He Did That for Me?

Last night, as we finished our Saturday worship service, I was talking with a lady. She said, with a sense of wonder, “I can’t believe that God loves me so much He sent Jesus to die on the cross in my place.” You could see the Holy Spirit making her aware of God’s deep love for her. We both just stood there for a moment, in awe of His love and grace.

In Romans we’re told that, “God demonstrates His own love towards us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (5:8) Yes, He did it for us!

Please, pause and think about that for a moment. It’s so easy for us to take our salvation for granted, to forget our prior sinfulness. Please pause and realize how amazing it is that God loved us sinners enough to die for us. And, that He invites us to come, be forgiven, and enter His family!

I love our Saturday Night Worship group. Art prays with his passengers on the senior’s bus, Tony helps people fill in study notes, Lili ministers in her apartment complex, several are picking up folks for the service, others make sure everyone is greeted, care for the children, help lead worship, send out the weekly videos and emails, set up Operation Christmas Child, and make sure the meeting area is set up and cleaned up. It’s beautiful to see each one serving our Lord and others! All because God loves us soooo much! What a wonderful God we have!

Upcoming: Please pray for the Holy Spirit’s anointing as we share!

1. July 6: Ridgeway CO Community Church: Service in Hartwell Park at 10am
2. July 10-12: Gunnison CO: Chaplain at Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo
3. July 13: Cowboy Church Service, 9am, Rodeo Grandstand with Barry Ward
4. July 15: Dallas TX: “Thank You” Dinner: La Madeline – 6 pm. 11930 Preston Rd
   (Preston and Forest) If you are anywhere near, please join us!
5. July 20-23: Bentonia MS: Hebron Baptist Church Revival Services
6. July 27: Celeste TX: Shepherd’s Hill Lane Baptist Church
7. September 7: Tin Cup CO Community Church
8. September 28: Pitkin CO Community Church

Faithful Prayer Warriors: This month I have been overwhelmed with gratitude for you who pray for us! We know some have for many years! Others of you have just joined the team. It’s such a blessing when we go to a church and someone says they have our newsletter, prayer requests or picture posted to remind them to pray for us. Your prayers literally keep us going! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! May the Lord richly bless you for praying!

1st Responder New Testaments and Devotionals: In June we received requests from chaplains in Florida (over 400 copies), and Michigan (120 copies). Many of these chaplains are volunteers, pastors of small churches with little or no budget for Bibles. Your support allows us to continue to provide them at no charge!

Hispanic Worship Service: Several months ago, a local Hispanic pastor asked me to share at their service. Finally, a date opened, and we were able to share through a translator. What a wonderful time of worship with these brothers and sisters in Christ!

Dalton continues to be a blessing! He’s met with several local pastors who shared insights with him, visited the nursing home, assisted living, and hospital, and he has taught at one of our Saturday Night Worship services. In the next few weeks, he will share in two local churches as well as teach on Saturday Night when Melva and I are speaking out of state. He really appreciates your prayers as he gets “hands on” experience in pastoral ministry.

Family: Stephen and Joy (Hannah and Bethan) are preparing to move to a new home their church is purchasing in London next month. That’s always a stressful time so please pray for them. Nick and Rebekah (Kailani) are busy with their restaurant and Kai is active in sports. Steve and Annie (Samuel and Abigail) are staying busy in Los Angeles but were able to get together with Tim and Sara (Elizabeth and Sydney) for a fun day at Disneyland.

Finances: Our God is truly Jehovah-Jireh (the God who provides). As we have more requests for New Testaments and devotionals, as well as more opportunities to preach around the country, the finances needed continue to come in. Thank you for being His channel for these blessings!

Prayer Requests: For the anointing of the Holy Spirit as we share God’s wonderful gospel. For Dalton as he continues to grow into his ministry. For Melva to adjust to her CPAP machine, and for my weird feet to be healed. Thank You!

By His grace and to His glory!! Rick and Melva