The Vineyard- July 24, 2016

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

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

Read Galatians 4:1-20

Shared Destiny

-         The Jews were imprisoned under the Law, and the Gentiles were enslaved to the worship of false gods.  Neither the Law nor the pagan idols would help them find salvation. 

-         The sending of Jesus was the central moment of God’s dealing with his creation. 

-         Jesus brought the Jews out from being imprisoned by the Law, while also liberating the Gentiles from their slavery to pagan idols. 

-         The Spirit is proof that God has brought the Gentiles into the family of God, and redeemed them through the work of Christ. 

-         Passages to Consider: Jeremiah 31:31-34

No Turning Back

-         God has come to know us, which allows us to know Him. 

-         Since God has taken that initiative to reconcile us to himself, why would we turn back to the former things that lacked the power to save us?

-         What are some things in which you have placed your trust in the past? 

-         Are you guilty of slipping back into reliance on things that are powerless to grant salvation and eternal life?

-         Passages to Consider: Exodus 14:11-12

Speaking the Truth

-         Paul mentions the blessing that the Galatians have been to him in the past, during difficult times. 

-         Because of his love for them, Paul is willing to speak the truth, even when it is difficult to hear. 

-         How do we receive those who love us enough to tell us the truth, even when we don’t want to hear it?

-         Do we love others enough to tell them the truth, even when it might cause them to dislike us?

-         Passages to Consider: II Corinthians 12:15

Praise God for the redemptive work of his Son Jesus Christ. 

Pray for the conviction to follow Jesus each day, resisting the temptation to turn back for comforts sake.    

Pray that we as a community will be so loving, that we are willing to be honest with each other, even when it is difficult.   

Prayer Requests- July 24, 2016

Praise:   Easton Doyle and Ryder Doyle had successful surgery.  Jessica Martin, Harrison Cutrer, Carolyn Willis, Bill Gunter; Pat Paul; and Ruby Ulmer are doing better.  Claudia Johnson, Ricky Martin, and David Johnson made it home safely.  Norris Smith was able to be moved to rehab.  Estelle Simmons was able to come home from rehab.    

Recent Requests:  Jason Guillot’s father, Dr. David Elliott, Ruth Sheltman, Michael Clark, Hunter Anderson, Norris Smith, Jessie Fuller; Toun Vilaysack, Drew Broussard, Jaycee Fuller, Robert Garcia, Dave Butler, Jehtt Wilmore, Dillard Fontenot, Rob Woodard Ashley Strother, Mrs. Jimmie Banks, Felix & Elaine Melder, Melvin Lucas, Danielle Cloud, Deborah Cloud, Heather Hensley, Charles Peters, Twiggy Johnson, Edna Woodard, Todd Mason, Dorothy Browning, Elizabeth Bailey-Paul, Ashley Stallings, Clyde Dunn, Keith Monroe, Lisa King, Clyde Holloway

Pray for the persecuted Christians, missionaries, victims of violence (police in Baton Rouge), and your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Pray for our elected and appointed leaders, as well as world leaders. 

Pray for our students, faculty, staff, and administration at the school. 

Pray for the remaining camp week at CYE

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson; Dale Anderson, IV; Emma Armour; Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Ruth Barbe, Conner Bouchie, Bernice Campbell, Carl Chellette, Haley Chisholm, Ronnie Chisholm, Geraldine Clark, Flo Conway, RC Conway, Claire Cotton, Sampson Doyle III, James Otis Dunn, Kimmy Fix, Briley Fuller, Robert Gough, Mamie Grantham, Carolyn Gray, Dan Gray, Grady Harper, Carl Holloway, Darlene Holt, Mary Ruth Hubbard, Mike Irwin, Aline Johnson, Candy Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Andrew Juneau, Mascel Keith, Anita Kurtz, Dennis LeDoux, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Dot Melder, Felix Melder, Mark Melder, Mike Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Luther Paul, Dewanna Polk, Kirby Roy, Estelle Simmons, Eric Sipco, Halyn Smith, Betty St. Andrie, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, Lacy Storey, C.W. Strother, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Randy Tucker, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston; Taylor Denegal, Kelvin Griffin, Tyler Johnson, and those in the military

Cancer Patients:  Heather Ashworth, Marvin Banks, Ronnie Bedgood, Sylvia Bollock, Ashley Brown, Hedy Butler, Shirley Cameron, Mark Cary, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sally Crooks, Tyese Davis, Danny Doughy, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Murray Ganson, Ronald Golmon, Sr., Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Steve Hawkins, Cheresa Hudson, Donnie Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Vivian Kirby, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Linda Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Warren LeBlanc, Kaylee Lesta, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, Joy Mancil, Roy McDonald, Peggy Middleton, David Monroe, Otis Monroe; Laken Moreau, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Myra Page, Kyle Pearson, Brenda Pringle, Evelyn Sandell, Joan Schneider, Monica Sharpe, Donny Shows, Richard Simmons, Linda Sipco, Connor Smith, Carolyn Spears, Donna Spears, Walter Stagg, Varnell Stanley, Carol Stewart, Leann Switzer, Jackie Teasely, Cliff Thornton, Jean Valdeterio; Troy Verheyden; Dalton Welch, Brenda West, Charles Whitten, Carol Willis, Britney Wilson, James Wood, Diane Yancey, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Eloise Babb; Mary Ann Fuller, John Kenner, Bessy LeDoux

Travelling:  Those traveling for work (Sloan); Linda Sipco; Michelle Dauzat; the Bullers; Josh Dauzat and family; Dennis and Kelly Fuller and family; Ben and Carol Midkiff and family; Michael & Michelle Fuller and family; Bo & Claudia Johnson  

Deaths: The families of Bonnie Elliott; Bill Morrison

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- July 17, 2016

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

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

Read Galatians 3:15-29

The Promise comes from the One God

-          The promise was made to Abraham, some 430 years before the Law was given.  In other words, the Law was given in light of the Promise, not as a replacement for it. 

-          It we were saved by the Law, our salvation would be a joint venture between ourselves and God, it would be based on our ability to keep the covenant with God. 

-          However, Paul says our salvation comes through one being, God, the maker of the promise. 

-          Do you understand how indebted you are to God for your salvation?  Do you understand how we are completely in need of God’s grace?

 Different Purposes

-          If we are saved by God’s Promise, why then did he give us the Law?

-          Confusion comes when we equate the Promise and the Law, when we view them both as means of salvation.

-          However, when we understand that the Promise and the Law serve two different purposes, then we are able to place them in their proper context, and understand why both were needed. 

Shared Problem, Shared Solution

-          At the end of this passage, it sounds as if Paul is saying there is no such thing as race, gender, or social classes anymore. 

-          Paul’s point is that everyone is exactly the same, but that we all share a common problem, and a common solution. 

-          Whether you are a Jew or Gentile, man or woman, slave or free, rich or poor, you are a sinner. 

-          Likewise, regardless of who you are, the solution to your sin problem is Jesus Christ. 

-          When we are baptized into Christ, our defining characteristic becomes our relationship to Jesus!

-          Passages to Consider: Isaiah 61:10-11; Galatians 2:20

Thank God for his Promise, which is the source of our salvation. 

Pray for a deeper understanding as to how the Law and the Promise serve as part of God’s plan of redemption. 

Pray that our world might find unity in a common desire to embrace Jesus Christ, the solution to our shared problem of sin.  

Prayer Requests- July 17, 2016

Prayer Requests

Praise:   Jillian Ramsey, Lois Johnson, Bobby Odom, Morgan Strother, Dr. Catherin Terrell, and Beckam Doyle are doing better.  Ricky Martin, David Johnson, and the McDonalds made it home safely.  Aaron Martin made it to the Dakotas safely, where he accepted a job. 

Recent Requests:  Michael Clark, Hunter Anderson, Harrison Cutrer, Carolyn Willis, Norris Smith, Easton Doyle, Ryder Doyle, Bill Gunter; Pat Paul; Jessie Fuller; Toun Vilaysack, Ruby Ulmer, Drew Broussard, Jessica Martin, Jaycee Fuller, Robert Garcia, Dave Butler, Jehtt Wilmore, Dillard Fontenot, Rob Woodard Ashley Strother, Mrs. Jimmie Banks, Felix & Elaine Melder, Melvin Lucas, Danielle Cloud, Deborah Cloud, Heather Hensley, Charles Peters, Twiggy Johnson, Edna Woodard, Todd Mason, Dorothy Browning, Elizabeth Bailey-Paul, Ashley Stallings, Clyde Dunn, Keith Monroe, Lisa King, Clyde Holloway

Pray for the persecuted Christians, missionaries, victims of violence (police in Baton Rouge), and your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Pray for our elected and appointed leaders, as well as world leaders. 

Pray for our students, faculty, staff, and administration at the school. 

Pray for camp weeks at CYE

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson; Dale Anderson, IV; Emma Armour; Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Ruth Barbe, Conner Bouchie, Bernice Campbell, Carl Chellette, Haley Chisholm, Ronnie Chisholm, Geraldine Clark, Flo Conway, RC Conway, Claire Cotton, Sampson Doyle III, James Otis Dunn, Kimmy Fix, Briley Fuller, Robert Gough, Mamie Grantham, Carolyn Gray, Dan Gray, Grady Harper, Carl Holloway, Darlene Holt, Mary Ruth Hubbard, Mike Irwin, Aline Johnson, Candy Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Andrew Juneau, Mascel Keith, Anita Kurtz, Dennis LeDoux, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Dot Melder, Felix Melder, Mark Melder, Mike Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Luther Paul, Dewanna Polk, Kirby Roy, Estelle Simmons, Eric Sipco, Halyn Smith, Betty St. Andrie, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, Lacy Storey, C.W. Strother, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Randy Tucker, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston; Taylor Denegal, Kelvin Griffin, Tyler Johnson, and those in the military

Cancer Patients:  Heather Ashworth, Marvin Banks, Ronnie Bedgood, Sylvia Bollock, Ashley Brown, Hedy Butler, Shirley Cameron, Mark Cary, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sally Crooks, Tyese Davis, Danny Doughy, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Murray Ganson, Ronald Golmon, Sr., Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Steve Hawkins, Cheresa Hudson, Donnie Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Vivian Kirby, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Linda Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Warren LeBlanc, Kaylee Lesta, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, Joy Mancil, Roy McDonald, Peggy Middleton, David Monroe, Otis Monroe; Laken Moreau, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Myra Page, Kyle Pearson, Brenda Pringle, Evelyn Sandell, Joan Schneider, Monica Sharpe, Donny Shows, Richard Simmons, Linda Sipco, Connor Smith, Carolyn Spears, Donna Spears, Walter Stagg, Varnell Stanley, Carol Stewart, Leann Switzer, Jackie Teasely, Cliff Thornton, Jean Valdeterio; Troy Verheyden; Dalton Welch, Brenda West, Charles Whitten, Carol Willis, Britney Wilson, James Wood, Diane Yancey,  Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Eloise Babb; Mary Ann Fuller, John Kenner, Bessy LeDoux

Travelling:  Those traveling for work (Sloan); Linda Sipco; Michelle Dauzat; Claudia Johnson; the Bullers  

Deaths: The families of Bill Morrison, Eleanor Rumenyak, and Arnold Gill

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- July 10, 2016

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

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

Read Galatians 3:1-14

“Believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”

-          Abraham believed, or trusted in God, and for that reason he was counted as righteousness. 

-          This belief, this trust, lead him to follow God’s leading. 

-          Notice that Genesis doesn’t say that Abraham was perfect, only that despite his imperfections he trusted God. 

-          Are you trying to become righteous by living perfectly, or are you trusting in God and allowing him to guide your life?

-          Passages to Consider: Genesis 15:6

“The righteous shall live by faith”

-          This statement is made in the book of Habakkuk, where the judgment coming on Israel because of her failures has become evident. 

-          In the midst of God’s judgment, the prophet proclaims that the righteous live not by their own merit, but by trusting in God. 

-          Reliance upon ourselves leads to death, but faith and trust in God lead to life.

-          Passages to Consider: Habakkuk 2:4

“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”

-          Even if we don’t rely on our own ability to follow the rules, we still have to deal with the fact that we break the rules sometimes.  We know we aren’t perfect, so what do we do with those imperfections. 

-          Paul uses a passage from Deuteronomy to demonstrate that Christ bore the curse of our sinfulness for us.  He was hanged on a tree, despite being innocent, and so bore the curse that should have fallen on us. 

-          Passages to Consider: Deuteronomy 21:23

Pray for the ability to trust in God, allowing him to guide you. 

Seek life by trusting in God, the only one capable of redeeming us.

Praise God for his Son Jesus Christ, who bore the curse of our sin!

Prayer Requests- July 10, 2016

Praise:   Dr. Catherin Terrell, Beckam Doyle, Dianne McDonald, Paige Johnson, and Jeremy Martin are doing better.  The Simmons made it home safely.  Aaron Martin made it to the Dakotas safely, where he accepted a job. 

Recent Requests:  Easton Doyle, Ryder Doyle, Bill Gunter; Pat Paul; Jessie Fuller; Lois Johnson, Toun Vilaysack, Ruby Ulmer, Drew Broussard, Jessica Martin, Jillian Ramsey, Jaycee Fuller, Robert Garcia, Morgan Strother, Dave Butler, Jehtt Wilmore, Dillard Fontenot, Rob Woodard Ashley Strother, Mrs. Jimmie Banks, Felix & Elaine Melder, Melvin Lucas, Danielle Cloud, Deborah Cloud, Heather Hensley, Charles Peters, Twiggy Johnson, Edna Woodard, Todd Mason, Dorothy Browning, Elizabeth Bailey-Paul, Bobby Odom, Ashley Stallings, Clyde Dunn, Keith Monroe, Lisa King, Clyde Holloway

Pray for the persecuted Christians, missionaries, victims of violence (police in Dallas), and your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Pray for our elected and appointed leaders, as well as world leaders. 

Pray for our students, faculty, staff, and administration at the school. 

Pray for camp weeks at CYE

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson; Dale Anderson, IV; Emma Armour; Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Ruth Barbe, Conner Bouchie, Bernice Campbell, Carl Chellette, Haley Chisholm, Ronnie Chisholm, Geraldine Clark, Flo Conway, RC Conway, Claire Cotton, Sampson Doyle III, James Otis Dunn, Kimmy Fix, Briley Fuller, Robert Gough, Mamie Grantham, Carolyn Gray, Dan Gray, Grady Harper, Carl Holloway, Darlene Holt, Mary Ruth Hubbard, Mike Irwin, Aline Johnson, Candy Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Andrew Juneau, Mascel Keith, Anita Kurtz, Dennis LeDoux, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Dot Melder, Felix Melder, Mark Melder, Mike Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Luther Paul, Dewanna Polk, Kirby Roy, Estelle Simmons, Eric Sipco, Halyn Smith, Betty St. Andrie, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, Lacy Storey, C.W. Strother, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Randy Tucker, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston; Taylor Denegal, Kelvin Griffin, Tyler Johnson, and those in the military

Cancer Patients:  Heather Ashworth, Marvin Banks, Ronnie Bedgood, Sylvia Bollock, Ashley Brown, Hedy Butler, Shirley Cameron, Mark Cary, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Sally Crooks, Tyese Davis, Danny Doughy, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Murray Ganson, Ronald Golmon, Sr., Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Steve Hawkins, Cheresa Hudson, Donnie Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Vivian Kirby, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Linda Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Warren LeBlanc, Kaylee Lesta, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, Joy Mancil, Roy McDonald, Peggy Middleton, David Monroe, Otis Monroe; Laken Moreau, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Myra Page, Kyle Pearson, Brenda Pringle, Evelyn Sandell, Joan Schneider, Monica Sharpe, Donny Shows, Richard Simmons, Linda Sipco, Connor Smith, Carolyn Spears, Donna Spears, Walter Stagg, Varnell Stanley, Carol Stewart, Leann Switzer, Jackie Teasely, Cliff Thornton, Jean Valdeterio; Troy Verheyden; Dalton Welch, Brenda West, Charles Whitten, Carol Willis, Britney Wilson, James Wood, Diane Yancey,  Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Eloise Babb; Mary Ann Fuller, John Kenner, Bessy LeDoux

Travelling:  Those traveling for work; Linda Sipco; Michelle Dauzat

Deaths: The families of Bill Morrison, Eleanor Rumenyak, and Arnold Gill

Unspoken Requests