True Freedom #91

John 8:31-32
31 Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you
abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (NAS)

Jesus knew the desire in everyone’s heart was to be free. To the Jews of His day the freedom meant no longer would they be under the rule of Rome. Freedom to them meant no longer would they have those who had invaded their land to hold control over their lives. Jesus announced to the Jews who had believed in Him that they could have true freedom. They were the Jews who had found the truth that Jesus was their true Messiah.

The freedom was of the spirit and soul. It was a release from the control of sin and self and Satan. His admonishment was to ‘abide in my word and you will truly be my disciples.’ Those who followed Christ lived by, believed in and practiced the teachings of Jesus. Real disciples, real followers, learners of Christ were people of the word. Freedom was based on truth. Without truth there is no true freedom. The word was and still is truth.

Do you want to be a disciple of Jesus? Do you desire truth and freedom? Someone has said the most important discipline of the Christian life is to hear, read, study, memorize and meditate on the word of God; the Bible. Take the challenge of Jesus today and abide in His word. It will set you free through the discovery of truth.

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

Greetings from Pine AZ! Sandy and I have had a wonderful week in Pine. Each day we have shared devotionals. It is such a joy to open God's word to a receptive audience. The Campers and Mission group are just great folks.

We didn't plan it but I had to make and emergency trip to the hospital in Mesa. I have been there so many times that the folks in the ER were glad to see us. This time it was an unusual acute allergic reaction which affected my right eye. The Doctors were concerned there might be a growth behind the eye. Fortunately just severe allergic reaction and very treatable.

Please pray: This coming week will be very important. I have lab work on Monday. Tuesday I will have CT scan, ultrasound and xrays. Wednesday they will replace the tube in my liver. This is most critical as this has been the place of most of my major infections. Pray I can get through this without an infection. Friday, May 14, I see the oncologist and review the test results and determine the next step of action related to the cancer.

Your prayers mean so much. Thanks. I am here today as a result of the prayers of God's people. Keep it up. I love all of you.

P.S. The picture of Sandy and me is with John and Simone Lake, the pastor of the Church in Pine.

Are You A Quitter? #90

Galatians 6:7-9
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. (NAS)

I quit!!
Ever feel like screaming those two words to the top of your lungs because you were ready to throw in the towel. Are you ready to stop struggling over your personal demon? You have tried and tried and seems like you cannot overcome the struggle. It could be your marriage. The dream you had of marriage bliss never materialized and now you want to walk away. Maybe you are ready to quit as a parent. You have tried everything and your child or teenager still is causing you grief.

For some of you it is the ministry. Ministry was supposed to be the greatest and most
wonderful rewarding experience in life, but nobody told you that the people to whom you were to minister could and would be cruel. They failed to tell you how ruthless, mean, unforgiving and unimpressed they would be with your love and care for them. It may seem to you the only answer is to quit.

You may be struggling with a health issue that seems to never go away and quitting means you would close your eyes and hope to be with Jesus in the next few minutes because you have lost your desire and fight to live. You may find yourself in a boring, unfulfilling job that seems to be going nowhere. You are looking for any way out, but with the economy in shambles you can’t quit even though every thought is about walking away to any other job.

You are no different that most folks. Everyone has the desire to quit once in a while. You may have lost your passion, your drive, your happiness and your love for God and people. How about remembering a few things? You do not reap the rewards of life immediately. You will reap, but in due time. Instant gratification is not God’s way. Your heart’s desire to bring about a better world will bring a reward if you don’t quit.

The words of John the Baptist might do you good. “I must decrease and He must increase.” Your reason for being on this earth is to glorify God not bring recognition to yourself. A heart and life submitted to God will bring glory to Him. Who is at the center of your life, your family, your job, your ministry? If it is God then you won’t quit. Live your life with God at the center of everything. Quitting is not an option.

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

How grateful I am for the gracious mercy and grace of God. He has brought me through the worst year of my life and I am still here. It is such a joy to just be alive and relate to God and the people He puts in my life. My daughter Mandy had surgery this week. She is doing fine and is home from the hospital. Another praise to God.

Sandy and I leave on Saturday for Pine, AZ to participate in a Campers on Mission project with the Church on Randall Place. Pine is a small community about 100 miles north of Phoenix. It is in the mountains thus the temps will reflect that. Not excited about cold weather. I have become a desert rat.

I have a VERY SPECIFIC PRAYER REQUEST: When we return from Pine I begin a series of proceedures and tests. On Monday May 3 I will have all labs done. On Tuesday May 4 I will have a CT scan, xrays, and ultrasound. On Wednesday (the biggest prayer need) the tube in my liver will be replaced. This is the tube that has caused infection each time it has been disturbed. It is necessary to change it. Please pray and believe that God will keep the infection away and that I will have a quick recovery.

Thank you for your prayers.

Something Missing #89

Luke 5:8
8 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" (NAS)

Is there a missing element in your life that keeps God from using you more in the work of His kingdom? Could that missing character trait be humility and brokenness? Peter and the other disciples were fishing and had caught nothing. They were on the shore preparing their nets for the next fishing expedition when Jesus showed up on the scene. His words to them were “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter was quick to point out to Jesus that they had already fished all night and caught nothing, but he was willing to follow the
wishes of Jesus.

When they drew up their nets the catch was so great that the nets began to break. He called the other disciples to bring another boat and the load of fish caused both boats to begin to sink. Now that is a fishing trip anyone would want to be on. The response of Peter gives us insight into the future of his involvement in Jesus’ mission. Peter was humbled and broken as he recognized his own inadequacies and sin. His words and actions show this as he fell to his face before Jesus and acknowledged his sin.

You will never be used of God for His glory as long as you see yourself as other than a person needful of God’s grace. You may give too much emphasis on your own abilities and talents and not enough on God’s amazing power and your need of Him. Humility and brokenness will lead you to surrender to God and trust Him. Like Peter you will fall at his feet in humility, brokenness and amazement.

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

Hallelujah! That word describes my feelings today as I realize the hand of God on my life. Nine weeks ago I was in the hospital in a partial coma and today I went to early morning meetings at my son, Roger's, law firm. What a great day to be alive.

Sandy and I leave in a little over a week for Pine AZ to participate in the Campers on Mission project at the Church on Randall Place. We will both be teaching God's amazing Word. This Sunday I again will have the privilege of teaching a Life Group at Church on Mill. GOD IS GOOD!!!

So good to hear from all of you from time to time. God bless.

In the Hands of Jesus #88

Matthew 14:15-18
15 And when it was evening, the disciples came to Him, saying, "The place is desolate, and the
time is already past; so send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy
food for themselves."
16 But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!"
17 And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."
18 And He said, "Bring them here to Me." (NAS)

Jesus and His disciples were ministering to the people in the remoteness of the wilderness. The place was desolate and away from populated areas. Jesus had been teaching them the truths of the Kingdom of God and healing the sick. Suddenly the revelation that it was getting late and no one had eaten came to the attention of the disciples. Their answer was to send the people back to the villages to buy food. Jesus’ answer was for the disciples to do something about the need. His word to them was “you give them something to eat!” They complained that they only had
five loaves and two fish and that certainly was not enough to take care of so many people.

Have you ever observed a need in your life or became aware of the needs of someone else that obviously there were not enough resources to meet them. Jesus would say to you the same thing He did to the disciples, “Bring them here to me.” By placing the resources in the hands of Jesus five thousand men, not including the women and children were fed with only five small barley loaves and two dried fish. Just think what God could do to meet your needs and the needs of others if only you would place the resources you currently have in the hands of God.

Let God meet the needs.

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

What a great day!! So glad to report how well things are going. Sandy and I both are experiencing nice changes in health. I am the strongest and feeling the best I have in over a year. PTL. We are looking forward to leading the devotionals and Bible Study at the Church on Randall Place in Pine, AZ the last week of April. It is part of the Campers on Mission project. We will not be far from home and Doctors and Hospital. We praise the Lord for an opportunity to minister His word.

Here is a picture of me and the grandsons on my birthday in March. From left to right is Burke, Bennett and Collin. I am holding our newest family member, Ezekiel (ZEKE), a seven month old Cheagle. A cross of Beagle and Chihuahua.

May God bless you today and may you be encouraged and filled with hope.

Faith Struggles #87

John 20:28-31
28 Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." (NAS)

Doubting Thomas, as he was known is, may remind you of yourself. Doubting your own faith in Christ and His resurrection is not abnormal. There may be times when you feel like the man who said to Jesus, “I believe, help my unbelief.” Thomas remarked that unless he had proof he could not believe. When the hands and the side of Jesus were shown to Thomas he cried out, “My Lord and My God.”

You have not seen Jesus as Thomas did, yet you believe. Jesus declares you blessed because you believed without the proof of an actual body. Faith is based on the unseen. The scripture says, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” That is what makes it faith. You do not know what tomorrow will bring, because it is unseen.

As Thomas struggled with faith because he had not seen Jesus as the other disciples had seen Him a week earlier you too may be struggling with your faith. Remember if you see it and have absolute proof it requires no faith and “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 6:1.

As you celebrate Resurrection Sunday express your faith in Jesus. Although you have not seen Him or touched His hands or His side through faith say with Thomas, “My Lord and My 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

Greetings! What a great season of the year as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. I hope you are planning to attend worship on Sunday at your church. God is so good and loves when we gather together to worship Him.

I will be teaching the Wednesday night worship at Crosspointe Church in Tempe on March 31. I am looking forward to being with Pastor Bob Dodridge and his congregation. If you know of a church looking for a guest speaker I would love to share the word with them. Sandy and I both love to teach the scriptures.

We will both be sharing at the Campers on Mission's meeting April 26-30 in Pine, AZ. Pray for our health and for God to us the teaching to glorify Himself.

Both of us are experiencing some good health right now. Pray for an uncoming proceedure that I will have. The need to change the biliary tube in my liver is coming soon. It is the tube that has brought most of my infections and landed me in the hospital. Pray that it goes well and that I have a quick recovery.

Sandy and I appreciate your prayers and your emails. Thanks for thinking of us. I think you remember the cell phone ringing in the middle of the funeral . It was 'caught on tape.' Watch the video by going to https://webmail.east.cox.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.dgwhealthnews.blogspot.com%252F. Those of you who know me well will realize even with, cancer, hospitalizations and old age I have not changed.

I love you all!