Not that those pre-camps and practices are unimportant.  The fact is, if Jordan Jefferson, Rueben Randle, Patrick Peterson, and the rest of the LSU team have worked hard in practice, their games will be more successful, which will make our (us fans) Saturdays even better.  We understand that there is a link between practice and performance.

What is true of football is also true of our spiritual growth and success. Recently our Sunday night Bible class was viewing a video series entitled, “Living With Confidence In A Chaotic World.”  The series features Dr. David Jeremiah.  In one of those lessons, Dr. Jeremiah encouraged us to stay consisted.  He used an illustration about his son being a quarterback and how his son would practice “REPS” in preparing for games. He explained that REPS is short for repetitions.  In football that means practicing the same throws, blocks, routes, and tackles over and over and over again.  Do that in practice and you will be consistent in games.

Dr. Jeremiah’s point about REPS should not be missed by those of us who desire to grow in Christ.  It takes us doing REPS to develop as good Christians.  I asked the Sunday night class to put words to each of the letters in REPS that would describe a spiritual action that we should practice over and over and over again.   There were many good suggestions, but here are the ones I liked the best:

The “R” stands for consistently Reading God’s Word.

The “E” stands for consistently Encouraging one another by attending worship and classes.

The “P” stands for consistently Praying.

The “S” stands for consistently Serving.

Good luck to those LSU Tigers!  I hope that they have done their REPS.  God bless you in your Christian growth, but it is up to us to practice our REPS.

Geaux Christians!

God Is Good so Be Good For His Glory!

Bro Mike

During the month of June we studied Hebrews 11 and learned about Christian faith.  Last month we studied Romans 8 and learned about Christian hope.  This month (August) we will study 1 Corinthians 13 and learn about the greatest Christian virtue of them all – love.  In Hebrews 11 and 12 we discovered that our faith leads us to Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith.  In Romans 8 we discovered that our hope is based in Jesus.  God’s purpose (hope) in us is to shape us to the likeness of His Son.  In 1 Corinthians 13 we will learn that trusting in (our faith) and becoming like Jesus (our hope) is to practice Christian love.  Think about it. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is one of the most recognizable passages in the Bible.  It has been suggested that if you substituted the name “Jesus” of the word “love’ in this passage, nothing would change. Read the following and see what I mean.

“Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind. Jesus does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud.  Jesus is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs.  Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Jesus never fails.”

Faith, hope and love are necessary virtues to our Christian growth, but the greatest of these is love.  That’s because when we love like Jesus, we have become what God wants us to be.  Faith and hope points us there, but only in love is the reality of it experienced.  Come to worship this month and learn how to love like Jesus.

Below for the sermon titles for August

Sunday, August 1       The Preeminence of Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

Sunday, August 8       The Practice of Love (1 Corinthians 13:4-6)

Sunday, August 15     The Products of Love (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Sunday, August 22     The Permanence of Love (1 Corinthians 13:8-13)

Person #2 “Will this pain ever go away?    I have tried pills, rehab, and home remedies, but nothing works.  I am hurting.”

Person #3 “I get up.  Go to work. Come home. Watch TV. I go to bed.  In between those four activities are bills, stress, and headaches.  The next day I do it all over again.  I love my family, my country, my hobbies, but I need more. I want my life to really count for something.  Right now, I am not getting that done.  I am useless.”

Person #4 “The world seems to be getting worse. Violence, persecution, disasters, and corruption are everywhere.  The future looks bleak.  God help my children.  How are we going to survive this?  I am not sure.”

Can you relate to any or all of these people?  Mankind has been looking for answers to these questions since Adam and Eve rebelled against God and was thrown out of the Garden of Eden.  However, there is a solution to the effects of sin, suffering, and senselessness.  It is called Christian HOPE.   Grounded in the truth, the actions, and the grace of God, Christian hope puts our faith to work.

Beginning this Sunday, I begin the second part of my sermon series on Faith, Hope and Love.   July is HOPE month.  Join us in worship on Sunday morning and together we will study the gems of Christian hope found in Romans 8.  I believe it to be as much of a chapter on hope as Hebrews 11 is a chapter on faith or 1 Corinthians 13 is on love.

Someone has said, “We can live forty days without food, eight days without water, four minutes without air, but only a few seconds without hope.”  I need the hope offered in Romans 8.  I believe you will find that you do as well.  Hope to see you Sunday in worship.

God is Good,

Bro. Mike

Below for the sermon titles for July

Sunday, July 4            Christian Hope: Defeating Our Sin

Sunday, July 11          Christian Hope: Helping With Our Suffering

Sunday, July 18          Christian Hope: Rising Above Our Senselessness

Sunday, July 25          Christian Hope: Conquering Our Insecurity

June will be faith month.  Beginning this Sunday we will learn about faith from Hebrews 11.   Many have dubbed it as “the Great Faith Chapter” since it includes a who’s who of worthy Old Testament believers.  Come and learn from these great men and women of faith.

Below are the sermon titles for June.

Sunday, June 6            A God-Pleasing Faith (Hebrews 11:1-7)

Sunday, June 13          A Trusting Faith (Hebrews 11:8-16)

Sunday, June 20          A Defining Faith (Hebrews 11:17-26)

Sunday, June 27          A Conquering Faith (Hebrews 11:27-38)

In July we will learn about Christian hope.  Romans 8 will be are text for that study.  All of us have had longings for something more.  We hope to become a better person, or to live in a better world, or to find a better purpose.  Come to worship in July and learn how Romans 8 provides us with a road map of how God can make that all possible.

In August we will study about Christian love.  During that month we will turn to 1 Corinthians 13.  We have all heard this passage used during weddings since it does colorfully describes what love is and is not.  Come to worship in August and learn why the greatest of these is love.

How are you feeling about your life in general and about your relationship with the Lord?  If you had to face Him today and account for your life decisions and actions, would you pass His inspection?  This Sunday’s sermon is entitled, “Our Life Pass.”  Come to worship and celebrate Jesus, who is our life pass, and renewal your appreciation for Him.  Maybe you are trying to live without Jesus.  Come and heard why you should make Him your life pass.

Paul speaks to the SAINTS at Philippi (one of the first “who that?’ nations) and teaches them that life in Christ is sweet.  God’s Word still speaks to us today.  I hope that you will come and join the saints at Denham Springs as we all learn why and how Jesus needs to be what our life is all about.

The following is a sermon schedule for this series from the book of Philippians.

Sunday: January  24    Our Life Partnership   Philippians 1:1-11

Sunday: January  31    Our Life Purpose        Philippians 1:12-30

Sunday: February  7    Our Life Pattern          Philippians 2:1-18

Sunday: February 14   Our Life Practice        Philippians 2:17-30

Sunday: February 21   Our Life Pass              Philippians 3:1-9

Sunday: February 28   Our Life Passion         Philippians 3:10-21

Sunday: March       7   Our Life Peace            Philippians 4:1-9

Sunday: March     14   Our Life Prosperity     Philippians 4:10-17

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.  So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Matthew 24:42-44)

Are you ready for the coming of the Second Coming of Jesus?   How you answer that depends on what you think the word “ready” means.  What is a ready church?

In Matthew 24:45-25:30, Jesus gives us a three part answer as to what a ready church looks like.  According to Jesus, a “Ready Church” is…

1. A Fed Church

A ready church is one that is feeding on the Word of God.

2. A Filled Church

A ready church is one that is filled with the Spirit of God.

3. A Functioning Church

A ready church is one that is functioning as a Servant of God.

Want to know more?  Join us in worship on Sunday morning at 10:45am as Brother Mike preaches on these themes.

Ecclesiastes 7:9

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

2. Learn to be flexible.  While traditions may have some value, don’t hold on to traditions that are impossible because circumstances have changed.

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

Ecclesiastes 7:10

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.

3. Do not frustrate yourself by feeling overly obligated.

Proverbs 20:25

It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.

4.  Set limits on spending too much money.

Proverbs 22:7

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Proverbs 22:26-27

Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

5.  Set limits on your diet and drinking, aim at moderation.

Proverbs 23:20-21

Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

6.  Try to think in positive terms instead of focusing on negatives.

Proverbs 15:30

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

7.  Try to view events with humor when possible.

Proverbs 15:13

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

8.  As far as it depends on you, be a peacemaker.  However, realize you cannot control other peoples feelings, decisions, and attitudes.  But be sure to check your own.

Proverbs 17:1

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

Proverbs 17:9

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 15:23

A man finds joy in giving an apt reply– and how good is a timely word!

Proverbs 27:9

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Proverbs 16:21, 23-24

The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.  A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

9. Do not isolate yourself. Ask for help when you begin to feel overwhelmed.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

10. Give God any anxiety that you may feel.    He will be glad to help you.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 30:4-5

Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!  “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.  (Acts 13:2-3)

On Sunday, October 4, the church held a special prayer time for a short term mission team being sent to Donetsk, Ukraine.  Team members are Sherry Abbott, Lynn King, Todd and Jacob Jolibois.  They will be conducting a series of Bible lessons by way of storytelling, puppets, games and crafts for a group of orphans.  The mission team left for Donetsk on Wednesday, October 7 and will return on Wednesday, October 21. If you have a Twitter account, you can follow Todd and/or Jacob Jobilios while they are on the trip.  They will be twitting updates for the team.  Todd’s twitter account is drjolibois and Jacob’s twitter account is ishoot4him.

(If you have access to the internet and don’t have a Twitter account, you can set up an account for free. Once on twitter, click on “find people” and type in drjolibois and ishoot4him. After they have confirmed your account, you should be able to follow them.)

UPDATE (10/14/09)

Our mission team is one week into the work in Donetsk, Ukraine and the Lord has blessed.  When they arrived in Donetsk, they were told that many of the orphans that they were scheduled to work with had the flu and that they may not be well enough for the team to visit.  This was major since the team’s preparation had been primarily focused on working with these orphans.  But by Monday, the orphans were better (Praise the Lord) and the team has been able to shared God’s word with them via Bible stories, related crafts and games.  Sherry made a comment to me that the orphanage, while doing the best they could with the resources they have, is very depressing.  These children are true orphans, no parents or family.  It is in that environment that our team is spreading the love, hope, and peace that only Jesus can give.

As part of the former Soviet Union, Ukraine for years had been a state where faith in God had been outlawed.   Now faith in God is encouraged and many are embracing Christianity.  In the short time they have been there, our team has met other Christians from the United State who are doing the same type of work.  Our team is staying on a Christian school campus.  Sherry said that the dorm type rooms are very nice.  While I don’t know its history or who supports it, it is encouraging to know that a Christian university is present there.  The local churches of Christ are very committed and activity.  After spending this past Sunday in worship in a couple of congregations, Todd Jobilios commented on twitter how wonderful the Ukrainian’s sing in worship.  Bro. Paul Kitzmiller preached during one of the services.  It sounds like our team is being encouraged in the Lord as much as they are being encouragers.  Bottom line is that the Lord is working in a country and people that have been shut out for years.

With that said however, other false faiths are working in the Ukraine as well.  Just like Satan to come along side a plant the tares.   Islam has a major present to the nations just south.  To the north much of Russia is still of the old humanistic and communistic mindset.  Since the late 80’s God has provided a window of opportunity for Christianity in this part of the world.

How long the window will remain open no one but the Lord knows?  That is why teams of Christians need to go now!   Perhaps all, most, or even if just some of these orphans come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior; perhaps they will grow up to be strong church members and leaders within the Ukraine.  Pray that they will continue to live and work for the Lord after the window is closed.  Thank the Lord for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Has our team finishes up, pray for the following items:

On Friday they will minister in a local hospital and then later to the youth of one of the local congregations in Donetsk.  Pray that they can finish strong.

On Saturday they will rest up and do some sight seeking after a week of hard work.  Pray that they can rest up for the long trip home and bring back to us some of the sights in Donetsk.

On Sunday they will celebrate and worship the Lord with the Ukraine Christians. Pray that they will encourage one another.

On Sunday or Monday (I can’t remember which) they take a train to Kiev, Ukraine. From Kiev they fly to Frankfurt, Germany.  From Frankfurt they fly to Chicago and from there to New Orleans.  They are due to arrive in New Orleans very late Wednesday night.  Pray for their safety.

For the next few Sundays, Brother Mike’s sermons will focus on worship. The goal of worship should be both reverent and relevant. Worship should be reverent because real worship always encounters the holy, transcendent, Almighty God. True worship begins and ends with God.

But real worship should also impact our humanity, our character and our actions. It should inspire us, transform us, and revive us. So what we do during worship is important. But why do we worship the way that we do? For example, why do we worship on Sundays? And why do we in the churches of Christ sing a cappella while many other churches use instrumental accompaniment? And why do we observe communion each Sunday when many other Christian groups observe it less frequently? Brother Mike hopes to answer these questions and many others over the next few Sundays. We hope that you will join us.

The following is a schedule of my upcoming Sunday sermons:

August 16: What the New Testament Church Should Learn From Old Testament Worship?

August 23: Why We Sing Without Musical Instruments?

August 30: Why Communion Is The Focal Point Of Our Worship Service?

September 6: Why Preaching God’s Word Is Still Relevant Today?

September 13: What Is Worshiping In The Spirit And In The Truth?