Real Men’s Event

Prayer Requests

There are a few prayer requests to share for this week:

• James and Debbie P's daughter Elisha is expecting a baby and has been on medication to prevent early labor.  This week she is able to stop taking the medication.  Please pray for the remainder of her pregnancy and for a healthy baby girl in God's perfect timing.
• Mike & Elizabeth O's son in law (Michelle's husband) has been hospitalized with a blood clot in his leg.
• Wanda P. is still battling an infection in her foot.
• Aaron H. underwent a heart procedure this week and is doing well.
• Liz H.'s father is undergoing treatment for cancer.
• Gene B.'s great-grandson has been in the hospital this week with breathing issues.  Please pray for his treatment to be successful.
• Mary E.- has pneumonia.

Please keep these and others in your thoughts and prayers.

God's Model For Men

Sunday's sermon dealt with God's Model For Men.  It began with some outlined "false images" men may portray:

1.  The Macho Maniac

2.  The Great Pretender
3.  The World Class Wimp
4.  The Gender Blender

What is the alternative?  Males are born, but men are made by choice.  What does God look for in real men?

Five Values to look for:

1.  Compassion: Puts people before profit.
2.  Consistency:  Puts character before conformity.
3.  Cooperation:  Puts cooperation before competition.
4.  Commitment:  Puts cause of Christ before own comfort.
5.  Courage:  Puts service before security.

Antioch is blessed to have a thriving ministry for men. Men On A Journey meet every Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM for prayer and Bible study (all men are welcome).  Brotherhood (men's ministry) meets once a month.  These ministries are designed for men to encourage and strengthen one another as men face the challenges of today while striving to be the man God has called them to be in the home, church and community. 

Real Men's Event

Men, don't forget about the Real Men's Event this Saturday at Skeeter Ranch from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.  You can visit Real Men's Event for more information.

Here is a video of last year's event:

Verse of the Day

Conquering Complaining

We've explored the problems with complaining and realize it is not a good thing.  Now what? 

God wants us to be different and set apart from the world.  That includes a different outlook.  Here are a few steps to Conquering Complaining.

1.  Admit it is a problem.  Do we find it easy to complain?  Do we notice this in others, but not ourselves?
2.  Accept responsibility for our own life. Complaining often shifts the blame or focus to someone else relieving us of blame.  This makes us feel better.  If the problem lies with us, we need to deal with it and not complain.  "Don't complain how the ball bounces if we are the ones who drop it"!
3. Develop an attitude of gratitude.  Learn to be grateful for what we do have instead of dwelling on what we do not have.  When we complain, we are not acknowledging our  blessings.
4.  Look for God's hand in the midst of our circumstances.  God is always in control and fulfilling His purposes.
5.  Practice speaking positive.  Bad habits are only broken by replacing them with something else.  Choose to replace complaining words with positive words.

Homegoing

Rufus S. has been in our prayers as he courageously battled with cancer for many years.  On Monday,  the battle ended and he is now living victoriously in heaven with the Lord - free from pain and sickness and healed through his death. What  a precious promise Christians have as they pass from this life into the presence of the Lord.

Please keep the family in your prayers as he will be dearly missed.  Arrangements are as follows:

Visitation - Tonight (Tuesday) from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Daniels

Funeral service will be Wednesday at 3:00 PM at Westwood Baptist

Burial will be at Antioch

Antioch will be providing a lunch for the family (which is a large family) and anyone who would like to provide a food dish is encourged to bring it to the church kitchen anytime tomorrow.  This is a beautiful ministry to the family and Antioch's ladies do a wonderful job serving and providing food. 

Thank you for your prayers and support for the family.

Are You A Complainer?

Last Sunday's morning sermon dealt with 'complaining'.  It must have hit it's mark, since most of us have tendency to complain!  We know it's not right to complain, but sometimes it goes even deeper. 

 Did you know that complaining kills joy and makes those around the complainer unhappy?  In fact, we are naturally negative.  We are conditioned by today's society to share the bad and negative and when we are bombarded by this day after day, often develop the habit of complaining. 

Here are four common types of "Complainers".  Do you recognize any?

The Whiner:  Their motto is "Life Isn't Fair".
The Martyr:  Their motto is "No One Appreciates Me".
The Cynic:  Their motto is "Nothing Will Ever Change".
The Perfectionist:  Their motto is "Is That the Best You Can Do?"

Nothing destroys the atmosphere of a home or the harmony of marriage like complaining.  If you recognize a complaining spirit within you, there is hope.  Come back this week to read the rest of the sermon:  Conquering Complaining.

Prayer Requests This Week

Happy Valentine's Day!!  The church Sweetheart Banquet was fantastic!  Good reports of a great time were heard all through the church Sunday morning.  Thank you to all who had a part in helping, planning and presenting a fun evening.

Here are some prayer requests to share this week:

• John P.'s grandmother is in the hospital being treated for pneumonia
• Frances P. is still in the hospital and will hopefully be moved early this week to a local rehabilitation center.
• Liz H.' father is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
• Rufus S. is in Hospice is very low.  They are expecting him to go home to the Lord anytime.
• Georgette R.'s brother in law Mel Mc. passed away this weekend.  Please keep the family in your prayers.
• Caroline Mc. is still away tending to her parents.  Some critical issues and decisions must be made this week.  Please pray for the Lord's wisdom and guidance.
• Shirley W. is struggling with some neck issues and asked for prayer for guidance on the treatment.

Please keep these and the many others that are on the back of the bulletin in your prayers this week and be sensitive to ways to show love and concern for one another.

Thought For the Day

Camp Sonrise

Camp Sonrise is a local children's camp held at Yogi Bear campground in Madison.  This year's camp dates are June 27-30.  If you are interested in volunteering to help with the camp and the opportuntiy to impact the lives of children, please pray about being a camp worker.  We need willing, dedicated workers! 

There will be a meeting February 17 at 6:30 PM in the fellowship hall for those interestred in working in children's camp. 

Real Men's Event

The purpose of the Real Men's Day at Skeeter Ranch is to provide men an opportunity to be encouraged by enjoying God's great creation together in a God-honoring way and to endeavor to reach those who only know of our Great God by his creation, the great outdoors.

General Admission is $20 for adults and
$15 for guys 13 and under.
Special Guest: Jimmy Scroggins

This includes:
Pulled BBQ Pork and Hotdog Lunch,
Plus Golf: Closest to the pin / Longest Drive
Archery
Pellet Gun Shoot
Cast Master: Distance/Accuracy
Airsoft
Baseball Fast Throw
Football Challenge
Greased Pig
30ft. Rock Climbing Wall
Target Shoot
Zip Line
Archery Demonstrations
Quail Hunt Demonstrations
Shooting Instructors
For more events see HERE

Please see Buddy H. if you are interested in attending.

Reminder and Prayer Request

You are encouraged to be in prayer for those mentioned last week as they continue to recover and there is another urgent request to share today.

France P. has been ill for several weeks.  He went to the hospital late last week and has been transferred to a larger hospital and is currently in ICU.  Please keep Frances and his family in your prayers.

Don't forget the Sweetheart Valentine Banquet held Friday at the church.  A fantastic dinner and evening is being planned and you are encouraged to take part.  To help with meal preparations, please RSVP to the church office by today if you have not signed up already. 

Prayer Updates

Here is a quick update on some of the church family we requested prayer for.

Harry S. had surgery this week and it was extremely extensive.  He will be in ICU for a few more days and possibly in the hospital for a few weeks.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers as they face a difficult and lengthy recovery.

Aubrey H. had knee surgery this week and it went very well.  Please keep him in your prayers as he recovers.

Rufus S. is battling cancer and has been placed in the Hospice Care Center.  This is a difficult time for him and his family and they could use your prayers and support.

Frances P. is struggling with some health issues and needs our prayers.

Aaron and Samantha B. (Norine B.'s grandson) are rejoicing over the blessing of a baby born this week.  We praise the Lord with them.

Please continue to remember:
Caroline and her parents

Mel Mc. (Georgette's brother in law)

Kay B.

and those on the back of our church bulletin

Verse of the Day

31 Days of Prayer For the Husband

To follow up yesterday's post for husbands, here is a plan for the wives to pray for their husbands. 

31-day Prayer Plan for Husbands

1st: That he might become a holy man, a man of prayer, mature in the Lord, growing in his knowledge of the Lord.

2nd: That he might grow into a man of integrity, who works righteousness, speaks truth in his heart, does not slander, does no evil, does not take up reproach against friends, honors those who fear the Lord, swears to his own hurt, is unchanging in these things, does not charge interest on loans, and does not take bribes.

3rd: That he might be a man of contentment.

4th: That he might learn to take every thought captive, to not be conformed to the worlds thinking, and to think scripturally.

 5th: That he might daily seek God with all his heart, walking in the Spirit moment by moment, growing in his dependence on Him.

6th: That he would ever be captivated by my love.

7th: That he would be a man of courage.

8th: That the Lord might give him wisdom to lead his family physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

9th: May he always look at the plank in his own eye before seeing others' sawdust.

10th: That he might become a called man, not driven, with well thought through and prayed through goals in life.

11th: That he might be a man of prayer, guarding his heart and mind, puting into practice what he has heard, seen and learned.

12th: That he might stand firm against the schemes of the devil and resist Satan in all circumstances.

13th: That he might grow in spiritual maturity by putting away childish things, cultivating, understanding, striving after the Christ ideal, partaking of the deeper truths of the gospel and overcoming temptation.

14th: That he might make me holy, cleansing me by the washing with water through the Word.

15th: That he would learn to not depend on his circumstance for happiness but on God alone.

16th: That he would be a man who enters into spiritual warfare.

17th: That he might have new strength in the midst of his busy schedule, and that the Lord might infuse him with His strength.

18th: That he might have a burden to see lost people come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

19th: That he would be kept from strange women and evil men, and that his friends would be men and women who walk with God.

20th: That his self image might be a reflection of the Lord's thoughts toward him.

21st: That he might be a man responsible for family spiritual growth.

22nd: That he might not be deceived into unbelief, sin or bitterness.

23rd: That he might learn to love as God has commanded.

24th: That the fruit of the Spirit might be exhibited more and more in his life.

25th: That he might grow in humility and in being a shepherd.

26th: That he might grow daily in character.

27th: That he might keep a clear conscience.

28th: That the Lord might protect him, guarding his course.

29th: That he might learn to manage his time well.

30th: That the Lord would put a song in his heart.

31st: That he may have a holy fear of God.

31 Ways To Pray For Your Wife

Happy February!   Since this is a 'month of love', here are 31 ways to pray for your wife!  Prayer is such a vital part of a marriage and there is no greater blessing than to pray for one another. 

1. That she continues in love for the Lord God with all her heart, soul, mind and strength and that she seeks after Him with all her might in reverence and holy fear, ever growing in her dependence on Him. That she will forever abide in His love.

2. That she grow and continue in love for others, esteeming others better than herself, bringing peace, joy and hope to her family and the brethren.

3. That time is made available to her each and every day for personal prayer, worship and devotion.

4. That she is a woman of contentment and joy, not envious of others, but ever thankful to God for His daily provision, trusting Him for her needs. That her mind would first seek the Kingdom of God and that she is far from covetousness.

5. That her mind would be daily renewed and transformed by Christ, so she may know and do the will of God.

6. That she is a woman of prayer that doesn't faint, praying always, and rejoicing in hope, an interceder for her family as well as others.

7. That she is a woman of faith, giving glory to God, that her faith not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

8. That the Lord would abide in her and Your Word dwell richly in my wife today and always.

9. Guard the conversation of her mouth that she may always speak in meekness, wisdom and kindness as is fitting to the Lord. Let vanity, covetousness and lying be far from her heart and lips and her conversation be of Heaven.

10. Lord, give my wife strength to stand firm against the wiles and fiery darts of the devil. Help her stand against the world, the flesh and the devil. Help her stand in your armor and having done all, to continue to stand victorious.

11. Help my wife with her image of herself Lord. Do not allow her to think more of herself than she ought too and at the same time, help her believe that she is all you have said she is through and in Christ Jesus. That she is precious in your sight.

12. That she looks well after her own house, building it in wisdom. Grant to her integrity, prudence, meekness, and diligence.

13. That she has the wisdom, which comes from God in her daily walk. Fill her with your spirit of wisdom.

14. That she is clothed in your strength, honor, charity and righteousness.

15. That the fruit of the Spirit grows ever more abundant and evident in her life. 

16. That you guard her heart and mind from all deception, the eyes of her understanding being open to truth in all areas of life.

17. That she is a godly mother, admonishing and teaching our children (and/or future children) in the ways and truths of the Lord. That she is in all ways and all things a living example to them of holiness in Christ Jesus our Lord.

18. That she be not swayed nor overcome by circumstances that arise in her daily life and walk with you. That her eyes remain fixed solely on You.

19. That she would be wise in scheduling her time throughout the day, and that her schedule would be prioritized in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.

20. Bless the work of her hands and let it be a praise and encouragement to her.

21. May my wife be honorable, useful, respected and a blessing to all who know her. That she will have the virtues as described in Proverbs 31.

22. That she knows my own love for her, nothing wavering or doubting.

23. That our children honor, respect and bless her.

24. Remind her each day that she can come boldly to Your throne of Grace and make her requests and needs known.

25. Prepare my wife for spiritual battle - help her take up and put on Your armor, so that she is prepared each day for whatever she may encounter while I am away from our home. Be her defender when I can't be. Remind her as well, that the battle belongs to You and Jesus has won the victory.

26. That she treasures our children as our special gift from the Lord.

27. That she would have an ever increasing amount of faith to believe You and Your Word in all things.

28. That she will be submissive to You in all things, being a godly wife and helper to me and that our relationship will openly reflect the love and submission of Jesus for the church as described in

29. That my wife's heart will beat with a burden for the souls of the lost, even as Yours does.

30. That my wife will have a long, healthy life and that she will prosper in whatever You set her hands to doing.

31. That the Lord will protect my wife, guard her paths and be a lamp unto her feet.