Chaplain Dr. Paul Spence

An Independent Chaplain Serving Long Term Care Facilities For More Than 29 Years

"Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth." "O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help." --Psalm 71.9,12.

JULY 19th; LORD'S Day (Sunday); 2026.

THIS WEEK'S SERMON. In This Week's Sermon, Dr. Spence will continue, GOD Willing, speaking about The Third Pouring Of Prayer. In Isaiah 44.3, GOD says: “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty.” In the Sermon, Dr. Spence will more carefully consider the most extraordinary Verse in Scripture relating to the Word “thirst.” In John 19.28, JESUS said: “I thirst.”

THIS WEEK'S HYMN. “Amazing Grace” by Rev. Dr. John Newton (1725-1807). Historically, this was America's favorite Hymn. We will be singing the Hymn in its original form, just as Dr. Newton first wrote it, with all six verses.

THIS WEEK'S REPORT. 1. From week to week in his visits in the Care Facilities, Dr. Spence often speaks with those in acute pain. From among this peculiar group of Residents, it was a pleasure to hear one Lady say last week that she is thankful she has had two weeks with no pain. She said during this conversation how important it is to be thankful when GOD does something for us and not “just be asking and asking.” The woman is right. Colossians 3.15 says: “Be ye thankful.” 2. Pray for a Lady who is frequently in tears. She has experienced much sorrow in her life. 3. Prayer was requested for a 90 year old Resident. 4. Ask that THE LORD will bless a Lady's visit with her Mother this week. There will be many Family members. 5. One Lady, because of a migraine, was unable to fulfill her desire and be present for last week's Church Service. Please keep this Lady in Prayer. She attends almost every week. 6. A close Friend asks Prayer for a Resident who has been “falsely accused.” Some Residents have been grieved about this. 7. A Lady's Son died. She is most sad these days. 8. A Lady desires to thank THE LORD that following her Sister's severe fall, this Sister has completely recovered. 9. Pray for a Family that is moving. 10. Pray for another Family with a serious tick infestation. 11. A Resident desires Prayer for a Friend. 12. Some have colds. Others are fighting with these colds. As a consequence, at one of the Church Services last week, one Lady was hoarse. Please keep these people in Prayer. 12. Several will be going into surgery this month. 13. Not a few spoke of their gratitude for their food last week. 14. Ask THE LORD to help a Resident's Sister who will be “out of town” for the next weeks. 15. Some Residents have personal Prayer Requests. Let us bring these various needs to THE LORD. 16. Pray for a Gentleman who has had 6 falls during the last month. 17. Last week, a Nephew had “emergency surgery.” These are larger and more numerous Prayer Requests than what is usual. Yet what ought to be kept in mind in cases like this is that in Prayer, we go to A GREAT PERSON Who is well able to meet our needs. Our needs are not greater than GOD. GOD is greater than our needs. Zephaniah 3.12 says: “I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the Name of the Lord.” From whence it may be learned that when afflictions and hardships bring us to THE LORD, even then GOD'S hand is upon us and GOD begins to turn our trials for our good. *These Prayer Requests come from the Residents, their Families, the Staff, or Dr. Spence's observations. In This Week's Report, the names of the people have been withheld to protect their privacy. Nevertheless, the Thanksgivings and Prayer Requests are real and actual.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTATION. Hebrews 9.12 says: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own Blood He entered in once into the holy place.” In his admirable Exposition Of Hebrews, that truly great Independent, Dr. John Owen (1616-1683), says of these Words: “The high priest of old went into 'the holy place' once every year. This repetition year by year by itself proved its imperfection. In opposition hereunto, JESUS our High Priest entered in once for all only into the holy place. This served as a full demonstration that His One Sacrifice had fully expiated the sins of those who trust Him.”