The Vineyard- July 20, 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

Acts 13:13-52

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

-          The God of History

o   In his sermon at Pisidian Antioch, Paul outlines for his audience how God had worked throughout history.  Do you ever stop to consider the big picture of how God is at work in our world?

-          The Jesus We Need

o   Paul says that the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, despite the fact that His coming was laid out in scripture.  It wasn’t that they hadn’t read their Bibles, it was that they had overlooked some vital parts.  Are you guilty of only accepting the Jesus you want, rather than true Jesus?  How can you commit to receiving all of Jesus, even the parts of who He is that challenge us?

-          Dividing Grace

o   There is a strong desire to hear about God’s grace, and that response makes many in the synagogue uncomfortable.  Do we sometimes resent God’s grace towards others, even though we are also in need of it?

Pray that we will seek to learn from and glorify the Jesus we need, and not just the Jesus that we want. 

Pray that God’s grace toward others will never be a source of our resentment.  

Prayer Requests- July 20, 2014

Prayer Requests:

Praise: Donovan Billings was able to go home from the hospital.  The Mason and Strother families made it back safely.  Jim Owens has improved some after receiving treatment in New Orleans.         

Recent Requests: Ed Johnson, Iris Lee Martin, Roger Flurry, Cheryl Shirley, Chum Riengxay, Roxanne Baden, Bobby Barron, Amanda Seal, Patricia Johnson, Thelma McFarland, Molly Dousay, Ray Sharpe, Savannah King, J.W. Lott, Reecie Young, Kerry Page, Aunt Charlene Babb, C.W. Strother, Anita Kurtz, Myrtle Pharis, Ailene Ness, Jesse Boults, Kirby Guy, Sue Moore, Kimmy Fix, Doris Polk, Halyn Smith, Andrew Juneau, Eric Sipco

Pray for the victims of the Malaysian Airlines crash and their families. 

Pray for the situation in Israel. 

Pray for senior week at CYE

Pray for your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson, Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Jeff Bedsole, Conner Bouchie, Carl Chellette, Payton Conway,  Marie Cook, Sharon Cook, Lynn Diboll, Sampson Doyle III, Michael Fuller, Travis Gillespie, Bill Goree; Robert Gough, Ed & Mamie Grantham, Chris Griffin, Robert Gunter, Kathryn Hardy, Grady Harper, Clyde Holloway, Darlene Holt, George Johnson, James Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Mascel Keith, Ruby Lott, Drake Martin, Sarah Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Ben Mealer, Dot Melder, Mark Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Billy Joe Monroe, 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:  Frank Bejsovec, Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Shirley Cameron, Kennette Campbell, 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, Darrel Johnson, Leah Johnson, Roger Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Angela Kingry, Danielle Lachney, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Liz Latz, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Kaylee Lesta, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, Julie Milam, David Monroe, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Chris Parker, Thelma Polk, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows,  Richard Simmons, Linda Sipco, Connor Smith, Mark 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: Kyron Paul; Luther Paul; the McDonald family; the Dauzat family

Deaths: The families of Richard Lucas, Rudolf Gordon, Peggy Sue LeDoux Johnson, Mike Duplechain, Joy Fay Sharpe

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- July 13, 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

Acts 13:1-12

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

-          The Form and Function of the Church

o   The church in Antioch was made up of diverse people.  How do you think having people from different backgrounds, with different talents, strengthened their church?

o   The church saw its purpose as the worship of, and glorifying of God.  Do you see that as your purpose?

-          Glorifying Christ rather than the Church

o   The church in Antioch was admirably selfless, as it willingly surrendered some of its most prominent leaders to the mission of spreading the gospel elsewhere.  What is the different between glorifying Christ and glorifying the church?

-          Confronting Evil

o   Paul stands toe to toe with evil forces that seek to stymie the gospel.  What evil forces might we have to confront before the gospel can be heard?

Pray that we will seek to glorify God in our lives. 

Pray that our church’s mission will be to glorify Christ, rather than ourselves. 

Pray that we will have the strength to confront evil so that the gospel will be heard. 

Prayer Requests- July 13, 2014

Prayer Requests:

Praise: Juanita Isles and Eugene Alston are doing better.  The Simmons family, and Ms. Pat’s mother and aunt  made it back safely.  Anna Thibadoux has made wonderful progress after being born very premature.       

Recent Requests: Donovan Billings, Bobby Barron, Amanda Seal, Patricia Johnson, Thelma McFarland, Molly Dousay, Ray Sharpe, Savannah King, J.W. Lott, Reecie Young, Kerry Page, Aunt Charlene Babb, C.W. Strother, Anita Kurtz, Myrtle Pharis, Ailene Ness, Jesse Boults, Kirby Guy, Sue Moore, Kimmy Fix, Doris Polk, Halyn Smith, Andrew Juneau, Eric Sipco

Pray for senior week at CYE

Pray for your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson, Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Jeff Bedsole, Conner Bouchie, Carl Chellette, Payton Conway,  Marie Cook, Sharon Cook, Lynn Diboll, Sampson Doyle III, Michael Fuller, Travis Gillespie, Bill Goree; Robert Gough, Ed & Mamie Grantham, Chris Griffin, Robert Gunter, Kathryn Hardy, Grady Harper, Clyde Holloway, Darlene Holt, George Johnson, James Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Mascel Keith, Drake Martin, Sarah Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Ben Mealer, Dot Melder, Mark Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Billy Joe Monroe, 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:  Frank Bejsovec, Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Shirley Cameron, Kennette Campbell, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Dorothy Crane, Sally Crooks, Bill Davidson, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Joe Donald Francis, Murray Ganson, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Darrel Johnson, Leah Johnson, Roger Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Angela Kingry, Danielle Lachney, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Liz Latz, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Kaylee Lesta, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, Julie Milam, David Monroe, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Chris Parker, Thelma Polk, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows,  Richard Simmons, Linda Sipco, Connor Smith, Mark 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: Kyron Paul; Luther Paul; the Strother family; the Mason family  

Deaths: The families of Richard Lucas, Rudolf Gordon, Peggy Sue LeDoux Johnson, Mike Duplechain, Joy Fay Sharpe, Gerladine Willis, Benny Golman

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- June 29, 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

I AM…

Consider what Jesus tells us about who He is…

-          The Bread of Life (John 6:35)

o   The largest component of our diet is bread, because physical bread gives us energy.  As the Bread of Life, Jesus is the source of our energy spiritually. 

-          The Light of the World (John 8:12)

o   Light is necessary for life and for guidance, life on earth would perish without the sun, and we cannot see without light.  As the Light of the World, Jesus gives us light and guides us into God’s will for that life.   

-          The Good Shepherd (John 10:11)

o   Sheep are lost and vulnerable without a shepherd.  As our Good Shepherd, Jesus guides us, protects us, and even lays down his life for us.  As Jesus’ sheep, do you listen for his voice?

-          The True Vine (John 15:5)

o   Branches receive nourishment from the vine to which they are connected.  If they are cut off of that vine, they die.  As the True Vine, Jesus is the source of our nourishment, and being connected to Him gives us life and allows us to bear fruit. 

Pray that we, as well as our children, will come to know Jesus in a deeper more meaningful way. 

Pray that we will seek to stay connected to Jesus.  

Prayer Requests- June 29, 2014

Prayer Requests:

Praise:  J.W. Lott was able to go home after knee surgery.   Donovan Billings got to come home and is doing better.  Ed Grantham got to come home.  Brody Carraway is doing better.  Brandie King is doing better and got to go home.  Richard Simmons was declared infection-free by his doctor.  Tessela Laborde is cancer free.        

Recent Requests: Ray Sharpe, Savannah King, Juanita Isles, J.W. Lott, Reecie Young, Kerry Page, Rudolf Gordon, Aunt Charlene Babb, C.W. Strother, Anita Kurtz, Eugene Alston, Myrtle Pharis, Peggy Sue LeDoux Johnson, Ailene Ness, Jesse Boults, Kirby Guy, Sue Moore, Kimmy Fix, Doris Polk, Halyn Smith, Andrew Juneau, Anna Thibadoux, Eric Sipco

Pray for the camp weeks at CYE

Pray for your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson, Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Jeff Bedsole, Conner Bouchie, Carl Chellette, Payton Conway,  Marie Cook, Sharon Cook, Lynn Diboll, Sampson Doyle III, Michael Fuller, Travis Gillespie, Bill Goree; Robert Gough, Ed & Mamie Grantham, Chris Griffin, Robert Gunter, Kathryn Hardy, Grady Harper, Clyde Holloway, Darlene Holt, George Johnson, James Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Mascel Keith, Drake Martin, Sarah Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Ben Mealer, Dot Melder, Mark Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Billy Joe Monroe, 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, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Jeanie Winegeart

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

Cancer Patients:  Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Larry Book, Shirley Cameron, Kennette Campbell, Gleeta Chamberlain, Jerry Cole, Dorothy Crane, Sally Crooks, Bill Davidson, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Joe Donald Francis, Murray Ganson, Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Darrel Johnson, Leah Johnson, Roger Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Angela Kingry, Danielle Lachney, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Liz Latz, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Kaylee Lesta, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, Julie Milam, David Monroe, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Chris Parker, Thelma Polk, Joan Schneider, Donny Shows,  Richard Simmons, Linda Sipco, Connor Smith, Mark 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: Kyron Paul; Luther Paul

Deaths: The families of Joy Fay Sharpe, Gerladine Willis, Benny Golman, Lisa Peters Winn, Cecile James, and Gail Hearn

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- June 22, 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 26:1-35

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

Read the passage. 

-          Conduits of Blessing

o   God reminds Isaac that it will be through his offspring that the nations of the earth are blessed.  In other words, the mission of the faithful is not to be blessed, but to be a blessing to others.  Do you focus more on being blessed, or being a blessing to others? 

-          Learn from Mistakes

o   Isaac repeats the mistakes of his father, lying about Rebekah being his wife.  Abimelech, rather than Isaac, is the one who recognizes the truth and tries to avoid a sinful situation.  Are you careful to learn from your mistakes, and the mistakes of others?  If not, you are doomed to repeat them. 

-          People over Possessions

o   It would have been easy for Isaac to fight over the wells that his own father had dug, and yet rather than fight over them he simply finds another well.  Are there times where we choose possessions over people?  How can we learn to not fight over things?

Pray that God will teach us how to be conduits of blessings for others. 

Ask God to help us learn from our past mistakes.