CRYSTALIZED PERSEVERANCE

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

ARE YOU SEEKING?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Through the fire!

What a great night at FREEDOM. It was good to be back. And yes, while vacation was a bit “busy”at times, there is nothing like getting back with my little extended family to share and fellowship in recovery.

And last night we were treated to a wonderful testimony of hope.

Crystal shared a story that all of us can draw from. It was a story of ups and downs, of challenges and trial, of life and sadly even death. A Hollywood script writer would have had a tough time duplicating Crystal’s real life journey toward recovery. What a blessing it was for me and those there to have her share that journey.

But before Crystal shared, Debbie sang something she calls “Crystal’s Song”. I included a link to it below. It is a song of perseverance! And that is today’s DISPATCH word, PERSEVERANCE.

Crystal has walked through the fire of losing her mother to drugs, of being separated from her kids due to her habit, of incarceration, a failed marriage, a spousal incarceration, and intense addiction. Yet her countenance and enthusiasm would never have given that impression. Crystal has discovered that life is not guaranteed to be easy, but does guarantee an ESCORT when we need help through it. And she is leaning on that ESCORT minute by minute and day by day and HE is delivering miracle after miracle in her life!

It was in her darkest times, the times that life pushed her to her knees in desperation that GOD revealed Himself to her. It is a message for all of us; that our most successful battles are fought on our knees. (Thanks Pastor Stanley).

But it is true, when the fight or the fire becomes most intense, that is when we are being called to surrender and it is in that surrender that we find the strength to persevere!

Paul understood this!

2 Corinthians 12:10
That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Perseverance is something that is developed when we weather the trials, the fires, and the storms of life dependent and fully submitted to GOD. Perseverance comes when we allow GOD to assume His position at the front line of our trial and blaze the way through on our behalf!

Deuteronomy 9:3
…be assured today that the LORD your Godis the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire.

What a wonderful promise.

So if you see a trial looming in the distance, if life’s cauldron has turned up the heat, let GO and let GOD develop an amazing strength and perseverance to get through it!

Romans 5:2-4

…we^[a] boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³Not only so, but we^[b] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLeC5hmRZX4

I love you all.

Have a blessed day.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney