Wednesday is a good day to pray for all the new babies and soon to be born babies. May God bless each family as they raise their babies as He would have them to do.
People who live in our area often don’t realize how blessed we are. As a child, I had a cousin from New Orleans visit with our family for a week or two. She could not get over how big our yard was. Our grandchildren wanted to know if we really knew all the people we waved to in town or everyone who spoke to us in stores or restaurants. Being raised here, we thought nothing of those things. I count that as a blessing and are thankful for all my friends.
Let’s pray for those who do not have the joys and blessings of out life here. Let’s also thank Him for our wonderful friends. Hopefully,, they are also thankful for us.
Ladies, I’ve heard some great comments about your gathering Saturday. Christian sisters are wonderful. I can think back to some wonderful ones I worked with in area schools. Let your light shine for Jesus in whatever work location you find yourself. Be a light every day and everywhere you go.
OBITUARY
Donna Nedik Miller’s obituary can be found on McKneeley’s website.
Have a great day as you let your light shine for Jesus!
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.
Anyone who does what is good is from God.
Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
~3 John 1:11~
DEATH
J D Brabham
October 5, 1949 – July 14, 2023
JD Brabham, loving father and grandfather passed away on July 14, 2023 at the age of 73. JD was born in Kentwood, LA on October 5, 1949. He graduated from Kentwood High School in 1967. Shortly after he was drafted in the Army and served as a member of 553 Engineer company (Float Bridge) Republic of Vietnam and received The Army Commendation Medal as well as an honorable discharge. JD retired from the GNOEC Causeway Bridge in 1995. He is survived by his wife Genie Esquinance Brabham, son Matthew Brabham, daughter-in-law Lacey, and precious granddaughter, Maren, whom he adored! He is also survived by his sisters Johnny Mae Needham and Betty Sue Bankston as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. JD was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence Brabham and Beatrice Lindsey Brabham and brother Clyde (Pete) Brabham. He enjoyed playing pool, fishing, hunting, and most of all his granddaughter, Maren. Family and friends are invited to attend visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 2:00PM until religious services at 3:30PM on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Services conducted by Rev. Greg Stewart. Interment New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
READ the BIBLE
Genesis 3: 1-12
Genesis 14: 14-16
Acts 15: 36-40
Even the best of friends will have . . . .
PRAYER FOCUS TODAY
Let’s pray for mothers who are home with their children all day, every day. Pray for them to have patient and understanding love each day. Help them to daily understand the importance of their job and the impact they have on their children daily.
OTHERS
Help us to care about and check on those we know who may not have sufficient ways of cooling their homes on days such as today. Record hot temperatures are especially difficult on little children and older adults.
This Monday morning in a very hot July day, let’s pray for all those who work outside without the comfort of air conditioning. Pray they have opportunity to get plenty of fluids so they do not become dehydrated.
As a child, I remember Daddy’s telephone truck had a big aluminum. uninsulated container to fill with water each day before he started work. This was before vehicles and homes had air conditioning! When he came home for lunch, he always changed from his sweat-filled uniform to fresh clothes before sitting to eat lunch Momma had ready for him. Then, he headed. out for more work. By the time he came home again, his fresh clothes from lunchtime were drenched again. I know he loved us so much to get out the next day and face the same conditions again.
Another hot summer memory I have is going on a vacation each summer. Each child could take a shoebox filled with toys to help entertain us as we drove to see this great country. My box always contained books, coloring books, and crayons. We stored our boxes and colored using the shelf behind the back seat that cars had in those days as our desk. Carolyn and I had crayons melt and run out of our boxes. It was a mess. I remember NOT getting in trouble for that because my parents realized how hot it was. The next year, we went on vacation with no colors! Instead, we had little boxes of pencil colors!
LADIES WHO LOVE JESUS
I understand the gathering of ladies at Rachel Buckley’s house yesterday afternoon was well attended and a great success despite the bad weather. Rachel opened her home for the gathering to be inside. I saw some pictures that were taken, but had no way to get a head-count. The ladies filled her big house! I’m thankful they had so many to attend. I’m sure they all look forward to another meeting.
I believe all firsts are worthy of prayer. Today is a first – a community-wide gathering for ladies who love Jesus. It will be at the home of Rachel Buckley from 2:00 to 5:00 this afternoon. Please pray that God is glorified and honored!
TODAY’S SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
The Sunday School Lesson for the Explore the Bible Series is Jeremiah 29: 4-14 entitled “Present”. God’s people must trust Him in all circumstances! Please remember to bring a lawn chair.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Today, let’s focus our prayers on the children. Many of them have done VBS, camp, vacation, etc. this summer and are now thinking about, maybe not looking forward to, the next school year. Pray for them during the next few weeks as they face all the new happenings of the next school year.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
School supplies for the coming year are/will soon be available. It’s a good time to purchase them for the Operation Christmas Child, community missions, or to share at though church connections. All items are useful – Paper, folders, pens, pencils, glue sticks, calculators, notebooks, markers, erasers, etc.
REMINDER
Don’t forget the meeting of ladies who love Jesus. The gathering will be from 2-5 P.M. tomorrow afternoon at the home of Rachel Buckley. Bring a chair and plan on enjoying the afternoon together.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Reread the Scripture at the top of the page. Consider it for a few minutes. It may find a purpose in your life today.
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
Deut. 30:19
READ the BIBLE TODAY
Matthew 7: 1-5
Ephesians 4: 1-16
Philippians 2: 1-11
“Unity amoung believers can exist if I . . . . ”
PRAYER FOCUS THIS MORNING
Today, pray for all those who will be seeing doctors today and every day. We know many will receive good news and move on with their day. Today, let’s pray for those who will receive “less than good news”. Pray the doctors and staff will be helpful and comforting as the patient is dismissed from their visit.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
‘The essential ingredient of the early Christian assembly was . . . . “
PRAYER FOCUS
Pray for people who have gardens and work faithfully in the garden, despite the high temperatures. Be thankful if you have friends or neighbors who share their harvest with you. Choose you time outside wisely if you are doing work.
Think of a way God has blessed you lately and share it with a family member, neighbor, or friend.
LADIES WHO LOVE JESUS
Join the gathering of “Ladies who live Jesus” Sunday afternoon from 2-5 P.M. It will be at Rachel Buckley’s home and is open to ALL LADIES. Swimming and baby sitting will be available.
Thank-you for reading and praying today. Find a way to bless a family member, neighbor, or friend today.
Today, pray for those who attend worship to feel a need to have a Sunday School class. Pray God leads you to invite them to join a class. Help them get to know the teacher. Show them the location of the classroom.
. . . . fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
“The strength of my relationships is determined by my ability to ….”
OBITUARY
Gordon Douglas Stokes, Jr.
July 10, 1954 – July 10, 2023
2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Gordon was born on July 10, 1954 in Baton Rouge, LA. Gordon passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Monday, July 10, 2023. He was 69 years old. Gordon worked as a machinist at TK Valve (Cameron) in Hammond, LA for 38 ½ years. He loved his Lord and Savior, his family, hunting, fishing and his LSU Tigers. He was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Amite. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne of 45 years; son, Gordon Joseph “Joe’ Stokes (Samantha); grandchildren, Chloe Bryant (Dave), Gracie Brumfield (CJ) and Lane Stokes (Anna) and his soon to be great-grandson, Nathan Brumfield; sister, Marsha Graham (David). He is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon Douglas Stokes, Sr. and Lois Smith Stokes. Pallbearers will be Dave Bryant, CJ Brumfield, Scott Bankston, Bill Chesnutt, Joshua Murry, and Freddie Ficklin. Honorary pallbearer will be Lane Stokes. Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Friday, July 14, 2023. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Woodard. Interment will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery, Amite, LA. For online guestbook visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
PRAYER FOCUS TODAY
Today, let’s pray for church members who are hesitant to tell others about their faith. Pray for them to be bold in their witness.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Pray for people around the world who face difficult weather conditions. All people don’t have the same issues, but many have different problems, storms, temperatures, flooding. etc.
The Prayer Link 
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