Saturday Afternoon – Hatchels

If the Hatchels were able to make all connections and weather conditions did not delay any flights, the Hatchels should have completed their third flight now. They needed to go through customs and get all their luggage. Hopefully, a friend brought them a van to use to transport the family two hours away to their home.

The process is long and very tiring. Pray for them as they travel and hopefully get home in the next few hours. Pray that when they get there, things will go smoothly. Pray everything is okay in their house, the heating system quickly heats the house, and everyone can get some much needed rest.

Jennie told me it to “Assume things are going smoothly unless you hear otherwise”. I haven’t heard “otherwise”, so I’m praying and trusting that wherever they are God is watching over them, providing for and protecting them. Thank God for that assurance He gives His children.

Saturday

“Great are the works of the LORD,

studied by all who delight in them.

Full of splendor and majesty is his work,

and his righteousness endures forever.”

~Psalm 111: 2-3, ESV~

 

The Hatchel family should be on their second flight by now.

Some people we need to pray for daily:

  • Mr. Henry Harris
  • Mr. Charley Kuss
  • Smiley Conerly
  • Chuck Pittman
  • Randy Fairburn
  • Margaret and Randy Hart
  • Aubrey Perry
  • Billy Wilkinson
  • Sammy Broyles

Saturday’s Devotional

I DON’T WANT THEM

TO CHANGE ME

Elie Wiesel was brought up in a closely knit Jewish community in Sighet, Transylvania (Romania). When he was fifteen years old, his family was herded aboard a train and deported by Nazis to the Auschwitz death camp. Wiesel’s mother and younger sister died at Auschwitz — his two older sisters survived. Wiesel and his father were then taken to Buchenwald, where his father also perished. Wiesel has devoted his life to ensuring that the world does not forget the atrocities of the Nazis, and that they are not repeated. He tells this story:

A just man decided he must save humanity. So he chose a city, the most sinful of all cities. Then he studied. He learned all the art of moving people, changing minds, changing hearts. He came to a man and woman and said, “Don’t forget that murder is not good, it is wrong.” In the beginning, people gathered around him. It was so strange, somewhat like a circus. They gathered and they listened. He went on and on and on.

Days passed. Weeks passed. After a while, they stopped listening. After many years passed, a child stopped him and said, “What are you doing? Don’t you see nobody is listening? Why do you continue shouting and shouting? Why?”

And the man answered the child, “I’ll tell you why. In the beginning, I was convinced that if I were to shout loud enough, they would change. Now I know they won’t change. But if I shout even louder, it’s because I don’t want them to change me.”

We live in a world where there is a battle going on. I’m not talking about the conflict in Iraq or Afghanistan or Kenya. You may not even be aware that this battle is taking place, but I assure you that it is. It is a spiritual battle being waged between God and his people and Satan and his people (Eph. 6:12). It is a battle for the control of the hearts and minds of men and women, including you and the people around you.

We sometimes use the word “evangelism” to describe our attempt to influence ungodly men in a way that will draw them to God, the God who created them and loves them. But we sometimes forget that efforts (sometimes diligent efforts) are being made by ungodly men to pull us away from God. Be assured of this: One of two things is happening — either you are having an influence on other people, or other people are having an influence on you. It’s a constant battle, much like a tug-of-war.

And there are times, as in the story above, when we need to speak up or take some action, not so much to change others, but to prevent others from changing us.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Friday – Update on Baby Aaron Hill

We’ve had a nice few days settling into our routine here in Camden. Aaron is eating fairly well and sleeping a wee bit better each night. Levi has come to the realization that “baby” is here to stay and is more and more interested in him each day. Levi may be used to Aaron before Aaron is used to Levi!

Laura goes home tomorrow and Scott will be flying in for the weekend. We are excited about his visit and hope that the snow headed our way doesn’t hinder his travel (or Laura’s as she heads home). Please pray for travel graces for Scott and Laura and continue to pray to Aaron will thrive as we wait on our 3/12 checkup at CHOP.

Friday – Hatchels

We took the Hatchels (plus 13 suitcases/crates, 2 carry-ons, 4 backpacks, and 2 computer bags) to the airport today. We were surprised to learn the first flight was canceled (even though Boyd had confirmed it last week). The three flights were rescheduled. The old iteniary is “out the window”.

They will be arriving in Prague later than first expected. Please continue to pray today, tonight, and tomorrow night. I’ll let you know when we hear from them.

You can also pray for it heat up quickly in their house. The outside temperature should be about freezing. The inside temperature will be that cold too!

As always, your prayers are greatly appreciated!

Friday’s Devotional

 

 

KneEmail

 

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).

Mike Benson, Editor

RUBY THOMPSON OF St. Louis Missouri got the flier in the mail one morning…

It was with all the other junk mail. She remembers receiving one personal letter that day — a note from her mother — and a pile of garish-colored, mostly meaningless junk mail, messages from salesmen and businesses and politicians all seeking her patronage.

There was one card that caught her attention; it was for a CPR class to be held at a nearby primary school. Now there, she thought, is something I really should learn. She filed the junk mail under “13” and put the CPR advertisement on the mantelpiece above the fireplace. She would phone the number on the card — tomorrow.

Of course she didn’t. A week passed by, then another. Once in a while, when she was on the road, perhaps, or in a quiet moment by herself, she remembered the card, and thought to herself, “I really should learn CPR. One day I’ll need it.”

She did. One afternoon she was picking up her child from school when a car hit her ten-year-old son. She remembers his blond hair and how still the little body lay on the pavement. She ran to the quickly-gathering crowd of school children, moaning to herself, “Why? Why? Why?” and in a flash of remorse, she knew that this was why she had wanted to take the class.

As she pushed the by-standers aside, and fell to her knees before her son, she saw a schoolgirl administering the “breath of life” to her son.

Jeff was all right. He suffered some bruises, but the little girl, who had taken a course at school, had saved his life.

That day, Ruby enrolled in the CPR class!

We always need God. We need him, as that great song says, “every hour.” The problem is, we don’t always realize it. There may be many reasons for this, but the most common one is pride. We can manage life ourselves. We have the answers, at least we think we do, until a moment of crisis arrives, and our helplessness is absolute. There is nothing more humbling than to realize that we cannot help either ourselves or our families. But it is in those times that we are reminded of the power of God.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).

It’s not so much that God demands humility as a prerequisite for his accepting us. It’s simply that unless we are humble enough to turn our desperate pleas towards him, we won’t listen to his guidance anyway.

Don’t put this article down until you have decided to act on it. This is not the “J” word! It’s important. Have you listened to his words lately? You need to. Don’t file it away. Don’t leave it on the mantle shelf of your mind. (Stan Mitchell)

 

“Draw near to God, and he will come near to you” (James 4:8).

 

 

 

May you draw nearer to God today.
Anna Lee

Friday

“For everyone who asks receives,

and he who seeks finds,

and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

~Matthew 7:8~

 

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

“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

Everyone Loves Music!

People who sing well or play a musical instrument get to go places and perform. Many South Korean Christians travel all over the world and play concerts. Please pray for these Christians who want to go to countries near South Korea to play music and tell others about Jesus. Pray for those who listen to the beautiful songs that they will also be singing praise to Jesus soon.

Portugal Musical Center

Almost halfway around the world from South Korea is the country of Portugal and Emily lives there. Emily Rose is a journeyman—that means she is a young missionary who is living overseas for two years. She works with teenagers (12-17 years old) in Lisbon, Portugal. Emily and some friends are trying to open a community musical center where teens can get involved in music and art. They will have groups that sing, play instruments, act in dramas, and pantomime. The center will have a coffee-bar too. Well, it will when they find a place to meet. Please pray that Emily and her friends will be allowed to go to high schools and meet teenagers there. They really want to work with teenagers who come from broken homes. Ask God to help them make contact with teachers who will help them start the community musical center. Pray for the teenagers in Lisbon, Portugal. Pray they will understand that Emily and her friends love them and want to help. Pray they will learn to play music together and will hear about the love of Jesus.

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Pray for me to be a healthy and happy little boy. I have a new little brother. CLINT, age 3 (South Asia)

Dear God. Help me to learn Chinese. JM, age 10 (East Asia)

Please ask God that I would be nice to others and make friends with my neighbors. ALISSA, age 11 (South Asia)

My grandpa died four years ago and I still haven’t gotten over it. Please pray that I feel better soon. AL, age 9 (East Asia)

Pray that I will be a light and speak truth to my friends at the park. Also pray that I can learn to control my anger and think of others. BRENDAN, age 10 (South Asia)

Pray for the youth and college & career age students as they attend a conference in Hattisburg this weekend.

Pray for the Hatchels as they begin their journey home today. As always, your prayers will be appreciated.

Carl Wayne Stevens, a former resident of this area, had a stroke last week while undergoing a procedure. He will be in rehabilitation in Jackson for the next 18 days. Pray for him and his family during this time.

Thursday – WMU (March)

 

WMU Schedule for March

FBC, Kentwood


March 2-9: Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer for North American Missions
National Goal – $61million
FBC Goal – $13,000

March 2 : Story of Annie Armstrong in AWANA

March 3: Prayer Time at Mojo’s – 6:30 A.M.

March 9: Foods Across America after morning worship

March 10: WMU meets in fellowship hall at 6:30 P.M.

March 20: Association WMU meeting at Hillsdale Baptist Church
(North American Mission Study)