LOVE me or LOVE me not?

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?

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.

“God does love you.”

Now before you say, “Well that was a pretty obvious and silly statement to make Delaney, of course GOD loves me. I remember that from kindergarten, GOD is LOVE!”

But I want you to pause for a second and think of a time when you might have thought differently.

Bad report; does GOD love me?

Difficulties at work; does GOD love me?

Unfair verdict levied; does GOD love me?

Have you ever thought quietly to yourself, “If GOD loved me then I surely wouldn’t be dealing with this…”

Come on now, be honest.

I believe all of us have shaken our fist or sulked in the corner questioning GOD’s dedication to us.

But make no mistake, GOD does love you. He loves you in spite of you and that is some amazing love indeed!

Romans 5:8

…But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

And from time to time, even as elementary as it seems, we need to be reminded of that!

This week has been especially difficult for friends and church family. The week has been littered with unexpected illnesses, unexplained challenges, relational messes, and failed expectations for many. And it would be very easy to start questioning the love of GOD especially when things sour so severely.

But I want to reassure them and all of us today. GOD’s love never runs out. GOD’s compassion for His kids never dries up. GOD doesn’t check out, ever withhold even a smidgen of His grace or allow anything to escape His loving care and watch over us.

Psalm 36:5

5 O Lord, Your loving-kindness goes to the heavens. You are as faithful as the sky is high.

So yes, while life has it’s dry times, its stormy seasons and it’s bleak moments, GOD wants you to remember, He never stops loving you. He is the “constant” and the “consistent” in this “changing” and “inconsistent” world.

So count on His love! Bank on His love! Rest assuredly in His love!

Ephesians 3:17-20

… pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…

HE DOES LOVE YOU!

Have a blessed weekend.

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

OUR ADVOCATE

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?

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.

“I’m praying for you”

What a reassuring phrase that is.

It is great to hear it from friends or family members or to see it posted on our FACEBOOK wall. And when we offer it to others we should take it seriously. It shouldn’t be one of those phrases casually tossed around because it is what “Christians” say to each other. If we say it, we should mean it because it packs a wallop.

James 5:16

...The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

And as awesome as it is to have friends praying for us when we go through “stuff”, it is even more remarkable that Jesus Himself is continuously praying for each and every one of us.

I think we sometimes miss that.

We get so wrapped up in the problem or the challenge that we forget that sitting to the right of Almighty GOD is our translator, our supporter and our intercessor and He has "got it".

Romans 8:34

…Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Today I want us to be reminded that Jesus has delivered and continues to deliver prayer after prayer for us. He did before. Just look…

John 17:11

…Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they will be one, just as you and I are one…

John 17:15-17

…keep them safe from the Evil One.

16 They don't belong to the world, just as I don't belong to the world.17 Make them ready for your service through your truth; your teaching is truth.

John 17:21

…Father, I pray that they can be one. As you are in me and I am in you, I pray that they can also be one in us.

John 17:24

…"Father, I want these people that you gave me to be with me where I am. I want them to see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the world was made.

…and He continues today.

1 John 2:1

…we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.

So be comforted today. JESUS is saying, “I am praying for you.”

Have a blessed day.

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

RELINQUISH ROUTINE

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?

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.

“I want to change”. “I want IT to change.” If it doesn’t change soon I will go crazy.”

However the truth is while we may feel we are ready to have God “change us”, over time we have unwittingly organized our lives in a way that PRESERVES or “casually ignores” some of the things in our lives that hinder our change. Sometimes we don't even know we're doing it!

We tolerate toxic relationships because it is “more convenient”.

We remain in some of our old habits because “that is what our friends do.”

We compromise what we know to be right to “remain popular”.

So instead of allowing GOD to begin to change us, we choose to continue to dabble. And we know that dabbling is dangerous.

James 4:7

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.

I will be the first one to admit that I am not a fan of change. I am a creature of routine. But when our routines are defective, when our habits are hazardous, we must realize that they are likely keeping us from the FREEDOM we so deeply desire! And that isn't GOD's plan for us.

Ephesians 4:20-24

…that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

Maybe you are in the same boat today; hanging on to a few things that are hindering your FREEDOM; encumbering your change.

Just remember GOD so desperately wants our full attention; our undistracted dedication that He sent His SON to remove those barriers to Him for us; to give us access and the power needed to change!

So…

Romans 12:2

…Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.

Have a blessed day.

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

11 Letter Word

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?

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.

Hey don’t tell anyone but I am going to use a “dirty”word in the DISPATCH today. Now before we get there if you think you will be offended, I encourage you to stop reading right now. And for any of you “tattletales”I encourage you to read on so you can catch the Pastor being "naughty" and tell all your friends about it.

Here it comes…our DIRTY word… (Drum roll please…)

FORGIVENESS!

What?

That’s right FORGIVENESS!

What do you mean FORGIVENESS isn’t a dirty word?

Are you sure?

Recently it seems as if maybe it is.

“He doesn’t deserve forgiveness after what he did Pastor”

“Forgive her? You must be joking. If you were in my shoes you would take that grudge to the grave.”

“Say I AM sorry? Have you gone back to drinking Pastor; you are off your rocker if you think that is happening.”

Forgiveness MUST be a dirty word because it seems no one wants to use it.

But forgiveness is NOT a dirty word. In fact it is one of the most beautiful, freeing and revelatory words in the language.

But boy oh boy do we struggle with it huh?

I think it is a tough word because we don't understand it. So let's clear up the misperception.

Forgiveness is an expression of love by us and FOR US! Forgiveness is a gift given to us by CHRIST and it is to be shared by us with others!

Matthew 6:12

12 Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Yet often when we are hurt we opt for un-forgiveness rather than quickly forgiving. We allow the hurt to take root, hunker in and marinate in our minds and hearts until it blooms into bitterness.

However, we need to remember, Jesus wasn’t a fan of bitterness, resentment and un-forgiveness.

Matthew 6:15

If you do not forgive people their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

So if we are going to walk as Jesus walked, live as Jesus lived, and be His representatives, FORGIVENESS can't be a dirty word.

Maybe today you have got a little bitterness stored up, maybe there is a co-worker who did you wrong, maybe there is an old relationship that went sour or an old hurt that needs some healing.

Don’t make FORGIVENESS a dirty word. Go ahead USE it!

Remember we have been FORGIVEN so much...

Colossians 2:14

…When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross.

...let’s do our best today to exercise some of our own.

Have a blessed day.

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

BETTER THAN A BISCUIT

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?

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.

It is a big day around the Delaney compound today.

Some new undertakings for my “youngen’s”.

I even had to whip up some homemade biscuits and gravy to settle a few nerves. Nothing like the comfort that a little pork-fat goodness can bring…J

And while my gravy rocks (), we also opted for something better than any biscuit to calm things down.

We circled around in the living room and lifted a simple prayer of affirmation; reminding each of us that even when the path seems a little foggy or uncertain, that even when apprehension causes our belly to do a flip flop of two, GOD is there, striding ahead of us, blazing a successful path for the journey today and every day.

Deuteronomy 31:6

“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated…GOD, your God, is striding ahead of you...

Truth is we all have those moments when “we just don’t know”; those times where we have to wade into some uncharted waters and let’s just be honest, they can be “nerve-wracking” to say the least.

But GOD has promised to walk with us, to carry us, to guide us, to light the way for us, to take us by the hand and see us through!

Psalm 55:22-23

Pile your troubles on GOD’s shoulders— he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out.

Isn’t it calming and reassuring?

Yet sometimes we get so focused on the trial, the new challenge, and the unknown, that we fail to just pause and remember that nothing surprises GOD. There is no such thing as the unknown for Him. And because He has promised us that He is WITH US, we can BE courageous with HIS courage. We can be assured with HIS assurance. We can be certain with HIS certainty!

He knows what my kids are going up against today.

He knows what you have on your plate today. All he asks is that you “remember” to ask Him to help you!

He will.

1 Peter 1:17

You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way.

Have a blessed day.

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

JESUS, HERE...

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?

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.

Jesus is a fence around His children

His grace is sufficient to stand the storm

His word is a promise we can stand on

When the winds of this world are blowing strong

Satan is moving to and fro throughout the land

Seeking out who he may devour

But he was defeated at Golgotha

That day when Jesus made him out a liar

Satan is always sneaking around the gate

Trying to lead a sheep astray

But He that is in us is so much greater than him

So then rebuke him and chase him away

If you are caught up in the winds of the world

With no joy in your life at all

Just give your heart to Jesus

He’ll always understand and He will never, never let you fall

Jesus is with me when the storm clouds gather

He’s standing by my side when I hear the thunder roll

He holds my hand when I begin to tremble

When the winds of this world are blowing strong

Matthew 28:10

"…obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Thought I would share a little lyric and scripture of assurance today. We can daily bank on that“blessed assurance” that Jesus is with us when the storms come, when the thunder rolls, when doubt and fear creep in or when we are feeling vulnerable and under attack. It is “blessed assurance”.

Often we are tossed around by life. Trials, mistakes, disappointments, bad choices, even some less than honorable folks dot the landscape of our days. And there are times for all of us where we feel like we are out there in that mess all alone. It can feel dark, clammy and foreboding I know.

But we aren’t alone; not today, not ever. And while this is the simplest of messages it has great power.

Jesus is with us. No matter what.

You do get that right? No matter what!

Romans 8:1-2

…Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

So those storm clouds can gather, the enemy can prowl, and the winds of this world can howl and rattle, but they can’t shake the truth; they can’t bend this “blessed assurance”.

Jesus is with me and you..."to the very end of the age."

Have a blessed weekend.

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

P.I.T.V.

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?

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.

There is an old gospel song called “Peace in the Valley”. Elvis even recorded it so you know it’s a golden oldie.

The lyric says…

“There will be peace in the valley for me, some day

There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray

There'll be no sadness, no sorrow

No trouble, trouble I see

There will be peace in the valley for me, for me”

I was talking with someone yesterday who was just confused. “Why all this trouble for me?” she said. "It just surrounds me".

We have all said that at one time or two haven’t we? I don’t think any of us could honestly say that we have not had a moment or two in life when we were frustrated, hurt, or maybe even pushed to the brink; confused by the world.

In other words "in the valley."

And I believe that I can be bold enough to say that in those times we may have even wondered “where was GOD" in all of it.

But real truth is penned in the lyric of that song because there is “peace in the valley”. Peace in the valley for you and for me.

How do I know? Because He promised!!

Philippians 4:7(NLV)

7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Peace that KEEPS us!

Peace that is bigger than us and is certainly bigger than our valleys.

And yes while the valleys are dark and sometimes the valleys are deep, we are never alone in the valley.

That is the truth.

Hebrews 13:5

…God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;

I’m fearless no matter what.

Who or what can get to me?

So claim that today! Who or what can get to us?

Overcome us?

Rob our peace?

Nothing!

Troubles come. Troubles will test us. Troubles may even evolve into trials. But they will subside.

Psalms 30:5

…weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

The bottom line is we ALL need to trust the lyrics of that old hymn. GOD promised to be present in our valleys and since HE is there, then PEACE is there as well.

1 Corinthians 14:33

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace…

Have a blessed day.

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney