You can watch videos of the Week of Hope online at weekofhope.com.
Watch “Week Of Hope” Videos Online
Thank you to everyone who prayed for and was involved with our “Week of Hope” here in Streator, Illinois (USA). Your prayers and efforts made it a tremendous success.
You can now watch the videos of all the testimonies, dramas, videos, music and messages on the Internet anytime! Just go to www.weekofhope.com and click “Watch Videos.”
(It’s all great, but if you wanted to just watch a portion, I’d suggest watching the last 20-30 minutes of the Sunday night program. Start with “I Can Only Imagine,” then watch my message, followed by Rick Jepsen’s testimony and the final invitation.)
I also wanted to share just a few of the results with you. We had an average attendance of 340 people each night, with a total of 1,350 in attendance over the course of the four nights.
Since our goal for the event was to encourage people to put their faith in Christ for everything in their life, I was really excited to see that:
323 people indicated on their comment cards that even though they were already believers in Christ, they were putting their faith in Him for a particular situation in their life.
6 people indicated they were believing in Christ for the very first time.
9 people indicated that they hadn’t yet made a decision, but were seriously considering putting their faith in Christ.
We had a total of 336 people who indicated that their level of faith in Christ had increased or at least stayed the same as a result of the event.
I truly believe that when we can increase people’s willingness to put their faith in Christ, all kinds of things can happen. Jesus said,
“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20b, NIV)
Thanks again for your prayers and I hope you enjoy watching the event as well. I just heard from someone in California who was watching it at midnight and wrote:
“I’ve been watching the ‘Week of Hope.’ I feel like I’m there. Great job. God is smiling.”
Again, to watch any of the event, just go to www.weekofhope.com and click “Watch Videos.”
Please Pray With Us
Father, we thank You for increasing the faith of the people in Streator through the “Week of Hope.”
We pray that You would continue this work now via the Internet to increase the faith of people all over the world.
And finally we pray that more people will find their way to The Ranch so they can find their way to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thanks again!
Eric Elder
The Ranch Fellowship is a non-profit 501(c)(3) religious organization whose purpose is to share the message of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Click here to read more about our ministry.
To give a gift to The Ranch and to yourself, please visit The Ranch Giftshop.
To make a donation without ordering, just click Make A Donation
Time for a Week of Hope, new board members, and more new music with the “Sweet Dreams” CD.
Please pray for the city of Streator, where we are just days away from launching the Week of Hope, a city-wide outreach to be held at 7 pm nightly on October 9, 10,11 and 12th at the Streator High School Auditorium.
Week Of Hope
I just heard a woman say,
“I can’t wait for the Week of Hope. I just get excited every time I think about it. I can’t wait to see what God’s going to do.”
I can’t wait either! I’ve been planning this event for more than a year along with more than a dozen churches and a hundred people working behind the scenes.
The focal point for the Week of Hope is 4 nights of special services to be held at the Streator High School Auditorium over Columbus Day Weekend. Each night we’re featuring powerful stories of people right here in Streator, Illinois whose lives have been changed by Jesus Christ. We’ll also have music, drama and videos to make the night both entertaining and life-changing. I’ll be speaking each night, giving an invitation for others to put their hope in Christ as well.
We’re praying that God would use the Week of Hope to let His Spirit flow throughout Streator like water from a water tower.
In fact, there’s a water tower near my house and it’s HUGE. Water flows through it into underground pipes all over the city. Whenever someone wants to take a drink, or water their lawn, or clean their clothes, they just turn on the faucet and the water flows.
We pray that the Week of Hope will do the same thing for those who are spiritually thirsty, who want to grow, or who want to clean up their lives. The Bible says we really can be “washed” by the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul lists a variety of sins in his letter to the Corinthians. But then he adds:
“And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthian 6:11, NIV).
Better Than Reality TV
One of the benefits of planning this event is that I get to taste the fruit even before the harvest begins. I met this week with ten of the people who will be sharing their testimonies during the Week of Hope. It was a moving time, even though we were “just rehearsing.” Tears flowed as person after person told about what Christ had done in their lives.
One woman showed the scars on her wrists where she tried to commit suicide several years ago. It brought tears to my eyes to think about the spiritual impact she’s had on our community since that time…when she could have just as easily been dead. What a loss had she not put her hope in Christ.
Another couple told how their lives were shattered when one of their sons was born severely mentally retarded. Their first response was to shake their fists at God. But then a pastor helped them understand that God cried along with them. As a result, they put their hope in Christ, went into ministry, and now several of their other children are also in full-time ministry. Who knows how many multiple lives have been touched as a result of their putting their hope in Christ.
This is better than reality TV. These are real lives…with real change. You can read these stories of hope for yourself at the Week of Hope website: www.weekofhope.com.
Body-Lifting Music
I was also able to sit in on a few of the music rehearsals for the Week of Hope a few nights ago. As I listened, I could hardly keep my hands down! It felt like there was an invisible force pushing my hands up in praise to God. I was taking some pictures to put in the newspaper and finally just stopped and let my hands go up!
My friend Kent Sanders has organized four different worship teams to lead worship each night, made up of the many talented musicians in town. It’s hard to be surrounded by the sounds of drums and congas, flutes and cellos, guitars, pianos, keyboards, violins (not to mention the soothing breath of the human voice) and not be lifted up. It lifts my body as well as my soul.
As you can tell, I’m fairly immersed in the Week of Hope and the Spirit’s already beginning to flow. I’m telling you all of this for three reasons:
1) Please pray for the Week of Hope, that God will use it to send His Spirit throughout Streator and, through the videos we hope to put on the Internet afterward, throughout the world.
2) Please come to the Week of Hope! For some of you, that might be a short drive. For others of you, I know it’s half-way around the world! But if you’re able to come, I hope you’ll make it for at least one night if not all four.
3) Please visit the Week of Hope website if you need a boost in your own faith. You can read the testimonies there already, and if you’ll visit it again later in October, we plan to have the video online of the event itself.
(For those who want to stay for the weekend, we have a couple of hotels in town: Super 8 at 815-672-0080 or Town & Country Inn at 815-672-3183. Again, the Week of Hope starts at 7 pm nightly on October 9, 10, 11 and 12.)
New Board Members
I also wanted to let you know that we’ve just added some new board members to our ministry. I believe their input will help us to grow our ministry in many ways and make The Ranch website much more dynamic in the future. Those joining me on the board include:
Brent Knapton, Director of an international missions organization in Texas;
Steve Knight, Senior Editor in the Internet Department of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in North Carolina;
Al Lowry, Founder of Guitarists Into God (GIG), a music ministry at Saddleback Church in California, and
Dan Mountney, Video Director at Kensington Community Church in Michigan.
I’m thankful for these men who are making a difference in their own ministries, and are willing to feed into our ministry as well. Please pray that God will use our combined efforts to reach even more people with the message of Christ.
Please Pray With Us
Father, we thank You:
for still changing lives every day;
for bringing people and churches together in Streator to create the Week of Hope;
and for bringing new board members to direct this ministry.
And Lord, we now ask:
for many to be washed by Your Spirit during the Week of Hope;
for new growth in this ministry through the new board members;
and for more people to find their way to The Ranch so they can find their way to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Ranch Fellowship is a non-profit 501(c)(3) religious organization whose purpose is to share the message of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Click here to read more about our ministry.
To give a gift to The Ranch and to yourself, please visit The Ranch Giftshop.
To make a donation without ordering, just click Make A Donation.
Quiet, calming, and wonderfully, spontaneously created. 100% Pure Piano by Guy Grimstead.
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You’re listening to MEDITATION, featuring 100% Pure Piano written and performed by Guy Grimstead.
A Word From Guy Grimstead
Over the years when I’ve needed to “meditate” I’ve found a piano somewhere, sat down and begun to play. I don’t play songs I know or have written – I just play. These times of spontaneous improvisation have been rich for me in a very mystical way. It seems I’m able to pour out my heart to God, to connect with my true self and to somehow key in to a sense of healing during these times. This CD is an attempt at trying to capture that kind of experience for you, the listener.
About Guy Grimstead
Guy Grimstead is a multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter/producer. He also teaches privately, plays gigs locally, and runs a consulting ministry for local congregations focused on helping them improve their worship experience.
About This Album
There was no planning in creating these songs. They are truly spontaneous improvisations. The songs on the CD are in the order that they came out of me. I originally wanted to record on a piano retrofitted with MIDI triggers, so that I could edit the playing, and polish any imperfections. However, I got impatient and wanted to get it out, so I just went and did it the old fashioned way.
I did the recording at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church during two evenings in early September 2003. At LOPC, they have a beautiful six foot Steinway from the early 20th century as well as a great sounding sanctuary.
The magic of an instrumental work is that it can mean so many things to so many different people. I hope these songs and melodies will make their way into your heart and touch you in a deep way as they have touched me.
Thank you God for putting music in my heart – and allowing it to flow out through my fingers. May this music, in some way, contribute to accomplishing your will in the world.
Dedication
This album is dedicated to my wonderful parents – Jay and Donna Grimstead. Perhaps the desire and ability to create a CD like this was developed in me in a large way because of things I learned from them. I’ll explain.
Dad was always making up stories on the spot and creating these adventures for my sister and I that he’d tell us at bedtime. He’d get into it to much and get so excited, and even HE wouldn’t know how the story was going to end. Well, I guess I’m doing the same thing through this intrumental piano music.
And Mom…over the years, whenever I’d start noodling around on the piano and “improvising” – she would run and quietly and covertly hit the record button on the tape recorder. She must have over 100 hours of me just messing around on the piano. I learned from her the value of recording life – the value of how precious the moments are as they pass.
Thank you Mom and Dad – this one’s for you!
Special Thanks To…
Julie Ford and the whole gang at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church for letting me come in for a couple nights and record on that fantastic Steinway in that sweet room.
Michael Romanowski for his golden ears and good advice – michaelromanowski.com
Gene Anderson for his cool photography – designsinlight.com
Christ Arth for his magical graphical ways – maladroit-design.com
Recorded live at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, Sept. 2003.
All songs written and performed by Guy Grimstead and streamed from The Ranch by permission of the artist. Other uses are not permitted without written permission from the copyright holders.
Mesmerizing! “Sweet Dreams” will melt your heart. 100% Pure Piano by Marilyn Byrnes.
Listen Here!
You’re listening to SWEET DREAMS, featuring 100% Pure Piano, performed by Marilyn Byrnes. Also available in CD and MP3 formats in our bookstore for a donation of any size!
Credits
All songs performed by Marilyn Byrnes.
Sweet Dreams by Lorie Line, Time Line Productions, Inc.
Angel of Joy by David Lanz, Nara Music
Colors of the Wind by Alan Menken, arr. Dan Coates, Wonderland Music Co. & Walt Disney Music Co.
Lake Erie Rainfall by Jim Brickman, Swimmer Music
Strawberry Fields Forever by John Lennon/Paul McCartney, arr. David Lanz, Sony/ATV Music
Brahms’ Lullaby by Johannes Brahms, arr. by Lorie Line, Time Line
Somewhere In Time by John Barry, Universal-Duchma Music Corp.
Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven
A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes by Mack David, Al Hoffman & Jerry Livingston, arr. Dan Coates, Walt Disney Music Co Productions
Jackson’s Girl by Lorie Line, Time Line Productions, Inc.
Children’s Corner by Claude Debussy
Send in the Clowns by Stephen Sondheim, arr.Dan Coates, Revelation Music & Rilting Music (ASCAP)
Tumbleweed by Lorie Line, Time Line Productions, Inc.
All songs streamed from The Ranch by permission of the artists and through ASCAP and BMI. Other uses are not permitted without written permission from the copyright holders.
A new “What God Says” CD, invitation to the “Week of Hope” in Streator, and offer to visit you if you live in the US.
If you need an encouraging word from the Lord, you’ll enjoy listening to this collection of “What God Says” about various topics, read by Lana to some beautiful music. You can listen anytime here on The Ranch, or request the CD at The Ranch Giftshop.
What God Says
We’ve recently put all six of Lana’s pocket-sized CD’s onto one full-sized CD so you can listen to over 30 minutes of encouragement from God’s Word anytime. We continue to get comments from people who listen to them on the web and on CD like these:
“I wake up to them and go to sleep by them each night. Your wife’s voice is very soothing and does not obstruct the message.”
Our hope is that by combining all of the individual CD’s into one collection they will be even more convenient and helpful to people who need encouragement. The CD contains some of the most encouraging verses from the Bible about “What God Says” about Prayer, Healing, Missions, Ministry, Temptation and Fear. The scriptures on this full-sized CD are read by Lana Elder and accompanied by original music from Eric Elder, Chuck Giacinto, Brent Mitchell and Kent Sanders.
You can listen to the complete tracks on The Ranch website by clicking on “Listen to Music” You can also request a copy of the full CD for yourself or for a gift atThe Ranch Giftshop.
Keep Praying!
I’ve just been reading one of the most encouraging lines found in scripture.It comes just after Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife. Genesis 25:21 says:
“The Lord answered his prayer…”
I love that God not only hears our prayers, but answers them, too. I think we often get discouraged in praying because we’re not sure if our prayers really make a difference. But throughout the Bible, we read about people who prayed and about God who answered their prayers.
Here’s another great line that follows a prayer said by Manasseh:
“And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.” (2 Chronicles 33:13).
The Lord not only listened to Manasseh’s prayers, but was moved by them. This is even more amazing to me when I read that Manasseh was no saint. He had seriously sinned against God and lead others to do the same. But when he turned from his sins, humbled himself and cried out to God, God was moved and answered his prayers.
Our prayers do make a difference. God does hear them…and is moved by them. Keep praying! And when you see the answers, you will know “that the LORD is God.”
Week of Hope
I mentioned in my last newsletter that I’m leading an event this fall here in Streator called the “Week of Hope.” I was surprised to hear later from people as far away as Africa who wanted to come!
I thought I’d take a minute to specifically invite you to join us, too. October is a beautiful time in Illinois and the fall leaves should be at their peak during the event!
The “Week of Hope” is sponsored by more than a dozen churches in town, so there is no cost to you to attend the event itself. We have two inexpensive hotels in town to make your stay very affordable (Super 8 at 815-672-0080 or Town & County Inn at 815-672-3183).
We’ll be meeting at the Streator High Auditorium at 7pm each night for four nights from October 9-12th (Columbus Day Weekend). You’re welcome to join us for one, two, three or all four nights! I’ll be speaking each night on the topic of the hope we can have in Christ, and we’ll have great music and powerful testimonies each night of how Jesus Christ can change lives.
You can find out more at the “Week of Hope” website, complete with videos and a radio interview that describes the event. Take a look at: www.weekofhope.com.
On the Road
I’m going to be traveling around the US the next several months, giving people an update on our ministry and inviting them to join us as one of our regular financial supporters of our ministry.
I thought this would also be a good time to meet with some of you, many of whom I’ve only met so far over the Internet. If you’d be interested in a personal visit, I’d be glad to meet with you! Aside from raising support for our ministry, I hope it will give me a chance to encourage you in your faith as well. I’d be glad to meet in your home, or share my testimony with your church or small group, or even lead a few worship songs on the piano if you’d like!
Someone has graciously offered to help with my travel expenses for these trips, so there would be no cost to you if I’m already heading your way. I’d just need to know if you’d be interested in having me stop by. I’m still working on my travel schedule, so if you would be interested in a visit, just let me know!
Online Training for Online Evangelists
A few months ago I was able to get a preview of a new online training course for people interested in sharing their faith over the Internet. The course is now complete and I’d highly recommend it to anyone of any age reading this newsletter. The course is designed “to help believers effectively share Jesus with other people who are online. This includes people encountered via e-mail, chat rooms, discussion boards, Instant Messaging, and every web page. …”
It’s self-paced and there’s no cost, except the time you put into it. To go through the course, visit: www.webevangelism.org/otoe
While I’m recommending websites, I’ve been enjoying watching a series of video messages from Bill Hybels called “28 Days of Telling the Truth.” You might enjoy it, too, at: willowcreek.com
Please Pray With Us
In case you missed our email announcement, thank you for your prayers for the birth of our 6th little baby, Kaleo Breese Elder. She’s now 3 months old and doing great. You can still look at her webpage (complete with Brady Bunch music) at ericelder.com/kaleo.
By the way, my 75Mhz laptop is finally on its last legs. If anyone has something with a little more power that they’d be willing to donate, it would be a blessing! We’re also on the lookout for 5 to 10 PC’s that we could use for doing some computer training. If you know of someone or a company who might be able to donate such equipment, please let us know!
Father, we thank You:
for the birth of Kaleo Breese;
for encouraging us through Your Word;
and for hearing our prayers and answering them;
And Lord, we now ask:
for hearts to be prepared for the upcoming “Week of Hope;”
for Your direction in our travel plans;
and for more people to find their way to The Ranch so they can find their way to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Ranch Fellowship is a non-profit 501(c)(3) religious organization whose purpose is to share the message of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Click here to read more about our ministry.
To give a gift to The Ranch and to yourself, please visit The Ranch Giftshop.
To make a donation without ordering, just click Make A Donation.
A tranquil piano experience to relax and refresh your spirit. 100% Pure Piano by Marilyn Byrnes.
Listen Here!
You’re listening to SIMPLY RELAXING, featuring 100% Pure Piano versions of contemporary and classical favorites, performed by Marilyn Byrnes. Also available in CD and MP3 formats in our bookstore for a donation of any size!
About Marilyn Byrnes
Marilyn Byrnes is not only a gifted pianist who can bring any piece of music to life, she has a heart to touch people’s lives with her music. In “Simply Relaxing,” she does this with passion and seeming ease.
Credits
All songs performed by Marilyn Byrnes.
The Salley Gardens, traditional Irish Melody arr. by Joseph Martin
Norwegian Wood arr. by Lorie Line
Variations on a Theme from Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major arr. by David Lanz, published by Nara Music, Inc. (BMI)
Nocturne by Frederic Chopin
Cinema Paradiso by Ennio Morricone, arr. by Phillip Keveren
Beauty and the Beast, Main Theme, by Walt Disney Music Company
Berceuse by Suzanne Ciani
Für Elise by Ludwig van Beethoven
Star of County Down arr. by Lorie Line
Children’s Corner by Claude Debussy
Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, 18th Variation by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Artwork: “Out There,” original 24” x 36” oil painting, courtesy of C.R. Bryant, Emerald Island Studios, Raft Island, Washington. www.raftisland.com.
All songs streamed from The Ranch by permission of the artist and through ASCAP and BMI. Other uses are not permitted without written permission from the copyright holders.
Combining passion and ease, this album is “simply relaxing.” 100% Pure Piano from Marilyn Byrnes.
Songs include:
1. The Salley Gardens 2. Norwegian Wood 3. Variations on a Theme from Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major 4. Nocturne by Frederic Chopin 5. Cinema Paradiso 6. Beauty and the Beast 7. Für Elise 8. Star of County Down 9. Children’s Corner 10 Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, 18th Variation 11. Danny Boy 12. Time Stops 13. On Golden Pond
(Suggested Donation: $15 or more)
Click Play to listen to one of my favorites, “Variations On A Theme Of Pachelbel’s Canon In D”:
Encouraging words from God’s Word, read to inspirational music. 100% Pure Scripture read by Lana Elder.
On this special CD, Lana Elder reads passages from the Bible on various inspirational topics, all set to beautiful music.
Tracks include:
1. What God Says About Prayer
2. What God Says About Healing
3. What God Says About Missions
4. What God Says About Ministry
5. What God Says About Temptation
6. What God Says About Fear
7. What God Says About Angels
(Suggested Donation: $15 or more)
Click Play to listen to one of my favorites, “What God Says About Fear”:
Encouraging Words from God’s Word, read to inspirational music. 100% Pure Scripture read by Lana Elder.
Listen Here!
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(To see the full playlist in the app, click here)–>
You’re listening to WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT PRAYER AND OTHER INSPIRING TOPICS, featuring 100% Pure Scripture read to inspiring music by Lana Elder, including what God says about Prayer, Healing, Missions, Ministry, Temptation, Fear, and Angels. Also available in CD and MP3 formats in our bookstore for a donation of any size!
About This Music
What God Says features encouraging words from God’s Word, read to inspiring music. Lana Elder’s delightful reading voice is paired with beautiful music by a variety of musicians, including Chuck and Lynette Giacinto, Kent Sanders, Brent Mitchell and Eric Elder.
Credits
All scriptures read by Lana Elder from various translations of the Bible,* including NIV, NKJV, NAS, NRSV, TEV, NCV, AMP and NLT.
All songs streamed over the Internet from The Ranch website by permission of the artists. Other uses are not permitted without written permission from the copyright holders.
Scripture Readings
1. What God Says About Prayer
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3, NAS)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NKJV)
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! Then he prayed for rain, and down it poured. (James 5:16-18, NLT)
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5, NIV)
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him. (First John 5:14-15, NIV)
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. (Psalm 5:3, NIV)
“Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to those who knock. Would any of you who are fathers give your son a stone when he asks for bread? Or would you give him a snake when he asks for a fish? As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11, TEV)
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray:
“ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:5-13, NIV)
2. What God Says About Healing
Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. (Matthew 4:23-24, NAS)
So many people were going along with Jesus that they were crowding him from every side. There was a woman who had suffered terribly from severe bleeding for twelve years, even though she had been treated by many doctors. She had spent all her money, but instead of getting better she got worse all the time. She had heard about Jesus, so she came in the crowd behind him, saying to herself, “If I just touch his clothes, I will get well.” She touched his cloak, and her bleeding stopped at once; and she had the feeling inside herself that she was healed of her trouble. At once Jesus knew that power had gone out of him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” His disciples answered, “You see how the people are crowding you; why do you ask who touched you?” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. The woman realized what had happened to her, so she came, trembling with fear, knelt at his feet, and told him the whole truth. Jesus said to her, “My daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your trouble.” (Mark 5:24b-34, TEV)
Praise the Lord, my soul, and do not forget how kind he is. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He keeps me from the grave and blesses me with love and mercy. He fills my life with good things, so that I stay young and strong like an eagle. (Psalm 103:2-5, TEV)
Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. (James 5:14-16, NLT)
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? … By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” (Acts 3:1-12, 16, NIV)
3. What God Says About Missions
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:13-15, NIV)
Jesus traveled through all the cities and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And wherever he went, he healed people of every sort of disease and illness. He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn’t know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields.” (Matthew 9:35-38, NLT)
“What do you think a man does who has one hundred sheep and one of them gets lost? He will leave the other ninety-nine grazing on the hillside and go and look for the lost sheep. When he finds it, I tell you, he feels far happier over this one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not get lost. In just the same way your Father in heaven does not want any of these little ones to be lost. (Matthew 18:12-14, TEV)
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16, NKJV)
It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” (Romans 15:20-21, NIV)
“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24, NAS)
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14, NIV)
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10, NIV)
4. What God Says About Ministry
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV)
My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20, NRSV)
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2, NIV)
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:1-2, NLT)
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with the persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5, NRSV)
‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; was a stranger, and you
invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ (Matthew 25:35-36, NAS)
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5, NIV)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, NAS)
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5, NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9, NIV)
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9a, NIV)
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:21, NIV)
5. What God Says About Temptation
Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it. (Hebrews 4:13-16, NLT)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ ” … Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. (Matthew 4:1-4, 11, NAS)
God wants you to be holy and to stay away from sexual sins. He wants each of you to learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable. Don’t use your body for sexual sin like the people who do not know God. Also, do not wrong or cheat another Christian in this way. The Lord will punish people who do those things as we have already told you and warned you. God called us to be holy and does not want us to live in sin. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, NCV)
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18, NIV)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. (Psalm 119:9, NIV)
The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, NCV)
My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. (Proverbs 1:10, NIV)
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15, NIV)
Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, NAS)
This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13, NIV)
6. What God Says About Fear
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched; nor will the flame kindle upon you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1b-3a, AMP)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT)
The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. (Psalm 27, 1:3, NIV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9, NKJ)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJ)
I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4, NKJ)
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NAS)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. … I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John chapter 14:27, 33, NIV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. (Psalm 23:1-6, NKJV)
7. What God Says About Angels
“What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation.” (Hebrews 1:14, GNT)
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7, NIV)
“Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in him. But if you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” (Exodus 23:20-22, NAS)
“The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7, NKJV)
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;” (Psalm 91:11, NIV)
“Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and they became very frightened. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people. Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord. This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.” Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising God and saying: “Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.”” (Luke 2:9-14, NCV)
“He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him.” (Luke 22:41-43, NLT)
“And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” (Matthew 28:2-6, NAS)
“”I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the of God.” (Luke 12:8, NIV)
Scripture quotations marked (TEV) are from the Good News Bible in Today’s English Version – Second Edition. Copyright (c) 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Encouraging Words from God’s Word, read to inspirational music. 100% Pure Scripture read by Lana Elder.
Listen Here!
You’re listening to WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT PRAYER AND OTHER INSPIRING TOPICS, featuring 100% Pure Scripture read to inspiring music by Lana Elder, including what God says about Prayer, Healing, Missions, Ministry, Temptation, Fear, and Angels. Also available in CD and MP3 formats in our bookstore for a donation of any size!
About This Music
What God Says features encouraging words from God’s Word, read to inspiring music. Lana Elder’s delightful reading voice is paired with beautiful music by a variety of musicians, including Chuck and Lynette Giacinto, Kent Sanders, Brent Mitchell and Eric Elder.
Credits
All scriptures read by Lana Elder from various translations of the Bible,* including NIV, NKJV, NAS, NRSV, TEV, NCV, AMP and NLT.
All songs streamed over the Internet from The Ranch website by permission of the artists. Other uses are not permitted without written permission from the copyright holders.
Scripture Readings
1. What God Says About Prayer
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3, NAS)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NKJV)
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! Then he prayed for rain, and down it poured. (James 5:16-18, NLT)
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5, NIV)
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him. (First John 5:14-15, NIV)
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. (Psalm 5:3, NIV)
“Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to those who knock. Would any of you who are fathers give your son a stone when he asks for bread? Or would you give him a snake when he asks for a fish? As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11, TEV)
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray:
“ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:5-13, NIV)
2. What God Says About Healing
Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. (Matthew 4:23-24, NAS)
So many people were going along with Jesus that they were crowding him from every side. There was a woman who had suffered terribly from severe bleeding for twelve years, even though she had been treated by many doctors. She had spent all her money, but instead of getting better she got worse all the time. She had heard about Jesus, so she came in the crowd behind him, saying to herself, “If I just touch his clothes, I will get well.” She touched his cloak, and her bleeding stopped at once; and she had the feeling inside herself that she was healed of her trouble. At once Jesus knew that power had gone out of him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” His disciples answered, “You see how the people are crowding you; why do you ask who touched you?” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. The woman realized what had happened to her, so she came, trembling with fear, knelt at his feet, and told him the whole truth. Jesus said to her, “My daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your trouble.” (Mark 5:24b-34, TEV)
Praise the Lord, my soul, and do not forget how kind he is. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He keeps me from the grave and blesses me with love and mercy. He fills my life with good things, so that I stay young and strong like an eagle. (Psalm 103:2-5, TEV)
Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. (James 5:14-16, NLT)
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? … By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” (Acts 3:1-12, 16, NIV)
3. What God Says About Missions
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:13-15, NIV)
Jesus traveled through all the cities and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And wherever he went, he healed people of every sort of disease and illness. He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn’t know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields.” (Matthew 9:35-38, NLT)
“What do you think a man does who has one hundred sheep and one of them gets lost? He will leave the other ninety-nine grazing on the hillside and go and look for the lost sheep. When he finds it, I tell you, he feels far happier over this one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not get lost. In just the same way your Father in heaven does not want any of these little ones to be lost. (Matthew 18:12-14, TEV)
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16, NKJV)
It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” (Romans 15:20-21, NIV)
“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24, NAS)
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14, NIV)
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10, NIV)
4. What God Says About Ministry
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV)
My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20, NRSV)
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2, NIV)
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:1-2, NLT)
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with the persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5, NRSV)
‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; was a stranger, and you
invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ (Matthew 25:35-36, NAS)
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5, NIV)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, NAS)
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5, NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9, NIV)
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9a, NIV)
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:21, NIV)
5. What God Says About Temptation
Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it. (Hebrews 4:13-16, NLT)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ ” … Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. (Matthew 4:1-4, 11, NAS)
God wants you to be holy and to stay away from sexual sins. He wants each of you to learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable. Don’t use your body for sexual sin like the people who do not know God. Also, do not wrong or cheat another Christian in this way. The Lord will punish people who do those things as we have already told you and warned you. God called us to be holy and does not want us to live in sin. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, NCV)
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18, NIV)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. (Psalm 119:9, NIV)
The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, NCV)
My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. (Proverbs 1:10, NIV)
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15, NIV)
Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, NAS)
This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13, NIV)
6. What God Says About Fear
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched; nor will the flame kindle upon you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1b-3a, AMP)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT)
The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. (Psalm 27, 1:3, NIV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9, NKJ)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJ)
I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4, NKJ)
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NAS)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. … I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John chapter 14:27, 33, NIV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. (Psalm 23:1-6, NKJV)
7. What God Says About Angels
“What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation.” (Hebrews 1:14, GNT)
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7, NIV)
“Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in him. But if you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” (Exodus 23:20-22, NAS)
“The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7, NKJV)
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;” (Psalm 91:11, NIV)
“Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and they became very frightened. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people. Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord. This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.” Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising God and saying: “Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.”” (Luke 2:9-14, NCV)
“He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him.” (Luke 22:41-43, NLT)
“And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” (Matthew 28:2-6, NAS)
“”I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the of God.” (Luke 12:8, NIV)
Scripture quotations marked (TEV) are from the Good News Bible in Today’s English Version – Second Edition. Copyright (c) 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Year-end statistics, new music on The Ranch, and an upcoming live event in Illinois.
We’ve added some new piano music to the website to encourage you in your quiet time with the Lord. It contains a collection of classical and inspirational songs that I helped my sister record, including a song I wrote especially for her to play called “Marilyn’s Theme.”
Dear Friends,
We’re just days away now from the birth of our 6th child (at least we think we’re days away…Lana’s due on Feb. 26th, but she’s always been early so far). We’d appreciate your prayers for Lana and the baby and our whole family this month. (Those may sound like routine prayers, but for anyone who’s been involved in the birth process, you know those prayers are precious!)
We’ve included a picture of our family here that we’d love for you to print out and use as a reminder to pray for us and our ministry (even though it will be quickly outdated!) We appreciate that many of you have written to let us know that you do pray for us. We’d love if you would put this prayer card on your refrigerator or in your office or tuck it in your Bible…anywhere that you might see it regularly and remember to pray. We’ve listed some prayers at the end of this letter that you can cut out and keep near the picture if you’d like some ideas of what we need prayer for.
Eric Elder Family 2003
Knowing that many of you have prayed for us this past year, we also thought you might like to see a glimpse of how your prayers were answered. I’ve posted on our website some excerpts from a number of “thank you” notes we received this past year from people who visited The Ranch. While many of these are addressed to me and Lana, their notes of thanks extend directly to you as well, for without your prayers and support, we wouldn’t be able to reach out the way we do. I hope that as you read through these notes, you’ll be able to read them as personal notes of thanks to you as well for your prayers for this ministry. You’ll find them by clicking Quick Stats and Notes of Thanks.
I especially like to see notes that come from people who visit The Ranch needing a boost in their faith, and leave having gotten it, like this note from Louisiana:
“We’ve been facing some severe financial struggles recently and while our faith is deeper than ever, and we know we are tucked safely under the Lord’s wing, your site – the music – helped release a few of my hidden fears that seem tucked behind the nooks and crannies of my soul. I arrived feeling spent, but leave feeling refreshed.”
Although I can’t print all of the notes here, I hope you’ll read through the excerpts on the website to know that God is still in the life-changing business. I’ve also included along with the notes a few quick stats from last year, like these:
Total visitors during 2002: 85,000+
Total visitors over 5 years: 200,000+
Average number of visitors per day: 250+
Number of countries visitors come from: 150+
Number of emails requesting prayer and encouragement: 485
For those of you who like piano music and would like to spend some quiet time with God, we’ve just added a new full-length CD to the website that I helped my sister record called “Eden.” If you’ve heard her Christmas music on our site, you already know that she’s a gifted pianist and her music is both calming and inspiring. This new CD features a natural combination of classical and relaxing music, such as Für Elise, Clair de Lune, On Eagle’s Wings and Brahm’s Lullaby. It also features a song I wrote especially for her to play called Marilyn’s Theme.
You’re welcome to listen to this music on the website anytime you want, as often as you want, as our gift to you. If you’d like a copy for your home, or car, or for a friend, just visit The Ranch Giftshop. While you can listen to the music on the site free of charge, we do ask for a suggested donation for the CD’s as a way to help our ministry reach out to more people. Click this link to Listen to Eden.
Real Lives, Real Change
We’ve also posted some new testimonies on the website: one from a man named Peter from England who was scarred for life as an infant when his house caught on fire. His life went from bad to worse until Christ reached down and gave him a new life. The other is from a woman named Vicki who suffered from severe abuse and eventually mental illness until she finally “challenged God to prove himself.” He did, and now she’s free of the pain and torment she suffered for years (just like the man that Christ set free in Mark Chapter 5). You can read these true-life stories (and more) by clicking their links above or visiting Stories At The Ranch.
I believe that testimonies like these are so valuable for encouraging people to put their faith in Christ that we’re planning a live event this fall here in Streator, Illinois, to showcase testimonies of people in this area whose lives have also been touched by Jesus. In my role as President of the Streator Ministerial Association, we’re coordinating this multi-day event as a city-wide outreach sponsored by the cooperating churches in town.
I’d appreciate your prayers as we attempt to reach out to thousands of people in the area by showing them that Jesus Christ still changes lives today. I can’t describe what an incredible burden I feel in leading this event, as well as the incredible opportunity I see before us to touch countless people. Please pray for me, for the churches involved in the planning, and for those who will be touched by Christ Himself. If you could stop and pray for a minute even before reading on, I’d really appreciate it (and so will those whose lives will be changed by your prayers. If you want to see it in person, come on over! We’re a couple hours drive southwest of Chicago. The planned dates are October 9-12th.)
Take Heart
As a final encouragement, I want to remind you of a phrase that I find repeatedly in scripture:
“GOD IS WITH YOU.”
These words were spoken to Abraham (Genesis 21:22), Saul (1 Samuel 10:7), David (1 Chronicle 17:2), Solomon (1 Chronicle 28:20), groups of people (Zechariah 8:23), cities (Zephaniah 3:17), and whole countries (Isaiah 45:15). As David said these words to Solomon, I want to say them to you:
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you.”
Call on the name of Jesus and you can be sure that GOD WILL INDEED BE WITH YOU, TOO.
Please Pray With Us
Thank you Lord,
for growing our family;
for growing our ministry;
and for growing the number of friends we’ve met in Your name.
And Lord, we now ask:
for Your protection on our family;
for Your guidance for our ministry;
and for more people to find their way to The Ranch so they can find their way to You.
We ask this all in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The Ranch Fellowship is a non-profit 501(c)(3) religious organization whose purpose is to share the message of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Click here to read more about our ministry.
To give a gift to The Ranch and to yourself, please visit The Ranch Giftshop.
To make a donation without ordering, just click Make A Donation.
We’ve recently put all six of Lana’s pocket-sized CD’s onto one full-sized CD so you can listen to over 30 minutes of encouragement from God’s Word anytime. We continue to get comments from people who listen to them on the web and on CD like these:
We’re just days away now from the birth of our 6th child (at least we think we’re days away…Lana’s due on Feb. 26th, but she’s always been early so far). We’d appreciate your prayers for Lana and the baby and our whole family this month. (Those may sound like routine prayers, but for anyone who’s been involved in the birth process, you know those prayers are precious!)