Our Themes for April:  A.M. – Joy:  Don’t Look Down.  Look Up!                                                                                         P.M. – God is Able       Have you had a great week?  Remember!  Then put into practice what you learn from God’s        word.       You can possess a positive mind in spite of circumstances (Philippians 1).  A single mind allows      you  to focus on what is most important in your life:  your faith in Jesus Christ, your family, and your friends.       You can possess a positive mind in spite of people (Philippians 2).  A submissive mind allows you to focus on pleasing God rather than people.  When one is pleasing to God in thought, word, and deed, he can be positive in spite of what people might think.       You can be positive in spite of things (Philippians 3).  A spiritual mind will understand that things cannot bring us true happiness.  Happiness comes to those who seek the knowledge of Jesus Christ, press toward the calling of God, and wait patiently for Jesus’ blessings and His return.       You can be positive in spite of worries (Philippians 4).  A secure mind in the strength and power       of Jesus Christ will defeat every worry.  God promises us His peace, His power, and His provision.       This month our series of life lessons is entitled “Joy – Don’t Look Down.  Look Up!”  It happens   while we’re busy with life when working, visiting, playing, resting, worshipping — you know just living       life.  Sometimes we’re at home.  At other times we’re away.  We open our eyes one day and find that      our joy is gone.  What happened?  Our enemy, Satan, wants to take away our joy (John 10:10).  He      tries to get us to please ourselves (2 Corinthians 5:9).  He tries to get us to walk by sight rather than       by faith in God (2 Corinthians 5:7).  He tries to get us to lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:16).  He tries to        get us to look at the “seen” rather than the “unseen” (2 Corinthians 4:18).  This Sunday we will look        at 1 Peter 1 and find our way back to our hope and our joy.       On Sunday night we will begin a series of lesson entitled “God is Able.”  You will not want to miss  this series of lessons aimed at helping every Christian to trust God even more in our every day living.                           God is able to help me in the hour of temptation.                           God is able to keep what we commit to Him.                           God is able to supply sufficiently.                           God is able to answer prayer.                           God is able to subdue all things to Himself.                           God is able to save and to destroy.       Cindi and I traveled to Sanford, North Carolina, to participate in the 64th Annual Carolina      Lectures on Monday.  Cindi had the privilege of speaking to the women on Tuesday, and I spoke to        the men.  We shared the same lesson to our respective audiences:  “The Great Love of God.”  Our      outlines included the preeminence of love, the power of love, the process of love, and the presenta- tion of love.  You’ll probably be hearing some of these lessons in the future here at SAR.  Thank you for allowing me to be away to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ!  Thank you for your great love for Christ and your continued support for our ministry together here in Columbia and the surrounding area.  To  God be the glory in all that we accomplish in His name!       East week I look forward to being with you on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night for worship, study, and fellowship.