Author Archives: dalerockwell

Impossible Dream of a Nobody

14 Monday Dec 2015

Posted by in Faith, Hope, Uncategorized

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I feel like it’s an impossible dream –  for lots of reasons.

  • I am not remarkable.
  • I am too old.
  • I don’t have anything unique to offer.
  • I don’t have the right connections.

Yet, the Lord’s small quiet voice is relentless.

“Dale, you know what I want you to do because I have placed a deep desire in your heart to do it.  And that desire is only growing stronger with time. So why aren’t you doing it?”

I humbly answer, “Lord, if I’m honest with myself and with you, I have to admit that I don’t really believe you can use me this way.”

Do you have doubts, too, that God can use you to accomplish His purposes?  We must come to realize that it is about God’s purpose for us. It is about God’s enabling power.  We bring what we have to Him and allow Him to work with us and for us to accomplish His purpose.

When Gabriel spoke to Mary about God’s plan for her to become the mother of the Son of the Most High, Mary was perplexed and asked,

“How can this be, since I am a virgin?”Luke 1:34

Gabriel said, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

Mary believed and said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”   Luke 1:38

Elizabeth said of Mary, “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”  Luke 1:45

That dream you have – the one you believe is from God – is not impossible. You may have questions and wonder how it will ever happen.  But if you take God at His word and step out in faith, He will accomplish His purpose in you, for you, and through you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But God

11 Friday Sep 2015

Posted by in Gift, Gospel, Grace, Hope, Love

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Before:

  • You were excluded from the promises of God.
  • You were without hope in this world.
  • You lived separated from Christ.
  • You were without God in this world.

But Godfile0001488220308

By Grace

Gave

Now:

  • You can have the promises of God.
  • You can have hope while in this world.
  • You can live together with Christ.
  • You can have bold access to God.

But GOD because of His GREAT love GAVE us Jesus – not to condemn us but to welcome us into His family.

But GOD because of His GREAT love GAVE us Jesus to remove the barrier of sin that stood between God and man.

But GOD because of His GREAT love GAVE because He wanted to.  His intentions toward us are kind and good.

But GOD because of His GREAT love GAVE because He knew we could never attain His holy standard of righteousness on our own.

So He GAVE us Jesus.  When we accept Jesus by faith, we are no longer separated from God.  We are placed in Jesus.  GOD GIVES us Jesus’ righteousness – not because of a single thing we have done.  But because of His GREAT GRACE through His GREAT GIFT, Jesus. Simply because of His GREAT LOVE for us!

This is the true Gospel. It is:

  • A message of GREAT acceptance!
  • A message of GREAT hope!
  • A message of GREAT love!
  • A message of GREAT reconciliation!
  • A message of GREAT grace!
  • A message of a GREAT GOD!

Share it with someone today!

Spend some time in Ephesians today, thanking Him for being such a GREAT GOD!

When Life Throws a Curve Ball at You!

03 Thursday Sep 2015

Posted by in Change, Encouragement, Rest

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I sat in the tiny little waiting room.  The doctor was looking at the results of some medical tests.  I would know soon what the next few months of my life might look like.

As I sat there, I realized there were many unknowns.

  • What journey, if any, was I about to embark upon?
  • Would I be able to continue helping others or would I have to humble myself and receive help from others?
  • Would my daily routines radically change or pretty much stay the same?

As I sat there, I also realized there were many ‘knowns’.

  • Whatever my journey,  the Lord would be with me.
  • Whatever my situation, I would continue to serve others with whatever strength the Lord gave me.
  • Whatever my daily routines, my ambition would be to please the Lord.

You also have unknowns and ‘knowns’.  

Unknowns create uncertainty because they have the power to cause change.  The change may be minimal or radical. The change may be anticipated or a complete surprise. The change may be perceived as good or bad. The change may be desired or dreaded.

But take hope!  Be of good courage!

Unknowns never come alone.  “Knowns’ always come with them.  

‘Knowns’ create certainty!  ‘Knowns’ never change!  

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; 2 Corinthians 1:20

For I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.  2 Timothy 1:1211987051_990102464384269_1238060120673557229_n

Our ‘known’ is a Person.  It is Jesus.

Rest in the ‘knowns’.  Rest in Jesus.

Confidently say with me, ‘I am His and He is mine.”

I Love $$

26 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by in Choice, Love, Money

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Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus.

How did Judas go from follower to betrayer?

  • Judas followed Jesus.
  • Judas was the keeper of the $$ box.
  • Judas pilfered money from the $$ box.
  • Judas erupted when Mary wasted costly perfume.
  • Judas lied about what he loved, pretending to love the poor while loving $$.
  • Judas designed his plan of betrayal for $$.
  • Judas became a traitor.

Judas loved $$.  It started small. He pilfered.  It grew stronger and he began to see all of life through the lens of $$.

It all came to a head on the night of the Passover meal before the crucifixion. Jesus confronted the traitor.  With a gesture of special friendship, Jesus offered Judas the dipped morsel. With this act, Jesus was giving Judas a choice.  Choose me or choose $$.  Judas chose $$.

So after receiving the morsel, Judas went out immediately; and it was night.  John 13:30

Judas went to Jesus and kissed Him.  Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come to do.”  Matthew 27:49-50

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  I Timothy 6:9-10

Sadly, Judas is a prime example of one who wants to get rich.  His love of $$ led to all sorts of evil, made him susceptible to Satan’s temptation, and caused him to wander away from the faith and pierce himself with much grief. His love of $$ was his ruin.  He committed suicide, falling headlong into the field purchased with blood $$.

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What do you love?

TODAY, are you content with what you have?

Guard your heart!

Luke 6:12-16, John 12 1-8, John 13:21-30, Matthew 27:3-10

Envy is Killing Me!

25 Thursday Jun 2015

Posted by in Envy, Faith

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For Pilate knew that because of envy the chief priests and elders had handed Jesus over. Matthew 27:18

  • Envious people plot to destroy others – Matthew 27:1
  • Envious people twist and bend the truth – Matthew 26:61-66
  • Envious people are accusatory – Matthew 27:11-14
  • Envious people make bad choices – Matthew 27:21
  • Envious people do not listen to the voice of reason – Matthew 27:23

For where Jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. James 3:16

Envy is evil.  Envy wants what someone else has.  Envy is earthly, natural, demonic. James 3:13-15

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With a burning desire to speak to women about the things God has laid on my heart, I often find myself battling envy.  I see others doing what I want to do -speaking to women and having impact for God – and if I’m not alert, envy quickly fills my heart, followed by discouragement and doubt.  Envy is destructive.

Envy must be dealt with quickly.  James 4 and I Peter 2 tell us how to deal with envy. Envy must be put aside quickly.  Have nothing to do with it!  Get rid of it!

  1. Admit that you are envious.
  2. Agree with God that envy is evil.
  3. Humble yourself before your God.
  4. Surrender your selfish-ambition.
  5. Thank God for His plan for you.
  6. Thank God for His plan for others.
  7. Ask God for His help in this area.

God gives grace to the humble.  James 4:6

Envy erupts so easily within us. We can even envy things that are wonderful in and of themselves. Our eyes look at others and we want what they have and we want it now! This is another reason we must keep our eyes on Jesus.  He will give us what He wants us to have and He will give it to us when He wants us to have it.  Can we trust that He knows best?

The Father Has a Plan!

23 Tuesday Jun 2015

Posted by in Encouragement, Grief, Hope

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Although Christ was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. Hebrew 5:8

Christ Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Philippians 2:8

Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; Matthew 26:38a

Jesus fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”  Matthew 26:39

Jesus, the perfect holy Son of God, experienced grief beyond description as He approached the time of the crucifixion.  Yet He continued to submit Himself to His Father’s will and plan – His death on the cross. He kept His eyes on His Father at all times.

Life comes at us in mind-numbing, heart-breaking, shocking waves.

  • an absent parent
  • a friend’s betrayal
  • a run-away teenager
  • near fatal accidents
  • painful diseases
  • broken dreams
  • death of a loved one

Unlike Christ, we do not always know what is about to happen.  We do not know all the ups and downs that will be part of the Father’s plan for us.  And that is a blessing.

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What we do know is that if God has brought us to a heart-breaking situation, He will be with us through it all. He will use it for our good. He will mold us and shape us to be more like Him.

Let’s keep our eyes on Him when we don’t understand the what, the when, the where, the how, or the why.  We know the Who.  It is Our Heavenly Father.  And He is working His plan for us and in us at all times.

The Best Thing I Can Say About Myself

22 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by in Change, Encouragement, Faith, Fear

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The best thing I can say about myself is, “I’m learning to trust God today.”

Every day is a faith walk!  This is how God intends it to be.

If you’re like me, you may find yourself longing for just one day without concerns, difficulties and struggles.  This day will come but not until we see Jesus face to face.

Difficulties encourage us to fix our eyes on Jesus instead of trying to do life without Him.  It is for this very personal relationship that Jesus died.

What do we know about faith?

  • Our relationship with God begins with faith – faith in Christ alone.
  • Our relationship with God continues and grows by faith – faith in Christ alone.
  • Faith pleases God.
  • Faith is a fight – a good fight.

Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith.  He walked by faith when He endured the cross for us, giving us an example of faith in action.  He kept His eyes on His Heavenly Father. Hebrews 12:2

Are you facing a difficult situation today? Is someone you love in trouble? Are you in the midst of change?  Are you feeling anxious?  Are you afraid?

Fix your eyes on Jesus! He is willing and eager to help you. Put your faith in Him – not in your own strength, not in your circumstances, not in your bank accounts, not in other people – but in Him alone. Fight the good fight of faith!

I am fighting the good fight of faith.

  • I have walked away from my career as a CPA to follow God’s call on my life.
  • I am trusting God to guide me.
  • I am trusting God to provide opportunities of service.
  • I am trusting God with my future.
  • I am fixing my eyes on Him.

file000551198693 (1)Faith is assurance of the unseen! Hebrews 11:1

A Month of Mondays

23 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by in Encouragement, Heaven, Joy

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I’m in the gut-it-out time of the year for a CPA.  The next three and a half weeks will demand more than I feel like I have to give.  And yes, I have counted the days – 24 to be exact!

As I was headed downstairs to my office after dinner last evening, my husband said, “Where are you going?”  I said, “Down to work.”  He said, ‘That doesn’t sound like much fun.”  I responded matter-of factly,  “There won’t be much fun the next three and a half weeks.”

But do you know what?  That’s not entirely true.  We are expecting a beautiful new granddaughter any day now.  And that is as fun as it gets!  So today as I work through the towering pile of tax returns on my desk, I will spend some time thinking about the wonderful joy to come when our son calls and says the time has come!

Does this not remind you of what God tells us in His Word?  While life may seem like a month of Mondays, we have much joy to look forward to.  God’s Son is going to call us one day and say the time has come!  And instantly we will enter into the joys He has prepared for us! O glorious day!

I love the way 1 Corinthians 2:9 describes the joys we have in Christ – joys we have here and unimaginable joys we will have in heaven.

file2021335717961“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

So today as you do whatever you must do, do it heartily as to the Lord. Colossians 3:17

But as you work, look beyond the doing.  Set your mind on things above.  Set your mind on the glory to come. Colossians 3:1-4

Dwell on the pure, lovely excellent, praiseworthy things!  Philippians 4:8

It will bring a smile to your face and lighten the load you may be carrying!

O My Soul!

11 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Despair, Encouragement, Faith, Hope

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“Why? Why?”, asks David.

“Why are you in despair, O my soul?  And why have you become disturbed within me?”  Psalm 42:5

Have you ever started out a day feeling great but ended it feeling miserable?  What causes your soul to become disturbed?  What causes you to despair?

If you can determine the source of your despair, you can find a great and magnificent promise in the Word of God that will help restore your hope in God. If you can determine why you are disturbed, you can find grace and peace.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who called us by HIs own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises.” 2 Peter 1:2-4

When we are in despair and our soul is disturbed, we thirst for God.  When tears are present day and night, our soul pants for the living God with more intensity than it does when everything is going smoothly.  Psalm 42:1-3

The awesome truth is that God wants us even more than we want Him. He wants us to share our burdens with Him.  He wants us to come to Him for help.  He wants us to realize how vital He is to our everyday life.   He wants to be the very God of our life.  Psalm 42:8

Do you see the beauty in this?  Can you look beyond your despair to see the One who wants to walk with you and hold your hand through all of life’s difficulties?

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Reach out to Him!  Hope in God once again!  Praise Him for the help of his presence!  Psalm 42:5

Feeling Sorry for Myself

04 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Choice, Praise, Thankfulness

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Another cold dreary day!  Three more inches of that beautiful sleety white stuff on my deck!  A pile of tax returns sitting on my desk waiting to be finished!  And to top it all off, my husband is in a posh hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida, where it’s beautiful and sunny!  I am so tempted to feel sorry for myself.  LOL

But I refuse!  Instead I choose!

  • I choose to be thankful for all God’s blessings! Psalm 28:7
  • I choose to welcome God’s sovereign plan for my life at this very point in time, and yes, that includes the beautiful white stuff! Psalm 31:15
  • I choose to praise the Lord! Psalm 33:1
  • I choose to be glad in the Lord and rejoice! Psalm 32:11
  • I choose to shout for joy! Psalm 33:3
  • I choose to sing for joy!  Psalm 33:1

I invite you to choose, too!

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“O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.”  Psalm 34:3

“We who trust in the Lord are surrounded with His lovingkindness and His unfailing love.” Psalm 32:10 

  • He has forgiven all our sin!  Psalm 32:1
  • He is our rock of strength, our refuge, our fortress!  Psalm 31:1-3
  • He understands everything about us!  Psalm 33:15
  • He is our help!  Psalm 33:20
  • He is in control!  Psalm 33:10-11
  • He is fully aware of us and our unique situations!  Psalm 33:18
  • He hears our prayers!  Psalm 34:15-17
  • He is with us!  Psalm 34:18

And the list could go on and on!  God is worthy of our love!  God is worthy of our praise!

What are you praising God for today?