Trials and Affliction on Rice Family Ministries

Mark 4:35 - Frightful Troubles

Sun, 04 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

From Foundational truths to Frightful troubles

Mark 4:35-41

Introduction

Jesus has gone from teaching some foundational lessons to the disciples to a life lesson that would be etched in their mind. I have logged thousands of hours of classroom classes. Listening to messages, listening to lessons, messages, teaching, etc. Those are necessary, but there are some lessons in life, that are etched permanently in my mind. The lessons we have lived through usually make the deepest impression on our life, if we learn from them.

Mark 5:21 - Troubled Woman

Sun, 25 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Troubled Woman

Mark 5:21-34

Introduction

As we continue to “Look unto Jesus” our theme for the year. We find a Calmed the Storm on the sea for the disciples. We find he brought calm to the maniac’s life who dwelt in the tombs. We find today that he brings peace to a Troubled Woman. Most of the miracles that Jesus did are a living parable. Someone was physically healed, but there is a great spiritual application of salvation. Often salvation occurs simultaneously with the actual physical healing that takes place. This is one of those.

Psalm 59

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

June 05, 2024

Who is God for you?

Psalm 59:1

Introduction

It is amazing how many of the Psalms are born out of great hardship. May we ever be reminded that hard times are not without fruit.

Spurgeon “The Music of the sanctuary is no small degree indebted to the trials of the saints.”

Great trials bring great victories, and even great songs. Don’t think that a trial is worthless or vain there are great lessons to be learned in every trial and difficulty in life.

Mark 6:1 - Disappointment in Ministry

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Disappointment in Ministry

Mark 6:1-3, 1-13

Introduction

Not everything in ministry goes well. We are programmed to think that if something is off, something doesn’t go well, then we must find the fault, we must change something, we must do something different.

I. Decision (1-2)

A. Travel (1)

1. “own country”

Mark 5:19 “19\ Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”

Psalm 61

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

June 19, 2024

Overwhelmed

Psalm 61:1-2

Introduction

Overwhelmed means to overspread or crush beneath something violent and weighty, or to become faint, or feeble at the weight of something.

We sometimes use it in a positive way, overwhelmed with joy, but in the Bible, we find it's context is always negative.

Psa. 55:5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

Psa. 77:3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

Mark 6:45 - Consider God's Work

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Consider God’s Work

Mark 6:45-53

Introduction

As we continue our study in the Gospel of Mark, there is a lot to see in this passage. This passage is parallel passage of the one recorded in Matthew, however Mark doesn’t bring up the fact that Peter walked on water. It was an amazing thing that happened, however, it was not the be the focal point of this account. In other words, there are other lessons that can be learned from this passage, more than the fact that Peter walked on the water!

Psalm 74

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

October 09, 2024

A Prayer of the Persecuted

Psalm 74:12

Introduction

This is a Prayer of the Persecuted. The first part of the Psalm very clearly presents the difficulty and problems the Psalmist is facing. This is not just outward, personal, but this is a serious persecution in which the Temple is destroyed. It is very likely a prophetic Psalm looking to the time when the Babylonians come in a burn the temple. There is certainly reference to that in 7-8.

Psalm 89

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

April 30, 2025

Driving through the Fog

Psalm 89

Introduction

While living in Cajamarca, Peru. We lived 9,000 feet above sea level. Surrounding us were mountains in every direction you looked. It was a scenic view. We lived in a bowl in the mountains. You had to climb roughly to 13,000 feet to get in our out of our town, and then drop back down to 9,000. The climb was steep, the two roads in and out were switch backs. You climb across the hill, not straight up it, then you do a u-turn, and continue climbing up the hill. During certain times of the year, every day at 3pm fog would completely cover the mountain top road that entered our town. It was dangerous to travel that road while covered in fog.

Psalm 94

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

July 23, 2025 - Wednesday

Aid for the Afflicted

Psalm 94:1-7

Introduction

Psalm 94, like the one before it, has no title, or author listed. However, it is not needed, for it is a timeless Psalm, that transcends a specific problem, person, or place. It is fitting for today, and our needs in our life time. It is fitting for every generation, in all places.

I. Alarm of the Saint (1-7)

A. Recognition of God’s vengeance (1)

1. Vengeance belongs to God!

- Vengeance - Punishment inflicted in return for an injury or an offense; retribution; — often, in a bad sense, passionate or unrestrained revenge.
Rom. 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give

Psalm 102

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

October 8, 2025

What to do when you are overwhelmed

Psalm 102:1-12

Introduction

The Psalmist is overwhelmed here, but not because of a personal problem. It would seem in looking at it all, the Psalmist is concerned primarily with a national issue.

It would do us good, to be so heartbroken, grief stricken over the sin of our country, that we had this kind of a heart!

Psalm 109 - Psalmist Plea

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

January 14, 2026

A Psalmist Plea

Psalm 109:1-5

Introduction

We are back to a Psalm, in which the Psalmist has a problem, and makes a request to God. This is a fairly easy and straight forward Psalm. Our outline is simple tonight, and yet there is much to be learned, and gained from this Psalm. We will only have time for a few places in which we can draw application tonight. There is certainly much more that could be drawn from this Psalm.

Psalm 119:25 - The Struggle is Real

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

July 8, 2026

The Struggle is Real

Psalm 119:25-32

Introduction

The first verse sets the tone of this section:

Psalm 119:25 — My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

The Psalmist opens with the weakness and sorrow of his flesh, and his need to be quickened. The Word quicken means to make alive, to revive, or to make alive in a spiritual sense. The flesh, and this world will bring sorrow! Living in the flesh will bring sorrow, as the Psalmist describes. The world often tries to drown that sorrow with alcohol. They try to hide from that sorrow with drugs, pleasure, and many other things. The problem is that all of those solutions are temporary, and only hide that sorrow for a short time. The only real hope, is turning to God, and being quickened, made alive by Him! Asking him to save us!

Psalm 119:72 - Goodness of God

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

August 12, 2026

Goodness of God

Psalm 119:72

Introduction

Every portion of this chapter has been of great value and help. Confession time, sometimes as a preacher, I feel rushed, and want to move on to the next chapter, but there is something in every section for us. We should not get ahead of God, or skip forward, and miss out.

The goodness of God is on full display in this portion of the Psalm. It is mentioned more than you realize.

Psalms 119:73 - Seeking Help

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

August 19, 2026

Seeking Help

Psalm 119:73-75

Introduction

This section is JOD, which if you look at the Hebrew letter in your Bible, it is the smallest letter… Just like it says in Matthew 5:18

Matthew 5:18 — For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

David is up on the mountain tops, or down in valleys with little in between. We find him in this portion, down in the valley. With troubles, and hardships. Each time we see David in a valley, he comes out rejoicing. We find God, and the Word of God to always be his source of help, and strength. A great lesson for us.

Psalm 119:81-84 - A Dark Hour

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

September 2, 2026

A Dark Hour

Psalm 119:81-84

Introduction

I read the word Octet; that is what each set of verses are called. I have been struggling with what to call each section, but that is the proper word. Each section is consistent with 8 verses. Octet is fitting.

Have you ever been at a dark time in your life. I mean, when everything seemed like it was falling apart, nothing would go right, and you wondered if God was listening, cared, or even out there? Maybe you feel that way right now. Sometimes, we really struggle in life. Sometimes, things get really discouraging in life. David, felt this way in his life. We can really benefit from what God inspired him to write, as a help, benefit, and blessing to us.

Mark 16:1 - Anointing Jesus Body

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

August 30, 2026

The Anointing of Jesus

Mark 16:1-8

Introduction

This chapter is easily divided into three segments. The first is the 1. Anointing of Jesus (1-8) 2. The Appearing of Jesus (9-18) (most modern Bibles omit these verses). 3. The Ascension of the Lord. We will only look at the first part today, of the first 8 verses.

Their were at least 4 in total that went to anoint the body of Jesus. Mark only records the three. Remember that the differences are simply that, perspective of the disciples is varied. If you have several children go to grandmas house and spend a day. Each of them tell the story a little different based on what stood out to them. God used these men to bring out details. All are correct.

Proverbs 19 - Path

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000

April 29, 2020

Instruction

Proverbs 19:20

Introduction

Last week we looked at: Path of Life: 1. Integrity, 2. Ignorance 3. Idleness 4. Intelligence

All the verses we will look at tonight pertain to Instruction. Proverbs talks a lot about instruction. Really, in the Path of life, we have access to a lot of instruction. We pick and chose the instruction we want to follow. As we study the Proverbs, understand that for the most part when instruction is mentioned, it is talking about spiritual godly instruction found in the Word of God. You will find no greater instruction.

Proverbs 19 - Family

Wed, 27 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

May 27, 2020

3 Homes

Proverbs 19:13, 14, 18, 26

Introduction

There are three institutions that God created here on the earth, the Home, the church, and the government. None of these is as important as the home! It was the first one instituted. While church is certainly essential, a church can only be as strong as the families that make it up. We live in a day, where a family that was setup God’s way is rare to find. By the way, this is not new, if you read the OT, you will find that families were quite a mess many times in the OT as well.

Proverbs 24:10 - Adversity

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

January 13, 2021

Adversity

Proverbs 24:10

Introduction

Proverbs 24 covers a topic that I don’t think we have covered this clearly. These two proverbs are quite interesting, and though they are distinctly different, they are also related well.

These are meaty topics, this is not the milk of the Word, as Peter described. I hope and pray it is a blessing, thought provoking, challenging and something that we can grow on.