Make today a great Lord’s Day by giving Him time and honor today.
Today’s Focus Verse
There so much information in the Bible. I hope you spend some time as an individual and as a member of a group studying today.
Sunday School Lesson Today
Instructions Given
Numbers 33:50-56 and 34:13-15
Today’s Bible Reading
October 19
Proverbs 22-23
Prayer Focus
Please continue to pray for families of those who are sick or recovering from injuries at hospitals or at home. Also, prayer for older individuals and those limited to their homes. Most importantly pray for those who need to give their lives to the Lord this very day.
Additional Bible Reading
10 But the day when the Lord comes again will surprise everyone like the coming of a thief. The sky will disappear with a loud noise. Everything in the sky will be destroyed with fire. And the earth and everything in it will be burned up.[a]
11 Everything will be destroyed in this way. So what kind of people should you be? Your lives should be holy and devoted to God.
12 You should be looking forward to the day of God, wanting more than anything else for it to come soon. When it comes, the sky will be destroyed with fire, and everything in the sky will melt with heat.
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite, LA. He was born October 9, 1965 in Independence, LA and was 60 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Cara McDaniel Alford; daughter, Caitlyn Michelle Alford; 2 sons, Ryan Pierson and Brian Pierson; 2 grandchildren, Brianna Pierson and Brynnly Pierson; niece, Samantha Alford Thaggard (Andy); great-nephew, Cory Patterson; 2 great-nieces, Lacy Patterson and Karly Brandon; his dogs, Holly and Sally; and his granddogs, Dixie and Rambo. Preceded in death by his parents, Karl L. Alford, Sr. and Mattie Irene McDaniel Alford; brother, Karl L. Alford, Jr. Visitation at Spring Creek Baptist Church from 5:00PM until 9:00PM on Monday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Ben Wayne Blackwell. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Spring Creek, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Updates
Margie Williams has been moved to Greensburg and is in room 102. She will receive rehab there.
Blake Bennett was again able to follow the football game from the sidelines. His family said he will slowly begin to attend school next week. Lord, we thank you for healing this young man.
Continue to pray for the families involved in the accident on the river bridge Wednesday.
Pray for wonderful church services tomorrow in all the area churches. May people choose to have Jesus as their Savior and constant friend. Pray for churches to continue to reach out to those in our community.
Pray for families and friends of those involved in accidents this week.
Pray for those at home or in a hospital who have health issues.
Pray we can and will be an ambassador of Christ in all we do and wherever we go.
Thank-you for reading and praying.
In closing, here is one more verse to meditate on and thank God for today.
Good morning, friends. Let’s thank God for this day He has given to us. Let’s ask God to walk with us today and to take care of us as He sees fit.
Today’s Verse
Isn’t that a wonderful assurance? Today, there are several in need of our prayers. Sickness, accidents, and procedures always provide a list of people to pray for. We might not have a turbulent ocean as a setting for our prayers, but God provides ponds, rivers, woods, lawns, and hills as some good locations.
Read the Bible in 2025
October 17
Proverbs 16-18
(I’m enjoying reading Proverbs again.)
Obituaries
Sandy “Granny” Nicholas
September 11, 1944 – October 15, 2025
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2025 at The Lodge at Tangi Pines in Amite, LA. She was born September 11, 1944 in Long Beach, California and was 81 years of age. Granny was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was an avid bowler, wonderful seamstress, and loved attending LSU baseball games with her husband and grandchildren. Granny is survived by her son, Mike J. Nicholas; daughter, Melissa D. Lawton; 3 granddaughters, Brynne Nicholas Huye, Allie Hall (Caleb), and Mandy Amond; sister, Terry Parish (John); six nieces and nephews; and five great-nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Billie Scardina; husband, Joe Nicholas, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Heather Nicholas; grandson-in-law, Scott Huye; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe Nicholas, Sr. and Cecil Mae Ortis Nicholas. The family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love, support, and prayers during this difficult journey. Special thanks to the staff at the The Lodge at Tangi Pines for their supportive and compassionate care given to our beloved Granny and family. A 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.
Harold William Harter
September 22, 1934 – October 3, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Harold William Harter, of Kentwood, Louisiana, on October 3, 2025. He was 91 years old.
Harold was born on September 22, 1934, in Winfield, Iowa. He was the son of the late Harold Franklin Harter and Helen Appel Bevil. Both his parents were born in Iowa.
A proud veteran, Harold served in the U.S. Air Force. He later dedicated 25 years of his life to a career with the U.S. Government Immigration as a Border Patrol Agent. He received a Commission of Immigration Certificate of Appreciation, and he served in the NLL Sector of Immigration U.S. Border Patrol and was a member of the Texas Rangers Association. He also had a passion for farming and raising cattle. He was a devoted man of the Christian faith and a longtime member of Church of the Nazarene in Baton Rouge, LA.
Harold is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Stella Viola Harter; son, Frank Harter; daughters, Pam Harter, Connie Sampognaro; grandchildren, Hayden Hatchell, Drew Hatchell, Nicholas Sampognaro, Emily DeLee, Carliss Sampognaro, Frankie Sampognaro; and a host of family and friends.
Pallbearers will be Greg Sampognaro, Hayden Hatchell, Edward DeLee, Nick Sampognaro, Drew Hatchell, and Mark Simon.
Honorary Pallbearers include Ricky Brumfield, Brad Blades, John Harter, Tommy Delatte, Buddy Rutland, Paul Knight, and Dave Smith.
Services will be at 12:00 PM on Friday, October 10, at Sharkey Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the time of service at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery in Kentwood, LA. Rev. Chandler Veasey will be officiating with Sharkey Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Georgia Barnette Offering for Louisiana
It is never too late to contribute to this offering. There are always projects, new churches, camps, etc. in our state that can benefit. There are always friends, family members, homeless, etc. who need to hear about Jesus. Let’s make sure they have the opportunity.
Samaritan’s Purse Provides Opportunities to Pack Shoeboxes and for Children in needy countries to hear about Jesus.
Shoeboxes are unique. They provide love and prayers from packers, toys, school supplies, Bibles, Sunday School lessons, and much love to children with the hope of introducing each child to Jesus.
4 I caused great trouble to the disciples of Jesus. I even wanted to kill them. I took hold of them and I put them in prison. I did that to both men and women.
5 The most important priest and all the group of Jewish leaders can tell you that this is true. They gave me letters for the Jewish leaders in Damascus. So I travelled to Damascus to take hold of the believers in that city. I wanted to tie them up and bring them back to Jerusalem. Then the leaders here could punish them.’ Acts 22:4-5
Our Blessings
Did you receive some blessing this week? Often our interactions with people impact our lives as much as they impact the lives of others. These interactions can be planned or spontaneous. What you say or do to bless someone else often blesses you too!
All around us today will be people who are facing their problems and crying out to God. Hopefully, they know God can and will help them get through any situations they find themselves in. He’s real! He’s there for us! He wants to help us! We need to reach out to Him!
And a resident of Hammond passed away peacefully early Friday morning October 10, 2025 at his home, after a courageous battle with cancer. Chris was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana on December 8, 1972, before moving with his family to Franklinton as a young boy. He played youth baseball for several years and later graduated from Franklinton High School Class of 1991. Chris was chosen for the Louisiana All-State Chorus and, throughout his life, had a love for different types of music. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Franklinton, and had participated in all youth group activities, including R.A. basketball, which he enjoyed very much. After graduation, he served his community and country in the Louisiana Army-National Guard for several years. Chris worked at the Tulane Biomedical Research Center in Covington for the last 20 years, serving in different departments, most recently as a bio-safety engineer traveling to facilities around the area. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed shooting pool with his friends. Chris loved grilling for his family and friends, considering himself a “Grill Master”. He also loved family vacations to the beach and any time they could spend together. Chris had a contagious laugh, which his countless friends could attest to, although he considered himself the funniest person he knew. Recently, he loved spending time with his young granddaughter and enjoying time with his friends at Franklinton Demons football games, watching his favorite LSU Tigers and just being together with all those he loved. He will be forever remembered by all that knew him.
Survived by:
Wife: Rebecca Bennett Smalley of Hammond
Daughters: Madison Smalley of Hammond. Morgan Bond
Son and Daughter in law: Samuel Christian Smalley, Jr. and Emily Curry Smalley of Hammond
Granddaughter: Rumi Nyx
Parents: Karen and Rev. Joey Miller of Franklinton, Sam Smalley of Mandeville
Siblings and Spouses: Chad and Allison Smalley of Florence AL, Carson Smalley of Mandeville, Chaplin and Leah Ann Smalley of the Stateline Community, Scott and Katie Miller of Mt. Hermon, Sally Ann and Cory Shaver of Montgomery, TX, Chase Miller of Atlanta, Michael and Stacey Rase, Lance and Erika Rase
Aunts and an Uncle: Janet and Doug Perrigin, Jan Perry Davis
Mother in law and Father in law: Charlotte and Andy Williams of Port Vincent
Father in law and Mother in law: Bruce and Linda Bennett of Denham Springs
Sister in law: Brittney Bennett,
Brothers in law and Sisters in law: Preston and April Bennett, Landon and Maggie Watts
Also numerous cousins and many dear friends that he loved as family
He was preceded in death by grandparents Nyra “Nell” and Rev. Wallace Perry, Harley and Toby Smalley, uncle Aubrey Perry, step-mother Marsha Smalley and other family members.
Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home (1109 Bene Street, Franklinton) on Monday October 13th from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm and after 9:00 am on Tuesday. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 am Tuesday with Rev. Joey Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Ellis Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Chandler Smalley, Tony Fagan, Shane Willis, Landy Lott, Heath Bernard, Robert Kerne, Chris Wood
Honorary Pallbearers: Greg Holmes, Wesley Green, Graham Wolbrecht, Derald Cupp, Rob Crain
If you want to serve God in a completely good way, do things like this: Help children who have no parents and women who are widows. Help them in their troubles. If you serve God our Father like that, he will be pleased with you. Do not let the bad people in this world make you bad too.
James 1:27
I hope you will take these words to heart and let your actions and words show that you care! Try to contact one individual today. Today will also be the day to start a new section in your prayer list, a small notebook, or even a calendar . It can include “Personal Actions” such as visits, phone calls, meals, transportation, a baked treat, etc. It’s not a brag book, but a way to keep track of ministry to others, your personal encouragement to “do” and not just “talk”. Nobody needs to see or even know what you write there. It is for your personal accountability and encouragement! If you are uneasy or unsure, get a partner. I know a partner helped me to start reading my Bible when I was a teenager. Even if you are serving in this way, “step it up a notch”!
May the Lord richly bless you today! May we see Him working in our lives!
I hope these thoughts are encouragements to all of us.
Welcome to a new day God has provided for us. We don’t know what the days holds, but we know who holds the day!
Today’s Verse
Read the Bible in 2025
October 14
Provers 7-9
Obituary
Edwin L. Cooper
August 6, 1954 – October 9, 2025
Edwin L. Cooper, a resident of Amite, LA, born August 6, 1954 was called home on October 9, 2025. There to meet him was his daughter Cassandra Marie Cooper and parents Byron and Edith Cooper. Left to carry on his memory are his wife of 46 years Susan K Cooper, his daughter Nikki, son Jay, daughter in law Tabbie and son in law Kyle. His legacy will continue through his 5 grandchildren: Olivia Finley, Alexis Courville, Amelia Cobb, Jase Cooper and Corlea Cooper. As well as his great granddaughter Ezralynn Courville.
Edwin was a United States Air Force Veteran and later worked for an airline in Atlanta Georgia where he retired after over 30 years of employment.
It was Edwin’s desire to be cremated. His family is grieving privately but will hold a celebration of life at a later date. The family thanks everyone for their outpouring of love and support.
Edwin and Susan found a church home at First Baptist Church of Arcola where Edwin enjoyed helping with youth activities and talked about his church family with pride. As such, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor Edwin please do so by making a donation in his memory to The First Baptist Church of Arcola. All donations will be used to benefit the youth programs and allow him to bless them once more.
Sunday School – October 19
“Instructions Given”
Numbers 33:50-56 and Numbers 34:113-15
Prayer Focus
Pray for Israel and the changes that have been made to benefit the peoplle. May the focus be, not on changes, but benefits.
There are other articles you might be interessted in reading too.
‘Study God’s Word and Will Wholeheartedly’
‘Alive in Christ’
“I enjoy your laws. I will not forget your word. Be good to me, your servant, so that I may live to obey your word. Open my eyes wide! Then I will see great things in your Law.”
Psalm 119:16-18
Don’t be totally selfish today. Think, pray for, and do for others today.
I must admit I got busy last week and got behind on reading the assigned passages.
SO…TODAY, I set out to read the Scriptures I missed out on as well as today’s Scripture. Before long, I read Psalm 147:2.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel.
I paused, reread the verse, listened to the television a moment, and thought… “Did I just read a verse about the very issue that has been on the news and on our television all day?”
I read it again and almost jumped up and down! If I had read the chosen verses on Saturday, I may have made the connection today, BUT I read the verse after the news today was saturated information about 20 prisoners who had just been released hours before I the Bible verse about it. What an impact!
I read a book one time that called such experiences “GOD WINKS”! I didn’t feel like God winked at me, I felt like He grabbed me and shook me!
I’m thankful for the released hostages and their families. That has already brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart periodically all day. Then, God gives me this verse:
The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he brings back the captured Israelites.
I just had to share my joy for the hostages and their families as for how God made the Scripture so real to me. Why me? I don’t know, unless it is so I can share it. That I gladly do right now!
Today, let’s say prayers of thanksgiving for the 20 freed, living hostages that are in Israel this morning. Our president has just been greatly welcomed into the Israeli parliament. I will keep one eye on the television during this wonderful historic event as I try to post TPL this morning! Let’s also thank God for all those who worked so hard to get us to this moment in history. Pray for the hostages as they adjust to living among the free again.
Scripture Focus
Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
It is not enough to turn from evil. We can clean the putrid things out of our lives and hearts, but if we do not actively pursue what is good, then a worse evil can rush into the void, and our second condition becomes worse than the first (Matthew 12:43-45). So, let’s be people who turn from evil, become eager to do what is good, and with a passion choose to “wage peace.”
No New Obituaries Listed this Morning
Read the Bible Today
October 13
Proberbs 4-6
Update
Margie Williams’ doctors have decided on a treatment for the immediate future for her. She is at North Oaks. We can all prayer for her.
Two Rivers Baptist Association
The yearly report night for our association was held at Spring Creek Baptist Church last night and concluded with a message from Bro. Rusty Durand . We are thankful we were able to participate.
Additional Scripture
‘Be Thankful, Prayerful, Vocal, and Glad in Him.
8 Thank the Lord!
Make his name famous!
Tell people in all the nations what he has done.
9 Sing songs and make music
to praise him!
Tell people about the miracles that he has done.
10 Boast about his holy name.
Everybody who wants to worship the Lord should be very happy!
11 Ask the Lord to help you!
Ask him to give you strength.
Always try to be near him
and worship him.
I Chronicles 16:8-11
Pine Ridge Bible Study
This week we will be studying about the courage and faith of Rahab.
OCC Drop Off Schedule for FBC, Kentwood
Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon
Nov. 19 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon
Nov. 22 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon
Nov. 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Nov. 25 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Please plan to deliver your church or individually packed shoeboes to Kentwood during any of these time slots. We will be ready with volunteers and equipment to help make this step run smoothly.
Let’s do our best to make today a special day for our family and all the others around us. It’s the Lord’s Day!
Today’s Bible Verse
Today’s Bible Reading
October 12
Proverbs 1-3
We have completed Psalm and are beginning the next book of the Bible.
No New Local Obituaries Listed
Prayer Requests
Please pray for Margie Williams who fell from a ladder in her yard and is hospitalized at North Oaks waiting to learn the procedure/treatment to help her recover from her fractures. She had a hard fall. Please pray for her. Give her a call to let her know you have prayed.
Please continue to pray for Barbara Erwin who is getting rehabilitation services at North Oaks Rehab.
Also, please pray for Michael Anthony as he continues to improve at home.
Pray for those who are homebound in our communities.
Have you considered this quote by Martin Luther?
“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.”
I love to watch clouds as we ride along the highways. I see faces, animals, and various other objects in the sky. I also love to notice the many color combinations. The sunrise and the sunset are usually pretty every day. God “paints” pretty pictures for us regularly!
The Prayer Link 
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