A Prayer for You #230

Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (NIV 1984)

Have you ever picked a special verse for the New Year?  Are you praying a pray to support the verse? Consider these verses as the basis of your prayer for the coming year. The heart’s desire of God is that you would grow to maturity in your faith. The Apostle Paul speaks here of what that might look like. First he prays that God would give you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in order that you may know Him better. A theme throughout the Bible is God’s desire that you know Him.

Next he prays that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. It would seem strange to consider your heart as having eyes, and yet God knows you need the light to come on so you would know three very important truths.

He first wants your heart to be enlightened to the hope you have in Christ. He secondly prays that you would wake up to the realization of the riches of His glorious inheritance He has in you. Lastly he prays that you would know God’s incomparable power. As a believer you have the power of God. He has given you the same power He gave to Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him in the heavenly realm.

The power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the heavenly realm is the most awesome power in the world. He wants you to know you have that power. Your New Years verses and your prayer will give hope and encouragement. Use this prayer daily in the coming year.                                                                         

_______________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Our family celebrated Christmas Day with good food, lots of gifts, love, and appreciation for the birth of our Lord Jesus. It was great to have all five of the grandsons able to be with us. We of course were not sure about Justin Thomas. He is still pretty small but doing wonderful. Sandy and I are so blessed. (see pic)

Our pastor asked the question at the Christmas Eve Service "Why do you celebrate Christmas?" He followed that with the question, "What are you thankful for at this Christmas." I have so many things, but immediately my mind went to over six years ago when it was questionable if I would still be alive to celebrate Christmas. This is now seven times I have had that privilege of being with my family on Christmas. I AM THANKFUL!!

Sandy, Susan and I went to Collin's last Band concert of the first semester. It is fun to watch and listen to him play his trumpet. He enjoys it and is talking about auditioning for his middle school jazz band. (see pic) He celebrates his 12th birthday on the 28th. 

I have been blessed with the opportunity of preaching the next several weeks. 

*Skyline Fellowship in Mesa, AZ on December 30th.

*Laveen Baptist Church in Laveen, AZ on January 6th.

*Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church in Quartzsite, AZ on January 27th.

Sandy and I will be teaching at the Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church January 20-25 during the Rock and Gem Show. We will also be speaking at the Mission Service Corp annual retreat February 4-5 in Gold Canyon, AZ.

As we close out 2012 I can honestly say it has been challenging. Know doubt you faced some struggles as did our family. I listened to enough political debates that I think 2016 will come too soon. I got to spend another three days in the hospital, but thank God I am doing well now. God opened many doors for the ministry. Sandy was able to teach women's Bible study at our church and God allowed me to preach almost half the summer at First Baptist Church of Tempe. 

Christmas Day I joined with our church as we fed the homeless in a park in Tempe. What a joy it is to meet needs. How heartbreaking it is to realize how many people live on the streets. 

Happy New Year! Can you believe it is almost 2013? I hope and pray for you that 2013 will be a year of faith, love and hope. You cannot go wrong when you totally trust God. I did not say 'things' will not go wrong' but you won't. Faith is so vital to living every day. Love one another is a command of Christ. He even qualified the way to love. He said to love as He loved you. Have hope. Face the future with the anticipation and excitement of God going before you. That is hope. He is able to provide, protect, guide and sustain you. The real hope is that this might be the year when we see the return of Jesus. He promised to come again. Keep watching, waiting and praying. 

God bless you in 2013.  ~ DGW

God With Us #229

Matthew 1:23 "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US." (NAS)                Colossians 2:9 “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.” (NLT)

Jesus was far from just an ordinary baby born in the city of Bethlehem. His birth had been prophesied some 800 years before his birth. It was even prophesied that His birthplace would be Bethlehem, and conceived by the Holy Spirit. It was also prophesied that He would be born of a virgin, and He was born to a virgin named Mary. His was no ordinary birth. His was no ordinary life. In Him all the fullness of God dwelt in a human body. He was God the Son in human flesh. Even His name Immanuel means God with us.

The miraculous birth of the Son of God in that stable in Bethlehem changed the world. His birth brought a Savior for all the people, in the whole world. His message was: “I came that you might have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Two thousand years since His birth has not changed His identity, His message, or His purpose. You can be sure that He is God. He is Savior. He did die on a cross for your salvation and arose from the dead to give you His life.

Jesus loves you. He left heaven and came to earth and was born as a human in order to live a sinless life, die on a cross and arise from the dead to give you eternal life. Have you discovered the life that He brings to all who place their faith in Him? Have you received Him?                                                                                                                 John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,  (ESV)

This would be a great day to place your faith in Him and receive Him into your life. The reward will be “life and life more abundantly.” John 10:10

_____________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Merry Christmas.

Is merry the word you would use to describe the season we call the 'holiday season?' For many of you I am sure it is not. Instead it is the time of frustration, stress, anger, hurt, fear, worry, and sleeplessness. It seems that every struggle of life rears its head at this time of the year. Could it be that reliving the past brings you to a time you would just as soon skip? You may be one of those persons who in the past has had a tragedy hit your life at Christmas. I assume those families in Connecticut who lost children and loved ones in the shooting last Friday will never have a Christmas when memories of that day will not haunt them. For you it may have been the loss of a job, a drunken relative, a family argument, or the loss of a loved one that happened during the holidays that makes it hard for you to enjoy the season. 

Let me make a couple of suggestions. How about thinking in the present. Thank God for the blessings of right now. I am sure you may say that it is the right now that is so difficult. Recognize God can and will work in and through all your circumstances. How about forgiveness. Try forgiving those who hurt you in the past. Your hurt may have been years ago, or only last week, but do not allow a lack of forgiveness to rob you of the joy of celebrating the birth of Jesus. It has been said "to err is human to forgive is divine" and I know of nothing more important than for you to reach out in forgiveness. Enjoy the moment. Do something for someone else. Feed the homeless. Buy a gift and give it to a stranger. Smile and say, "Merry Christmas" to as many people as you can. Check your attitude. Be as positive as possible. 

I am not saying that this time of the year may not be hard for you, but you can do something about it. Just remember this; what you cannot do yourself God can do through you. Yield your past, present and future to Him. Trust Him and He will do it. 

Justin is home from the hospital and out of the NICU!! We were at their home Monday evening when he came home. Johnny was thrilled to see his new little brother. He leaned over the car seat and took a look inside. He reached over to touch his cheek. What a precious sight. Justin is doing well. Thanks for your prayers.

 

Those of you who have been receiving "The Encourager" on the blog site have not been receiving it. I was unaware of the change in Feed-burner, the company that sent our blog to you, until this week. They stopped sending it and will no longer send it. I have moved your address to the regular email and hopefully if you are reading this you have received it. The blog is still available if you would like to see what you have missed check out.  (www.dgtheencourager.blogspot.com) I am so sorry about this, but hopefully have fixed the problem for now.  

I am preaching several places during the next few weeks. 

December 23: Crossroads Southern Baptist Church in Apache Junction, AZ

December 30: Skyline Fellowship in Mesa, AZ.

January 6: Laveen Baptist Church in Laveen, AZ

January 27: Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church in Quartzsite, AZ

January 20-27: Sandy and I will both be teaching at the Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church during the Campers on Mission gem and rock show project.

February 17: First Baptist Church of Tempe, AZ

Please remember us in prayer as we share God's Word with these wonderful churches.

Sandy and I attended Bennett's band and choir concerts at the end of last week. They were both terrific. (see pic) Collin's band concert is Thursday this week. 

I received my second injections of chemotherapy on Monday. The side effects are almost nil. The purpose is to control the side effects of the tumors and it seems to be helping. I again thank you for your prayers. 

Enjoy the blessings of God as you celebrate Christmas and New Years. Thank God for all He has done for you by sending His Son to earth as one of us, in order to die on a cross for the forgiveness of our sin, and then to rise from the dead to give us His life. Rejoice in the victory you have in Him. ~ DGW

The Fullness of Time #228

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

The time of Jesus’ birth was no accident. It was the plan of God that He would be born in the fullness of time. He came to set us free. The Gentiles were enslaved to the pagan practices of the day. The Jews were enslaved to the law. The Bible declares that true freedom was paid for by Jesus death and resurrection.

He was born of a woman. Although He was God in human flesh, He was equally God. His life began in a manger in Bethlehem. Mary gave birth to the Jewish Messiah who would bring salvation and freedom to all who believed. He was also born under the Law. As a Jewish child He was subject to the Law of Moses. He was required to live by its rules. The scripture compares the slavery under the law as a child born in a wealthy home and yet still treated as a slave until such time as the child reached maturity. At that time the child was given freedom from the guardian and became the heir of the Father.

So it is with Jesus. He was born of a woman, under the Law in order to redeem or pay for the slaves’ freedom. God sent Jesus to free you from the penalty of sin and the Law. As a result you are no longer in slavery; you are free to live as a child of God. Down in your heart you experience the freedom of abundant life.

It is your privilege to no longer be enslaved to rules and regulations set forth in the Law. You cannot live good enough to receive the status as a child of God through your efforts. You become a child who can cry out to God, “Abba.” That is an endearing term meaning Dad or Father. It is because His Spirit is now in our hearts by faith and grace that we are no longer a slave, but a child of God.

Your new relationship is a cause for rejoicing. What a privilege. Rejoice this day for your freedom and life, and your new relationship with God.                                                                                                                        

_________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Merry Christmas. It is less than two weeks until Christmas. I am sure you are as busy as the Wood family is right now. We are hoping that the new grandson, Justin Thomas comes home from the hospital to have Christmas with his family. We all are quite excited to see how Johnny reacts to a new little one at home. Johnny has already tried to crawl into the bassinet in Justin's room. 

The end of the semester always ends with choir and band concerts. All three older grandsons have concerts this week and next. Sandy and I enjoy attending them. We swell with pride at their abilities and accomplishments. Bennett, Burke, and Collin enjoy music and performing is in their blood. Collin was in his schools spelling bee. He was one of 12 finalists for the entire 6th and 7th grades. 

Our three children were all born in December: Susan December 1, Roger December 7, and Mandy December 19. We now have two grandsons born in December also: Justin December 3 and Collin December 28. We have been blessed. Party On!!

I was summoned for jury duty this past week. I was not chosen. I was very glad. The trial was to last three weeks and was a high profile case in the Phoenix area. Not sure I wanted to take my whole Christmas time to set in a jury box. 

I will be preaching at Crossroads Southern Baptist Church in Apache Junction, AZ on December 23rd: at Skyline Fellowship in Mesa, AZ on December 30th: Laveen Baptist Church in Laveen on January 6th: Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church in Quartzsite on January 27th. I praise God for the opportunity to share His Word. 

Sandy and I both will be teaching at Quartzsite January 20-27. She will be teaching Sunday School to the entire church on the 20th and the 27th. We will share each morning of the Campers on Mission project in Quartzsite the 20th-25th. Please pray for us. 

We had a great time on Saturday. My cousins, Derrill, Dotty, and Kathy came for a visit. We laughed and even cried a couple of times as we relived our childhood experiences. All of us grew up together and had so many wonderful memories to share.

I will receive my second injections of chemotherapy on January 17th. It is fairly easy. I have had minimal side effects. The purpose of this treatment is to treat the symptoms of Carcinoid Syndrome. It is not really a treatment for the cancer, but symptoms. I am grateful for the two medications I take that help symptoms of the cancer. I really appreciate your continued prayers. 

I praise God for His Goodness. So often we question God's goodness to us and forget all His blessings. In spite of the struggles we face God meets our needs. It is a miracle just to see God at work. At this time of year as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, let us also thank Him for the gift of life. He said it clearly, "I have come that you might have life and life more abundantly." John 10:10

God bless you all. May God bless you especially at this Christmas season with His peace.  ~  DGW

All Together For Good #227

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Do you love God? Have you been called to be his child? Does God have a purpose for your life? If your answer is yes then the good news of this verse belongs to you.

The good news is that “God causes all things to work together for good.” It would be easy to question that truth unless you really take a look at its meaning. The first statement simply says, “God causes all things.” At face value you would assume that the verse means every tragedy, every evil, every pain, and every struggle is caused by God. That would make God into a very cruel God. Yet, if you believe that God is really God and that He is sovereign it will cause you a problem if you do not believe that statement. What a quandary; God is in charge and yet terrible things happen.

Looking deeper into the verse you will notice that God causes all things “to work together for good.” The meaning is clear. It is not that God causes all things but that He causes all things to work out for good. Even that is clarified further by a choice word. That word is “together.” It means that you cannot conceive of all the things God puts together to bring good even out of a tragedy. He is truly sovereign, in charge. He joins all the things that happen and makes good of them. You cannot see the beginning or the end. God can. He weaves a tapestry of life for you.

The verse further clarifies that all things work together for good “to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. The purpose of your life is that you will be conformed to the image of His Son, as written in the next verse (29). He is using every experience of your life to make you like Jesus. He may use your problems, your joys, your ancestors, your circumstances, your family, your job and whatever He chooses to work for your good that you may be “conformed to the image of His Son.”

Instead of seeing a conflict in your understanding you can find truth and clarity as you understand the Sovereign Lord knows all and allows any and everything in your life. He uses everything for your good, if you love Him and are called according to His purpose. Don’t bemoan your circumstance. Praise the God who is in charge and has your wellbeing in mind as He works the fabric of your life into the image of His Son. 

____________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

JUSTIN THOMAS arrived on December 3rd. He weighed in at 5 lbs 10 oz and 20 inches long. He was seven weeks early. We are pretty sure he would have been a really big boy had he gone full term. He is in the NICU at this writing. He is breathing on his own and except for a little jaundice is doing very well. Mandy is doing well. Mandy and John are very excited. Of course he is on Facebook and wherever we can shout out his arrival. ONLY ONE OF MANY pictures.

We can hardly wait to see how Johnny reacts to his new little brother. Justin Thomas is named after his Daddy's brother, Justin, and his great grandfather, Harold Thomas Allen. He was Sandy's Dad. 

Needless to say Sandy and I have had fun watching Johnny for the past week. We enjoy having him at our house. He is really ACTIVE!! Sandy has a real understanding why you have your children when you are young. 

Wednesday this week I spent the day dissecting frogs. You say, "you did what?" That's right; dissecting frogs. I volunteered at Collin's middle school to help the science teacher. What an experience. Can you remember the wonderful smell of formaldehyde? It hasn't changed!!

The Christmas season is such a busy time. We avoided some of it by staying away from Black Friday. I don't enjoy shopping period. I can't imagine the mess of dealing with Black Friday craziness. If you indulged I hope you enjoyed your adventure. 

I really appreciate so many of you who drop me a note and tell me of your family events. It is good to keep track of one another. If you know someone who would  like to receive The Encourager please send me their name and email address. 

Sandy has decided to not teach her Bible Study class this next semester. She is aware with a new grand-baby we will be called on to watch Johnny and Justin much more. 

I have been asked to preach at Crossroads Baptist Church in Apache Junction, AZ on December 23rd. Pastor Randy is on vacation. I will be preaching at Laveen Baptist Church on January 6th. Pastor Jerry is on vacation. 

Sandy and I both will be teaching and ministering at the Quartzsite Rock and Gem show and the Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church in Quartzsite, AZ January 16-27. In the middle of that time I will be traveling as a sponsor on a field trip with the Fees Middle School College Preparatory Academy to Carlsbad, NM on January 18-20. Quite a busy schedule. Pray for physical stamina. 

May God bless all of you with the true Spirit of Christmas. I pray you will enjoy your family and friends. Thank God for His great gift of Jesus.   ~ DGW