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How old are your Christmas presents? The Bible tells us of two “senior saints” who spoke prophetic words to Joseph and Mary as Jesus was being circumcised. Words with deep meaning of both blessing and warning. Simeon and Anna came “in the Spirit” praising God and speaking of the child Jesus. These faithful servants of the Lord were “older” but definitely not “retired” from the Lord’s service. They were God’s Christmas presents! Melva and I just returned from holding services in OK. One of the many highlights was spending time with “senior saints”. Brothers and sisters who have been walking with Jesus for many, many years. Jerry B and Suzanne have been involved with FCA for decades and are original RBM Board members. Jerry L still helps with Baptist disaster relief while his bride Carolyn serves in food distribution and mentoring kids. John K has faithfully worked with the Gideons for well over half a century, and so many more! Of course they couldn’t do it without their wives who selflessly serve alongside them. They are gifts as well! As one Gideon’s wife told me, “We stay on our knees so our men can stay on their feet!” These are truly Christmas presents that God has given us and His church! So are many of you who reading this! You possess what John MacArthur called the “hidden spiritual gifts God gives ONLY to the elderly.” You have stayed the course through many storms, disappointments, and successes! You have wisdom which has been tested by the fires of time. You are very special gifts from God to us and we honor you! November Happenings: November was a wonderful but busy time as we tried to get things ready for the winter. We had the privilege of continuing to share with New Song Church in Gunnison as well as our Saturday Night Worship Service, visit a brother in the hospital in Denver, deliver 1st Responder New Testaments to a firefighter/paramedic in Colorado Springs, teach a Bible Conference in Guthrie OK, and serve the Lord’s Supper to residents in assisted living and the nursing home. We are grateful that the Lord allows us to help in these ways. More Special Servants: When a local woman needed firewood, a rancher offered to provide the wood as part of his Diligent Hands Ministry. As Melva and I went to help load it, three young men from New Song showed up and soon the work was done. A man in the hospital needed his headlights repaired. One phone call and a couple were on their way and it was fixed. On the way to OK the power-steering pump on our car went out. Upon arriving in Guthrie a Christian mechanic put everything aside and replaced it right away, and another brother anonymously paid the bill. It’s exciting and humbling to see the Body of Christ at work! Prayer Warriors: This week we received a note from a long-time friend and retired seminary professor. “Rick”, he said, “We read the newsletter each month. We can’t send financial support but we do pray over each request.” Folks, that is the best support we can have! We are sooooo encouraged when we hear that you are praying for us regularly. We understand there are many wonderful ministries you are supporting financially, but if you will pray for us, that’s the best gift we can receive! Finances: This month, by the grace of God and your support, we are able to send out an extra financial gift to 20 missionaries, missionary widows, and small church pastors. Our prayer is that this will bless and encourage these faithful workers and their families. As 3 John 7-8 says, “For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles (non-Christians in this case). Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.” One Christmas, many years ago, we were on “the cutting edge of financial disaster”. There was no money for presents for our 4 young children. I prayed that somehow the Lord would provide gifts for them and provide $100 for Melva to go to Safeway and buy whatever she needed for groceries. Yet nothing came. On Christmas Eve my mother arrived from Littleton CO. As she opened the trunk of her car, it was filled with Christmas presents! And, there was an envelope. She told us her Sunday School class had decided to make us their missionaries for Christmas that year. We were overwhelmed with joy! Then we opened the envelope. It contained $175 of Safeway gift certificates! Thank God for a church that cared and listened to the Spirit’s leading! Prayer Requests: For the anointing of the Holy Spirit as we share in Gunnison and on the mountain at Crested Butte. For Melva to recover from a cold/sinus infection and to continue to adapt to her CPAP machine. For my knees to hold up as I teach skiing and that I am able to share Jesus with many. For New Song Church to be led to the man God has chosen to be their pastor. Thank You Soooooo Much! May you have a wonderful, Christ-filled Christmas! Rick Barton Ministries Examples of God’s Grace in 2025 By the grace of God!
Your prayers and support make a big difference, locally and around the world. Thank You! Prayer Requests:
Videos and Newsletters: We produce a weekly video of services we conduct. If you would like to receive a copy on a YouTube link or receive our newsletter by email or snail mail, please let us know. We’d love to hear from you! Thank you! Rick and Melva Barton Rick Barton Ministries-POB 1155 Gunnison, CO 81230  Comments are closed.
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