Have You Met The Enemy? #308

I Peter 5:8-11 

8 Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

10 Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. 11 The dominion belongs to Him forever. Amen.

Do you have a roaring lion growling at you from the bushes, behind the rocks and is he loud and scary. He is there only to make loud noises. He was defeated at the cross and in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is your adversary but a defeated one. Then what is really happening? Satan, the Devil wants to distract you from your faith. He tries to get you away from your faith in Jesus Christ and trust the world around you. He wants your focused on your problems, your sufferings and trials. Of course none of those things can happen apart from God allowing them to enter your life.

God also has a purpose. The God of all grace will meet the enemy head on and will do something to and in you. He called you to bring glory to Jesus Christ. Through all you suffer or struggle it is God who will Himself, personally restore you, establish you, strengthen you and support you AFTER YOU HAVE SUFFERED A LITTLE WHILE. This too came to pass.

How do you know? Because the Bible says that all the dominion or the control belongs to God.

It then finishes with AMEN!!!   LET IT BE!!!   Praise the Lord.

_______________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ.

Yes, I am back and going. Not strong yet, but on my way. The surgery on Monday, the 18th has been a great success. The two stents and the biliary tube and bag were removed (even though a group of Doctors said it couldn't be done) and God is getting glory once again. I have a brand new titanium stent in the area where the common bile duct was completely blocked. It all seems to be working. 

I am still very weak from having been unable to eat. I still weigh less than 150 lbs and for me that was my JR HIGH weight. I am praying for the ability to once again take the lid off the catsup bottle or lift a gallon of milk from the fridge. I know it will come back. 

Thanks so much for your prayers. I am so keenly aware that without the intervention of God I wouldn't be writing or even talking about any of this. I so thank you for lifting my name to Our Lord Jesus and for answer to prayer. 

I have received so many comments from you about my CANE GANG PICTURE.

One friend of mine had used a cane years ago after an accident. He carried it with him on the 18th (day of surgery) to remind him to pray without ceasing. He said he never prayed so much for anyone on one day.

Your emails have been such an encouragement to me and Sandy. We know you have been praying and are such a help. 

Sandy and I had our two youngest grandsons to spend the night on Friday night (August 22) so Mandy and John could celebrate John's 38the birthday. On Sunday we will have the whole family together to share in the celebration. John is such a wonderful husband to Mandy, and great father to Johnny and Justin. Happy Birthday John.   ~ DGW

Our Confidence #307

2 Corinthians 3:4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

_________Today's personal note from Dennis

Finally an answer: Surgery scheduled for Monday 18^th at the Banner Good Samaritan Hospital downtown Phoenix. 

   Schedule: Be at hospital at noon. Surgery at 2 PM. The surgery should take extra time: 4-    
   6 hours.

   Please be in prayer. During anytime you are having a difficult time humor always seems to
   help. I was with Bennett, Burke and Collin and decided we needed a Gang Now we call 
   ourselves the CANE GANG.   ~ DGW

Why Exult The Lord? #306

Habakkuk 3:17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, 
And there be no fruit on the vines,
 Though the yield of the olive should fail, 
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold, 
And there be no cattle in the stalls,

18 Yet I will exult in the Lord 
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

Over forty years ago a friend wrote those two verses on a small piece of paper. I have carried it in my wallet. Every so often I read it and remind myself that the reason for exulting is the Lord Himself and my joy is in the God of my salvation.

___________________Today's personal note from Dennis 

The past seven weeks have been a time for me to exult and rejoice in the Lord. My physical situation is still not good. I still struggle with pain, seven surgical procedures, weight loss and weakness. Your prayers, cards, phone calls, visits and emails have been an encouragement to me. Thanks so much.

I love all of you and appreciate your love.  ~ DGW

"Only Trust Him" #305

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Dictionary.com defines trust with these words:

1. reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.

2. confident expectation of something; hope.

3. confidence in the certainty of future payment for property or goods received; credit: to sell merchandise on trust.

4. a person on whom or thing on which one relies: God is my trust.

5. the condition of one to whom something has been entrusted.

Where or in whom do you trust? Obviously your number one place to find the one trustworthy enough that you place your hope, your strength, your confidence other than in God Himself. But what is your choice?

The choice is to trust God alone. Hebrews says that is done by faith. Faith itself is the assurance of the future hope. Faith is that conviction of that which you don’t even see. Otherwise it would not be faith.

What is going on in your life that God is the answer? Likely everything.

What a great time to trust and have faith in God. “When all you have left is Jesus you will find He is the only one you ever really needed.”

Blessings to you as you trust God.

___________________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from HOME in beautiful Tempe, AZ

It has been a long month. 7 surgical procedures, 5 of which meant I was anesthetized. I am still not driving. I know what it means when an OLD PERSON has their car keys taken away. Hoping to be back driving in  few days. I went to Target with Sandy the end of last week. I at least got to drive that electric cart. WOW!

Thank you for your prayers. I have managed to attend church. Thank God for wheel chairs and prayers from you. 

Every day I thank God for life. It is so special to get up every morning and discover your name is not in the obituary column. But it is greater to wake up and know that your name is in the Book of Life. Philippians 1:21 "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Praise the Lord.

Thanks again for your prayer. You are a great support through your relentless prayers. May God bless you. 

 ~ DGW

Do You Hear The Whisper? #302

John 6:16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 19 Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they *saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. 20 But He *said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Jesus and His disciples had just observed one of the most remarkable miracles recorded in the Bible; the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves of barley and two small fish. Jesus in a somewhat normal pattern went into the wilderness to be alone. Likely exhausted from ministry during the day He retreated for some time to be alone.

The disciples moved toward the sea, their place of re

treat. Jesus was not with them as they climbed into their boats to travel to Capernaum. It was already dark. The sea became restless as the strong winds began to blow. Three or four miles out into the sea they saw Jesus. He was not in another boat, but was walking on the water; another incredible miracle.

Seeing Jesus walking on the water and coming near the boat caused them to respond with fear. Jesus in His concerned way simply told them, “I am here, don’t be afraid.” He climbed into the boat with them and soon they were in Capernaum.

How often are you afraid? Fear is a driving factor in most people’s lives. The fear includes family, jobs, health, spiritual needs and a plethora of life’s dilemmas. What do your hear when you are afraid? You more than likely have thoughts in your mind that even make it worse. The need is to listen to the voice of Jesus. He is whispering in your ear, “I am here. Do not be afraid.” Jesus has promised to never leave you or forsake you. He is here with you right now.

_________________________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from McDonalds in Eldon, MO

My Dad went on to be with Jesus on Friday. His funeral is today, June 4th. 

He would have celebrated his 89th birthday on June 3rd. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. His life was an example of his faith. He was a man of impeccable  character. He loved his family and his Savior. His activities in life included his work as a TV repairman, a deacon and Sunday school teacher in his church. No doubt his greatest love of life was his wife who preceded him in death seven years ago. He kept saying all along that he just wanted to go on the heaven to be with her. His wish has been fulfilled. 

He was a great influence in my life. I will miss him and look forward to seeing him again. 

This past week Sandy and I took some of our grandchildren camping. 

We had a great time. Mandy and John brought their two little ones; Justin and Johnny. Collin came along with one of his friends from school. We tried a little fishing, ate a lot of food, and just enjoyed one another. The other two grandsons; Burke and Bennett, are still in school and didn't get to come along. 

Thanks so much for your prayers during the past few days. "God is good" and I am aware of that truth now more than ever. 

Heaven is a little sweeter place because Dad is there. 

May God bless you today.  

                                  ~ DGW