Posts

Rick John Feb 6, 2023

Feb. 6 EncourageOgram

Dear Brothers and Sisters; In preparation for Easter this year, I have been reading a very insightful book by Michael Card.  It is entitled, “A Violent Grace.”  It contains meditations on the cross and its application to our lives today!  I highly recommend this book to minister to your heart and life!  At the conclusion of each chapter, Card includes a written prayer.  The prayers are worth the cost of the book.  Here is one example from the chapter entitled: “He was nailed to the cross so I might escape judgment.” O Lord, you suffered the judgment of death on…

Rick John Dec 5, 2021

December 5 EncourageOgram

Dear Friends, In Luke 5 we see Jesus actively doing three miracles!   First Jesus, the carpenter, directs Peter, the fisherman, to a great catch of fish in the middle of the afternoon!  All the details of Jesus’ advice seem illogical, yet Peter confesses “because you say so, I will let down the nets!”  How many times has Jesus asked us to do something that seemed illogical to us that blossomed into a great blessing! Let those who have ears listen!  Secondly, Jesus heals a leper.  Now leprosy was not curable!  It was a disease that came with a death…

Rick John Dec 4, 2021

December 4 EncourageOgram

Dear Friends, Today we are reading Luke 4 in our month-long journey through this glorious gospel written by Dr. Luke.  You may notice that Luke gives us more insight into the ministry of the Holy Spirit than the other gospel writers.   At Jesus baptism in 3:21-22 we discover all three Persons of the Godhead present.  The Son was being baptized by John, the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove and the Father spoke of His approval of Jesus, His Son.  This moment must have been a highlight of joy for our Savior as he began his public ministry…

Rick John Dec 3, 2021

December 3 EncourageOgram

Dear Ones, Today we are reading Luke 3.  Let us focus on the message of John who is preparing the way for our Lord Jesus.   He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  NIVO  Luke 3:3  God ordained and sent John to prepare the way for Jesus. John was an eccentric. He came out of the dessert wearing camel’s hair clothing and eating locust and honey.  He had been waiting in the desert many years then was sent by God right on time!   John had an expansive ministry into…

Rick John Dec 2, 2021

December 2 EncourageOgram

Dear Friends, Today we read Luke 2.  This chapter was quoted by our children at my first church in Barrington, NH each Christmas season.  As they stood together to quote it, our hearts were blessed beyond words!   It is difficult to pick just one verse in this chapter to focus on but let us ponder this one:  And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. NIVO  Luke 2:52  This verse describes the childhood of our Lord Jesus.  Jesus matured in stages. His physical growth is normal as far as we can tell. He also…

Rick John Dec 1, 2021

December 1 EncourageOgram

Dear Friends, I hope you will join me this month in daily reading from the gospel of Luke. As we ask God to feed us His truth, we will read one chapter each day.  By Christmas day, we will have completed the letter. Let us read with joy the letter that Dr. Luke wrote for us as a “orderly account” of the testimonies of eyewitnesses to the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. NIVO  Luke 1:1-4Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed…

Rick John Nov 25, 2021

November 25 EncourageOgram

Dear friends at FCC, I want you to know how much I thank God for each of you!  As I am reading today in 3 John these words jumped off the page into my heart.  Here is my thanksgiving prayer from your pastor! NIV  3 John 1:2-4Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater…

Rick John Oct 22, 2021

October 22 EncourageOgram

Dear Friends, My dear Grandmother John quoted to me the 23rd Psalm just hours before she entered heaven. It has always been a favorite for me.  Many of us would concur it is an inspirational song that feeds our souls!  NIV  Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. I will never forget the words of a wise preacher who told us: “The most important word in Psalm 23 is the fourth word.”  Yes, when we put our trust in the Lord as our Personal Savior and Shepherd – everything for this life and the next changes!  As a…

Rick John Oct 15, 2021

October 15 EncourageOgram

To my dear Friends in Christ, Today I have meditated on Psalm 37.  This precious song is intended to keep me from fretting when evil people seem to be winning.  Now if we are honest, we all expect God to work things out as we wish.  We want Him to give us the desires of our feelings and wishes.  When it seems that our enemies are winning; we are whining!  David experienced many victories, yet he was victimized by King Saul and others.  His advice seems so timely for our situation in life today.  David is addressing the age-old problem…

Rick John Oct 5, 2021

October 5 EncourageOgram

Dear Friends,  NIV  Colossians 1:28-29“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”  These words summarize the Apostle’s goal for his life and ministry.   First, we must proclaim Jesus Christ!  We dare not substitute anyone else.  He alone is our Lord and Savior.  No one can do what the Wonderful Counselor will do in a life who trusts in Him.  The good news of the gospel is used by God as the…

Rick John Jul 26, 2021

July 26 EncourageOgram

July 26, 2021  Dear Fellow-Worshippers!  Today I am thinking about the shout > Hallelujah!  Surprisingly, this cry only appears in Revelation 19 in the NIV translation!  Surely the announcement of the reign of our Lord Jesus deserves a long and loud shout of praise!  After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his…