Who am I?
I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden.
I will push you forward or drag you down to failure.
I am completely at your command. Half of the things you do you might just as well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.
I am easily managed — you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and, after a few lessons, I will do it automatically.
I am servant of all great people; and alas, of all failures, as well. Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a mortal. You may run me for a profit or run me for ruin — it makes no difference to me.
Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet.
Be easy with me and I will destroy you.
Who am I? I am habit! (via Jan. 26, 2000 Baptist Trumpet)
Dear Brothers and Sisters
This is one of many texts that I personally seek for comfort. When we feel void and are no longer able to express our feelings, may we turn to the Scriptures for reassurance. May we be reminded that God (not man) is good all the time. May God bless His people.
“I cried unto God with my voice, (even) unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
“Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth (his) promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. And I said, This (is) my infirmity: (but I will remember) the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, (is) in the sanctuary: who (is so) great a God as (our) God? Thou (art) the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Thou hast with (thine) arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. The voice of thy thunder (was) in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. Thy way (is) in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron” (Psa. 77:1-20).
May you find comfort during these troublesome times from God’s Word.
From Our Missionaries
Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White writes, “God has been faithful throughout this past week. This Sunday, we enjoyed a wonderful worship service. We had good numbers and some first-time guests in the service with us. We are so thankful for the opportunity to come together and worship.
“This past Wednesday, our groups began meeting again with a good turnout and some great Bible studies. These groups give us a great opportunity to not only disciple, but to encourage one another during the week.
“Sunday afternoon, we held a training for all of our Security Personnel. We are so thankful for these men who are willing to stand in harm’s way to keep us safe.
“Join us in praying that we will continue to be effective ambassadors of Christ and reach people here in Brookland. Thank you for your support.”
The Mustard Seed, Cain: Jim Tollison writes, “God is continuing to bless the mission. Our Wednesday night services are returning to pre-COVID-19 numbers. Sunday was exciting as well, as we enjoyed some return visitors. They are relatives of a young man we baptized a while back. They seemed to really enjoy the services and said they planned to come back. Pray for them to make attendance a regular thing.
“Mission work has become more complex with this virus lurking in the background. Be praying for us as we navigate the changes we are having to make.
“Thanks for your continued support and your prayers.”
Misión Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ), North Little Rock: Juan Carlos Posadas writes, “We started the year with a week of emphasis on prayer, and in the discipleship meetings we dedicated ourselves to pray.
“Thursday, we had a continuous 24-hour prayer chain, starting at zero hours and ending at midnight, each member of the church had the opportunity to pray for at least one hour.
“At our Friday prayer meeting, we shared the beautiful experience of participating in the prayer chain. We did everything virtually since we started the year in quarantine. I thank God for the current means of communication that allow us, from the comfort of our homes, to meet, worship and learn from the Lord.
“We thank God for the year 2020 and we enter into 2021 hoping God will be a great blessing for our community, that we will be more effective in sharing the gospel and discipling new converts. We ask God that more brothers and sisters will be willing to disciple in this new year.”
Life Journey, Fort Smith: Darrin Smith writes, “When I was 21 years old, a man by the name of Mike Ward shared the gospel with me, and I trusted Jesus as my Savior. He was the pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Fordyce. That was almost 30 years ago. I had the privilege to have him come speak at our church a few weeks ago. It was exciting to catch up with all that has been going on in his life and to thank him, face-to-face, for sharing the gospel with me.
“After church, a lady named Leeza came into the church and, in just a few short minutes, she came to know Jesus as her Savior. I had met her just the week before. What a blessing to see her trust Jesus. Something else — the person who shared Christ with me was there... Mike shared Christ with me, I shared Christ with Leeza and now, prayerfully, it won’t stop with her.
“What happened to the gospel since you trusted Jesus? Who have you shared it with? Don’t let the gospel stop with you. Start sharing the gospel. God wants to multiply His life through you.”
Grace, Green Forest: Carter Pearce writes, “Our congregation received a special Christmas present a few weeks ago. The WMA group at West Race Baptist Church in Searcy purchased Heavenly Highway Hymnals for us. We have put those hymnals to good use already as we now have enough hymnals for everyone who can read to have their own! It is a great blessing to know that our association is still focused on churches helping mission congregations.
“As with any new year, 2021 has many unknowns. What we know for certain is that we are in for changes this year. We will see a new president, new members in the U.S. legislature, changes in how we interact within our own communities and constant updates in regulations and guidelines.
“What will not change, however, is God’s Word and His desire for us to worship Him in spirit and truth. At Grace, we are dedicated to doing that and helping those in Carroll County learn how to worship and serve God.
“Thank you all for your prayers and support as we continue to ‘Reach the Lost, Train the Saved.’”
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “What a wonderful week at Ebenezer! Last week, I asked you to pray for protection as we visited families in our congregation, prayed for each head of the household and blessed each family. We were able to pray for eight men and their families, and this week we will pray for the rest of the families. Based on Num. 6:22-27, we ask for the blessing on each leader in the home and they get to pray for their family. Each visit we made was very much a blessing, as we were able to give thanks for the year 2020 and entrust ourselves to God’s plans in 2021. The most appreciated thing for me was to see the love and friendship that we have and seeing the growth in the Word of God as this is our third year praying in homes.
“On Dec. 24, a pastor friend in Venezuela went into the presence of the Lord due to the consequences of COVID-19. Julio César Zamora visited us on several occasions in the beginning of Ebenezer, which was then in our home. He came and brought us the Word of God. We had known each other since I was 17 years old. Now he is enjoying the presence of the Lord. As the apostle Paul said, ‘For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.’ That is why I told you last week that I want to live my life without fear because I know God is with us. This pandemic overwhelms us, and we must be wise and take the careful measures, but we should not be paralyzed by fear. May God be glorified in the midst of His church!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “We had an amazing week at Faith Chapel! Many prayers were answered for our members and their families. One of our members was able to see and begin a relationship with a new grandchild that had been withheld from her up to now. She had also been treated for Parkinson’s for the last four years and now has been diagnosed correctly and has found out her tremors are treatable. Another underwent emergency gall bladder surgery on Saturday and was still able to attend Sunday worship with her family.
“O Lord, thank you for hearing our prayers, and thank you for your answers! Our prayers for the mission are being answered too. On Sunday, we had 7 join our mission — 4 by letter, and we will be baptizing 3 next Sunday! That brings us to 17, Praise God!
“We thank all of you for your continued prayers and support for our mission, it means so much to us, and we thank God for each of you.”
Not Alone, Springdale: Clinton Morris writes, “While we have not been able to start anything in the house (because we are still waiting on furniture), we are still utilizing the coffee shops and the boardgame stores. We talked with three new people this week and have also continued with all our previous relationships. We have four people who are committed to coming to our first Bible study.
“We are looking for a car for me to be able to drive without taking our only means of transportation. Pray that God will bring the right vehicle to us.
“As we have been praying over the direction of the ministry, God has revealed a family that is very interested in joining our team. Please join with us as we bathe this in prayer because this is a big leap for our ministry. It also requires some creative thinking because the family will require a bi-vocational ministry. It is very exciting to see God’s hand continue to guide and direct, even in these ‘cold’ starting months. God bless.”