17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” c 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

Living for God 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

DURANT— Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton released his 2026 Tribal progress and economic development report to the Nation and to the public. In a formal presentation at the Tribe’s headquarters in Durant, Batton’s report stated: “The Choctaw Nation has a proud and storied history of faith and resilience and has been a driving force in Southeastern Oklahoma for more than a century.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. David Bullard, RDurant, has advanced legislation that would create a Teachers’ Bill of Rights to enshrine classroom protections for all Oklahoma educators.

The news cycle over the past month has been nuts, with major stories from all over the world and even here in Oklahoma. The U.S.

Celebration of life services for Kyler Ray O’Neal, of Hugo, Okla., will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. March 21, 2026 at the Choctaw Community Center, 408 N. M St. in Hugo. Kyler passed away Feb. 13, 2026, at the age of 32.

Funeral services for Vickie Dawn Dodd, of Hugo, Okla., were held March 3, 2026 at Holly Creek Cemetery. Vickie Dawn Dodd, 65, went to her heavenly home on Feb.

Bonnie Brown, a beacon of love and faith, passed away peacefully on Feb. 25, 2026 in Hugo, Okla. Born on March 12, 1943 in Sweetwater, Texas, Bonnie’s journey through life was marked by her unwavering kindness and the joy she brought to those around her. She was a woman whose presence was a comforting embrace to all who knew her.

Norma Jean Magby, 85, of Shelbyville, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Shelbyville. Funeral service was held at 1 p.m.

Funeral services for George Dayton Hammock will be held at 10 a.m. March 7, 2026 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Hugo.