What’s in your “bucket list” for 2024?
Maybe we should also ask ourselves, “What’s in God’s ‘bucket list’ for me in 2024”?

Paul addressed this in his letter to the Colossian Church, when he wrote out his prayer for them: “We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding…in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10). In another place Paul added a further dimension: “We constantly pray for you…that by his power God may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

For prayer: I am planning to continue having a vesper service here once a month – next one will be on January 14. I shared a copy of my book, Walking as He walked, with each resident here – pray that God will use it to draw people closer to Him. Work is being done on my website to improve its usefulness. Translation of my program into Portuguese is being done – pray for someone to do the audio.

HERE IS A NOTE from one who receives my monthly Updates. Pray that her “bucket list” request be fulfilled:

Dear Lud, I heartily agree with those who say your emails are encouraging and enjoyable! I love the stories of God giving you opportunities to share the gospel, and they have made me more bold in my witness. I especially loved your story of being in the hospital with Covid, and how God used you to meditate, pray for and witness to so many people there! I pray now in every setting I’m in that God will help me to say a word about what a faithful God I have, and I’m surprised how easily I can find something to say to strangers about how Jesus has cared for me so well. I wish and pray for the ability to “seal the deal” the way you do, but God continues to use you in your older years, and maybe He will help me become better at actually seeing people be saved in response. Blessings, Liz

HERE IS WHAT I SENT TO HER to help her fulfill her desire.
Hi Liz,
Thanks for your email. It was an encouragement to me.
Regarding your sharing the gospel: I’m glad you are finding it easier to share, but have a hard time closing the deal. There are three things that might help. 1. Pray for God to open hearts and the Holy Spirit’s enabling power. 2. Write out your testimony on one sheet of paper.. One third about your life before you trusted Christ. One third about how you trusted in Him. This is where you want to be clear enough about the steps you took that after hearing your testimony, they would know how to do it. Last third, what difference has it made in your life since you made that decision. Then learn it so that you can on the spur of the moment share it. If you know it well, you can shorten it if necessary or extend it if you have time. 3. Always have a tract or pamphlet with you that explains the gospel clearly. Below is one that I use often. If there is an interest in the one you’re talking to, you can take it out and actually read it with them. It has a prayer in it, and I often read the prayer and then ask if they would like to pray it. They can just read it as their prayer. If they don’t feel comfortable doing that, leave the pamphlet with them so they can read it over, think about it, and maybe pray later on their own.
Hope this is helpful.
LUD