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Thank God for YOU

11/24/2018

THANK GOD…FOR YOU!

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy…; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart…” (Phil.1:3-6)

No words could convey my affection for my Milan church family better than those penned by the Apostle Paul to his beloved brethren in Philippi. Since my arrival ten years ago, many of you have gone the 2nd mile to make me feel welcome, wanted and at home. Although no preacher is indispensable, you continue to make me feel that I make a difference; and that is very important to preachers.

Below is a sampling of the things you do to make me feel needed and important:
·      Your support and encouragement to my wonderful wife, Brenda.
·        Your prayers for my marriage, ministry and health.
·        Your complements on my lessons and Bible classes.
·        Your concern and prayers for my son, my brother Bo (& wife) and my sister, Kathy.
·      Your prayers for our safety when traveling.
·        Your offers to increase my salary annually.
·        Your gifts & special treats such as zucchini bread.
·        Your encouraging notes, cards and text messages.
·        Your warm hugs and loving embraces.
·      Your invitations to join you or your family for special occasions.
·        Your tolerating my deficiencies with nary a complaint.
·      Your inspirational singing at our services.
·        Your willingness to assist me in my ministry whenever possible.
·      And much more…

As preacher of the Milan church of Christ, I feel that I’m the most blessed minister on earth. You make me feel that way. I will always thank God for YOU!

Jesus, always, Jesus!
Dennis

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Our Leaning Side?

11/16/2018

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Help For Our Leaning Side
An elderly Christian, when called upon to lead a public prayer, invariably included the petition, “Lord, prop us up on our leaning side.”Curious, a Christian sister asked him what he meant by those words.

“Well”, he replied, “I’ve got an old barn on my property. It's been there a long time; it's withstood a lot of storms, and it's stood for many a year. One day I noticed that it was leaning to one side, so I got some poles and propped it up so it wouldn't fall. Although it's still standing, I keep an eye on it in case it needs more support.

One day I got to thinking about how much that barn and I have in common. I've been around a long time; I've withstood a lot of hard times, and by God's grace I’m still standing. But sometimes I get to leaning the wrong way – toward anger, doubt, impatience or criticizing. Since I figure that I'm not alone, I ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side.”

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This is a wise petition that we all need to include in our prayers. Regardless of how spiritually steady we think we are, we tend to lean in the wrong direction at times. “…let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor. 10:12)  Fortunately, our loving heavenly Father hears such prayers and helps correct our leanings through His word and His Spirit.

“…the L is faithful, who will ESTABLISH YOU and guard you from the evil one.”  (2 Thess. 3:3)

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith… But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, PERFECT, ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN, and SETTLE you.”  (1 Pet. 5:6-10)

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Don't Worry About.......

11/10/2018

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TWO DAYS TO "FORGET" ABOUT

There are two days every week that should be kept free from worry, fear or apprehension.

One is YESTERDAY with its mistakes, faults and blunders. Yesterday is gone and has passed forever from our control. No amount of prayer, pleading or money can bring it back. No action can be undone; no word can be taken back. Yesterday is gone forever. Fretting or worrying about it is no more productive than worrying about what occurred 100 years ago.

The other day about which we should never worry is TOMORROW, along with its fictional problems and imagined troubles. Only our heavenly Father knows if tomorrow's sun will rise in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, or if it will rise at all. We have no guarantee of tomorrow -- it does not yet exist. Indeed, millions of people that are alive today may not experience another dawn. One wonders how many of these are fretting about a day that will never arrive.

There is only one day worthy of our concern – TODAY! Although our circumstances may not be ideal, virtually any problem, handicap or pain can be dealt with for one day. (This is especially true for Christians -- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13)

A principal reason that many people struggle with TODAY is because they add to it the regrets of yesterday and/or the fears of tomorrow. Doing so creates a burden so heavy that it is all but impossible to bear.

So focus on TODAY. Do what you can, pray all you can, read (God’s word) all you can, serve all you can, and thank God for the good. As for tomorrow? Don’t waste your time. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matt 6:34

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis

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Thank God for YOU

Our Leaning Side?

Don't Worry About.......

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