Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Standing across from a private Christian high school, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner repeatedly declined Tuesday to use a profanity uttered in his new TV attack ad against J.B. Pritzker, instead saying that Illinois would be “screwed” if the Democrat wins.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
CARBONDALE — Ahead of a presidential visit on Saturday and a tight election looming in November, U.S. Rep. Mike Bost is hosting one of his first public town halls since a public movement last year called for him to be more available to constituents.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
CARBONDALE — Four of its top-five scorers are back, including the Missouri Valley Conference freshman of the year, but the SIU women’s basketball team is looking for a few good leaders.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
Just as in 2016, there is no politician in America today who has a better read on what the voters want than Donald Trump.
Here’s a link to the column at Fox News.
While the opioid epidemic keeps claiming the lives of Americans, deaths from another drug are picking up.
Here’s a link to the story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
A Prayer to Pray before Studying God’s Word
By Christina Patterson
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5
The Bible compares the Word of God to a double-edged sword showing its ability to cut the heart and change lives forever. (Hebrews 4:12) Whenever I pick up my Bible I feel the weight of this sword and its power. It makes me feel like a little girl holding a weapon too big to carry. Handling something so powerful is exciting yet intimidating at the same time.
So I never go into studying God’s Word lightly. We never should. The Word of God has the power to change minds, heal hearts, and cut out sin. However, something so powerful handled the wrong way can also cause harm. I never want to be the one using God’s Word to cause hurt, pain, or confusion. And I’m sure you don’t either.
For this reason, before I open my Bible and heart to the Word of God I first open my mouth in prayer to request specific things from God. And over years of studying my Bible God has faithfully answered this prayer. I want to share my prayer with you in hopes it will increase the quality of your time in God’s Word and help you to handle it’s truths with clarity and confidence.
I always start off praying for discernment and wisdom. James 1:5 tells us:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (NIV)
Coming across a scripture I do not understand can be discouraging. But I’ve found that unlocking the mysteries of scripture starts with prayer. All wisdom, knowledge, and correct understating come from God and He is ready to grant us understanding if we are willing to ask. This also ensures that I am receiving God’s understanding and intention about a scripture and that I am not relying on my own understanding.
Let’s Pray:
“Lord, thank you for this time you’ve given me to open your Word and discover who you are. Thank you that you don’t leave us in the dark about who you are and what you are doing in the world, but that you have revealed yourself and your will through the Bible, your sacred words to us. Lord, I need wisdom as I read your Word. You promise us in James 1:5 that we only have to ask for wisdom to receive it. Lord, please give me your wisdom now as I approach your word. Help me discern the truth of this text. Help me not rely on my own understanding. Thank you God for the clarity, encouragement and hope your Word brings. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”
By Rick Warren
”We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance” (Romans 5:3 NLT).
Because God is a good God, he loves to bring good out of bad. Anybody can bring good out of good. Only God brings good out of the bad.
Romans 5:3 says, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance” (NLT). You can be happy even in the middle of pressure and trials and troubles and tribulation. Why? Notice the phrase “for we know.” Happiness in life depends on what you know, not what you go through. You can put two people through the same circumstances, and one of them can be happy while the other is devastated. Why? Because it’s what you know that makes a difference.
God’s much more interested in your character than your comfort. He wants you to grow more like him while you’re here on Earth because the only thing you’re taking to heaven is you. How does he do it? Through all these problems and trials that you face. You can know in the midst of them that he is developing patient endurance in you, and he will use your suffering for your good and the good of others.
Have you trusted Jesus for your salvation?
The Bible says we can only get to heaven by trusting in God through his Son, Jesus Christ. And we don’t have to earn God’s love or work our way into heaven. The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).
If you haven’t trusted in Jesus and committed to following him, why wait any longer? If you’re ready to step across that line and make a decision to believe in Jesus Christ and follow him, pray this prayer:
“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.
“I confess my sin, and I believe that you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say that salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today I’m turning over every part of my life to your management. You have the right to call the shots in my life.
“Jesus, I want to relax in your love. Thank you that I don’t have to earn it or work for it. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In your name I pray. Amen.”
If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.
Lawmakers prepared to allow sports gambling in Illinois shouldn’t be expecting a jackpot that will solve the state’s fiscal crisis.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Illinois News Network.
PINCKNEYVILLE — Just hours before they were scheduled to start what they thought would be a long postseason run at the Class 2A Du Quoin Regional on Tuesday, Pinckeyville’s volleyball team found out their season was over.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
On paper, SIU’s football team was supposed to finish eighth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Here’s a link to the column at the Southern Illinoisan.
