Author Archives: dalerockwell

Too Many Choices! UGH!

12 Tuesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Change, Future, God's Will, Opportunity

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I love Bible studies where the discussion is honest, invigorating and thought provoking.  Last week, one of the young ladies expressed her struggle.  She asked such a wonderfully honest vulnerable question!, “How do I know if what I want to do is just something I want or if it is something God wants?”

Here are a few thoughts:

  • I do not know God’s will for your life.  But I do know He wants you to abound in the work of the Lord no matter where you are or what you are doing.  I Corinthians 15:58
  • I do know God has created you for His glory.  He has something for you to do that only you can do.  He has gifted you in a unique way for your unique purpose.
  • I do know that as you spend time in His Word, He will guide you and cause you to want what He wants.  He will work in you to accomplish His plan.  Philippians 2:12-13
  • I do know that God may use other believers to encourage and guide you.  But I also know that ultimately it’s between you and God.

Paul thought Apollos should come to Corinth to encourage the believers.  But Apollos said ‘it was not at all his desire to come to Corinth now but that he would come when he had opportunity.’  1 Corinthians 16:12

Here are a couple of questions:

  1. What do you desire to do?  Does it agree with the clear truths in God’s Word? If so, do it and enjoy it!
  2. What opportunities do you have right now?  Make the most of them!  And don’t be afraid to explore new opportunities!

Most importantly, relax and believe that God is working in you, through you, with you and for you!  He is doing that right now and He will continue to do so!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life stinks!

11 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Endurance, Faith, Grumbling, Truth

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Life can be so disappointing!  So hard!

As the Israelites left Egypt to go to the Promised Land, did they think their hardships were over?  If so, can you imagine how disheartened they must have felt when  the Red Sea was in front of them and the Egyptians were hot on their trail? And how did they feel when their stomachs started rumbling from hunger and their mouths were dry and parched from lack of water?  Life challenged them and most of them failed the challenge.

Why? How is that God was not well-pleased with most of them?

  1. Their expectations were faulty. They expected it to be easy.  They didn’t realize their struggles were common to all men.
  2. Their theology was faulty. They didn’t think God was faithful. They didn’t see His daily protection and provision.
  3. Their commitment was faulty. They grumbled and complained against God. They wanted to go back to Egypt.

If you’re in a hard time right now, let me encourage you to:

  1.  Adjust your expectations.  God never promised you an easy life here in this broken world.  But He has promised to be with you every step of the way.  He will make a way for you to endure this hardship.
  2. Check your theology.  God is always good and always faithful.  Do you believe that? Can you cling to that with all your heart?
  3. Examine your commitment. Do you want to follow God even if it means hardship and heartbreak? Fully give yourself to Him, heartbreak and all.  He can handle it!

Caleb was not like the other Israelites.  He was different.

God says of Caleb, “But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land…” Numbers 14:24

1 Corinthians 10

 

Another Church Day!

10 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in Church, Love, Purpose

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Another Sunday! Another chance to go to church!

The Corinthians had a big problem at their church.  It was ripe with division and strife.  It was so bad that when they had the Lord’s Supper, they didn’t even view it as a group activity but as a chance to individually get their own belly full.

They forgot the purpose of the Lord’s Supper was to proclaim Christ.   Christ should have been the focus – not them!

They forgot to be givers.   Others should have been the focus – not them!

They forgot God places each individual in His church just as He desires to accomplish His purposes. God’s work should have been the focus – not  them!

Today as you head out to church, remember why you are going!

Go to proclaim Christ!

Go to give!

Go to further the work of God!

1 Corinthians 11-13

 

 

 

 

Nobody Wants Your Unwrapped Gift!

08 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Gift, Love, Words

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As I sat listening to a young married couple talk about their life, I had all I could do to keep my mouth shut.  I had so many things I wanted to tell them –  things that would make their lives so much better.  I had the gift of knowledge and I wanted to gift it to them.  Fortunately, I kept my mouth shut!

Knowledge is a wonderful thing.  But nobody wants to receive the gift of knowledge if is not beautifully wrapped!

Knowledge has the power to make us puffy.  It can make us feel superior.  1 Corinthians 8 :1 states it this way, “Knowledge makes arrogant”.  It puffs us up.  It makes us feel like a Somebody!

But knowledge without love actually makes us a Nobody!  1 Corinthians 13:2 explains that “if we know all mysteries and all knowledge but do not have love, we are nothing.”

So how do I know when I should share my gift of knowledge?  Here are some questions I ask myself.

  1. Did they ask for my gift of knowledge?
  2. What is my attitude?  Do I feel superior?
  3. What is the purpose of sharing?  Do I want to build up or tear down?

Knowledge wrapped in love is both humble and helpful.  Knowledge wrapped in love entwines grace and truth.

Knowledge wrapped in love is indeed a true gift.  It is sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  It is pleasant as honeycomb.  Proverbs 16:24

And perhaps even more importantly, knowledge wrapped in sweetness is more persuasive.  Proverbs 16:21

So the next time you feel like giving your spouse or child or coworker your gift of knowledge, make sure you first take the time to wrap it!

If you don’t have time to wrap it, keep it for yourself!

 

 

 

 

 

How Many Kids Do You Have?

06 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Children, Gospel, Love, Opportunity

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How many children do you have?  I’m not talking about your physical children.  I’m talking about your spiritual children.

Paul said to the Corinthians, “I became your father through the gospel.  Imitate me.”

The Lord gives opportunities to each of us.  The opportunities the Lord gives me will be different than the opportunities He gives you.  Don’t waste time comparing opportunities! Seize your own God-given opportunities and ‘father’ someone through the gospel.

This responsibility can feel overwhelming.  That’s why I love the fact that the results are not our responsibility.  The results are the Lord’s responsibility.  It is His work.  Only He can change hearts.  We simply seize the opportunities that come our way, share the gospel, and trust Him to do the rest.

So today, pray for opportunities!  Then when they come, seize them!

Remember opportunities are people! People that need the love of Christ.

I Corinthians 3 & 4

 

 

 

Just too Excited!

05 Tuesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Children, Joy, Thoughts

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The twinkle in the eye, the excitement on their faces, the extra effort to be good and the bounce in their step are all precious things I like to just sit back and watch in my young grandchildren as Santa’s coming draws closer and closer. Their excitement can barely be contained.

And then I compare that to my excitement as Christ’s return draws closer and closer.  Am I eagerly awaiting Christ’s return?  1 Corinthians 1:7

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What we anticipate impacts our thinking, our mood and our behaviors.  It can even give meaning to the mundane routines of daily living.  So today, set your mind on things above!

Therefore since you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.  Colossians 3:1-4

If that doesn’t put a twinkle in your eye and a bounce in your step, I don’t know what will!

 

 

I Have Doubts- Don’t Tell God!

04 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Doubt, Encouragement, Faith

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Dark gut-wrenching times leave you feeling defeated and alone.  Doubts creep in and cause you to question things you never thought you would question.  I know.  I’ve been there.

Jesus’ crucifixion left the disciples feeling defeated and alone.  They had doubts.  Yet they worshiped Jesus when they saw Him.

When you have doubts, don’t run from Jesus.  Run to Jesus.  Worship Him by presenting  yourself to Him, doubts and all.  Let Him speak truth to your doubts.

Jesus spoke truth to the disciples’ doubts. He reassured them of two fundamental things:

  1.  All authority is Mine in heaven and on earth. (I am in control. You are not defeated.)
  2. I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (You are not alone.)

If you’re in a dark doubting place today, believe again that God is in control and that He is with you. Then move forward and do the work God has called you to do.  Matthew 28:16-20

 

 

 

How Dare You Call Me Lazy!

02 Saturday Jan 2016

Posted by in Choice, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, Gift

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I don’t think of myself as lazy. So when I was reading a parable in Matthew this morning, I was struck by the master’s response to the slave who had buried his talent. The master said, “You wicked, lazy slave…”  Matthew 25:26

What was the slave’s excuse for not using the master’s talent?

He said, “I was afraid… ”

I am afraid, too – afraid to go all in, afraid of failure, afraid to pursue my God-given dream of full-time women’s ministry, afraid to boldly pursue speaking opportunities.

Fear paralyzes.  Fear causes us to do nothing. Fear leads to laziness.

So how do we address this fear?  We do something!  Something is better than nothing!

Paul told Timothy to get busy- to be disciplined and use his gift.  In so doing, he would demonstrate that the spirit from God is one of power, love and discipline.  2 Timothy 1:6-7

So today I choose to go all in.  Today I choose to be disciplined and do the work.  I want to hear the Master say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

How about you?  Where do you need to exercise discipline over fear?

Jesus is Better than Target

01 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Choice, Despair, Encouragement, Love

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target photo 001I felt alone. The house felt dreary and bleak. The holidays were over.  The kids and grandkids had gone home.  And Dan wasn’t much company because he wasn’t feeling well.

So I decided to go to Target.  I had a return and maybe it would help to get out of the house for awhile.   And besides, even if it didn’t help,  I would still get some things crossed off my ‘to do’ list.  And that always makes me feel better.

Desolation is defined in the dictionary as a state of bleak and dismal emptiness; depressingly empty, joyless; disconsolate and sorrowful as if through separation from a loved one.

Desolation is not God’s plan for us.  We are never alone, even though we may feel alone.  We are never separated from God and His love.  Romans 8:31-39

The Pharisees were desolate.  Jesus wanted to gather them to Himself the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings but they were unwilling.  Matthew 23:37-39

I find that when I’m having a blah kind of day, the best thing I can do for myself is run to Jesus. He always gathers me to Himself.  I just have to be willing.  He is much more satisfying than a Target trip.

 

 

 

40 Years of Marriage – Me?!!

29 Tuesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Love

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_MG_70922copyI remember thinking people who had been married 40 years were really old.  And today I am that person.

I loved Dan on my wedding day.  I love Dan even more today.

Over the years, love has caused me to soar and caused me to crash.  Love has caused me to laugh joyously and weep bitterly.  Love has healed deep wounds but also caused deep wounds.  Love has been exhilarating and devastating.  Love has made the last 40 years worth living!

As I reflect on 40 years of marriage to my high school sweetheart, I am totally convinced of one thing – the more I become rooted and grounded in God’s love for me, the more I am able to love and be loved freely and generously.

Thank you, Lord, for your unfailing love!  I love You.

Thank you, Dan, for 40 wonderful years!  I love you.

I Corinthians 13, Ephesians 3:14-21