The Vineyard- October 26, 2014

The Vineyard

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

 

Genesis 31:1-55

Pray that God will speak to you through the reading of His word.

-          Moved by God

o   Jacob is beginning to look more like his grandfather Abraham, as he prepares to move his family and all that he has in obedience to God’s command.  How often are we moved by God?  Could it be that God is leading us places that we refuse to go?

-          Can gods be moved?

o   Laban’s gods are speechless, powerless, statues that can even be kidnapped- or godnapped!  Though seen, the presence of Laban’s gods is useless, whereas though He is unseen, God’s presence is all that really matters.  Do you have faith in our God who is beyond images and statues? 

-          Blessed and Vindicated by God

o   With the benefit of hindsight, Jacob realizes that it has been God who has blessed his flocks, and that God will ultimately be the source of his vindication.  Do we recognize God as the source of our blessings?  Do we seek our vindication from God?

Pray that our eyes will be opened to God’s leading. 

Spend time pondering the scope of God’s power and might. 

Thank God for blessing you, and redeeming you. 

Prayer Requests- October 26, 2014

Prayer Requests:

Praise:   Ted Tate and Georgie Carpenter are doing better.  Neiko Bradford made it home safely.  David Morgan made it back to Maryland safely.  Jesse Perkins was born safely.   

Recent Requests:  Huey Clark, Donna Spears, Baby Keegan, Murphy Poole, Mike Clark, Stephanie Perkins, Felicia Wilson, Toun Vilaysack, Lillian Watson, Margaret Lacaze, Josh Baden, Mary Smith, Vicki Sanchez, Carl Verrette, Roger Flurry, Chum Riengxay, Savannah King, Reecie Young, C.W. Strother, Anita Kurtz, Myrtle Pharis, Doris Polk, Andrew Juneau, Eric Sipco

Pray for persecuted Christians, the Ebola epidemic, the upcoming elections, and your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson, Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Aunt Charlene Babb, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Jeff Bedsole, Conner Bouchie, Shawn Bullock, Carl Chellette, Payton Conway,  Marie Cook, Sharon Cook, Lynn Diboll, Sampson Doyle III, Kimmy Fix, Michael Fuller, Travis Gillespie, Robert Gough, Ed & Mamie Grantham, Kirby Guy, Kathryn Hardy, Grady Harper, Carl Holloway, Clyde Holloway, Darlene Holt, George Johnson, James Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Logan Jones, Mascel Keith, Ruby Lott, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Ben Mealer, Dot Melder, Mark Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Billy Joe Monroe, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Bob Peterson, Carol Pfile, Dewanna Polk, Estelle Simmons, Halyn Smith, Nathan Snyder, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston, James Chandler; Matthew Droddy, Horace Greene, and those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Ruth Barbe, Bobby Barron, Frank Bejsovec, Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Dixie Brooks, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Randy Coker,  Jerry Cole, Dorothy Crane, Sally Crooks, Bill Davidson, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Joe Donald Francis, Murray Ganson, Dr. Ganta, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, James Johnson (Alexandria) Leah Johnson, Roger Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Angela Kingry, Danielle Lachney, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Kaylee Lesta, Barrett Lovell, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, David Monroe, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Chris Parker, Colton Rodriguez, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows,  Richard Simmons, Connor Smith, Ken Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Cliff Thornton, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Mary Ann Fuller, John Kenner, Doris Polk

Travelling: Aaron Zee, Philip Orr, Ricky Martin

Deaths: The families of Annalise Perkins, Ray Carol, Jeffrey Chamberlain, Michael McNichol, John Caldwell, and Robert Gunter

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- October 19, 2014

The Vineyard

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

 

Genesis 30:25-43

Pray that God will speak to you through the reading of His word.

-          Confession vs. Conviction

o   Laban confesses that God has blessed him because of Jacob, and yet then proceeds to try and take advantage of Jacob.  There was a discrepancy between what he says and does.  Are your actions consistent with what you confess to believe?

-          Minimum Wage?

o   One of the things we learn from this story is that the battle over wages is not new.  Laban seeks to pay the minimum possible, instead of what is fair and agreed upon.  How does our fairness and treatment of others, including employees, speak to our faith?

-          God vs. Magic

o   Jacob turns to a form of magic to counteract Laban’s scheme, but the reality behind his success is not magic, but the power and promise of God. Are we ever tempted to turn to “magic” rather than faith in God?

Pray that our faith will be a lived conviction, rather than simply a spoken confession.    

Evaluate how you have treated those you do business with or employ.  Have you always treated them fairly?

Pray that we might trust God more than our superstitions. 

Prayer Requests- October 19, 2014

Prayer Requests:

Praise:   Mamie Grantham and Logan Jones both came through their procedures safely.  Roxanne Baden is doing doing better. 

Recent Requests:  Baby Keegan, Murphy Poole, Mike Clark, Ted Tate, Stephanie Perkins & children, Felicia Wilson, Toun Vilaysack, Lillian Watson, Georgie Carpenter, Margaret Lacaze, Josh Baden, Mary Smith, Vicki Sanchez, Carl Verrette, Roger Flurry, Chum Riengxay, Savannah King, Reecie Young, C.W. Strother, Anita Kurtz, Myrtle Pharis, Doris Polk, Andrew Juneau, Eric Sipco

Pray for persecuted Christians, the Ebola epidemic, the upcoming elections, and your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson, Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Aunt Charlene Babb, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Jeff Bedsole, Conner Bouchie, Shawn Bullock, Carl Chellette, Payton Conway,  Marie Cook, Sharon Cook, Lynn Diboll, Sampson Doyle III, Kimmy Fix, Michael Fuller, Travis Gillespie, Robert Gough, Ed & Mamie Grantham, Kirby Guy, Kathryn Hardy, Grady Harper, Carl Holloway, Clyde Holloway, Darlene Holt, George Johnson, James Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Logan Jones, Mascel Keith, Ruby Lott, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Ben Mealer, Dot Melder, Mark Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Billy Joe Monroe, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Bob Peterson, Carol Pfile, Dewanna Polk, Estelle Simmons, Halyn Smith, Nathan Snyder, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston, James Chandler; Matthew Droddy, Horace Greene, and those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Ruth Barbe, Bobby Barron, Frank Bejsovec, Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Dixie Brooks, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Randy Coker,  Jerry Cole, Dorothy Crane, Sally Crooks, Bill Davidson, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Joe Donald Francis, Murray Ganson, Dr. Ganta, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, James Johnson (Alexandria) Leah Johnson, Roger Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Angela Kingry, Danielle Lachney, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Kaylee Lesta, Barrett Lovell, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, David Monroe, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Chris Parker, Colton Rodriguez, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows,  Richard Simmons, Connor Smith, Ken Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Cliff Thornton, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Mary Ann Fuller, John Kenner, Doris Polk

Travelling: Aaron Zee, David Morgan, Philip Orr, Ricky Martin, Neiko Bradford

Deaths: The families of John Caldwell, Robert Gunter, and Ruby Waters

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- October 12, 2014

The Vineyard

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

 

Genesis 29:31-30:24

Pray that God will speak to you through the reading of His word.

-          God Sees Us

o   When times were tough for Leah, when she was feeling unloved and unwanted, God saw her and began blessing her with children.  Has there ever been a time when God “saw” you, even when you felt invisible to everyone else?

-          When Family Become Objects

o   Leah and Rachel find themselves locked in a battle, and children seem to become weapons that can be used to wound the other.  Have you ever made the mistake as seeing a family member as an object that can be used?  Have you ever felt used by others to wound someone else?

-          God is the Source of Life

o   In their experiences, both Leah and Rachel arrive at the proper conclusion that God is the source of life.  Do you acknowledge God as the source of your life, and live in a way that honors Him?

Pray that those struggling through life will be reminding that God sees, and loves them. 

Pray that our families will be places of love and trust. 

Thank God for giving you life, and resolve to live your life in a way that honors and glorifies Him. 

Prayer Requests- October 12, 2014

Prayer Requests:

Praise:   Patricia Johnson and Brandon Cedus are doing better. 

Recent Requests:  Ted Tate, Stephanie Perkins, Felicia Wilson, Toun Vilaysack, Lillian Watson, Georgie Carpenter, Margaret Lacaze, Josh Baden, Mary Smith, Vicki Sanchez, Carl Verrette, Roger Flurry, Chum Riengxay, Roxanne Baden, Savannah King, Reecie Young, C.W. Strother, Anita Kurtz, Myrtle Pharis, Doris Polk, Halyn Smith, Andrew Juneau, Eric Sipco

Pray for persecuted Christians, the situation in Israel, and the Ebola epidemic.  Pray for the upcoming elections.  Pray for your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson, Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Aunt Charlene Babb, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Jeff Bedsole, Conner Bouchie, Shawn Bullock, Carl Chellette, Payton Conway,  Marie Cook, Sharon Cook, Lynn Diboll, Sampson Doyle III, Kimmy Fix, Michael Fuller, Travis Gillespie, Robert Gough, Ed & Mamie Grantham, Robert Gunter, Kirby Guy, Kathryn Hardy, Grady Harper, Carl Holloway, Clyde Holloway, Darlene Holt, George Johnson, James Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Logan Jones, Mascel Keith, Ruby Lott, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Ben Mealer, Dot Melder, Mark Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Billy Joe Monroe, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Bob Peterson, Carol Pfile, Dewanna Polk, Estelle Simmons, Nathan Snyder, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston, James Chandler; Matthew Droddy, Horace Greene, and those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Ruth Barbe, Bobby Barron, Frank Bejsovec, Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Dorothy Crane, Sally Crooks, Bill Davidson, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Joe Donald Francis, Murray Ganson, Dr. Ganta, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, James Johnson (Alexandria) Leah Johnson, Roger Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Angela Kingry, Danielle Lachney, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Kaylee Lesta, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, David Monroe, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Chris Parker, Colton Rodriguez, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows,  Richard Simmons, Connor Smith, Ken Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Cliff Thornton, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Mary Ann Fuller, John Kenner, Doris Polk

Travelling: Philip Orr, Ricky Martin, Neiko Bradford

Deaths: The families of Ruby Waters, Greg Lindsey, Ray Sharpe, and Darrel Johnson

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- October 5, 2014

The Vineyard

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Genesis 29:1-30

Pray that God will speak to you through the reading of His word.

-          “Do It Yourself”

o   Whereas Abraham’s servant was guided by prayer, Jacob seems to take a do-it-yourself approach when finding a wife.  What times in your life should you have allowed prayer to guide you?

-          From Perpetrator to Victim

o   When we choose to live by trickery and deceit, we make ourselves more vulnerable to falling victim to those things.  Are you living a life of integrity, or is your life built on deception and dishonesty?

-          Focusing on the Future

o   Despite his failings, Jacob shows a remarkable ability to persevere and focus on the future.  Rather than wallow in the past, he focuses on what needs to be done to secure the future.  How might we benefit from focusing on the future?

Utilize prayer more when making significant decisions. 

Ask God to reveal to you patterns of behavior in your life that need to change. 

Pray for the strength to trust God with the past, and focus on the future in faith.  

Prayer Requests- October 5, 2014

Prayer Requests:

Praise:   Felix Melder had successful surgery. Darwin & Mary Jones made it home safely, as did Charles and Garrah Peters.  Kimmy Fix has come out of her coma, but still faces many serious challenges.          

Recent Requests:  Ted Tate, Stephanie Perkins, Brandon Cedus, Patricia Johnson, Felicia Wilson, Toun Vilaysack, Lillian Watson, Georgie Carpenter, Margaret Lacaze, Josh Baden, Mary Smith, Vicki Sanchez, Carl Verrette, Roger Flurry, Chum Riengxay, Roxanne Baden, Savannah King, Reecie Young, C.W. Strother, Anita Kurtz, Myrtle Pharis, Doris Polk, Halyn Smith, Andrew Juneau, Eric Sipco

Pray for persecuted Christians, the situation in Israel, and the Ebola epidemic.  Pray for the upcoming elections.  Pray for your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson, Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Aunt Charlene Babb, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Jeff Bedsole, Conner Bouchie, Shawn Bullock, Carl Chellette, Payton Conway,  Marie Cook, Sharon Cook, Lynn Diboll, Sampson Doyle III, Kimmy Fix, Michael Fuller, Travis Gillespie, Robert Gough, Ed & Mamie Grantham, Robert Gunter, Kirby Guy, Kathryn Hardy, Grady Harper, Carl Holloway, Clyde Holloway, Darlene Holt, George Johnson, James Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Logan Jones, Mascel Keith, Ruby Lott, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Ben Mealer, Dot Melder, Mark Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Billy Joe Monroe, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Bob Peterson, Carol Pfile, Dewanna Polk, Estelle Simmons, Nathan Snyder, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston, James Chandler; Matthew Droddy, Horace Greene, and those serving in the military

Cancer Patients:  Ruth Barbe, Bobby Barron, Frank Bejsovec, Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Shirley Cameron, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Dorothy Crane, Sally Crooks, Bill Davidson, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Joe Donald Francis, Murray Ganson, Dr. Ganta, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, James Johnson (Alexandria) Leah Johnson, Roger Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Angela Kingry, Danielle Lachney, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Kaylee Lesta, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, David Monroe, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Chris Parker, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows,  Richard Simmons, Connor Smith, Ken Smith, Wally Pullen Smith, Walter Stagg, Glennell Stanley, Jackie Teasely, Cliff Thornton, Dalton Welch, Shane West, Charles Whitten, Britney Wilson, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Mary Ann Fuller, John Kenner, Doris Polk

Travelling: Philip Orr, Ricky Martin, Neiko Bradford

Deaths: The families of Ruby Waters, Greg Lindsey, Ray Sharpe, and Darrel Johnson

Unspoken Requests