1 Samuel 1:12-18
12 Now it came about, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli was watching her mouth.
13 As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk.
14 Then Eli said to her, "How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you.
15 But Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.
16 "Do not consider your maidservant as a worthless woman; for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation."
17 Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him."
18 And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. (NAS)
Do you have a need so great that even your face shows the sadness you feel? Hannah wanted a child and was unable to have one. She cried unto the Lord to send her a son. Eli the priest saw her and thought she was drunk. She explained her need and Eli told her that because of God’s graciousness she would receive her son. Her face was no longer sad. God desires to meet your need today. Cry unto Him and expect an answer to your request. He is full of grace and love for you and His grace is sufficient to meet your deepest desire. Thank God and smile.
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 HOT AZ. The thermometer is supposed to break the 110 degree mark the next couple of days. (But it is a dry heat, just like your oven)
God continues to bless Sandy and both with physical and spiritual strength. I am back at Starbucks where doors for ministry continue. Sandy and I attend a Life Group on Sunday mornings at Church on Mill. We enjoy the study and the fellowship.
We are less than a month away from our trip to South Dakota. Plans are being made for a trip to Louisiana in September and to Ohio for a conference in November. I still am praying for opportunities to preach in AZ. Join with me in praying for that to happen.
God bless you today. ~DGW
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Been Blessed? #98
Psalms 67:1 God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us--Selah.
2 That Thy way may be known on the earth, Thy salvation among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise Thee, O God; let all the peoples praise Thee.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for Thou wilt judge the peoples with uprightness, and guide the nations on the earth. Selah.
5 Let the peoples praise Thee, O God; let all the peoples praise Thee.
6 The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us.
7 God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth may fear Him. (NAS)
Has God blessed you, or your family, or your church, or job lately? Did you ask Him to bless you? Would you feel right about asking for a special blessing from God? According to the Psalmist, King David, we should ask God for a blessing, but for a reason. David asks for God to be gracious to Israel, to bless them and to cause His face to shine on them. The reason was so that the ways of God would be known to the whole earth and that salvation would spread to the ends of the earth.
The blessings of God also brought praise to God’s name. You were created to praise God and His blessings encourage you to praise Him. No doubt the main reason God would bless you is that others would know Him. “That all the ends of the earth would fear, respect, honor and know Him.” Why not ask God for a blessing today, not in order to brag about your worthiness to receive a blessing, but in order to brag on God and tell people about Him. Ask and you will receive.
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 this morning from the beautiful high country of AZ. Sandy and I are in Payson camping with the three grandsons. I am sitting outside in this nice low 50's weather. Not looking forward to going back to the heat on Saturday down in the Valley of the SUN. As usual I try to share my story of God's amazing grace with as many as will listen. Doors for witness seem always open. Pray for preaching and teaching opportunities for both me and Sandy. We miss teaching. God bless and enjoy your summer vacation.
DGW
2 That Thy way may be known on the earth, Thy salvation among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise Thee, O God; let all the peoples praise Thee.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for Thou wilt judge the peoples with uprightness, and guide the nations on the earth. Selah.
5 Let the peoples praise Thee, O God; let all the peoples praise Thee.
6 The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us.
7 God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth may fear Him. (NAS)
Has God blessed you, or your family, or your church, or job lately? Did you ask Him to bless you? Would you feel right about asking for a special blessing from God? According to the Psalmist, King David, we should ask God for a blessing, but for a reason. David asks for God to be gracious to Israel, to bless them and to cause His face to shine on them. The reason was so that the ways of God would be known to the whole earth and that salvation would spread to the ends of the earth.
The blessings of God also brought praise to God’s name. You were created to praise God and His blessings encourage you to praise Him. No doubt the main reason God would bless you is that others would know Him. “That all the ends of the earth would fear, respect, honor and know Him.” Why not ask God for a blessing today, not in order to brag about your worthiness to receive a blessing, but in order to brag on God and tell people about Him. Ask and you will receive.
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 this morning from the beautiful high country of AZ. Sandy and I are in Payson camping with the three grandsons. I am sitting outside in this nice low 50's weather. Not looking forward to going back to the heat on Saturday down in the Valley of the SUN. As usual I try to share my story of God's amazing grace with as many as will listen. Doors for witness seem always open. Pray for preaching and teaching opportunities for both me and Sandy. We miss teaching. God bless and enjoy your summer vacation.
DGW
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Hope Lives #97
Lamentations 3:21-25
21This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.
22 The LORD'S lovingkindnesss indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.
24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. (NAS)
What is the source of your hope? Jeremiah, who is credited with writing Lamentations, says his hope is in the Lord. Whenever he recalls with his mind where his hope originates he is assured it is from the Lord.
The reason the Lord gives you hope is because His lovingkindness never ceases. He is full of compassion that never fails. Every day the faithfulness of God brings hope. Deep in Jeremiah’s soul he says “I have hope.” What are you seeking to give you hope today? Is it in the job you have, or the money in the bank, or your health, or your knowledge or status? Your only hope that will truly last is based on the lovingkindness, faithfulness, and compassion of the Lord. Trust Him, not what He can do for you or even has done for you in the past. True hope is in the Lord
Himself.
Make today a special day by trusting only in the Lord and His character.
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 was the word I said to the Dr. who announced to me that there was no cancer in my colon. Tests Wednesday proved no cancer, the opposite of what other tests had suspected. Under the influence of anesthesia I then asked the Dr. if he knew how to say Hallelujah in French. Don't have any idea where that came from. All present had a laugh. I don't remember it at all. God continues to answer prayers. Thank you for continuing to pray.
Sunday I served my once a month rotation as a greeter at Church on Mill. I have told Church on Mill I have received a promotion from Sr. Pastor to Greeter, because I don't have to attend any meetings. Praise the Lord!
Continue to pray for opportunities for Sandy and me both to use our teaching and preaching gifts in ministry. I am available to preach almost any Sunday and have the strength, thank God, to share His word. We have a conference in Ohio scheduled already for November. Our plans also include a return to Quartzite, AZ for the big ministry opportunity provided during the Gem and Rock Show in January of 2011. We participate with Quartzite Southern Baptist Church and Campers on Mission in this project.
I pray you will have a great week and that God will bless your business and ministry. To Him be the glory. For those of you without work I am praying for a job opportunity this week for you. Changes are coming to The Encourager to make it better. You will be asked to sign up. I will let you know when. Love you all ~DGW
21This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.
22 The LORD'S lovingkindnesss indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.
24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. (NAS)
What is the source of your hope? Jeremiah, who is credited with writing Lamentations, says his hope is in the Lord. Whenever he recalls with his mind where his hope originates he is assured it is from the Lord.
The reason the Lord gives you hope is because His lovingkindness never ceases. He is full of compassion that never fails. Every day the faithfulness of God brings hope. Deep in Jeremiah’s soul he says “I have hope.” What are you seeking to give you hope today? Is it in the job you have, or the money in the bank, or your health, or your knowledge or status? Your only hope that will truly last is based on the lovingkindness, faithfulness, and compassion of the Lord. Trust Him, not what He can do for you or even has done for you in the past. True hope is in the Lord
Himself.
Make today a special day by trusting only in the Lord and His character.
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 was the word I said to the Dr. who announced to me that there was no cancer in my colon. Tests Wednesday proved no cancer, the opposite of what other tests had suspected. Under the influence of anesthesia I then asked the Dr. if he knew how to say Hallelujah in French. Don't have any idea where that came from. All present had a laugh. I don't remember it at all. God continues to answer prayers. Thank you for continuing to pray.
Sunday I served my once a month rotation as a greeter at Church on Mill. I have told Church on Mill I have received a promotion from Sr. Pastor to Greeter, because I don't have to attend any meetings. Praise the Lord!
Continue to pray for opportunities for Sandy and me both to use our teaching and preaching gifts in ministry. I am available to preach almost any Sunday and have the strength, thank God, to share His word. We have a conference in Ohio scheduled already for November. Our plans also include a return to Quartzite, AZ for the big ministry opportunity provided during the Gem and Rock Show in January of 2011. We participate with Quartzite Southern Baptist Church and Campers on Mission in this project.
I pray you will have a great week and that God will bless your business and ministry. To Him be the glory. For those of you without work I am praying for a job opportunity this week for you. Changes are coming to The Encourager to make it better. You will be asked to sign up. I will let you know when. Love you all ~DGW
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Do You Care? #96
Philippians 2:19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. (NAS)
If someone was separated from you by time and space and you desired to know how they were doing, what would you do.? Paul was apart from the Philippians yet loved and cared for them very much. He was in prison so he could not visit them. He had a solution. Send someone who cared as much as he did.
That person with kindred spirit was Timothy. Timothy was a strong believer in Jesus Christ, but had learned his spiritual walk from Paul. Paul was like a spiritual father to Timothy. He cared for the people, loved them deeply and when Paul wanted someone to minister to their needs Timothy was the man. He was a pastor at heart, a shepherd who cared for the sheep.
How great it would be to send someone in your place to check on those you love. Paul’s commentary on Timothy is that no one genuinely cared for the Philippians like Paul except
Timothy. Are you Paul or Timothy? Do you care for a flock of people? Maybe it is your family, your church, your small group, or your work mates. It is an encouragement to know that someone is being loved and cared for whether you are Paul or Timothy.
Timothy. Are you Paul or Timothy? Do you care for a flock of people? Maybe it is your family, your church, your small group, or your work mates. It is an encouragement to know that someone is being loved and cared for whether you are Paul or Timothy.
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 Tempe,AZ! Yes, we are back home. Arrived this morning (TR) June 3. Today was my Dad's 85th birthday. So glad we had a chance to spend a few days with him last week.
The past three weeks have been a wonderful time of renewing old acquaintances and seeing family and friends. I was able to preach at Second Baptist Church of Lebanon MO where my college roommate is pastor. Roger Marshall. We named our son Roger after him. We saw families who had been members of our churchs in Nebraska and Wisconsin and rejoiced with them over God's 
hand in their lives.
hand in their lives. PICTURE ATTACHED is Claris Scates. She was employed by the US Dept of Agriculture in Lincoln, NE. She was our children's director. We talked of old times and prayed together. We were able to pray with so many who needed God's touch.
We also saw a man I led to Christ in my living room 37 years ago. He and his wife are involved in a vital ministry in Springfield, MO.In Eldon, MO we spent time with family. It was great.
I had planned to go fishing but only got a line wet for two hours. I was skunked. Sandy caught the only fish. It is good to be back home. Sandy and I both love to travel and minister to people whereever we go. The privilege we all have of telling of the work of the Lord in our lives and what a great Savior we have in Jesus. God bless you. Have a great week. DGW
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