THROUGH THE DIRT

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.

Just remember, every flower that ever bloomed had to go through a whole lot of dirt to get there!

Barbara Johnson

It has been a trying week. Sandwiching the fun and smiles of Tuesday have been some serious challenges and struggles for many; challenges that sometimes get overshadowed by the tinsel and holly.

Bitter relapse. Incarceration. Treatment sought and denied. Hospitalization. Homelessness.

Some strife. Real strife.

And no I don’t wish to draw a dark cloud over what was likely a wondrous Christmas, but rather remind us that for a few, Christmas has not delivered many presents, just some unwanted pain.

Pray for them as you scan this over this morning.

The fact is that we all have painful moments in life; times where the seasons and our circumstances didn’t seem to mesh; inconvenient troubles and difficulties, ill timed tragedies and drama. I think of the families from Newtown where the Christmas songs were drowned by funeral processions and eulogies.

Yet in spite of the circumstances we must resolve to reach through the dirt!

We don’t give up. We look up. We trust. We believe. And our optimism is not hollow. Christ has proven worthy. He has shown that He never fails. That’s what makes God, God.

Max Lucado

As I have shared with so many this week in a myriad of meetings and discussions, the next time you find your courage tested to the limit, remember that God is as near as your next breath, and remember that He offers strength and comfort to His children. He is your shield and your strength; He is your protector and your deliverer. Call upon Him in your hour of need and then be comforted. Whatever your challenge, whatever your trouble, God can help you persevere. And that’s precisely what He’ll do if you ask Him.

1 Peter 1:17

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

And yes while this week focused on the glorious arrival of CHRIST, the real gift is that He remains here with us and for us just as promised.

Romans 8:31

What can we say about all these things? Since God is for us, who can be against us?

So if you are one of those who is "in the dirt", look up and keep reaching. GOD'S hand is waiting there to help pull you up and through.

I love you all.

Have a blessed weekend…

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney