The Power of Music

“The power of Music, a universal language”!

I am amazed how music has the power to communicate to

people of all ages, nationalities, races, and all kinds of people.

Music can soothe the soul, challenge the patriotic heart to march

 bravely into battle or tears of sorrow over a dear loved one that

passes on to eternity to be forever united with our Lord Jesus

Christ, or the dreadful thought of the horror of being eternally

separated and tormented from God, our Heavenly Father.

Music can bring tears of joy when moved with compassion over

the birth of a newborn baby, and sorrow because of the

uncertainties of life with its struggle and hardships or success

that child will someday face. Music must be very important

because, it is God who created music in the first place. 

I don’t know where I would be with out His music?

 I personally like the Inspirational / Southern Gospel style of

music, and I’m especially grateful that the Lord has given my

 wife and I the opportunity to sing and use the gift of music to

give honor and Glory to His Name!

Gospel music is a major part of our lives in all that we do and

every where that we go. Gospel music and its scriptural content

seems to control our emotions in so many ways, when we are up

or when we are down. Gospel music can motivate us to action or

it allows us to relax and meditate. Some people like gospel music

loud and some like it soft.

Some like gospel music upbeat and some like gospel music slow

 and easy. Isn’t it amazing how so many people like music of all

different styles?

I know people who like only one type of gospel music and any

other style of gospel music is just not right and to them, it is

sinful and wrong.

Wow!

Aren’t you glad we don’t all look alike?In the same way, there are

all kinds of gospel music with different styles, different beats,

different preferences to meet the needs of different kinds of

people and cultures. I’m so glad the Lord gave us different kinds

of gospel music.

Music is a universal language that speaks to us in a special way

 when we are with friends or when we are alone. I’ve known

many to enjoy music during those quiet, serene, romantic

moments or while they are working. I enjoy listening to gospelmusic when I’m driving in our car on long trips across this great

country of ours. I just like music, especially gospel music! I know

that I’m not alone, because it seems that everywhere we travel

music makes this world go around. I’m reminded of that familiar

song that I’ve heard every time I visit Disney World with friends,

that song that rings in your minds hours later. The song, “It’s a

small small world”, I can hear you singing it now. By now, you

are probably wondering, “Billy, where in the world are you going

with all this? “I’m so glad the Lord has given us a ministry that

involves music. I’ve talked a lot about music in the physical

sense, and how great music is, but nothing can compare to the

music that God gave us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Music

that will rule and reign in our hearts through out eternity giving

praise and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ. We will sing a song

that the Angels can not sing, a song of Redemption, because of

the price that Jesus Christ paid when He was crucified and shed

His blood on Calvary to cover our sins. He was buried, and then

three days later, He arose from the dead to deliver us from our

sins forever. Jesus said, “whosoever believeth in Him shall not

perish, but have everlasting life.” That’s music in my ears! He

gave us a song that only the redeemed can sing! I love to sing

His Music because it pleases Him! God is tuning us up, for that

day is soon approaching. So, we need to keep on singing,

making melody in our hearts, singing psalms, hymns, and

 spiritual songs for His glory and seeking to be a blessing in and

through the Local Church till He comes. So, listen to the sound of

music, make a joyful sound to the Lord, for the next sound you

may hear, just might be the sound of the trumpet of Jesus calling

 all of His children home, to worship Him and sing His praise

forevermore. Wow! The power of music, if you know Jesus

Christ the Lord as your Savior, some day soon, gospel music

will be a universal language we will all love, know, and

understand for eternity!  

Because He Lives, 

Billy and Paula Speer

1 John 3:16-18 

 

 

 

Mid-October Update

We had a good week of ministry in the states of Michigan and Ohio last week.  We were in Lapeer, MI last Wednesday, where they have a radio station and interviewed both Tracy Dartt and myself.  We traveled on to Flushing, MI, just outside of Flint.  It was good to see several friends that we’ve known for a lot of years.  I sang in their church for the first time back in the fall of 1973.  We have been there many times since, so it was good to see folks that we have known and renew friendships.  We also traveled to Dowling, MI and had a great time with old friends as well.  It was a blessing to see souls saved for His glory at all three concerts in Michigan. We also spent time in Sandusky, OH for a Sunday morning concert and Akron, OH for an evening concert and several more decisions were made for Christ whose names are now in the Book of Life!  Praise the Lord!

Thanks for your continued prayers for our ministry and faith support!  We are an extension of your ministry and we thank you for your faithful participation!

Please pray for this, our last week on tour with the Dartts and then we will be working on our new solo recording project in Nashville for a couple of days.  We are scheduled to perform a concert at Cross Roads Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL on November 4^th.  If you are in the area, please come and join us!

We are also working on the schedule over the next twelve to eighteen months, if you (or someone you know) would be interested having our Ministry at your church, please contact our office for more information. 

Lord bless you all and again, thanks so much for your prayers!

Because He lives,

 Billy and Paula Speer

Fall Foliage Tour in Upstate New York and Canada

We’ve been in upstate New York earlier this week and have been in Canada since Wednesday, October 10th.  During this past week, we’ve seen several new decisions for the Lord.  Praise him!  Since the tour started, we have seen over 138 decisions.  As always, we’re grateful.

 

We’re continuing our Fall Foliage Tour this week, visiting Ontario, Canada, and traveling to Michigan.  Please continue your good thoughts, prayers and support for us, as we continue to share the gospel of the Lord.  Check out our schedule over the next few weeks.  If you live near one of the churches, please come and join us for an evening of great music and praise to the Lord.  We are also working on the schedule over the next twelve to eighteen months, if you (or someone you know) would be interested having our Ministry at your church, please contact our office at 352-429-3444 for more information.  Thanks!

 

Because He lives,

 

Billy and Paula Speer

Fall Tour 2007

Welcome to Fall 2007!

 

Well, the last four months have been hectic and very gratifying.  We have traveled through the U.S. and Canada, both touring with the Dartt Family and our ministry, seeing over 130 decisions for Christ and we still have 3 more weeks of ministry together on this tour. Praise the Lord! We know where they will spend eternity, amen? We are so thankful for all the decisions that have been made and the lives that have been enriched because of it. It’s truly a blessing! We want to thank you folks that make it all possible with your sacrifice of prayer and support to keep us on the road. Check out our schedule and pray for us, if you live near one of the churches in the area where we will be, please, come and join us in evening of great music and praise to the Lord!

We just finished a four-day revival meeting with Dr. Wendell Calder in Fall River, MA.  It’s great to see old friends and meet new friends. Dr. Calder’s messages were wonderful, as always.  He talked about grace, being born again and the storms of life . . . all prevalent sermons in today’s world.  It brings to people’s minds just what is important and what is not.  We all need to trust and believe in Him and He promises to pull us through the hardships and obstacles of life.  Without our gracious Lord, where would we be? 

Because He lives,

 Billy and Paula

1 John 3:16-18

A recent article by Jay Leno, interesting read!

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain’t happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ”What we are so unhappy about?”

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than
Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the
Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can p rovide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the re sidents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the
U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don’t have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?

The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn’t take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it……are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the “Media” told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind ever y day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn’t have to go.

They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ”general” discharge, an ”other than honorable” discharge or, worst case scenario, a ”dishonorable” discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by “justifying” them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn’t kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way……Insane!

Stop buying the negativism y ou are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

We are among the most blessed peoples on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.”

“With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, “Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?”

Jay Leno

The Genuine You!

 It is good to laugh when you find something funny. It is good to cry when you are sad.

You are a beautiful, unique living person, with hopes and dreams, feelings, values, opinions, thoughts and visions. It is good to let all that shine through. People sometimes think they can appear sophisticated by denying who they truly are. Yet real sophistication and value comes from fully expressing your most genuine sentiments and truths in the way you live your life. You’ll never find fulfillment by trying to be someone you’re not. You’ll never find fulfillment by following someone else’s dreams. Life is always best when you live each moment as the real person you are. Though it can be painful and difficult at times, it is far better to live the genuine truth of your own being than to run and hide from it. Go ahead and feel the joy, the pain, and fully live the ups and downs and twists and turns of the rich and wonderful life with which you’re blessed. Be the real, genuine you, and there’s no limit to the fulfillment you can know. – Ralph Marston  

Miracles for Every Moment

There are miracles in every moment if you’ll just take the time to see them. There is value in every circumstance if you’ll simply make the effort to appreciate it. Even on the most ordinary and tedious days there are magnificent and extraordinary treasures to be lived. They are yours when you open your mind and your heart to the possibilities. There is no need to long for some distant bright day on which everything will be perfect. For you can make this very day as bright and shining and fulfilling as you choose. Open your eyes and realize what a miracle it is that you know you are here. Choose in this very moment to make the most of your awesome good fortune. The wind blows, the sun rises, the snow falls and the ocean relentlessly pounds the shore. Life rolls on with fresh new possibilities at every turn. There are miracles in every moment. What a privilege and joy it is to be a part of life. – Ralph Marston  

He Never Fails nor Forsakes!

“Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never, never fail you nor forsake you’”  (Hebrews 13:5)Malcolm Muggeridge, one of England’s leading intellectuals, came to our Christian Embassy headquarters for lunch one day. Together we talked about the things of God – the Christian adventure. On that day, he offered little hope for the future of the Western world.

“We are,” he said, “like a pan of frogs in cold water placed over a low flame. As the flame warms the water, the frogs relax. And by the time the water is boiling, it is too late for them to jump out of the pan. They are boiled alive. In contrast, if the frogs were placed in a pan of boiling water, they would leap out instantly.”

He continued by explaining that the average person in America and in Western Europe was being destroyed by materialism, the love of money and the love of things. People are greedy and are grasping for more than they have. Our appetites know no bounds; we have become insatiable.

As a result, no doubt there is more vital Christianity in Eastern Germany than in Western Germany, in Poland than in Italy, in the Soviet Union than in England. The Christians who are willing to pay the price of persecution in these countries have learned to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and to be satisfied with what they have.

With the apostle Paul, they are able to say, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11, KJV). You will observe that the admonition was to stay away from the love of money. There is nothing wrong with money. Thank God for able, dedicated, godly men and women to whom God has given the ability to make money, but who recognize that there is no satisfaction or fulfillment in making money. It is in the stewardship of that which God has entrusted to them that they find fulfillment and true meaning to life.

Bible Reading:
Ephesians 5:1-5

Today’s Action Point:
With the certainty that God will never, never fail me nor forsake me, I will seek to find fulfillment and meaning in my life in Christ and not in materialism. I will encourage others to do the same today.

by Bill Bright

A Passion for Prayer for our Country

In WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace.There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America.  If you would like to participate: Each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time
(8:00 PM Central) (7:00 p.m. Mountain time) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States , our troops, our citizens, and for a Godly nation.

If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along.  Someone said if Christians really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.

Thank You, and God Bless America

Because He lives,

Billy and Paula Speer

www.billyspeer.com

Hello world!

 We had a great weekend and a lot of great singing here in the sunshine state of Florida. We started the weekend in Sarasota at the Faith Baptist Church on Fruitville Road at 6:30 and sang till almost 10:30 pm. We had the Puffers from New York, a comical and yet talented gospel group with every kind of stringed instrument that could be played. Bob and Darlene Puffer and base player Dick Everrson entertained us with songs that they wrote from his library of songs through the years and truly blessed our hearts. We had the Dartts from California sing and bless our hearts, Tracy Dartt, has written over 500 songs and many well known songs that have hit the gospel charts by some well known artists. Songs like “God on the Mountain” made popular by Linda Randle that sings on the Gaither Homecoming tours and “The Last Sunday” made popular by the Cathedrals.  Ofcourse, our son, BJ Speer, sings in the quartet and that makes it fantastic, amen? We have enjoyed so much their ministry over the last several years. We had the Weatherfords, Lily, Steve, and Cody with us for the weekend. What a great line up of talent. Lily Weatherford is one of the legends of Southern Gospel Music today still singing on the road now for over 62 years. Wow! I just hope I can live that long, eh? the Weatherfords come from Oklahoma. Special guest, Dave Harney, a former music and youth director from Dayton Ohio joined us along with special soloist John White from Cleveland, Ohio and yours truly, Billy and Paula Speer from good old Central Florida.

We left Sarasota on Thursday night and sang at the First Baptist Church of Orlando, Florida, my home church and had a great crowd of Southern Gospel fans join us for another wonderful evening of music with all these great freinds. It just kept getting better as we sang on Saturday night at the well known Word Of Life Bible Conference in Hudson, Florida and had the biggest crowd of the weekend. What a great time of fellowship and reunion with friends and lovers of gospel music, singing and praising the Lord! We look forward to next year to another Jubilee Extravaganza. We have reserved the date March 7, 2008 in Orlando and hope we can repeat Sarasota as well. We will keep you posted on our calendar of events.

If you are interested in hosting a concert in your area, please feel free to contact us and we will be glad to discuss all the details. You can email us at billyspeer@aol.com or check out our web site at www.billyspeer.com

Because HE lives,

Billy and Paula Speer

off: 352-429-3444