Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NAS)
Do you have anything to worry about? “Don’t worry, be happy.” It may be a phrase you hear a lot but it does have a Biblical basis. The Apostle Paul, author of Philippians tells you to not worry about anything. The alternative to being anxious is prayer and supplication. You worship and approach God and then ask for what you need.
The prerequisite is the request should not go without THANKSGIVING to God. You no doubt have many needs. From the financial needs, to physical needs, to family needs, emotional and relational needs to deep personal needs you can always ask God to meet those needs. But during this Thanksgiving season don’t forget to also be thankful.
You have many things to thank God for and show your love and appreciation to Him. The end result is that you will find a peace with God that surpasses all comprehension. Your heart and your mind will be guarded by Christ Himself.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Dennis Wood
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Security in Life #71
Philippians 3:4
... although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:
Philippians 3:7
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:9
... indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; (NAS)
The Apostle Paul reminds us that there is real life and security in no one else except Christ. Paul’s trust and confidence were not in his credentials. Just because of his heritage, his family, his wealth, and his social standing he could not have true confidence. His true trust was in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus was the one who had died for him, had called him, and given him life. Paul realized that anything and everything else in life would never give him the security and hope that Jesus could give him. For that reason he counted everything loss.
He gave up everything in order to follow Jesus. He found in Christ someone who not only could forgive his sins, but give to him life in its fullness. He counted victory in loss. Are you willing to put your trust in Him? He is the source of life. Could you find purpose for your life by ceasing to trust and have confidence in anything other than Jesus?
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
___________________________Today's personal note from Dennis
Wow! Happy Thanksgiving!
This year has certainly flown by. Guess if you stay medicated and have little memory of lots of it then time does go quickly.This truly is one of the best Thanksgiving seasons I have ever had. This entire holiday season is a great gift from God for me. I questioned many times if I would live to spend another Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family, but God has spared me for now. I AM THANKFUL!!!!!!
It is so good to hear from you from time to time. I do hope the Encourager really encourages you. It is my hope and prayer that our faith in our Lord really makes a difference in our daily life. I don't know what I would do without Jesus.
I was thinking of the old hymn the other day, "Count Your Many Blessings" It says, "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed. When you are discouraged thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings, name them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
So amid the conflict whether great or small. Do not be discouraged, God is over all. Count your many blessings angels will attend. Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
God bless you all. Keep Looking to Jesus!!
... although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:
Philippians 3:7
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:9
... indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; (NAS)
The Apostle Paul reminds us that there is real life and security in no one else except Christ. Paul’s trust and confidence were not in his credentials. Just because of his heritage, his family, his wealth, and his social standing he could not have true confidence. His true trust was in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus was the one who had died for him, had called him, and given him life. Paul realized that anything and everything else in life would never give him the security and hope that Jesus could give him. For that reason he counted everything loss.
He gave up everything in order to follow Jesus. He found in Christ someone who not only could forgive his sins, but give to him life in its fullness. He counted victory in loss. Are you willing to put your trust in Him? He is the source of life. Could you find purpose for your life by ceasing to trust and have confidence in anything other than Jesus?
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
___________________________Today's personal note from Dennis
Wow! Happy Thanksgiving!
This year has certainly flown by. Guess if you stay medicated and have little memory of lots of it then time does go quickly.This truly is one of the best Thanksgiving seasons I have ever had. This entire holiday season is a great gift from God for me. I questioned many times if I would live to spend another Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family, but God has spared me for now. I AM THANKFUL!!!!!!
It is so good to hear from you from time to time. I do hope the Encourager really encourages you. It is my hope and prayer that our faith in our Lord really makes a difference in our daily life. I don't know what I would do without Jesus.
I was thinking of the old hymn the other day, "Count Your Many Blessings" It says, "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed. When you are discouraged thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings, name them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
So amid the conflict whether great or small. Do not be discouraged, God is over all. Count your many blessings angels will attend. Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
God bless you all. Keep Looking to Jesus!!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
More Than Lip Service #70
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
Have you ever had a hard time trusting God? Someone said, “I have never lost my faith in God, but sometimes I have a hard time trusting Him.” Semantics maybe, but you probably can relate. Trusting God from the bottom of your heart means more than lip service. It is being totally yielded to God’s wisdom and guidance to the point you quit trying to figure it out or fix it. Whatever ‘it’ might be for you.
The only true way to be directed is God’s voice. If you will listen, everything you do, everywhere you go, whatever you face you can rest assured that God is there to
keep you on track. Listen to Him. Follow Him. Quit trying to do it yourself, or even figure it out. Just trust God.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Monuments of Success #69
1 Samuel 15:12 And Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul; and it was told Samuel,
saying, "Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself, then
turned and proceeded on down to Gilgal." (NAS)
Ever accomplish something and feel like you need some credit? Sort of human. But what if you don’t get the recognition you think you deserve? You might resort to Saul’s approach. Saul had just returned from his attack on the Amalekites. God’s instruction to Saul was to destroy them completely even their livestock. As Saul returned he was so proud of his accomplishment that he stopped at Carmel to erect a monument to his own success. Think maybe pride was a motivation?
The real problem was that he had not obeyed God. He had captured Agag, king of the Amalekites, and brought back spoils of livestock which was in direct disobedience to God. Do you ever desire to erect monuments to your success but fail to take into consideration God’s commands and His plans. You fail when you only partially obey. Partial obedience is really nothing more than disobedience. True purpose in life can never be discovered if you insist on tooting your own horn and not following the Word of God.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
___________________________Today's personal note from Dennis
Thank you All.
There is a time when we all need to stop whatever we are doing, wherever we are, who ever we are with and just say THANK YOU LORD. I dropped by a church this week. They have a prayer room. I felt compelled to just walk in the door and say, THANK YOU LORD.
So many things ran through my head to be thankful for. I had just climbed the first real flight of stairs in almost 6 months. And I made it. Took a while and my legs shook, but THANK YOU LORD. As I walked into the prayer room it appeared to be empty and then I heard a noise. I walked around the corner and saw a lady cleaning some shelves. We talked a minute and then she said, "Are you Dennis?" I told her I was and she said how the intercessory group had just finished and that I had been prayed for, for months. I again thought and then said out loud THANK YOU LORD.
God has been good. Only God knows the future, but I know Him and He knows me. THANK YOU LORD.
Sandy and I had a few days without a doctor's appointment and I am finally able to go without the antibiotics. We felt free. THANK YOU LORD. For that reason we have taken a few days to get out of town. We are in a nice resort in Globe, AZ. THANK YOU LORD.
You are all great prayer warriors. Please don't stop praying now. I look forward to preaching again soon. I will be sharing for a few minutes at Grace Community Church in Tempe on November 22nd in all three services. I will not be teaching or preaching just sharing a brief testimony and thanksgiving.
God bless all of you.
saying, "Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself, then
turned and proceeded on down to Gilgal." (NAS)
Ever accomplish something and feel like you need some credit? Sort of human. But what if you don’t get the recognition you think you deserve? You might resort to Saul’s approach. Saul had just returned from his attack on the Amalekites. God’s instruction to Saul was to destroy them completely even their livestock. As Saul returned he was so proud of his accomplishment that he stopped at Carmel to erect a monument to his own success. Think maybe pride was a motivation?
The real problem was that he had not obeyed God. He had captured Agag, king of the Amalekites, and brought back spoils of livestock which was in direct disobedience to God. Do you ever desire to erect monuments to your success but fail to take into consideration God’s commands and His plans. You fail when you only partially obey. Partial obedience is really nothing more than disobedience. True purpose in life can never be discovered if you insist on tooting your own horn and not following the Word of God.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
___________________________Today's personal note from Dennis
Thank you All.
There is a time when we all need to stop whatever we are doing, wherever we are, who ever we are with and just say THANK YOU LORD. I dropped by a church this week. They have a prayer room. I felt compelled to just walk in the door and say, THANK YOU LORD.
So many things ran through my head to be thankful for. I had just climbed the first real flight of stairs in almost 6 months. And I made it. Took a while and my legs shook, but THANK YOU LORD. As I walked into the prayer room it appeared to be empty and then I heard a noise. I walked around the corner and saw a lady cleaning some shelves. We talked a minute and then she said, "Are you Dennis?" I told her I was and she said how the intercessory group had just finished and that I had been prayed for, for months. I again thought and then said out loud THANK YOU LORD.
God has been good. Only God knows the future, but I know Him and He knows me. THANK YOU LORD.
Sandy and I had a few days without a doctor's appointment and I am finally able to go without the antibiotics. We felt free. THANK YOU LORD. For that reason we have taken a few days to get out of town. We are in a nice resort in Globe, AZ. THANK YOU LORD.
You are all great prayer warriors. Please don't stop praying now. I look forward to preaching again soon. I will be sharing for a few minutes at Grace Community Church in Tempe on November 22nd in all three services. I will not be teaching or preaching just sharing a brief testimony and thanksgiving.
God bless all of you.
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