Time To Exercise Faith #273

Rom 4:19-21

19 And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb;

Romans 4:20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,

21 and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform. (NAS)

In Henry Blackabee’s study Experiencing God there is a chapter entitled; “Crisis of Faith.” The whole chapter considers what happens once you know God’s will and see where God is at work and you get in on it that a crisis of faith happens. That crisis means it looks like nothing is going to happen to fulfill the promise of God.

Can you imagine how Abraham must have felt after moving from Ur to the land of Canaan; have a promise of a child and then a promise to be the father of many nations and then have no child and your wife is 90. That is a crisis of faith. It could also be called the ‘death of a vision.’ Let me assure you that if God is in something the death will occur in order for God to get the glory.

Don’t ignore or pretend that the death of the vision (the crisis of faith) has occurred or is occurring.

Face whatever comes, but do not lose sight of the promise.

Abraham understood very well that his wife was past childbearing years and he was as good as dead. The crisis of faith occurred. There is no hope apart from the promise of God. There was not any hope whatsoever of having a child; no possibility that they would see this promised fulfilled. That was reality. It is time to exercise faith. Is there something in your life that is impossible? Is something beyond possibility? I don’t know how, but I am sure of one thing. It is possible with God. 

Matthew 19:26  And looking upon them Jesus said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (NAS)

____________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Seems like everywhere I turn there is a Zombie, a Vampire or a princess, or Buzz Lightyear or maybe a little child looking like a character from a fairytale. Yes, it is Halloween. Dressing up for Halloween is no longer just something little kids do to go Trick or Treating. The office of today is as dressed up as a window in the department store. Sandy and I still enjoy watching the neighborhood kids coming to collect their candy. Many churches have safe alternatives to going door to door. All is such fun. With a face like mine I don't need a costume or a mask. Enjoy the day.

Our grandsons are decked out for the day. You saw last week the two little ones, Johnny and Justin in their Buzz Lightyear costumes; see the pics today of Burke and Collin. Twelve year olds still enjoy getting a sack full of candy. Tapaw likes to eat it. 

Sandy's Young Mom's Bible Study is going very well. She loves the Moms and their babies. She is teaching Ruth. They all decided this week they were glad they did not live in Ruth's time. Women, at least in America, have come a long way since sometime before 1010 BC. 

I will be preaching in the Intersect Service in the LOFT at First Baptist Church of Tempe on Sunday November 3rd. Looking forward to sharing from Revelation 14:17-20 on the "Winepress of God's Wrath." Join me at 9:30 Sunday morning. 

In the summer of 2009 there was a consensus of opinion among the doctors that I was not going to live long; a few months at best. Because of God's amazing grace and His will for me and my family I am still living. I thank God everyday for life. It was in September of 2009 that one doctor told me to prepare for the end of life; call hospice and give up. I looked him straight in the eyes and told him, "I am not giving up." That was over four years ago. I still am not giving up. 

I looked at my calendar for the next couple of months and thought, "how can I possibly give up." I have too much to do. God has so blessed me with family, friends, and a ministry of preaching and teaching that I see no need to give up. 

The next couple of months are punctuated with birthdays, grandson's plays and band concerts, Thanksgiving, Christmas and many opportunities to tell people about Jesus.

I thank God for the joy of life. GOD IS GOOD!!

Start Thanksgiving a little early this year and begin your "I am so blessed" list. You have so much to be thankful for; tell God and others you are blessed. 

May you be blessed this week with wonderful memories and future plans.   ~ DGW 

A Future and A Hope #272

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (NLT)

Jeremiah is an encourager as he writes to the exiles in Babylon about their future. The have been in captivity long enough to know this is not where they want to spend the rest of their history. The Jewish people had already spent four hundred years in slavery in Egypt and now because of disobedience God has allowed them to be captured and sent into a subservient position in Babylon. Likely they were saying to themselves; Why! Yet they knew why; they had worshiped idols and disobeyed God. Have you ever been in a place or a time in life when you felt no hope, no direction, no plans for the future. It is not unusual to feel like you are in exile; living in a new land, and unprepared for what that means.

Jeremiah gives hope and instructions.                                                                        Jeremiah 29:4 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: 5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

To summarize his words; live a normal life. Continue to have houses, gardens, and families. Whenever you find yourself in a difficult place or set of circumstances it is usually good to continue living life as usual.

He also tells them: Jeremiah 29:10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.                                                           God promises to bless them. He promises a future and a hope. They will go home; not soon, but after 70 years. They will be taking their grandchildren with them. In the meantime; don’t give up, don’t stop being a productive person, continue life as normal as possible.

If you need hope today and encouragement just remember the words of Jeremiah.

______________Today's personal note from Dennis 

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

I hope and pray that this week's Encourager finds you well. The grace and mercy of God is overwhelming at times. He is so faithful and as the Bible says, "Even when we are unfaithful".

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 

I have had a couple of weeks of time out from preaching. The camping trip to Roosevelt Lake was canceled due to the government shut down. This Sunday is an open week. Sandy continues to teach her “Young Moms” study of the Book of Ruth.

Sandy and I continue to watch our two youngest grandsons once a week. They are such a joy. They are into Halloween costumes right now. Buzz Lightyear is the going thing again. The three older grandsons returned to school this week after their Fall Break. For some reason I don’t remember having Fall Break, Spring Break and Winter Break. We had time off school for Christmas and Easter. We also watched the World Series during class! THINGS HAVE REALLY CHANGED. I think I am getting old.

I will be preaching at First Baptist Church of Tempe on the following Sundays. I preach in an auditorium in the Education building we call The LOFT. The service is contemporary. I really enjoy sharing God’s word. Sundays at 9:30 AM. November 3, 17 and 24. December 1, 15, 22, 29 and January 5. Sandy and I both will lead a Bible Study class on marriage at City of Grace Church in Mesa on December 10. Please pray for all of these opportunities.

I pray that God will bless you this week with deepening friendships. I am currently reading John Vawter’s new book Achieving High Performance Friendships. As with most of John’s books it is challenging and thought provoking. Thank you for praying for me and Sandy. You are loved.  ~DGW

Shut My Mouth #271

Job 40:1-5

1 Then the Lord said to Job, 2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”                 3 Then Job replied to the Lord, 4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. 5 I have said too much already.
I have nothing more to say.”

Have you ever argued with God? If you have ever experienced a crisis in your life or the life of your family then you understand how Job struggled with the loss of his family, his livelihood and his possessions. As a result he questioned God. WHY ME? That was likely Job’s constant words. He could not understand the reasons nor the plans of God surrounding his troubles. You may have had a time when things made no sense to you. You were beside yourself and began to argue with God with your own, WHY ME?

God spoke to Job and asked him if he still wanted to argue and be God’s critic. He questioned God for most of the Book of Job. Finally near the end God spoke to Job with some very pointed questions. The main gist of his questions dealt with the finiteness of Job and the opposing infiniteness of God. “Where were you?” The question God asked Job in relationship to creation and His control of the earth and its people. Job 38:1 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: 2 “Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.”

After all of chapter 38 and 39 Job found that he was not God. He discovered God has plans and that none of them can be thwarted. Job saw life from God’ perspective and had a new answer. “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? God alone knows why things happen. Job realized in his finite wisdom he would never understand the ways of God. In response he simply says “I will put my hand over my mouth and shut up.” His recognition is that he had already said too much. I will say no more. Have you argued with God only to realize in the end that God is in control and in charge of your life? To argue with God is futile. To trust Him is wisdom and strength.

_____________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Sandy and I passed a milestone last week; our oldest grandson, Bennett, turned 16. The family celebrated his personal milestone with one of Sandy's birthday meals . He is a wonderful and talented young man. He loves music and his friends. He is currently working on a school play, plays percussion in the band and loves swing dancing. We are really proud of him.

Before the family ate I said the blessing on the food. Johnny said loudly, "Tapaw, stop talking." I ended my prayer very soon. He was hungry.

Sandy continues to teach her Young Moms class. She is teaching the Book of Ruth. She enjoys her young ladies and continues to be challenged. Continue to pray for her. 

If the government does not go back to work I will not be preaching Sunday at Roosevelt Lake to the camping group from Grace Community Church. The reason being that the campground is on the Tonto National Forest and is currently part of the shut down. I never expected the government shut down to keep me from preaching. I will be preaching again November 3rd at the First Baptist Church of Tempe at 9:30AM in the LOFT. (an auditorium on the second floor of the education building).

Thank you for your prayers. I know that God has allowed me to have an extended life in order to serve Him. Your prayers are so important. My health at this time is stable. I will be retested in December; including blood tests and MRI. Although I have symptoms that are not enjoyable I am still able to carry on an active lifestyle, and feel good most of the time. God is good. 

Several new people have been added to the email list in the past few weeks. If you know someone who would benefit from The Encourager send me their name and email address. 

May God bless you this week by giving you the privilege of bringing glory to Him.  ~ DGW

Romans 11:36  

For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things.To Him be the glory forever! Amen. (NIV)

Who's God the Power #270

Ephesians 3:14-21                                                                                 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.                                                                                                 

The Bible is rich with illustrations of prayer. Often these are the recorded prayers of God’s greatest leaders and servants. In this case the Apostle Paul is writing to the Ephesian church and expresses his prayer for them.  As in all our prayers he appeals to the “Father” as the father of all of mankind. His prayer is specific. He prays for the Ephesian church to be strengthened with God’s power. The source of the power is God the Holy Spirit. The place of the power is in their inner being. He also prays that they will be aware that Christ dwells in their hearts by faith. The need to be rooted and grounded in love permeates his prayer. So much so that he calls for their deepest understanding of God’s love to them; its breadth, length, height, and depth. The love that transcends the ability to even know completely. The last part of his prayer is that they be filled with the fullness of God. It is the power in the inner being, where the Holy Spirit dwells, that becomes Paul’s main emphasis for prayer.  

He finishes with a praise to the God who provides the power, strength and love. Ultimately his desire is that God be glorified.

Paul’s prayer is a prayer for you. You need the power, strength and love of God in your life. Whether it is your individual life, the life of your family, or your church; you need a renewal of your dependence on the God who provides all things. Ask and you shall receive.    

___________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Yes we are finally home. I spent a rewarding 11 days in Missouri and Arkansas. The revival at Second Baptist Church in Lebanon proved to be a great blessing to me and I believe also the church. I spent the week preaching on the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit from the Book of Ephesians. It was good to spend time with my friends there. 

The wedding in Arkansas was like a family reunion. The only problem many family members were not able to attend. Sandy, Mandy and I were entertained and delighted with Justin. He is 10 months old and so much fun. He was the hit of the festive occasion. It was good for Sandy's side of the family to spend some time with him, and maybe the rest of us too.


We certainly enjoyed all of them. Casey and Shannon are officially married. They will moving into their new home this week. A sidelight; the weather all week had been beautiful (85 days-68 nights and lots of sunshine.) The day of the wedding it rained almost all day. By 4PM, wedding time, the rain had let up but it was 45 degrees and the wedding was outside. These Arizona bones were freezing. I have included a picture of Sandy and her brother, the wedding couple, her brother, her nephew and Justin. I enjoyed playing with Justin before we boarded the plane too.

Please continue to pray for me and Sandy as we have opportunity to preach and teach God's Word. Sandy continues her Young Mom's Bible study on the Book of Ruth, Tuesday mornings at First Baptist Church of Tempe. I will be preaching there on Sunday October 13th at 9:30 AM. The following week-end we will be camping with Grace Community Church at Roosevelt Lake in Arizona. I will be leading the Sunday worship at the campground. 

You are such a blessing to me. Thank you for taking the time to drop me an email from time to time. If you are new to The Encourager you can get all the ones from the past at <www.dgtheencourager.blogspot.com> 

If you have a friend or family member, or maybe a Sunday School class that would like to receive The Encourager please send me names and email addresses. I will be glad to include them on the list. 

May God bless you this week with His strength in your inner being.  ~ DGW