STOP DOUBTING and SHARE

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.

These little conversations intrigue me these days.

“Pastor, I thought about doing what you are doing back in the day, but then…”

There is always a “but then”…

Yesterday’s story involved a tough upbringing, multiple moves and a little trip to jail for“mistakenly using a car”. This young man believed that since jobs and housing were tough to come by with a felony and a few prison numbers, serving GOD would be out of the question.

This is when it is “fun” to share that the old guy behind the desk (that would be me) has a mug shot or two on file, has spent a minute or two behind “similar bars”, use to frequent his share of sinful dens, and was (and is sadly) a pickled mess.

The look on the face of the other person is usually pretty priceless after that little revelation.

I am so grateful GOD allows me to do that…

But the enemy is really good about laying doubt on us when it comes to our abilities to serve the Lord. He fills our minds with thoughts like, “How can you say you love GOD given what you did last night.” “How can you possibly continue to minister or be counted on for good counsel given that episode yesterday. Don’t you know GOD won’t be mocked?” "You remember who you are, you are a car thief."

He pours on lie after lie doing his best to convince us that we have “no purpose” that we are “damaged goods” and could never be effective voices for GOD.

We shouldn’t be surprised.

John 8:44

At the core of his character, he is a liar; everything he speaks originates in these lies because he is the father of lies.

That is why when the enemy starts to place those doubts in our minds we must remember THE TRUTH. GOD has equipped each one of us UNIQUELY and for HIS GLORY. Therefore our bobbles, flaws, scars, and warts are all part of the plan; all part of OUR MESSAGE. We must embrace them, SHARE them and serve GOD with them!

1 Peter 4:10-11

…Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

It is far too easy to do as my new friend yesterday, to believe his opportunity to share GOD, to serve GOD and to voice GOD were over. Don’t believe it!

Instead embrace that GOD loves the broken. We are all broken…

Romans 3:23

Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal;

…yet He chooses us to be HIS voice!

And GOD wants to take that mess as the old cliché goes and turn it into a message.

You feeling a little like my new friend, like there is nothing GOD can do with you, you’re sketchy past, you’re less than lovely “present” or you’re seemingly dim future?

Think again. GOD wake you up today?

Then it is time to stop doubting and start sharing!

Psalm 107:2

Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies.

Have a blessed day…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney