Psalm 118:17 I shall not die, but live, and tell of the works of the LORD.(NAS)
David, the Psalmist, pens the words of Psalm 118 with words of encouragement. He is filled with the wonder of the Great God that he serves. The words are of gratitude for the mighty works of God in his life. He celebrates the mercy and grace of God. He rejoices in the victories over his enemies at the hand of God. He praises God for answers to prayer.
David recognizes that it was God who preserved his life even when death was ringing at the door. He found himself trusting in God who was on his side. He praises God for the hope of continued comfort and victory. He concludes with the decision that God would have him to speak of the wonderful works of God. He would be given life with a purpose.
Your life is no different. God has blessed you in so many ways. He has given you life in order that you might fulfill the purpose of telling of what God has done and is doing in your life. Be grateful and praise God for His mighty works. God is good. 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
Happy New Year!
I hope and pray this finds you with expectations for a very happy new year. I think in my case I will look forward and not spend too much time looking backward over 2009, except where I can learn from the experiences. God has certainly led me and my family and friends through a struggle during 2009. But He has brought us through. What a great God we serve.
Gratitude is such a stress reliever. As I thank God for lessons learned, struggles encountered, bonds with family and friends strengthened and renewed, love deepened with everyone, new friends developed between me and Doctors and Nurses, and emotions wavering like a yo yo I am reminded who is ultimately in charge. I am so grateful to the God of creation who is also the God of sustaining grace and providence. Praise Him.
I do hope during 2010 I have the chance to see many of you. Sandy and I are praying for increased strength and stamina and the ability to travel. It would be so good to sit down and share with you all that God has done in our lives since we last were together.
May God bless you in 2010 like no other year in your life. May you see the hand of God in everything and give thanks.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Putting Christ First #76 and Merry Christmas
In Matthew 3:2 and 4:17 John the Baptist and Jesus are both attributed as having said: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Christmas is about the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is about the Savior who was God in human flesh coming to earth to save you from your sins and establish His Kingdom in your life. Every Kingdom needs a King and Jesus is that King.Thus Matthew said:
Matthew 6:33-34 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NAS)
The reign of Christ in your life and to acknowledge His rule in your heart is to seek His kingdom first. Before all else in your life He must be first. Anytime that order is changed or transposed then you are not allowing His kingdom to be first. Your strength to not worry about tomorrow comes from the knowledge that Christ is in charge of your present and future; you are seeking His Kingdom first. Trouble in this life is inevitable, and each day has enough of its own. Commit to Christ the King at this Christmas and find the meaning of His kingdom’s rule over your life.
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
Merry Christmas! God bless you. I appreciate your prayers and concern during this past many months. God has blessed without measure. He truly is our LIFE.
As you celebrate the birth of our Savior remember how much He loves you.
Two pictures (attached) are especially meaningful for me. One was the 43rd anniversary celebration of our wedding. The other was taken this week. One day after the wedding anniversary picture was taken the Doctor told me I needed to call hospice. The Christmas picture celebrates not only Christmas, but the celebration of life. It is the life that Christ gives to us that brings joy to our hearts and smiles to our faces.
Sandy and I wish all of you not only Merry Christmas but a bright and joyous New Year.
God bless.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
What Do You WIsh For? #75
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; (NAS)
At this Christmas season do you find yourself wishing you could give more gifts to you family and friends? If you had a bundle of money and untold resources would that abundance make it easier? Let me assure you that nothing is more abounding than the grace of God. God is able to make all grace abound to you.
The result of God’s grace, as always, is sufficiency. Not necessarily a bank roll or your own toy store or car dealership, but God’s sufficient grace. The grace of God is adequate to meet the intentions of God for you in everything. The objective of God’s grace is your ability to accomplish the good deeds, or works that God wants you to accomplish. Could it be that your ideas of adequate and sufficient are not necessarily God’s idea?
Could you have right now all you need to provide for every good deed? God does not expect more from you than His grace provides for you. And by the way that is sufficient. God bless you as you meet the needs of others through God’s grace.
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
Merry Christmas!
Hope you are having a great holiday already. Most of the children will be out of school by Friday for a couple of weeks of "Winter Break." What ever happened to "Christmas Break"?
I pray that your church's Christmas services will tell the story of our wonderful Savior. So many of you have musicals both for children and adults. What a special time of the year.
Someone asked me last week what I was most looking forward to at Christmas this year. Without hesitancy I said, TO BE ALIVE. God has certainly blessed me with a new beginning. That allows the time to spend with friends and family and with our wonderful church families. Don't ever take that for granted. You are blessed.
For all of you back East and up North as we call anything east or north of AZ I would like to give you a brief weather report. 75 degrees today!!! I am looking out my office window where I can spot a tomato plant with a tomato ready to be picked. Sorry I just have to rub it in. I DO NOT LIKE COLD WEATHER!
God bless and have a very Merry Christmas.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; (NAS)
At this Christmas season do you find yourself wishing you could give more gifts to you family and friends? If you had a bundle of money and untold resources would that abundance make it easier? Let me assure you that nothing is more abounding than the grace of God. God is able to make all grace abound to you.
The result of God’s grace, as always, is sufficiency. Not necessarily a bank roll or your own toy store or car dealership, but God’s sufficient grace. The grace of God is adequate to meet the intentions of God for you in everything. The objective of God’s grace is your ability to accomplish the good deeds, or works that God wants you to accomplish. Could it be that your ideas of adequate and sufficient are not necessarily God’s idea?
Could you have right now all you need to provide for every good deed? God does not expect more from you than His grace provides for you. And by the way that is sufficient. God bless you as you meet the needs of others through God’s grace.
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
Merry Christmas!
Hope you are having a great holiday already. Most of the children will be out of school by Friday for a couple of weeks of "Winter Break." What ever happened to "Christmas Break"?
I pray that your church's Christmas services will tell the story of our wonderful Savior. So many of you have musicals both for children and adults. What a special time of the year.
Someone asked me last week what I was most looking forward to at Christmas this year. Without hesitancy I said, TO BE ALIVE. God has certainly blessed me with a new beginning. That allows the time to spend with friends and family and with our wonderful church families. Don't ever take that for granted. You are blessed.
For all of you back East and up North as we call anything east or north of AZ I would like to give you a brief weather report. 75 degrees today!!! I am looking out my office window where I can spot a tomato plant with a tomato ready to be picked. Sorry I just have to rub it in. I DO NOT LIKE COLD WEATHER!
God bless and have a very Merry Christmas.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Do You Need A Savior #74
Luke 19:41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it (NIV)
Of all the characteristics of Jesus, compassion may stand near the top of the list. He expressed His compassion for The Holy City with tears. He had already shed tears at the tomb of his friend, Lazarus. His love for the inhabitants of Jerusalem was expressed in tears as He saw their need of a Savior.
Earlier Jesus spoke to the city: Luke 13:34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! (NAS)
He knew the destruction of the city was eminent. Do you see someone whose life is headed for destruction? Maybe you yourself are in need of a Savior. Let me assure you that Jesus loves you. His compassion toward you took Him to the cross to die for your sins and give you life. Would you trust Him today? I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you.
__________________________Today's personal note from Dennis
Merry Christmas! Greetings from Dennis and Sandy.
We would love to see all of you during the Christmas season, but obviously that is impossible. We both pray you will have a great time with family, friends and church folks. The Christmas story is one of HOPE. Do we ever need hope? Life is pretty empty and meaningless without it.
Sandy and I have lived day by day with the hope of my health improving. Through the great prayers offered by so many of you and wonderful medical people I am continuing to get better. Hang on to HOPE. Never give up.
Sunday night I finally mustered up enough courage to read Roger's blog site. I know many of you read it daily, but emotionally I was not prepared. If you have not read it go to www.dgwhealthnews.blogspot.com. I sat for over an hour as tears streamed down my cheeks as I read them all. It was a day by day account of the story of our family, our faith, our love, our wonderful Lord, great friends, great churches, great medical folks, and HOPE.
Take time to read it.This may be the best Christmas I have ever had. The joy of being alive and being with people I love with a new perspective. Life is very uncertain, but how grafeful I am that God is not. I do hope you will go to church somewhere this Christmas time and just praise the Lord for His presence as Emmanuel, God with us.
I love all of you and thank God for you.
Of all the characteristics of Jesus, compassion may stand near the top of the list. He expressed His compassion for The Holy City with tears. He had already shed tears at the tomb of his friend, Lazarus. His love for the inhabitants of Jerusalem was expressed in tears as He saw their need of a Savior.
Earlier Jesus spoke to the city: Luke 13:34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! (NAS)
He knew the destruction of the city was eminent. Do you see someone whose life is headed for destruction? Maybe you yourself are in need of a Savior. Let me assure you that Jesus loves you. His compassion toward you took Him to the cross to die for your sins and give you life. Would you trust Him today? I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you.
__________________________Today's personal note from Dennis
Merry Christmas! Greetings from Dennis and Sandy.
We would love to see all of you during the Christmas season, but obviously that is impossible. We both pray you will have a great time with family, friends and church folks. The Christmas story is one of HOPE. Do we ever need hope? Life is pretty empty and meaningless without it.
Sandy and I have lived day by day with the hope of my health improving. Through the great prayers offered by so many of you and wonderful medical people I am continuing to get better. Hang on to HOPE. Never give up.
Sunday night I finally mustered up enough courage to read Roger's blog site. I know many of you read it daily, but emotionally I was not prepared. If you have not read it go to www.dgwhealthnews.blogspot.com. I sat for over an hour as tears streamed down my cheeks as I read them all. It was a day by day account of the story of our family, our faith, our love, our wonderful Lord, great friends, great churches, great medical folks, and HOPE.
Take time to read it.This may be the best Christmas I have ever had. The joy of being alive and being with people I love with a new perspective. Life is very uncertain, but how grafeful I am that God is not. I do hope you will go to church somewhere this Christmas time and just praise the Lord for His presence as Emmanuel, God with us.
I love all of you and thank God for you.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Go In Faith #73
Judges 6:13-14
13 Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian."
14 And the LORD looked at him and said, "Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?" (NAS)
Are you not glad that even great men of faith like Gideon struggled with that which appeared to him as the absence of God in the struggles of his life? Why would you be encouraged by that? Because you yourself wonder from time to time, “Where is God?” When Gideon looked around at the situation of Israel he could not understand why the God who delivered Israel from slavery at the hands of the Egyptians could not help them now to rescue them from the enemy, the Midianites. God’s answer was Gideon himself. Gideon, I will use you. Go in this your strength and I will deliver you.
You may be the answer to your prayer. God is a God of deliverance. Go in faith. Gideon is listed in the New Testament in Hebrews 11:32 as a man of faith. Your greatest miracle may be in the future. It is helpful for you to look back to see how God has worked in your life in the past, but maybe it is more important to look forward in faith to what God has ahead for you.
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.
13 Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian."
14 And the LORD looked at him and said, "Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?" (NAS)
Are you not glad that even great men of faith like Gideon struggled with that which appeared to him as the absence of God in the struggles of his life? Why would you be encouraged by that? Because you yourself wonder from time to time, “Where is God?” When Gideon looked around at the situation of Israel he could not understand why the God who delivered Israel from slavery at the hands of the Egyptians could not help them now to rescue them from the enemy, the Midianites. God’s answer was Gideon himself. Gideon, I will use you. Go in this your strength and I will deliver you.
You may be the answer to your prayer. God is a God of deliverance. Go in faith. Gideon is listed in the New Testament in Hebrews 11:32 as a man of faith. Your greatest miracle may be in the future. It is helpful for you to look back to see how God has worked in your life in the past, but maybe it is more important to look forward in faith to what God has ahead for you.
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.
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