The Periodically

Here are some ways that you can be praying for Mark and Charity Borisuk as they serve in China: Pray for three couples in our church who we are discipling this year. One of the husbands is an elder in training, one is a deacon and the other is a deacon in training. Pray that they would all be growing in their knowledge of the truth and that they would exalt Christ before the church as couples and parents. Pray for the pastors, leaders, deacons, and students that we are working with would be growing in their knowledge of the Lord, faithfully living out their faith, and accurately proclaiming the Word. We praise the Lord for the thousands who are using IRC’s translated resources and the Chinese Bible Study Toolbox. We praise the Lord for modern technology, especially WeChat, that allows for the widespread availability of these resources in China. Pray for continued open doors and opportunities, and that these materials would help lead people to the truth for the glory of God. P...

I worked in the physical therapy field for almost six years. The typical patient would look something like this: comes in after a surgery or injury with pain and dysfunction. Through a series of techniques and exercises, we decrease their pain first and then work on restoring their function. Once their goals have been met, the patient is usually discharged with instructions to continue their exercise program at home. Inevitably, there were always those who came back frustrated a few months later with the same symptoms and wondered why! When asked, we found out they weren’t doing their home exercises any longer. After some more instruction, accountability, and kind warnings they were back and on their way, and usually learned their lesson. I’m sitting here thinking of people, both in the therapy world and in the counseling room, that have regressed due to lack of discipline. And then I think of my own life, and how quickly my sin patterns emerge when I am not disciplined in ...

Here are some ways that you can pray for the Heartline and Heart House as they help women and children and serve in the Woodford County area: People who are in need of our services will come to us Tree of Hearts program, that the weather holds out during our wrapping and distribution days, that enough donations comes in to cover the need Staff to be diligent in providing services to those in need with love and kindness in our hearts That God is glorified in the programs/shelter Prayers for the director to have wisdom in leading in day to day situations.

The days and weeks approaching Christmas is a time of great activity associated with this holiday that tends to focus on giving and family – all good things, right? As Christians, we are also encouraged and reminded that this heavily secularized holiday has a much more significant meaning. We celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, his birth as a baby – God Almighty taking on human form as a vulnerable infant. Our God is nothing if not surprising in His way of accomplishing His purposes. Who could have imagined God taking upon Himself in Jesus the judgment for human sin, as the way to provide the means for people to be reconciled in relationship to Him? Amazing! That we have a God that loves people that much (John 3:16) is a primary source for our thankfulness and worship of Him. We are thankful for what God has done for us and the world, and we worship God for who He is as a holy, good and loving Creator of all that is not Himself. Our expressions of thankfulness and ...

Entering into the holiday season is an opportunity to reflect on the past year, consider what we have learned, how we have changed, and how God has grown us. As I look back, I am thankful for many things as I see marks of God’s faithfulness. But I also see some intensely dark moments that I did not ask for, nor could I have predicted. They were invasions that came fast and furious and intruded on what I thought my comfortable, happy life should be like. I felt attacked and even betrayed that these invasions were allowed by God. I looked up the definition of invasion. It means, “to enter with an intrusive effect”. Yes! This is exactly how I felt! The suffering was great and the attacks were intrusive. I spent a good deal of my time praying, pleading with God to make the invasions go away. I fought to make things right, often with a sense of hopelessness. Sometimes it was all I could do to lift my eyes and continue to believe God was with me; that he was in control and that he cared...

Here are some ways that you can be praying for Peoria Rescue Ministries as they help the homeless: Pray for our residents and guests – that God would be Emmanuel to them this Christmas season. The Holiday season can be very challenging for our residents and guests as they struggle with past family conflicts, memories, and emotions. So please pray that they feel welcomed here and can have a sense of family and belonging and most importantly come to know the King of Christmas Please pray for our new 1212 Community House. 1212 Community House is a new Transitional facility and program for men who have graduated from our Residential Programs. We have applied for a Grant that we will hear if we are to receive it on December 18th. Please pray that God would grant us a favor and that we would receive the grant which would provide a significant amount of the funding necessary to renovate the building.

Here are some ways that you can be praying for the Custers as they help to plant churches: Pray that there will be fruit from the 6 talks we gave at a training for Asia workers from another mission Dec. 5-11. Topics, among others, included Lessons Learned from our 40 years in missions, Thriving Overseas and Being in Missions for the Long Haul. Time was also spent in individual conversations, answering questions from young moms and young leaders, and speaking to the men and women in separate sessions. Our desire is that these workers will be encouraged to stick with it in their ministries, not giving up in discouragement, and be willing to sacrifice and deal with many challenges for the cause of reaching those without Christ. Pray for "Together in Hope", the spiritual life conference for our personnel in Europe and the Middle East, that they will come away refreshed and encouraged for continued ministry. Our son, Andi and Jen, will be ministering to the youth; our dau...

(Based on 1 John 1:8-2:2) 8  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 2  My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.                                                               ...

I have had some hard days in the last few years. I don’t say this for sympathy. I have had godly encouragement along the way. I say this so that you can know how I was best ministered to in the midst of dark times. Although these three expressions of love are not an exhaustive list, I hope this will help you as you consider listening, speaking to, and loving those dealing with extreme sadness and depression.  1-Speak Gently- Often times a person struggling with depression is already pondering their own failures and are dwelling on the hard circumstances they are facing. A gentle word to them is a good and best approach. It helps the person be able to hear biblical truth. Encouraging the person with what he or she means to you or how you are thankful for your relationship are great and gentle ways to show care.  Proverbs 15:1 - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (ESV) 2-Speak Confessionally- Since a depressed person i...

Here are some ways that you can pray for the Beakleys as they serve in South Africa: Please pray for our incoming students and that the Lord would provide even more "late applicants" for beginning January 2020. Please pray for the conditions in South Africa.  There is a drought, and many farmers are losing livestock. Please give thanks for the Lord's work in Christ Baptist Church.  There are many new visitors coming to church, we see excellent spiritual growth in many of our members.  The Lord is at work!

Here are some ways that you can be praying for the Empower Life Center in Peoria, IL: Prayers for a staff member and a volunteer who both have cancer. They both have shown dependence and strength in our Father and His goodness. Pray for staffing decisions. Pray for the provision of size 3T and 4T clothing. Praise for all the donations we have been receiving! They are very appreciated by us and our clients. Pray for our many parenting clients who have had their children removed from their care for various reasons…that they will have ears to receive not only parenting instruction but their need for Jesus. Pray for all of our clients, guests and residents across the ministry try as we enter the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. This time of year is difficult for them because of their need and broken family relationships.

Here are some ways that you can be praying for the Esther House in Peoria, IL: Pray for our guests to have a desire to accept resources/help given and to move forward in their circumstances. Pray for a couple of guests who are having difficulty finding permanent housing due to their backgrounds. Praise God for the staff and volunteers who love and serve our guests so well. It can become difficult and tiring but they reflect Jesus well.   Pray for them to continue to look to our Father for his strength and love. Here are some ways to pray for the Renewal Program at the Esther House: Pray for one of our ladies who recently left the program. Often when ladies reach this point in the program they become anxious and feel they have “learned” enough. It is heartbreaking because often they will choose to go back to unhealthy/unsafe environments.  Pray for protection for her and the ladies who remain in the program. Pray for ladies who would benefit from the prog...

Here are some ways that you can pray for the Peltons as they serve in Chicago: They would walk closely with the Lord each day. They would have wisdom and capacity to minister to those the Lord brings across our path. They would consistently engage in evangelistic opportunities.

Here are some ways that you can pray for Pablo and Judi Perez as they serve in Ecuador: Wisdom in sharing with those who are on the different sides of the decree political unrest that has been going on in the country, to focus on the Gospel. Praise/prayer for the leaders of the new and emerging home churches. The recent unrest/strike shows the need for and effectiveness of the home churches when the whole city is under curfew, and there is no way to travel.

Back in August of this year I was preparing for Care Group Leader training which would take place at the end of that month. During my time of preparation I came across a passage in Acts 18 that includes a beautiful picture of discipleship in just a few verses. The passage I'm referring to is Acts 18:24-28: 24  Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.  25  He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.  26  He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.  27  And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believe...

Here are some ways you can pray for Sam and Jamie Hornbrook as they serve in Mexico: 1. For the birth of our first grand daughter. She will be born to our daughter Natalie. She is due any day and is considered underweight. Its thought that the baby may have low sugar. 2. That our assistant pastor, Pepe, will continue to grow into becoming our head pastor at New Life in Christ Church. He is doing well. 3. That the city will install drain pipes across the street from our church so that a small park might be built for the community. Our church plans to maintain it as a service to the community when its put in.

Here are some ways you can pray for the Custers as they help in planting new churches: Oct 30th & Nov. 6th:  LeAnn will be speaking at a ladies bible study at a supporting church in Honolulu while there to babysit her grandkids.  Oct. 29  - Nov 1: Dougg will be in Phoenix helping plan for a February WorldVenture golf fundraiser as well as meeting with pastors about missions. November  4:  7  couples/singles will be interviewed to be appointed with WorldVenture for  career service. Pray for God's will to be clear to all involved. Dougg will be leading one of  the two interviewing committees. Nov. 5-8: Dougg and another Mobilizer will be speaking at and participating in the Montana Bible College Missions Conference. Pray for good  follow-up conversations to their visit a year ago and  that new students would be encouraged to think about their role in missions. Dougg's Director of Recruiting ,and right-hand man, has resi...

Here are some ways to pray for the Borisuks as they serve in China: Praise the Lord for a new class of fifteen students who are excited about learning how to teach and preach God's Word. Pray for Mark as he teaches them each Thursday. Pray for the pastors/church leaders whom Mark teaches each month and has daily accountability with Bible reading. Pray for the three couples Mark and Charity are discipling and our monthly meeting. We talked about parenting from the book of Proverbs in September. Each day we read and share a verse from a chapter in Proverbs. Praise the Lord that we are close to finalizing the mobile version of the Chinese Bible Study Toolbox. Pray that it will bring understanding and application of the Word of God to its users, and pray for us as we prepare to launch, promote and train.

Here are some ways that you can pray for Jill Hostetler as she serves through Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) in Central Illinois. 1. Please pray for a Good News Club training I am conducting in Springfield, November 1 & 2. 2. Please pray for our fall fundraising event "Open doors, Open Hearts" on November 14. 3. Please pray for me as I oversee two staff people. Pray that I would lead them in a God-honoring way. 4. Pray for the Good News Clubs that I oversee in the Peoria area. May they proclaim the truth of God's Word with clarity and with boldness.

Here are some ways to pray for the Beakleys as they serve in South Africa. Please pray for our application to have Christ Seminary begin a new site in Durban (about 9 hours away and on the coast of the Indian Ocean). This will be a great opportunity to train men on the Eastern side of South Africa. Please pray for the new intake of students for January 2020. We have interviews coming up at the end of October. Please pray for training overall in Southern Africa. I am involved with a training center in Malawi, and conditions there are quite difficult, but the Lord is working. Untrained pastors are one of the biggest problems in the church in southern Africa.

We’ve all been there … those times when the season we are in doesn’t seem to be changing. Those times when we question how long we can operate in “survival mode.” Times that bring the challenge: “If this doesn’t change, am I okay with that?”  Have you ever found yourself in unexpected survival mode? Thinking it is just a season, survival mode seems doable for that time. When it becomes apparent that the season is going to be longer than expected, we realize we aren’t going to be able to function in survival mode long-term. In these times I’ve found myself asking, How do I live like God has called me to live while navigating a season that has become a way of life? More importantly, how do I proclaim Him as Lord through this? As I began to think through this in a practical sense of what this looks like at work, I also realized how quickly I fall back on, and stay in, “survival mode” in my spiritual walk as well. In those seasons when I wonder how long ...

I’m always happy to have my wife post to the church blog. It is a good and challenging read. Pastor Ben Sometimes when your teen is rebelling, church is the last place you feel like going. Being at church can be difficult because of all the wonderful Christian families in one place! Sometimes church attendance is a more vivid reminder of the loss of a good teen relationship that you are hoping and praying for. Often we as moms can feel a deeper sense of failure as we observe other teens who are living a life of faith. I would encourage you that church is exactly the place you need to be when going through teen troubles. The most important reason to attend is found in Hebrews 10:23-25. We are commanded to not forsake the assembling of the saints. Obeying this command is not based on our feelings. If God commands us to g ather with our church family, then that is the best place for us to be. Another reason to attend church is that the hearing of God’s Word renews our minds and g...

If you’re a believer, this may sound like an irrelevant question, however, I want to challenge you to think about your thinking in this area for a moment. My thoughts today are stirred by William Barclay’s commentary on Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well as recorded in chapter 4 of The Gospel of John. Consider what he refers to the three defects in false worship. I. “A false worship is a selective worship. It chooses what it wishes to know about God and omits the rest.” If you’re like the average Samaritan, you may unknowingly over-emphasis one truth from Scripture at the expense of others. This certainly is the seed-bed for all legalism.  If you expect God to extend His mercy to you while holding grudges, harboring ill-will, seeking vengeance, nurturing bitterness or unforgiveness, you might be a false worshipper. If you expect God to love you in spite of your daily sins against his holiness, while failing to be patient, long-suffering and overlooking of...

Emergency relief services are offered to women and their dependent children at the Esther House. Boys up to the age of 12 may stay with their mothers. In a clean and comfortable atmosphere, women and their children are welcome to find relief and hope.  Spiritual, emotional, and physical care are provided. Here are some ways that you can pray for this organization : Esther House Emergency Shelter: Pray for the women who are coming in to be open to receiving help and open hearts to know their need for Jesus.  Pray  for our staff and volunteers who love and care for these women and children. It can be exhausting and difficult. Pray  for ALL of us to love and care with God’s strength and not our own Esther House Renewal Program: Pray  for protection from the enemy for the ladies that God is working beautiful transformations in their lives! Pray  for the Renewal staff as they continue to love, care, and do life with these women God ha...

Since its opening in 1987, the Empower Life Center has provided information and care to women and men from pregnancy through parenthood.  All services are free of charge and confidential. In 2018, the name of the Center was changed from the Women's Pregnancy Center to better reflect the Center's purpose and services. Here are some ways you can pray for this organization: Please pray a volunteer who found out she has lung cancer….for Dr’s wisdom for treatment and for her to lean on the Lord. Please pray f or a new Center Coordinator Please pray  for abortion minded ladies who have come to Empower in the last couple of weeks. Families are encouraging them to get abortion. Please pray  for others to come into their lives to encourage life. Please pray  for Fatherhood classes whose attendance is growing. 

Southside Mission’s vision is to minister to our community in Christ loving ways that provide opportunity for positive change. Their mission is to proclaim Jesus Christ, in His name love our neighbors and provide hope to the community through life transforming ministries. Here are some ways that you can pray for the South Side Mission Thrift Store: Please pray for the presenters to Mission at Prayer and our Lighthouse Diner clients that our coordinated teaching efforts will bear lasting fruit. Please pray for the staff as they pursue ministry ideas that bridge the gap between conversion and life transformation.

We can be confident that God will complete the work He has begun in the lives of His children (Phil 1:6). In His kindness, God is conforming us to the image of Christ the Son (Rom 8:29). The more we are conformed to the image of Christ, the greater will be our desire to proclaim Christ through our lives and to have the word of Christ on our lips. David serves as an example of one who praised God and proclaimed God's goodness through the words he spoke. Consider a few verses from Psalm 71: -My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day (ESV)  v.8 -My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.  (ESV) v.15 -I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my sol also, which you have redeemed. And my tongue will talk of your righte...