Monday

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles,

some prophets,

some evangelists,

and some pastors and teachers,

for the equipping of the saints.”

~Ephesians 4:11-12a, NKJV~

Mrs. Faye Price continues to be at North Oaks.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Tomorrow night at 6:30, Dr. Jerry Rankin will be the speaker at FBC, Kentwood.  Dr. Rankin has served as a missionary for many years and is now president of the International Mission Board.  You are invited and encouraged to attend.

Panic

panic2.jpgTHERE WERE SOME anxious moments at our house as my daughter and I prepared for our mission trip…

Late in the packing process we discovered that my passport that had been set out earlier, was not a current passport! That current passport was not where we expected it to be.

For about an hour, we gave the term ransack new meaning. God answered our fervent prayers and we found the all-important document.

Those who travel understand the seriousness of misplacing a passport. This document shows you are a citizen of the United States and have been cleared for travel to other countries. Without it I would have been denied admission to Peru. Actually, I wouldn’t have been allowed onto the plane headed for Peru. I would have been left behind.

As I reflect upon that nerve-wracking episode, I think of a more vital appointment. Jesus spoke about it in Matthew 25:31,32:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and
all the holy angels with Him, then He will
sit on the throne of His glory. All the
nations will be gathered before Him, and He
will separate them one from another, as a
shepherd divides his sheep from the goats”
(NKJV).

Following the pronouncement of judgment, only two destinations will await those who have been sentenced. Of the two, heaven and hell, all know the destination to which they want to go.

Earlier in that chapter (verses 1-13), Jesus spoke the parable of the wise and foolish maidens. Ten young women anxiously awaited the arrival of the bridegroom. The wait was longer than expected and five of them found that their supply of oil for their lamps was not sufficient. While they were away buying oil, the bridegroom came and the door was shut. The five foolish maidens were barred from the celebration they had dreamed about. They should have made better preparation.

There will be those at the Day of Judgment who will experience panic far worse than I recently felt. They will assume they’re ready for the coming of Jesus — but they won’t be. For them there will be no second chance. The sound of heaven’s door closing will be heard, and it will prompt “weeping and gnashing of teeth” ( Matthew 25:30). As you read this, realize one thing: You have this opportunity to make preparations for the coming of the Lord. You may not have another opportunity. We urge you out of genuine Christian love to prepare your soul for the certain arrival of Jesus Christ! Tim Hall at http://forthright.net

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them.” Matthew 25:1-3

Posted by Mike Benson

A great week awaits us.  Let’s get going!

Anna Lee

Sunday Evening

Debbie Miller called to share a prayer concern.  Clayton” Booger” Sibley has been hospitalized in Baton Rouge with heart issues.  Please be in prayer for “Bogger”, his wife, Lynda, and other family members.  Your prayers will be appreciated.

Susie Sharkey thanks you for praying for her as she had finger surgery.  She’s doing well as she waits for some healing time now.  Continue to pray as her finger continues to heal.

Pray for our your friend Kacy Walker, daughter of Rev. Dennis Walker, as she is involved in women’s prison ministry Thursday through Sunday.  Pray she is a good witness to the inmates there as she shares her testimony and ministers to their spiritual needs.

Sunday Afternoon

David Allen did not get to come home yesterday, but is still hopeful to do so today.  Please continue to remember David and his family in your prayers.

Another former student:

Johnny Lee Westmoreland
(September 6, 1962 – November 1, 2009)

Died at 5:55 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite. He was a native of Tylertown, MS and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 47 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Services conducted by Rev. Ray Schenk. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite. He is survived by his wife, Edith Schenk Westmoreland, Amite. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles R.D. & Billie Lee Westmoreland; grandparents, Artie & Lena Westmoreland and Lee & Victor Buniff.

Sunday

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost

those who come to God through Him,

since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

~Hebrews 7:25~

Trisha Wilson is married to Dwayne Wilson, the son of Robert and Ora Lee Wilson.  She sent you a wonderful thank-you card with a picture of the family.

Just a note to thank you and all those on the prayer link for praying for me.  Whatever I had that was causing so much pain and swelling seems to be gone and I pray it doesn’t come back.  What a very strange 7 or 8 weeks I had!  I am grateful for so many prayers for me and how God answered.

Mildred H. Duncan
(March 25, 1922 – October 30, 2009)

Died on Friday, October 30, 2009 at South McComb Extended Care in McComb, MS. She was a native of New Orleans, LA, a resident of McComb, MS and a former lifelong resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 87 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 1 p.m. on Wednesday and until religious services at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Services conducted by Rev. Dennis Walker. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Spring Creek, LA. Survived by 2 sisters, Judy Cornette, McComb, MS, Shirley Kizer, Osyka, MS, 6 grandchildren, James Kizer, Petal, MS, Alton Dillon, Sacramento, CA, Anita Phillips, McComb, MS, Bridgette Dutt, Denver, CO, Mickel Dean, Morton, MS, Pamela Cutrer, McComb, MS. Preceded in death by daughter, Lena Winstead, sister, Florence Duncan, brother, George Hughes.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

“YOU’LL HAVE A hard time topping him…!”

This was the comment made by a well-intentioned Christian lady to the next speaker on the lectureship.  He responded to this sister, “I don’t want to top him.  We’re on the same side.”  Though I’m sure this sweet Christian lady meant nothing negative, it reminds me of the old saying, “There is no competition among light houses.”  We would do well to remember that sentiment on a regular basis.
There seems to be an infatuation with some Christians that they “get credit” for their work.  Some preachers have even warned, “If you use my material, be sure to give me credit.”  In the secular world there is surely understandable, but in the Lord’s church the obsession with getting credit seems a bit out of place.  My goal as a Gospel preacher is not about “getting credit.”  My “credit” is not on this earth.  My goal is to save souls, and if I produce something that will help others more effectively accomplish this goal, then please use it.

The Pharisees were very concerned with getting credit and with being seen of men.  When they gave alms, they wanted credit among men.  When they prayed, they wanted credit among men.  But the Lord said, “Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward” (Matthew 6:2).  May our righteousness exceed that of the Pharisees!

One is also reminded of Herod in Acts 12 who evidently had given a very eloquent verbal presentation.  Though the praise of the people was certainly excessive, Herod enjoyed it nonetheless.  The text however says that “an angel the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God…”  Without a doubt this is where all credit should be directed.  Though we may have been blessed with great ability, it must be remembered that it was given to us by God.

In the business world, employees who work for the same company labor together to produce a product that will benefit the business.  And ultimately, the credit goes to the company, not the individual.  In fact, under the U.S. copyright law’s work-made-for-hire-doctrine, the owner of an intellectual creation is not the employee who originated the idea, but rather the company for whom he works.
In the Lord’s church, well all work for the same “company” if you will.  Though the Lord’s church is not a company, it is a team of people all working together to accomplish the same goal — save souls and to give God the glory.  Let’s let the credit remain with the Owner of the church.  (Don Blackwell)

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let Your glory be above all the earth.”
~Psalm 57:5~
Have a great Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee

Saturday

“Don’t carelessly place yourself in tempting situations.

Avoid them.”

~Proverbs 14:16 TEV~

Today, let’s catch up on the Caring Bridge sites.

You may not be interested in all of the Baptist Press articles from Friday, but I found several of them very interesting.  Hopefully, you’ll have time to read a few today.
October 30, 2009

WASHINGTON–Health care fight nears over abortion. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31588

NEW JERSEY–ELECTION 09: N.J. race among several key elections. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31589

VIRGINIA–Vodka unlikely ally for missionary to Lezghi Muslims. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31590

TENNESSEE–CP EMPHASIS: Diverse profiles reveal a common passion for cooperation. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31591

LOUISIANA–CP EMPHASIS: Seminarians speak up. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31592

TENNESSEE–BP journalism conf. ventures to the Web. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31593

TENNESSEE–CULTURE DIGEST: Vatican invitation could mean married priests. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31594

MISSOURI–Mo. board authorized to act on suits against 5 breakaways. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31595

GEORGIA–CP EMPHASIS (FIRST-PERSON, Jim Burton): What about the missionaries? http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31596

MISSOURI–FIRST-PERSON (Tim Ellsworth): A prom to remember. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31597

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): Hate crimes law intended to silence. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31598

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

MANY PEOPLE SUFFER from what has been called the ‘hamster syndrome…’
Day after day, these cute creatures run their little hearts out on an exercise wheel mounted in their cages.  Yet for all that effort, when they step off of the wheel, they have gone nowhere.  That unproductive lifestyle may be acceptable for hamsters, but not for humans.  Aubrey Johnson, “Renewing Your Spiritual Life,” Gospel Advocate, 21
Observation: The first part of Paul’s life was spent on the exercise wheel of Judaism.
  • It was spent persecuting Christ and His church (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-5).
  • Following his conversion, Paul was determined to no longer run in vain (Galatians 2:2; Philippians 2:16; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
  • He was careful to make sure that whatever he did was by the authority of Jesus (Colossians 3:17).  Wade Webster, “Riches From My Reading,” The Searcher, 02.08.09, 4
“Holding fast the word of life,
so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ
that I have not run in vain
or labored in vain.”
Philippians 2:16
Many people appreciate what you do for them.  Your prayer efforts are not in vain.
Anna Lee

Friday

Holly K. is feeling better now.  Thank you for praying for her.  Today is her birthday.  Say a special prayer for her next year as a MK teacher.

Today, we all should focus our prayers on David Allen as he sees a new cardiologist in Baton Rouge.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
IMB ( 1-800-395-PRAY)
Friday, October 30, 2009

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,” (Luke 4:18a, NKJV).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, asking you to pray for outreach through medical work.

Five-gallon plastic buckets containing homecare supplies are being used in a home-based project east of Lusaka, Zambia, on a military base and in the villages in a wide area around the base. Both military personnel and church members are involved in the distribution. After receiving 60 buckets provided by Southern Baptist churches in the United States, a military chaplain thanked members of the Greater Lusaka Area Team and told how much the buckets were helping bedfast patients. His face glowed with excitement as he told how people were responding to the message of Christ.

God is doing great things in the Karachi, Pakistan medical community and in the lives of nurses and nursing students. Four young women recently committed their lives to Christ and made this known publically. Please lift up the leaderas she meets with these women and others whom they have invited to come and study the foundations of faith. Pray for these four women to drink in the spiritual milk they need now so they can grow in their new walk with Jesus.

A dental clinic held among the Kyrgyz of Central Asia allowed the team to serve approximately 200 people, relieving many from the pain of terribly rotten and abscessed teeth and doing much-needed teaching on basic dental care. There were opportunities for Truth to be shared, and there was much rejoicing in heaven as one person accepted Christ as personal Lord and Savior.

* Please pray for those who receive homecare buckets that their hearts would also be open to the Gospel.

* As we rejoice over decisions leading to salvation, pray also for their on-going discipleship.

* Ask the Lord to guide you to the brokenhearted in your community and to a ministry you can perform in His honor.

komPRAY

October 30, 2009

“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

Working with dad

We attended our Parent-Teacher Conference at school this morning. And, that means no school for the rest of the day. I know what I want to do…go with my dad to visit the guys in the Nairobi Business as Mission ministry.

I like being around the guys and visiting with them and doing things with them. There are ten of them who work in leather crafting four days a week. The rest of the week they spent their time with their Bible storying groups and telling the good news in their communities.

Today I worked with the guys in the shop. We have several Christmas projects we are working on. Today, I helped put ornamental strings on beaded leather Christmas ornaments. It was harder to do than you think. The strings are small and it’s not easy to tie the knots. The guys asked a lot of questions about what was happening at school and I was glad to visit with them.
I have to return to school tomorrow and I will miss them. I pray that their groups go well this week and many visitors come to the groups to hear the Bible stories. ERIN, age 12 (Sub-Saharan African peoples)

Prayer Requests from Missionary Kids

Please pray for my uncle. He is in the hospital and his brain recently started to bleed. Please pray for me, and my family because this is our 2nd time on stateside assignment and it is a little bit harder than it was because we were creating new relationships and new friends in Brazil so it’s harder to readjust when your older. GLORIA, age 12 (American peoples)

Pray for us and our family as we spend time together this last month before our new baby brother arrives.  Pray we will be able to enjoy our parents and feel loved and secure and ready for all the changes that will take place soon. WIL, age 1, and ANNA, age 3 (European peoples)

Who’s missing? Whose mission?

You play a key role in teaching children about God’s love for children who live in Peru, Ghana, India or China, about the people He uses to show His love and about His commission to all who love Him to tell His story around the world. During 2009, we invite you to join us as we focus on “Who’s Missing? Whose Mission?”  More than 1.5 billion people are still missing out on the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Do your children know they have an important role in helping to reach them?

Are you ready for a challenge?
THINKING ABOUT GOD

Richard Fairchild tells the following story in his book, “Not Far From the Kingdom of God”:

In the days of the circuit riders a minister was out riding one afternoon and came upon a man out working in his field.

“Fine day, isn’t it?” the minister called out.

“It’s fine for you”, the man replied, “All you have to do is ride around on that horse thinking about God all day long, while I have to sweat here in this field and then walk home afterward. I don’t think it is right you should have things so easy while I have to work so hard.”

“On the contrary”, the minister answered, “thinking about God is one of the most difficult things you can do.  And to prove it, I’ll give you this horse if you can think about God and nothing else for one minute.”

“You’re on,” said the man and immediately he sat down in silence.  Thirty seconds later he looked up at the minister, and said, “Does that include the saddle?”

I would agree that thinking about God and nothing else is a very difficult thing to do.  I would also add, though, that it is just as hard for ministers as it is anyone else!

The apostle Paul wrote, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2).

But our mind is filled nearly every minute of the day with things on this earth — concerns about things that have happened, concerns about things that will (or might) happen, concerns about what we have (or don’t have), concerns about how to get what we don’t have, concerns about people that have done us wrong, concerns about what we want others to do for us.

And our mind is so crowded with the things of this world, that there’s just not much room left for God.  It’s hard to think about God and God alone, for there is so much competing for our attention.

Allow me to give you this challenge — think about God and nothing else for one minute.  If you can achieve that goal, strive for five minutes.  May thoughts of God increasingly fill your mind so that you can eventually say with the Psalmist all day long, “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works.” (Psalm 145:15)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Operation Christmas Child

Church aims to fill 1,200 shoe boxes

Baptist Press
Posted on Oct 29, 2009 | by Staff FLORISSANT, Mo. (BP)–

With just 100 members, Parker Road Baptist Church consistently donated more than 1,000 shoe box gifts to Operation Christmas Child for each of the past three years.

Parker Road is participating again this year, doing its part from Florissant, Mo., to help Samaritan’s Purse reach a goal of 8 million gift-filled shoe boxes for children in 100-plus countries.

The boxes, filled with toys, necessity items, school supplies, candy and handwritten notes of encouragement, are collected by the relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham and hand-delivered to children worldwide who are suffering because of natural disaster, disease, war, terrorism, famine and poverty.

Parker Road already has packed and wrapped hundreds of shoe box gifts on the way to its goal of 1,200.

Jim McCaughan, who leads the undertaking at Parker Road, noted “the joy it brings to hurting boys and girls.” For many of the children, the love conveyed by the shoe box is the first gift they have ever received.

McCaughan’s personal commitment to Operation Christmas Child extends to shopping year-round for bargains to help the church pack as many shoe box gifts as possible.

“We have folks at the church who pack shoe box gifts all year, and then a few days before Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week [Nov. 16-23 for 2009], we get a bunch of people together and set up a shoe box assembly line,” McCaughan said. “On that Sunday we have a dedication service — and I’ll tell you what, it’s pretty impressive to see more than a thousand shoe boxes stacked up at the front of the church.”

The church has received thank you notes from kids in such faraway locations as India, Uganda, Kenya and the Republic of Georgia. The church also received an e-mail from someone who had visited a small church in an isolated village deep in Sudan where they saw a card that read, “We want you to know that we love you and Jesus loves you.” It came from one of the shoe boxes signed Parker Road Baptist Church.

(This article first appeared in The Pathway (www.mbcpathway.com), newsjournal of the Missouri Baptist Convention. For more information on Operation Christmas Child, visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org or call 1-800-353-5949.)