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.

Amazing Grace Baptist Bulletin January 18th 2026

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❄️ 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.

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🌊 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©

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💗 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.

Amazing Grace Bulletin January 11th 2026

🙏 Prayer of Faith for Our Church

 Heavenly Father, We come before You with grateful hearts, trusting in Your unfailing love. Thank You for hearing us in every season—summer’s warmth, autumn’s change, and winter’s chill. Strengthen our faith to pray boldly, believe deeply, and walk confidently in Your promises.

Let our church be a house of prayer, a place where burdens are lifted, miracles are witnessed, and Your presence is felt. Teach us to seek You first, to trust You fully, and to rejoice in Your answers—whether they come swiftly or slowly.

Bless every family, every child, every elder, and every servant in this congregation. Warm our hearts with Your Spirit, guide our steps with Your Word, and fill our lives with Your peace.

We pray in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

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 🎶 A Beautiful Story About a Hymn of Prayer

In the late 1800s, a young pastor named Elisha A. Hoffman visited a woman in deep distress. Her husband had died, her children were ill, and her heart was heavy

with sorrow. After listening to her pour out her grief, Hoffman gently said, “You must tell Jesus. He alone can help you.”
The woman paused, wiped her tears, and whispered, “Yes… I must tell Jesus.”
Those four words stayed with Hoffman. That night, he sat at his small desk and wrote the hymn:
 
“I must tell Jesus all of my trials; I cannot bear these burdens alone.”
 
The hymn spread across churches like a healing balm. People sang it in revival tents, in small country chapels, and in grand sanctuaries. It became a reminder that prayer is not a ritual—it is a lifeline.
To this day, when believers sing
 
 “I Must Tell Jesus,” they join a long line of saints who discovered that the Lord truly is
 
“a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 KJV).

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                                   Quote For Today

1.       “Prayer is the doorway through which God’s warmth enters the coldest seasons of our lives.”

2.       “When we pray, heaven bends low, and God’s mercy rises high.”

3.       “No winter is too harsh for the God who spoke the snow into existence.”

4.       “Answered prayer is God’s gentle reminder that He is nearer than breath.”

5.       “Faith lifts our requests; God’s love delivers the miracle.”

6.       “Every prayer sown in tears becomes a testimony harvested in joy.”

7.       “God’s power is not limited by weather, time, or circumstance—only by our willingness to ask.”

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❄️ A Winter Answered Prayer: A True Story from Montana

 The winter of 1994 settled hard over the small town of Livingston, Montana. Snow piled high against ranch fences, and the wind swept across the plains with a force that rattled windows and tested the resolve of every soul who lived there. Among them was Brother Daniel, a quiet, hardworking man who rarely asked for help and believed deeply in the power of prayer.

 

Just days before New Year’s, his truck—his only means of getting to work—broke down on a remote stretch of road. The mechanic told him the repair would cost far more than he had. With temperatures dropping below zero, Daniel felt the weight of worry pressing on him. But that night, he opened his Bible and read, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).

He knelt beside his woodstove and prayed, “Lord, You know my need. I trust You to make a way.”

 

The next morning, he heard a knock on the door. Standing there was Pastor Reynolds, bundled in a heavy coat, with two men from the church behind him. They explained that during their prayer meeting the night before, Daniel’s name had come strongly to their hearts. One of the men, a retired mechanic, said he felt the Lord urging him to check on Daniel first thing in the morning.

 

Within hours, they had towed Daniel’s truck to the church garage, repaired it with parts the mechanic “just happened” to have on hand, and filled the tank with gas.

Daniel stood there in the cold Montana air, tears warming his eyes. “God heard me,” he whispered. “He really heard me.”

 

That Sunday, he testified, “Even in the harshest winters, God’s mercy finds us.”

And the congregation felt the truth of it settle over them like a warm blanket.  

Amazing Grace Baptists 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 Dec 28th 2025

A Winter’s Prayer

Lord of Light and Winter Peace,

As the cold settles over the earth and snow quiets the world around us, still our hearts in Your presence.

Teach us to see Your beauty in every frosted branch, Your faithfulness in every sunrise that breaks through the long nights.

In this season of rest, renew our strength.

In this season of stillness, deepen our trust.

In this season of waiting, anchor our hope in Christ alone.

Warm our fellowship with kindness,

Brighten our worship with gratitude,

And guide our steps into the New Year with courage, compassion, and joy.

May Your Spirit cover our church family like fresh snow —

pure, gentle, and full of quiet wonder.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Encouraging Quotes for the New Year

1. “God’s tomorrow is always bigger than our yesterday.”
2. “When we step into a new year with Christ, we never step alone.”
3. “Fresh starts are God’s specialty — He delights in making all things new.”
4. “Faith grows strongest when we walk into the unknown holding God’s hand.”
5. “A new year is not a reset of time, but a renewal of trust.”
6. “Where God leads, hope follows.”
7. “Every sunrise of the new year whispers the same truth: God is faithful.”

---

 

“The Snowplow and the Streetlight”

Years ago in a small Midwestern town, a pastor walked outside early on New Year’s morning. Snow had fallen heavily overnight, covering everything in a thick white blanket. The streets were silent, untouched, and still.

But as he stood there, he noticed something beautiful.

A single streetlight glowed warmly at the end of the road, and beneath it, a snowplow had carved a clean, straight path through the deep snow. The rest of the neighborhood remained buried, but that one illuminated path was clear, open, and ready for travel.

Later that morning, the pastor shared this with his congregation:

“The New Year is like that untouched snow — unknown, untraveled, and sometimes overwhelming. But God is like the streetlight, shining ahead. And His Word is the plow that clears the way. We don’t need to see the whole road. We only need to walk the path He has already prepared.”

That simple picture stayed with the church for years.

Every winter, whenever the snow fell, people remembered:

God always makes a way forward — even when the year ahead feels deep and uncertain.

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 Short Bible Lesson: “Snow and the God Who Makes Us New”

Theme: Snow teaches us about God’s cleansing, renewing, and transforming work.

1. Snow Reminds Us of God’s Cleansing Power

Snow covers the dullness of winter with pure white beauty.

Scripture uses this image to describe forgiveness:

• “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” — Isaiah 1:18

God doesn’t just dust us off — He makes us new.

2. Snow Falls Quietly, Like God’s Gentle Work in Us

Snow rarely arrives with noise. It settles softly, quietly transforming the world.

God often works the same way:

• “Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Transformation doesn’t always come with fireworks.

Sometimes it comes in quiet obedience, small steps, and whispered prayers.

3. Snow Reflects Light — We Are Called to Do the Same

Fresh snow glows brightly because it reflects nearly all the light that touches it.

Jesus calls us to reflect His light:

• “Let your light shine before others…” — Matthew 5:16

A snowy field doesn’t create light — it reflects it.

So do we.

4. Snowfall Is Seasonal — So Are Our Lives

Winter doesn’t last forever.

Neither do the hard seasons we walk through.

• “For everything there is a season…” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

God is faithful in every season — planting, pruning, waiting, and renewing.

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 Amazing Grace Baptist Church Bulletin ©2025

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 November 30th, 2025

Susan Nikitenko Owner 

 A Prayer for Our Church

Lord God, We thank You for the gift of our church—a place of refuge, worship, and fellowship. You have planted us here with purpose, and we ask for Your Spirit to dwell richly among us.

Strengthen our leaders with wisdom and grace. Renew our hearts with compassion and courage. Let our worship be sincere, our teaching be true, and our outreach be bold.

Where there is weariness, bring rest. Where there is division, sow peace. Where there is doubt, shine Your light.

Make us a people who love deeply, serve joyfully, and walk humbly with You. Let our church be a beacon of hope, a sanctuary of healing, and a testimony of Your goodness.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

🙏 Prayer of Thanksgiving and Comfort

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of this season — for family, for friends, for the blessings seen and unseen. We are grateful for the laughter around the table, the warmth of fellowship, and the daily mercies that remind us of Your love. Even in simple things — a shared meal, a kind word, a quiet moment — we see Your goodness shining.

Yet, Lord, we remember those who cannot join the celebration because of sickness, sorrow, or pain. We lift them before You, asking for Your healing touch, Your peace that passes understanding, and Your presence that comforts in the night. Teach us to be merciful, to weep with those who weep, and to carry one another’s burdens in love. May Your light shine in every heart, and may gratitude and hope rise even in the midst of trials.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thanksgiving Afterglow 

 The dishes are washed, the pies are crumbs, and the laughter has quieted into memory. But in the hush that follows Thanksgiving, something sacred remains — a glow not from candles or ovens, but from hearts that have remembered what matters. Gratitude doesn’t end with the meal; it begins there. It stretches into the ordinary days, lighting them with the warmth of shared stories, humble prayers, and the quiet joy of enough.

In this afterglow, we see more clearly: the miracle of breath, the gift of family, the grace of second chances. Thanksgiving is not a holiday — it’s a posture. And when we carry it forward, we become living echoes of the goodness we celebrated. The table may be cleared, but the spirit of thanks lingers, glowing softly in every act of kindness, every whispered prayer, every moment we choose to see beauty instead of lack.

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Blessed Are the Merciful – Weep with Those Who Weep

Mercy is more than a kind act; it is the heart of Christ beating within us. When we choose compassion, we reflect the Savior who forgave freely and loved deeply. “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7, KJV). Mercy is not weakness but strength — the strength to forgive, to embrace, and to lift others when they cannot stand alone.

And mercy is never silent. It listens, it feels, it weeps. Paul reminds us to “weep with them that weep” (Romans 12:15, KJV). To share another’s sorrow is to honor their humanity and to echo Christ’s own tears at Lazarus’ tomb. In this holiday season, when joy and pain often mingle, let us be merciful enough to laugh with those who rejoice and tender enough to weep with those who grieve. In doing so, we become living witnesses of Emmanuel — God with us.

🌟 ✝ 💧 ✝ 🌟   Blessed Are the Merciful   🌟 ✝ 💧 ✝ 🌟

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 Encouragement for the Sick at Thanksgiving

Even when illness keeps you from the table or the celebration, the spirit of Thanksgiving can still fill your heart. Gratitude is not limited to feasts or gatherings — it is found in the quiet moments when you feel God’s nearness, in the kindness of those who care for you, and in the hope that tomorrow can be brighter. Your presence, even in weakness, is a gift to those who love you.

The holidays remind us that joy is not measured by strength or circumstance, but by faith. Just as the shepherds came weary yet rejoicing to the manger, you too carry a testimony of courage and belief. Even in sickness, you shine with the light of Christ, showing that gratitude and hope are stronger than pain. May this season bring you peace, comfort, and the assurance that you are deeply loved and never alone.

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Christmas Bulletin Story

One snowy Christmas Eve in 1914, during the First World War, weary soldiers on both sides of the trenches laid down their weapons and began to sing “Silent Night.” The haunting hymn carried across the battlefield, and soon voices joined together in harmony. Men who had been enemies only hours before stepped out into the cold night, shook hands, exchanged small gifts, and even played a game of football. In that moment, the power of believing in peace and hope overcame fear and division. It was a glimpse of heaven breaking into earth — a reminder that the birth of Christ brings light even into the darkest places.

Christmas teaches us that believing is not naïve, but courageous. The shepherds believed the angel’s message and ran to the manger. Mary believed the impossible promise and carried the Savior of the world. And those soldiers believed, if only for one night, that love was stronger than war. The true story of Christmas is that faith transforms chaos into harmony, despair into joy, and enemies into brothers. When we choose to believe, we open our hearts to miracles — and we see Christ born anew in us.

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10 Life Quotes That Apply to This Story

1. “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.” — Charles R. Swindoll Like the cheesecake shoe, it’s not the mishap but the joyful reaction that people remember.

2. “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.” — Unknown Even crooked halos and forgotten lines can be used by Him to bless others.

3. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” — Proverbs 17:22 (KJV) The laughter over invisible fire and cheesecake shoes was healing joy for the whole audience.

4. “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV) The candle’s weakness became the stage for God’s strength to shine.

5. “Joy is not in things; it is in us.” — Richard Wagner The program wasn’t perfect because of props, but because of the children’s joy.

6. “We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” — Ernest Hemingway Every program, like life, is practice — and God is the true Master who makes it whole.

7. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” — Romans 8:28 (KJV) Even cheesecake mishaps and crooked halos worked together for good that night.

8. “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” — Henry Ford The candle blooper became a chance to improvise with invisible fire and laughter.

9. “The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” — John 1:5 (KJV) Even when the LED candle refused to glow, God’s true Light was present.

10. “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” — Vince Lombardi The children didn’t deliver perfection, but they caught excellence in joy, unity, and faith.

Amazing Grace Baptist Church©2025

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 Bulletin November 16, 2025

Amazing Grace Baptist Bulletin 

*Heavenly Father, We come before You with grateful hearts, knowing that Your love never fails. In times of trial, persecution, or hardship, remind Your people that they are not forgotten. Strengthen every weary soul, comfort every broken heart, and renew every spirit with Your peace.

Lord, let Your joy be their strength, Your Word their anchor, and Your Spirit their guide. May they walk in courage, knowing that You are with them through every valley and storm. Teach us to love one another deeply, to encourage one another daily, and to shine as lights in a world that often misunderstands Your truth.

Bless Your people with hope that cannot be shaken, faith that cannot be silenced, and love that overflows to all. May we stand firm together, united in Christ, until the day we see You face to face.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.*

1.   “Persecution is not the absence of blessing—it is the evidence of it.”

2.   “Every insult for Christ is a jewel in the crown of eternity.”

3.   “The world’s rejection is heaven’s recognition.”

4.   “To be falsely accused for Jesus is to be truly honored by God.”

5.   “Persecution is the shadow cast by the light of faith.”

6.   “Reviling words may wound, but they cannot erase the joy of belonging to Christ.”

7.   “Blessed are the persecuted, for their scars shine brighter than gold in God’s kingdom.”

 

✨ Faith in the Fire: The Story of a Persecuted Family in Myanmar

In Myanmar, a small Christian family lived quietly in their village, worshiping Jesus in secret. Their neighbors followed other faiths, and the government discouraged Christianity. For years, they endured whispers, insults, and threats. But one day, their faith was tested in a way that would mark them forever.

Local authorities accused them of “disturbing the peace” simply because they gathered to pray in their home. Soldiers came, tore down their small house church, and ordered them to renounce Christ. When they refused, the father was beaten, and the mother and children were driven from their home with nothing but the clothes they wore.

They fled into the forest, hungry and afraid, yet they carried one treasure: a small, worn Bible. Each night, under the stars, they read aloud the promises of God. The children asked, “Why do they hate us?” The father answered gently, “Because we belong to Jesus. But remember His words: ‘Blessed are ye when men shall revile you… for my sake.’”

Months later, other believers found them and gave shelter. Though they lost their home, they never lost their faith. Their story spread, and many were encouraged by their courage. Today, they continue to worship, knowing that their suffering is not in vain.

🌿 Reflection

This family’s hardship reminds us that persecution is not “normal” or acceptable—it is unjust and painful. Yet, like Stephen in Acts, they saw beyond the suffering to the eternal reward. Their tears became prayers, and their loss became testimony.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” — Matthew 5:11 (KJV)

Verse Breakdown & Definitions

• “Blessed are ye”

  • Blessed means spiritually favored, joyful, and approved by God.

  • Jesus is saying that those who endure hardship for Him are not cursed—they are honored.

• “When men shall revile you”

  • Revile means to insult, mock, or speak abusively.

  • This refers to verbal attacks aimed at believers because of their faith.

• “And persecute you”

  • Persecute means to harass, mistreat, or cause suffering—physically, emotionally, or socially.

  • It includes exclusion, threats, and even violence for standing with Christ.

• “And shall say all manner of evil against you falsely”

  • This points to slander—lies and false accusations meant to damage reputation.

  • Jesus acknowledges that believers will be misrepresented and misunderstood.

• “For my sake”

  • The suffering described is not random—it is because of allegiance to Jesus.

  • This is key: the blessing comes when the hardship is endured for Christ, not for wrongdoing.

Amazing Grace Baptist Bulletin © 2025

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