The Vineyard- June 26, 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 2:11-21

I Don’t Want to Be  Hypocrite

-          Paul says that by relying on the Law in some instances, but not in others, Peter and those acting like him were hypocrites. 

-          Why are we hypocrites when we condemn others for their sin?

-          How do we walk the fine line between acknowledging sin, but not usurping Christ’s role as judge?

-          Peter and other Jews saw there being a division between righteous Jews, and Gentile sinners, but Paul reminds us that ALL are sinners.

-          Passages to Consider: John 8: 1-11; Ephesians 2:14-16

X-Rays Don’t Heal

-          Some saw the Law as a means by which they could prove how “good” they were. 

-          And yet, the Bible says repeatedly that no one can stand before God blameless. 

-          How does the Law help us, if it can’t make us righteous?

-          How is the Law valuable as a diagnostic tool spiritually?

-          Passages to Consider: Job 9:1-3; Psalm 143:1-2; Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:24-26

Crucifying the Ego

-          The choice we must make as Christians is between ourselves, and Christ. 

-          We crucify ourselves, in order for Christ to live in us. 

-          How is letting go of our egos demonstrating faith in Christ?

-          If we let go of our ego, our self-made identity, what are we then left with to identify ourselves with?

-          Why is it imperative that Christ lives in us?

-          Passages to Consider: Romans 6:1-11; Galatians 6:14

Pray for a non-judgmental heart, and the ability to remember that we are all sinners.    

Pray for the ability to trust in God, and what he has accomplished in Christ for your justification. 

Pray for the courage and strength to crucify your ego each and every day as you follow Christ. 

Prayer Requests- June 26, 2016

Praise:   Tucker Babb was baptized here Sunday morning.  Donnie Johnson is doing better.  Drew Broussard was able to come home from the hospital.  Richard Simmons is greatly improved, and scheduled to go home tomorrow.  Rob Woodard got good results from his heart tests.  Michelle Dauzat and Denise Wright are doing much better.   

Recent Requests: Dianne McDonald; Pat Paul; Jessie Fuller; Lois Johnson, Paige Johnson, Toun Vilaysack, Beckam Doyle, Ruby Ulmer, Drew Broussard, Jessica Martin, Jillian Ramsey, Kirby Roy, 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, Jeremy Martin, Twiggy Johnson, Dr. Catherin Terrell, 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 terrorism (Orlando shooting), 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, 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; Aaron Martin

Deaths: The families of Eleanor Rumenyak, Arnold Gill; Waurine Rhodes, and Billy Campbell

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- June 5, 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 1:11-24

The Ladder Only Goes So High

-          What ladders do we try to climb in life?  In what ways do we seek to “get ahead,” and promote ourselves?

-          Paul had done well climbing the ladder in his own life.  He had advanced ahead of many of his peers in his devotion to his faith, and his zealousness for God’s law. 

-          And yet, Paul’s zeal was actually causing him to work against God’s purposes by persecuting the church. 

-          In what ways might your attempts to climb the world’s ladders- corporate ladders, financial ladders, social ladders- be putting you at odds with God’s will for your life?

-          Passage to Consider: Acts 8:3; 9:1-2

God Reveals Himself to Us in Christ

-          No matter what we do as humans, we can never climb high enough to reach God. 

-          The Bible shows us that God has consistently revealed himself to individuals, and through them humanity.  Noah, Abraham, Moses…they all received revelation from God, whose purpose was to save mankind through them. 

-          Most significantly, God has revealed himself to us, through his Son Jesus Christ. 

-          What do Jesus’ teachings tell us about the nature of God?

-          What do Jesus’ actions tell us about the love of God?

-          Passage to Consider: John 1:18; Hebrews 1:1-2

Transformation Only Happens by Encountering Christ

-          Paul set out on the road to Damascus intent on rounding up Christians and putting them in jail. 

-          After encountering Christ on that road, Paul went to persecuting Christ’s followers, to preaching Christ!

-          How might encountering Christ transform us?

-          If we have truly encountered Christ, how does our view of the world change?

-          Would those who know you best, say that your encounter with Christ has changed you as a person?

-          Passage to Consider: Acts 9:19-22

Ask God for wisdom and strength, to not fall victim to the love of this world. 

Praise God for revealing himself to us through his Son Jesus Christ!

Pray that we might be continually transformed as we encounter Christ each day.  

Prayer Requests- June 5, 2016

Praise:   Sherry Clark, Ryland Dunnehoo, Ashley Bieber and her newborn, Joe Billings, Keisha Anderson and her baby, Alton Johnson, Avery Fuller, and Scarlett Shockley is doing better.  Becky Lowe and Donnie Johnson were able to come home.   Dave Butler’s brain tumor is not cancerous.  Aaron Martin made it home safely. 

Recent Requests: The Bullers, Rob Woodard, Kirby Roy, Jaycee Fuller, Robert Garcia, Morgan Strother, Dave Butler, Jehtt Wilmore, Dillard Fontenot, Ashley Strother, Mrs. Jimmie Banks, Felix & Elaine Melder, Melvin Lucas, Danielle Cloud, Deborah Cloud, Heather Hensley, Charles Peters, Jeremy Martin, Twiggy Johnson, Dr. Catherin Terrell, Edna Woodard, Denise Wright; Todd Mason, Dorothy Browning, Elizabeth Bailey-Paul, Bobby Odom, Ashley Stallings, Clyde Dunn, Michelle Dauzat, Keith Monroe, Lisa King, Clyde Holloway

Pray for the persecuted Christians, missionaries, victims of terrorism, 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. 

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, Arnold Gill; 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, 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, 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, Eleanor Rumenyak, 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; 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

Deaths: The families of Billy Campbell, Robert Johnson, Yanna Eaves, Bridgette Gordon, Peppy Doughy

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- May 29, 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 1:1-10

The Essence of the Gospel

-          I have heard the expression “God is the gospel,” which I think adequately sums up the idea that our salvation is found in the very nature of God the Father, and what he accomplished through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

-          How does this passages acknowledge that Jesus “gave himself for our sins” speak to the heart of Christ?  What does it tell us about Christ that he was willing to sacrifice himself for us?

-          Jesus’ sacrifice was according to “the will of our God and Father.”  What does it tell you about God that he desired to save sinners like us?

-          Passage to Consider: Isaiah 53:5, 10

The False Gospel of Security

-          As humans, we crave security.  It is easier to trust in things we can see or touch, than a God who is invisible. 

-          As we will see, the Galatians were being tempted to return to the Law of Moses, a series of laws given to the Israelites during the Exodus. 

-          The Law offered a checklist of things they could do, or avoid doing, in order to put them in right standing with God…or so they thought. 

-          In a similar fashion, the Israelites made a golden calf to worship in the wilderness, even as God was giving the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai!  It seems they were motivated, at least in part, by the fact that Moses had been gone for a long time, and they didn’t know what to do. 

-          How does our desire for security lead us to trust in things rather than God?

-          What idols do we construct in our life because of our desire to trust in something visible, something tangible?

-          Passage to Consider: Exodus 32:7-14

Destruction of New Creation?

-          When we choose the path of the Law, the path of self-justification, we travel a road that ends in destruction.  Paul says that those who preach such a course, will be subject to the judgment and wrath of God, leading to their own destruction!

-          However, when we choose faith, to trust in God, the end result is new creation.  At the end of this letter, Paul says that outward signs mean nothing, all that truly matters is whether we have allowed God to make us a new creation through the work of his Spirit!

-          Are you walking the destructive path of self-righteousness, or have to put your faith in God?

-          Passage to Consider: Galatians 6:14-15

Praise God for being our gospel, our “good news.” 

Pray for the wisdom to avoid trusting in false gospels, and the courage and faith to trust in the only one capable of making us a new creation!

Prayer Requests- May 29, 2016

Prayer Requests

Praise:   Dave Butler’s brain tumor is not cancerous.  Diane Yancey and family made it home safely. 

Recent Requests: Avery Fuller, Jaycee Fuller, Robert Garcia, Morgan Strother, Dave Butler, Jehtt Wilmore, Dillard Fontenot, Ashley Strother, Geraldine Clark, Mrs. Jimmie Banks, Felix & Elaine Melder, Melvin Lucas, Becky Lowe, Danielle Cloud, Deborah Cloud, Heather Hensley, Charles Peters, Alton Johnson, Jeremy Martin, Twiggy Johnson, Ashley Bieber and her newborn, RC & Flo Conway; Dr. Catherin Terrell, Edna Woodard, Joe Billings; Denise Wright; Scarlett Shockley; Todd Mason, Dorothy Browning, Elizabeth Bailey-Paul, Bobby Odom, Ashley Stallings, Clyde Dunn, Ryland Dunnehoo, Sherry Clark, Michelle Dauzat, Keith Monroe, Keisha Anderson, Lisa King, Clyde Holloway

Pray for the persecuted Christians, missionaries, victims of terrorism, 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. 

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, Claire Cotton, Sampson Doyle III, James Otis Dunn, Kimmy Fix, Briley Fuller, Arnold Gill; 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, 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, and those in the military

Cancer Patients:  Heather Ashworth, Marvin Banks, Ronnie Bedgood, Sylvia Bollock, Ashley Brown, Hedy Butler, Shirley Cameron, Billy Campbell, 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, Eleanor Rumenyak, 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; 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; Aaron Martin

Deaths: The families of Yanna Eaves, Bridgette Gordon, Doris Polk, J. D. Wells, Roger Melder, Peppy Doughy

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- May 22, 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 Revelation 22:1-5

Eternal Life is God’s Gift

-          Many people believe in eternal life.  Christians are not alone in this belief.  The Greek philosophers believed that the soul was inherently eternal, and would one day be freed from our temporary bodies. 

-          While the Greeks were right about the possibility of eternal life, they neglected the source of that eternal life.

-          As the only truly eternal thing, the only being who is eternal by his own power, it is God who gives eternal life through Jesus.  Eternal life is a gift from God. 

-          Passage to Consider: Luke 18:28-30

Eternal Life is Quality of Life, not just Quantity

-          When we think about eternal life, we often stress the quantitative aspect, how long eternity is.  (Which of course can’t be defined, because it never end!)  But eternal life is about much more than simply living forever. 

-          What if someone offered you eternal life, but it was a life of suffering? 

-          Eternal life is something to look forward to not just because it is never-ending, but because of its quality as well. 

-          Eternal life is the best possible quality of life, because it is life with God. 

-          Passage to Consider: John 10:10

Eternal Life is Jesus

-          Jesus figures prominently in the Bible’s description of eternal life. 

-          Not only does it explicitly mention the blessing of Jesus’ presence, but it uses imagery which Jesus used in the gospel of John to refer to himself and the gifts he gives. 

-          When you talk about eternity and heaven, how do you speak of it?

-          How much does Jesus figure into your thinking about heaven?

-          There is no heaven without Jesus!

-          Passage to Consider: John 4:13-14; John 8:12

Praise God for the incomprehensible gift of eternal life. 

Thank God for the hope of a blessed existence with him, eternally! 

Pray for a deeper love for Christ, the source of our life and light!