"LEAD" a LIFE..."LEAD" a LIFE!

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 won’t kid you, Monday’s are looooonnggg days for me.

That old alarm goes off in my head about 4:30am and by the time the head hits the pillow it is sneaking up on 11ish. And those who know me (and by the way continue to poke fun at me, Shanna M.) know that I like to hit the hay a little earlier than most. If my clock reads 10pm and I am still awake something is wrong.

And yesterday was no different, it was a long Monday. But GOD has a way of taking those long days and making them matter. He always makes MONDAY’S “worth it”.

Yesterday was no exception.

Last night at FREEDOM two of my good friends helped me serve our FREEDOM family. Lauren and Madison (Maddy) stopped in to share a story of hope and man oh man did they ever deliver!

In short, Lauren had a checkered childhood and early life; drugs, bad relationships, rebellion, rehab, brokenness and pain. Maddy on the other hand; just the opposite. Her life was and is dotted with lots of Godly influence and stability. Yet somehow GOD placed them in the same house under the same roof for a season or two and something amazing happened.

GOD began a wonderful work in BOTH OF THEM. Lauren needed Madison’s stability, faithfulness and example to move forward in her faith. Madison needed the “challenge” of Lauren’s past, her habits, and questions to push her to a deeper walk with Christ.

As they invested in a friendship and a sisterhood with one another, GOD open doors, provided insight, inspired changed and advanced His purpose in both of them.

Today both are electrically charged and on separate missions for Christ; Maddy an anointed worship leader and Lauren a seeker of the lost wallowing in her “old culture”.

Their story personified this passage:

2 Corinthians 1:3

What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.

Their story brings me today’s thought.

GOD doesn’t NEED us to advance His kingdom, but He CHOOSES to use us to do just that.

So that begs the question, are you watching for those opportunities when GOD wants to use you like He used Madison? Are you ready and available to use the challenges and lessons of your past to help someone who is hurting?

All Madison did was lead a lifestyle that reflected Jesus. GOD took care of the rest when it came to its impact on Lauren.

And GOD calls us each of us to the same; to embody a lifestyle that is available and responsive to HIM and those we encounter!

Ephesians 4:

…lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Friends, you never know when GOD will intersect you with someone who NEEDS what you know, who is desperate for the love and words that are hidden in your heart. That is why it is so critical for each of us to be listening for GOD, watching for others and ready to share HIS word, HIS hope, HIS peace and HIS promise to those we encounter!

We need to "LEAD a LIFE" so that we can "LEAD a LIFE".

1 Peter 3:15

…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

So can I encourage you to take a page from Madison today?

Lead a life that is holy, genuine and that is consistently honoring GOD. You never know when your “LAUREN”may show up and need what you have!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney