Prayer of Thanks - Father Tom Uzhunnalil

After enduring 18 months in captivity in Yemen,  The freed priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil returned to home to his native India. 

Father Tom was abducted in March last year when Islamic State terrorists attacked a home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Aden. He was after negotiations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oman. 

'There was loneliness during my 18 months of captivity. I had no fear of death [though] I faced tremendous uncertainty. What was going to happen to me? Still I never lost hope. Faith in God and prayers sustained me,' Father Tom said in a written statement given to journalists that in the end he was too tired to read out himself.

Prayer Request - Family of Police Officer Kristen Hearne

Polk County, Georgia police officer Kristen Hearne was fatally shot Friday. Please pray for her family. 

In an article on the AJC.com website, she made time for the community’s needs as a five-year veteran with the Polk County police department, but she put family – especially her ailing mother, who was diagnosed with cancer in April – first. 

“My daughter was right there beside me all the way even after I came home,” Hearne’s mother Trish Brewer told Channel 2 Action News on Friday night, hours after her 29-year-old daughter was shot and killed in the line of duty by a felon. “... She still helped me and still took care of me. That’s the type of person she was.”

As we pray for her family, please pray for all of our men and women who protect us daily. They are indeed heroes.

There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13

Daily Word of God - 1 Peter 2:24

1 Peter 2:24 New Living Translation (NLT)

He personally carried our sins
    in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
    and live for what is right.
By his wounds
    you are healed.

Signs of Salvation - Jesus is the Answer

Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Whitesburg, GA 30185

"Jesus is the Answer"

Daily Word of God - John 14:18-20

John 14:18-20 New Living Translation (NLT)

18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 46:1-2

Psalm 46:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Daily Word of God - Matthew 5:44-45

Matthew 5:44-45 New Living Translation (NLT)

44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

Daily Word of God - 1 Peter 3:14

1 Peter 3:14 New Living Translation (NLT)

But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.

Daily Word of God - John 14:3

John 14:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 90:12

Psalm 90:12 New Living Translation (NLT)

Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
    so that we may grow in wisdom.

Midweek Message - Jesus in Every Book of the Bible

Are you aware that Jesus appears in each book of the Bible?  He does.  In every book, He is present.  In praise and honor to Him, this week, I would like to share the list so that everyone will know.  Lord Jesus, I love you and hope this brings you honor.

In Genesis, He is the Creator.  In Exodus, the Deliverer.  In Leviticus He is our Eternal Sacrifice and in Numbers the Trusted Guide.  In Deuteronomy, Redeeming Prophet.  Joshua shows Him as the Captain of our Salvation.  In Judges He is the Steadfast Judge and Lawgiver.  In Ruth, our Kinsman Redeemer.  1 Samuel, Interceding King.  II Samuel, Anointed King.  In 1 Kings He is the Wise King.  II Kings tells us He is the Reigning King.  He is the Sovereign King in I Chronicles and the Glory of the Lord in II Chronicles.  In Ezra He is the Faithful Scribe.  In Nehemiah He is the Rebuilder.  In Esther, the Hidden Teacher.  In the book of Job, He is our Dayspring and Faithful One.  In Psalms, the Shepherd and Song and in Proverbs He is Wisdom. In Ecclesiastes He is our Only Hope and The Bridegroom in the Song of Solomon.  Isaiah says He is the Prince of Peace.  Jeremiah shows Him as the Righteous Branch and Friend.  He is the Weeping Prophet in Lamentations and the Watchman and the Wheel in the Sky in Ezekiel.  In Daniel He is the Rescuer.  In Hosea, the Faithful Husband.  He is God's Outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Joel and the Burden Bearer in Amos.  He is the Highest Authority in Obadiah.  In Jonah, God's Mercy.  Micah shows Him as the Messenger of the Gospel and in the book of Nahum we see Him as the Avenger of God's Elect.  In Habakkuk He appears as the Firm Foundation and in Zephaniah, the Prince of Peace and Glory of Israel.  Haggai shows Him as the Restorer of God's Lost Heritage.  Zechariah, Merciful Father.  In Malachi, He is our Glorious Promise.  In Matthew, the King of the Jews.  In Mark He is the Son of God and Wonder Worker and the Son of Man in Luke.  He is the Word Made Flesh in John and the Power on High in Acts.  In Romans He is our Salvation and Justifier.  In I Corinthians He is the Gift of the Spirit and in II Corinthians, our Victory.  Galatians tells us He is our Liberator and Ephesians shows Him as the Chief Cornerstone.  In Philippians He is the Provider and Supplier.  In Colossians, the Fullness of God. In I Thessalonians He is the Soon Coming King.  In II Thessalonians, the Messiah.  In I Timothy He is our Mediator and the Faithful Witness in II Timothy.  In Titus He is the Faithful Pastor and Blessed Hope.  In Philemon, the Friend That is Closer Than a Brother.  In Hebrews we learn that He is our High Priest and in James, our Great Physician.  I Peter shows Him as the Chief Shepherd and II Peter our Savior.  Righteousness is how He appears in I John, Everlasting Love in II John and Truth in III John.  Jude tells us He is Majesty and Power and the wonderful book of Revelation praises Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I hope this has been a blessing to you and that our precious Lord is honored.

Daily Word of God - John 3:21

John 3:21 New Living Translation (NLT)

But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.

Prayer Requests - Puerto Rico

Please continue to pray for those in Puerto Rico as they struggle daily after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. 

Five days after the Category 4 storm slammed into Puerto Rico, many of the more than 3.4 million U.S. citizens in the territory were still without adequate food, water and fuel. Flights off the island were infrequent, communications were spotty and roads were clogged with debris. Officials said electrical power may not be fully restored for more than a month.

You can donate to Samaritan's Purse by clicking here.

Have Mercy on Us

Psalm 123:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy,

    for we have had our fill of contempt.

Daily Word of God - Proverbs 3:27

Proverbs 3:27 New Living Translation (NLT)

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
    when it’s in your power to help them.

Daily Word of God - Matthew 6:30

Matthew 6:30 New Living Translation (NLT)

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

He Restores My Soul

Psalm 23:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 84:11

Psalm 84:11 New Living Translation (NLT)

For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
    He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing
    from those who do what is right.

Daily Word of God - John 9:3

John 9:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Seek Him Wholeheartedly

When you consider just how much we have to do in our lives, it is very easy for us to squeeze something out of our schedules in order to make more time for things we want to do. The things that we need to do sometimes get rushed or forgotten altogether. Important things like spending time with God in prayer or reading the scriptures are often pushed aside for things like trips to concerts. Family time is often spent in front of the television while eating dinner. Conversations that used to happen around the dining room table have been turned into texting sessions with friends, co-workers and other individuals.

Over time, we quickly slip into a pattern of forgetting the most important part of our Christian lives. We forget to pray, go to church or spend time in quiet meditation with God and the Word. We make time for other things in our lives and fail to even give God just a few minutes. 

It is clear that our priorities are out of whack and that we value other things more than God. But, we need to come back to our spiritual center and give God what He deserves. 

Jesus, in Matthew 22, when asked about taxes and whether or not taxes should be paid, replied, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” The same holds true with our time and attention. We should give things like work their proper attention, but it should not become our lives. Do what is necessary, but do all those things that delight the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul.

Daily Word of God - Matthew 5:4

Matthew 5:4 (NLT)

God blesses those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.

Prayer Request - Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, Tennessee.

At least one person has been killed and six have been injured in a shooting at the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, Tennessee. 

Approximately 50 people were inside the church at the time of the shooting, officials say. 

Please prayer for the victims and their families. 

Daily Word of God - 1 Corinthians 13:7-8

1 Corinthians 13:7-8 (NLT)

7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!

Signs of Salvation - Burying the Hatchet

Antioch Church of Christ
Douglasville, GA 30135

"When you bury the hatchet, don't mark the grave."

Daily Word of God - John 5:44

John 5:44 (NLT)

No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.

Daily Word of God - 1 Corinthians 7:17

1 Corinthians 7:17 (NLT)

Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.

Daily Word of God - Matthew 13:19

Matthew 13:19 (NLT)

The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.

Daily Word of God - Ephesians 6:16

Ephesians 6:16 (NLT)

In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

Daily Word of God - John 12:24

John 12:24 (NLT)

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.

Daily Word of God - 1 Corinthians 4:5

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)

So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

Mid-Week Message - Ask for Joy!

I was approached by a young believer this week and was asked several questions about life.  One of the things this person said was that he woke up every morning trying to find a reason to get out of bed.  He wanted life to have meaning.  I think this is something we all face from time to time.  My answer to him was simple.  Would Jesus wish us to have lackluster or mediocre lives?  Would He want us to struggle to find a reason to get out of bed every day?

John 10:10 (KJV) says this in the second part of the verse, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  Read that again.  He came that we might have life.  Not a boring, humdrum life of trying to find meaning, but that we can have life that is abundant.  To me this means that He wants us to have full, joyful, enjoyable lives.  And meaning?  What greater meaning is there than that we were created by the Almighty because He desired us?  He created us to love us!

So, how do we have that life?  I am convinced that the main ingredient of an abundant life is joy. That three little word carries such weight.  Without joy, life can seem empty.  Without joy, it is difficult to have hope and without hope, we lose our reason for continuing on in life.  Joy doesn't mean that we laugh through everything in life.  It means that there is a warmth in our heart that keeps it alive, that keeps it moving forward.  We can find reasons to praise even if things are difficult.  

How is your supply of joy?  When I told my young friend to pray for joy, his response was that he didn't want to bother God with his petty requests.  My friends, our Lord delights in us!  He loves when we come to Him with our requests, when we ask in accordance with His will.  Joy is a part of that abundant life Jesus died to give us.  What a wonderful thing to ask Him for.  I can just see Him smiling and hear Him saying, "Ah!  Finally!"   

Ask Him for joy this week, even if you feel you already have it.  Abundant means "more".  We can always stand more joy in our lives.  My God bless your week.   

Daily Word of God - Matthew 7:13-14

Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)

13 You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Daily Word of God - Isaiah 40:29

Isaiah 40:29 (NLT)

He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.

Daily Word of God - John 3:8

John 3:8 New Living Translation (NLT)

The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 145:14

Psalm 145:14 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Lord helps the fallen
    and lifts those bent beneath their loads.

Daily Word of God - John 15:18-19

John 15:18-19 New Living Translation (NLT)

18 If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

Prayer Request - Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh could die due to a lack of food, shelter and water, given the huge numbers fleeing violence in Myanmar, an aid agency warned on Sunday, as authorities began moving people to camps to streamline the distribution of help.

Nearly 410,000 members of the Rohingya Muslim minority fled from Myanmar's western Rakhine state to Bangladesh to escape a military offensive that the United Nations has branded a 'textbook example of ethnic cleansing'.

Isaiah 58:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

Feed the hungry,
    and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
    and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.

Daily Word of God - 1 Peter 3:15

1 Peter 3:15 New Living Translation (NLT)

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Pleasing God

Over the past couple of years, I have heard more individuals espouse the idea of salvation through works alone. They believe that the more they do for others will ultimately translate into a ticket to heaven. They believe that God will judge them strictly on their own merits, track their records of volunteer work and charitable donations. When He sees what they have done, then the pearly gates will swing wide for them and they will have a mansion on the upper side of Heaven.

If you ask those very same people about their faith, they say that they believe in a god and that he is fine with how they are living their lives and doing god’s work. But, when you ask them about their faith and salvation in the one true and living God, some will reply, “Does is matter which god?” All gods are just interested in having people love and care for one another.

If you look closely at these individuals, they have cobbled together their own god and given him their idea of salvation. When people do that, they are, of course, going to a heaven and they have been forgiven by their god, because he believes the same things they do. Of course, he does. He was given their ideas of salvation and forgiveness.

For us, as Christians, we realize that it is impossible to please God without having a deep-rooted faith in Him and acknowledge one immutable fact, He is.

Daily Word of God - Matthew 22:37-38

Matthew 22:37-38 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment."

Donate to Help Those in Need

Almost 1.5 millions homes in Florida and Georgia are without electricity including 46 of Florida's nearly 700 nursing homes caught in the deadly storm's path.

Florida Power & Light, owned by NextEra Energy Inc (NEE.N) and the state's biggest electric company, said it was working aggressively to restore power to the 23 percent of its customers still in the dark.

Continue to pray for those in need of spiritual comfort. Many have lost everything. Many are just thankful to be alive.

Please donate to the American Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse or a charity of your choice to help those in need.

Daily Word of God - Romans 15:1

Romans 15:1 New Living Translation (NLT)

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves.

Signs of Salvation - I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Whitesburg Christian Church

Whitesburg, Georgia 30185

"I Have Decided to Follow Jesus"

Daily Word of God - Mark 7:15

Mark 7:15 New Living Translation (NLT)

It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.

Daily Word of God - Romans 8:1-2

Romans 8:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)

1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

Daily Word of God - Luke 11:41

Luke 11:41 New Living Translation (NLT)

So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 41:1

Psalm 41:1 New Living Translation (NLT)

Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
    The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.

Daily Word of God - John 6:54-55

John 6:54-55 New Living Translation (NLT)

54 But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Daily Word of God - Colossians 3:23-24

Colossians 3:23-24 New Living Translation (NLT)

23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.