Spend a Minute with God
"Eternal God, in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. You are the Word that became flesh - You have always been, and You will always be. Help me not to lose sight of Your divinity as I celebrate Your birth. I'm so grateful that You grew up to become the Man-Savior who is God Almighty! If You were not God, Your sacrificial life and death would have been insufficient to provide salvation. I rejoice that You, who entered the world as a helpless infant, are the very same One who brought the world into existence. Though You were rich, for my sake You became poor, so that through Your poverty I might become rich. No Christmas present could ever compare with the infinite treasure I have in You! Because of You, my sins have been removed as far as the east is from the west - freeing me from all condemnation. You have gifted me with unimaginably glorious Life that will never end! Thank You, Lord, for this breathtaking Gift; I embrace it joyously and gratefully. In Your supreme Name, Jesus, Amen."
John 1:1; Hebrews 1:2; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Psalm 103:12
"Jesus Listens" by Sarah Young
pray for...
luke and shae french, will speak to our prayer group, December 18, 11:00 AM
They are newly appointed International Mission Board missionaries and have a first assignment for 3 years beginning in March 2024. He - a retired middle school teacher and coach; she - a retired surgery nurse from Baptist Medical Center. Members of Briarhill Baptist Church, their home is in Rankin County. They are asking for our prayers for the Lord's guidance and wisdom in these areas... 1) dreams, 2) visions, 3) contacts, 4) salvations.
Church Family Prayer List
May we as Christians never forget the beginnings of our faith in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross
(Please help us keep this list current; call Sid, Terry, or the church office to update this. Thank you.
PRAISE THE LORD
Reba Bradshaw - Dr. said "don't come back for 1 year."
Leianne Loveless, answered prayer, can drive again
SYMPATHY
To the family of Margaret Shelton in her passing in Columbus, MS Tuesday, December 3
To Marcia Harrigill and family in George's passing December 4, Wednesday morning
To Maggie Hartle in her daughter, Teresa Howard's passing, December 11
To Dr Burn Page and his wife, Annice, in her mother's passing this past week. Ann Graham - Service is 1 PM, December 16 in Meansville GA
To Dr Steve Jackson and his wife, Peggy, in her sister's passing this past week. June Faulkner - Service is December 17 in Amory MS
HOSPITAL
Betty Jones
MEMBERS
Lynn Hill, Surgery, December 26
Nell Rose Johnson, Knee surgery, December 31
Delma Smith, sees her back Dr. December 19
Joy Ferrell, Shot to relieve pain in her back this past week
Agnes Middleton, 1 more treatment
Lark and Sandra Hammond
Pat and Mary Renegar
Ann Marie Loveless
Bessie Easterling
Marguerite Rhodes, back issues
Bobby Staples
Hal Lott
Frances Breeden, turned 100, June 24
HOMEBOUND
Laverne Brooks; Louise Burnley; Doug Cutrer; Gene Hartzog; Evelyn Kinstley ; Jean Johnson; Carolyn Moulds; Marguerite Rhodes
Members / Retirement / Assisted Living / Nursing Homes / Rehabs
BALLARD, DABNEY, B 105 Riggs Manor (601-857-5011; 2300 Seven Springs Road, Raymond, MS 39154)
CARROLL, KAY, at her daughter's home, 12924 Chorleywood Cr, Fishers, IN, 46037-7299
CLAY, CAROL, D16, The Home Place (7521 Old Canton Road, Madison, MS 39110)
COOPER, KELLY Harmony Court (769-251-2098; 5411 I-55 North, Jackson, MS)
MILLER, BECKY The Waterford RM 253
MORRIS, PAM, Plainview in Richland
RENEGAR, PAT, Peachtree, Brandon
STEVENS, VELMA Castlewoods Retirement, RM 248
Former Members / Non-Church Members
IN ASSISTED LIVING
ELLIOT, SANDRA - Compere, 9B
ELLIS, MARY LOU - Castlewoods Place; 140 Castlewoods Blvd, RM 227, Brandon 39047
JAMES, BRYAN - (Rick's brother), Room A-5, Brookdale Senior Living, 501 E Northside Dr, Clinton, 39056
MALONE, LINDA (Emma Ritchie's niece, Facility in Birmingham)
SYMPATHY
Family of Jim Ellington
NON-MEMBERS
Mary Alday, Kathy Gillis' mother
Chris Cothern, Agnes' son-in-law, aneurism, open heart surgery soon
Cooper Jones, Audrey Methvin's grandson, autism
Cathy Creekmore
Dick(radiation) and Beth(chemo) Dabbs
Jacky Dendy's mom, macular degeneration, left eye
Patricia Forman, Debbie James sister
Ted Flowerday, Delma's brother-in-law, finished treatments
Bill Gnemi, friend of Ann Marie Loveless, Spine cancer
Ellis Hill, Ann Marie's brother-in-law, lymphoma
Johnnie Mae Jackson, Billy Ray Jackson’s mother, cancer
Tyler Jackson, Billy Ray's son
Diane Johnston
John Will Kahlbau, Gillis' cousin, doing good
Rhett Lee, great nephew of Barbara Kirby, doing good
Lisa Lewis, cancer, Steve and Peggy Jackson's son-in-law's mother
Hal Lott's sister and family, displaced by flood around Ashville
Brady Pratt, Delma's granddaughter, back surgery
Melinda Roberson, Sybil White's daughter
Janet Rotkiewicz (Kathy Gillis' in-law), chemo treatments
Benny Rogers, lung cancer
Taylor Rushing, (Evelyn Kinstley's grandson)
Chase Smith, Delma's grandson
Bobby Joe Smith, Delma brother-in-law, Parkinson's
Dale (Pickle) Stuart, Hospital
Tiffany Taylor, Gillis' relative
Doc Thaggard, doing good, completed immunotherapy treatments
Sue Wells, had hip surgery redone, in therapy, still unable to walk alone
Gerry Winstead
Ruby Yates, stroke, back at home with her son Kenny in Pelahatchie
pray for peace in the middle east.
God says... "If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
Holy God has chosen the nation of Israel to be His people - His people - who would show the world the way to peace with Him. He gave them the land and promised He would be their God and they would be His people. They were to be obedient to Him, to follow Him and worship Him only. They have done well at times and at other times they have failed. Because He loves them so much, He has seen their failures and promised to forgive their sins by sending a Messiah to turn their hearts back to Him (to repent) in order to justify them and restore a right relationship with Him. God chose Israel to be that people through whom He would send the Messiah, the Deliverer, the Savior. He did that when He sent Jesus His only begotten Son into the world to die for the sins of everyone who would ever live so that everyone could have a right relationship with Him... for we have all sinned and need a Savior.
Sadly, Many Jews rejected God's Messiah and as in the past He has left them to go their own way.
On October 7, 2023, we saw God's chosen nation attacked by Hamas terrorists. Hundreds of Israelis were attacked and killed. We have watched with horror the deadly atrocities Hamas has perpetuated on the people of Israel as babies, toddlers, preschoolers, young mothers, old people have been murdered and taken as hostages. Heartbreaking! Horrible! Yes, Satan and Evil and Hatred are still alive in our world today. Hamas has taken over the Gaza Strip and is threatening the peace and security of the region. I believe the citizens who live there just want to live peaceable lives.
Pray for God's peace to come over everyone and for God's will to be done. The land of Israel is holy land, because it is where Jesus was born and walked and taught and died and rose from the grave - where he brought peace between God and all mankind. If only people would but seek Him with all their hearts...
It is also the place where Jesus Christ will return one day. On that day, evil and Satan will be defeated forever. Pray that the true chosen people of Israel will return to their trust in Almighty God and acknowledge that the Jesus whom they rejected and crucified is indeed the Promised Messiah, the only begotten Son of God, and that their hearts will be turned back to God. He is their only Hope for salvation and reconciliation with God. Also pray that their enemies will also find that Jesus is the Son of God, the true Messiah, and that they too will repent, and turn from their wicked ways.
Protect our children
From Kathy Thaggard
From the wisdom of Corrie ten Boom’s father:
“So the line had stuck in my head. “Sex,” I was pretty sure, meant whether you were a boy or girl, and “sin” made Tante Jans very angry, but what the two together meant I could not imagine. And so, seated next to Father in the train compartment, I suddenly asked, “Father, what is sex sin?” He turned to look at me, as he always did when answering a question, but to my surprise he said nothing. At last he stood up, lifted his traveling case from the rack over our heads, and set it on the floor.
“Will you carry it off the train, Corrie?” he said.
I stood up and tugged at it. It was crammed with the watches and spare parts he had purchased that morning.
“It’s too heavy,” I said.
“Yes,” he said. “And it would be a pretty poor father who would ask his little girl to carry such a load. It’s the same way, Corrie, with knowledge. Some knowledge is too heavy for children. When you are older and stronger you can bear it. For now you must trust me to carry it for you.” - from The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom
We are asking our children to carry loads that are way too heavy for them. They should not be forced, as children, to see and feel the world through the lens of adults. Innocence is worth protecting and worth fighting for. We need to do our part as parents and caregivers to carry certain things for them until they are old enough to bear the load.
Praying for your Children and Grandchildren
COVER OUR CHILDREN (copied)
ISAIAH 54:17
I pray that you cover my children. Give them the helmet of salvation to protect their minds against messages competing for their attention. Guard their hearts, Lord, from anger. depression, anxiety, loneliness, or anything that would make them feel unworthy of love. No weapon formed against them shall prosper. In Jesus' Name.
PSALM 91:10
Keep your hedge of protection around them as they sleep, as they go to school, as they participate in extracurricular activities, as they get jobs. Let them fear nothing. Let no evil befall them. I know that I can't be around them every minute. I thank you, Father God, for never leaving them. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Praying for Schools
Carolyn Tomlin, from the Baptist Paper has shared 10 ways we can pray for schools
1. Pray for the safety of children, students, teachers and staff since school shootings have become so common.
2. Pray for dedicated teachers who see each child as a success. Ben Franklin said “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. “
3. Pray each child will be seen as an individual loved by God. When we work together, differences can make us strong.
4. Pray students will embrace racial and cultural distinctions.
5. Pray students will show compassion and respect to people with disabilities. That they will help others who need companionship.
6. Pray children will learn how to make friends and how to be a friend to others.
7. Pray for off campus trips- that bus drivers will be experienced and competent.
8. Pray for students and leaders who will participate in after school activities to support .
9. Pray for parents and community to support schools by volunteering, by attending school functions or offering encouragement to teachers and staff
10. Look for opportunities to let others know how church members are praying for schools and teachers.
Ways to Pray for Those in Authority
An excellent reminder to pray for those in authority
Scripture instructs us to pray for all in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2), but how do we do that exactly? Here are several ways to pray for - our judges, police chiefs, educators, school board members, military officers, elected officials, and others who are serving our country in leadership.
1. That they be God-fearing and recognize that they are accountable to Him for each decision and act. Proverbs 9:10
2. That they be granted wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. James 1:5
3. That they be presented with the gospel and a loving Christian witness. Romans 10:14
4. That, if unsaved, that be drawn to a saving encounter with Christ; if born-again, that they be strengthened and encouraged in their faith. 1 Timothy 2:4; Ephesians 1:17-23
5. That they recognize their own inadequacy and pray and seek the will of God. Proverbs 3:5-8; Luke 11:9-13
6. That they be convicted of sin, transgression, and iniquity. Psalm 51:17; John 8:9
7. That they be given godly counsel and God-fearing advisors. Proverbs 24:6
8. That they be honest and faithful to their spouses and children. Malachi 2:15-16
9. That they value and regard the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Christ. Psalm 19:7-11; John 8:31-32
10. That they be honest, possess godly integrity, and desire purity avoiding drunkenness, pornography and perversion. 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; Psalm 26; Proverbs 11:3
10 Ways to Pray for Baptists in and near Ukraine
Rob Jackson, President, Romanian-American Mission, working with churches across Europe
(We have seen God answer some of these prayers already. Sid)
1. As with Solomon, I ask God to give the Ukrainian leaders (and all leaders in these difficult times) wisdom from above (1 Kings3:5-12).
2. As with David, I ask God to show Himself as Ukraine faces their Goliath (1 Samuel 17). I am asking that the world will see "some trust in chariots, others trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7).
3. As with Gideon, I pray God will confuse the Russian army (like the Midianites) so they will turn on each other, become demoralized, flee and desert (Judges 7).
4. As with Hezekiah, I ask that "Sennacherib" will return in defeat to his homeland (2 Kings 19:32-37).
5. As with Moses, I pray the "chariots or tanks and all vehicles will get stuck in the mud, run out of gas and break down. Furthermore, may God so thwart the Russian army that their rockets, missiles and bombs malfunction and cause minimal damage (Exodus 14:21-29).
6. As with Elisha, I ask God to blind the enemies surrounding the cities, so they are rendered ineffective (2 Kings 6:11-23).
7. As with Daniel, I pray God will remove the leader(s) who mocks the Lord our God. I pray Vladimir Putin will fear and see the handwriting on the wall (Daniel 5).
8. As with Peter, I pray Baptist churches (and other churches and relief organizations) will feed the Ukrainian "sheep" in the name of Jesus. I pray the refugees who are flooding the neighboring countries seeking food, shelter, transportation, spiritual help and so forth will see Jesus in us (John 21:15-17).
9. As with all Christians, I pray we will be shown what each of us can do (individually and collectively) to help alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine (Matthew 25:35.
10. Finally, I pray Ukrainians, Russians and the entire world will be amazed at what God is doing, resulting in a worldwide revival and awakening as people repent and believe the good news of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:41). There will be no lasting peace until the world acknowledges the Prince of Peace!
Praying for Ulrainian Christians
Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission printed this prayer guide for Christians in and near Ukraine
1. Pray for safe travel for those fleeing danger within Ukraine, for God's Presence to provide them with hope and assurance, for the churches providing refuge to have enough resources to meet the growing needs.
2. Pray humanitarian aid funds will reach their destination, be used wisely and accomplish God's purpose.
3. Pray for God's protection for Baptists and all Christians in Ukraine, for hope in suffering, for love toward their enemies and for the gospel to spread beyond borders.
4. Pray for God to provide churches in Ukraine and neighboring countries with an abundance of resources and opportunities to share the gospel as they receive refugees.
5. Pray for Baptist missionaries and others like them to be filled with God's spirit as they share the hope of the gospel and embody the sacrificial love of Christ.