04
Apr '17
Pastor Jim’s Thankful Prayer for Elliott
04
Apr '17
“Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done… so they should set their hope in God.”
–Psalm 78:1-4,7
Father-
You have breathed the breath of life into Elliott James Riesner. He is here among us. We praise You for he is fearfully and wonderfully made. We behold Your glorious deeds. You who spoke the universe into being, You started and now sustain the life of this handsome young boy. What might and love You have for this family! You have designed the Riesner house to display Your greatness and have lavished joy upon them. For You have done great things.
And, as they rise for each day, awaken their memories to Your steadfast love… so they are overwhelmingly compelled, delighted and established in their hope in You. May Ryan and Cheyenne take a mental snapshot often in the months ahead, of Your goodness and respond with stunning thankfulness and say, “Father, it just doesn’t get any better! You are so good to us!”
Remind the church family to pray for them regularly, step forward to be of help, and demonstrate their hope in You, so this family of four is heartened and cheered.
And, in all these things we trust the day to day issues of home-life to Your steady hand. In the name of Your Son… in the name of Jesus we pray.
Amen.
04
Mar '17
How to Pray for the Sick and Disabled
04
Mar '17
-By RACHEL LUNDY
When we know someone who is suffering from an illness or disability, our response is often to pray for healing.
It is compassionate to desire relief for one who is suffering, and it is certainly appropriate to ask the Lord for healing.
Our God is loving and compassionate, and He is grieved by the suffering of His children (Psalm 86:15, John 11:32-35). He is also a powerful God who is able to heal (Mark 1:29-34).
However, healing is not always God’s plan for those who are sick and disabled.
Sometimes God chooses to heal, but sometimes instead He chooses to use a long-term illness or disability for the good of His people.
For this reason, it is good to pray for more than just physical healing.
Let’s look to Scripture for examples of ways to pray for those who are suffering from an illness or disability.
- Pray that God would comfort them (2 Corinthians 1:4).
- Pray that they would “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18, NIV).
- Pray that they would trust in the Lord and not lean on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
- Pray that they would grow in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Pray that they would suffer well. Pray that they would “commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (1 Peter 4:19, NIV).
- Pray that God would grant them endurance and encouragement (Romans 15:4-6).
- Pray that they would throw off sin and run with endurance. Pray that they would look to Jesus so that they do not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:1-3).
- Pray that the Lord would provide for all of their needs “according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, NIV).
- Pray that they would thirst for God and that they would place their hope in Him (Psalm 42:1-5).
- Pray that God would keep them in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).
- Pray that they would “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12, NIV).
- Pray that God would enable them to be content in whatever circumstances He places them in (Philippians 4:11-13).
- Pray that they would hold unswervingly to the hope they have professed (Hebrews 10:23).
- Pray that they would not lose heart, but that they would persevere and fix their eyes on what is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
It is a great privilege to bring our requests to the Lord and be a part of the work He is doing. God chooses to work through the prayers of His people. Therefore, let us lift up our brothers and sisters who are suffering from disabilities, praying not just for their physical bodies, but for their spiritual growth and strength as well.
In what other ways should we intercede for those who are suffering from an illness or disability? If you are suffering, in what ways do you appreciate people to praying for you?
Rachel Lundy is a wife and mother of two children. She lives with dysautonomia, a condition that leaves her mostly homebound. She writes at Cranberry Tea Time about life with a chronic illness and the hope and joy she has in Christ.
30
May '16
Coupla’ things
30
May '16
Nancy and I are burying a 200 lb. pig in our backyard for an all-night Memorial Day Roast (don’t tell the landlord!), so let me make a few points about today before I grab a shovel:
+ I hope that our time together today will help to improve your regular celebration of the Lord’s Table. The Westminster Catechism, Question 168, answers the question of its import to us:
The Lord’s supper is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, his death is showed forth; and they that worthily communicate feed upon his body and blood, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace; have their union and communion with him confirmed; testify and renew their thankfulness, and engagement to God, and their mutual love and fellowship each with the other, as members of the same mystical body.
+ To get more information about serving as a BCC Disability Ministry Team Buddy, write ServeBCC@gmail.com
+ Find the Elders’ Paper on In Vitro Fertilization here:
http://www.bearcreekchurch.
+ See a list of Bloody Mary’s victims, and more, here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
+ Thanks to Jessica and Penny for helping me with the difference between similes and metaphors, and to Sylvia for knowing her state capitols.
+ Let the record show that on this historic date: May 29, 2016, every bulletin was taken. Keep up the good work, Pastor Brian. It is not for nothing!
+ What a wonderful surprise to have Darryl and Becky Jordan with us today, all the way from the Philippines where they serve with New Tribes Mission: https://usa.ntm.org/
+ The Mail-Tribune has a list of local Memorial Day services here:
http://www.mailtribune.com/
+ I was really blessed by attendance today: I figured with the long weekend that attendance would be off, but no. I hope that holds true during the long, hot summer, and especially with the 7 Letters of Revelation series coming. I’m looking forward to that.
+ Thanks to everyone who pitched in today, from our worship leaders who led us in great songs, to PJ and Bill for their excellent prayers on our behalf, to the folks who arrived so early to set up or stayed so late to put everything away (with the time change, Ted remarked, “Look: we’re done and it’s only 12:37!).
Grateful to God for my role in our Church Family,
Pastor Dale
