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.

MAY 17th; 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, and floods upon the dry ground.” This week there will be consideration concerning how the Word “water” is used in the Text.

THIS WEEK'S HYMN. “Jesus Is Mine” by Mrs. Jane Bonar (1821-1884). Mrs. Bonar had much trouble in her life. But these troubles were used to bring her into a close relationship with JESUS. Question. What do your troubles do to you? Do they take you away from THE LORD? It is the case of many. Yet the Psalmist says what he did in trouble. In Psalm 77.2, the Psalmist said: “In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord.” When trouble is experienced in this way, Romans 8.28 says GOD makes “all things work together for good.” Therefore trouble can sometimes be Blessing in disguise. Psalm 119.71 says: "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy Statutes."

THIS WEEK'S REPORT. 1. On the 21st, a Lady will be having an important “pre-op” appointment with her physician. She is justly concerned about these matters. Therefore please keep her in Prayer. She lives in constant pain. 2. A Lady's sick Son is feeling much better. She desires to express Thanksgiving. 3. A Lady's Sister is in the midst of a deep, serious, and extended case of the flu. Please keep this Sister in Prayer. 4. A Lady desires Prayer for her Brother and her own Children. They all live out of State. 5. A Lady is presently dealing with skin cancer. She will be visiting her physician very soon. 6. One Lady is passing through singular troubles. She requests Prayer. 7. A new Resident fell last week. Pray that he will recover from his fall. Pray also that he might be spared from such falls in the future. 8. Those in pain these days. They are many. 9. A Lady's Sister has left Personal Care and moved to Skilled Care. Pray for this Sister as she now lives in a new environment. 10. Not a few of the farmers who attend Dr. Spence's Weekly Church Services are concerned about the lack of rain. Dry conditions have now spread into Colorado, Montana, Texas, and our own State of North Dakota. 11. One Resident asks Prayer for his Children as they leave on vacation. 12. One of the Residents had a death in the Family. The older Gentleman died a violent death. 13. When Dr. Spence left one of the Care Facilities last week, he meet a Lady who was sitting just outside of the Meetingroom. The Lady seemed to be specially moved by the Sermon and said seriously: “That was a stirring Sermon. Thank you very much.” Dr. Spence has been inviting this Lady to attend the Church Services. Let's hope she will start soon. Ezekiel 43.2 says: “And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and His voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with His glory.” *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 9.4 says in part: “The ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold.” In his admirable Exposition Of Hebrews, that truly great Independent, Dr. John Owen (1616-1683), says of these Words: “This ark with the mercy-seat wherewith it was covered was the most glorious and mysterious utensil of the tabernacle, and afterwards of the temple: the most eminent pledge of the Divine Presence, the most mysterious representation of the holy properties of His nature in Christ. The whole sanctuary was built for no other end but to be, as it were, a house and habitation for this ark. All flesh was excluded from the sight of the ark, the High Priest only excepted, who entered that holy place once a year, and that not without blood.”