May you have a blessed day and be a blessing to others today. Let “your light” shine brightly as we close our 2025 and begin 2026.
May your heart and hands find something today that helps “your light shine for Jesus”. Let it glow brightly all day long. Remember: Jesus is the reason for the season!
Today, let’s pray for people, young and old, to realize the reason for this wonderful holiday is Jesus.
Read the Bible in 2025
December 24
Obadiah – Jonah
Watch a Newsmax Christmas Special with Samaritan’s Purse!
(Copied from a message sent to me.)
Recently, Newsmax host Greta Van Susteren traveled to disaster-stricken Jamaica to highlight the work of Samaritan’s Purse. We invite you to watch her new Christmas special on Newsmax, which features that work, along with exclusive interviews with Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham and COO Edward Graham.
This special production will give you a glimpse of one of our emergency field hospitals and take you along as we hand out Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to boys and girls affected by Hurricane Melissa.
Tune in Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to see our work up close!
Greta Van Susteren Christmas Special
Newsmax
Christmas Eve—4 p.m. ET
Christmas Day—4 p.m. ET
We know you will be blessed by this wonderful Christmas special!
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.” Isaiah 9:6
Online Christmas Program from N.C.
2 P.M. and 4 P.M. Today and Tomorrow
parkwoodonline
Today is the Lord’s Day. It also begins the calendar week when celebrate the birth of Jesus. We will be studying Matthew 2:1-12 in Sunday School this morning. I hope you can learn something both new and important to you from this Scripture.
Today’s Bible Verse
No New Obituaries this Morning
Prayer Focus: Let’s pray many people will learn about Jesus and take Him into their daily lives this week both here in our community and all around the world. The story of His birth is a wonderful way to introduce Jesus to people who don’t know Him.
Live Christmas Eve Program from the home church of Mary Alice Fox, a former resident of Kentwood.
You will be able to view this Christmas service live at either or both of their presentation opportunities Christmas Eve. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to view for about 45 minutes with your family and/or friends as you gather this Christmas Eve? The times are 2 P.M. and 4 P.M. for those of us in the Central Time Zone. It can be found at parkwoodonline.org.
Remember: Online service
Christmas Eve
2 P.M. and again at 4 P.M. (Central Time)
parkwoodonline.org
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
FBC Kentwood at 6:00 P.M. TODAY. (30 minutes)
Everyone is welcome to come. If that doesn’t work, you can watch the online services live or at a convenient time.
Prayers are always needed, even during the Christmas season. Choose the needs closest you your heart. Add to your personal prayer list if needed.
Baptist Press
We certainly have some interesting articles to read this morning.
I’ll start with a reminder to view the Christmas Eve service online from North Carolina. Today, I’m going to add the 6 P.M. candlelight service from FBC, Kentwood. It is 30 minutes of Christmas joy. I hope you have plans to attend in person with your family, but another option is to watch it online. It’s a great family experience!
Prayer Focus
Pay attention to some who need Christmas love and cheer due to sickness, loneliness, death, etc. Be an encourager to them today! That is a very important role we can all step into.
Today’s Verse
No New Obituaries This Morning
Baptist Press
Choose your own articles to read today. I’ve been choosing those I want to return to in a few minutes.
We have had dense fog this week that will continue and probably get worse. The holidays are always dangerous travel days. Dense fog could make safe driving more difficult. Be prepared to be extra careful and/or adjust travel time to avoid heavy fog hours.
Holiday Focus
Jesus is the reason for the season. Use opportunities God provides to “Tell Others about Jesus”! Read the Bible, sing some carols, view nativity scenes, attend special services, watch special programs or movies that tell the 2,000+ year old story!
Read the Bible in 2025
Tuesday, December 23
Amos 6-9
Additional Bible Passages
‘No Distinctions’
5 Is Apollos important? Is Paul important? No! We are God’s servants. We told you God’s good news and you believed it. Each of us is doing the job which the Lord has given to us.
6 When I told you God’s good news, I was like someone who planted seeds. Then Apollos was like someone who gave water to the young plants. But it was God who caused everything to grow.
7 The person who plants the seeds is not important. The person who gives water to the plants is not important. The important person is God, because he causes everything to grow.
8 The person who plants and the person who gives water both have the same purpose. God will pay each person what is right for their work.
9 Apollos and I work together as God’s servants. You are like God’s field that we work in.
You are also like a building that belongs to God.
10 I am like a good builder. God has given that job to me and he has helped me to do it well. I was the person who built the foundation. Now other people are building on that foundation. But each person must be careful how he builds.
I Corinthens 3:5-10
‘He Has Done Great Things for Me!”
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
Luke 1: 41-52
Luke 1:48-52 is often called Mary’s Song.
‘Always Be a Blessing’
3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”
5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and csuffered no harm.
6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and dsaid that he was a god.
(Paul was NOT a god. He was a servant of God and a blessing to many.)
Watch streaming of special service at Mary Alice Fox’s Church at @ 2:00 and/or 4:00 P.M. Christmas Eve.
Attend a 30 minute candlelight service at FBC, Kentwood at 6 P.M. Christmas Eve.
Additional Bible Passage for Today
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
Today, despite how happy you may be about the Christmas season, please realize that others may be having a difficult time. Our favorite Christmas may not be home by yourself, in a nursing home, visiting or being a patient in a hospital, or even planning a funeral for a loved one.
I think many of us may have been in one or more of these situations at Christmas. I know I have! This year some people will be in the same type of situations. Pray for them. Do something special for some of these individuals if you can. Plan a brief visit. Share a special service on your phone. Read the Christmas story from Luke. Take someone to lunch. Share some musical talent in person. Take a child to sing a Christmas carol and tell about the “First Christmas”, etc. Do what works best for you, but share Christmas. You can bring some needed joy to others. That patient in the hospital will remember the special Christmas company. That child may always remember singing Christmas carols to their relative. All of you will probable remember setting up a small Christmas scene and leaving a jar of mints with a note that says “Take a few. Jesus loves you! OR simple, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!” Patients will also remember any guests they have at this time of the year. Share some Christmas joy with someone in less than ideal circumstances.
Today is the Lord’s Day. It also begins the calendar week when celebrate the birth of Jesus. We will be studying Matthew 2:1-12 in Sunday School this morning. I hope you can learn something both new and important to you from this Scripture.
Today’s Bible Verse
No New Obituaries this Morning
Prayer Focus: Let’s pray many people will learn about Jesus and take Him into their daily lives this week both here in our community and all around the world. The story of His birth is a wonderful way to introduce Jesus to people who don’t know Him.
Live Christmas Eve Program from the home church of Mary Alice Fox, a former resident of Kentwood.
You will be able to view this Christmas service live at either or both of their presentation opportunities Christmas Eve. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to view for about 45 minutes with your family and/or friends as you gather this Christmas Eve? The times are 2 P.M. and 4 P.M. for those of us in the Central Time Zone. It can be found atparkwoodonline.org.
Remember: Online service
Christmas Eve
2 P.M. and again at 4 P.M. (Central Time)
parkwoodonline.org
Schedule a little of your family time to share this. I think it will be a blessing for you and yours.
Prayer Focus
As you pray for others this Christmas week, find ways to communicate your love and His love. I think watching the online service mentioned above will be a good opportunity to share Jesus with your family and friends. Pray others will use this opportunity as we also watch with them or just for ourselves.
Today is a great day for reading the Bible and for studying.
Tomorrow is a good day for attending church and for watching a Christmas program. The opportunity was suggested by Mary Alice Fox, formerly of Kentwood. The program will be presented by her church in North Carolina. If you have time in the afternoon or early evening, you may want to watch the program. More information tomorrow.
Today’s Verse
There was a purpose for the birth of Jesus. The picture above shows the plan. I hope you can link the plan of the birth and death of Jesus.
Myra Dedon Roberts of Kentwood, LA passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at the age of 65. She was born Wednesday, November 9th 1960 in Franklinton, LA to her mother Rachel Lanford and late father Ralph “Red” Dedon. Along with her father, she is preceded in death by her sister Debra “Debbie” Kay Terry and daughter Nikki Lynn Kennedy, whom she has dearly missed and looked forward to the day when they would be reunited.
Survivors include her husband of 31 years, James “Jamie” Roy Roberts. Parents, Rachel and Charles Lanford. Daughter, Kaci Allena Kennedy (Cody). Grandchildren, Kyra Lynn (Ethan), Sabastian, Dominic, and Londyn. Great Granddaughters, Lottie Kay and Louella. Son, Justin Brock Roberts (Megan). Granddaughters, Ivy, Isla, Violet, and Autumn. Daughter, Jamie Roberts Simpson. and Granddaughters, Celise and Simone.Daughter, Stacey Roberts Stafford (Jason). Grandchildren, Jordan, Charlee, Emery, and Lillian. Brothers, Randall “Randy” Dedon (Holly), Joseph “Joe” Dedon, Charles Ray “Charlie” Lanford. Sisters, Lorraine Strahan (Jeffery) and Jennifer Bankston. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, friends and loving family.
Mrs. Myra was a God fearing devoted wife, daughter, mother, and Nonni. She loved the outdoors, fishing with her husband, and spending time with all of her babies, whom she loved dearly. She was always a joy to be around and her absence will be greatly felt for the rest of our days.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 at McKneely Funeral Home, 501 Ave. G, Kentwood La from 12:00 pm until the memorial service at 2:00 pm.
Update:
We saw Andy and Betty Taylor yesterday. They looked good. It was a good visit. It’s always fun to share a few of our many memories.
5 The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
6 The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
Ps. 116:5-7 NIV
‘Jesus’ Presence in YouStorms’
(Acts 27:33-38)
And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.
Ian’t it great to wake up to a new morning even if there are some problems in the world, our country, and even our life? We are so blessed! Thank you, God for blessing each of us with this day.
Today’s Scripture Verse
Some of the people who would benefit from our prayers today:
Andy and Betty Taylor Trey and Christy Harrison Dorothy Wall
Ferrie Gene Blackmon Bro. Joe and Barbara Baugh Keith Allen
Robert and Ora Lee Wilson Kenneth and Yvonne Birch. Eddie K. Schwartz
Tom and Gail Brister Mike and Michelle Moss Barbara Erwin
Charlie and Kim Schwartz George and Debbie Bales. Laurie Miller
Glen and Bobbie Magee Luther and Rene Terrell Others . . . .
You can give through any Baptist church by putting your offering in a designated offering envelope or using a regular envelope and labeling it Lottie Moon.
Busy ? (Most of us easily fill our schedules.)
Sometime it becomes necessary to determine what our time can best be spent on. Spend a little time thinking about your total time each week, how you spend it, how you think you should spend it, how God would have you spend it, and what changes need to be made in allocating the twenty-four hours God is giving you today, this week, this month, etc.
No New Obituaries Listed This Morning
Christmas Season
We have attended three Christmas programs, discussed the original Christmas, read from Luke, shared some gifts, made some visits, completed our OCC work for the year, etc. How can we (and you) best spend the next week?
Operation Christmas Child
We packed out shoeboxes almost two months ago. Funds were given to pay the postage. We served as the drop-off location for our area, etc. Now, here are discussing beneficial hanges we want to make for the 2026 year. It’s time to plan how we will carry out this big responsibility in the next year. I would be happy to talk with anyone who has plans, wants t0 donate time or funds, explain, help guide your group, etc.
Christmas is not the time to be self-centered. Spend some time considering different ways to share some Christmas spirit and bless someone else this year. If you need some ideas you can talk with Bro. Darryl or others for ideas. Pray about the options as you make your choice(s).
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.
Matthew 27:41-44 NKJV
Spend some time quietly thinking about how God would have us celebrate Christmas this year. Plan any changes you need to make.
The Prayer Link 
You must be logged in to post a comment.