Are you facing the Lions? #173

Daniel 6:10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. (NLT)

Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT)

Daniel found himself between the proverbial rock and a hard place. The administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors told King Darius, king of the Medes and the Persians, that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. The orders said that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human - except to Darius, will be thrown into the den of lions. Daniel of course could not follow that law. He knew that if he did not follow the law the result would conclude with him becoming lion food.

Daniel did his usual thing; he prayed. He went to his room with its windows open toward Jerusalem and prayed. His normal custom was to pray to the Lord three times a day. This day with a den of lions awaiting he still prayed. HE GAVE THANKS. What a time to give thanks. Circumstances say he should be praying for rescue, intervention, and protection Instead he gave thanks to God.

What are you facing today that feels like a hungry lion is lying in wait to attack you? What is your response? Is it giving thanks in all circumstances? Is it a choice to not worry? Is it your choice to pray about everything?

When you experience life's difficulties it would be easy to complain, worry, fret and give up. God's encouragement to you is to give thanks in all things. How can you do that? You can pray and give thanks because no matter what you are facing you know that you are in Christ. The Bible does not say, "Give thanks FOR all things, but IN all things. God loves you and cares about everything you face. Give thanks IN things.

________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We all have so much to be thankful for that it is hard to even think of mentioning them all.

• I am so thankful for my Lord Jesus. He is not only my Savior and Lord, He is my very Life. He said in his own words that He came to give us life and life more abundantly. I believe that and am so grateful.
• I am thankful for my family, my children, my son-in-law and daughter-in-law, my grandchildren, and my Dad. And of course all my extended family.
• I am also so very thankful for my wonderful wife, Sandy. She has been my love, my encourager, my support, my joy for over 45 years now. How thankful I am that God has allowed us such a wonderful life together.
• I am thankful for friends all over this planet. God has allowed me to meet people from all over the USA and around the world. It is such a blessing for which I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to know these special friends.
• I am thankful for the material blessings from God. He has richly blessed my life.

This past week Sandy and I had lunch with one of the Doctors who cared for me when I was at my most critical point. It was so good to meet with him and his medical assistant as friends. They are special people. I am thankful for them.

We are having our family over for Thanksgiving dinner. I am thankful we all can be together. What a blessing!

I do hope and pray you have a wonderful time celebrating God's blessings and thanking Him in all things. It would be so great if I could see all of you during the holiday season. Quite impossible, except in my thoughts. You are special and I thank God for you.

God bless you and all yours. ~ DGW

Are You Chained to the Chariot? #172

1 Corinthians 2:14

14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.

15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing

16 to those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

Picture in your mind an army general riding through the center of the city. He has just won a great victory. Behind him is the conquered general of the opposing army tied to the chariot and led through the city. Often you may think of yourself as the conquering general riding in the beautiful chariot or on the back of a white horse when in fact the scripture says you are the captive. The conqueror is King Jesus. He leads you in His triumph.

It is not your victory; it is His. The Apostle Paul writes that he is thankful, full of gratitude to be led in Christ's triumph. He sees himself as being carried through the city as a

spectacle. Although Paul's discovered an open door for the gospel was available in Troas he had no peace about staying there. Instead, grateful to be led in Christ's triumph he ends up in Macedonia. He was committed to finding Titus. That was God's leadership for his ministry.

Remember when you find no rest for your spirit, and you are staring at an open door for ministry that you are chained to the chariot of Christ. He is your leader and he leads you in His triumph. The open door at Troas closed, but a new door opened. Paul understood that change of ministry assignment is a result of being chained to the charity.

How utterly impossible it is for you to accomplish the ministry of the gospel in your own strength and power. Christ is our sufficiency and our adequacy. Be glad that you are chained to His chariot. Your life and ministry will to some be a fragrant aroma, to others the stench of death. Some will see the life of Christ in you as you are led in His triumph. Others will not understand and reject Christ and will see your life as wasted.

Be grateful that you are chained to His chariot. You will be led in victory!

________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

We all have heard the saying, "Time flies when you're having fun." I must be having a really great time, because time seems to fly by. My Dad used to tell me that as you got older time went faster. Wasn't so sure he knew what he was talking about. I have changed my mind. He knew exactly what happens as you get older. It is almost Thanksgiving 2011. It was only two years ago that I was unsure I would make it until Christmas

. But I am THANKFUL that I am still around, although time is moving very fast.

Sandy finishes teaching the Tuesday Ladies Bible Study this week. She has enjoyed sharing with the ladies at First Baptist Church. I am looking forward to teaching Sunday School Nov 27, Dec 4 and 11. Some of you caught the error last week when I mentioned the class met at 1:00 AM instead of 11:00AM. Some of you were concerned I would have no one to teach that time of morning.

The picture is of Burke and Johnny. Burke is Roger and Jen's youngest and of course Johnny is the preemie who has grown up. Burke is 10 and in fifth grade. He loves to play with his little cousin. The pic was taken on the bunk bed. Johnny is having

an MRI of his head. It is larger than normal and the DRS want to find out if it is fluid or just hereditary. Most of you have accused some of our family with big heads. LOL Please pray for a good outcome of the MRI. It is not scheduled yet. He did weigh 20 lbs 15oz this week. A long way from the three pounds he weighed at birth.

Roger has started his own law firm. He has a web site up and running and already has clients. Check out his web site. www.jrogerwoodlaw.com. He is excited.Pray for his new venture.

Sandy and I are already looking forward to our annual trek to Quartzsite, AZ. We do ministry during the annual Gem and Rock Show. Thousands of people gather in the desert to buy and sell rocks, gems, jewelry, and junk. Sandy and I will be leading the morning devotionals for the people doing the ministry. Really looking forward to the opportunity again this year. The dates are January 21-28, 2012. Begin now to pray for those who will hear the gospel and those who will do ministry.

I pray for you that you will have a wonderful holiday season. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years seems to be a time when many people think about God as during no other time of the year. Even though we have greatly commercialized the season I believe we can still use the season to share about our wonderful God and Savior.

May God bless you as you gather with family and friends to enjoy this special time of year. Thanks for taking time to drop me a note. It means a great deal.

May God bless you with peace in your spirit. ~ DGW

Victory Is Ours #171

1 Samuel 30:8

And David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?" And He said to him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them, and you shall rescue all." (NAS)

When David's family was attacked and his wives and daughters and sons carried away into captivity by the Amalekites David and all of Israel wept until they could weep no more. Then when he had no strength left he inquired of God who told him not only to pursue the enemy, but that he would also have victory and all of the captives would be rescued.

The Amalekites were the descendants of Esau. When Moses brought the nation of Israel out of Egypt they were attacked from the rear by the Amalekites at Rephidim. By approaching from the rear they killed the weakest of all the people. A battle ensued and Israel prevailed. Moses then declared to Israel that the Amalekites would always be their enemy. Later Saul is called to battle the Amalekites with the instruction to kill everyone. Saul disobeyed and brought back the King of the Amalekites, Agag.

Some have compared the Hebrew's battles with the Amalekites to the Christian's battle with their own flesh. The flesh is not the physical body, but the selfish desires, lustful ways, as seen in the fruit it produces: Galatians 5:19-21"The fruits of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

As Christians we can have victory over the flesh by walking in the Spirit. The battle between the flesh and the Spirit is ongoing and will be all of your life. The Christian is never free from the battle, but can be victorious over the flesh. Galatians 5:16 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." The battle will always be raging, but victory is ours through God's Holy Spirit.

_____________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Sandy and I are home once again for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the family birthdays. We have such a great time during this season of the year. The only thing we have discovered is that as we have begun to mature we get tired a lot quicker. An afternoon nap sure is nice.

Our friends, the Tuttletons, went home Wednesday. We had a wonderful month with them. It was quite a big difference from two years ago when they also stayed with us a month to take care of me and Sandy when I was so critically ill. Great friends are hard to beat.

the retreat in Ohio was a wonderful blessing. We have been meeting each November for nine years. It has been a joy to watch the whole group mature in their faith and walk with god. Bob and Pat Moser, the leaders, have been teaching this group over twenty years. Time makes a difference.

Yesterday Interstate 10 was closed because of an oil tanker fire. You may have seen it on the news. The school that was evacuated is the school tow of my grandsons, Bennett and Burke, attend. They had an exciting day.

Sandy is about finished with her Tuesday Bible Study. She has enjoyed teaching. The plans look like she might be teaching again in January.

I will be teaching our Sunday School Class on November 27, December 4 and 11. The Watchmen's Class meets on Sunday morning at First Baptist Church of Tempe and 1:00 AM. I am excited about filling in for three Sundays for our teacher. Please continue to pray for opportunities to share God's word.

May God continue to bless you with His overwhelming power and strength. ~ DGW

Let Go Of Your Load #170

Psalms 55:22

"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."

Ever pick up something too heavy for you to carry by yourself. No matter how hard you tried. groaned or grunted you just couldn't pick it up. Some things are too big to budge. It is not necessary to make attempt after attempt and continue to fail. You need victory. God has an answer, "Cast your burden on Him."

The word picture in this Psalm is a person carrying a burden too heavy to bear alone. The Psalmist reminds you that God is able to receive your load, bear it and to carry your burden. As in most things there is a perquisite. Something has to happen first. You have to cast your burden off of yourself.

You may attempt to convict yourself you can do it alone. You can try to convince friends and family that you can go it alone. You may try to convince God that you don't need His help, but think again. You need help. Be encouraged that God will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

So when you attempt to handle life's burdens and be in control of the outcome you are merely fooling yourself. God desire is for the righteous. His children, to never be shaken or to become unstable or fearful. You will be shaken unless you learn to cast all our burdens on the Lord.

The promise of never being shaken is yours. What are you carrying around right now that has you "shook"? Give it up! Let Jesus have your load by first letting go of your struggle and then, "Cast all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

_________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ,

By this time you receive this we will be in OHIO! Brrrrrrr!

Thanks for your notes of support and words of prayer you have shared with us this week.

Sandy and I are both doing well and are excited about our time in Ohio this weekend. We are teaching on several Biblical characters and how God used them for His glory when it seemed He should not have. The title we have chosen is: "God is not finished with you yet." Pray for us as we share God's word.

We had a great time this week watching our oldest grandson,

Bennett, in the musical "OKLAHOMA".

He is a freshman at Horizon Learning Center. We are really proud of his accomplishments. He has been blessed with musical abilities like his Dad. (see picture)

Sandy continues to teach on Tuesday mornings at First Baptist Church of Tempe. She has been asked to teach in the spring again. She is praying about that opportunity. Pray for her decision.

I have been asked to teach the Watchmen's Sunday School class on Sunday mornings at FBC November 27, December 4, and 11. I am really excited to give our wonderful teacher Steve Landis a three week break. The class is around 50 in size and primarily folks in 50s and 60s. Great fellowship.

We look forward to being home for the holiday season. Of course for our family that not only means Thanksgiving and Christmas but birthdays. I often joke that with Roger, Mandy, Susan, Collin and Jesus all celebrating birthdays in December. I end up broke at the end of the month.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. You mean so much to us. Take a minute to read today's devotional. I think it will bless you.

God bless all you do and may God be your strength. Ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit in order to serve Him. ~ DGW

Cry HELP! #169

Jonah 2:1-2

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish, and he said, "I called out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; Thou didst hear my voice." NAS

You may never have found yourself in quite the predicament in which Jonah found

himself. He was running from the call of God in his life. God was specific in His

instruction to Jonah; "go and preach to Nineveh." His unwillingness sent him on a fast and furious trip in the opposite direction. That response will usually bring anyone to an unfavorable end.

As a result of his rebellion Jonah ended up on a ship from which he was thrown overboard and left to die. Instead of dying God prepared a great fish to swallow him.

So now Jonah finds himself in the predicament of a lifetime. He was in the sea in the belly of a great fish with no hope.

Jonah was unable to save himself from the great waters; yet in his distress he called

out to God in fervent prayer. Have you ever been at the point of despair? Were you convinced you were not going to survive? It is when there is no hoe of survival, no word of encouragement, no way out that you will learn to call out to God. It is strange that you may think of prayer as the last resort rather than the first choice.

When you get desperate enough that you will ask God to save you; It is then you will discover that He was all you ever really needed. He is more than adequate to meet your need. Just call out to Him right now He loves you and desires to rescue you from the fish that has swallowed you, whatever it may be. After Jonah called out to God he was rescued and went on to fulfill his calling to preach to Nineveh. A whole city repented of their sin and came to faith in God because one man cried out to God in the time of desperation.

How desperate do you have to get before you "call out to God?" Are you facing a big fish and an ocean of unfriendly water? Take a lesson from Jonah. "HELP" was his cry. There is nothing wrong with admitting you are being engulfed and are over your head in struggles. It is usually only when yo

Why not call on God to rescue you and then allow God to fulfill your calling?

________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Hoping and praying that you had a wonderful week.

We are back in Tempe after a great time in San Diego.

It is always good to be home.

Sunday we celebrated the resurrected Jesus with our friends at Northpointe Baptist Church. They are such a great church. Sandy and I feel like we are home

at Northpointe.

Praise the Lord with us. The report for Sandy's thyroid tests came back and show no malignancy. We are very thankful. I met with the oncologist on Friday and although I have a new tumor it is small and will require no treatment for now. Praise the Lord again.

Many of you have asked about our preemie grandson, Johnny. As you can see by the pictures seven months have made a big difference. He will be eight months old on November 8th. Again we praise God. The picture of him as a Big Boy shows him eating real food. His Dad thought it looked like BBQ sauce and put his picture on Facebook with the caption. "More ribs please" He received many comments. Some even believed he really served him BBQ sauce.

One person chastised him for doing it. My son-in-law

with his quick wit wrote back that they were "baby back ribs."

Sandy and I will be in Columbus, Ohio November 4-6 leading a retreat for our friends Bob and Pat Moser. The retreat setting is the beautiful Hocking Hills area of Ohio. We look forward to seeing all our friends in Columbus. Please pray for us as we continue to prepare.

It is very encouraging to me that almost 1400 of you receive The Encourager each week. Thanks for dropping an email to me to let me know how I can

pray for you and to let me know how things are going in your life, your family and your church. The purpose of The Encourager is to 'encourage God's servants.' I do hope and pray you are encouraged. Take a look at this week's Encourager devotional and be encouraged.

God bless you. May God give you strength, courage, power and love today. ~ DGW

Just Be You #168

1 Peter 4:10

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (NAS)

God in His graciousness has given to every believer a spiritual gift. The gifts are given for the benefit of the Church and for the glory of God. The gifts are given in order to best serve one another. To received a gift is to become responsible for its management and use. No one can say they have not received a gift for the grace of God has made sure each one has a gift.

Every person becomes a servant through the use of his or her gifts. A good manager is someone who uses his or her gift for its intended purpose. Your purpose in life is to use your various gifts to serve. As a pen is made to write, you are made to use your gift, if it accomplish its purpose. So you are meant to achieve fulfillment as you serve by using your spiritual gift. Your personal sense of value and worth is enhanced and proven as you serve through the use of your giftedness.

Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4; and 1 Peter 4 all reveal the names and uses the gifts given by God's Holy Spirit to use for His glory and the needs of others. You are unique. No one is given a gift mix quite like yours. Combine your personality, life experiences and gifts and you become a special instrument in the hands of God.

Your responsibility is the stewardship of all that God has given you. You will be fulfilled and your life will count for His glory as you just be who you were meant to be. Discover and use your gifts. Study the passages of scripture that relate to gifts. Begin by serving others and you will likely find your gift as you serve.

Praise God for all things, but never forget to praise Him and thank Him for making you special. You are special to God and to all those who serve in His name. Use your gifts wisely and use them often.

_____________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from foggy San Diego,

Sandy and I are enjoying our time with Don and Tommie Tuttleton in San Diego this week. We spent yesterday at the famous San Diego Zoo. What a neat place. We all were very tired after walking all day up and down the hills of the zoo. It was worth it though.

Thanks for your prayers.

1. My reports came back and I have a very small new tumor in the right lobe of the liver, but the oncologist does not feel a need to treat it for now. Labs showed a slight increase in liver enzyme counts, but not enough to be greatly concerned.

2. Sandy is still awaiting reports on the nuclear tests of her thyroid. We should hear from the Dr. before the week is over.

3. Susan finally is getting relief from the pain in her feet and hands from the peripheral neuropathy. She is so grateful.

I will be preaching Sunday October 23rd at Northpointe Baptist Church in Chandler, AZ. Their YOUNG pastor is hiking the Grand Canyon. I will preach. He will hike.

Sandy continues to enjoy teaching her Tuesday Ladies Class at First Baptist Church of Tempe. She is teaching Ephesians.

We continue to prepare for the retreat in Ohio. We will be in Columbus November 4,5,6. We look forward to seeing all our friends in that area of Ohio.

God has been good to us over the past few months in spite of health issues. We believe our purpose is to bring glory to God through our lives, in our message, and with our actions and words. That is our goal and aim. No matter what any of us face in life God can receive glory. What a great God we serve. ~ DGW

Tasks to Complete #167

Luke 14:28-30
For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish. (NAS)

No one likes to be ridiculed, even if it is deserved. Jesus warned His disciples to be aware of deciding to be His follower without first counting the cost. It is easy to sign on a dotted line and join up to all kinds of ventures. To become a disciple of Jesus is a lot more serious than building a house or buying a car.

The cost for a disciple is surrendering everything to the Lord. The Bible says of the first disciples, “They left everything to follow Him.” Luke 5:11 Jesus uses an example of what it means to be His disciple by describing someone who decides to build a tower but does not sit down first and calculate the cost. Can you imagine building a house without knowing the final cost? When the money ran out the builder simply quit building only to leave a partially finished house.

That left him open to ridicule. A professional baseball player was asked what was the most important part of hitting the baseball. His answer was simply, “Follow through.”

Books have been written with the theme of ‘finishing well’ referring to life itself. To finish a job is maybe the most important part. Many things have been started. In some cultures and countries to become a disciple of Jesus could cost you family, job, status, and maybe even life itself. To be a follower of Jesus and not finish brings ridicule and failure. Don’t begin the tower until you count the cost.

Buildings, movies, projects, books, music and a host of other things have been started and never finished. In fact few things are ever finished. When it comes to being His disciple Jesus desires us to follow Him all of our lives. To co

mmit to be His disciple is a life- changing experience of which there is no turning back. Are you considering becoming His disciple? First count the cost. You will find a life of challenge. Few things are finished. Plan now to finish what you start, especially when it comes to being a disciple of Jesus.

_________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ..,

Challenges abound. Sandy received her Ultra Sound test results. She has nodules on her Thyroid. She will be having a nuclear test done this week to determin whether they are hot or cold. If they are hot it means they are benign, if cold there is a possibility of malignancy. If they are cold then a biopsy will be taken. Pray for her and the tests and for good results. As you can imagine we are all concerned.

Susan continues to fight the peripheral neuropathy. Her hands, arms, feet and legs are all involved in the pain. She is on medication to try and correct the problem. Pray for her. She is having a hard time working because she cannot drive or use her hands without pain and her work includes using the computer, telephone and taking clients to see homes.

I have a preliminary result on my tests. I actually see the oncologist on Friday the 14th. There is a new tumor in the right lob of the liver and some ascites. The liver counts have again gone above acceptable levels. Friday I should know the next step of action. Again, just pray.

Our family had a wonderful time on Sunday as we celebrated birthdays. Jennifer and Bennett celebrated together. Jen #40 and Bennett #14. It is hard to believe I have a grandson 14 years old.

Sandy and I will be spending next week in San Diego, CA. with our friends the Tuttletons from Louisiana. Looking forward to seeing them.

I will be preaching on October 23, 2011 at the Northpointe Baptist Church in Chandler, AZ.

Sandy and I continue to prepare for the retreat in Ohio. Our topic, "God is not finished with you yet." has been challenging to prepare and yet very rewarding. Our study has

kept us busy the past few weeks. Pray for the retreat November 4-6.

You will never know how much I appreciate your prayers. We become aware of our needs and it seems your prayers are already ahead of us. Thanks a bunch.

I love you all. ~ DGW