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Saturday, February 14, 2026

The Crucifixion of Christ


The Crucifixion of Christ 

The crucifixion of Christ is one of the most staggering moments in all of Scripture — not only because He died, but because of how He died and who usually received that kind of death.

The Cross Was Reserved for the Worst Criminals

In the Roman world, crucifixion wasn’t a normal punishment. It was the most shameful, brutal, and degrading form of execution they had. It was used for:

  • violent criminals
  • rebels and insurrectionists
  • slaves who defied Rome
  • enemies of the state

Roman citizens were almost never crucified — it was considered too disgraceful. The cross was meant to humiliate, torture, and make an example out of someone.

And yet Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was given the punishment reserved for the worst of the worst.

He Took the Place of the Guilty

The irony is breathtaking:

  • Barabbas, a real criminal, was released.
  • Jesus, innocent in every way, was condemned.

It’s a picture of substitution — the guilty goes free, the innocent suffers. That’s the gospel in miniature.

He Was Treated as a Criminal So We Could Be Treated as Children

Isaiah said it long before it happened:

  • “He was numbered with the transgressors.”
  • “The chastisement of our peace was upon Him.”
  • “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Jesus didn’t just die for sinners — He died as if He were one, carrying the full weight of our guilt, shame, and punishment.

The Cross Shows the Depth of God’s Love

He didn’t die a quiet, dignified death.
He died the most humiliating death the world had to offer.

Why?

Because He was taking the full cost of sin on Himself.
Because He was stepping into our place.
Because He was rescuing us from a punishment we could never survive.

The worst punishment ever devised… taken by the One who never sinned… so that the worst sinners could be forgiven, restored, and loved.

If you want, we can go deeper into:

  • the physical suffering
  • the spiritual meaning
  • the prophetic fulfillment
  • or how this connects to salvation and daily Christian living

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026© 

MBCOPRMNMPBKBANNABENGEORPASTO67543#9






Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Friday, February 13, 2026

“The Earth Shook”


“The Day Earth Shook”

Original Worship Song

Verse 1

Darkness covered all the heavens,
Silence fell upon the land,
As the Savior bore our sorrows,
Held our judgment in His hands.
Every sin was laid upon Him,
Every burden, every fear,
And creation felt the trembling
As redemption drew near.

Chorus

The earth shook, the veil tore,
Mercy opened wide forevermore.
Love cried out, the chains broke,
Grace was written in the rising smoke.
He gave His life, the whole world awoke—
When the earth shook.

Verse 2

Soldiers stood in awe and wonder,
As the sky grew black as night,
And the Lamb of God surrendered
To the darkness for our light.
But the story wasn’t over,
Death would lose its victory,
For the ground began to rumble
With the power that sets us free.

Chorus

The earth shook, the stone rolled,
Life returned just as the prophets told.
Hope rose up, the grave broke,
Heaven thundered with the words He spoke.
He lives today, and this world still knows—
When the earth shook.

Bridge

Mountains trembled at His glory,
Hell fell silent at His name.
Every promise was completed,
Every sinner can be changed.
What a Savior, what a story—
Love so mighty, love so true.
When the earth shook that morning,
He was thinking of me and you.

Final Chorus

The earth shook, the Son rose,
Every heart He touches overflows.
Joy breaks forth, new life grows,
And His endless grace forever shows.
All creation sings the moment we know—
When the earth shook.


This is a rough draft to remember the song. It needs work but it's a great song. 


©2026 Susan Barker Nikitenko — All Rights Reserved
Written for the glory of God 





Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Where Disobedience Took Him-Where Grace Brought Him

Where Disobedience Took Him-Where Grace Brought Him

Heart‑Wrenching Story PG

Opening

They were a Baptist home shaped by Scripture and prayer. Pastor John preached holiness from the pulpit; Mary, his wife, kept the house with quiet faith. Their son, Daniel, grew up with hymns at the table, Bible verses on his lips, and the steady discipline of parents who loved the Lord.

As he became a young man, another hunger rose in him — not for truth, but for acceptance. He wanted to belong. He wanted to prove he could choose his own way. He began to drift toward a crowd that seemed exciting, bold, and free.

The Parents’ Warnings: Gentle and Strong

They were not silent. They were not careless. They were not blind.

One evening Mary sat with Daniel at the kitchen table, the lamp low, her voice trembling.

“Son, please be careful. These people don’t love you. They don’t love God. They will not protect your soul.”

He pushed his plate away and sighed. “Mom, they’re just friends. You don’t understand.”

Later, when the house was still, Pastor John spoke with the weight of years.

“Son, I’m your pastor as well as your father. I know the spirit behind that crowd. I’ve counseled families torn apart by the very things they’re involved in. I’m asking you — stay away from them.”

When gentle warnings failed, the stronger ones came. John stood in the doorway one night, voice firm, eyes full of fear.

“Son, I’m begging you — don’t go with them. They mock God. They mock righteousness. They will drag you into darkness.”

Mary’s tears fell openly. “Please don’t go! You’re going to get hurt!”

He brushed past them. He believed he could handle it. He believed he was strong enough to walk close to danger without falling in. He did not know how far one step of disobedience would carry him.

The Night Everything Changed

They invited him to a party. The music left a ringing in his ears; the air tasted metallic with spilled drinks. Laughter was loud and reckless. He did not want to be mocked as the pastor’s son, so he drank to fit in.

Drink after drink blurred his thoughts. His guard dropped. Judgment faded. Vulnerability grew.

At one point the conversation turned to tattoos. They showed theirs with pride and laughed about what each mark meant. Then they asked him what he thought.

Even impaired, he answered honestly, not with scorn but with the convictions he had been raised with.

“I don’t believe in marking my body. I want to honor God.”

Silence fell. Faces hardened. A voice muttered, “So you think you’re better than us?” He tried to explain, “No, that’s not what I meant—” but the moment had shifted.

Later, when he was no longer fully conscious, when alcohol had taken his edge of awareness, they took advantage of him. They made choices about his body that were not his to make. They altered his appearance in ways he never agreed to, never wanted, and never imagined.

The Horror, the Flight, and the Final Days

He woke with a pounding head. The night tasted like pennies. Thoughts came slow and tangled. At first he did not remember where he was. Then a wrongness under his skin made him sit up.

His arms felt strange. His chest felt foreign. He looked down and his breath caught.

Where familiar skin had been, there were markings he had never chosen. He stumbled to a mirror. The face that looked back was his and yet not his — buried beneath ink he had not asked for.

His knees buckled. His hands shook. Tears came hot and uncontrollable. “God… what have they done to me?” he whispered, voice breaking. He slid down the wall and pressed his forehead to his knees, the room spinning.

Panic drove him home. Each step was a mixture of fear and hope. Tears blurred the world. Breath came in ragged gasps. He knocked until his knuckles ached.

His parents opened the door and froze. Before them stood a figure covered in ink from head to toe. They did not recognize him. They recoiled.

“Mom… Dad… it’s me…” he pleaded.

They stepped back. His father said, “Sir… you need to leave.” The door closed.

He pressed his forehead to the wood and sobbed—deep, broken sobs that came from the very core of his being. He had never felt so alone.

Weeks became a blur. He wandered the streets—hungry, exhausted, invisible. People stared, avoided him, whispered. No one saw the boy inside the broken shell. His tears became prayers. His heartbreak became repentance. His desperation became a cry for mercy.

“God… I’m sorry. I should’ve listened. I should’ve obeyed. Please don’t leave me.”
“Jesus… please save me. I have nothing left, but please… save me.”

He prayed with the last of his strength. Heaven heard. His body eventually gave out. He died on earth as a stranger—unrecognized, unclaimed, unknown. His parents never learned what had happened. They carried the ache of a missing son for the rest of their lives.

The Vision and the Final Truth

Years later, in the hush of night, far away, another pastor's wife knelt by her bed and prayed as she often did. The house was still; the clock ticked softly. In that quiet, she saw a face she had never known.

The young man looked back from his car like a memory, he looked into her eyes, she saw him, her in the spirit. His eyes were gentle. His expression was peaceful. His skin was clear and unmarked—beautiful in a way that made her chest ache. Who is this? I've never seen him before.

She whispered, “Lord… who is he?”

In the hush, God answered her heart: “This is the one who was hurt. This is the one the world rejected. But I received him. I made him whole.”

A peace washed over her. Then, as if heaven allowed one final whisper to cross the distance, she heard him speak — not with sorrow, but with a calm deeper than grief.

“Tell my parents… my skin is beautiful now. I’m perfect. The devil didn’t win. Deliver this message: "I’m okay now, Mom.”

The vision faded. The room returned to stillness. The message remained — carved into her heart. "I will never forget him. His face is in my heart."

Final Reflection

Where disobedience took him is the saddest story. Where grace took him is the most beautiful.

He died rejected by man, but he awoke accepted by God.
He died unrecognizable on earth, but he awoke restored in heaven.
He died with tears, but he awoke with joy.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

One day his parents will see him again—whole, radiant, restored—held forever in the love that never fails.

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026© MBNNPMRMPBKBANNABENPASTORGEORGE 57564#6


Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com." All my poems with stories are both real and fictional, designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You. Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, famil,y and country.

Monday, February 9, 2026

Galatians 6:1 KJV:

 

Galatians 6:1 KJV

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

What This Verse Is Calling Us To

Paul is describing how believers should respond when someone in the fellowship “is overtaken in a fault.” The emphasis is not on punishment, shame, or distance—but on restoration.

Key ideas woven into the verse

  • “Ye which are spiritual” This doesn’t mean “superior Christians.” It means those who are walking in the Spirit—humble, prayerful, and aware of their own weaknesses.

  • “Restore such an one” The word Paul uses carries the idea of mending a broken bone or repairing a torn net. It’s gentle, careful, patient work. The goal is healing, not humiliation.

  • “In the spirit of meekness” Restoration must be done with tenderness, not triumph. Meekness is strength under control—firm in truth, soft in tone.

  • “Considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” Paul reminds us that none of us are above stumbling. Awareness of our own vulnerability keeps us compassionate instead of condemning.

What This Looks Like in Real Life

  • Coming alongside someone quietly, not publicly.

  • Listening before correcting.

  • Speaking truth with kindness, not superiority.

  • Helping them back onto their feet rather than pushing them down.

  • Remembering that the same grace we offer is the grace we constantly need.

The Heart of the Verse:

Galatians 6:1 is a call to gracious accountability. It’s the opposite of gossip, judgment, or harshness. It’s the ministry of gentle repair—Christlike, patient, and rooted in love.





Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Saturday, February 7, 2026

❤️ When Love Steps Into the Fire

Jude 1:22 says, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.”



This picture is for this Story Only

❤️ When Love Steps Into the Fire

A Valentine Message for the Church Family

Valentine’s Day often brings to mind cards, candy, and kind words — sweet reminders that we care about one another. But Scripture invites us to look beyond the surface. Jude 1:22 says, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” In other words, real love doesn’t just feel something. Real love does something.

In our children’s ministry this month, we shared the story of two owls caught in a forest fire. Little Hoot and his protector Hooty were surrounded by flames, unable to escape. Hooty wrapped his wings around the frightened little one and refused to leave. That alone is a picture of love — love that stays when things get hard.

But then came the ranger.
He didn’t know the owls.
He didn’t owe them anything.
Yet when he heard their cry, he ran toward the fire.

That is compassion in action.
That is love that makes a difference.

This is the kind of love God calls us to show:

  • Love that listens for the cry of someone in need

  • Love that steps forward when others step back

  • Love that protects, comforts, and encourages

  • Love that reflects the heart of Christ

We may never run into a literal fire, but every week we meet people standing in the flames of fear, loneliness, or struggle. A kind word, a prayer, a visit, a helping hand — these are the ways we become “rangers” God sends into someone else’s moment of need.

This Valentine’s season, may we celebrate not only the love we receive, but the love we give.
A love that moves.
A love that helps.
A love that makes a difference.

Because sometimes, God sends us to be the ranger.


❤️ Love That Runs Toward the Fire

A Bulletin‑Cover Poem

When flames rise high and shadows fall,
When frightened hearts cry out for aid,
Love does not wait behind the line—
It moves. It steps. It is not afraid.

Love hears the cry no one else hears.
Love walks the path others avoid.
Love shields the weak, lifts up the small,
And stands where courage is employed.

For God sends helpers into need—
A ranger, friend, or neighbor near.
And through their hands His mercy shines,
A love that casts out every fear.

This Valentine, may we be brave,
With hearts that answer to his call—
Love that runs toward the fire,
The kind of love that rescues all.

Are You Called

Like Jesus

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026©






Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Amazing Grace Baptist Church Bulletin February 8th 2026




 “Fear Him: The God Who Saves the Soul”

An Article‑Sermon Documentary Inspired by Matthew 10:28**

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:
but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” — Matthew 10:28 (KJV)

There are verses in Scripture that whisper comfort.
There are verses that sing hope.
And then there are verses that ring like a warning bell in the night
verses that shake the dust off our souls and call us back to eternal realities.

Matthew 10:28 is one of those verses.

Jesus speaks it not to frighten His people into despair,
but to wake them,
steady them,
and anchor them in the truth that eternity is real,
hell is real,
and God alone holds the destiny of every soul.

This is not a verse of cruelty.
It is a verse of mercy
because warnings are mercies when danger is real.

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026© 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      The Forgotten Word in a Comfortable Age

Baptist preacher Vance Havner once said,

“The problem with our day is that the fear of God has been replaced with the fear of man.”

We fear embarrassment. We fear rejection. We fear being different. But Jesus says plainly: Don’t fear the one who can only touch your body. Fear the One who holds your soul.

This is not the fear of a tyrant. It is the reverence due to a holy God who loves us enough to tell us the truth.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 A True Story: The Coal Miner Who Saw Eternity

In the early 1900s, a West Virginia miner named Thomas McGraw survived a collapse that killed several of his friends.
Pinned in the dark for nearly 20 hours, he later testified in a small mountain church:

“When the roof came down, I thought about my wife.
Then I thought about my children.
But when the air grew thin, I thought about my soul.”

He said the darkness felt like “a taste of eternity without Christ.”
He prayed—really prayed—for the first time in years.

When rescuers finally broke through, they found him singing an old Baptist hymn:

“Lord, I’m coming home.”

He lived another 30 years, and every time he told the story, he ended it the same way:

“The fear of God saved my soul.
The love of God kept it.”
______________________________________________________________

Vance Havner once said,
“The problem with our day is that the fear of God has been replaced with the fear of man.

We fear rejection.
We fear embarrassment.
We fear being different.
But Jesus says:
Fear God.
Not man.


____________________________________________________________________

“Payday Someday,”

Baptist evangelist R.G. Lee, famous for his sermon “Payday Someday,” once declared:

“If Jesus Christ spoke the truth, then hell is a fact as real as heaven.”

Jesus spoke of hell more than anyone else in Scripture—not to condemn, but to rescue.

He described:

  • Gehenna — the place of final judgment

  • Hades — the temporary realm of the dead

  • Outer darkness — separation from God

  • The worm that dieth not — the unending consequence of rejecting grace

These are not poetic images. They are warnings of love.

A parent who sees a child running toward a cliff does not whisper. They shout. They run. They warn with urgency.

So does Jesus.




__________________________________________________________________________


A True Story: The Dying Soldier and the Baptist Chaplain

During World War II, a young soldier lay wounded in a field hospital.
A Baptist chaplain knelt beside him and asked gently:

“Son, are you ready to meet God?”

The soldier whispered,

“Sir… I’m not afraid to die.
I’m afraid of what comes after.”

The chaplain opened his Bible to Matthew 10:28.
He explained the gospel simply—
that Christ bore the judgment we deserved,
that He conquered death,
and that He saves all who call upon Him.

The soldier prayed with tears,
and before dawn he slipped into eternity—
not in fear,
but in peace.

The chaplain later wrote:

“The fear of hell drove him to the mercy of Christ.
And the mercy of Christ carried him home.”

                                                                      

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Fear That Leads to Freedom

The fear Jesus commands is not the fear that paralyzes.
It is the fear that sobers,
awakens,
and redirects the heart toward salvation.

Baptist pastor Adrian Rogers said it beautifully:

“The fear of God is love on its knees.”

It is the fear that recognizes:

  • God is holy

  • Sin is deadly

  • Eternity is long

  • Christ is the only Savior

And when a sinner bows in that fear,
They rise in freedom

____________________________________________________________________

.

Final Appeal

If you have wandered—come home.
If you have doubted—look again at the cross.
If you have feared—let that fear lead you to the Savior who loves you.

Jesus still calls:
“Come unto Me.”

And the Scripture still warns:
“Fear Him… who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Not to terrify you—
but to save you.

Because the God who warns you
is the God who wants you.

And the God who could judge you
is the God who died to redeem you.




Amazing Grace Baptist Church 2026©
Hinkley




Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

A Prayer for Our Nation and Those Who Serve




A Prayer for Our Nation and Those Who Serve

Lord God Almighty,
We lift our nation before You with humble and earnest hearts.
We pray for our President, for all who serve in government,
and for every leader entrusted with decisions that shape our future.
Grant them wisdom, integrity, courage, and a deep desire for what is right.

We pray for law enforcement officers who stand watch day and night.
Protect them from harm.
Strengthen them in moments of danger.
Guide them to act with justice, compassion, and clarity.

We pray for our firefighters, EMTs, and all who run toward emergencies
when others must run away.
Cover them with Your safety.
Steady their hands.
Give them peace in the middle of chaos
and rest when the work is done.

We pray for the men and women of our armed forces—
those at home, those deployed, and those preparing to serve.
Surround them with Your shield.
Keep their families in Your care.
Let courage, honor, and protection follow them wherever they go.

And Lord, we pray for the vital issues our country faces today.
Where there is division, bring unity.
Where there is fear, bring peace.
Where there is confusion, bring truth.
Where there is need, bring provision.
Where there is darkness, shine Your light.

We will not fail to pray for these things,
because we trust that You hear, You care, and You are able.
Let Your hand rest upon our nation,
and let Your will be done.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Susan Barker Nikitenko©2026M

We pray for our President, law enforcement, and government officials. We pray for fire and safety EMTs. We pray for the armed forces. We pray for the vital issues our country faces. We never fail to pray for these things.












Poetry and Other Materials on This Site May Be Freely Used for Christian Bible-centered non-profit ministries and must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com." All my poems with stories are both real and fictional, designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please include the site name and link back to this blog. Thank-You . Images are not all Christian, but are put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family, and country.

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Amazing Grace Baptist Church January 25th, Bulletin 2026



❄️ A Short True Winter Story — The Blizzard Prayer of 1913

(A real event from Nebraska, USA)

In the winter of 1913, a sudden blizzard swept across rural Nebraska. Temperatures dropped so quickly that many families were caught unprepared. One small farmhouse belonged to the Jensen family—parents and three young children.

As the storm worsened, their coal supply ran out. The wind howled through the cracks in the walls, and the house grew dangerously cold. Mrs. Jensen wrapped the children in quilts while her husband tried to block the drafts with towels and boards, but the temperature kept falling.

Finally, with no options left, the family knelt together in the dim lamplight.

“Lord Jesus,” Mr. Jensen prayed, “You are our help in time of trouble. Please send what we need.”

Not long after, through the roar of the storm, they heard the crunch of footsteps on the frozen snow. Their neighbor, Mr. Larson—who lived nearly a mile away—had felt a sudden, urgent impression while tending his barn:

“Take them coal. Go now.”

He loaded a small sled with coal and pushed it through the blinding snow, guided only by a lantern and the strange certainty that God was leading him.

When he reached the Jensen home and knocked, Mrs. Jensen burst into tears. The coal he brought kept their stove burning through the night and saved the family from freezing.

Later, Mr. Larson said quietly,
“I don’t know why, but the Lord pressed your name on my heart.”

And Mr. Jensen replied,
“We prayed—and Jesus sent you.”

📖 Scripture (KJV)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1


The Snowman That Needed Everyone

The first real snowfall of the winter had finally come. Soft flakes drifted down like tiny white feathers, covering the churchyard in a sparkling blanket. After the morning service, a group of children rushed outside, cheeks rosy, boots squeaking in the fresh snow.

“Let’s build the biggest snowman our church has ever seen!” one of them shouted.

They all agreed—but as soon as they began, they discovered something important.

Little Lanna tried to roll the first snowball, but it barely grew. She pushed and pushed, but the snow clumped unevenly. Then Jacob came over and helped her pack it tighter. Soon, the ball grew large enough to be the snowman’s base.

Next, two older boys rolled the middle section. It was heavy, and they struggled to lift it. Without a word, several adults who had been watching stepped in. Together—children and grown-ups—they heaved it into place.

A few girls shaped the head, smoothing it carefully. Someone found a scarf. Another brought a carrot. A kind grandmother offered two shiny buttons from her coat pocket. A deacon found a fallen branch and snapped it in half for arms.

Piece by piece, gift by gift, effort by effort, the snowman came to life.

When they finally stepped back, everyone smiled. It wasn’t perfect—but it was theirs. Built by many hands, many hearts, and many small acts of kindness.

Pastor Millow, watching from the steps, said gently,
“Do you see what happened here? None of you could have built this snowman alone. But when everyone brought what they had—even something small—it became something wonderful. That’s how God builds His church too.”

The children nodded, understanding more than they could put into words.

                                                       Susan Nikitenko ©2026 CpABPm #4343


Lyrical Prayer:e

Lord of all grace,
Let Your love be the song in our hearts
and the strength in our hands.
Teach us to serve with gladness,
to labor with hope,
to shine with the kindness of Christ.
May every step we take
and every work we offer
be rooted in love that never fails
and grace that never runs dry.
Make us a people abounding in Your work,
abounding in Your love.
Amen.


God Will Bless Our Work

·  1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

·  Colossians 3:23-24 "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

·  Hebrews 6:10 "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

·  Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."  

·  2 Chronicles 15:7 "Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded."





A Lesson for All of Us

In God’s family, no gift is too small, no effort unnoticed.
Some encourage.
Some pray.
Some teach.
Some give.
Some simply show up with a smile.

But when each person offers what God has placed in their hands, something beautiful takes shape—something none of us could build alone.

Lord of all grace, Let Your love be the song in our hearts and the strength in our hands. Teach us to serve with gladness, to labor with hope, to shine with the kindness of Christ. May every step we take and every work we offer be about you, in love that never fails and grace that never runs dry. Make us a people abounding in Your work, abounding in Your love. Amen.

Amazing Grace Baptist in Hinkly ©2026

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com." All my poems with stories are both real and fictional, designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You. Images are not all Christian, but are put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family, and country.

Sunday, January 18, 2026

I'm Here


I’m Here!

By: Susan Nikitenko
2009 ©

There are many blessing-filled things in this world:
Each season brings a new wonder,
Each mountain a refreshing, marvelous view,
The rainbow after the thunder.

Nature’s glory gleams differently in each land:
The peacocks' expanded array,
A ripened wheat field in the winds gentle sway,
God’s creations shine every day.

I’m in awe at how truly amazing they are;
Many treasures, loved and adored.
Miracle after, beautiful miracle;
On display in this fallen world.

Beauty shines from sunlit waters on the sea.
I enjoy these blessings from God.
From the beaming moon to the bright stars afar;
And the flowers He’s spread abroad.

His face shines upon the hearts of saved men;
That have been redeemed by God’s grace.
Great beauty glows from actions of holiness;
A praying soul, firm in his place.

I see bits of heaven, here and there on earth:
A family that loves each other,
A child’s genuine affection and love,
Fervent prayer for a brother.

The list goes on. His grace can not be measured.
God's blessings will ever shower.
They sing from the tree tops, they blow in the wind;
They surround us every hour.

As I watch my babies lift their arms to me,
When held in my husband's strong arms,
When I see the birds fly past in the wide sky,
And all of natures splendorous charms,

I know my God is loving and generous.
All creation cries out, “I’m Here!”
God’s gifts are present with undeserving men.
And are perfectly engineered.



Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Amazing Grace Baptist Bulletin January 18th 2026




Offline Use No Resale

❄️ The Snowflake That Spoke of God’s Care — A True Winter Story

In the quiet mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado, winters arrive like a hymn—soft, solemn, and full of wonder. One January morning, Mrs. Eleanor Hayes, a retired schoolteacher known for her gentle spirit, stepped outside to check on the birds she fed each day. The night had been bitterly cold, and the world lay under a fresh quilt of snow.

As she opened the feeder, a single snowflake drifted down and landed on the sleeve of her coat. It was perfect—six‑pointed, delicate, shining like a tiny crystal crown. She paused, marveling at its beauty. In that moment, she remembered the verse she had read earlier that morning:

“He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.”Psalm 147:16 (KJV)

Eleanor had been praying for weeks about her grandson, who was struggling with discouragement and drifting from church. She felt helpless, unsure how to reach him. But as she stared at that snowflake—unique, intricate, and crafted by the hand of God—she felt a quiet assurance settle over her heart.

“If God can design something this small with such care,” she whispered, “He can reach a young man’s heart.”

Later that afternoon, her phone rang. It was her grandson. His voice trembled as he said, “Grandma… I think I need to come back to church. I miss God. I miss peace.”

Tears filled her eyes. She looked out the window at the falling snow and said, “Honey, God’s been waiting for you.”

That Sunday, he walked into church beside her, and the congregation rejoiced. Eleanor kept the memory of that snowflake as a reminder that God works in quiet, beautiful ways—often in the very moments we feel most helpless.

Amazing Grace Baptist 2026©


🙏 A Prayer of Blessing on Our Church

Heavenly Father, Bless our church family with unity, warmth, and steadfast love. Let Your Word be our anchor, Your Spirit our guide, and Your presence our joy. Strengthen every ministry, every servant, every child, and every elder. May our worship be pure, our fellowship sincere, and our mission fruitful. Cover us with Your peace in every season, and let Your light shine brightly through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

💗 Words of Help and Love for the Sick & Troubled

To those who are hurting, weary, or walking through deep valleys—your church loves you, and God has not forgotten you. Winter may feel long, but the Lord walks beside you with unfailing compassion. His promise still stands:

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee… I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee.”Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

You are held. You are prayed for. You are precious to God.

🙏 Prayer for the Sick and Troubled

Merciful Father, Stretch forth Your healing hand to those who are sick, suffering, or burdened with sorrow. Bring comfort to troubled minds, strength to weak bodies, and peace to anxious hearts. Let Your presence be a warm fire in their winter season. Surround them with love, restore their hope, and remind them that You are near to the brokenhearted. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

🌊 Short Sermon Outline — “Jesus in the Boat”

Text: Mark 4:35–41 (KJV)

I. The Storm Came Suddenly

  • “There arose a great storm of wind…” (v. 37)
  • Storms don’t ask permission.
  • Even obedient disciples face violent, unexpected seasons.
  • Following Jesus does not prevent storms — but it guarantees His presence.

II. Jesus Was Already in the Boat

  • “He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow.” (v. 38)
  • He was not distant, absent, or unaware.
  • His presence is not proven by what we feel, but by what He promised.
  • The storm did not wake Him — but the cry of His children did.

III. Fear Makes Us Forget Who Is With Us

  • “Master, carest thou not that we perish?”
  • Fear exaggerates the storm and minimizes the Savior.
  • The disciples saw waves, but Jesus saw an opportunity for faith.
  • Panic asks, “Where is God?”
  • Faith whispers, “He is here.”

IV. Jesus Speaks Peace Into Chaos

  • “Peace, be still.” (v. 39)
  • The wind obeyed instantly.
  • The sea became calm immediately.
  • The storm outside bowed to the authority of the One inside the boat.

V. The Storm Revealed Their Faith

  • “How is it that ye have no faith?” (v. 40)
  • Storms expose what sermons cannot.
  • They show us where we trust God — and where we don’t.
  • Jesus uses storms to grow us, not to crush us.

VI. The Final Question: Who Is This Man?

  • “What manner of man is this…?” (v. 41)
  • The storm became a classroom.
  • The disciples learned that the One who rides in their boat rules over their storm.
  • When you know who Jesus is, you stop fearing what storms can do.

🌟 Closing Thought

The miracle is not only that Jesus calmed the storm — The miracle is that He got in the boat before the storm ever began.

_____________________________________________________________


🌊 Was Jesus Truly in the Boat During the Storm?

Yes. The Bible plainly says Jesus was physically present in the boat with His disciples when the storm struck the Sea of Galilee.

📖 The Key Passage (KJV)

Mark 4:37–38 “And there arose a great storm of wind… And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow…”

This is not symbolic or poetic — it is historical narrative. Jesus was literally there, asleep, while the storm raged.

🌬 Why This Matters

Jesus didn’t calm the storm from a distance. He didn’t shout from the shore. He didn’t send angels instead.

He got into the boat with them.

That means:

  • He was present in their fear

  • He was near when they panicked

  • He was close enough to hear their cry

  • He was the peace in the middle of their chaos

And when they woke Him, He rose and said:

“Peace, be still.” (Mark 4:39 KJV)

The storm obeyed because the Creator was already in the boat.

🌟 The Devotional Truth

The miracle is not only that Jesus calmed the storm — the miracle is that He was with them before the storm ever began.

Just as He is with you, with your church, and with every believer who feels overwhelmed.


❄️ Just a Thought God Repeated

Some truths in Scripture are spoken once. Others are whispered again and again. But a few—those that reach deepest into the human heart—God repeats with unmistakable clarity.

“Let My People Go.” Those words echoed through Egypt not once, but many times. God repeated them because freedom mattered. Deliverance mattered. His people mattered.

Centuries later, Jesus repeated something too—this time not to a nation, but to one man whose heart needed restoring.

“Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?” He asked it three times. Not because He didn’t know the answer, but because Peter needed to hear the question. He needed to face his failure. He needed to rediscover his calling. He needed to know that grace still had room for him.

God repeats what heals us. He repeats what frees us. He repeats what restores us.

“Let My People Go.” “Do you love Me?”

Two repeated messages—one to break chains, the other to mend a heart. Both reveal a God who refuses to give up on His people.

And maybe today, He is repeating something to you. A call. A reminder. A gentle nudge. A truth you’ve heard before but needed to hear again.

Because the God who repeated Himself in Scripture still speaks with patience, mercy, and love.

Amazing Grace Baptist 2026©

____________________________________________________________________________

💗 Seven Trusted Quotes From the Heart

1. “When God holds your heart, no storm can steal your peace.”

2. “The Lord writes hope into our days long before we see the sunrise.”

3. “A prayer whispered in weakness reaches a God who answers in strength.”

4. “Even when life feels heavy, grace arrives light as a snowflake.”

5. “God’s love does not waver with the seasons; it stays warm through every winter.”

6. “Healing begins the moment a hurting soul remembers it is not alone.”

7. “Faith grows quietly—one step, one tear, one answered prayer at a time.”


Amazing Grace Baptist 2026©

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible-centered non-profit ministries and must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com." All my poems with stories are both real and fictional, designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You. Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family, and country.

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