“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:25-26 NASB1995)

Today I got word that the pastor I had from 1967 to 1977, from when I was 17 years old to 27 years old, went home to be with Jesus at the age of 99. His wife preceded him in death in 2008, and he longed many times to be with the Lord and to see his wife again. He missed her greatly! But one of his greatest yearnings was to see a true biblical revival in our day and time, with people by the masses truly repenting of their sins, turning away from their sin to follow the Lord Jesus in walks of obedience to God’s commands.

Pastor Richard Sipley was a man of God. He was not a perfect man, but he lived what he believed, and he preached what he lived. He was not fake. He was not a false teacher. But he exemplified for us what it should look like if we follow Jesus with our lives. He wanted nothing more in this life but to please God with his life. Again, he was not perfect. He was human. But I believe he walked with God, he listened to the voice of the Spirit, and he followed the leading of the Lord who directed him in the way he should go.

This man of God was my teacher for those 10 years, but not just then. He let me write to him sometimes and ask him questions, and he was gracious and loving in his response to me, to help me to understand what the Scriptures were teaching. I used to sit near the front of the building where we met as the church so I could drink in the Word as he taught it. And even though he taught for 45 minutes to an hour, I was sad when he had to stop, and I longed to go back so that I could hear even more. He taught me so much!!

He was the best pastor I ever had in my entire life. And I learned so much about the Bible under his ministry. And we had church Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, Wednesday nights, and days during the week, too, where we met for Bible study in people’s homes. I loved those small group Bible studies where we could share with one another and encourage one another within the body of Christ, and where we prayed for one another, too. And these were serious times of study in the Word of God, and not play time.

And Pastor Sipley definitely taught us what it meant to live by the Spirit. He was not one of these who coddled people in their sins, or who watered down the gospel to make it less offensive to the people of the world. He was kind, he was loving, and he was gentle in his approach. But he spoke the truth, in love, and he didn’t compromise truth or righteousness to make people feel good about themselves. He taught like Jesus taught, and like the apostle Paul taught. For he took God and his word very seriously to obey them.

Was he my idol? No! I did admire him, though. He taught me so much about the Bible and holy living and following Jesus with my life. For he taught us, in truth, what it means to live by the Spirit, keeping step with the Spirit. And so he taught repentance, i.e. having a change of heart and mind resulting in a change of behavior. And he taught us how to turn from sin to the light of Christ and his gospel and of the importance of obedience to our Lord. And he taught us about holy and godly living, in submission to Christ as Lord.

And I am happy for him that he is finally home with his Lord and that he no longer has to suffer the pains of old age and missing his wife and seeing all the evil that is going on in this world. I know he was grieved about the Spiritual decline that he was witnessing within the gatherings of the church here in the USA. He saw, as I did, too, how much the church has distanced themselves from the teachings of Christ and of his New Testament apostles, and so much of what is called “church” are just businesses of human origin.

But he made his mark in this life and in this world on many people’s lives for good, and for God. And that is my memory of him. And I, for one, am very thankful to God that he gave me Pastor Sipley as my pastor when I was young and developing in my Christian walk of faith, for that was a very necessary foundation laid that helped prepare me for God’s calling on my life nearly 22 years ago to share with the world what God is teaching me through my times with him in his word each day, all for the glory of God.

[Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 28:18-20; John 4:31-38; John 13:13-17; John 14:12; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:14-18,42-47; Acts 26:18; Romans 10:14-15; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Ephesians 5:11-21; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:12-16; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:23-25; James 5:19-20; 1 Peter 2:9,21; 1 John 2:6]

A Believer’s Prayer

An Original Work / July 31, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

With my whole heart, Lord, I pray
To be Yours, and Yours always.
Lead me in Your truth today.
May I love You, and obey.
Lead me in Your righteousness.
When I sin, may I confess;
Bow before You when I pray;
Live for You and You always.

Love You, Jesus, You’re my friend.
Life with You will never end.
You are with me through each day,
Giving love and peace always.
You will ne’er abandon me.
From my sin You set me free.
You died on that cruel tree,
So I’d live eternally.

Soon You’re coming back for me;
From this world to set me free;
Live with You eternally.
Oh, what joy that brings to me.
I will walk with You in white;
A pure bride, I’ve been made right
By the blood of Jesus Christ;
Pardoned by His sacrifice.

If We Live By The Spirit
An Original Work / January 16, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love