Well, how did you do? Have you had time
to recall your parents, grandparents, and
your "growing-up-years"? Have you stopped
to appreciate your brothers and sisters, along
with your children?
How many other things were you able to add
to our previous list? Here are some more of
mine:
I'm thankful for the people who read and
commented on my newspaper writings and
blog writings over the last two years.
I'm thankful for the computer and the
invention of the internet (thanks, Al!).
I'm thankful for columnists and commentators
in major market papers and on honest-
thinking TV programs that fight to keep America
free and great!
I'm thankful for the men and women of our
Armed Forces, both at home and abroad, who
are standing for and fighting for our freedoms
and values, despite what we see and hear from
some of our country's leaders!
It's a blessing that we still have "freedom of
speech", "freedom to dissent", "freedom of
expression", and "freedom of the press", along
with the "freedom of assembly". GOD HELP
US IF WE EVER LOSE THESE FREEDOMS!
I'm thankful for Social Security, may it ever be
available, as without it bringing up my most
recent offspring would have been troublesome!
I'm thankful for Medicare, much of which I've
paid for over my 50-plus years of working, and
which I now can rely on for assistance with my
health issues.
I'm thankful for freedom of thought and expression,
and the ability to think, create, imagine, and
entertain some of my "followers", whoever they be.
I'm thankful for friends, which I consider you to
be, as you have enriched my life by just knowing
you, even if it's only been through this medium
or e-mails. You've added to my happiness!
WE ARE BLESSED! Count your blessings, please!
A thankful heart is a merry heart, and nothing
is healthier than a heart that is at ease and at peace.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Have You Counted Your Blessings Lately?
How often do you count your blessings? Regularly? Now and then? Often? Daily? Whenever
you're reminded to do so? How often do you think you should count the many gifts that God
has given you? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm! Probably every day, hey?
Take time with me to recall and list some of the people, events, and things that we should be
consistently thankful for, including those of years past, as well as what you're enjoying today.
For me, I'm thankful for my PARENTS. I trust that you had good, godly parents who gave you
life and reared you. My dad was a hard working, caring man, who died at the age of 33, while I
was still just 11, the oldest of four. I remember him bringing home my first mitt and baseball,
taking me to Pirate games and on Lake Erie fishing trips, and setting up a volleyball net in our
driveway for the neighborhood kids to play. Of course, there are many other invaluable
recollections of him, but I'm especially thankful for the way he loved my Mom, and for their
dutiful persistence in taking us to the Canonsburg Methodist Church.
My mother, also now deceased, had no marketable skills for employment after Dad's passing,
so she went to work cleaning houses five and six days a week, just to keep the four of us fed,
and to keep us together, despite numerous offers to take one or more of us in to raise. Her
obvious love for God and faith in Him was a prime factor in my subsequent salvation.
Both sets of GRANDPARENTS contributed to my happiness, with vacations at the Richeys home in Majorsville, and living for a while with the O'Donnells. I learned by being around them, and
by watching their characters and personalities. Their obvious love for each other and for me
continues to bless me to this day.
Not to belabor the point, but my siblings were/are a blessing as well. Patty, who died at
the age of 21 by drowning in the Ohio River at Wheeling, was full of life and love. Peggy,
next in line, has been a devoted mother and grandmother to her ever-growing clan. Fred,
my cross-country truck driving brother, has been a constant reason to pray daily, though he
is a safe rig operator. I continue to remind him of God's invitation and patience and love.
I remember with fondness many of my teachers, from Mrs. Call in first grade at Muse School,
to Mr. Youngman and Mr. Gaughn at Triadelphia Jr. High, to Miss Sherrick and Mr. Porter
at Triadelphia High School in Wheeling. They've all blessed me with their diligence. Going
off to Bible College, Mr. Robertson, James Morris, and Walter Buettler all have had a very
positive impact on me. Thank God for them all.
Do you have TEACHERS that you remember and should thank God for?
After leaving what is now Valley Forge Christian College, I spent about 13 years pastoring
three special churches in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Each congregation taught
me how to grow in God. I'm especially thankful for the prayer warriors in each parish, as they
kept me "on the firing line" for Jesus!
God has blessed me with three wonderful children and three great grandsons! Each of my
two sons and my daughter has brought me joy, pride, and thankfulness, in addition to the
various challenges we faced and conquered together! The grandsons, Bryce, Garrett, and
Nolan, are a joy beyond comparison, and bless me every time we chat together.
Today, I'm blessed beyond measure. My wife, Cindy, our home, my work, the columns and
blogs that I've been privileged to write, and so much more "blesses my socks off" daily! I'm
grateful for the strength and health to keep working. I thank God for our church, where the
young Pastor and his wife labor fervently for the Lord! I'm glad for my friends, including you
who is reading this posting. You've brought happiness and meaning to the word "friendship"!
MOST OF ALL, I'm blessed to be counted as "one of His", belonging to God through His Son,
Jesus Christ, as one who is "born again", or saved, or converted, or transformed by the
Holy Spirit and the Word of God (the Bible) into a "new creation". Does that make me any
better than others? No. It just makes me a candidate for eternity in Heaven, and I fully
expect to be there - maybe soon!? You, too? I pray so.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!! Working? Count your blessings. Loved? Count your blessings. Healthy? Count your blessings. Befriended? Count your blessings. Saved? Count your
blessings.
Add to "our" list those things that you can think of. I'm sure there are many others that
are particular to your life and experiences. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!!
you're reminded to do so? How often do you think you should count the many gifts that God
has given you? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm! Probably every day, hey?
Take time with me to recall and list some of the people, events, and things that we should be
consistently thankful for, including those of years past, as well as what you're enjoying today.
For me, I'm thankful for my PARENTS. I trust that you had good, godly parents who gave you
life and reared you. My dad was a hard working, caring man, who died at the age of 33, while I
was still just 11, the oldest of four. I remember him bringing home my first mitt and baseball,
taking me to Pirate games and on Lake Erie fishing trips, and setting up a volleyball net in our
driveway for the neighborhood kids to play. Of course, there are many other invaluable
recollections of him, but I'm especially thankful for the way he loved my Mom, and for their
dutiful persistence in taking us to the Canonsburg Methodist Church.
My mother, also now deceased, had no marketable skills for employment after Dad's passing,
so she went to work cleaning houses five and six days a week, just to keep the four of us fed,
and to keep us together, despite numerous offers to take one or more of us in to raise. Her
obvious love for God and faith in Him was a prime factor in my subsequent salvation.
Both sets of GRANDPARENTS contributed to my happiness, with vacations at the Richeys home in Majorsville, and living for a while with the O'Donnells. I learned by being around them, and
by watching their characters and personalities. Their obvious love for each other and for me
continues to bless me to this day.
Not to belabor the point, but my siblings were/are a blessing as well. Patty, who died at
the age of 21 by drowning in the Ohio River at Wheeling, was full of life and love. Peggy,
next in line, has been a devoted mother and grandmother to her ever-growing clan. Fred,
my cross-country truck driving brother, has been a constant reason to pray daily, though he
is a safe rig operator. I continue to remind him of God's invitation and patience and love.
I remember with fondness many of my teachers, from Mrs. Call in first grade at Muse School,
to Mr. Youngman and Mr. Gaughn at Triadelphia Jr. High, to Miss Sherrick and Mr. Porter
at Triadelphia High School in Wheeling. They've all blessed me with their diligence. Going
off to Bible College, Mr. Robertson, James Morris, and Walter Buettler all have had a very
positive impact on me. Thank God for them all.
Do you have TEACHERS that you remember and should thank God for?
After leaving what is now Valley Forge Christian College, I spent about 13 years pastoring
three special churches in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Each congregation taught
me how to grow in God. I'm especially thankful for the prayer warriors in each parish, as they
kept me "on the firing line" for Jesus!
God has blessed me with three wonderful children and three great grandsons! Each of my
two sons and my daughter has brought me joy, pride, and thankfulness, in addition to the
various challenges we faced and conquered together! The grandsons, Bryce, Garrett, and
Nolan, are a joy beyond comparison, and bless me every time we chat together.
Today, I'm blessed beyond measure. My wife, Cindy, our home, my work, the columns and
blogs that I've been privileged to write, and so much more "blesses my socks off" daily! I'm
grateful for the strength and health to keep working. I thank God for our church, where the
young Pastor and his wife labor fervently for the Lord! I'm glad for my friends, including you
who is reading this posting. You've brought happiness and meaning to the word "friendship"!
MOST OF ALL, I'm blessed to be counted as "one of His", belonging to God through His Son,
Jesus Christ, as one who is "born again", or saved, or converted, or transformed by the
Holy Spirit and the Word of God (the Bible) into a "new creation". Does that make me any
better than others? No. It just makes me a candidate for eternity in Heaven, and I fully
expect to be there - maybe soon!? You, too? I pray so.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!! Working? Count your blessings. Loved? Count your blessings. Healthy? Count your blessings. Befriended? Count your blessings. Saved? Count your
blessings.
Add to "our" list those things that you can think of. I'm sure there are many others that
are particular to your life and experiences. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!!
Friday, September 18, 2009
How Friendships Matter In Our Pursuit of Holiness
In the Richey "unauthorized" version of the
dictionary, the word "blessed" means "to be
happy", "to be content", "to be satisfied", "to
be fulfilled", "to be favored by God"!!
WANT TO BE BLESSED?
Here are some hints or suggestions to becoming
all of the above-mentioned, and possibly more:
Psalm 1 begins "Blessed is the man (person) who
walks NOT in the counsel of the UNGODLY....".
(Capitals mine, but necessary to make the points.)
If you want to be happy, feel favored by God, and
live in His blessing, you must be careful who your
associates or friends are!
Just as the Bible teaches that the saved person is
not to be united with the unsaved, we must choose
our business partners, friends, and even our
church carefully. Being around sinful people who
are negative, condemnatory, selfish, and gossip-
mongers has a tendency to involve you in the
same type of attitudes and behaviors!!
THAT SAME VERSE GOES ON TO SAY.....
"nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the
seat of the scornful.....".
WE ARE KNOWN BY THE COMPANY WE KEEP!!
Fellow-traveler, Sister-pilgrim, Brother-Christian,
you need to surround yourself with moral, right-
thinking individuals who will uplift Jesus Christ,
and who will help to keep your spirit and attitude
lifted high!!
AVOID MEAN PEOPLE! AVOID TALEBEARERS!
AVOID GOSSIPS! AVOID THOSE WHO SEEK
REVENGE! AVOID NON-CHRISTIANS WHO MAY
ONLY BRING YOU DOWN!!
If you're at all concerned or interested in having your
life and testimony count for souls and for eternity,
you must be known for keeping quality company!
I'm not saying not to speak to or have any inter-
action with non-believers, for it's virtually impossible
to do so totally, but we don't have to involve our-
selves in relationships that bring us down instead
of lifting us up!
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GODLY FRIENDS!
ASSOCIATE WITH BELIEVERS! TALK AND
INTERACT DAILY WITH FELLOW CHRISTIANS!
MAKE YOUR SPEECH POSITIVE AND BUILDING
UP! HONOR GOD WITH YOUR AFFILIATIONS!!
Yes, indeed, we want to witness to the lost souls
around us, and we want our lives to speak of the
grace and love of God, but we must know when and
where to draw the line, and the Holy Spirit will
let us know - we must simply rely on Him to do so!!
THIS WILL NOT ALWAYS BE EASY, to break
off friendships or relationships that are defeating
God's purpose, but if you PRAY and ask God how
to handle each person and each situation, He will
give you just the right attitude and words to let
people know why you cannot continue to be in
an improper (unholy) alliance with them. Be kind,
be gentle, be sincere, and most of all BE LOVING,
and let them know just why you must withdraw
from them a space and time - TO PURSUE GOD'S
WILL IN YOUR LIFE, AND TO HOPE THAT
THEY WILL HONOR THAT AND SEEK THE
SAME FOR THEIR LIVES!!
Again, this is not easy, but I'M PRAYING FOR YOU!!
dictionary, the word "blessed" means "to be
happy", "to be content", "to be satisfied", "to
be fulfilled", "to be favored by God"!!
WANT TO BE BLESSED?
Here are some hints or suggestions to becoming
all of the above-mentioned, and possibly more:
Psalm 1 begins "Blessed is the man (person) who
walks NOT in the counsel of the UNGODLY....".
(Capitals mine, but necessary to make the points.)
If you want to be happy, feel favored by God, and
live in His blessing, you must be careful who your
associates or friends are!
Just as the Bible teaches that the saved person is
not to be united with the unsaved, we must choose
our business partners, friends, and even our
church carefully. Being around sinful people who
are negative, condemnatory, selfish, and gossip-
mongers has a tendency to involve you in the
same type of attitudes and behaviors!!
THAT SAME VERSE GOES ON TO SAY.....
"nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the
seat of the scornful.....".
WE ARE KNOWN BY THE COMPANY WE KEEP!!
Fellow-traveler, Sister-pilgrim, Brother-Christian,
you need to surround yourself with moral, right-
thinking individuals who will uplift Jesus Christ,
and who will help to keep your spirit and attitude
lifted high!!
AVOID MEAN PEOPLE! AVOID TALEBEARERS!
AVOID GOSSIPS! AVOID THOSE WHO SEEK
REVENGE! AVOID NON-CHRISTIANS WHO MAY
ONLY BRING YOU DOWN!!
If you're at all concerned or interested in having your
life and testimony count for souls and for eternity,
you must be known for keeping quality company!
I'm not saying not to speak to or have any inter-
action with non-believers, for it's virtually impossible
to do so totally, but we don't have to involve our-
selves in relationships that bring us down instead
of lifting us up!
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GODLY FRIENDS!
ASSOCIATE WITH BELIEVERS! TALK AND
INTERACT DAILY WITH FELLOW CHRISTIANS!
MAKE YOUR SPEECH POSITIVE AND BUILDING
UP! HONOR GOD WITH YOUR AFFILIATIONS!!
Yes, indeed, we want to witness to the lost souls
around us, and we want our lives to speak of the
grace and love of God, but we must know when and
where to draw the line, and the Holy Spirit will
let us know - we must simply rely on Him to do so!!
THIS WILL NOT ALWAYS BE EASY, to break
off friendships or relationships that are defeating
God's purpose, but if you PRAY and ask God how
to handle each person and each situation, He will
give you just the right attitude and words to let
people know why you cannot continue to be in
an improper (unholy) alliance with them. Be kind,
be gentle, be sincere, and most of all BE LOVING,
and let them know just why you must withdraw
from them a space and time - TO PURSUE GOD'S
WILL IN YOUR LIFE, AND TO HOPE THAT
THEY WILL HONOR THAT AND SEEK THE
SAME FOR THEIR LIVES!!
Again, this is not easy, but I'M PRAYING FOR YOU!!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Remember That Children's Song?
"Be careful little eyes, what you see,........etc."
Remember? The little ditty went on to say,
"Be careful little lips what you say!".
Guess what? It's just not a children's song, it's
one that even we adults should pay heed to!
Are you careful with your words so as not to
betray your thoughts and feelings? Jesus said,
"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaks". What is He saying?
He's saying that the words and attitudes that
we portray with our mouths tell others, and God,
what is inside of us!!
THINK ABOUT IT! Seriously, take a couple of
minutes NOW, and THINK ABOUT IT!
What are some of the words that you use that
may displease your Lord, and may even make
others wonder about your commitment to Jesus?
DO YOU SWEAR?
DO YOU CURSE OR "CUSS"?
DO YOU USE GOD'S NAME(S) "IN VAIN"?
DO YOU USE "IDLE WORDS"? Matthew 12:36.
Take a minute or two and read the whole passage
in Matthew, Chapter 12, verses 33 thru 37.
NOW, are there words that you should pray and
ask God to help you to omit from your vocabulary
and use?
Words, like "da**", "he**", "sh**", "fu**", "G D"?
Well? Yes, I'm not perfect either, for at times
"darn" or "heck" will slip from my lips, and I try
not to use even them. It's a battle at times,
especially when the situation is frustrating or
extremely difficult, to suppress stronger language,
but I ask God to quickly remove them from my
mind and to forgive me for even thinking them!
Are you getting my drift? As Christians, we are
to represent our Saviour and Lord with our
entire being, not just with our Sunday-morning-
going-to-church-dressup-appearance, but with
OUR EVERY DAY REPRESENTATION OF HIM!!
I'm not saying it's easy, especially if you've been
living a life and lifestyle that includes improper
language for a long time......but God can help
you to "clean it up"!! PRAY RIGHT NOW AND
ASK HIM TO TAKE THOSE WRONG WORDS
OUT OF YOUR CONSCIOUS THOUGHTS!!
Ask Him to cleanse your mind! Ask Him to
give you better, more positive, more uplifting
words to speak! Ask Him to help you to become
a more fitting ambassador for Jesus Christ!!
Remember - SOULS ARE HANGING IN THE
BALANCE - and you and I are at least partially
responsible for their eternal destiny!!
"Be careful, little lips.........."
I'M PRAYING FOR YOU (AND ME), BILL.
Remember? The little ditty went on to say,
"Be careful little lips what you say!".
Guess what? It's just not a children's song, it's
one that even we adults should pay heed to!
Are you careful with your words so as not to
betray your thoughts and feelings? Jesus said,
"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaks". What is He saying?
He's saying that the words and attitudes that
we portray with our mouths tell others, and God,
what is inside of us!!
THINK ABOUT IT! Seriously, take a couple of
minutes NOW, and THINK ABOUT IT!
What are some of the words that you use that
may displease your Lord, and may even make
others wonder about your commitment to Jesus?
DO YOU SWEAR?
DO YOU CURSE OR "CUSS"?
DO YOU USE GOD'S NAME(S) "IN VAIN"?
DO YOU USE "IDLE WORDS"? Matthew 12:36.
Take a minute or two and read the whole passage
in Matthew, Chapter 12, verses 33 thru 37.
NOW, are there words that you should pray and
ask God to help you to omit from your vocabulary
and use?
Words, like "da**", "he**", "sh**", "fu**", "G D"?
Well? Yes, I'm not perfect either, for at times
"darn" or "heck" will slip from my lips, and I try
not to use even them. It's a battle at times,
especially when the situation is frustrating or
extremely difficult, to suppress stronger language,
but I ask God to quickly remove them from my
mind and to forgive me for even thinking them!
Are you getting my drift? As Christians, we are
to represent our Saviour and Lord with our
entire being, not just with our Sunday-morning-
going-to-church-dressup-appearance, but with
OUR EVERY DAY REPRESENTATION OF HIM!!
I'm not saying it's easy, especially if you've been
living a life and lifestyle that includes improper
language for a long time......but God can help
you to "clean it up"!! PRAY RIGHT NOW AND
ASK HIM TO TAKE THOSE WRONG WORDS
OUT OF YOUR CONSCIOUS THOUGHTS!!
Ask Him to cleanse your mind! Ask Him to
give you better, more positive, more uplifting
words to speak! Ask Him to help you to become
a more fitting ambassador for Jesus Christ!!
Remember - SOULS ARE HANGING IN THE
BALANCE - and you and I are at least partially
responsible for their eternal destiny!!
"Be careful, little lips.........."
I'M PRAYING FOR YOU (AND ME), BILL.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Names Of Jesus
"What's in a name?" someone has asked. Well,
depending on the subject matter, there can be a
little or a lot. Some parents assign particular
names to their children because of the traditional
meaning of those names.
In the case of our Lord Jesus, his many names or
titles each carries special meaning to those who
are His. There are times in each of our lives when
a particular name of our Saviour can be comforting
and strengthening and/or reassuring.
Some of those names are: Prince of Peace; Counselor;
Light of the World; The Bread of Life; the Messiah;
A Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother; King;
Kinsman-Redeemer; Master; Rabbi; and Teacher.
Do any of these have special value or meaning to you?
Has there been a time in your life when thinking
about one of His names and its speaking of His
character or personality or ministry has been of
great help or value to you at that juncture?
There are many more names and titles of our
Lord Jesus, such as: The Christ; The Promised One;
The Rock (of our Salvation); The Good Shepherd;
Son of Man; Son of God; Healer; Baptiser; Bright
Morning Star; Seed of David; Emmanuel; Christ
the Lord.
WHEW! When we think about it, He is really our
"all in all" as the hymn writer penned! What or
"who" is Jesus to you? What is He right now in
your present circumstance? What do you need
Him to be? HE IS! HE WILL BE!
Finally, and this is not a comprehensive listing,
here are some more of His names that hopefully
have blessed you, or will in the days to come before
His return: Lord of the Sabbath; Bridegroom;
Deliverer; The Word; the Lamb of God; Second
Person of the Trinity; the "I AM"; Alpha and Omega;
The True Shepherd; The Way, The Truth, and
The Life; and last but surely not least - Our Soon-
Returning/Coming King!!
REREAD SLOWLY AND BE BLESSED! No doubt
you can add other of our Saviour's names and titles to
the list, but my intention is to get you started in
thinking what all He is to you!
LOVE HIM! PRAISE HIM! WORSHIP HIM!
SERVE HIM! After all He's done for you, how can
you do less than give Him your all, and live in
His presence and knowledge daily!!
Yours and His for eternity, Bill
depending on the subject matter, there can be a
little or a lot. Some parents assign particular
names to their children because of the traditional
meaning of those names.
In the case of our Lord Jesus, his many names or
titles each carries special meaning to those who
are His. There are times in each of our lives when
a particular name of our Saviour can be comforting
and strengthening and/or reassuring.
Some of those names are: Prince of Peace; Counselor;
Light of the World; The Bread of Life; the Messiah;
A Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother; King;
Kinsman-Redeemer; Master; Rabbi; and Teacher.
Do any of these have special value or meaning to you?
Has there been a time in your life when thinking
about one of His names and its speaking of His
character or personality or ministry has been of
great help or value to you at that juncture?
There are many more names and titles of our
Lord Jesus, such as: The Christ; The Promised One;
The Rock (of our Salvation); The Good Shepherd;
Son of Man; Son of God; Healer; Baptiser; Bright
Morning Star; Seed of David; Emmanuel; Christ
the Lord.
WHEW! When we think about it, He is really our
"all in all" as the hymn writer penned! What or
"who" is Jesus to you? What is He right now in
your present circumstance? What do you need
Him to be? HE IS! HE WILL BE!
Finally, and this is not a comprehensive listing,
here are some more of His names that hopefully
have blessed you, or will in the days to come before
His return: Lord of the Sabbath; Bridegroom;
Deliverer; The Word; the Lamb of God; Second
Person of the Trinity; the "I AM"; Alpha and Omega;
The True Shepherd; The Way, The Truth, and
The Life; and last but surely not least - Our Soon-
Returning/Coming King!!
REREAD SLOWLY AND BE BLESSED! No doubt
you can add other of our Saviour's names and titles to
the list, but my intention is to get you started in
thinking what all He is to you!
LOVE HIM! PRAISE HIM! WORSHIP HIM!
SERVE HIM! After all He's done for you, how can
you do less than give Him your all, and live in
His presence and knowledge daily!!
Yours and His for eternity, Bill
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Somebody's Praying For You!!
One of the most gratifying and rewarding thoughts
that a Christian can have is the realization that
another person or people are actually praying to
God the Father FOR YOU!
While my recent blogs have been an effort to involve
you in the ministry of prayer, especially intercessory
prayer, it is important and necessary that you and I
know that OTHER CHRISTIANS ARE MENTIONING
YOUR NAME IN PRAYER!!
Think about it!
Meditate upon it!
Someone, probably a number of your friends and
fellow-travelers, is talking to God about you and your
needs! How does that make you feel? For me, it is
both humbling and comforting, even strengthening
to think about it!
Many of my family members and friends are saved,
love God, know Jesus as Saviour and Lord, and
are involved in the welfare and lives of others. That
means they pray for me! AWESOME! Sorry to use
the vernacular, but it really is "awesome"!
Feeling sad? Someone is praying for you. Depressed?
Someone is praying for you. Lonely? Someone is
praying for you. Ill? Someone is praying for you.
Hurt? Someone is praying for you. Disappointed?
Someone is praying for you.
SOMEONE IS PRAYING FOR YOU!!
Are you a Christian worker in the "fields of the Lord"?
Someone is praying for you. Sunday School teacher,
missionary, pastor, or one who ministers with
music, someone is praying for you. About to start
a new project for the Gospel's sake? Someone is
praying for you. A street preacher or one who is
a witness/soul-winner? Someone is praying for you.
Often YOUR NAME is mentioned, sometimes you'll be
included in a group that the Holy Spirit brings to
the prayer-warrior's consciousness, but in any case,
YOU ARE BROUGHT BEFORE THE THRONE DAILY!
You're not alone. You're not forgotten. You're part
of an army of believers who share their thoughts and
prayers with each other! We have confidence that
"you're going to make it"!! YOU ARE LOVED, not
only by the Heavenly Father and His Son, but by
"the Church", the "fellowship of Believers", your
"prayer army", those who care deeply about you
and for you!!
HAVE FAITH, CHILD OF GOD - WE'RE ALL IN
THIS TOGETHER, AND TOGETHER WE WILL
MAKE IT TO HEAVEN AND GOD'S ETERNAL
PRESENCE!!
that a Christian can have is the realization that
another person or people are actually praying to
God the Father FOR YOU!
While my recent blogs have been an effort to involve
you in the ministry of prayer, especially intercessory
prayer, it is important and necessary that you and I
know that OTHER CHRISTIANS ARE MENTIONING
YOUR NAME IN PRAYER!!
Think about it!
Meditate upon it!
Someone, probably a number of your friends and
fellow-travelers, is talking to God about you and your
needs! How does that make you feel? For me, it is
both humbling and comforting, even strengthening
to think about it!
Many of my family members and friends are saved,
love God, know Jesus as Saviour and Lord, and
are involved in the welfare and lives of others. That
means they pray for me! AWESOME! Sorry to use
the vernacular, but it really is "awesome"!
Feeling sad? Someone is praying for you. Depressed?
Someone is praying for you. Lonely? Someone is
praying for you. Ill? Someone is praying for you.
Hurt? Someone is praying for you. Disappointed?
Someone is praying for you.
SOMEONE IS PRAYING FOR YOU!!
Are you a Christian worker in the "fields of the Lord"?
Someone is praying for you. Sunday School teacher,
missionary, pastor, or one who ministers with
music, someone is praying for you. About to start
a new project for the Gospel's sake? Someone is
praying for you. A street preacher or one who is
a witness/soul-winner? Someone is praying for you.
Often YOUR NAME is mentioned, sometimes you'll be
included in a group that the Holy Spirit brings to
the prayer-warrior's consciousness, but in any case,
YOU ARE BROUGHT BEFORE THE THRONE DAILY!
You're not alone. You're not forgotten. You're part
of an army of believers who share their thoughts and
prayers with each other! We have confidence that
"you're going to make it"!! YOU ARE LOVED, not
only by the Heavenly Father and His Son, but by
"the Church", the "fellowship of Believers", your
"prayer army", those who care deeply about you
and for you!!
HAVE FAITH, CHILD OF GOD - WE'RE ALL IN
THIS TOGETHER, AND TOGETHER WE WILL
MAKE IT TO HEAVEN AND GOD'S ETERNAL
PRESENCE!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Who Should I Pray For?
In Sunday's blog about "Steps To Spiritual Growth",
I mentioned the importance of spending time EVERY
DAY in prayer, and I recommended a 15-minute
time slot as a starter. I also suggested that we use
that time to PRAY FOR OTHERS!!
Friend, it is vitally important that we do so, as it
is not only a scriptural admonition, but it will move
us into a deeper personal relationship and
involvement with those for whom we are praying!!
AND, it will help to take our minds, however tem-
porarily, off of our own situation and struggles!
THAT'S IMPORTANT!
It's a good idea, too, to expand our intercession,
as God's Kingdom has so many citizens and
participants in the Gospel work, that we need to
become PARTNERS with them, even if it's only
through the avenue of prayer!!
PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR include:
l. Your Pastor and his family.
2. Your church family, even those you
may know only slightly.
3. The community that you live in,
especially your neighbors.
4. Our country, which is the "hope of
God" to reach the world for Jesus!
5. Your family, both immediate and
extended, to become SAVED!
6. The leaders of our nation, from
local boards of education, to town
boards, county government, state
legislators, and nationally the Congress
and the administration.
7. THE LOST!! Nothing and no one is
closer to the heartbeat of God than those
who haven't said "Yes!" to Jesus yet!!
8. Our missionaries. Many singles and
families have surrendered the comforts
of "being at home" to sacrificially reach
out to shine the light for lost peoples!
9. Media teachers and preachers - who
knows how many are "hearing" the
Truth, and need to "listen" to Jesus' call!
10. Educators - a new friend just emailed
me about his socialist/marxist education in
the local sytem and at a state college - PRAY
FOR OUR CHRISTIAN TEACHERS TO MAKE
UP FOR THOSE WHO ARE MISLEADING
OUR YOUTH!!
11. Those who are writing (blogging?) in
an effort to build up the Church Of
Jesus Christ before HIS RETURN!!
Can you think of others? Probably can. Maybe it's a
good idea to include one or two (or more) of these
each day, rotating the order in which you "remember
them before the throne"!? I KNOW THAT EVERY
ONE OF THE ABOVE-MENTIONED WILL BE
'ETERNALLY GRATEFUL' FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!
You'll find out when you get to Heaven just how
important your prayers were!!
P.S. - DON'T FEEL GUILTY if you find yourself
spending more than 15 minutes each time you go
before the Father.
Yours for eternity, Bill.
I mentioned the importance of spending time EVERY
DAY in prayer, and I recommended a 15-minute
time slot as a starter. I also suggested that we use
that time to PRAY FOR OTHERS!!
Friend, it is vitally important that we do so, as it
is not only a scriptural admonition, but it will move
us into a deeper personal relationship and
involvement with those for whom we are praying!!
AND, it will help to take our minds, however tem-
porarily, off of our own situation and struggles!
THAT'S IMPORTANT!
It's a good idea, too, to expand our intercession,
as God's Kingdom has so many citizens and
participants in the Gospel work, that we need to
become PARTNERS with them, even if it's only
through the avenue of prayer!!
PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR include:
l. Your Pastor and his family.
2. Your church family, even those you
may know only slightly.
3. The community that you live in,
especially your neighbors.
4. Our country, which is the "hope of
God" to reach the world for Jesus!
5. Your family, both immediate and
extended, to become SAVED!
6. The leaders of our nation, from
local boards of education, to town
boards, county government, state
legislators, and nationally the Congress
and the administration.
7. THE LOST!! Nothing and no one is
closer to the heartbeat of God than those
who haven't said "Yes!" to Jesus yet!!
8. Our missionaries. Many singles and
families have surrendered the comforts
of "being at home" to sacrificially reach
out to shine the light for lost peoples!
9. Media teachers and preachers - who
knows how many are "hearing" the
Truth, and need to "listen" to Jesus' call!
10. Educators - a new friend just emailed
me about his socialist/marxist education in
the local sytem and at a state college - PRAY
FOR OUR CHRISTIAN TEACHERS TO MAKE
UP FOR THOSE WHO ARE MISLEADING
OUR YOUTH!!
11. Those who are writing (blogging?) in
an effort to build up the Church Of
Jesus Christ before HIS RETURN!!
Can you think of others? Probably can. Maybe it's a
good idea to include one or two (or more) of these
each day, rotating the order in which you "remember
them before the throne"!? I KNOW THAT EVERY
ONE OF THE ABOVE-MENTIONED WILL BE
'ETERNALLY GRATEFUL' FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!
You'll find out when you get to Heaven just how
important your prayers were!!
P.S. - DON'T FEEL GUILTY if you find yourself
spending more than 15 minutes each time you go
before the Father.
Yours for eternity, Bill.
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