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Messages: These powerful short messages encourage, inspire, and convict “People of the Way” to enter into the presence of the Living God and to mirror the image of the precious Lord Jesus, bringing his life to this hurt and broken world. The messages were written by Richard E. Bieber (REB) 1927-2021. A pastor whose prolific writings spanned six decades.
Artwork: The beautiful art featured here enhances the power, depth and visual appeal of the messages. It is by the gracious permission of the artists. We are grateful for their kindness and generosity and blessed and amazed by their talent. Please respect their hard work and time by not using without their permission. The art is linked to their websites where you can learn about them and view more of their moving art.
Recently Formatted Shorts
THY PEOPLE SHALL BE WILLING
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.
Psalm 110
As the day of his power approaches, darkness spreads over the earth.
Institutions crumble.
Truth lies dead in the streets.
Once-thriving churches are empty shells.
Wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, and crazy weather plague the planet.
Through all this the Lord is raising up….
A people…. who are willing.
Willing to do more than argue over doctrines or pursue political goals.
Willing to turn away from the latest “Christian agenda” and pay attention to Jesus alone.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; And he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.” (Matthew 10)
Jesus did not come to establish a new religion.
Jesus did not come to bring us a new set of beliefs.
Jesus did not come to “make this world a better place”.
Jesus came to bring God’s World to a sick and troubled humanity.
To drain away our guilt.
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
To give us a chance to enter God’s World.
“Come to me all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
To conquer death as the Firstborn of the New Creation.
“I am the resurrection and the life.”
To judge the living and the dead in the day of his power.
Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. (Psalm 110:3)
As the day of his power approaches the Lord of heaven and earth is raising up a people who laugh at danger and trample under foot the devil’s lies.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because wickedness is multiplied, most men’s love will grow cold. But he who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24)
Even now the refining fires are moving through the Body of Christ….
….Raising up a people who are willing.
….Preparing them for the dawn of a new day.
God alone knows who they are.
Even now he searches their hearts, getting them ready.
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.
God grant that we may be among them!
Prayer: Yes Lord, grant that we are a willing people; willing to lay down our divisions, our doctrines, our political agendas, our favorite Christian celebrities and so-called prophets calling us to arms. Make us willing to lay down these unnecessary swords and to pick up your harvesting tools instead, to pick up our crosses. Make us willing to bring your healing to this very troubled world rather than accusing voices and closed fists. Disarm us, prepare us so we are willing and ready to carry the broken, the blind, and the lost instead of kicking them, binding them, and dragging them through the mud. Clothe us with holy garments, with your very presence…. so our love for you and others doesn’t grow cold as wickedness and chaos increase in the world. Give us the courage and the faith to do your will, to gladly and bravely stand against darkness. Open our hearts to receive you completely so we may endure to the end, so we are able to bring the gospel of your kingdom, of your peace, of your mercy, and your redemptive power to the whole world. Amen.
Message: Richard E. Bieber April 2021 Printable/Shareable Copy
Featured Artist: Anto Carte (1886-1954)
Website: NA
LAZARUS IS A HOLY PAIN!
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores.”
Why does Lazarus have to plunk himself down at my gate?
Why do I have to look out my window and see that miserable creature day after day?
Why doesn’t Lazarus go away?
That annoying phone call.
That needy soul who never leaves me alone.
Day after day it’s the same sad story.
Why do they keep pestering me and wasting my time? Why?
Is Lazarus a pest, sent by the devil to spoil my day?
Or is Lazarus put there by God to wake me up?
Lazarus may be a pain, but….
…. Lazarus is a “holy pain”.
So we treat them with honor.
Lazarus is not a pesky mosquito…
…Lazarus is a living soul!
We treat them with patience, a lesson God has been trying to teach us for a long time.
We approach them with wisdom. “Lord show us when to be gracious, encouraging and generous, and when to shut down the conversation.”
Lord Jesus may your love find its way through me to Lazarus!
“The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.’
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus in like manner evil things, but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’
Luke 16
Lord, have mercy!
Prayer: Yes Lord, have mercy with us, help us to see each Lazarus in our lives not as a pain, but a holy pain, a holy call. Use them to convict us of our pride, to draw us closer to your merciful, kind heart, and as a means to join with them in your healing power. Help us to see the needy, the lonely, the unstable, the difficult ones as beautiful living souls. Give us the patience and wisdom to treat them with the honor they deserve. Replace any annoyance and exasperation for them with sweet love and deep compassion so that we may tenderly care for their needs with grateful instead of bitter, judging hearts. Amen.
Message: Richard E. Bieber March 2021 Printable/Shareable Copy Featured Artist: Georges Rouault (1871-1958) Website: NA
WHO’S AT THE DOOR?
It’s a door that has no window.
I can’t see who it is that’s knocking.
But I know who’s there.
“Who is it?” I shout.
Silence.
Why doesn’t he answer? Why doesn’t he identify himself?
Because he knows that I know who it is.
No one can mistake that knock.
The things that have been happening to me,
The words I’m hearing at every turn, point to only one person.
It’s the knock of a Friend.
A Friend who has done more for me than any friend I’ve even known.
It’s the knock of the Crucified and Risen One.
Now he breaks the silence and calls me by name.
Offers to fill my life with his presence.
All I have to do is open the door.
“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
It is within your power, Friend, to open your door at this moment…
…. to the One who’s been knocking for a long time.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving us enough to keep knocking on our doors. Help us to stop ignoring your knocking, help us to open our ears and our hearts and to open the door to you, the dearest of friends who has nothing but good for us. And yes, Lord, as we timidly open the door, may we feel your embrace, your acceptance and take your offer of sweet fellowship with us and be filled with your living presence once again. Amen.
Message: Richard E. Bieber 2003 or 2004 Printable/Shareable Copy
Featured Artist: Gary Bunt Website: GaryBuntart.com
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YOU ARE MY FRIENDS
If we are following Jesus, we are not only his servants….
….we are his friends.
Friends—gathered around him.
Friends, even with all our warts.
Because we are his friends,
He speaks to us,
Opens our eyes,
Shows us the way.
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)
Did we choose Jesus to be our friend?
Of course not!
He chose us.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
This I command you, to love one another.
John 15:16-17
Prayer: Lord, what a precious gift, that you chose us, that you offer us your friendship. Thank you. Thank you. Help us to be such good friends to you, to care so much about you… that we desire above all else to please you and to bask in your friendship. Enable us daily, through your Spirit to truly live as your friends so we can naturally bear healing, enriching fruit and easily, simply follow your command to love others. Amen.
Message: Richard E. Bieber 2016 Audio Version Printable/Shareable Copy
Featured Artist: Gary Bunt Website: GaryBuntart.com
SEE THAT YOU ARE NOT ALARMED
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed.”
Matthew 24
Anyone with eyes can see our world is being eaten away by corruption.
Enflamed by hatred and mistrust.
Wars and rumors of wars are moving closer to our shores.
“See that you are not alarmed.”
Don’t panic.
The End is not yet.
Stay focused.
To survive the chaos, with our minds clear, we focus on the One who commands us “not to be alarmed.”
Above, beneath and within all the confusion…..
…..he holds the reins of power.
Daily….
We call on his name
Draw strength from his words.
We serve in holy obscurity.
And our hearts are held in his peace.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, Neither let them be afraid.” (John 14)
Prayer: Lord, we admit we are alarmed. Alarmed about the future for us and our loved ones. Alarmed about the country. Alarmed about the Body of Christ. Alarmed about the state of our own minds and hearts. We also admit that we’ve lost our focus on you. And we know without you…chaos, fear, doubt, bitterness, and despair will overwhelm us. Lord, Abba, draw us back to you. Help us to daily, hourly seek you. May we crave the comfort, courage, and peace we get from dwelling in your presence once again. Help us to serve with joy and hope instead of fear and bitterness. And yes, always, always may our hearts be held in your peace. Amen
Message: Richard E. Bieber 2013 Printable/Shareable Copy
Featured Artist: Neil Breebaart Website: artrefined.co.za
AND WHERE IS GOD NOW?
It’s the cry that we raise when our world falls apart.
When we’re looking into the face of disaster.
When every solid foundation has been swept away.
And God, where is he now?
Has God disappeared from the scene?
Is he occupied with other things, too busy to notice?
Doesn’t he care?
The Enemy of your soul will tell you that your faith has been a waste of time. “There’s nothing out there but darkness.”
But that darkness is God’s darkness.
It is the place where new light is about to be born.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”
Those words of Jesus apply to his disciples of all time.
Sooner or later we experience the “fellowship of the cross.”
We taste what it’s like to be “left in the dark” with nothing to hang on to but the words which the Master branded on our hearts.
So we hang on to those words and wait.
We keep taking care of daily business.
We press forward through the dark.
Then comes the surprise.
The stranger on the road turns out to be none other than the Messiah himself.
Our sorrow is turned into joy.
The darkness gives way to blazing glory.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (Psalm 42)
Prayer: Lord, when our world is falling apart, when we feel overwhelmed, when despair and darkness is licking at our heels…. help us not to give up. Help us to know that you meet us in our darkest places. You are there. Help us to know, really know that you will not abandon us. Help us to draw closer to you than we ever have and to find You our greatest light in our greatest darkness. Yes, turn our sorrow into joy and our darkness into blazing glory because that is where you are. Amen.
Message: Richard E. Bieber June 2019 Printable/Shareable Copy
Featured Artist: Georges Rouault (1871-1958) Website: NA
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Recently formatted Short Postings by month
December 2025
November 2025
HOLY IMPATIENCE AND THE CYNICAL HEART
SEARCHING THE WORLD FOR WHAT LIES AT YOUR FEET
October 2025
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE….CONDITIONAL FRIENDSHIP
September 2025
AWAKE, O SLEEPER AND RISE FROM THE DEAD
SATAN’S DELIGHT….A WANDERING MIND
SOUR ATTITUDE IN A SWEET VINEYARD
WILL YOUR HOUSE STILL BE STANDING?
August 2025
July 2025
SWAGGERING TO THE THRONE OF FIRE
THE SELF DECEPTION OF A LAZY MIND
WHY WAS GOD SO HARD ON ANANAIS AND SAPHIRA?
June 2025
May 2025
IN THE DEPTHS OF OUR HEARTS aka GOD DOESN’T NEED OUR HELP
MAYBE IT’S TIME aka CAN GOD GET ALONG WITHOUT MY HELP
April 2025
March 2025
HOW ABOUT A LITTLE SYMPATHY aka TIME TO GET OVER YOURSELF
IF YOU WANT ME TO FLY GIVE ME WINGS
WHOEVER IS OF THE TRUTH HEARS MY VOICE (2020)
February 2025
January 2025
December 2024
November 2024
AM I A DISCIPLE OR A HYPOCRITE?
TECHNOLOGY OR THE WAY OF LOVE?
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