"Take a quiet time to spend time with God"

January 16 thru January 22

"Power of Forgiveness"

Monday -  A Divine Confirmation

 (Genesis 46:1-7)

Tuesday -  Settled in a New Land

(Genesis 46:28-47:6)

Wednesday - A Father's Heritage

(Genesis 48:8-16)

Thurday -  A Father's Blessing

(Genesis 49:22-26)

.Friday - A Father Final Instructions

(Genesis 49:29-50:6)

Saturday - A Father Laid to Rest

(Genesis 50:7-14)

Sunday - Reconcilation in the Family

 (Genesis 50:15-26)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

"The Power of Forgiveness"

Lesson: Genesis 50:15-26

Lesson Outline 

Deceitful Approach - Genesis 50:15-17

Divine Assurance - Genesis 50:18-21

Death Anticipated - Genesis 50:22-26

AIM OF TODAY:

FACTS: To recount that understanding God's sovereignyty enabled Joseph to forgive his brothers for their sins against him.

PRINCIPLE: To learn that when we understand God's larger purposes, it is easier to genuinely forgive others.

APPLICATION: To emphasize that we must learn to forgive those who sin against us based on our trust in God's sovereignty over our lives.

In this lesson you should be able to answer these questions.

1. Why do you think Jpseph's brothers were afraid of retribution?

2. What did Joseph brothers offer to do when they come before him? 

3. How did Jpseph view all the difficulties of his life?

4. How did Jpseph knpw that God would vispt and deliver Israel?

By the end of the lesson, we will: KNOW how Joseph forgave his brothers; FEEL thankful for forgiveness; and FORGIVE those who need to be forgiven in our lives. 

The Word of God

by

Rev. Michael A. Otkins, Sr.

Sunday, January 15, 2012 

Theme: "The Powerless Church"

Revelation 3:1-6

We are praying for

Bro. Wallace Anderson

Sis.Ellen Ayo

Sis. Judy Batiste

Bro. Steve Breaux

Bro. Nolan Brown

Sis. Oneter Burks

Bro. Alston Bynum

Bro Ernest Clayton

Sis. Cora Craig

 Sis. Mary Craig

Sis. Verna Craig

Sis. Valencia Davis

Bro. Jerome Fair

Bro. Jonathan Guillory

 Sis. Linda Holmes

 Sis. Lela Mae Thomas

Sis. Linda Williams

.

The Joy of Obedience

By Charles F. Stanley

Consider this story. Before leaving for work one morning, a father says to his son, "Straighten your room, take out the garbage, and sweep the driveway." When Dad comes home, the son explains his approach to the chore list: "Well, Dad, the garbage can was only half full. And, I figured nobody would see my room. But I cleaned the driveway, just as you said."

How many of us treat God the same way? We approach Him with rationalizations and arguments instead of submission.

Many people associate obedience with raising children—particularly when they see one misbehaving. Submission to God’s will, however, is important at every stage of a believer’s maturity. As our faith grows, obedience becomes a cornerstone of fellowship with our Father. Through it, He teaches us more about His love and precepts while drawing us closer to Himself.

Oddly, physical maturity can diminish our obedience. An adult believer may tell himself that he has learned to live righteously and therefore no longer needs to make a concentrated effort. In a short time, he will find himself far off the path God intended, wandering around with a pile of rags he thinks are righteous acts (Isa. 64:6). Disobedience says to the Lord, “I know better than You how to govern my life.” 

intouch.org

NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH

Since 1970 January has been declared National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, and with good reason. Above all other times of the year, it’s the month that presents the most challenges in recruiting people to give blood. This January is no exception with the local Red Cross in an urgent need for more donors.

Changing weather, busy holiday schedules, increased cold and flu symptoms and even the winter blues can keep the most dedicated blood donors from making or keeping an appointment to give. Yet winter weather can lead to more traumatic injuries on icy roads and may increase the need for blood.

The local Red Cross needs about 650 blood donors every day to meet the needs of patients at 41 area hospitals. However, there has been a 10 percent dip in blood donations so far this winter. Recent blood drive cancellations due to weather also meant the Red Cross was not able to collect nearly 500 donations it had planned on for patients. And as the Red Cross is trying to recruit donors, a high number of people asked to give are reporting cold or flu symptoms, which make them not able to donate.

“There are so many unpredictable factors at play that can affect the blood supply during January; it’s a critical time to remind the public of the need for more donors,” said Rodney Wilson, communications manager for the American Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region. “If you are in good health, now is the time to share that good health with patients in need.”

The dip in donations has also caused a decrease in the local blood inventory of key blood types including O-negative, A-negative and B-negative.