Jury duty! A first for me! Last week I was selected for jury duty and served along side five other jurors in Magistrate Court. It was a privilege for me to fulfill my duty as a citizen of the United States of America, the greatest country in the world. I did notice that some of my fellow citizens did not seem as “privileged” as I was. The judge asked us if there were any prospective jurors who could not be fair in their judgment. Surprisingly to me and to the judge, three people raised their hands. The judge called these three people to the bench and asked them the following question, “Is it my understanding that you cannot be fair in your judgment even though you have not heard the case or even any details of the case?” These three people answered, “We cannot.” Of course the judge released these people from their jury duty. After these people left the courtroom, the judge looked over to the clerk and said, “Well, that’s a first.” Over the last few days I have thought about these three people and others in our communities who may be like them. There are people who simply cannot, or will not, or are not fair. I am sorry to have to write that statement. But unfortunately, the statement is true. We all can find consolation in the fact that though people may or may not be fair in their judgment, God is always fair. He is always right. He is always just. He is always perfect in His thoughts, in His word, and in His decisions. We may not always understand His thoughts and judgments, but His thoughts and judgments are fair, right, just and perfect the same.

The prophet Isaiah wrote God’s word in Isaiah 55:8-9:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Our brother in Christ and apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:18-27 concerning life, our sufferings, the futility that we are subjected to, the bondage of corruption that we will some day be delivered from, the weaknesses that we endure then writes in verse 28; “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Our Sunday morning series “Faith to Victory in Christ” continues this Sunday with a lesson from John 11, the Biblical account of Jesus power over life and death. We will look at the people in this account and learn “Lessons from Lazarus.” If you would like to read ahead to prepare for this lesson read John 11. Notice Jesus. He was all-powerful then. He still is. He will be forever. Notice the disciples, especially Thomas. Note their lack of understanding. Notice Martha and Mary. They believed that Jesus could have healed their brother. But obviously they did not believe that He could raise him from the dead. Notice the mourners. They recognized Jesus’ love and his power to heal, but questioned Jesus’ punctuality. Notice Lazarus. He was sick and dying, then dead and waiting. I look forward to learning lessons from Lazarus.

Last Sunday night at SAR we looked at Jesus as our Provider. He provides everything we need according to His will and purpose. He is the door where we enter for salvation and provision. This Sunday evening we will see that Jesus provides not only blessings and benefits, but also hardship and chastening. Our Scripture text can be found in Hebrews 12:5-11.

Our Vacation Bible School is scheduled for July 11th through 15th. I hope you can schedule your summer activities around Vacation Bible School and be present every night. If you can help with this year’s VBS, that would be great! Brother Bill Young is our coordinator. We need you!

Last week I made a quick trip to Arkansas to see my granddaughter graduate from preschool. That’s right. Preschool! Let’s see…800 miles and 12 hours in the car to Arkansas on Monday…Graduation on Tuesday…800 miles and 15 hours in the car back to South Carolina on Wednesday. Wednesday was one of those days. I left Conway, Arkansas at 5:00 a.m. hoping to arrive in Columbia in time for Bible study. At 6:30 I had driven 90 miles when my battery light came on followed by several other lights. A minute or two later I was sitting on the side of the interstate waiting for a tow truck to take me to someone who could replace my alternator and battery. Have you ever been stranded on an interstate? There was a guard rail three inches from the right side of my car. Those big rigs were passing by at 70+ miles per hour within four feet of the left side of my car. Whew! Three hours and $482.27 later I was back on the road again. It certainly is odd that a $300.00 job costs almost $500.00 when you’re away from home and you need help as soon as possible. Anyway…The trip was worth more to me than all the money in the world. Too many people have lost sight of what is truly important in life: Faith in God, family and friendship, peace, hope, and love.

Our Sunday morning series is entitled “Faith to Victory in Jesus.” Last Sunday morning we considered three lessons from two fishing trips (Luke 5). On the first trip the disciples fished alone. On the second trip Jesus was present. On the first fishing trip the disciples fished their plan. On the second trip they fished Jesus’ plan. On the first fishing trip the disciples hoped in fish. On the second trip they fished in hope. Let us consider life as a fishing trip and learn these valuable lessons about life. We can do so much more with Jesus present in our lives than we can ever do alone. Jesus’ plan is so much better than ours. Isn’t it time that we stopped hoping in fish, in things, in our own power and started fishing, living in hope, in Christ? Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-34; “Therefore do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

This Sunday morning we will look at the conversion of Saul of Tarsus from his father’s law to faith in Christ Jesus. Saul is also known as Paul (Acts 13:9). Luke records the Biblical account of Saul’s conversion in three places in the book of Acts: 9:1-19; 22:6-16, and 26:12-18. It would be great if you could read these accounts before Sunday. We will learn three lessons from Saul that will help us to find faith to victory in Jesus. We must not lie. We must not cry. We must not sit by. We must arise.

Last Sunday evening we looked at Jesus as our Shepherd. This Sunday evening we will consider Jesus as our Provider. He provides HEALTH.

Our physical body is a member of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:15, 19). Paul told Timothy to exercise himself toward godliness. He said, “Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (I Timothy 4:7-8). God’s word was written that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ and that believing we may have life in Him (John 20:31). God’s word was written that we might not sin (I John 2:1). Jesus came that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Are you healthy?

What a wonderful week it has been in beautiful Columbia, South Carolina! I just love these cool refreshing mornings. Don’t you? Most of our spring blooms have now faded away. The trees are full of leaves (Try not to think about all the raking we’ll have to do in the fall.). Summer is almost here. We are blessed!

We had a great Mother’s Day breakfast last Saturday morning! Just about every chair was filled with mothers and grandmothers as well as family and friends gathered to enjoy a special breakfast especially prepared by the men of the congregation. Thank you to every Christian brother young and older for getting up especially early on a Saturday morning to serve our mothers. Of course the reward for our labor together was delicious and plentiful.

Congratulations to our 2010 graduating seniors. We are hosting a special graduation celebration on Saturday, May 15th at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. This event is for the entire congregation. Come and celebrate this momentous occasion with our graduating seniors and their families. Please call the church office if you plan to attend.

This coming Sunday morning we will begin a new series entitled “Faith to Victory in Christ.” We will learn a lesson from four disciples; Peter, Andrew, James, and John about the victory that comes from our faith in Jesus Christ. These fishermen had fished all night long and had caught nothing. Jesus came on the scene and asked to use Peter’s boat to teach the multitude of people who came to hear the word of God. After His lesson Jesus asked Peter to launch back out for a catch of fish. At first Simon Peter was hesitant, but out of respect for Jesus, he obeyed. Do you remember the result of Simon’s faith in the Lord on that day? Read Luke 5:1-11 and see for yourself. We will talk about the two fishing trips and why the second trip resulted in such wonderful blessings. Of course the presence of Jesus made all the difference then for the disciples. He still makes all the difference in our lives today. Are you a Christian? Could it be that you have been “fishing all night and caught nothing?” Is it possible that you are missing the most important “difference” in your life? Sunday’s are always special at St. Andrews Road. We have a place for you!

Every Sunday morning at 10:00 we have special Bible classes for every age and interest including three adult Bible studies and a young professionals class. Our newly renovated educational wing is really beautiful with large welcoming well-lighted classrooms. Our teachers are well-prepared and eager to help every student to grow in the grace of Jesus Christ and in the knowledge of God’s word.

Jesus said; “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Make a change for the better this Sunday and come out at 10:00 to study God’s word with your fellow Christian brothers and sisters. You will be so very glad that you did! You can do it!

Our monthly Men’s and Preachers’ Meeting is scheduled for this coming Tuesday morning, May 18th at 10:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Following the meeting we will eat lunch together at Cracker Barrel on Bush River Road. I hope you can make the meeting on Tuesday. We will take a break for the summer (June and July) then meet again on the third Tuesday in August.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble…” (Psalm 46:1)
“Be still and know that I am God… (Psalm 46:10)
“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God…” (Psalm 53:1)
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust…” (Psalm 71:1)
“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path…” (Psalm 119:105)