A Plea For Prayer

Let me start this message by relating to you how blessed I am to serve you. Each person that enters this online church service is special to me. My prayer daily to my Heavenly Father is to bless each and every one of you. I ask the father to allow the anointing that he pours out on these messages to overflow onto you.

This ministry prays for your needs on a daily basis. Notice the healing requests on the right side of the service. These are serious, oftentimes life and death requests. Our prayer is for complete and total healings, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

I ask each of you to urgently pray for each one of these requests. There are times when sickness and diseases seems to render one helpless to even pray for themselves. That, my friends, is where your faith and mine must be lifted up to God for those that are in that condition. These are our fellow humans. God loves them just as he loves you and me. Pray daily for them, will you please?

We also have prayer requests at the ministry that are not always published but always prayed for. We believe God answers prayers. When we exercise our faith and faithfulness in prayer, the evil forces that are attempting to destroy us through sickness and disease are doomed to defeat. Jesus, speaking in Mark 11:22-24 states it very clearly. Let's read it together:

“And Jesus answering sayeth unto them, have faith in God for verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which He sayeth shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he sayeth. Therefore I say unto you what things soever you desire, when ye pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.”

Jesus is telling us here that our prayers and what we say does matter. Notice the words “when you pray.” Do you get that my friends? Things happen when you pray. That is why this plea is going out to you. Being an online church does not excuse us from being a praying church, does it? Take a look at these names and conditions. These are real people with very real needs. They truly do need your help. Will you stand with them?

Minus Leleaux – Cancer of the liver, pancreas, and lungs.
Nancy Stewart – Cancer of the liver.
Jessica Summerlin – Ovarian Cancer.
David Patterson – Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Mrs. Leslie Revelo – Anemia, low blood count.
Shaun – 16 years old. Has a form of cancer. Also pray for his salvation.
Thomas Shaun Morgan – Cancer, diabetes, recently had a bone marrow transplant.
Vanessa – Brain tumor.

Do you see what I am talking about, church? Each person here is a story unto themselves. Each one of these persons have families, husbands, wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, that love them. Let's, as a church, show our love for them also. Email me today. Let me know you are standing with us in prayer for each one listed above. Our email is brotherbob@thespiritofwisdom.org. I will be looking forward to hearing from you.

This weekend, my wife and I are attending her family reunion in Lake Wales, Florida. The Blackledge family reunion. You know folks, the greatest gift (other than salvation, of course) is the gift of our Earthly families. Oftentimes, we take them for granted, don't we? As we grow older and move from place to place, each in our own directions, north, south, east, and west, the memories of the closeness we once had seems to fade away. The shared secrets, the laughter we shared as children. The closeness we felt to each other seems to dissolve with time and, with the hustle and bustle of life.

It is good to come together again. To reunite as a family. For many, this reunion will introduce family members to others they never met. Cousins, who were once close, will see that family spark reignited again. Family members flying and driving in from all over the country to once again celebrate their family ties. The Blackledge sisters, all four of them, will probably be the focus of attention. But beyond that will be the lifting up of Guy and Eva Howe, James Patrick, and Zorah Blackledge. Also, Jimmy and Beatrice Blackledge, gone now, but surely remembered and loved.

There will be the Blackledge sisters, their children, grand children, and great grand children. My goodness, what a great event! There will be many different outlooks, opinions, and life status, but one thing will remain supreme. Family, family, family. I think God will be smiling on them this weekend.

Happy reunion, Blackledge family. God loves you. After all, he put you all together as a family, didn't he?

God Bless you,

Brother Bob

THE NINETY-FIRST PSALM (A Message for You) PART 2

I hope you are enjoying this two-part series on the 91st Psalm. We included in the title “A message for You.” The reason we did that is we want you to make this Psalm personal to yourself. You do that and I promise you, you'll be blessed beyond your best dreams.

The 91st Psalm, according to many Bible scholars was not written by David, but by Moses. Everything Moses said and did was for the advantage of God's people. Therefore, if you have accepted God's gift of salvation by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, this Psalm is just for you.

At this time let me welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. Everyone is welcome in this place. Last week we discussed verses one through six. This week we will explore versus seven through fifteen, which will complete our spiritual adventure into the 91st Psalm and how it relates to you.

Let's do a quick review of what we discussed last week. We said – if you want to abide under the shadow of the Almighty, you must stay close to God. Walk with Him, talk with him, read his Word. God wants to be a Father to you. Under his shadow there is protection from all the pitfalls of life. We also stated according to Psalm 91:2, always say to yourself and others that God is your refuge and fortress. He is, you know. One thing I didn't touch on in this verse was the part where it says “My God, in Him will I trust.” My friends, the greatest thing God allows his born-again children to say is “My God.” How many of you out there can really say “my” God. Nonbelievers, you are not left our here except by choice. God wants you to be able to say “My God” also. That is why his Son Jesus died on the cross. By your acceptance of Jesus into your heart and life, God then becomes your Heavenly Father and then, and only then, can you call out and say “My God.” Do you want to be able to do that? E-mail me today at brotherbob@TheSpiritofWisdom.org. I will share with you and lead you to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

In verses three and four, we discussed how God will protect you from all the wiles of the Devil. We referred you to John 10:10, where Jesus told you what the Devil desires. He desires to steal from you everything you have materially and spiritually. He wants to destroy your marriage, your relationships and everything close to you. Finally, he desires to kill you both physically and spiritually. He wants to separate you from God forever. Jesus said in contrast that he (Jesus) has come to give you life and to give it to you more abundantly. There is your choice, my friends. How do you choose today?

Can you begin to see how important Psalm 91 can be in your life? One thing I would suggest, go back to John 10:10 and see how it really relates to the 91st Psalm and your life. I am serious. That is your homework for this week. All right. Let's now continue. Psalm 91:7-8:

“A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.”

Ladies and gentlemen, my good online church members – listen to me. As we speak untold millions are being destroyed by the powers of darkness. But, God is saying here “Put your trust in me and it shall not come near you.” God says in verse eight “Only with your eyes will you see the reward of the wicked.” What is that reward, my friends? The answer plain and simple is spiritual death and separation from God forever. A high price to pay for rejecting God's free gift of salvation through his Son Jesus, but a just price for sure. Thank God, as believers that will not be our fate.

Let's continue with Psalm 91:9-12, let's read them together:

“Because thou has made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall be no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”

What a great promise of our Heavenly Father. Because we have on purpose chosen to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have also chosen to make God our habitation. In other words, we are engulfed in his presence; thereby assuring that any evil or plague that comes our way, we will have the victory over it. How is that possible, you might ask? Look at Psalm 91:11 again. It states “ For He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways.” Yes my friends, angels sent by God to help us when we stumble. We are not alone. God has made sure of that. Well that sounds good to me. How about you? Oh church, are you getting this yet? Well guess what? The best is yet to come. Let's continue with Psalm 91:13:

“Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.”

My friends, this verse promises us victory over every effort of Satan and his demons to destroy us. As long as we keep our faith in Jesus and his finished work by way of the cross, the Devil is under our feet. I say, trample on him hard saints. Keep your feet on his neck. Now I really need your attention. In Psalm 91:14-16 there is a very big change here. Up to now the Holy Spirit is speaking through the psalmist. But now, God himself speaks through the psalmist. Let's read this carefully now:

“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath know my name. He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.”

I want to impress upon you there is a very intense anointing on this message. If I have ever felt God's presence in my life, and I have; it is when I preach on this 91st Psalm. This is my personal testimony of what this Psalm means to me. There was a time many years ago. My grandmother had just passed away and a sickness overtook my mind and body. Everything was shutting down. I was hospitalized. The diagnosis was severe. The doctors could not assure me I would ever leave that hospital again. I was a Christian but my faith was low. I would lay in the bed and read my Bible, but nothing seemed to help. The way I felt, I could just as easily have been reading the sports page. All hope was gone. But, “My God” did not let me down in spite of my lack of faith. Why could that be and how could that happen? Verses fourteen through sixteen of the 91st Psalm, that's how.

I remember laying in that bed believing I would never again be a father or a husband to my wife and children. I saw myself dying in that hospital. So I thought “I'll just lay here and read my Bible,” not that I expected much to happen. I was reading Psalm 91 verse by verse when verse fourteen jumped out at me. All of a sudden I felt like God was personally talking to me. As I read verses fourteen through sixteen I placed my name where it would say “he” or “thou.” So now, I felt God was saying to me personally. Because “he (Bob) has set his love upon me, I will deliver him.” God continued. “I will set him on high.” Why? I thought. God then said “Because, he (Bob) hath know my name.” God would really set me on high because I know his name? Notice he did not say because I knew “about” his name. I thought “My God, I do know your name. Ever since I accepted Jesus into my heart.” Then, God continued in verse fifteen. “He (Bob) shall call upon me and I shall answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.” I thought – “I will do this. I will call upon my God. I know he will answer me.” I remember thinking “God says here he will be with me in trouble and I said out loud – My God, I am in trouble, please be with me.”

Then I noticed he said he not only would deliver me but he would honor me. What? God would honor me? Why would he do that? I know now, it is because I truly did know his name. Then the key words God spoke to me through this Psalm: “With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” I cried out “I want long life Lord.” And guess what? That was many years ago and he has shown me his salvation everyday of my life since then.

You know folks, three days later I was released from that hospital completely healed and never to return to that hospital again. As Rev. Oral Roberts used to say “God is a good God!”

I have given you this testimony to encourage you and to tell you this 91st Psalm is just as much for you as it ever was, and still is, for me. God will be with you in trouble. He will deliver you and with long life will he satisfy you and show you his salvation. God loves you, my friends. He really does. Now, read Psalms 91 again. See for yourself if God isn't talking directly to you.

This is a very heartfelt message from me to you. A very personal message God has allowed me to share with you. Why? Because he loves you, that's why.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

THE NINETY-FIRST PSALM (A message for you)

Summer is now in full force, isn't it? Hot weather, beaches, vacations, fun in the sun. A time for enjoyment, leisure and relaxation. And yes my friends, a time when many people decide that their absence from church and the study of God's word is excused by God Himself. The reading of the Word now takes a backseat to movies, restaurants and worldly pleasures. Summer, a time to take time off of work and responsibilities and I'm sorry to say, for many, a time to take off from worshiping and praising our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After all, he knows we love him, doesn't he?

I know this is hard to read or hear. But it is true isn't it? Many churches have stopped evening or midweek services due to low attendance. This especially seems to occur in the summer months. That is the reason our 24/7, week long, online church service is so important. We are here to call you back to Jesus on a week to week, month to month, season to season and year to year basis. Everyone is welcome in this place everyday.

Are we against vacations, fun and recreation? Of course not. We enjoy the good things of life also, but not at the expense of ignoring our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus. So what are you saying, Bro. Bob? I am saying the Spirit of Wisdom Ministries is as close to you as your PC or laptop. You can even get us on most cell phones now. Our mission is to lift up the name of Jesus. We are to be available to you 24/7. We are a place of rest, a place of peace, mercy and grace all provided free of charge by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So yes my friends, enjoy your vacations. Enjoy your summer leisure time. Have fun. But always remember loving and serving Jesus is a full time position with no layoffs. Tune into God everyday with thanksgiving and praise. I guarantee you will enjoy your vacation even more than you thought you would.

This week I want to discuss the 91st Psalm with you verse by verse. As you know, we rarely do this, but this is so important and relevant to where we are positioned in today's life. So let's get started. Psalm 91:1:

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

One thing I have noticed and concluded is this: It is impossible to be under the shadow of anyone or anything if we are not close enough to them to be under their shadow. You want to abide under the shadow of the Almighty, get real close to God. Walk with him. His shadow and blessings will cover and protect you. Psalm 91:2 states:

“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in Him will I trust.”

The first thing to note here is an instruction for us. That is the words “I will say of the Lord.” It is important that we say what we believe the Lord is to us. We say He is my refuge and fortress and that tells us God is a safe place for his children. Isn't that what a refuge is? In God there is safety and protection from all the attacks of the devil. Remember, Satan's mission and Jesus' answer to that mission. Please, turn with me to John 10:10 for a moment of remembrance. Jesus speaking:

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Jesus is our refuge and fortress. Thank God for his Son! We love you Jesus! Psalm 91:3-4 states:

“Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall by thy shield and buckler.”

Notice the way these verses start: Surely – no wavering there. Trust in God. He will surely deliver us out of every snare designed to trip you up in life. God says his truth (Jesus) will be our shield and buckler. Can't we all use a shield against everything the world throws at us in this life? Our little tip for you: When reading the 91st Psalm, put your own name anywhere it says 'thy' and 'thou.' Read it like this: “I will be Bob's shield and buckler.” Only put your own name there. The 91st Psalm is meant to be personal to you and your situation in life. So let's continue. Psalm 91:5-6:

“Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.”

What a great promise of God. He tells us here that we need have no fear when our trust is in him. How many times in the Bible do we hear Jesus saying “Fear not,or I am with you?” The answer: In every situation that fear rose its ugly head. No matter what the situation, or how the devil's evil spirits attack us, we need to lose no sleep. Let the arrows of destruction come at us. Remember, God is our shield and buckler. Why does God say – do not be afraid? Because fear is a tool of the devil and not God. Want proof? Turn with me to 2 Timothy 1:7, the apostle Paul speaking:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

What a great revelation!! God is telling us that fear does not come from him, but from the devil. Not only that, but God is saying here that we have power over all the works of Satan and his spirits (demons). In fact, our trust in Jesus Christ and what he accomplished on the cross for you and me renders the works of Satan in our lives as powerless. God defeated Satan with love. And he has given us that same love. No longer are we ruled by hate and fear because the love of God rules supreme in our lives. That is, if we have accepted Jesus into our lives. Have you done this, my friends?

Finally, in this scripture Paul says “God has given us (believers) a sound mind.” A mind that becomes even stronger by the renewing of our minds by the word of God. I remember a brother in Christ way back in the 70s who always prayed “Thank you Lord for a sound mind.” With Jesus in our lives, that prayer is just as true for us as it was for him.

I hope you are enjoying and getting something from this message. I guarantee it gets even better as we continue our discussion of the 91st Psalm. Don't miss next week's message entitled “The Ninety-First Psalm (a message for you) Part II. I love the 91st Psalm. Next week I'll give you a personal testimony of why this is so important to me.

God Bless you,
Bro. Bob

Happy 4th of July, America!

Happy 4th of July, everyone. What a great country we live in. We are a blessed people, aren't we? This is not the time to take our blessings for granted. Thank God we can attend church to worship the Lord in the manner of our choosing.

I believe God has blessed our country in spite of ourselves. But then, you must ask, why would he do that? The answer? The sincere prayers of the redeemed. A people that believe Jesus is the savior of this world. A people that pray for the success of our beloved country and not the destruction of it. Believers that pray that God will reveal himself to our elected and appointed leaders. Not prayers of defeat, destruction or venom. But prayers that God will lead and guide our government officials.

I have recently received and read emails praying for the death of our President. Does that not fly in the face of our heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, and their teachings? God says pray for those that are in authority. He does not say pray against them, does he? Well, if you are not convinced, please turn with me to I Timothy 2:1-3. Let's read it together. The Apostle Paul is speaking:

“I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our savior.”

Welcome everyone to your 24/7 week-long online church service. You must know by now, everyone is welcome in this place. The Apostle Paul is very clear about our responsibility to all men and women and to our country. First, pray, my good friends, for each other. Pray with thanks giving for all God has done for us. Pray for the lost. Pray for the poor. Pray for those of different races and cultures. Pray for all men and women that they may come to know and accept the free gift of salvation. This was all provided for them by the perfect sacrifice of the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Give thanks, church. Give thanks for this country that God has allowed us to live in.

We must pray for all that are in authority and that includes President Obama, doesn't it? We can't afford to preach love and show hate toward our President. You may say, brother Bob, aren't you being political here? No, my friends, I am not. We should have prayed for the previous president and for the next president as well.

You know, the 4th of July should be a family time. I remember my wife Vicki and myself taking the kids, all five of them, to the Clawson Michigan fireworks. Patriotic music playing in the background. As I watched the children laughing and “oohing” and “aahing” together at each burst of the explosives in the night sky. I felt a real sense of how great it was and still is, I might add, to be an American.

When the fireworks were over, we would run to the car so we could be one of the first cars to drive away. I would hold the hands of one of the kids while carrying the youngest. Vicki would be herding the other three kids and we rushed and laughed together. I remember seeing all the different people barbecuing in their backyards. American flags flying as kids ran all around with sparklers flashing in the night air. We always felt this was a particular American holiday.

It is hard not to think of our men and women who serve in the armed forces who are sacrificing their own freedoms while protecting ours. As an army veteran, fireworks always remind me of the Star Spangled Banner. Bombs bursting in air, wondering if our flag was still there. The answer is yes, yes, yes!! Our flag still waves over the home of the brave and the land of the free.

Let us never forget that without the leading and guidance of God in our own personal life, our contribution to our country will dissolve into nothingness. I am saying to each of you, love and serve God first and always love and serve the United States of America. Always pray for God's blessings upon our country. Psalms 117, 1-2 leaves us with good instructions for keeping our country strong and blessed.

“O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise ye the Lord.”

What is this Psalm actually saying to America? Reach out America to all the nations of the world to praise the Lord. But America and your great leaders, start praising God again first in this country. Be the example.

God's merciful kindness is great toward us, America. Do not allow this opportunity for even more greatness to pass us by. Praise the Lord, America. God loves and blesses you.

Happy 4th of July!

God Bless You,
Brother Bob

New Prayer Request: Urgent prayer request for Minus Leleaux. Mr. Leleaux has been diagnosed with cancer that involves his liver, pancreas, and lungs. His family has already prayed and are agreeing for his total healing. We are asking you to enter into agreement with their prayer. Please pray urgently and with purpose.