Then I said: “LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, . . . .
I’m not watching it (the news), but David has been watching it. I could never dream up all this information if I spent 24 hours/day working at it. The morning news each day convinces me over and over that what this world needs is God! I can see no other/better solution. I encourage you to now to pray and pray hard for our country and our world. If you need salvation, seek someone who can introduce you to Jesus. He is the best friend/Savior you could ever ask for.
Church Yesterday
Sadly, I missed church yesterday. I watched online, but it is just not the same. It is certainly better than no church at all! I pray God never lets me feel comfortable with a routine that allows me to miss church week after week if I am able to get to church and just make a choice to not attend. The ONLY HOPE for our world is JESUS! I am so thankful I learned this as a child.
Read the Bible Every Day
May 6
Judges 8:1 – 9:21
Psalm 56:1-7
Proverbs 13:1-2
Luke 22:1-23
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s again continue to pray for others who need to live for Jesus each day. Many are friends and relatives here in the USA. Others, we do not know, but that doesn’t keep us from praying. Let’s also pray for those on our personal prayer lists.
My Sunday School class is like most others in that we have a lot of needs all the time. We can use your prayers. Your class, your family, and your friendss could too.
Let me help you think about YOUR prayer focus today.
What are some needs in the world today?
What are some needs in America today?
What are some needs in Louisiana today?
What are some need in our local parishes today?
What are some needs in your town, community today?
What are some needs in your family today?
What are some needs in your house today?
What are some needs in your heart today?
We should all have a long list at this point. The next step is to seek God. Let Him decide what is best for us.
Dear readers, I am so thankful for you and your prayers!
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “ ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’who was, and is, and is to come.”
Mrs. Faye “Baby” Walker of Amite, LA, formerly of Bunkie passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2024. She was preceded in death by her brother, Michael Smith; and her father, Nolan Pierce; her mother, Rose S. Pierce; and her brother, Bobby Higdon. She is survived by her husband, Sam Walker; her two sons, James Sylvester (Rachel) of San Antonio, TX and Cilton Michot of Pensacola, FL; and two sisters, Gwen Slocum (Bobby) of Amite and Gayla Pierce of Lake Jackson, TX. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 12:00PM until religious services at 2:00PM on Friday, May 10, 2024. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Read the Bible Every Day
Judges 5:1 – 6:10
Psalm 55:9-14
Proverbs 12:25-26
Luke 20:41 – 21:19
Saturday – A Day of Preparation
Tomorrow is the Lord’s Day. Use this day to be ready for Sunday (S.S. lesson, meals, clothing, house, whatever is needed.
Invitation
Have you invited someone to attend worship with you? That will make it a meaningful day for you and for them.
This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:5
Surgery Update
Betty Taylor‘s heart cath went well yesterday morning. Please pray for her as she recovers.
Prayer Focus
Pray for all the things happening around our country at colleges and other places. May our country return to the way it has been for so long – Putting God first!
Good Morning! It’s good to visit with you again this morning.
Let’s start with a special request for Betty Taylor. She is having a heart cath., and possibly a stent, this morning in McComb. As you pray for her and the medical staff, please also pray for Andy and Tommy.
Let’s also say special prayers for the families who had damage and deaths due to tornadoes.
This morning, I see the news is covering the dismantling of the “tent city” on the campus of UCLA. Let’s pray for a change of hearts, less hatred, and the Jewish people all across our county who have been the subject of the university protests.
Read the Bible Every Day
(It’s always a good day to to start, even if you have not already done so!)
What is on your heart and on your prayer list this morning? We are all different and have different requests. Pray for the things near and dear to you!
Touch the Heart of Someone Today
Do something special (phone call, gift certificate for lunch, visit at home, hospital, or nursing home, a card, etc.) to let someone know you are praying for them today.
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Hartman-Jones Funeral Home – McComb on Apr. 30, 2024.
Danny Ray Esch, a distinguished resident of Kentwood, Louisiana, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be held at Hartman-Jones Funeral Home, McComb, MS, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, and from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at East Fork Baptist Church, Kentwood, La. Religious Services at East Fork Baptist Church, Kentwood, La, at 11:00 am on May 2, 2024. Burial at East Fork Baptist Church, Kentwood, La, following the services. Rev. Jay Avance will officiate.
He was born on November 22, 1951, in Drew, Mississippi, to Henry S. Esch, Sr. and Grace Carroll Esch. He was a member of East Fork Baptist Church in Kentwood, LA where he served as a deacon. Danny was a mason with the Masonic Lodge of McComb. He grew up working along side his father, learning the skill of mechanics. After college, Danny worked as a Diesel Mechanic Instructor for over thirty years at Southwest Mississippi Community College. He served as a McComb Selectman for twenty years. He was an avid Ole Miss Rebels fan. Danny leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion, and he will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife Anita, with whom he shared 54 beautiful years; his son, Steven Esch (Jennifer); Daughter, Amy Cooley (Randy); 3 Grandchildren, Savannah Scariano (Cody), Parker Esch, and Lauren Esch; 2 brothers, Carroll Esch (Shelia), Jimmy Esch, and sister-in-law Mary Esch; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Sr and Grace Esch; his brothers, Henry Jr and Gene Esch; and sisters-in-law, Miriam Esch and Arnell Esch. Danny’s life was a testament to his strength and resilience, and he will be dearly missed.
Pallbearers are Parker Esch, Cody Scariano, Randy Cooley, Sammy Esch, Troy Esch, Paul Esch, Clint Esch, and Dale Tate. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the East Fork Baptist Church, Kentwood youth fund.
Read the Bible Every Day
May 1
Joshua 24:1-33
Psalm 53:1-6
Proverbs 12:17-18
Luke 19:28-48
OCC Cutting Party
(Yes, we are still cutting out fabric to make into totes for our “Shoeboxes”. Getting ready to pack 450 “Shoeboxes” is a big task!
Saturday, May 18, 2024
9 A.M. – Noon
Fellowship Hall
Bring your pinking shears.
Prayer Focus
Let’s pray for the college students who are protesting our country’s support of Israel. Pray for the protests to end peacefully, with no loss of human life.
Many of you have been praying for a family that saw a specialist yesterday. It seems the problem is not concerning and requires no treatment. Thank God for this good report.
Request for Today
Please add Angelicia Carter, my daughter-in-law, to the prayer list. She is having neck surgery tomorrow morning in Hammond. Thank you Lawana
Additional stories, previously posted, are listed. Choose some to read.
Prayer Focus
There are several stories making headlines you may choose to prayer about. There are issues in families and churches you may also choose to prayer about today. There are lost people in churches that need my prayers. People in neighborhoods and small towns need God. I will have prayer concerns to fill my day. You do too!
No New Obituaries
OCC Needs List so far:
Red pens
Sewing measuring tapes
Calculators
High School and College Graduates
We have a number of graduates this year. Be sure to encourage them as they move into the next years of their live. Pray they take Jesus with them wherever they go for more education and/or jobs.
You are doing great
Operation Christmas Child – Thanks for all your donations and purchases. We have shared ten needs so far, and received the needed amount of seven of those needs already. I hope we can meet these three needs this week so we can start a new month with no needs from the first two months.
Yesterday was a great day to be in God’s house at FBC, Kentwood!
It’s amazing how God is working in our midst to bring others to his kingdom. I’m so blessed and thankful to see HIM through others in our church.
Prayer Focus
Today, I encourage you to pray as God leads you. It may be for someone with an Illness, someone who has family/ school/work issues, someone who is not attending church, etc.
Be Careful
There is a stomach “bug” going around. It’s not life-threatening, but it certainly makes people miserable for a while.
Summer is Coming.
Students have less than a month of school remaining. Pray for families as they make plans for how the summer days will be spent. Pray they can work in church and special church activities such as VBS, camp, trips to homes of church members, etc. May they be taught that not all their time is to be used for fun and personal entertainment, but to give of themselves to help others by cleaning windows, picking up limbs, sharing plants, sharing baked goods, etc. There are many ways of serving. Let’s make sure our children and youth find some ways of serving Him and others this summer.
Prayer Concerns
Mrs. Alice Faye Lee
Mrs. Mary Varnado
Mrs. Theople Hurst
Mrs. Kaye Roberts
Mrs. Velma Anthony
Mr. George Bales
Mr. Keith Allen
Bro. and Mrs. Joe Baugh
Families that have had deaths lately
Workers and children involved in dailycare
Student and teachers who will soon have a summer schedule
Please add other name you are aware of.
Read the Bible Every Day
April 29th
Joshua 20:1 – 21:45
Psalm 51:14-19
Proverbs 12:13-14
Luke 18:24-43
Thanks so much for helping to make our little part of the world a better place.
I forgot to give you the New Testament reading yesterday. It’s Luke 17:11-37.
Read the Bible Every Day
4-28-24
Joshua 19:1-51
Psalm 51:10-13
Proverbs 12:11-12
Luke 19:1-23
Prayer Focus for Today
Today, let’s pray for those unable to attend church and who would love to watch the services at their local church, but do not have the technology skills to do so. Let’s pray for family members, neighbors, or church volunteers to help them. What a bonus for their weekend when they can watch the church services they would love to see since they cannot attend in person.
Ask a few neighbors, friends, and church members if they need and want you to help them with this technology. Hopefully, they will trust you to be helpful to them. Be sure to pray before volunteering and before doing the volunteer work.
If you are not attending Sunday School, I invite you to Sunday School at FBC, Kentwood. We have so many classes that we have classes for all adults to choose from.
Sunday School begins at 9:15. Come early and have time to visit others and meet people.. (Coffee drinkers will find coffee in the hallway of the fellowship hall and in several classrooms.)
Prayer Focus for Today
Today, let’s pray for those who are not attending Sunday School, but are considering getting their family involved. Hopefully, singles and families will make the decision to attend Sunday School this weekend.
Obituaries
Mary Lynn Foster Jordan
July 19, 1955 – April 24, 2024
A resident of Kentwood, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. She was born July 19, 1955 in Kentwood and was 68 years of age. She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Ted Jordan; 3 sons, Travis Clay Jordan, Christopher Brody Newman (Claire), and Michael Eugene Jordan (Julie); 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; sister, Sue Huber (Robert); brother, Larry Foster; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Robert Marvin Foster and Shirley Brewer Foster. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Monday, April 29, 2024. Services conducted by Rev. Jay Avance. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Samuel Merwin Raborn
January 28, 1954 – April 24, 2024
Samuel Merwin Raborn of Kentwood, Louisiana passed away on April 24, 2024. Sam (“Dunk” and “Country” to his family and friends) was born in Osyka, Mississippi on January 28, 1954, the youngest of 12 children born to his parents, Margaret Jones Raborn and Loid Noel Raborn.
Sam graduated from Kentwood High School in 1972 and played on the 1969 state championship football team. Although he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force soon after graduation and lived away from Kentwood for several years, Sam stayed connected to many of his high school friends, especially his lifelong best friend, “Big D”.
Sam married the love of his life, Connie Lee Madden Raborn, on April 26, 1975, in Tucson, Arizona. He served his country for 20 years before returning to his beloved home. He and Connie raised three daughters, 10 grandkids, one great-grandson, and many dogs, chickens, cows, and other farm animals. Sam was loved by everyone who knew him. He easily made others laugh with his mischievous personality.
Sam was a lifelong fan of the LSU Tigers and the New Orleans Saints, even during the tough years. Most fall weekends he could be found at LSU, tailgating with friends and family and cheering on his beloved Tigers. He refused to leave a game early, regardless of the weather or the score. On Sundays, Sam would get back for church at First Baptist Church of Arcola before rushing home to cheer on his Saints. During the week he could usually be found at the sale barn, riding his tractor, or feeding his cows.
Sam was met at the gates by his beloved wife, Connie, his mom and dad, and multiple brothers and sisters – Loid Noel Raborn, Jr., Katie Sue Raborn Nunnery, Edward Leroy Raborn, Estha Leigh Raborn Lail, Billie Jean Raborn Mitchell, and Linda Dianne Raborn Bennett.
Left to cherish his memory are his beloved daughters, Margaret Elizabeth Raborn Andrews (Eric); Angela Darlene Raborn Stone (Rob); and Renee Sandra Raborn Molland (Quincy); his grandchildren, Dusty, Dakota, Ethan, Erica, Luke, Ella Rose, Samantha, Addison, Colleen, and Parker; his great-grandson, Jaxon Lane Stokes; his sisters, Margaret Christine Raborn Krchov, Mary Nell Raborn Jackson, and Bettie Lu Raborn Jannise; brothers, James Loid Raborn and Willie Briggans Raborn, Sr.; many nieces and nephews; his life-long best friend, Dennis Price; and many, many more friends and family.
The family will receive friends on Monday, April 29, 2024, from 6-8 pm and on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 10 am-12 pm at First Baptist Church of Arcola. The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 12:00 pm at First Baptist Church of Arcola. Internment will take place in Osyka Cemetery, Osyka, MS.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Metavivor, Metastatic Breast Cancer Research, Support, and Awareness Organization, in memory of his cherished wife, Connie.
Read the Bible Every Day
April 27
Joshua 16:1 – 18:28
Psalm 51:6-9
Proverbs 12: 8-10
Vacation Bible School
VBS is right around the corner. It’s always the first week of June. To get information about classes and registration, you can register at church, online, or by calling Wendell Rhodus at FBC, 229-8111.
The Prayer Link 
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