Can you believe that January is almost over? It will be over Saturday night at midnight. How are your resolutions progressing? Some have resolved to be more faithful in the year 2009, and I can see it happening. Some have purposed to make some changes in lifestyles and habits. Some are working at reaching out to more people with the Gospel. Some just want to not be so cantankerous. . .I had to throw one of my own in here :-). Well, what adjustments need to be made in order to see these resolutions become realities? I urge you to follow through.
New study in the book of Nehemiah begins Sunday! It would be great to have everyone in attendance. Good group last week even though some people have been sick. Come ready by reading ahead. Read at least the first chapter of the book of Nehemiah. If you want a bigger challenge read the entire book (only 13 chapters) each week during our study. Find out how the Bible gets better and better with each reading.
Be in prayer for one another. Sometimes we get discourages and, at other times, we find demonic attacks coming our way. Whatever might be your situation, or mine, it always helps to have a brother or sister in Christ really praying for you.
Wednesady night encouraged me as we got to meet Brother Freddie and Brother Jesse, two preachers from Arkansas. In fact, their enthusiasm was contagious. I hope that all in attendance have picked up some tracts and passed out some of these gold nuggets throughout the week. You never know what God will do with His Word, or a portion of it.
See you this Sunday! God best blessings on each of you.
Brother Mike
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Faithful
If I were to ask, "Who has had the biggest impact on you as a Christian?" Who would you say? Maybe the better question, "Who is the best, real Christian you know?" Chances are that this person would not be known to the news media because they have not been world-wide evangelists, but are faithful, committed believers with a faith that has changed their lives and has also touched your life and others'.
Hebrews 11 reminds us that all of the faithful are not wealthy, bountiful, and beautiful. Some of the folks mentioned in the last few verses of the chapter endured great tribulation and privations, yet of these it is said, "Of whom the world was not worthy." That would make some epitaph. Let's ask God to allow us to be faithful to Him through the tough times.
Prayer Needs:
Brandi, Mary's daughter, has some spiritual needs right now.
Spence and Tammy
David's mother - tests on Tuesday
RU folks, and for a greater attendance
Heritage Academy - praying for more students
Missionaries' needs
Those who have been sick. . .Ethan, Moss family, Billy and Jean, Helen Smith's husband, Brenda, and others
Harold, Francis' brother, financial needs with the dairy farm
Outreach to be blessed
I do hope that you all have a good week in the Lord. Let's do what the preacher challenged us to do and lay aside every weight AND the sin that easily besets us so that we can perseveringly run the race for the Lord.
God bless you. See you Sunday if not before!
- You may want to be reading ahead as we will begin a study of the book of Nehemiah: "Building for the Lord" starting this next Sunday.
Hebrews 11 reminds us that all of the faithful are not wealthy, bountiful, and beautiful. Some of the folks mentioned in the last few verses of the chapter endured great tribulation and privations, yet of these it is said, "Of whom the world was not worthy." That would make some epitaph. Let's ask God to allow us to be faithful to Him through the tough times.
Prayer Needs:
Brandi, Mary's daughter, has some spiritual needs right now.
Spence and Tammy
David's mother - tests on Tuesday
RU folks, and for a greater attendance
Heritage Academy - praying for more students
Missionaries' needs
Those who have been sick. . .Ethan, Moss family, Billy and Jean, Helen Smith's husband, Brenda, and others
Harold, Francis' brother, financial needs with the dairy farm
Outreach to be blessed
I do hope that you all have a good week in the Lord. Let's do what the preacher challenged us to do and lay aside every weight AND the sin that easily besets us so that we can perseveringly run the race for the Lord.
God bless you. See you Sunday if not before!
- You may want to be reading ahead as we will begin a study of the book of Nehemiah: "Building for the Lord" starting this next Sunday.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Faithful to Follow God's Plans
Joshua stands out in the OT as a beautiful picture of Christ. In fact they share the name Yeshua: Jehovah is salvation. This Sunday we will be studying his life and also the life of Rahab, whose life was transformed by faith in the Lord. I hope that you can join us for this study.
Keep praying for David Cook's mother. David and the family went down last weekend to check on her thinking she may have had a stroke. She has been under a lot of stress with her husband's illnesses. Anyway pray for this family in need. It was great to see Spence and Tammy's fiends in church last weekend! I hope that they will come again and maybe even involve themselves in our class fellowships in the new year. Pray for them. It's my turn to hold Jack when we see them again :-). Pray for our men who are needing work. Tom has started a new OTR trucking job, so that is a praise note. Terry is still looking for more work. Thank the Lord for His provision day by day. Pray for our missionaries. Get a prayer list and find out what they are battling right now. Some have health concerns, others safety concerns, and others are praying for help. The fields are white already to harvest, so let's pray for the Lord to send out laborers. Pray for the various ministries of the church. It is our privilege to reach and teach folks. Let's ask that God would grant a spirit of cooperation among us so that we might more effectively do the work He has for us to do. Remember Sunday morning Christianity is not what the Bible talks about. Salvation changes us, so we are different all week long.
I love ya and look forward to seeing you this Sunday morning at 9:45 for Sunday School. Have a wonderful week!
Keep praying for David Cook's mother. David and the family went down last weekend to check on her thinking she may have had a stroke. She has been under a lot of stress with her husband's illnesses. Anyway pray for this family in need. It was great to see Spence and Tammy's fiends in church last weekend! I hope that they will come again and maybe even involve themselves in our class fellowships in the new year. Pray for them. It's my turn to hold Jack when we see them again :-). Pray for our men who are needing work. Tom has started a new OTR trucking job, so that is a praise note. Terry is still looking for more work. Thank the Lord for His provision day by day. Pray for our missionaries. Get a prayer list and find out what they are battling right now. Some have health concerns, others safety concerns, and others are praying for help. The fields are white already to harvest, so let's pray for the Lord to send out laborers. Pray for the various ministries of the church. It is our privilege to reach and teach folks. Let's ask that God would grant a spirit of cooperation among us so that we might more effectively do the work He has for us to do. Remember Sunday morning Christianity is not what the Bible talks about. Salvation changes us, so we are different all week long.
I love ya and look forward to seeing you this Sunday morning at 9:45 for Sunday School. Have a wonderful week!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Happy New Year!
Wow! 2009 is here. Can any of you remember in gradeschool trying to work out how old you would be in 2000? Well that has been almost ten years ago :-). God has blessed us in so many ways during the past year. I will thank Him for the pain as well as the pleasures. He is so good to us.
It is great to have anticipation and excitement. Sunday School brings me a lot of excitement. So many are getting involved and helping out in the new Sunday School program that I can't help but be thrilled. We are looking for new kids and adults every day. Keep on praying and talking it up.
Our study in faithfulness resumes this Sunday with the life of Joseph. He was faithful to the plan and purpose of God. He could not see the "good" in all his circumstances at the time, but he still trusted God. He still honored the Lord with his actions and words. After going through the tests, he looked back and saw the hand of God in all of it. This challenges me to faithfully serve the Lord day by day, and trust His wisdom and power to keep me effective for Him.
Are you ready to accomplish those resolutions? What kind of resolutions do you have? Some of mine are - journaling through the year in my devotion time; losing a few pounds; spending more time praying and less time griping; writing songs; using my time better; in-depth study of Nehemiah. . . There are more, too. Having goals is important. Zig Ziglar tells the story of famous archer, Howard Hill. Hill won 196 archery tournaments in succession. He also made short films of his archery feats such as shooting aspirins from the air and hunting elephants with his bow and arrow. What made Howard Hill so effective? He had a target. Without a target, you have no Howard Hill or Annie Oakley. We also need targets to focus our energy and help us to know the next step in life.
Be in prayer. Pray for the people and items on both our Sunday School list and church list. Prayer that touches Heaven makes all the difference here on earth. Prayer also makes a big difference in our relationships with others. You might be frustrated by someone you pray for, but you can't hate or seek to harm them.
God bless you in the new year as you draw near to Him.
It is great to have anticipation and excitement. Sunday School brings me a lot of excitement. So many are getting involved and helping out in the new Sunday School program that I can't help but be thrilled. We are looking for new kids and adults every day. Keep on praying and talking it up.
Our study in faithfulness resumes this Sunday with the life of Joseph. He was faithful to the plan and purpose of God. He could not see the "good" in all his circumstances at the time, but he still trusted God. He still honored the Lord with his actions and words. After going through the tests, he looked back and saw the hand of God in all of it. This challenges me to faithfully serve the Lord day by day, and trust His wisdom and power to keep me effective for Him.
Are you ready to accomplish those resolutions? What kind of resolutions do you have? Some of mine are - journaling through the year in my devotion time; losing a few pounds; spending more time praying and less time griping; writing songs; using my time better; in-depth study of Nehemiah. . . There are more, too. Having goals is important. Zig Ziglar tells the story of famous archer, Howard Hill. Hill won 196 archery tournaments in succession. He also made short films of his archery feats such as shooting aspirins from the air and hunting elephants with his bow and arrow. What made Howard Hill so effective? He had a target. Without a target, you have no Howard Hill or Annie Oakley. We also need targets to focus our energy and help us to know the next step in life.
Be in prayer. Pray for the people and items on both our Sunday School list and church list. Prayer that touches Heaven makes all the difference here on earth. Prayer also makes a big difference in our relationships with others. You might be frustrated by someone you pray for, but you can't hate or seek to harm them.
God bless you in the new year as you draw near to Him.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
New Year
It is the time of year for resolutions and then for resolution. Has it been a whole year already? Time does move on. . .and seems to pass more quickly each year. God has blessed us in so many ways this year, and now is a good time to thank Him. Sure, there have been bad things happening. Yes, there have been heartbreaks. Yet, the Lord has been faithful. He has helped us. His love does not fail.
Our lesson this week will focus on Jacob and his life-changing experience with God by the brook. He wrestled with the Lord, and he prevailed. God used a difficult situation to bring Jacob to a place of dependence and of surrender. God often does this in our own lives. So stop before cussing your situation. Seek the Lord and hold on to Him. When He requires the thing called confession, humbly agree. Then, ask Him to reveal something of Himself to you. He is always worth it.
Don't forget to pray. Pray for elected officials and our country. Inauguration is just around the corner. God will save elected officials, too. Keep praying for one another. I am excited about the good spirit at church and a God-given "mind to work". Pray for those who are looking for jobs. Praise the Lord for answers to prayer in this area, too. Our family will be traveling today as we go to preach and sing for a new church in the Jackson area. Harold and Theresa Parks are currently in this church. Ask God to use us to help these folks. Pray for a man who has cancer, requested by Joe Payne. Pray for those who have been visiting the church. Some need a good church home. Some need to be saved. Others are needing to reconnect with other believers so that they can grow and serve the Lord. Pray for Sunday School outreach. (Submit any names of families with children to the church office. A mail-out will be going out this week.) We will be passing out fliers this week as well. Some of our parents are not doing too well health-wise and need prayer. Pray for and remember our New Year's service coming up on Wednesday night. I always look forward to it.
What are your resolutions? Maybe it is best to ask: in what areas are you seeking to grow? Think and pray about it.
Have a wonderful week!
(Boomer Sooners!) - Bro. Mike
Our lesson this week will focus on Jacob and his life-changing experience with God by the brook. He wrestled with the Lord, and he prevailed. God used a difficult situation to bring Jacob to a place of dependence and of surrender. God often does this in our own lives. So stop before cussing your situation. Seek the Lord and hold on to Him. When He requires the thing called confession, humbly agree. Then, ask Him to reveal something of Himself to you. He is always worth it.
Don't forget to pray. Pray for elected officials and our country. Inauguration is just around the corner. God will save elected officials, too. Keep praying for one another. I am excited about the good spirit at church and a God-given "mind to work". Pray for those who are looking for jobs. Praise the Lord for answers to prayer in this area, too. Our family will be traveling today as we go to preach and sing for a new church in the Jackson area. Harold and Theresa Parks are currently in this church. Ask God to use us to help these folks. Pray for a man who has cancer, requested by Joe Payne. Pray for those who have been visiting the church. Some need a good church home. Some need to be saved. Others are needing to reconnect with other believers so that they can grow and serve the Lord. Pray for Sunday School outreach. (Submit any names of families with children to the church office. A mail-out will be going out this week.) We will be passing out fliers this week as well. Some of our parents are not doing too well health-wise and need prayer. Pray for and remember our New Year's service coming up on Wednesday night. I always look forward to it.
What are your resolutions? Maybe it is best to ask: in what areas are you seeking to grow? Think and pray about it.
Have a wonderful week!
(Boomer Sooners!) - Bro. Mike
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Christian Life and Witness Video
With all that goes on "extra" at this time of the year, the video sessions for the last few weeks have been a help for my schedule. They have helped me in other ways as well. Sure, the information is not brand new, but the reminder and the timing of this truth has been a godsend. "Back to the Basics" or "Back to the Bedrock" would be a good description.
Beginning in January, we start a new children's Sunday School emphasis. It excites me to see so many who are involved and excited. Be sure to contact those who God lays on your heart, and give names and addresses to the office so that they can be included in our mail-out. Bible Explorers has a good ring to it, but I am most excited about the detective theme for the first quarter. Be in prayer. Be in prayer. Be in prayer. God is at work, and we want Him to work through us. May He grant us the sensitivity to His Spirit which we need. He will build His church according to Matthew 16, and He has chosen us as instruments.
Be in prayer for those who have been recently sick, for those who have need of employment, for those who are in spiritual traps and deception, for those who are struggling with family matters, for those whose parents are in poor health, for outreach and ministries of our church, for a spirit of encouragement to infuse each of us as we praise our Lord, and for a revival of true spirituality right here in Tupelo's Wildwood Baptist Church. Wow! That was a lot in one sentence!
Take some time to simply praise the Lord. I have noticed that when the enemy comes to attack me, and I start thinking about the struggles and the disgruntled, and the attacks upon God's work that I can get really out of sorts. I can get depressed and discouraged. Yet, if I would just stop and thank God for His most abundant blessings, the depression and the discouragement passes on. I have taken the steps into the throne-room of God, and the devils who bring the depression cannot come. Make the time to praise. It should be easier at this time of year, but do it on purpose.
Christmas caroling and fellowship are up for discussion today in our class. Youth Leadership Sunday is today. Be praying for the young people. God best to you!
Beginning in January, we start a new children's Sunday School emphasis. It excites me to see so many who are involved and excited. Be sure to contact those who God lays on your heart, and give names and addresses to the office so that they can be included in our mail-out. Bible Explorers has a good ring to it, but I am most excited about the detective theme for the first quarter. Be in prayer. Be in prayer. Be in prayer. God is at work, and we want Him to work through us. May He grant us the sensitivity to His Spirit which we need. He will build His church according to Matthew 16, and He has chosen us as instruments.
Be in prayer for those who have been recently sick, for those who have need of employment, for those who are in spiritual traps and deception, for those who are struggling with family matters, for those whose parents are in poor health, for outreach and ministries of our church, for a spirit of encouragement to infuse each of us as we praise our Lord, and for a revival of true spirituality right here in Tupelo's Wildwood Baptist Church. Wow! That was a lot in one sentence!
Take some time to simply praise the Lord. I have noticed that when the enemy comes to attack me, and I start thinking about the struggles and the disgruntled, and the attacks upon God's work that I can get really out of sorts. I can get depressed and discouraged. Yet, if I would just stop and thank God for His most abundant blessings, the depression and the discouragement passes on. I have taken the steps into the throne-room of God, and the devils who bring the depression cannot come. Make the time to praise. It should be easier at this time of year, but do it on purpose.
Christmas caroling and fellowship are up for discussion today in our class. Youth Leadership Sunday is today. Be praying for the young people. God best to you!
Monday, December 1, 2008
How to Witness Effectively
Good class yesterday! Brother Mike didn't teach. I am so glad that I didn't hear that :-). We did have a good class time and, no, I did not teach. Instead we watched a video on effective witnessing. Since we have focused on living by faith, it seems like the thought of sharing our faith has paralleled our study. Indeed being a Christian means having faith and demonstrating it through good works. James makes this clear with the verse, "Faith without works is dead being alone."
Next week our study will focus on living a life of faith. Y'all come and bring a friend or two. Some have been working on bringing others and that is great. Trust God for leadership in this area. Pray about our outreach through the week and especially on Saturdays.
Beginning in January a new Sunday School program for kids will start at Wildwood. I am excited about it since it brings in some of the elements of Bible School. Pray with the teaches and workers about this. Wednesday nights in December will be times of preparation towards this goal. Our first quarter theme in 2009 (should the Lord tarry His coming) will be Bible Detectives. Our teens will also be involved and help for a part of the time and then have their own Bible study. Saturdays will be a time to reach out, make contacts, and invite visitors and backsliders to join us.
Praise notes! Both Terry and Mary gave words of rejoicing Sunday concerning their fathers. Both are doing better. Good reports from the doctors. Cari is feeling much better this week. Our services Sunday were blessed with a good Spirit! Praise the Lord for how He works. The songs touched my heart and the preacher had liberty in preaching. God is so good! Keep on praising as well as praying.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Several in the church are in financial need right now. Jobs would be great.
Pray for souls to be saved.
Keep every ministry of the church in prayer. Leave none out.
Pray for our leaders in government both going and coming.
Shandra Wilson is planning to be baptized next Sunday morning.
During these holidays pray especially for our missionaries abroad.
Pray for a spirit of encouragement among Christians. . .that the joy of the Lord would be our strength.
Pray also for those who have been sick, Brother Wilemon and Brother Billy come to mind, but there are others as well.
Pray for my parents traveling in Australia.
During the week, draw near to the Lord and allow Him to give you rest and renewal.
Next week our study will focus on living a life of faith. Y'all come and bring a friend or two. Some have been working on bringing others and that is great. Trust God for leadership in this area. Pray about our outreach through the week and especially on Saturdays.
Beginning in January a new Sunday School program for kids will start at Wildwood. I am excited about it since it brings in some of the elements of Bible School. Pray with the teaches and workers about this. Wednesday nights in December will be times of preparation towards this goal. Our first quarter theme in 2009 (should the Lord tarry His coming) will be Bible Detectives. Our teens will also be involved and help for a part of the time and then have their own Bible study. Saturdays will be a time to reach out, make contacts, and invite visitors and backsliders to join us.
Praise notes! Both Terry and Mary gave words of rejoicing Sunday concerning their fathers. Both are doing better. Good reports from the doctors. Cari is feeling much better this week. Our services Sunday were blessed with a good Spirit! Praise the Lord for how He works. The songs touched my heart and the preacher had liberty in preaching. God is so good! Keep on praising as well as praying.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Several in the church are in financial need right now. Jobs would be great.
Pray for souls to be saved.
Keep every ministry of the church in prayer. Leave none out.
Pray for our leaders in government both going and coming.
Shandra Wilson is planning to be baptized next Sunday morning.
During these holidays pray especially for our missionaries abroad.
Pray for a spirit of encouragement among Christians. . .that the joy of the Lord would be our strength.
Pray also for those who have been sick, Brother Wilemon and Brother Billy come to mind, but there are others as well.
Pray for my parents traveling in Australia.
During the week, draw near to the Lord and allow Him to give you rest and renewal.
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