DAILY THOUGHTS FROM GOD’S WORD (i’m going to take it easy on you as we begin aa new plan. It’s READING ONLY, with NO WRITING.
Part 1 – JESUS
Week 1: His Life . . . My Life
Day 1 – Proverbs 8 23-31
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 53: 1-12
John 1: 1-18
On earth, Jesus revealed God by. . . .
Prayer Focus – Let’s pray for each other as we begin a new season/for of reading. Pray you will remain faithful to read daily. Pray for others to be faithful readers too.
Bro. Darryl’s Messages Today
Morning “God Must Be #1” Exodus 20: 1-7
Evening – “A House Divided” 2 Samuel 2
Start the year off by attending worship services today.
Pay attention to today’s announcement concerning the OCC Workshop.
Set some daily good patterns to your life in 2024 today.
Happy New Year’s Eve! I hope you are pleased when you look back over your life in the last year. If so, great! If not, now is the time to change things.
This might be the year you want to write little notes of thankfulness each day. Today, look for a container and some paper you can cut as you use it. I tink colored paper is great. Be ready. Tomorrow is day one.
Another idea, is to begin a personal prayer journal if you do not already have one. All you need is a pen and a notebook.
You may want to attend a special service tonight at your or another church. I don’t have places or times to give you, but can say the services can be very meaningful.
I know it is always best to start a new year by being in church. Make plans to do so.
READ and WRite Scripture Today
December 31 – Choose a favorite verse or look up a new verse.
PRAYER FOCUS TODAY
Today is a good day to focus on a new Christian. Pray for then for a full year. You both will benefit.
Good Report – Donnie Travis has another procedure to adjust his shunt. It appears to be right this time. Donnie will have to show how he can function at this level, so he will be hospitalized a little longer. Please continue to pray for Donnie and Deloris.
There are many other prayer needs. Pray for those on your prayer list.
Donna Gail Perrin Denham
October 12, 1945 – December 26, 2022
A resident of Greensburg, LA, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022 at her home. She was born October 12, 1945 in Albany, GA and was 77 years of age and a former resident of Birmingham, AL. She is survived by her children, Greg Rashall (Jennifer), Nicole Oglesby (Mike) and Larry Rashall (Jocelyn); step-children, Beth Dale, Pete Denham, Matt Denham, Kay Denham, Rhonda Bridevaux (Mack); brother, Mark Perrin (Janice); numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Frank Leroy “Billy” Denham, Jr.; parents, Emery Howard “Heidi” Perrin and Frances Marie Perrin; sister, Linda Perrin Kaley. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 11:00AM until 12:30PM on Saturday. Graveside Services at 1:00PM on Saturday, December 31, 2022. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
READ and WRITE SCRIPTURE TODAY
December 30 – Titus 3: 3-7
TODAY’S PRAYER FOCUS
Today, let’s pray for pastors who must
Receive reports about bulbs that have burned out and garbage that wasn’t collected
Maintain and remember date and time for all functions held at the church
Know when the heating/air system was last serviced
Make coffee as needed
Visit homebound members
Visit those in a number of hospitals
Know where all members live
Know when new babies are due
Preach twice on Sundays and once one Wednesdays
Be able to put a substitute teacher in a clsooroon on short notice.
Lead singing as needed
Know the name of every member of the church
Conduct funeral services for members and others who may have attended church at “his church” years ago
Make copies for various people
Have a key for every door and know which one fits which door
Address the subject of salvation at VBS and with families in the office or in homes as called upon
Be able to participate in youth fellowships, especially those that call for competition
Council couples and perform weddings in churches, homes, and various other places
Quote any verse when called upon to do so
Drive the church bus when the scheduled driver had a conflict
And a thousand other things!!!!!
Today, I hope you will understand pastors better and pray for him more often.
Maybe, there is some other way you can help your pastor. Ask him.
A friend let me knoe the “CONTACT” button at the top of your screen wasn’t working. Jason, my son, helped me fix that, so now you can send requests to me that way.
Please continue to pray for Jerry Doughty. Doctors are trying to determine if Covid damaged his artificial heart valve. He’s at Our Lady of the Lake.
Add Donnie Travis. He had a shunt adjusted only to learn they did so at an incorrect level. Pray for the doctor who is scheduled to come this morning to make the proper adjustment. Pray for Delores as she continues to care for him daily.
READ and WRITE SCRIPTURE
Dec. 29 – James 1: 16-18
Scriptures for Bro. Darryl’s messages Sunday
Morning – “God Must be #1” – Exodus 20: 1-7
Evening – “A House Divided” – 2 Samuel 2
PRAYER FOCUS TODAY – Let’s focus on those who are discouraged or depressed following Christmas. This can be caused by loneliness, no support system, health issues, family troubles, etc. Pray for those whose personal schedules are too full, even during the holiday season.
Lottie Moon Video for Your Viewing
Have a great week. Be sure to think of safety when you make your plans for New Year’s celebrations.
A resident of Greensburg, LA, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was born April 13, 1955 in Kentwood, LA and was 67 years of age. He is survived by his sister, Gloria Gill; nephew, Tristan Gill; friend, Dorothy Anderson. Preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Billie Jo McNabb; former wife, Carol Loving. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Friday, December 30, 2022. Services conducted by Bro. E.J. Didon. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Today I want to share my gratitude to David (and God) or keeping us warm and with water, but no broken pipes, during the LONG, COLD days we just came through. David made it all look easy. He allowed me to stay in the warmth of our home while he put on his coat and hat and checked everything several times a day. What a blessing he has been during the last week. This follows seven months of caring for me after I managed to break three feet this summer. He cared for me all day long daily when I was unable to maneuver myself at home and managed to get me to the doctor appointments looking presentable. I’ve never been so dependent! Those weren’t my greatest days, but I certainly had a good caregiver, nurse, cook, driver, and companion for those seven months. Today, I am thankful to be able to care for myself and to partially resume my household duties. Thank-you David . Thank-you God!!!
Today’s Prayer Focus
Think of the people who make life easier and better for you. You will probably be able to list several who do so in a month’s time. Say thanks to them and to God for them. It would be nice to add them to your daily prayer journal.
BAPTIST PRESS contains a list of the top ten most read articles in 2022.
OCC Purchases – David and I have been doing some shopping for OCC 2023. We have purchased coloring books, plastic cups, calculators, stuffed animals, and miscellaneous toys. It’s has already been fun and productive.
OPPORTUNITY TONIGHT
Tonight, you can be blessed by attending Bible Study at FBC, Kentwood. We begin at 6 P.M. You will find yourself warm and surrounded by lots of friendly faces. God’s Word will be presented and explained by Bro. Darryl. The topic is “Faith and Forgiveness” with the Scripture passage of Romans 3: 21-31. You might even want to read those verses ahead of time.
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
~Matthew 2: 11-12 NIV~
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – It’s never too late to give to this offering which uses 100% given for international missions. Good deal!
Operation Christmas Child purchases for the 2023 “Shoeboxes” have already begun. Please consider how you will help us during 2023. David and I are happy to announce our 2023 OCC team: Jackie and Bob Babin, Wanda Smith, Rachel and Jade Buckley, and James Rimes. We had many other helpers last year and will will be putting lots of OCC volunteer workers to work on January 7th, our first workday. Children and youth will be invited the adults again this year. See you January 7th at 9:00 in the fellowship hall. Thanks for your help.
(She worked with David for a while. I taught her children.)
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2022 at her home. She was born June 17, 1933 in New Orleans, LA and was 89 years of age. She is survived by her daughter, Lillian Giardina Massey and husband, Michael L. Massey; son, Charles Michael Giardina; 2 grandchildren, John Lucas Massey and Sarah Kate Massey; and her angels on Earth, Helen Vaughn, Debra Davis, Angela Bernard, Kathy Ginn and Tasha Ard. Preceded in death by her husband, Joseph P. Giardina; parents, Roy and Bessie Ardillo; and son, Joseph Roy Giardina. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church Hall, Amite, from 9:30AM until 11:30AM with Funeral Mass at St. Helena Catholic Church at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. Services conducted by Fr. Mark Beard. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Harrell Lanier Griffin
October 3, 1939 – December 25, 2022
(One of the most widely known and respected men during his working years)
Harrell Lanier Griffin died peacefully at his home on Sunday, December 25th, 2022.
A long-time resident of Amite, Louisiana, he is survived by his wife of 60 years, Karen Gahn Griffin, a daughter, Gwendolynn Griffin Durham, a grandson, Brian Durham, two brothers, Lewis Griffin (Dorothy) and Ruffin Griffin, and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Ruffin Wilson Griffin, and his mother, Vera Anna Lanier Griffin.
Harrell was a businessman in Amite for more than 40 years. He was the owner and publisher of The News Digest of Amite, the St. Helena Echo, the Hammond Vindicator, the Kentwood Ledger and the Magnolia (Mississippi) Gazette, and the founder of the Ponchatoula Times. He was a member of the Louisiana Press Association and the Mississippi Press Association. He printed newspapers across the Florida Parishes.
Harrell was a co-founder of the former Peoples Bank of Amite and a member of the board of Directors. He served in the U. S. Army in what was then the Counter Intelligence Corp, stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Harrell was a quiet, loving man with a profound sense of duty to his fellow man and an unflinching devotion to doing what he felt was right, in spite of any obstacles. A parishioner of St. Helena Catholic Church, he served as a lector and as a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. His hobbies included collecting and repairing clocks, and he was an active member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. He was also a member of the Louisiana Archaeological Association. He loved his garden and his chickens and spending time outside in the woods around his Amite residence.
Harrell was known as a generous man with his time, and he will be sorely missed by the many, many people whose lives he touched, both in his hometown and beyond.
Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church Hall, Amite, from 9:30AM until 11:30AM with Funeral Mass at St. Helena Catholic Church at Noon on Thursday, December 29, 2022. Services conducted by Fr. Mark Beard. Interment Shiloh Church of Christ Cemetery, Amite, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Sidney Wade Walker
December 28, 1939 – December 23, 2022
(Visitation will be on his birthday!)
A resident of Wilmer, LA, passed away on Friday, December 23, 2022 in Baton Rouge at Baton Rouge General Hospital. He was born December 28, 1939 in Wilmer, LA and was 82 years of age. He is survived by his daughter, Angela Walker Wilson and husband, Bart; grandchildren, Evan Michael Wilson, Grace Evangeline Wilson, and Lillian Claire Wilson;1 brother, Dannie E. Walker, Jr. and wife, Iris; numerous nieces and a nephew. Preceded in death by his parents, Dannie, Sr. and Myrtie Walker; sisters, Dolores Walker Larin and Nancy Juana Walker Morgan. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5:00PM until 9:00PM on Wednesday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 29, 2022. Services conducted by Bro. Terry Nelson. Interment Walker Cemetery, Wilmer, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
PRAYER FOCUS TODAY
Today, let’s pray for families who have serious illnesses and/or deaths in their families. Pray the patients and families KNOW JESUS.
THANKFULLY, the weather has been warming up. I will be happy when we have our more normal southeast Louisiana weather.
Today’s chosen article – IMB 2022 year in review: Together, we reach the nations
Please pray for John “Fat Rat” Russell. A member of the family has requested prayers. “Fat Rat” is in North Oaks.
Please pray for, and help in other ways you can, for the Glass family. First, thank God they are all safe. They lost everything in a house fire. Please check to see what is needed and what you can do to help.
Usually the days following Christmas are filled with surgeries and funerals. Pray for families facing a difficult week.
Barbara S. Gill
October 27, 1943 – December 23, 2022
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Friday, December 23, 2022 at her home in Amite, LA. She was born October 27, 1943 and was 79 years of age. She was a member of Wilmer Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Gill; 3 sons, Kenneth Gill, Sr., Raymond Gill and wife, Linda, and Gregory Gill; grandchildren, Kenneth Gill, Jr. and wife, Simona, Gavin Gill, Justin Gill, Brittany Wilkinson and husband, Donald, Bradley Gill and wife, Tiffany, Raymond Dakota Gill; numerous great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Harold Seals and Hollis Seals; 1 sister, Linda Addison. Preceded in death by her parents, Lavon and Alma Seals; sister, Janice Seals. Visitation at Wilmer Baptist Church from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. Services conducted by Bro. Jason Skipper. Interment Sharon Cemetery, Amite, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
PRAYER FOCUS for TODAY
Let’s thank God for the wonderful Christmas gatherings in homes and churches. Now, let’s begin to think about how we want to begin the new year. It seems to me the same locations, homes and churches, will help us to best begin 2023.
LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING for INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS
There is never a deadline to give to support international missions.
100% of your offering goes directly to mission projects around the world.
A PORTION OF AN EMAIL FROM THE IMB PRESIDENT
….we celebrate the fact that Jesus became a man to live and dwell among us. He came with a purpose—a mission. What was that mission?
Why did Jesus come?
In Luke 4, we find Jesus reading about His mission from the prophet Isaiah and proclaiming His fulfillment of that prophecy. We learn that Jesus came:
To preach the gospel to the poor.
To heal the brokenhearted.
To proclaim liberty to the captives.
To give sight to the blind.
To set free those who are oppressed.
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
When is “the acceptable year of the Lord” or “the time of God’s favor”? Now! Second Corinthians 6:2 tells us, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
We are dedicated to continuing Jesus’ mission to bring healing, hope, and the message of the gospel to the world—and we are so proud to stand side by side with you in this work.
May God bless you as you celebrate the One who came to set us free!
Merry Christmas,
Sincerely, Paul Chitwood IMB President
PRAYER FOCUS
Today, let’s focus on the reason Jesus came to earth. He came so people could be saved here on earth and be blessed with an eternity in Heaven. Let’s pray for all people to receive Jesus in their hearts. In addition, pray specifically for those you know of who need to make this earthly decision with a heavenly reward of living with Jesus forever.
COLD WEATHER
Let’s also continue to pray for those who are cold today. May they find warmth, food, rest, and love in a home, church, or shelter.
PRAYER FOCUS – Please continue to pray for all the people around us. We will all face the same challenges today. If you hear of someone in trouble with the cold weather, please help them as you see fitting.
I read a story on Baptist Press (https://www.baptistpress.com) that I feel I must share because so many families lose a child to death, even during the Christmas season. The words of this mother, written long ago still provide strength and courage to those who are left to suffer grief for years and years.
Grieving pastor soothed by notes ancestor wrote in 1940s Christmas Bible
Everyone is invited to the CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE AT FBC, KENTWOOD. It will begin at 6 P.M. and last for 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to be with family or do whatever you have planned. Christmas Eve services are special!
Remember the article I shared yesterday about gratitude that James Rimes shared with me? What are we grateful/thankful for today? Today, I am thankful for the warmth and water of my home provided by God and maintained by David, articles that touch my heart, and the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with my church family.
FBC, Kentwood will also have morning worship at 10:30 tomorrow. Join us if you are available. Bring someone with you. Celebrate Jesus!
The Prayer Link 
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