DAYLIGHT

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it yourpriority 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.

Dark places.

Dank valleys.

Stormy seasons.

Fear-filled days.

We have all had them.

Times in life where the darkness is so oppressive that it feels like it is swallowing us, times when the swirl and swale of challenge after challenge is beating relentlessly against our fortitude, times of cold dank and tireless seasons that just seemingly linger and hang on with no respite.

We have all had them.

And sadly for some they serve to overwhelm.

I spent last night at an old Lutheran church in Oakwood strangely surrounded by many friends and companions who have spent a good share of time in the dank and in the dark. We were all there to pay our final respects to Angie.

For Angie, the “dark” won. For Angie the storm was too great, the waves to engulfing and life pulled her down and kept her there. We lost a good friend in Angie. She will be missed and remembered for a long time.

But she is not lost. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY believe that.

And while her story is a tragic one, those of us waking up on this first day of February must move on and be resolute.

Remembering and believing that darkness does give way to light. Dank places do warm. Storms pass and seasons change.

2 Corinthians 4

16-18 So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

I can’t begin to know what you may be facing today. Maybe there is a storm brewing for you at work. Maybe you are just tired. Maybe you feel hopeless. Maybe you are not sure if you can get through one more day.

Friend you may be down but you are certainly not out!

Not today.

Not ever!

Micah 7:8

I’m down, but I’m not out.

I’m sitting in the dark right now,

but God is my light.…He’s on my side and is going to get me out of this.

He’ll turn on the lights and show me his ways.

I’ll see the whole picture and how right he is.

Take this truth to heart my friends.

As dawn breaks today, so does GOD incredible hope for you. GOD’s light is ready to bathe over and wash away the darkness, to warm the dankness, to break through the clouds and rain and immerse you in HIS hope!

So step into it today. Feel it. Embrace it!

1 Thessalonians 5:8

Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.

Hope is there!

I love you all!

Have a blessed weekend.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney