168 Colonial Drive, Jackson, MS 39204
I LOVE YOU with an everlasting Love, which flows out from the depths of eternity. Before you were born, I knew you. Ponder the awesome mystery of a Love that encompasses you from before birth to beyond the grave.
Modern man has lost the perspective of eternity. To distract himself from the gaping jaws of death, he engages in ceaseless activity and amusement. The practice of being still in My Presence is almost a lost art, yet it is this very stillness that enables you to experience My eternal Love. You need the certainty of My loving Presence in order to weather the storms of life. During times of severe testing, even the best theology can fail you if it isn’t accompanied by experiential knowledge of Me. The ultimate protection against sinking during life’s storms is devoting time to develop your friendship with Me.
SYMPATHY TO:
The family of Emma Ritchie
The family of Jean King
The family of Jeanette Creekmore
Evelyn Stewart in the passing of her friend Ray McFerren
MEMBERS
Delma Smith MRI scheduled 1/4/23
Del and Janie Slone, tragedy struck as their house burned this week and they lost three of their four pets. They are staying in the Hilton Garden Inn in Madison.
Hal Lott’s skin doctor has discovered another spot on his head. Pray that it will not be as serious as the others. And can be cured using outpatient surgery.
Steve Davis fell and broke his right shoulder right below the ball joint, a clean break. Got an arm sling to stabilize it. No surgery.
Bill Lott kidney scan in 6 months to check on lesion. Gallbladder test normal.
Betty Barber, finally back in her house, it burned Thanksgiving (2021
Billie Welch rehab for successful knee replacement surgery in August
*Bessie Easterling,
doing well following second vein surgery
Ernest Easterling
*Becky Miller, still taking antibiotics; husband, Wayne Miller, saw pulmonologist Monday , may have asthma in addition to diabetes, more testing ahead
*Shannon Owen, returns for third thyroid biopsy, 11/28
Tyler Jackson, Billy Ray said he hoped doctors would be able to remove the colostomy soon.
*Emmaline Ware
James Ware good report on rebuilt knee when he was 21
* indicates these have been to church recently
HOMEBOUND
Lucretia Berry; Laverne Brooks; Doug Cutrer; Nona Ellzey; Gene Hartzog; Jean Johnson; Carolyn Moulds
COOPER, KELLY Harmony Court (769-251-2098; 5411 I-55 North, Jackson, MS)
FERRELL, NAOMI Community Place 116 Lake Vista Place room 409, Brandon, 30947
JARRETT, ALVILDA at Brandon Court
KING, JEAN, Lakeland Nursing Home, (601-982-5505), 3680 Lakeland Lane, Jackson, 39216
PENNINGTON, VIRGINIA Martha Coker Home-Patrick. 2041 Grand Ave, Yazoo City, MS 39194
STEVENS, VELMA, Brandon Court, Room 312
WILLIAMSON, BETTY Edgewood Health and Rehab (601-362-5394, 205 Parkway, Byram, MS 39272)
BALLARD, DABNEY, B 105 Riggs Manor (601-857-5011; 2300 Seven Springs Road, Raymond, MS 39154)
CLAY, CAROL, D16, The Home Place (7521 Old Canton Road, Madison, MS 39110)
MORRIS, PAM, moved to Plainview in Richland
Kathy Joiner, passed from stage 4 breast cancer, service was at FBC, Fannin
Abby Ades, Jeanette Davis granddaughter Marfan syndrome
Philip Chamblee, Del Slone’s brother-in-law, foot surgery
John Mark Coon, Peggy Roberts nephew, on heart monitor, improving, back at work
Billy Doyle, Walter Gillis friend, heart attack, also recently lost wife, 2 more weeks of therapy
Kathy Gillis cousin, David Webb, Sr ICU River Oaks, 2 stents, also kidney issues
Scott Harrigill, hit by a car when leaving work, weeks ago, still not back to work yet scans on back, broken fingers, very swollen eye
Sue Wells, had hip surgery redone, in therapy, still unable to walk alone
PONDER, BESS Wisteria Gardens in physical therapy, improving
FELTEN, CELESTE Kenton Pointe Assisted Living, 1455 Kenton Pointe
Way, Room 213, Maysville, KY 41056
MALONE, LINDA room 228, The Orchard (601-856-2205; 600 Pear Orchard Rd, Ridgeland, MS 39157)
GERTRUDE WILBOURNE, Edgewood Health
Rhett Lee, Kirby’s 19 mo old great great nephew making good progress
Lincoln Jerry, back injury, lost in-laws, wife breast cancer surgery
Gerry Winstead vocal cord better
Jason Davis, Steve and Melissa son, Diabetic, on leave for leg infection;
Wayne Van Horn, blood clots
Bo Page, 15 year-old grandson of Burn and Annice, at home after a battery of tests (MRI, blood work, bone density, etc.) related to accessing his epilepsy diagnosis from early childhood;
Diane Johnston fell, no broken bones, but 6 stitches over her left eye
Bobby Joe Smith, Donnie's brother, Parkinson's
Dot Hutton, Pat Renegar's sister, fell, hit head, at home
Jason Barnett, Frances Breeden grandson
John Will Kahlbau, Walter Gillis cousin, cancer free at present, praise the Lord for normal white blood count and normal platelet count; Bobbie Hammond, sister-in-law of Lark and Sandra, recurrence of cancer
Sister of Joy Ferrell
Maggie Hartle's daughter, Teresa Howard, diabetes; sister, Nancy Hancock, cancer; Maggie's brother Claude Yates, lymphoma
Mary Alday, doing better after a fall, Kathy Gillis' mother
Janie Dukes, Kay Carroll's daughter Clint Alday Kathy's brother Covid
Haynes family , unexpected loss of 8 month old son
Taylor family deaths of husband and wife
Triay, Russ Terry’s brother, back pain much better, please keep praying
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.
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
(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!
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.
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.
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.