I have shared some of my own experiences in former devotions I have written. My youngest son, Jeff Dahl, recently sent me an email that I would like to share with you. It is so important for all of us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants to use all of us who know Him to reach out to others. May you be encouraged in the Lord as you read the following. Betty
Jeff begins his email by saying, Even when he is old he will not depart from it…….
Sometimes witnessing comes rather spontaneously for me. Two days ago, I had a customer drop by who needed the wheel of his motorcycle repaired as the sprocket bolts had all sheared off. When I first met this man June 4th of 2014, I immediately saw something about him that caused me to see that this was no ordinary man.
We discussed the job, decided what to do and the cost to fix it. Somehow he mentioned to me that he as a boy knew God but his parental figure had been less than a good example of Christ to him. This had caused much harm and doubt in him. Yet he heard the message as a boy. I asked him if he reads the Bible and he said “No”, but when he told me I said, “That is going to change”. Continue reading →
When I started asking the Lord what He would like me to write in a devotion to Him, I found myself humming the most beautiful melody. Several times during the last month or so I would hear this song with the words in my head. But, when I would get to a certain verse I would forget the words.
A couple of times the ladies I pray with would try to remember the words as well but were unable to recall them, so we would just hum that part. Last week I asked my friend if she would try to find this song for me. She did, and we just loved it! The name of this song is, In Your Presence, Oh God. Continue reading →
Ever wonder why words are so very exciting and important to us? God’s words that is!
“The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned.” (Isaiah 50:4)
As a young girl I remember writing letters to family and friends and was always encouraged by their responses. I would also write about my pets, nature and creative writing. I enjoyed making cards (even to this day at 65 years of age.) I enjoyed writing as it would encourage others or just let them know that I cared. Later I enjoyed crafting, drawing and continued writings. Continue reading →
Lately thoughts have taken me back to my days as a single mom raising four children. Scenes from the past have flooded back as I recalled the challenges that faced my family in preparing for each school year. These memories were triggered by recent conversations regarding my grandchildren’s needs for the fast-approaching new school year. Other memories popped up from seeing all those back-to-school ads.
I remember as summer days drew to a close the excitement of being out of school had run its course and my kids actually wanted to go back to school! They looked forward to having a new teacher, reuniting with old friends, making new ones, and shopping for clothes and needed supplies. During these times fear would try to grip and convince me that I would not have enough money even for the basics. Continue reading →
For years I had no idea that wrong thinking could cause havoc in one’s life.
The enemy has deceived many into thinking that it doesn’t matter what you think as long as your actions are all right. The truth of the matter is that eventually your thoughts will become actions if you entertain them long enough.
Negative thinking keeps one from reaching his potential in life. Often parents make the mistake of saying words to their children that may scar the child for years to come. Those words are not easily forgotten and because of the very impressionable mind of a child much damage is done that may affect them all of their lives. Continue reading →
I love reading God’s Word, even out loud, and receiving new revelation from it. In John, chapter 9, several things caught my attention. In verses 2 – 5, the question was asked Jesus about the blind man. Basically, the conversation went like this (paraphrased). “Who did sin, this man, or his parents?” Jesus answered: “Neither, that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”
As you read the account you discover that Jesus personally made clay, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the clay and said, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” This is faith in action! Verse 9 says: “Some said this is he when they saw him. Others said, “He is like him, but He (the blind man) said: “I am he!” Continue reading →
This week we are celebrating the founding of our country, remembering our freedom as Americans and honoring our veterans who sacrificed to maintain our liberty. We are truly blessed in America and certainly we should celebrate. But, there is a greater freedom which is available to anyone regardless of where they live. It is the everlasting freedom that every human being can experience if they are willing.
This wonderful freedom makes all the difference in how you live your life, your perception of circumstances and your whole future. What type of freedom is this? Where does it come from? How can you get it?
It is the freedom that is found only in knowing Jesus as your Savior. This freedom has already been attained for us by Jesus, but, whether we obtain it or not is our choice. Jesus spoke a lot about freedom when He was here on Earth. The very One who walked amongst us is the source of true freedom. He freed us from sin, sickness and death. You can be free from torment and free to be your true self. Continue reading →
For years I have been a student of God’s Word and have gained so much strength from it. I have known and memorized Ephesians 1:3 which says that we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
One day the Holy Spirit brought to my attention Ephesians 1:4. It states “According as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world. That we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”
I know that God has a plan and purpose for each person in this life. Everyone is given a free will to receive God’s design for their life. If someone chooses God’s plan it makes all the difference as to the outcome. The word “chosen” means to personally choose. It is used to denote soldiers who were chosen out of the entire military to go on a special mission to do a special task. Continue reading →
It’s been nine months since my husband, Bill, and I heard that still small voice “You are moving. If you do not go, your children will not come.”
“Go where?” I asked the Lord God!
He didn’t let us know for about six weeks where we were going, but just told us to get ready to go. Then one day while watching the Jim Bakker Show, I knew where God was sending us. “You are going to Morningside Ministry in Blue Eye, Missouri.”
Recently I hired a new landscaping person to get my yard in shape. Wow! What a mess this past winter made. Debris everywhere, broken twigs scattered all over the lawn, branches hanging too low, piles of leaves and a half-dead tree. Thousands of annoying sweet gum balls everywhere just waiting to trip someone. And what about that fast-growing tree which to my amazement is now touching my neighbor’s roof?
And, Oh, I can’t forget to tell you about all the broken asphalt on my driveway. Daily it seems like new chunks are breaking away from the main part of the driveway. It looks like a bulldozer came in and tore up the driveway. Every night I have to be careful as I get out of the car not to trip on a newly broken section of asphalt. Whew! I keep raking up piles of asphalt but not sure where to dump them since they are an environmental hazard. Continue reading →
