INNER-ROCKY

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 will admit it, I love the Rocky movies. Yes even the cheesy 4^th installment with Ivan Drago and all of its mid-80’s macho and cold war goofiness.

The“I must break you” and “Go for it” exchange between Dolph and Sly is cinematic gold! Trust me!

But why dust off an old Rocky reference today? Some of you might be too young to even remember the signature chants of “Rocky, Rocky, Rocky” from the Philly and even Moscow faithful.

I mention Rocky today for another reason. Besides his patented “Yo Adrian”, Rocky was famous for never quitting. Whether it was Apollo or Clubber Lang administering the beating, Rocky never gave in, never threw in the towel. Rocky NEVER STOPPED fighting.

Yesterday in my office at the Jeremiah Tree Kristi and I were doing our best to stir a little “Rocky” in a mom who had been knocked senseless by a sinful return to her addiction. She was beat down and the referee was counting. She was “on the canvas” so to speak. But Kristi and I weren’t about to leave her there. It was time for her to GET UP AND KEEP fighting!

Proverbs 24:16

for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again

When life beats us down we all must summon a little of our “Inner-Rocky”and resolve to keep getting up! GOD will help us! He is in our corner exhorting us on and is behind us 100%. And while sin has a way of knocking us all down, of catching us off guard or landing a sucker punch, we must not let it keep us down for the 10 count. Instead we must look, listen and reach for Jesus and let Him help us to our feet!

Hebrews 12:2

…We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. 2 We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete.

My friend felt like she was completely out. For her the bell had rung and the announcer had raised the hand of her enemy, her addiction. But that wasn’t the case.

It isn’t for her and it isn’t for us!

We have what it takes to get up, to straighten up and start fighting again! JESUS!

1 John 4:4

…because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

I don’t know, but I am just guessing that you too have been in a similar predicament to my friend at one time or another; feeling down and beaten badly.

Look up!

Jesus is there cheering and exhorting you to shake it off, get back up and return to the fight! Victory is yours for the claiming! Another round is starting! I can hear the crowd chanting your name right now!

So get back in the fight! The CHAMPIONSHIP crown is waiting!

James 1:12

Blessed is the man/woman who remains steadfast under trial, for when he/she has stood the test he/she will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

I love you all!

Have a blessed and wonderful weekend!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney