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About Rev. Dr. David Bissett

I pastor a church in upstate NY. I'm happily married and the father of seven kids. It's fun, really! Leave me some feedback...

Don’t Be Selfish… Share Christ

Jesus said… (in Luke 8:16-21)
16 “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

“Let us not only think of ourselves. Let us also think of others. There are millions in the world who have no spiritual light at all. They are without God, without Christ, and without hope. (Eph. 2:12) Can we do nothing for them? There are thousands around us who are unconverted and dead in sins, seeing nothing and knowing nothing right. Can we do nothing for them? These are questions to which every true Christian ought to find an answer. We should strive, in every way, to spread our religion. The highest form of selfishness is that of the person who is content to go to heaven alone. The truest charity is to endeavor to share with others every spark of religious light we possess ourselves, and so to hold up our own candle that it may give light to every one around us. Happy is that soul, which, as soon as it receives light from heaven, begins to think of others as well as itself! No candle which God lights was ever meant to burn alone.”
J. C. Ryle,
from his Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke, Banner of Truth, 1986

My Memorial Day Prayer

Almighty God, our Father in heaven — 
As we gather on this Memorial Day, we bow our heads and thank you, Lord, for pouring out your great mercy and your amazing grace upon America. We have been blessed, perhaps more than any other nation in the history of world — and we acknowledge Your hand in all of this.

Yet these blessings — of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — have not been received or maintained without a price, a price so often paid by members of our armed forces with their blood and with their lives. We gather this day to remember their sacrifice, to honor their service and to cherish our legacy of freedom.

Lord, may Your grace and peace be with every family that has lost loved ones in the service of our country. May we support them, and stand with them.

Lord protect and preserve each & every American soldier, sailor, marine and airman serving our country at this dangerous hour of world history.

Finally, remind us Lord, that freedom must still be guarded, and that each generation much share in paying its price. May we be sobered and challenged by the words of George Washington (from his first inaugural address): “The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are … deeply, perhaps finally staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the the American people.”

On this Memorial Day, Lord, we humbly ask for Your blessing upon all gathered here, and upon our great country.

This I pray, in Jesus’ name, AMEN.