Sunday Is Coming

Good morning!

Fall has finally made it to the Arizona desert. The high the next two days is going to be in the 60's.

I pray all is well with you. We have received several prayer needs and be assured that we pray when we receive them and then often until we here back from you.

The gentleman that took off a couple of weeks ago in his motorhome with the slides out and all utilities connected, is in the hospital with very little hope of making it. In fact, he was moved to hospice yesterday. Please add Art and his family to your prayer list.

Last sunday I preached on building Christian character. As I was reading this morning, David Jeremiah had this to say on that subject:

Two Newspapers

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. I Peter 1:13-16

On his way to work one morning, a man purchased his usual newspaper and went on his way. To his dismay, he discovered that he had accidentally taken two newspapers instead of one. He immediately got in his car, drove back to the store and returned the extra paper. About a week later, someone stole money from that same store, and when the grocer thought through the patrons who frequented his store, he immediately dismissed the man as a suspect, saying, "That man is really honest. He came all the way back here just to return a newspaper he took by mistake."

Everything we do in life becomes evidence of who we truly are. What does our life's evidence say about us? Does it say that we merely profess to be a follower of Christ or does it reveal our love and true devotion to Him? While our goal should not be a morally perfect life, we should strive to have a walk with the Lord that is consistently growing and changing to resemble the One whom we serve.

"A man's life is always more forcible than his speech. If his life and doctrine disagree, the mass of onlookers will accept his practice and reject his preaching." C.H. Spurgeon

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don

Sunday Is Coming

Good morning from Arizona,

I pray your week is going smoothly. LaVon is feeling some better. Thanks for your prayers and phone calls; you are such an encouragement.

This week, I have encountered the-love-your-neighbor issue several times, so let me share this with you:

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. --Matthew 5:44-45

There may be someone in your life who has hurt you, someone who has disappointed you. And you think because of that, you don't ever want to talk to them again, much less share the gospel with them. But as Believers, we are to overcome our personal prejudices and hang-ups. And instead of saying, "Never, Lord," we need to say, "Yes, Lord!" Be willing. See what God will do.

Maybe there is even someone right now whom you regard as an enemy. What can you do? You can share the gospel--and leave the results in the hands of God.

Nowhere did the Law teach hatred for one’s enemies. Passages like Exodus 23:4-5 indicate just the opposite! Jesus defined our enemies as those who curse us, hate us, and exploit us selfishly. Since Christian love is an act of the will, and not simply an emotion, He has the right to command us to love our enemies. After all, He loved us when we were His enemies (Romans 5:10). We may show this love by blessing those who curse us, doing good to them, and praying for them. When we pray for our enemies, we find it easier to love them. It takes the “poison” out of our attitudes.


Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don

Permanent address:
Chaplain Don & LaVon Baker
3334 W. Main St., PMB 300
Norman, OK 73072
http://bakersblessings.blogspot.com/

Sunday Is Coming

Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Mark 10:51

Good morning,

It is that time of the week.

We finally took LaVon to the doctor yesterday and was told she has severe allergies. We acquired several prescriptions and after taking them they made her even sicker. I'm praying that today she will start to feel better.

As we were driving and listening to KLOVE on the radio and they are having their fund raiser, it made me think maybe that's what we should be doing for our ministry. I am not good at asking for help but the scripture at the begining says "what do you want me to do", my reply is to take care of our needs while we serve you. Several of you have helped us this past year and without your help we could not continue. My prayer is that even more of you get involved.

We are reaching people for the Lord. For example, just Monday, I went to the hospital to see one of our residents and met a young lady that worked there. She asked if I needed help and when I told her the room number she told me that she would take me, as we were walking she said something and my reply was , "Praise the Lord." She asked if I was a Believer. When I said "yes" she said "I wish I could be." Well, she is now. We parted with her commitment that she is coming to church with us next Sunday. Pray for Janet.

Thank you for your support, your encouraging words by email, phone and visits, and for your prayers.

Have a great day,love you, pass it on,
Don

During the dark days of the American Revolution, when the Continental Army had experienced several setbacks, a farmer who lived near the battlefield approached Washington’s camp unheard. Suddenly his ears caught an earnest voice raised in agonizing prayer. On coming nearer he saw it was the great General, down on his knees in the snow, his cheeks wet with tears. He was asking God for assistance and guidance. The farmer crept away and returned home. He said to his family, “Its going to be all right. We are going to win!” “What makes you think so?” his wife asked. “Well,” said the farmer, “I heard General Washington pray out in the woods today—such fervent prayer I have never heard. And God will surely hear and answer that kind of praying.”

Sunday Is Coming

Good morning from Arizona,

We had our first service Sunday and had a great day in the Lord. The people are still coming in but there was still a good group.

LaVon is still having health problems so keep her in your prayers that this will pass soon and that I don't get whatever it is.

As I was praying this morning I couldn't help but think of each of you, how God has put you in our lives. You will never know what you mean to us. You bless us so! You encourage us each day by your emails, phone calls and your financial support. Thank you and if we can be in prayer for you in a special way let us know.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don

"You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts" 2 Corinthians 3:2

Each of us has a life story. Our stories include all of our experiences and all of the people who have been a part of our lives. Certainly, along the pages of our lives, there are people who for better or for worse have had a significant influence on us.

Like all stories, the pages that make up our lives are not just meant to be written, but to be read by others. The life and art of Christ-following is passed on, down the line, from person to person to person, from generation to generation. Christ-following is centered upon the content of the Bible. Yet, the application of that content is experienced in the trenches of everyday living. Someone has talked to you and shared the story of their life and how Jesus is a part of it. Others have been role models of the Christian life to you.

The Apostle Paul said, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). Paul demonstrated that it is through our lives that the truth of the Gospel is made known to others, even as it has been made known to us.