Hurtful Words #95

1 Corinthians 14:12,26 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. (NAS)

Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. (NAS)

Ever been hurt by a word from a friend, teacher, parent, relative, coach or another important person in your life? It has been said that for every negative word spoken that it takes seventeen positive ones to undo the damage. You have maybe been the recipient of such discouragement or maybe you were the one who let those hurtful words flow from your lips.

The Bible is very clear that words that you utter should be to edify. The word means to build up. In the use of spiritual gifts within the church setting it is possible to destroy or to edify one another. Paul encourages uplifting one another with the use of spiritual gifts. All things are to be done for edification. Words should be good for building up one another and the need of the moment.

The result is that words that edify give grace to those who hear. Why not be a committed to building up other believers and say words that edify and use your spiritual gifts to build up one another?

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 the Ozarks!

Sandy and I are still in MO and will be another few days before heading back home to Tempe. We have had a great time seeing family and friends. We head to Branson tonight to see a show.
God continues to give me strength and stamina. PTL.

I hope God will give you a blessing of having someone say something to you today to edify you. You are so special to me and Sandy. Thanks for loving us. We do love you. Let us hear how you are doing.

PS Picture is me writing The Encourager in a campground on the Osage River just below Bagnell Dam. The water behind me is a small pond.

What Plans? #94

Jeremiah 29:11'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.12 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 'And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14'And I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes. (NAS)

The nation of Israel had been taken into exile as captors of the Babylonians. It appeared from every perspective that all hope was lost of ever going back home to Israel. They needed the prophet of God, Jeremiah, to remind them that God was in charge of their present and their future. God had plans. Notice how many times Jeremiah uses the pronoun ‘you.’ God has plans for you. God has a future and a hope for you. If you call on Him and come to Him and pray to Him he will listen to you. If you seek Him with all your heart you will find Him. He will restore you.

What a great God YOU serve and love. He is for YOU. He cares about YOU. No matter what your circumstances or situation He is promising YOU His plans for YOUR future and give YOU hope. Never give up or give in. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and he will direct your steps to fulfill His plans for YOU.

Never forget that God loves you and knows what is best for your life. You may not understand why things are happening to you until you step into eternity. But rest assured God does have plans for you and He does cause all things to work together for good.

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 the beautiful GREEN hills of the Missouri Ozark mountains. I even made it to Starbucks this morning in Osage Beach, MO. Sandy and I left last Friday right after the oncologist appointment and drove to MO. We have been able to spend time with family and old friends. It was especially good to see my DAD, who will turn 85 on June 3rd.

The oncologist visit brought a mixed report. Some things were good. Others not so good. My cancer markers are the highest they have ever been.(NOT GOOD) The CT scan and ultra sound were inconclusive. The CT did show some problems in the lower intestinal track. More test are already scheduled for early June. Pray for good reports from those.

The best part is that I feel good. Being able to drive three days to MO, visit with family and friends and preaching the next Sunday (May 23rd) at Second Baptist Lebanon, MO are all signs that things are good. I praise God for the strength and stamina to do what I could not have done just six weeks ago.

You will have to ask me about getting bitten by a dog. Appreciate your prayers and love you all.

Prayer Time #93

Luke 5:16 But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. (NAS)

Jesus communicated with the Father in prayer. He was known for His praying and the strength and power He received from prayer. It was the only subject that His disciples specifically asked that He teach them. Luke 11:1 And it came about that while He was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples." (NAS)

No doubt you have been in a prayer meeting when several believers join together to ask God to meet a specific need or to just praise Him. Never underestimate the power of corporate prayer. BUT it appears from scripture that the major dynamic of Jesus prayer life was slipping away to pray alone.

Luke 6:12 And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. (NAS) His prayer time was alone, in a secluded place, at a specific time, for a specific reason. When is the last time you went to a place to pray, by yourself, for a specific reason? Alone times with the Father are a vital part of your spiritual life and growth. It is also the secret to answered prayer.

Why not take time this week and remove yourself from the hustle of life, the struggles of work, school, family or ministry and be refreshed in a time of prayer. Remember: find the time to be alone, in a secluded place and with a specific reason. God will meet you there.

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

It is so good to be alive and sharing life with my family, friends and involved in ministry. So many people need encouraged that I feel like Paul in Romans 1:14-16 "I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. Thus, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (NAS)

I so desire to share the GOOD NEWS. Jesus loves you and died for you. He forgives you and desires to give you a full life and hope for eternity. The Lord has so blessed me with a renewed physical life in order to serve Him. If you know of preaching and teaching opportunities please contact me. I AM READY!!

PRAYER NEED. I meet the oncologist on Friday morning May 14 in order to receive the reports from all the tests I took two weeks ago. Pray they will be good and that I will not need any further treatment at this time.

May God bless you today with a peace that passes understanding. If you have something that needs God's special touch I pray today that will happen for you and yours.
I love all of you. The picture is Sandy and the grandsons on Mother's Day (left to right-Burke, Bennett, Sandy, Collin.

PS: Soon The Encourager will take on a new format. Please be prepared to make that possible. It will require some help from you. You will hear in more in the next few weeks.

Shipwrecked? #92

Acts 27:7 We had several days of slow sailing, and after great difficulty we finally neared Cnidus. But the wind was against us…v.8 We struggled along the coast with great difficulty and finally arrived at Fair Havens, v.9 We had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall,[c] and Paul spoke to the ship’s officers about it.

v. 10 “Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” v.11 But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul. v.12 And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor—a poor place to spend the winter—most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, farther up the coast of Crete, andspend the winter there.

Acts 7:13 When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete. v.14 But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea. 15 The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale.

v.21 Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. v. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. v. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, v.24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ v. 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. v. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.” (NLT)

Ever been shipwrecked? Not literally, but figuratively. Paul was on his way to see Caesar and appeal his imprisonment. He foresaw the change in weather, the disaster awaiting the ship, its crew and cargo. Paul warned the officer in charge but received a less than supportive response. As they proceeded the weather began to change and danger haunted their progress.

The sea became so difficult that the crew gave up. Things progressed worse and worse. Paul exhorted the men that they should have listened to him and stayed in Fair Havens. Instead they had chosen to not listen. Now it had become too late. Paul received a word from God through an angel telling him that although they would be shipwrecked, no life would be lost and that they should take courage and believe God.

You have probably been shipwrecked or close to it. Paul’s words are for you. “Listen. Don’t be afraid. Be of good courage. Believe God. You may be in the midst of a shipwreck or just headed into one because you failed to listen to God in the beginning. Don’t ignore the admonition Paul gave the sailors.

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

Thank you, thank you for your prayers. My procedure yesterday went well (WED) I anticipate a quick recovery and to be back in the swing of things. I really appreciate all your prayers. For the first time in over a year some of my liver counts are back in the normal range. PRAISE THE LORD!!Keep up the prayers. I am looking forward to doing more ministry. Pray for open doors for both me and Sandy to teach God's word.

I pray God will watch over you and bless you today. You are loved.

True Freedom #91

John 8:31-32
31 Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you
abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (NAS)

Jesus knew the desire in everyone’s heart was to be free. To the Jews of His day the freedom meant no longer would they be under the rule of Rome. Freedom to them meant no longer would they have those who had invaded their land to hold control over their lives. Jesus announced to the Jews who had believed in Him that they could have true freedom. They were the Jews who had found the truth that Jesus was their true Messiah.

The freedom was of the spirit and soul. It was a release from the control of sin and self and Satan. His admonishment was to ‘abide in my word and you will truly be my disciples.’ Those who followed Christ lived by, believed in and practiced the teachings of Jesus. Real disciples, real followers, learners of Christ were people of the word. Freedom was based on truth. Without truth there is no true freedom. The word was and still is truth.

Do you want to be a disciple of Jesus? Do you desire truth and freedom? Someone has said the most important discipline of the Christian life is to hear, read, study, memorize and meditate on the word of God; the Bible. Take the challenge of Jesus today and abide in His word. It will set you free through the discovery of truth.

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 Pine AZ! Sandy and I have had a wonderful week in Pine. Each day we have shared devotionals. It is such a joy to open God's word to a receptive audience. The Campers and Mission group are just great folks.

We didn't plan it but I had to make and emergency trip to the hospital in Mesa. I have been there so many times that the folks in the ER were glad to see us. This time it was an unusual acute allergic reaction which affected my right eye. The Doctors were concerned there might be a growth behind the eye. Fortunately just severe allergic reaction and very treatable.

Please pray: This coming week will be very important. I have lab work on Monday. Tuesday I will have CT scan, ultrasound and xrays. Wednesday they will replace the tube in my liver. This is most critical as this has been the place of most of my major infections. Pray I can get through this without an infection. Friday, May 14, I see the oncologist and review the test results and determine the next step of action related to the cancer.

Your prayers mean so much. Thanks. I am here today as a result of the prayers of God's people. Keep it up. I love all of you.

P.S. The picture of Sandy and me is with John and Simone Lake, the pastor of the Church in Pine.

Are You A Quitter? #90

Galatians 6:7-9
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. (NAS)

I quit!!
Ever feel like screaming those two words to the top of your lungs because you were ready to throw in the towel. Are you ready to stop struggling over your personal demon? You have tried and tried and seems like you cannot overcome the struggle. It could be your marriage. The dream you had of marriage bliss never materialized and now you want to walk away. Maybe you are ready to quit as a parent. You have tried everything and your child or teenager still is causing you grief.

For some of you it is the ministry. Ministry was supposed to be the greatest and most
wonderful rewarding experience in life, but nobody told you that the people to whom you were to minister could and would be cruel. They failed to tell you how ruthless, mean, unforgiving and unimpressed they would be with your love and care for them. It may seem to you the only answer is to quit.

You may be struggling with a health issue that seems to never go away and quitting means you would close your eyes and hope to be with Jesus in the next few minutes because you have lost your desire and fight to live. You may find yourself in a boring, unfulfilling job that seems to be going nowhere. You are looking for any way out, but with the economy in shambles you can’t quit even though every thought is about walking away to any other job.

You are no different that most folks. Everyone has the desire to quit once in a while. You may have lost your passion, your drive, your happiness and your love for God and people. How about remembering a few things? You do not reap the rewards of life immediately. You will reap, but in due time. Instant gratification is not God’s way. Your heart’s desire to bring about a better world will bring a reward if you don’t quit.

The words of John the Baptist might do you good. “I must decrease and He must increase.” Your reason for being on this earth is to glorify God not bring recognition to yourself. A heart and life submitted to God will bring glory to Him. Who is at the center of your life, your family, your job, your ministry? If it is God then you won’t quit. Live your life with God at the center of everything. Quitting is not an option.

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

How grateful I am for the gracious mercy and grace of God. He has brought me through the worst year of my life and I am still here. It is such a joy to just be alive and relate to God and the people He puts in my life. My daughter Mandy had surgery this week. She is doing fine and is home from the hospital. Another praise to God.

Sandy and I leave on Saturday for Pine, AZ to participate in a Campers on Mission project with the Church on Randall Place. Pine is a small community about 100 miles north of Phoenix. It is in the mountains thus the temps will reflect that. Not excited about cold weather. I have become a desert rat.

I have a VERY SPECIFIC PRAYER REQUEST: When we return from Pine I begin a series of proceedures and tests. On Monday May 3 I will have all labs done. On Tuesday May 4 I will have a CT scan, xrays, and ultrasound. On Wednesday (the biggest prayer need) the tube in my liver will be replaced. This is the tube that has caused infection each time it has been disturbed. It is necessary to change it. Please pray and believe that God will keep the infection away and that I will have a quick recovery.

Thank you for your prayers.

Something Missing #89

Luke 5:8
8 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" (NAS)

Is there a missing element in your life that keeps God from using you more in the work of His kingdom? Could that missing character trait be humility and brokenness? Peter and the other disciples were fishing and had caught nothing. They were on the shore preparing their nets for the next fishing expedition when Jesus showed up on the scene. His words to them were “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter was quick to point out to Jesus that they had already fished all night and caught nothing, but he was willing to follow the
wishes of Jesus.

When they drew up their nets the catch was so great that the nets began to break. He called the other disciples to bring another boat and the load of fish caused both boats to begin to sink. Now that is a fishing trip anyone would want to be on. The response of Peter gives us insight into the future of his involvement in Jesus’ mission. Peter was humbled and broken as he recognized his own inadequacies and sin. His words and actions show this as he fell to his face before Jesus and acknowledged his sin.

You will never be used of God for His glory as long as you see yourself as other than a person needful of God’s grace. You may give too much emphasis on your own abilities and talents and not enough on God’s amazing power and your need of Him. Humility and brokenness will lead you to surrender to God and trust Him. Like Peter you will fall at his feet in humility, brokenness and amazement.

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 word describes my feelings today as I realize the hand of God on my life. Nine weeks ago I was in the hospital in a partial coma and today I went to early morning meetings at my son, Roger's, law firm. What a great day to be alive.

Sandy and I leave in a little over a week for Pine AZ to participate in the Campers on Mission project at the Church on Randall Place. We will both be teaching God's amazing Word. This Sunday I again will have the privilege of teaching a Life Group at Church on Mill. GOD IS GOOD!!!

So good to hear from all of you from time to time. God bless.