AWAKEN

During the month of October, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina calls us to "Pray for 30 Days" because 79% of North Carolinians have no church affiliation.  In preparation for our Annual Convention in November, we are seeking God to see spiritual awakening across North Carolina.  Please join us in this work of God.

Honor Mom

This is the weekly Devotional Column that was missed in the Laurinburg Exchange this week.

Exodus 20:12 - “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

This verse is part of the 10 Commandments.  In today’s society we have to keep reminding that these were not the 10 Suggestions.  In fact, this is repeated in eight places in the Bible.  Maybe God is trying to tell us something.  You think?  We constantly see people (and I mean young and old) who are very disrespectful to their mothers.  They do not realize how important this lady is to their life.  None of us would be here if it was not for a mother.  God encourages us to hold these special ladies up in high regard.  In fact, He makes it worth our while.  Paul tells us, “‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise.” (Ephesians 6:2)  In fact, it is the only one of the 10 Commandments that carries a promise with it.  God thinks very highly of Mothers – so we should too.  This weekend, be sure to honor your Mother in a very special way that will mean so much to her.  This will bring a New Hope for Today.

Love has good manners

I have always enjoyed the J.B. Phillips translation of 1 Corinthians 13.  Verses 4 - 8a read - "This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience—it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance.
 ^5-6 Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails.
 ^7-8a Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen."

We are only a week away from the day we celebrate love - Valentine's Day.  When you consider love - what is your view?  Is it Biblical or Secular?  Better yet, how do you practice love?  Think about it.

Staying the course

Greetings:

"It is often said of American football that the hardest place to score from is the one yard line. That is because the defenses are greatest where there is the most resistance. Sometimes completing a job is like this." Os Hillman

Need a Hug?

When struggling, why not settle into the Father's arms.

"Snuggle in God's arms. When you are hurting, when you feel lonely, left out... let Him cradle you, comfort you, reassure you of His all-sufficient power and love."

Kay Arthur