near Zechariah and Elizabeth were very surprised. They saw how great God was. Many people who lived in the hills of Judea also talked about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard about these things thought about them. They asked each other, ‘When this child becomes a man, what will he be?’ They could see that God really was with him.

Zechariah’s song

67 The Holy Spirit filled John’s father, Zechariah, so that he spoke God’s message:

68 ‘The Lord God of Israel is a great God.

He has come to save his people. He has come to make them free.

69 He has sent a very strong person who will save us.

This person comes from the family of his servant, King David.

70 Long ago, God promised that he would do this.

He gave his own prophets this message to speak.

71 God will save us from our enemies.

He will save us from everyone that hates us.

72 He has promised to be kind to our ancestors.

He will remember to do the things that he promised.

73 Yes, he will remember the strong promises that he spoke to Abraham.

74 God said, “I will keep you safe from your enemies.

Then you can serve me and not be afraid.

75 You can live in a way that is good and right.

You can do this all your lives.” ’

76 Zechariah then spoke to John:

‘You, my child, will be called a prophet of the powerful God who is over all.

You will go in front of the Lord to prepare a way for him.

77 You will tell God’s people how God can save them.

They have done wrong things but God will forgive them.

78 Our God will forgive us because he is very kind.

He will send someone from the highest place.

When this person comes, it will be like the sunrise for us.

79 He will bring light to people who are living without God.

It is like those people are living in the dark. They are afraid to die.

But he will shine on them.

He will show us how to live so that we will not be afraid.’

80 Zechariah’s child grew. God made him strong in his mind. He went into the wilderness and he lived there for many years. Later, God sent him to Israel’s people, to teach them.

 

 

 

Someone whose “shoeboxes” were packed in Dallas said her boxes went to Equador.  That’s a good indication some, if not all. of our boxes went there too.  I’ll check with the church secretary Monday to see what our tracking shows.

 

 

 

Thankfulness, one more time. – I thought I was finished writing my “thankfulness” thoughts since I only planned to do it for the month of November, but God had other plans for me.  Yesterday, David and I were at an ATM and drove toward the street.  The next person in line behind us started blowing and blowing his horn.  Yes, the card was still in the machine.  I’m thankful the right person was behind us in line and there right as we finished!  God was watching out for us, another “God wink”!  He wants us to be aware of all He does for us, even if November is now history!

 

 

 

There is a new list for Scripture writing.  You can get a copy at FBC, Kentwood.  If not, stay tuned.  I’ll post each day.

Scripture Writing for December 1 – Isaiah 7: 14 – 17.

 

 

 

Today, we begin the week of prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas offering for international missions.

Day 1 – “Here to Serve” – https://www.imb.org/day-1/

 

 

 

God has a plan for our service and a location for us to serve.  Are you serving others  for Him or just trying to be served by others?

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday

“Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us.

By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.”

 ~Ephesians 3:20 GW~

 

 

Kendal Pike Batuyong and her family live close to the area of the big gas explosion in Texas.  Even though they had to evacuate, they are so thankful God protected them and so many others in such a crisis.  They are now back at home.

 

 

 

Hugh Edward McGehee, Jr.

November 14, 1924 – November 28, 2019

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2019 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was born November 14, 1924 in East Fork, LA and was 95 years of age. He was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church in Kentwood and was a Mason at Kentwood Lodge #248. He served in World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific areas in the Merchant Marines. In his early years, he was a brick layer with his father and grandfather. In his later years, he worked as a service manager at auto dealerships. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Jeanette Singleton McGehee, Kentwood; son, Allan McGehee and wife, Rhonda, Denham Springs; 4 grandchildren, Greta Swarts and husband, Skeeter, Denham Springs, Wade McGehee, Kentwood, Erica Sepulveda and husband, Todd, Spring, TX, and Derek McGehee and wife, Jen, Denham Springs; 8 great-grandchildren, Randi Swarts Smith and husband, Daniel, Toni Swarts, Jacob McGehee, Justyn McGehee, Kaitlin Sepulveda Gandy and husband, Robert, Kyle Sepulveda, Nicholas Sepulveda, and Landry McGehee; 4 great-great-grandchildren, Deacon and Zadok Smith and Easton and Braiyah Swarts. Preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Edward McGehee, Sr. and Lena Day McGehee; son, Jerald Ray McGehee; daughter, Janet Kay McGehee. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM Monday, December 2, 2019. Services conducted by Rev. Darryl Miller. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

 

Lillie Louise Bell Graham

February 08, 1945 – November 26, 2019

Lillie Louise Bell Graham, a resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at her home. She was born February 8, 1945 in Augusta, AR and was 74 years of age .She loved the outdoors where she enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing. She is survived by 5 children, Cathy Graham Moran and husband, Sam, Troy Graham, Jr., Linda Graham Dantin and husband, Mark, Earnest Graham and Brenda Graham Gill; grandchildren, Sean Moran, George Graham, Bobby Graham, Jimmy Graham, Jennifer Graham. Luke Dantin, Cody Graham, Kyle Graham, Stephanie Graham, Steven Williams and Brittany Templeton; numerous great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her father, Levy Thomas Bell; mother, Gladys Clayton Bell Boyd; grandson, Chance Moran; brother, George Bell. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM Monday, December 2, 2019. Services conducted by Rev. Tommy Smith. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

 

Scripture Writing for November 30th – Choose and write your Scripture for today.

 

 

 

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering has been supporting international missionaries since 1888!

3,678

missionaries

*updated October 31, 2019
4.5 BILLION UNREACHED
847 people groups engaged
through the work of IMB in just the last year
I’ve already made my first purchases for Operation Christmas Child 2020.  I hope you have too.  Donations of items or funds can be turned in all year long.
Anna Lee

Friday

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

~Colossians 3:17~

 

 

 

 

Please add Carl Wayne Stevens and Nora to your prayer list.  Carl Wayne is hospitalized and very ill.  Pray also for the Stevens children and grandchildren.

 

 

 

Baby Hudson Hobgood recently had heart surgery.  He was well enough to move out of ICU into a regular room yesterday.  Keep praying for this precious gift from God.

 

 

 

Scripture Writing for 11-29: James 1: 16-18

 

 

 

Thankfulness Day 29: Today, I am thankful that we have awesome merchants who give great deals the day after Thanksgiving and for people to have a choice to shop with them or not.  I am home because I choose to be here.  God made us to be different.  One is not wrong and one right.  That’s the way it is with life.  We get to make many choices: spouse, home, city, foods, clothing, reading material, vehicles. etc.  Choices we make help to determine who we are.  I chose Jesus.  I hope you chose Him too!  That’s the greatest choice in life!  I’m thankful to have many choices, but especially the free choice to follow Jesus.

 

 

 

Tomorrow begins the Lottie Moon Week of Prayer for international missions.  The most important thing I can say is that .  100% of the money given goes to support mission projects all around the world.  Americans have a hard time realizing there are people who have never heard the name of “JESUS”.  This offering helps more people to do so this coming year.  I cannot thing of anything with a greater impact on so many lives.  I hope you will learn more about this offering and contribute to it this year and in all future years.

Anna Lee

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

~Psalm 100:4~

 

 

Scripture Writing for November 28 – Psalm 118: 225-29

 

 

 

Thankfulness: Day 28 – Today, I am thankful for all those who are working today/this weekend so that others can celebrate Thanksgiving with family members.  In some professions, everyone cannot be off at the same time.  Let’s give credit to those who work during the holidays.

 

 

 

Today, let’s pray for those with spiritual needs.  Do you remember the hymn, “The Ninety and Nine”?  I remember my mother explaining the message of the song to me when I was young.  I’m thankful for hearing the hymn and having someone to help me understand just how much God loves me.  He loves you enough to seek you out and give you the opportunity to choose to live for Him!  It’s your choice!

 

The Ninety And Nine (Live)
Guy Penrod

There were ninety and nine that safely
lay
In the shelter of the fold;
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off from the gates of gold.
Away on the mountains wild and bare;
Away from the tender Shepherd’s
care.
“Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and
nine;
Are they not enough for Thee?”
But the Shepherd made answer: “This
of Mine
Has wandered away from Me.
And although the road be rough and
steep,
I go to the desert to find My sheep.”
But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night the Lord
passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the desert He heard its cry;
‘Twas sick and helpless and ready to
die.
“Lord, whence are those blood-drops
all the way,
That mark out the mountain’s track?”
“They were shed for one who had
gone astray
Ere the Shepherd could bring him
back.”
“Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent
and torn?”
“They’re pierced tonight by many a
thorn.”
And all through the mountains,
thunder-riv’n,
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a glad cry to the gate of
heav’n,
“Rejoice! I have found My sheep!”
And the angels echoed around the
throne,
“Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His
own!”

 

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday

In that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.

~Isaiah 12:4~

 

 

 

Jesse Dean requests prayers for his sister, “Miss” Theresa Cutrer, who is hospitalized.

 

Joy Ann Branton Walker

June 12, 1930 – November 26, 2019

Joy Ann Branton Walker was born on June 12, 1930 in Haynesville, LA and passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 89 years of age. Joy Ann was a devoted wife to the love of her life, Charles. She loved talking to her family and friends and catching up on everyone’s lives. She is famous for her Mam Maw’s Chocolate Cake. Joy Ann was a faithful member of Viking Drive Church of Christ.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Charl Ann McKneely and husband Tommy of Amite, LA, Kathy Sells and husband Harry of Sandy Run, SC, and Judy Moore and husband Howard of Haughton, LA; grandchildren, Jeff McKneely and wife Tammy, Greg McKneely and wife Danielle, Jennifer Pray and husband Gabe, Ray Moore and wife Katie, Haley Moore Patrick, and Kyle Moore; thirteen great-grandchildren, Jordan McKneely Vickers and husband, John, Olivia McKneely Tull and husband, Brandon, Alyse McKneely, AnaClaire McKneely, Gavin McKneely, Dylan Charles McKneely, Gabrielle Pray, Steven Pray, Andrew Walker Pray, Kaitlyn Nunnery, Hallie Rae Moore, Pressley Joy Patrick and Sammy Patrick; three great-great-grandchildren, Maverick and Eleanor Tull and Elizabeth Vickers; brother, Henry Branton; and numerous well- loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edward “Charlie” Walker; parents, H.H. “Hamp” Branton and Rosie Ethel Davis Branton; granddaughter, Kimberly McKneely; 3 brothers, Orion, L.F., and Twyman Branton; and a sister, Lester Cleo Branton Matthews Phillips.

Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until funeral services at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, December, 1, 2019 at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, 601 US Highway 80 East, Haughton, LA 71037, officiated by Mr. Frank Himmel, preacher at Viking Drive Church of Christ and assisted by her grandson, Pastor Jeff McKneely of House on the Rock in Amite, LA. Interment will follow at Old Town Cemetery, Haynesville, LA. Pallbearers will be are Jeff McKneely, Greg McKneely, Ray Moore, Gabe Pray, David Gray, Bruce Williams, and Ben Dance.

 

 

Operation Christmas Child – Thanks to the members of FBC, Kentwood for helping pack and ship 416 “shoeboxes” this year, the most we have ever shipped.  Thanks also to the 18 volunteers who put in over a hundred hours during the collection week.  As you can see, this collection week required a lot of helpers.  I am thankful for each person and each hour of time donated in 2019.

 

 

 

Thankfulness, Day 27 – Today, I am thankful for telephones.  My daddy worked for the telephone company for more than 36 years as an installer/repairman.  He was proud of his work and the company he worked for, Maw Bell.  Today, I am still thankful for telephones, but in a new and more modern way.  Yesterday, one of our granddaughters received her first phone, an i-phone.  Guess who she called.  Her granddaddy!  I’m so glad she did!  The telephone company has greatly changed, but it still is helpful in connecting families.  What a blessing!

 

 

 

Scripture Writing for November 27th – Psalm 119: 15-21

 

 

 

Have a great day if you are preparing for Thanksgiving.  Part of our family had an early Thanksgiving yesterday.  I’m surely thankful for the time we had together.  Please pray for them as they travel home today.  Pray for others who will be traveling the rest of the week.  They are some of the busiest travel days.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” 

~Titus 3:4-5 NLT~

 

 

 

Please pray for Josiah Huckaby this morning as he has a heart cath.  Pray for his mom and dad who chose this child to be their very own.  That reminds me of Jesus who chose us despite of our shortcomings.

 

 

 

Operation Christmas Child: Yesterday, FBC Kentwood completed eight days of serving as a location for shoeboxes from our area to be brought to one location and delivered to Hammond, their next location.  The boxes are already on their way to Dallas now.  I’m thankful to say about 1.500 of those boxes came through Kentwood area people and churches.  In Hammond, they were added to others from SE Louisiana and totaled about 13,000.  That’s a lot of children who will be blessed with gifts and an opportunity to meet and choose Jesus.  Good job, folks!

 

 

 

Thankfulness, Day 26 – Today, I am thankful for the planes, boats, ships, cars, vans, wagons, donkeys, sleds, etc. that will carry the “shoeboxes” to the children.  The vision is to do whatever it takes to get the boxes to the hand of boys and girls.  The shoeboxes will probably be the biggest blessing so far in each young life.  The many packers will be greatly blessed in knowing many of the children will soon have Jesus in their hearts and they were able to play a small part in that.

 

 

 

Scripture Writing – Psalm 18: 8-14

 

 

 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week, whether you are part of a big celebration or quietly eat alone.  We all have so much to be thankful for every year of our lives!

Anna Lee