Ministry Updates
Things have been real busy and God is doing great things as usual!
Close to 400 people were baptized this past weekend at Heartland Community Church and 30 were from Celebrate Recovery!!
God continues to open up doors since the release of “They Called Me White Jesus.” We received some great news from the 700 Club that they are planning a trip to Rockford the third week of July to videotape me and Carolynn for one of their shows to talk about our life, our marriage and the book.
I am in awe of how God is using this book to reach and touch people. Please continue to pray for me and Carolynn that God would continue to use us and open up doors for us to share all that God has done in our lives and continues to do all for His Glory!!
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Bill Rieser
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Suprise Blessing from Duprey Elementary School
I had the awesome privilege of speaking to the 6th and 7th grade class from Ana Roque De Duprey Elementary School in Chicago this past Wednesday. I have to admit that I went with the intention of inspiring and encouraging the students. What happened taught me a valuable lesson of never underestimating the hope and potential that exists in every young person who has clear set goals with the ability to dream of a better tomorrow.
I listened to so many inspiring stories of hope through the students of Duprey Elementary. So many inspiring aspirations of what they wanted to do in life and I was blown away. I was so impressed with their character, their heart, their passion and most of all their hope that they will make it and be successful. I witnessed character and commitment as basic traits that I know will help them never compromise for anything less than fulfilling the dreams of their hearts.
I walked away as the one who was inspired and encouraged and it will be a day I will not forget. I was hoping to leave a mark on their lives that they would never forget. Instead they marked me and I will always remember the day when two classrooms came together to inspire and encourage this fortunate man.
My thanks go out to the 6th and 7th grade of Duprey and all the awesome teachers that made the day special too!!
I listened to so many inspiring stories of hope through the students of Duprey Elementary. So many inspiring aspirations of what they wanted to do in life and I was blown away. I was so impressed with their character, their heart, their passion and most of all their hope that they will make it and be successful. I witnessed character and commitment as basic traits that I know will help them never compromise for anything less than fulfilling the dreams of their hearts.
I walked away as the one who was inspired and encouraged and it will be a day I will not forget. I was hoping to leave a mark on their lives that they would never forget. Instead they marked me and I will always remember the day when two classrooms came together to inspire and encourage this fortunate man.
My thanks go out to the 6th and 7th grade of Duprey and all the awesome teachers that made the day special too!!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Confidence in Prayer
John 41-42 Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me.
Are you confident that when you pray your Father really hears you? On a scale of 1 to 10 what is your confidence level that your prayers are being heard?
Scripture makes it real clear that the key to effective prayer is that we abide in Christ by letting God’s word be our guide that leads us to a life of obedience.
Our motivation to live that way should be out of gratitude for what God has done for us and not what we can do for Him.
Jesus said if you love me you will obey what I command (John 14:15)
I obey God because I love Jesus and it is my natural response for what He has done and continues to do for me.
1 John 3:21-22 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.
John 15:7 says that: If you remain (abide) in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.
Because of this profound yet simple truth I can start all my prayers by saying: Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me when I pray!!!
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Are you confident that when you pray your Father really hears you? On a scale of 1 to 10 what is your confidence level that your prayers are being heard?
Scripture makes it real clear that the key to effective prayer is that we abide in Christ by letting God’s word be our guide that leads us to a life of obedience.
Our motivation to live that way should be out of gratitude for what God has done for us and not what we can do for Him.
Jesus said if you love me you will obey what I command (John 14:15)
I obey God because I love Jesus and it is my natural response for what He has done and continues to do for me.
1 John 3:21-22 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.
John 15:7 says that: If you remain (abide) in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.
Because of this profound yet simple truth I can start all my prayers by saying: Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me when I pray!!!
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
James 5:13 Is anyone one of you in trouble? He should pray.
I find this scripture to be one of the most enlightening scriptures that has changed my perspective on prayer and as a result, has changed my life.
I write in my book (They Called Me White Jesus) that God does not respond to the things we do like He does the things we ask Him for.
One reason for that is that God wants us to pray for everything we need and desire for God to do in our lives. The bible tells us that we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2).
In this case the bible is instructing us to pray when we are in trouble. Notice that is does not tell us to ask others to pray for you when you are in trouble. It is telling you to pray.
There is nothing wrong with other people praying for you and that will always help but God knew that we would struggle from time to time and He gave us a gift called prayer to tap into His power source to help us when we are in trouble and the only way out of trouble according to James 5:13 is for us to pray.
Notice how we are instructed to ask for prayer when we are sick in James 5:14—Is anyone among you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the person well.
Did you ever wonder why God would instruct us to pray for some things on our own and have others pray for you for other matters?
I know from personal experience that when I pray the way God tells me to pray that I get blessed and something great happens every time I choose to follow the instructional (Bible) manual!
I believe that the bible has a solution for every problem I face and for every time I am in trouble. The solution is found when I activate the power of prayer as a first response instead of a last resort by praying according to James 5:13. When I pray the moment trouble hits, God has a way of showing up, offering His peace until the answer comes, and taking care of 100% of the outcome of every circumstance that I will face as a result of following His instructions.
Psalm 34:17 says: The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
Did you notice the word (all) in that promise?
My hope is that you will cast all cares upon Him first through prayer because He cares for you!! 1 Peter 5:7
Be Blessed and Encouraged
I write in my book (They Called Me White Jesus) that God does not respond to the things we do like He does the things we ask Him for.
One reason for that is that God wants us to pray for everything we need and desire for God to do in our lives. The bible tells us that we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2).
In this case the bible is instructing us to pray when we are in trouble. Notice that is does not tell us to ask others to pray for you when you are in trouble. It is telling you to pray.
There is nothing wrong with other people praying for you and that will always help but God knew that we would struggle from time to time and He gave us a gift called prayer to tap into His power source to help us when we are in trouble and the only way out of trouble according to James 5:13 is for us to pray.
Notice how we are instructed to ask for prayer when we are sick in James 5:14—Is anyone among you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the person well.
Did you ever wonder why God would instruct us to pray for some things on our own and have others pray for you for other matters?
I know from personal experience that when I pray the way God tells me to pray that I get blessed and something great happens every time I choose to follow the instructional (Bible) manual!
I believe that the bible has a solution for every problem I face and for every time I am in trouble. The solution is found when I activate the power of prayer as a first response instead of a last resort by praying according to James 5:13. When I pray the moment trouble hits, God has a way of showing up, offering His peace until the answer comes, and taking care of 100% of the outcome of every circumstance that I will face as a result of following His instructions.
Psalm 34:17 says: The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
Did you notice the word (all) in that promise?
My hope is that you will cast all cares upon Him first through prayer because He cares for you!! 1 Peter 5:7
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Monday, April 27, 2009
25 Years
There are certain milestones that I thought I would never experience in this life and on April 28th, Carolynn and I will get to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary! God has made the difference in my life and He has made the difference in my marriage. He has blessed my marriage beyond my wildest dreams and He continues to pour out His blessings on us.
I do not deserve to have a marriage like I do and a wife like I have. Because of God’s great grace, we are more in love with each other now more than any other time in our lives. God’s love continues to draw us closer to Him and as a result, He is drawing us closer to each other.
Our goal is to be more in love with each other the last day we see other more than any time in our marriage and because of Jesus Christ we are well on our way!
One of the reasons I am so in love with Carolynn is that I can the see God in and through her every day. She is one of the best examples of God’s grace, God’s nature, God’s attributes, and God’s love that she unconditionally pours out on me every day. I see God in her every day and because of that I get to experience God’s amazing love and favor on a daily basis that gets demonstrated to me through my wife. Jesus said this in John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. She does that so well!!
Carolynn also has an incredible gift of faith and prayer. I believe that prayer has made us what we are today. Couples that pray together, stay together and I must say that while we are passionately, romantically still in love, the most intimate thing we do on a daily basis is that we pray together. A day never passes by us without Carolynn leading the charge to pray and ask for God’s blessing, leading, favor, protection, wisdom, guidance and miracles to happen in our lives on a daily basis. I am excited to report that because God is still the same yesterday, today and forever, we live a life of miracles!!
The best miracle I have experienced is the miracle of my family being together, fully restored, healed and living for the Glory of God!!!
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Bill Rieser
I do not deserve to have a marriage like I do and a wife like I have. Because of God’s great grace, we are more in love with each other now more than any other time in our lives. God’s love continues to draw us closer to Him and as a result, He is drawing us closer to each other.
Our goal is to be more in love with each other the last day we see other more than any time in our marriage and because of Jesus Christ we are well on our way!
One of the reasons I am so in love with Carolynn is that I can the see God in and through her every day. She is one of the best examples of God’s grace, God’s nature, God’s attributes, and God’s love that she unconditionally pours out on me every day. I see God in her every day and because of that I get to experience God’s amazing love and favor on a daily basis that gets demonstrated to me through my wife. Jesus said this in John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. She does that so well!!
Carolynn also has an incredible gift of faith and prayer. I believe that prayer has made us what we are today. Couples that pray together, stay together and I must say that while we are passionately, romantically still in love, the most intimate thing we do on a daily basis is that we pray together. A day never passes by us without Carolynn leading the charge to pray and ask for God’s blessing, leading, favor, protection, wisdom, guidance and miracles to happen in our lives on a daily basis. I am excited to report that because God is still the same yesterday, today and forever, we live a life of miracles!!
The best miracle I have experienced is the miracle of my family being together, fully restored, healed and living for the Glory of God!!!
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Bill Rieser
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Repsonses to the Book
I am humbled and blessed to have some letters and notes about how the book has affected some poeple so far. Here is an example of one that was sent to me last week:
April 9, 2009
Dear Bill,
I just wanted to thank you for the copy of your new book – “white jesus!” It really honored me in that you would give me a copy and that you would take the time to even sign it with wonderful words of encouragement.
My heart ached as I began to read the story of your childhood experiences as well as the ray of hope for your future since God had given you some awesome talents that could take you to the heights of success. But what really inspired me was the openness and honesty as to where that success was leading you with such a humble spirit. Let’s face it – you could have become very angry with God for having allowed all these things to take place as well.
With the gentle, open words of humility your words really began to speak to my heart from pages 67-75 where you began to speak of prayer and faith using the scripture about throwing the mountains into the sea. I had always wondered what the “mountains” were in that verse and you gave clarity to that – addictions, bad habits, unforgiveness, fear, selfishness and pride. More pieces of the puzzle were coming together as I followed the 8 principle steps and could now recognize the character defects that need to be removed.
Then you moved into the area of unforgiveness. When you said “to be honest, I think I was trying to cut a deal with God: ‘please, through Your grace and understanding of my deep wounds, let me hang on to this bitterness’” I related 100%. The words that followed – “No, I’m sorry too that this happened to you, BUT YOU MUST FORGIVE” pushed me 100% over to God’s ways. It let me know that I wasn’t the only one who really struggled in this area – but in submitting to God in every area “is” well worth it.
Then, the very next page you talked about forgiving ourselves – “it’s not your fault – yes, you did commit sins – but now you are forgiven.” As Easter approaches I have cried out to God telling Him I just do not understand the significance of the cross – “God has forgiven us – choose to ‘believe’ what God has done for you is ‘true’ – and because it is true – you can extend to yourself that same forgiveness and the lifting of that guilt.”
As you can see there were areas of your book that God wanted to minister “truth” to me. Who knows how many others will be touched by the words on the pages of your book? I personally believe it is because of the “humbleness” of each and every word. The following pages are so inspiring; to see your “child like” faith escalate to new heights followed with fantastic signs and wonders. I’m not finished with your book yet – but know that this book holds a special place in my heart.
I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for a servant who is willing to become “like Him” – where the fruits of the spirit are most evident, to bring the good news to a hurting, dying world with truth and hope. May you always remain “obedient” to the things God wants to do in you and through you.
Respectfully,
Carol Braun
April 9, 2009
Dear Bill,
I just wanted to thank you for the copy of your new book – “white jesus!” It really honored me in that you would give me a copy and that you would take the time to even sign it with wonderful words of encouragement.
My heart ached as I began to read the story of your childhood experiences as well as the ray of hope for your future since God had given you some awesome talents that could take you to the heights of success. But what really inspired me was the openness and honesty as to where that success was leading you with such a humble spirit. Let’s face it – you could have become very angry with God for having allowed all these things to take place as well.
With the gentle, open words of humility your words really began to speak to my heart from pages 67-75 where you began to speak of prayer and faith using the scripture about throwing the mountains into the sea. I had always wondered what the “mountains” were in that verse and you gave clarity to that – addictions, bad habits, unforgiveness, fear, selfishness and pride. More pieces of the puzzle were coming together as I followed the 8 principle steps and could now recognize the character defects that need to be removed.
Then you moved into the area of unforgiveness. When you said “to be honest, I think I was trying to cut a deal with God: ‘please, through Your grace and understanding of my deep wounds, let me hang on to this bitterness’” I related 100%. The words that followed – “No, I’m sorry too that this happened to you, BUT YOU MUST FORGIVE” pushed me 100% over to God’s ways. It let me know that I wasn’t the only one who really struggled in this area – but in submitting to God in every area “is” well worth it.
Then, the very next page you talked about forgiving ourselves – “it’s not your fault – yes, you did commit sins – but now you are forgiven.” As Easter approaches I have cried out to God telling Him I just do not understand the significance of the cross – “God has forgiven us – choose to ‘believe’ what God has done for you is ‘true’ – and because it is true – you can extend to yourself that same forgiveness and the lifting of that guilt.”
As you can see there were areas of your book that God wanted to minister “truth” to me. Who knows how many others will be touched by the words on the pages of your book? I personally believe it is because of the “humbleness” of each and every word. The following pages are so inspiring; to see your “child like” faith escalate to new heights followed with fantastic signs and wonders. I’m not finished with your book yet – but know that this book holds a special place in my heart.
I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for a servant who is willing to become “like Him” – where the fruits of the spirit are most evident, to bring the good news to a hurting, dying world with truth and hope. May you always remain “obedient” to the things God wants to do in you and through you.
Respectfully,
Carol Braun
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
2 for 1 Tuesday
I was so blessed to speak at 2 different venues yesterday. I spoke at the Illinois Department of Corrections Volunteer Luncheon in Springfield at noon. Chaplins and wardens from numerous prisons in the state of Illinois were present. It was refreshing to encourage their volunteers. I then headed back home to Rockford where I had the opportunity to speak to over 100 teenagers at Rosecrance (a treatment center for drug and alcohol addiction) and was so enouraged by the hope I saw in their faces as I was speaking. There is nothing better than seeing HOPE in action!!!
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