LET THE REDEEMED SAY SO

As we begin a new week let's do it with praise and thanksgiving for all that God has done for us. I especially like Psalms 107:1-2:

“Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: For his mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.”

Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. As you read or listen to this week's message, I will be in Michigan. It is hard to believe, but fifty years have gone by since I graduated from high school. I am looking forward to seeing old friends, and who knows, as the Lord leads, perhaps I can share the Words of Life with family and friends.

Psalms 107 as read above, gives great instructions for us as believers, doesn't it? You know, every morning when I wake up, the first thing I think and say is “Thank you Lord for this day. Thank you for another day of salvation. I will walk in that salvation. I will walk in all of the benefits and I will be accountable at the end of the day. I praise you Lord, for you are good and worthy of all praise. You are good, and your mercy endures forever.” I also align myself with the second verse of Psalm 107. My advice to all believers, do what Psalms 107:2 instructs you to do. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” Tell people, my friends. Tell them what God has done for you. Are you the redeemed of the Lord or not? If you are, say so. Now, I'm not talking about pride or arrogance, but humility for what God has done in your life.

So, who do I say this to, Bro. Bob? That answer is anyone who will listen to you. There are so many people who will be able to relate to your testimony. I love to talk to persons with drinking problems. Why? Because I once had the same problem. Not only did I stop drinking alcohol, but later on, I was completely delivered from the spirit of alcoholism. A spirit which was sent from the pit of hell to destroy me. But now, that evil spirit is dead to me. When persons with alcohol problems hear what God did for me, it gives them hope.

One of the main things that prevent people from turning to God is their fear of hopelessness. Nothing has worked, and to them, if God doesn't work for them, nothing is left. Their solution, which by the way is the wrong solution, is not to turn to God for help, but to turn away from him. Your testimony or story may be the one thing that gives them hope and causes them to turn to God through his son, Jesus Christ. So, once again, my friends, say it loudly – I am the redeemed of the Lord! Tell people!! What God has done for me, he can do for you. Praise God, for he is worthy to be praised.

We are talking about praise this week. Oftentimes, we as believers dwell on the problems of life. It seems praise is not only out of place, but even impossible to do. The heaviness of bad relationships, money problems, sickness and disease have us bowed over. Praise to God seems impossible to do at these times, doesn't it? Here is something to think about church. Praise to God is never out of place, nor is it ever impossible to do. It is a choice. Defeat or praise. Your choice, my friends – choose now.

As a preacher of the gospel, I sort of feel like Isaiah, proclaiming positive things into dire situations is not easy to do, but oftentimes necessary. Turn with me to Isaiah 61:1-3. I echo the sentiments of Isaiah.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim that acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”

Our heavenly Father is glorified when we praise him. Are not the words of the above scriptures beautiful, church? This is what the redeemed of the Lord should say and proclaim to all the people of the world. It will bless believers and it will draw the lost to Jesus. People need to know there is a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. The spirit of heaviness is not of God and should be and must be cast out by the redeemed of the Lord in Jesus Name.

Just a word of caution, my friends. When you first replace heaviness with the garment of praise, that garment may not feel like it fits correctly, but it truly does. The more you display the praise garment, the better it fits. So start now, folks. Praise the Lord with all that is in you. God will love you for it and you will be delivered from the jaws of depression, fear and defeat.

Now, just a note to apprise you of what is going on here. I will be away from my desk, and my computer technician, Justin Rocque, for the next two weeks. Therefore, we will replay two of our previous messages, only with audio this time. How do we do this? I have written two messages. Last week's and this week's message were composed on Friday, August 6th and Saturday, August 7th. Next week and the following week's messages will be replays, with the audio being added as of August 8th.

My goal is always to be honest and upfront with you. My mission is to always give you the words of life and truth that God gives to me. Please tune in the next two weeks. I promise you will not be disappointed. Even though I will be in Michigan, I will be able to retrieve all e-mails. So feel free to e-mail me at BrotherBob@TheSpiritofWisdom.org with any prayer requests. I promise to pray daily for all prayer requests.

To conclude. Remember my friends, let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Always praise the Lord and share your gift of salvation with others. They need you!!

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE

Welcome everyone to your week long, online church service. Our emphasis is always on 'everyone.' No one is to be excluded from our message of Jesus Christ and him crucified. Folks, Jesus died to redeem all of us. It's time for the Christianity of exclusion to be dissolved.

I understand churches cannot allow persons who refuse to learn and cause disruption in the flow of the Spirit. But, everyone should be welcome into the house of God and be given the opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

We cannot righteously sing “Come Just as You Are” and then turn them away when they come. Am I being very clear here? We were and we are sinners saved by grace, aren't we? Well, aren't we? Turn with me to Romans 5:8, the apostle Paul speaking:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Oh, thank you Lord for the mercy and grace you have shown us. You notice in that scripture that God did not give his love to us only after we cleaned our act up. But while we were yet still in sin. The truth is, if God had to wait for mankind to stop sinning before he showed his love to us, he would still be withholding it. Church, we have to begin to show others the same love God has shown us. We can't tell others we love you with the love of God, but we don't want anything to do with you. No, my friends, we must show love to all and be willing and able to share Jesus Christ with them.

So, what I am talking about here? I am talking about love. The love of God for us and all of his creation. Somehow over time Christians have lost their way. Instead of showing the unconditional love of God to everyone, we have made false decisions on who should be loved or shunned. Sad to say, many Christians truly believe we should disdain the very ones God loves and wants to redeem so much.

It has somehow become acceptable in church circles and Christian organizations to publicly and loudly proclaim attitudes of hatred toward everything from homosexuality to alcoholics, to drug users and to people of others faiths, such as Muslims. It has become okay to show hatred toward races and cultures that do not do things the way we consider to be “the Christian way.”

Am I saying we should not hate sin? No, I am not saying that at all. But be careful that you do not confuse sin with the sinner. The last I recall God is the judge, not his ambassadors. I want to share some scriptures with you my friends. Turn with me to 1 John 4:7-8:

“Beloved, let us love one another: For love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

It should be noted that God is not the God of hatred, but the God of love. It is because of God's love for us that Jesus came to this earth to die. John 3:16-17 tells the whole story:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

God set no conditions on who could come to him for redemption. He said whosoever will. That includes everyone you may consider as sinful and beyond the ability to be helped. I remember a Catholic priest once saying “We are all going to be surprised when we get to heaven and see who is there and who isn't.” You know what? I think he was right. The way many believers look down on those who don't think or act just as they do – well, it is just amazing anyone would make it to heaven.

Each day I see the affects of sin all around me – sickness, poverty, broken homes, depression. Oftentimes, I just want to shout out to people “Jesus is the way out of this trouble you are in!” God's love for them is so strong. I just don't have the time or inclination to hate people. God will not allow me to do that. John puts it this way in 1 John 4:10-11, let's read it together:

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to be the propitiation (substitute) for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

There it is, my friends. Love is God's way. God first loved us so much that Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for us. He laid down his life and became the substitute for our sins. The scripture is very clear. Because God loved us so much, we should also love one another. Loving one another does not mean just loving those in our church or group of believers. We should and must love all of God's creation just as he does.

It is time my fellow believers, to become the ambassadors we are meant to be. Get back to showing God's love to all. You want to draw the lost to Christ? You can only do it with love. Once again, that is God's way. This message explains why we always say everyone is welcome in this place. The message of Jesus Christ is for everyone regardless of their spiritual condition. We welcome you here with open arms. What you do with what we freely give to you is up to you. Our prayer is that you learn more about God and his son Jesus.

The Spirit of God is calling out to you, my friends. Urging you who are lost in sin to come to Jesus Christ. Receive his love and saving grace and mercy. Become a child of God. Be set free in the Name of Jesus!. God loves you. He wants the best for you. We want the best for you and we love you in the Lord. Because of that love, we are here for you. Contact us at BrotherBob@TheSpiritofWisdom.org. I promise we will get back to you. To those who have received Jesus into your life, but for whatever reason, have drifted away or even on purpose walked away, we are here for you also. We love you, my friends, but God loves you even more. Come on back home. Today is a day of new beginnings. Contact us. We will stand with you.

Church, this is a special message calling you to return to love. After all, God is love, and we are in God because we love him. If we love him, we will love his creation.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

Prayer Requests:

Cynthia Taylor - Cynthia is currently undergoing dialysis for kidney problems. She is believing for a complete and total healing of her body and we are asking you to agree with her in prayer. She needs your help so please do not let her down.

Arlene - Arlene has liver problems and swollen ankles. She is a believer and is requesting prayer from our online church. Please pray that Arlene receives a touch from God and that she will be made totally healed in Jesus' name.

Choose Wisely

Welcome to all that enter into this first week of your "online Church." The Spirit Of Wisdom Ministries welcomes you with open arms.

There are NO conditions to attend this church. However, let it be known that our mission is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of our heavenly Father (the God above all gods) so that all who choose him may be saved.

We pray to God (our heavenly Father), to bless this service with his wisdom. We pray that we may present Jesus Christ as Lord and saviour. We pray that non-believers will become believers and that the saved will be inspired to continue in the faith.

So Let the service begin!

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we shall rejoice and be glad in it.”
- Psalm 118:24

Folks, we all have situations, circumstances, and problems we do not like to wake up to but, is it better to wake up in despair and depression or to awaken to a new day knowing that, because of our faith in the risen Christ, we may rejoice and be glad because Jesus will lead us through the troubled areas of our life into the victory of his life?

Yes, we can walk in the victory Jesus obtained for us when he died on the cross and rose again from the dead that we may be saved. Now, non-believers and believers alike, please turn to John 3:16 in your Bible; probably one of the most read and glossed over off all the scriptures.

Ready? Let's read it together!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have ever lasting life."
- John 3:16

Listen to me carefully, my friends. God has given you a choice between spiritual life or eternal death. I encourage you to be the "whosoever" that chooses to believe in Jesus so you may have the promise above, that promise being if you chose to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour that you will not perish, spiritually, but have ever lasting life with God in a land with no pain, no sorrows, no sickness, and no tears. I will go into this in more detail in future sermons. But, to suffice it to say, when God created Adam and Eve, he intended for them (and us) to live in paradise. That vision will come to fruition when Jesus comes back and reins over the Earth.

The Word of God (The Bible), teaches clearly (Now believers, stay with me here!), God is a pro-choice God. God made it so that whatever we do in this life is a choice, even everlasting life or eternal death.

Please turn with me to Deuteronomy 30:19. This will prove my assertation that God is a pro-choice God.

Ready? Let's Read:

(This is God Speaking)

"I call Heaven and Earth to record this day against you that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing (sin): therefore, choose life, that both thou (you) and thy seed (your children) may live."
-Deut. 30:19

You see, our Father gives us a choice and even tells us the best way to choose but still leaves it up to us. What a great God he is!

I have often said (in my opinion), the extremes of the Bible is not heaven and hell, but rather life or death, so CHOOSE WISELY, MY GOOD PEOPLE, CHOOSE WISELY!


Thank you everyone for attending this first "online Church" service. I pray it has been a blessing to you.

Before we conclude the service, I must ask if anyone feels the tug of the Holy Spirit, to give your life to God, through his son Jesus. If so, please confess aloud with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and you shall be saved. Just say and mean in your heart, "Father I come to you in the name of your son, Jesus. I ask you to forgive my sins and I give my heart and life to you. I confess and believe in my heart that Jesus is my Lord and saviour. I accept you, Jesus with all thanks giving." (Refer to Romans 10:9)

My friend, if you made this confession, you are now saved and you are now our brother or sister in Christ. Welcome to the family of God! Praise the Lord, for his goodness and mercy. Amen.
Email me today so I can rejoice with you!

Believers, have you strayed? Your father, God, is calling you back home. Just say, and mean in your heart, "Father, I ask for your forgiveness for my sin, and ask to be restored in the faith. I love you, Lord. Cleanse me and make me free in you again." Wow! Don't you feel better now? Email me and let me know!

God bless you all. Until we meet again next week, may God be with you. God loves you and so do I!

God Bless,

Brother Bob

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Brother Bob is glad to receive any prayer requests, praise reports, or any comments you want to make, at Brotherbob@thespiritofwisdom.org. You're feedback is greatly appreciated!

Check in daily for any updates, prayer requests, and/or announcements.

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.