This past Monday, January 18, 2010, was “one of those days.” The day began with a call from our dear sister Linda Butler. Her dear mother and our sister in Christ, Christine Sheets, passed from this life to Paradise early Monday morning. We extend to this family our deepest sympathies. The earthly tabernacle of Sister Sheets will be gently carried to Kentucky and laid to rest beside her loving husband. She was 93 years of age. Please remember this family in your prayers. Sister Linda will need our prayers and support during the coming days as she adjusts to the changes of life.

After a couple of phone calls from Christians who almost had me questioning my decision to become a gospel preacher, I thought: “What going on?” Then it hit me. Monday was the third Monday in January and what some call “Blue Monday”, supposedly the one day of the year when people are most negative about their lives. Overspending during the holidays is now showing up in the mail. The turkey and dressing, apple pie and ice cream, along with all those family get-togethers sitting on the sofa watching the tube is now showing up on the bathroom scales. Thoughts of springtime flowers and summer vacations are overshadowed by cold temperatures, dreary skies, and rain. Gray seems to be overtaking us.

In addition to these things, we have seen images of the utter chaos in Haiti; and we mourn for the citizens of that country as they face such overwhelming tribulations stemming from a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Tears swell in my eyes and my heart aches as I try to imagine how the country will survive such unimaginable circumstances. We all are survivors.

Please know that “Blue Monday” is just a myth. It isn’t real. In life we make choices and experience the consequences of those choices. Others make choices that affect our lives with or without our consent or knowledge, and we must make adjustments. Life happens. Jesus told His disciples about life in John 16:33; “These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

God is always right. His word is infallible. He has told us in Galatians 6, verses 9-10: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Any day can be a “blue” day or one of the best days of life depending on our understanding of the facts of life. We must not allow the philosophies of this world to deceive us and lead us to doubt, disappointment, discouragement, and depression. These are tools of the enemy: Satan. He uses these tools to tempt us to turn on each other with unjust criticism, judgment, and cynicism.

God does not deceive. He is truth. He never disappoints. He is our Father. His plans always end in victory. He is our Savior. His ways lead to happiness and prosperity. He has told us about the “up’s and down’s” of life in His inspired word, the Bible. When we are experiencing the “ups” of life, let us glorify God for His grace and mercy and remain humble before Him. When we are experiencing the “downs” of life, let us trust God even more and be reminded that we are not alone, that though today may be filled with sorrow, pain, loneliness, and loss; God remains ready, willing, and able to help us in our time of need.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea…” (Psalm 46:1-2).

What about this weather? “Brrr - Frozen” for several days then “Ahhh – Much better” – 60 now! Some people really like the cold … the electric company, the gas company, and maybe those in the plumbing business, or in the heating and cooling business. No problem! We will soon be surrounded by the sights and sounds of spring. I’m ready!

Did you realize that our South Carolina State-Wide Bible Bowl is only 6 weeks away, scheduled for Saturday, February 27th, here at St. Andrews Road? Our Bible Bowl teams are working day and night studying Lamentations and Ecclesiastes. They will be ready. Thank you to every team member and instructor for all you are doing to see that we are ready. Soon there will be sign-up sheets on the Bulletin Board for all who can help. Go by, check out the opportunities, and get involved.

Do you remember the points from last week’s lesson entitled “Under New Management”? When we are baptized into Christ, we are a new creation. The old things of life have passed away. All things have become new (II Corinthians 5:17). In Christ, everything changes. Each point started with the letter “M”.

We have a new M____________________. We no longer serve sin.
He shows us a new M____________________. We no longer desire sin.
We now have a new M____________________, life.
He provides a new M____________________. We no longer love sin.
We now have a new M____________________. Our focus has changed.
We have a new M____________________. Sin no longer interests us.
Did you think of any other points that could be made?
____________________ ____________________
____________________ ____________________

Congratulations to Gabriel Jenkins, son of Millie Sindo and brother to Adrian, Brianna, and Christian. Gabriel was baptized into Christ this past Sunday evening. What a joy it was to hear him say, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” and then watch him be buried with Christ in baptism. Make sure you tell him how thankful we are to have him as our new brother in Christ. He is a fine young man and one of our most talented Bible Bowl team members.

It is our privilege to host the Area Men’s and Preachers’ Meeting each month. Our next meeting will be here at St. Andrews Road this coming Tuesday, January 19th, at 10:00 a.m., in the auditorium. I will teach a lesson on the benefits of being “in Christ” the first hour. We will discuss the infallibility of Scripture during the second hour. This meeting is for any Christian brother who can attend. Everyone is invited to meet at Cracker Barrel on Bush River Road for a Dutch-treat lunch together.

On Sunday morning for the next three weeks, our lessons will focus on our need for a greater appreciation for the inspired word of God. Read Psalm 119 and note the focus of this Psalm. Note the words: “word, ways, testimonies, commandments, precepts, statutes, judgments, and law.” This Sunday our lesson is entitled: The Bible: The Book of Books!

Sunday evenings are very special times of worship, study, and fellowship at St. Andrews Road. This Sunday evening we will take a look at the first of Paul’s lessons to Timothy: FLEE. This series of lessons will also include Paul’s instruction to “pursue” or FOLLOW … After that Paul told Timothy to FIGHT … Finally, he told him to “lay hold” or FOCUS … If you would like to read ahead, read I Timothy 6.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, Sunday night, and Wednesday night.

Well, we’re already into this New Year going about our Father’s business following Jesus’ example. His mission was to seek and save the lost. Of course we cannot save anyone. Only God can save. But we can seek those who are lost in sin to teach them God’s plan of salvation. It is our privilege and duty to share the gospel of Christ, God plan of salvation with all who will hear. Paul wrote concerning the power of God to salvation in Romans 1:16-17.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Our renovation continues. Have you seen all the changes? We’re getting ever closer to moving back into our newly updated offices, classrooms, restrooms, meeting rooms, and fellowship hall. Thank you for your patience and your generosity toward this major project. God has blessed us and will continue to fulfill His promises toward us in this New Year. May we fulfill our promises to Him and to one another! Remember what Jesus said in Luke 6:38:

“Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Have you ever been to a restaurant to eat and found that your experience was somewhat less than what you expected? Maybe the floor was dirty, or the waitress was unfriendly, or the food was cold or tasted funny. You determined not to go back to that restaurant again. Then later as you drove past the restaurant you noticed a sign on the door that said, “Under New Management.” You then decided to give the place another chance and found the reverse of your first experience. The place was clean. The staff was friendly and helpful. The food was delicious and just right. What made the difference? New Management!

The same it true with becoming a Christian. Before we became a Christian sin and Satan “managed” our lives. The happiness we thought we felt faded fast. Sadness, pain, loneliness, and trouble seemed to surround us as soon as we stopped to think or rest. The nights were often long and lonely. Then we heard about Jesus, maybe from our parents, a friend, or someone at work or school. After a few questions and answers from the Bible we made the decision to believe in Him as the Son of God. We repented of our sins (Acts 2:38), confessed His name (Acts 8:36-37), and were baptized into Him (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13). He added us to His church (Acts 2:47). We welcomed a new manager (Matthew 7:21, 24-27). It is true. Everyone has problems. Sinners have problems. Christians have problems too. Just like Jesus said, “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). The rains descend, the floods come, and the winds blow in every life whether a person hears the word of God and does it or whether a person hears the word of God and rejects it (Matthew 7:24-27). The difference shows itself before, during, and after the storm. In Christ we have faith, hope, and confidence before the storms of life. In Christ we have strength and endurance during the storms. In Christ we have knowledge, wisdom, and humility after the storms.

Are you tired of the old manager (sin, selfishness, the past, things, money, worldliness, sinful habits, helplessness, pills, drink, food, etc.) in your life promising and promising and never keeping those promises? Come to Jesus!

2009 is quickly coming to a close. 2010 lies ahead of us, waiting patiently for the dawn of January 1st. We have experienced many changes in 2009 at St. Andrews Road. We have grown and will continue to grow in number, in grace, in love, in fellowship, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we are nourished by the word of God (Matthew 4:4), as we put into practice what we are taught (James 1:22), and as we wait patiently on God to fulfill His promises (Galatians 6:9-10).

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 3:6 concerning growth. “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” Indeed God has answered our prayers with a harvest of new brothers and sisters in Christ. Just this past Sunday evening God blessed the church with three new members. Tammy Badgett made the good confession that was baptized into Christ. Her finance’ Steve Hawn also decided to commit his life to Christ and be baptized. Their wedding is planned for this month. Please make sure you meet them and let them know how happy we are to have them with us at St. Andrews Road. We also welcome Angela Davis, Hannibal Davis’ mom to the church at St. Andrews Road. Sister Davis has been worshiping with us for several weeks and just this week decided to work under the oversight of our elders.

This has been a challenging year financially for some of our families. A few of our brothers and sisters lost their jobs this year. Some of them are working again. Others are still prayerfully and patiently waiting for work. Even in these troublesome times we have met all our financial obligations and have exceeded our budget for the year. God is good to us. To Him we give all glory, honor, and praise for the rich blessings that we enjoy.

Take a look around our facilities. Walk into the auditorium and you will see new updates. Walk through the lobby and see the new paint. Walk into our restrooms and note the positive changes. God has blessed us.

The renovations to our classrooms, offices, and fellowship hall, as well as our halls, restrooms and conference rooms continue and will be completed in just a few short weeks. God continues to bless us as we labor together in harmony and unity in His name. May we always put His kingdom and His righteousness first in our lives! Jesus said that when we put first things first “all these things will be added to us” (Matthew 6:33).

Our Sunday morning sermon series “About Our Father’s Business” continues this Sunday. Jesus was always about His Father’s business. His mission was to preach, serve, live, die, and rise again so that the whole world could be saved by grace through faith. He lived to honor His Father. He brought glory to His Father by fulfilling His Father’s will. He finished the work that His Father gave Him to do (John 17:1-5). Think about it. Jesus “business” was and is people. His Father’s business is “people.” We too must be about people: our family and friends, the saved and the lost, the thirsty, the hungry, the naked, the stranger, the sick, and those in prison, even our enemies. If you would like to read ahead, read Luke 4:14-21.

This Sunday evening we will look at “Understanding Growth.” Balance is vital to our growth. A positive mental attitude is also a key to understanding growth. Every action is influenced by the way the think. We must not allow circumstances, people, things, or feelings to direct our thinking. Our thinking and then our decisions are influenced and directed by God’s word.

I look forward to sharing these lessons from the word of God with you.

December! Can you believe it? Christmas in 20 days! Happy New Year 2010 in just 26 days! This is a time for evaluation, consideration, administration, and then demonstration. Take a look at yourself. How have you lived your life? The past is filled with ups and downs, positives and negatives, wins and losses, good decisions and decisions that we regret, righteousness and sin. What lessons have you learned from the past? The lessons you have learned will serve you well in living today, tomorrow, and into the future. How are you living your life today? How will you live your life tomorrow and into the coming year? Decide to live with a view of eternity.

“The Preacher” (Solomon) wrote in Ecclesiastes 11:9-10;
”Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity.”

He wrote in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 concerning life and living;
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:1;
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

He wrote in the same chapter, verses 15 and 16;
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

This Sunday morning we will continue in our sermon series entitled “About Our Father’s Business.” We will once again look to Jesus to show us just how we must live our lives every day about our Father’s business. If you would like to read ahead, read John 17:1-5. Jesus glorified His Father. What does it mean to glorify our Father? Who should? Why should we? How can we? Where do we? We will look to the Scriptures to answer these questions.

On Sunday evening the theme for our study is “Understanding Growth.” We have found that growth is natural and is the result of proper nutrition (Matthew 4:4), reasonable exercise (James 1:22), and time (Galatians 6:9). We have also found that growth is good (Matthew 4:4). It is of God (1 Corinthians 3:6). It is necessary (John 15:1-3). It is expected (Matthew 25:14-30).

This Sunday evening we will take a look at the importance of BALANCE when it comes to growth. Jesus experienced balanced growth. The New Testament church was balanced in their growth. Our purpose and desire for ourselves, for our children, and for everyone is that we all grow in wisdom (mentally) and stature (physically) and in favor with God (spiritually) and men (socially). It could be that you know someone who is not balanced in their growth. Consider someone growing physically but not mentally? I had a cousin who had a terrible virus when he was very young. This affected his mind for the rest of his life. He grew physically. He loved everyone. He loved going to church. But… Just think of a fifty year old man with the mind of a two year old. My great aunt had a tough time. Now think of a church that is huge when it comes to the number in attendance but yet cannot tell you why they do what they do or believe what they believe. I look forward to our study together.