Mrs. Yvonne Birch asks us to pray for her granddaughter, Hope, as she delivers the fourth great grandchild for the family. The delivery is scheduled for Wednesday in Florida.
Rachel Buckley shared that Mrs. Carol Jean Gill moved to her heavenly home yesterday. Pray for Mr. Fernie Ray who has so faithfully stayed by her side for many years. They were regulars at the cabin when we met there for monthly meeting for years. They were also faithful and dedicated to serving in their local church. What a special couple! What a blessing they have been to many people! What an example for others!
The more you think about that question, the more you may decide you need to improve some areas of your life!
Additional Bible Reading
‘Grace Even in the Asking’
Verse 25: “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience”.
Verse 26: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”.
Romans 8
The are No New Obituaries Posted this morning.
Prayer Focus – Let’s make today a special day to pray.
Let your prayer focus change continually as God leads you to pray for your church, your family members, opportunities, families with heartaches, homebound friends, your Sunday School class, mission opportunities, etc.
Special Prayers Needed
Stop what you are doing and pray for those who will be going back to school this morning and beginning a new semester. Your list might include bus drivers, janitors, teachers, administrators, students, maintenance workers, nurses, coaches, as well as all the buses, physical locations, heating, lights, security, technology, and buildings. May they all strive to work together to create safe, comfortable, healthy, well-educated, and well-rounded students. Today begins the second half of this school year. Pray each hour of each day builds up students.
Please pray for all the drivers on the road today, a regular Sunday, and those who will be traveling home after the holidays. Pray for alert drivers, good weather, lack of fatigue, vehicles without mechanical problems, etc. Accidents can happen quickly.
This post guides us in learning the importance of flexaibility.
Flexible people are truly amazing and so helpful.
Sometime during the day yesterday I left all the heavy things that all of us have been dealing with, and I began to think about how flexible people have been during this time.
After all, when we think about dealing with change, has any time in your life been more life-changing than right now? When you look at how people are handling this, you can’t help but be amazed at their flexibility.
I see it in our church family. They went from worshiping God together in a large, beautiful building to meeting with the church in front of a computer or smart phone in their pajamas.
I am thrilled at people’s flexibility.
Your patience and flexibility is a blessing. Blessed are the flexible, for they encourage others.
You might say that you have no other choice but to be flexible, but that would be wrong. You have plenty of choices and you have chosen patience, gentleness, and perseverance–all qualities of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life (Galatians 5:22-23).
Your flexibility is teaching a younger generation to persevere and do their best in hard times.
All of this will come back to us for good.
I don’t know what the church will look like in the future, but if we are faithful in the midst of the crisis God will bless His people.
I received a nice note yesterday. A woman was telling about the goodness of God in the midst of the trouble. She said, I feel that He has been saying, “Be still.”
Do you remember the rest of that quote? It’s “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Our patience, flexibility, and perseverance will help us know God.
Theodore H. Epp (January 27, 1907 – October 13, 1985) was an American Protestant Christian clergyman, writer, and radio evangelist. Epp was the founding director of the Back to the Bible radio broadcast and speaker on the program from 1939–1985. by Theodore Epp
Sunday School
I hope the lesson today will inspire you. We will be studying from Matthew 6.
Today, let’s focus on our regular routine and thank God for it. Let’s thank God for giving us life, people around us to love, and an orderly pattern of living.
Obituary
Kerri Weaver Brown
April 28, 1959 – January 2, 2026
A resident of Amite, LA , passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026 at her home. She was born April 28, 1959 in New Orleans, LA and was 66 years of age. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Ricky D. Brown; 2 sons, Cecil A. Brown and wife, Rebecca and Adam Brown and Heather Bryant; 2 grandchildren, Caitlyn Brown and Riley Brown; 2 great-grandchildren, Stetler Brown and Basin Hebert; 2 brothers, Larry Weaver and wife Trudy and Yogi Weaver and wife Bricy. Preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Barbara Weaver; son, Ricky Brown, Jr.; brother, Sammy Weaver. A private Memorial Service will be scheduled at a later date. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s pray for those who will soon be returning to school and/or jobs following a long holiday. (You can see I still think like a scchool dteacher.)
Let’s also pray for the meaning of our Sunday School lesson to work it’s way into our hearts.
The Scripture for this week is located in Matthew 6.
Today’s Bible Reading
January 3
Matthew 4-6
I trust you are enjoying reading this again. I am.
Extra’Scripture Reading
‘Mutual Sharing’
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, qbecause your faith is proclaimed in all the world. ]
9 For God is my witness, swhom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, 10 tthat without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow
uby God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For vI long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—
12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged wby each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers,1 that xI have often intended to come to you (but ythus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some zharvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.
14 aI am under obligation both to Greeks and to bbarbarians,2 both to the wise and to the foolish.
15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
Romans 1:8-15
Thank God for this great day and the opportunities ahead for us. May we take advantage of each opportunity!
Get our and spend a few minutes talking to someone whom you don’t normally talk with. Be blessed! Be a blessing!
I’ve long encouraged people to rise a little earlier than they really have to in order to start the day with God. That practice may be the most meaningful part of my day.
Starting the day with God can take several forms. You can pray, read Scripture, meditate and memorize Scripture, or simply sit quietly acknowledging God and His goodness. All of these are helpful. I recommend them all.
Today my day began with a wonderful surprise. On my phone screen from the YouVersion Bible App were these words:
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, NASB).
Those words were given by the prophet to the people of Israel in exile. God had big things for them to do. They were to leave the only land most of the people had ever known to return to Jerusalem and the land of Israel to rebuild and to follow God.
They had plenty to fear and be anxious about, but they also had the promises of our Righteous God. God was encouraging them to be righteous and obedient.
You have plenty to make you anxious and obedient.
What would God say to you today? The Word of God speaks loudly to me today: “Do not be fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.”
When I begin my day in this way, I always have a good day. I pray the same for you.
Prayer Focus: Let’s spend some time praying for those whose family is short of a family member who was with them one year ago.
Plan your day.
I know I can get more done and have a better day when I plan ahead. It is as simple as taking a couple minutes time each morning to consider:
What I left incomplete yesterday
What I need/want to accomplish today
What I want to do for others today
What did I learn by reading my Bible today
Who can I call or send a card to
What small household/yard task can I accomplish with today’s weather conditions/schedule
Who I know who is full of joy today
What can I do today to make tomorrow a better day for me
What can I do today to make tomorrow a better day for someone else
Who can I pray or do for today?
Who recently moved?
Who recently had an illness or is ill today?
Who recently had a family problem that broke their heart?
Who recently had a problem in their house or yard?
Who needs a little house or yard work done?
Who need someone to listen?
Who has questions about God?
Who needs a friend to talk with?
Who needs an outing?
Who needs someone to read some Scripture to them?
etc.
When you turn your focus to others, you don’t dwell on yourself! That’s good!
I hope you now have some prayer thoughts and action plans that focus on others today.
Congratulations to Dr. Waylon and Martha Bailey on their 50th anniversary!
As a congregation, we thank you both for leading our church by example through love, humility, and faithful unity.
Prayer Focus
Today, on the first day of the new year, let’s pray for the coming year to be a year when we, as a church and as individuals, can “Tell Others About Jesus”.
Waylon Bailey – Pastor of FBC, Covington
Waylon Bailey is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Covington, La. His column is is found at the website, http://www.waylonbailey.com.
That should be our focus all year long for everyone.
Obituary
Seavy “Cole” Clemons
May 2, 1989 – December 29, 2025
A resident of Kentwood, LA passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025 at his home. He was born May 2, 1989 in Baton Rouge, LA and was 36 years of age. He is survived by his parents, Seavy and Toni Clemons; grandparents, Don and Mary Ann Clemons; 2 sisters, Jacy Downing and husband, Ryan and Page Bankston and husband, Justin. Preceded in death by his cousin, Autumn Lynne Simeon; grandparents, John and Rose Trapen. Pallbearers are Justin Bankston, Ryan Downing, Donald Clemons, John Bartus, Chris Bartus, Scott McDaniel, and C.J. Simpson. Visitation at First Baptist Church of Arcola from 10:00AM until religious services at 12 Noon on Saturday, January 3, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Bob Simpson and Bro. Luke Lindsey. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Read the Bible Today
If you are current, you will be reading the final passages of the Old Testament today – Malachi 1-4
Tomorrow we will begin reading the Bible in 2026. I have chosen the Bible I will use in 2026. It is a paraphrased version which makes it easier to read.
It’s The MESSAGE, which has a 2002 copyright. I purchased it about this time of the year to be my “reading” Bible. I purschaed it while at FBC, New Orleans when our missionary family was on stateside assignment in New Orleans.
Let’s finish our reading plan for 2025 first. Our passage for today is the book of Malachi, chapters 1-4.
When you have read those chapters, you will have read the entire Bible in 2025.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Ephesians 5:17-18, KJV
Prayer Focus for Today
You can always pray and always pray for what is on your hear.Spend your prayer time today praying as you choose.
Be careful if you or yours are using fireworks tonight.
Thank God for his love and protection all year long. Looking ahead, when we wake up in the morning, it will be 2026. Ask God for His guidance, love, and protection all year.
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was born June 8, 1952 in Independence, LA and was 73 years of age. He is survived by his daughter, Kelly Durbin Ewing and husband, Dustin; son, Tyler Grantham Durbin and wife, Hannah; 4 sisters, Joan Brecher, Brenda Durbin, Debbie Durbin Hyde, and Shari Durbin; 1 brother, Donald Durbin; 2 grandchildren, Carter Stephens and Karigan Ewing; mother of his children, Ronda Durbin; and friend, Debbie Landry. Preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Nacine Fricano Durbin; and 3 brothers, Russell Durbin, Eddie Durbin, and Joey Durbin. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until Funeral Services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Interment Durbin Cemetery, Independence, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Carl Breeland
January 2, 1943 – December 26, 2025
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. He was born January 2, 1943 in New Orleans, LA and was 82 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Faye Hughes Breeland; daughter, Kimberly Cutrer; 2 grandchildren, Alexandra Lowrance and husband, Brandon, and Gabrielle Cutrer; 2 great-grandchildren, Myles Blache and Josephine Deagan; brother, Roy Breeland; and 3 sisters, Betty Jean King, Mae Ann Graham, and Linda Wall and husband, Terry. Preceded in death by parents, Leon and Gladys Breeland; and 2 sisters, Geraldine’ Breeland and Ruby Barnes. Visitation at The River Church, Tickfaw, from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Monday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Josh Payne. Interment The River Church Cemetery, Tickfaw, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Douglas Monroe Prescott
August 16, 1957 – December 27, 2025
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025. He was born August 16, 1957 in Magnolia, Ms to Fredrick L “Sonny” Prescott Sr, and Mary Kent Owen Prescott, and was 68 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Bethel Prescott; 2 sons, William Prescott and Michael Prescott (Melissa); 3 daughters, Whitney McDaniel (Daniel), Brittney Newman (Colton), and Sarah Prescott; 1 brother, Clinton Prescott; 16 grandchildren, Blake, Peyton, Jayla, Teagan, CJ, Allie, Olivia, Colton, Walker, Krislynn, Juliana, Jocelyn, Collin, Kyla, Kolby, and Jacy Kate due soon!; 1 great-grandchild, Carlisle. Preceded in death by his parents Fredrick L. “Sonny” Prescott Sr, Mary Kent Owen Prescott, brother Fredrick L Prescott Jr, and daughter-in-law, Angie Prescott. Visitation at Spring Creek Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until Religious Services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Services conducted by Bro Matthew Gazaway and Bro Eric Latham. Interment Spring Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Pallbearers will be Kernan Lea, Alan Easley, Peyton Prescott, Daniel McDaniel, Colton Newman, and Jon-Pat Prescott. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jack “Boots” Prescott, Clinton Prescott, Daniel Owen, and Cliff Holland. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Additional Scripture
‘God is Pleased with Faithfulness Under Suffering’
19 This makes God happy. Maybe your master will punish you when you have done nothing wrong. If you know that you are serving God, continue to be patient and brave.
20 But if you do something wrong, then your master ought to punish you. That is only fair. Even if you are brave when he is cruel to you, nobody should praise you for that. But your master may punish you even when you have done good things. Then God will be happy if you are patient and brave.
21 When God chose you to be his servants, he wanted you to be brave like that. Christ had trouble and pain on your behalf. He has shown you how you should live when trouble comes.
1 Peter 2:19-21
New Years Service
FBC, Kentwood does not ” see in the new year” at church. If you want to share when such a service will be at your church, please send me the information to share tomorrow morning.
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s focus on those who are cold, families with sickness or death, and those who will do not have Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
What a blessing that we have all had living in 2025. In a few days, we will begin 2026. I’m sure it will go by as quickly as 2025 has.
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s pray for others. Let’s focus on people we see regularly. That could include family members, neighbors, church friends, work associates, etc. Choose the ones you will pray for today and pray for them periodically all day.
Today’s Scripture Verse
Prayer Partner or Bible Reading Partner
If you have had a problem getting into a routine of prayer or Bible reading, a partner can be a great help. It can be as simple as texting your partner to pray or read the Bible. If your partner completes the reading/praying first, they text you. (If you have a hard time getting in the habit, it may be necessary to talk with your partner each day.)
My cousin was my Bible reading partner when we were in high school. She was persistent in calling and reminding me as well as checking up on whether I had read the assigned passage. I quickly learned to read early and regularly. She was a great reminder!
No New Obituaries This Morning
Read the Bible in 2025
December 29th
Haggai 3 – Zechariah 7
I hope you have been reading along with us and not only can see then light ahead, but are anxious to begin all over in a few days.
People in Need of Special Prayers Today
Mrs. Ferrie Gene Blackmon
Teachers and students facing the new semester
Homebound
People who don’t have good heating systems
Travelers on highways or in the air
Those looking for employment for the first time or the first time in many years
Those retiring
Growing families
Families with serious illnesses
Baptist Press
Progress of North American Mission Growth (Baptist Press)
Lottie Moon Mission Offering for International Missions
Equipping missionaries and mission families to tell the world about Jesus!
Have you supported this need?
Additional Bible Reading
“Encouragement and Comfort”
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant[a] in the Lord.
8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,
9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),
11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
Colossians 4:7-11, ESV
The temperature is dropping. Stay warm and healthy this week.
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. He was born January 2, 1943 in New Orleans, LA and was 82 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Faye Hughes Breeland; daughter, Kimberly Cutrer; 2 grandchildren, Alexandra Lowrance and husband, Brandon, and Gabrielle Cutrer; 2 great-grandchildren, Myles Blache and Josephine Deagan; brother, Roy Breeland; and 3 sisters, Betty Jean King, Mae Ann Graham, and Linda Wall and husband, Terry. Preceded in death by parents, Leon and Gladys Breeland; and 2 sisters, Geraldine’ Breeland and Ruby Barnes. Visitation at The River Church, Tickfaw, from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Monday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Josh Payne. Interment The River Church Cemetery, Tickfaw, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Prayer Focus
Today, we want to pray for the church services throughout our city, state, country, and world. May God’s Word be preached and souls be saved.
Read the Bible in 2025
Sunday, 12-28
Haggai 3 – Zechariah 2
Get up and get moving. It’s the Lord’s Day and others will be expecting you in Sunday School and church.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
Today is a good day to contribute to the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions. Help send and support a missionary or missionary family. You can give at any time. Simply mark your check Lottie Moon.
Coming Soon:
Operation Christmas Child 2026
Volunteer today for the 2026 Shoebox season!
If you are unable to attend church in person, watch online or on television. Go to the website for a church to find a link to previous or live services. Two suggestions today: FBC, Kentwood, La (Pastor Darryl Miller) and FBC, Covington, LA (Pastor Waylon Bailey).
This verse if from Luke 2, an important chapter to read this time of the year.
Including PRAISE is also important
‘Simeon’s Praise’
28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss[a] your servant in peace
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Luke 2:28-32 NIV
Simeon was blessed t0 have had this opportunity that filled a special place in his heart.
Read the Bible in 2025
Saturday, December 27th
Zephaniah 1 – Haggai 2
Two Amite Obituaries
Norman Harvey Smith, Jr.
July 23, 1938 – December 23, 2025
Farrion Dale Holden
April 22, 1956 – December 24, 2025
Sunday School Lesson for Tomorrow
Portions of Luke 5
Most churches will probably be on a regular schedule tomorrow.
Sunday School will begin at 9:15 tomorrow at FBC, Kentwood.
Prayer Focus
A prayer list that reflects last year, last month, or last week is outdated. Today is a good day to begin updating/reorganizing your personal prayer list.
Be sure your prayer time is not all about yourself. Focus on other people, current events, churches, other countries, etc. Readings should also focus on salvation and living a Christian life, etc., not just personal health needs.
The Prayer Link 
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