A Longing of Your Heart #226

Galatians 5:13 Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.        Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.                                   Romans 5:17 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. (NLT)

When was the last time your reached out to love, forgive, and accept someone? Maybe the question could be; when was the last time you felt loved, forgiven, and accepted? There is a longing of the human heart to experience the unconditional love, forgiveness and acceptance of someone.

The Bible tells us that God extends to all His love, His forgiveness and His acceptance. As God in Christ has met the need of your own life you are to express that same expression of God’s grace to others. The people God places in your life long for the same things you do. They may seem self-sufficient, confident, lacking in struggles and trials, but the basic needs are much in evidence in the depth of their being. God has placed you in relationship with them for a reason. Whether it is a family member, a person you work with, or someone from your church or neighborhood; they still need love, forgiveness and acceptance.

In all likelihood you may be the very person God has given the opportunity to make a difference in that individuals life.

On the other side of the coin God has placed in your life those He will use to show you the unconditional love of Christ, the forgiveness of God and the acceptance you so desperately need. The Bible tells us to “give and it shall be given unto you.”

Why not reach out and be the conduit of God’s unconditional love, forgiveness and acceptance to someone God has placed in your pathway. The world is in incredible need for real community. God has put humans together in unique relationships in order to meet those needs.

Become an observer of needs, a responder to needs, and a receiver or God’s grace to you. The TV commercial said, “reach out and touch someone.” Why not try it.

_________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

I do hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We enjoyed time with our family. All except Collin were at our home sometime during the day. Collin spent Thanksgiving with his Dad in California. We received a call from Collin on Wednesday evening that was not good news. His Dad was in the hospital with what was thought to be a broken leg. Collin was ready to come home to Tempe. Fortunately the leg was not broken and only sprained. He is doing fine. Collin finished Thanksgiving with his Dad and grandparents in CA. 

Johnny was a little eager to eat Thanksgiving Dinner. We were in the kitchen and looked into the dining room and he was up at the table with fork in hand. I just had to take a photo. He does like to eat. Later in the day Burke and Bennett came by to eat some dessert. We sat on the couch and watched "wipeout". We laughed for two hours at the back to back programs. It was a great special time for me. 

On the Friday after Thanksgiving Sandy and I hosted the "Walk Through Bethlehem" display at our pastor's home. He has a very large back yard decorated like Bethlehem. Last year over 50,000 people went through his yard from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. It is a great way to present the Christmas Story. 

I continue to request your prayers. Last Monday I started on the expensive medication that I mentioned in last weeks Encourger. It is a form of chemotherapy. I had forgotten how yucky chemo makes you feel. For a couple of days I did not feel very well. Thank God I only get the injections one time per month unlike the last time when I received the chemo once per week. This chemo will continue likely for the rest of my life. Not real excited about that, but hopefully it will help me continue to do well. 

Sandy has finished her Tuesday women's Bible study. She enjoyed sharing the Word with the women at First Baptist Church of Tempe this fall. I think she will take a break this coming spring because of the new baby. Mentioning the new baby reminds me of the answer to prayers for Mandy, John and the baby. Mandy was 32 weeks on this past Saturday. We are so grateful. The doctors assure us that once at 32 weeks the baby will likely be fine. We would still like a few more weeks to pass. Roger, Mandy and Susan and Collin were all born in December. We expect maybe another December baby. 

I will be preaching at Laveen Baptist Church on January 6th. I have been there several times. Pastor Jerry is on vacation. I look forward to sharing with that wonderful church. Sandy and I are preparing for Quartzsite. The dates are January 20-27. Sandy will teach Sunday School to the entire congregation at the Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church and we will both lead devotionals during the week for the Campers on Mission group. I will preach both Sunday services on January 27th. This is one of the major highlights of our year. I still have several available Sundays to preach. I would love to preach whenever possible. Let me know. 

 Let me know of your prayer requests and it is my plan to answer each email that you send my way. Thanks for your prayers. God bless you and may He make this holiday season very special for you and your family.  ~ DGW 

Remember To Be Thankful #225

Philippians 1:3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. (NLT)   Matthew 28:20 And remember, I am with you always, day by day, until the Close of the Age." (WEY) Psalms 105:5 Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given (NLT)

What do you remember that brings thanks to your heart? As you look back over the blessings of God, you can thank God. The Apostle Paul said to the church at Philippi that he gave thanks for them every time he thought of them. Jesus told the disciples that they should remember that He would be with them day by day all the way to the end of the age or world. The psalmist reminded his readers that they should be thankful as they remembered the wonders and miracles God had performed.

Your memories are the trigger to bring your mind to ‘thankfulness’. Throughout the Bible the word remember is used over two hundred and thirty times. It is used as a way of motivating God’s people to ‘Thanksgiving’. God reminds the nation of Israel that God had blessed them with freedom from slavery.

Exodus 13:3 Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the LORD brought you out from this place.

God reminds you throughout the Bible to remember Him, His blessings, His provisions, His mercy and grace, His protection, and His love.

The thief who was crucified next to Jesus said, Matthew 23:42 "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

You are to remember what God is to you and has done for you in order to be thankful. Remember this: God remembers you! For that you should be very thankful.

Celebrate Thanksgiving by remembering.

_________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving has become, in my opinion, the unique holiday in America that represents our true feelings about God. It is when we take stock of all His blessing and become most holy. We express thankfulness. We express that who we are and what we have is from Him. God has so blessed us in so many ways. Most of all we are thankful for God Himself. He is our Savior, Lord and Life. He gives us strength, guidance, love, grace, mercy, peace, joy, and the list goes on. I know you will take time on Thanksgiving Day to show your gratitude to God. You may even express your celebration with food, family, friends and of course "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." Whatever you do be thankful to God. 

Sandy and I are hoping before the day is over on Thanksgiving to have all the family, except for Collin, to come by the house. They all like Sandy's desserts. They also have commitments to other parts of their families. Collin will be visiting his Dad in California for Thanksgiving. 

I have a special thanks and praise for answered prayer. Last week I asked you to pray about a medication, a chemotherapy injection, that I needed on a monthly basis. The cost was over 5000 dollars per injection. My part after medicare was 1000 dollars per injection. The Cancer Research Center called on Monday to tell me that the HealthWell Foundation would provide a grant for the injections in the amount of 7000 dollars. All I will pay per doctor visit is a copay of $4.99 for the administration of the injection itself. Needless to say I am very happy at the outcome, and thank you for all your prayers. 

Collin and I went with our church to a local park on Saturday night to feed the homeless in our city. Sandy fixed enough sweet potato casserole to feed thirty. The church fed 120 homeless folks. What a great time. A group of churches provide a meal every Saturday night in the park. The homeless are very thankful for a home cooked meal.

Bennett finished the last performance of his high school play on Saturday night. They had a total of 7 performances over the past two weekends. He did great. He really enjoys his drama and music. He is a percussionist in his high school band as well as performing in vocal music and drama. (see pic)

May God bless you and your family and friends on this Thanksgiving Day. May God bless you as you enjoy great food, fun and fellowship. May you bless God with your praise and thanksgiving for all He has done for you.  ~ DGW

 

Die to Live #224

Galatians 2:16 Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” 17 But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! 18 Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. 19 For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. 20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. (NLT)

How do you respond to the preceding verses? If you believe it is necessary to live by the Law of Moses (the Old Testament) then you probably are troubled by Paul’s comments. The New Covenant is a covenant of grace and is applied to your life by faith. By God’s grace and through faith you are made right with God. Any other way, such as keeping the rules and regulations will not bring salvation to you. Paul goes so far as to say no one will ever be right with God by keeping the law. He knew first of all it was an impossibility to keep the law. He also goes further to say that when you try to keep the law you are condemned instead of saved.

So what is the answer? The Bible says to die to the law, and live to God. The scripture reminds you that you have been crucified with Christ and that you no longer live, but Christ lives in and for you. You live this life not by rules, but by faith. To live by rules is to treat God’s grace as meaningless. If you could keep the law and be made right with God then Christ’s death on the cross is meaningless. Live by grace and faith. 

___________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Hope you have had a wonderful week. Knowing that God is at work in your life brings a real peace; one that passes understanding.  I am sure you may have had a challenging week. Remember that God is good and is teaching you to trust Him more and more.

I still haven't finished waxing the camper. Johnny came out to help again. This time Sandy gave him a squirt bottle; a new experience for him. He could not squeeze the handle with his fingers, but found out he could use his thumb. Of course the water sprayed directly into his face. It didn't take long before he decided that was fun. He was soaked afterwards. It doesn't take much to entertain a 20 month old little boy. (see pic)

This week I received the reports from the medical tests that I took. The news is mixed. The lab work is very good except for two things. The ammonia and serotonin levels are extremely high. Both can have long term negative effects. Please continue to pray. The MRI was not as good.  It shows that the tumors have grown in size and increased in number in the past two months.This creates a real need for prayer. The doctor will not be giving me further treatment because the treatment itself would likely have too many negative side effects. The only medication that might relieve some of the symptoms of the Carcinoid Syndrome would cost over 1000 dollars a month above what medicare pays. Needless to say I really request your prayers right now. 

Sandy also had an exam to determine if her bladder cancer had returned. Thank God she is fine. She is tested every six months. We are so grateful that the doctors caught the cancer early. She has no complications from the original or recurring cancer. For that we praise the Lord. The original cancer was found three years ago. 

On a lighter note: we attended our grandson Bennett's school play last Friday night. It was a fun time and of course he did a great job. 

Mandy still has not had her baby; for that we are grateful. She is currently 30 weeks into the pregnancy. Monday she went back to the hospital with contractions. The medication stopped the contractions and she did not have to stay in the hospital. We again praise the Lord. 

Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving? The stores in our area seem to have forgotten Thanksgiving. We moved directly from Halloween to Christmas. The stores are already having Christmas sales. My Starbucks is decorated for Christmas already. Even the Christmas tree is up and decorated.  As you walk into the store it appears Christmas is here. 

As you know I go to Starbucks every morning. Someone asked what I do. This morning I fed a homeless man a breakfast sandwich and a cup of coffee, visited with a man from our church, talked to two school teachers and two police officers. I find all are in need of encouragement. Isn't God good?

I pray you have a wonderful week. May God bless you with a spiritual lift. May you experience God and His love, mercy and grace. I also pray you would pass along love, acceptance and forgiveness. That is the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.  ~  DGW

Pleasing God #223

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (NAS)

Is it your desire to please God? The Bible is filled with references to pleasing God. It seems that it is not only the desire of God’s creation to please Him, but it is God’s desire that you please Him. The way of pleasing God begins with faith. It is impossible to please God without faith.

The beginning of faith is simply to believe that He is. God calls Himself the “I AM.” That means He is. He exists. He is being. Your first step to pleasing Him is to accept the truth and reality that God is. Believing that He is gives you the assurance of things hoped for and conviction of things not seen. Those two things define and identify faith. Faith is the assurance and the conviction or confidence.

What are you facing in your life right now that requires faith? It would be easy to say, everything. All of life is to be lived by faith; by believing not only that God is, but that He is the rewarder of those who seek Him. It pleases God that you seek Him, His ways, His will, and a relationship with Him. God loves you and wants to reward your life as you place your faith in Him.

No matter what you are experiencing in your personal life, the life of your family, your church, community, or friends God desires to reward you because of your faith. Faith means you are believing God, trusting God, depending on God and pleasing Him.

It also means you are loving God, listening to Him, obeying Him, and walking with Him. Faith means you are seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness. Faith means you are following His principles and priorities.

Faith affects every aspect of your life. It begins by believing that He is, and is followed by a life of faith. Why not place your faith in God today? He does love you, sent Jesus to die on the cross for you, raised Jesus from the dead and offers you eternal life by faith in Him.

_____________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

I was waxing the camper this week. Johnny decided to help me. (see pic) He also found climbing the ladder was a fun experience. He never got beyond the first step, which is probably good. He reminds me how we try new things. It seems everyday he tries something new. I had a psychiatrist friend who told me that doing something new is good for your mental health. Johnny must have great mental health. Mandy was back in the hospital this week with contractions again. She is only 29 weeks along so please pray that this little boy will wait a while to be born. 

We have lot of candy at our house. Sandy bought candy for our trick or treaters and Collin went trick or treating and brought more home. I have to walk fast past the big bowl of candy to keep from eating a couple of those little snickers as I pass by. Burke, Bennett, John, Johnny, Mandy and Collin all dressed up for Halloween. Sandy and I sat home a passed out candy to the neighbor kids. 

I have a preliminary report on my recent tests. The lab work is wonderful. The only negative reports dealt with the Serotonin level and the Chromogranin A level. They are called tumor markers. They measure the output of the Carcinoid tumors in the liver. I will not know until next week about the MRI results. The MRI will show the growth of the tumors since the last report. I appreciate your prayers. These tests are the only way to really tell what is happening. I thank God that I feel well; only minor issues. 

Sandy only has a couple of weeks left in her Bible study for this fall. She has enjoyed teaching and I am sure the ladies at First Baptist Church have gained a great deal from her teaching. I have a break right now in speaking. Our next ministry project will be in Quartzsite at the rock and gem show. We will be teaching and also doing street evangelism. I will remain after the week is over and preach at the Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church on Sunday. 

Several of you sent me someone's email to put on The Encourager list. Thanks. If you know of someone who would enjoy reading The Encourager please send me their name and email address and I will add them. 

I so appreciate your prayers and concerns. I was able to share my testimony with several people this week. One of those was one of my doctors. I was able to tell him about my salvation and about Jesus. He was very receptive. God is so good. I thank Him daily that I am alive and able to share His story. 

May God bless you this week with faith.   ~  DGW