CUP OF COLD WATER

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.

Matthew 10:42

New Living Translation (NLT)

42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.

He and I “broke away” from the chaos for a few minutes to share a sandwich yesterday.  He is a good man.  He has a brutally difficult job.  But without question he is uniquely equipped for the task.  His knowledge is broad and his experience seasoned.

Day after day he deals with the most challenged; those who are incarcerated but also suffering and battling mental maladies. He encounters everything from hard core addiction to the most difficult mental diagnoses. And while his job limits his freedom to share CHRIST in these scenarios, he is a deeply prayerful man who in his private time makes a huge difference as an intercessor for this troubled group of folks.

I have the utmost respect for him.  He is one of those guys who never stops learning and never stops seeking GOD for deeper clarity and more complete answers to the problems he faces.

I am excited about what we will be doing together as we seek to help folks find freedom; not just from the bars and cells, but from the bonds of addiction and illness.

But why share a little about my friend today? Where is this going you ask?

As we were chatting we both came to the same conclusion when it came to our intersecting “congregations”. At the end of the day whether behind bars are sitting at one, folks are often seeking something quite simple; the love and investment of others in their lives.

It is the reason I shared that little verse from Matthew this morning.  Jesus understands the remarkable impact of just a “cup of cool” water to someone.  It can be life changing.

We live in a dry and thirsty land.  I think there is even an old hymn to confirm that summation. (“He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry thirsty land…”)  But the fact of the matter is we are surrounded daily by people who are thirsting for “something”. 

Love. Interest. Confirmation. Affirmation. Encouragement.

And we have been called to offer that “cold drink”, that affirming word, that boost of encouragement; to show that interest in the name of Jesus to this hurting and challenge world.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (TLB)

So encourage each other to build each other up…

And while I know you are unlikely to encounter someone who is as deeply hurting and dry as my friend or I might encounter, GOD is going to intersect you with people who need that cup of cool living water that only you are equipped and qualified to share. 

So be alert and aware to those GOD places in your path. Be ready to quench some thirst when called upon.  Be an encouragement and an investor in others.  Use what GOD has equipped you with!

It can make such an enormous difference!

“Christians don't simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in company with the Son.”  ― Eugene H. Peterson

 

HAVE A BLESSED Weekend!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

a "CARDENAS" ATTITUDE

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.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

Wise words from a fella named Charles Swindoll; reiterated and shared last night by a wise and lovely lady Teresa Cardenas at our local high school’s graduation. Teresa is a graduate of distinction but more importantly a dear friend to my daughter Samantha and our family.

As she shared this important message last night to her classmates and the crowd I was quickly reminded of the challenge that Teresa faces each and every day; a blood malady that at times can make life intensely difficult.  But Teresa embodies the little quote she opted to share last night.  She has GREAT attitude.  You rarely see her without a smile. Whether intensely guarding the goal on the soccer pitch or sitting around my kitchen island coaching a little chemistry, Teresa is one of those special kids who puts others first and practices what she preaches.

She has a wonderful and infectiously positive attitude!

Go back and read that little encouragement from Charles and Teresa again. 

Ask yourself.

How is your attitude today? 

You do have control over it.  You do. 

You can choose to approach today with your glass half full or half empty.  It is up to you.

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” ― Abraham Lincoln

And while Lincoln is spot on with his encouragement, the Bible offers even more when it comes to attitude.

Colossians 3:2

Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

When we CHOOSE to see and deal with the “things” in life from GOD’s perspective, when we choose to not focus solely on our circumstances or allow them to dictate our mood or reactions we are so much better off.  Far too often we allow our attitude to be dictated by our surroundings or our circumstances; things we can’t control.  

Instead we should remember that little line from Charles and Teresa today.

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react.

Therefore before you react to your surroundings and circumstances today, consult GOD.  Allow Him to “set the perspective”. 

You will be amazed at the impact to your attitude.

“You may live or work around a bunch of weeds, but don’t let that stop you from blooming. Realize that your environment does not prevent you from being happy. Some people spend all their time trying to pull up all the weeds. Meanwhile, they miss much of their lives. Don’t worry about things you can’t change. You can’t change the traffic in the morning. You can’t fix everybody at work. You can’t make all your family members serve God. But you shouldn’t let that keep you from being happy. Bloom anyway and focus on the things that you can change. You can change your own attitude. You can choose to be happy right where you are.” ― Joel Osteen

 

I love you all!

HAVE A BLESSED (and GOOD attitude) Day!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

KNOWN GOD

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.

“Whewwweee! This has got all the makings of a tough one Pastor!”

Got a big test, big meeting; maybe an unexpected or worse yet, inexplicable shift in circumstances?

Some needed “time away” about to begin?

Someone trip you up? Someone let you down?

Got one of those “Where did you go GOD” feelings brewing?

Got one of those “I’m not so sure about this GOD” feelings brewing?

Ok…Ok…

All together now, let’s breathe! 1,2,3...

Ready now?

TRUST GOD!

I know, I know…the Pastor’s “go to answer”! But what would you expect?

Proverbs 3:5-6

…trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.

It is the “right answer”.  It helps with the unknowns of life. Trust me.

Hebrews 11:1

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living.

Life is going to levy the unexpected, it is going to surprise us, frustrate us, depress us, and it even sometimes can completely derail us.  But the believer who TRULY trusts has the foundation that can weather the best that life wants to dish out.

1 Corinthians 10:13

…you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it.

Even Mother Teresa has had her “trusting” tried.

“I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much.” ― Mother Teresa

So we will too.

So today, burrow into that firm foundation and set your feet on the sure footing that comes with from the truth; that truth you have heard time and time again, but sometimes forget.

GOD CAN BE TRUSTED!

Romans 8:28

…we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” ― Corrie Ten Boom

I love you all!

HAVE A BLESSED Day!

Freedom Church

GRACE FOR GRANTED

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.

“Don’t let your conscience become calloused” was the quote I believe.  I also seem to recall that “ignoring conviction can lead to compromise” being part of the little talk. Good words from a good man.  All shared and somewhat referencing a passage that sits as the fundamental core of our work in FREEDOM Church here in Xenia.

Galatians 5:13-15

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom…

“don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom”

I repeated that piece of the passage on purpose.

Often we take “grace for granted”.  GOD has indeed “destined” each of us for a life of FREEDOM.  Eternal FREEDOM was sealed for us at the Cross and with an empty tomb.  That is without question.  This grace is sufficient it covers all sin and opens the door to a life eternal.  We have received it in abundance.

John 1:16

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Yet we need to be “careful”. What does Paul say in this passage.  In essence he is saying our FREEDOM isn’t for “folly” our FREEDOM is a gift, grace is a gift. 

Ephesians 2:8

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God...

Therefore we should always be grateful for this gift; never allowing ourselves to take it for granted. 

Romans 6:1-2

Well then, shall we keep on sinning so that God can keep on showing us more and more kindness and forgiveness? (GRACE) Of course not!

Instead because of GRACE we should be motivated to “use our FREEDOM” to serve! Serve GOD! Serve one another.  And why? Because when we USE our FREEDOM appropriately, when we honor grace, GOD just wants to give us MORE and MORE FREEDOM!

Galatians 5:15

…use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.

This is why the counsel of my good friend is wise.

Walk in grace and gratitude, find more and more FREEDOM.

Use FREEDOM unwisely and run the risk of losing it; of facing consequences.

“We bear the consequences for what we have done to ourselves, and for the sin that rules this world. Jesus forgave the thief, but he didn't take him down off the cross.”  ― Francine Rivers

Really let that quote sink in the next time you are feeling the conviction of a pending choice or decision and are leaning toward compromise and “misplacing your grace”. Remember that quote when you are feeling calloused or exercising disobedience.

Grace will cover the sin.  Forgiveness WILL follow.  However the consequence of the choice will still remain. 

So instead of compromise, heed the conviction. GOD loves you so much and He is in the business of protecting you.  Instead of becoming calloused to your surroundings or worse yet going with the flow, keep your heart supple and grateful for the grace that allows you to “experience the FREE LIFE!”

Romans 8:2

… the Spirit of life breathes into you and liberates you...

I love you all!

HAVE A BLESSED Day!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

BE A BURDEN BEARER

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 love it when GOD helps me out.  I was searching for something to share today.  To be honest, my brain is a little “mushy” this morning. It has been a “challenging” week.  And while praying and searching for something to say, there it was right in front of me…

It was today’s thought from Charles Stanley. 

And why so relevant? 

This week has been a “burden bearing bonanza”.  My little girl at the hospital, another I took to the ER yesterday, a family hurting from loss, another who has been pummeled by depression, a wife reeling from another indiscretion by her husband.  Not to mention our steady flow of “TREE” folks and “FREEDOM” challenges.

Like I said “burden bearing bonanza”.

Yet GOD calls us to be “burden bearers” and today’s thought from Charles was perfect.  In fact it brought to my mind this little passage.

Galatians 6:9-10

And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up. 10 That’s why whenever we can we should always be kind to everyone

We need to not get "weary in our well doing"!

So let’s take a page from Charles today and stay the course of “doing good and of being kind”.  Let’s accept the call to be a burden bearer!

“Becoming a Burden Bearer

The Bible instructs Christians to bear one another's burdens. Doing this effectively requires awareness, acceptance, and availability.

Awareness. If you're not sensitive to the struggles of those around you, how can you help them? Every Sunday you sit in church surrounded by people who hurt intensely. The Lord knows the depth of their suffering and is there to release them from bondage, but He often works through His children. Thankfully, we have His Spirit to sensitize us to needs in our midst.

Acceptance. We are not to bear burdens on the basis of how we feel about the other person. Jesus doesn't discriminate about whom to love or help. If we want to be like Christ, we must be willing to share in the pain of others, no matter who they are. Does this describe you? Or do you limit your support to family and friends?

Availability. Christians sometimes relegate the work of caring for others to their pastor, figuring, That's his job, after all. Yet he, too, has burdens. Your pastor wants to help everybody in every way possible, but if he's the only one available to offer support for the church, both will crumble. A faith community thrives when people bear each other's budens. Ask yourself if there's a way you can help carry the load in your church.

 

Scripture tells us the whole law is fulfilled in one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Gal. 5:14). Next to loving the Lord with all your heart, this is the second greatest command (Matt. 22:39). Therefore, when we share another person's heartache and burdens, we fulfill a great law of God.”

And...

...we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.

I love you all!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

COMFORT, PROMISE, PEACE, POWER

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.

Psalm 91 (NLT)

2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.

Crucial and important promises for days like yesterday.

Not sure if you noticed, but no DISPATCH yesterday.  Rather Beth and I were scrambling our way toward RIVERSIDE Hospital where my oldest, suffering in some serious pain, was being prepped for an emergency appendectomy. Now I know that something like this seems “routine” these days, but no “emergency surgery” is ever met without some level of apprehension and concern. 

So as I prayed over Hillary, the words of this passage provided the comfort, the promise and the peace.

Then while driving up, we received word that a dear FREEDOM friend had apparently succumbed to the pressures and power of her addiction.  As I spoke to her brother about an upcoming service for her outside Hillary's prep room, he too needed the words of this Psalm.  He too needed its comfort, its promise and its peace.

Flash forward to the ride home where a call comes in from a concerned landlord and friend looking for the words to share with a tenant who is on the edge of breakdown; she is drowning in sorrow and vodka.  Again the words of this Psalm were there to offer.  That situation needed its comfort, promise, peace.

As the day mercifully drew to a close and I was looking over today’s calendar this little passage came to mind.

Proverbs 16:1(MSG)

Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.

I didn’t have a trip to RIVERSIDE in my plan yesterday but GOD had a word for it.

The conversation with a grieving brother was not in any color on my GOOGLE plan for yesterday but GOD had a word for it.

My trip home dodging the lightening and the rain talking to my brother in Christ as to how to help our sister was not downloaded to my Android but thankfully GOD had a word for it.

Yesterday was a great example of how important having GOD’s word ready really is.  I didn't have the right words for my scared little girl.  But GOD did.  I didn't have the right words for a grieving brother but GOD did. Words for a friend reaching out in love and help to a friend are not part of my repertoire, but they are in GOD’s.

I will be honest, I have no desire to repeat the challenges of yesterday today. I hope the day goes a little closer to colors on the calendar. 

But even if "my plans" are derailed, I am reminded that I am mere mortal and for this day to be navigated effectively, one thing is certain, I better have GOD’s word to do it.  For I really have no clue what is in store for me when I step away from the keyboard this morning, but GOD does.  And I need to be prepared.  I am going to need it.  I am going to need what He has to say to me and through me today.

Hebrews 4:12

…whatever God says to us is full of living power

Truth is we all need to have it handy and ready to use and share because we really never know when were are going to be thrust into a situation where only its comfort, its promise, its peace or most importantly its power will suffice.

Have a blessed day.

 

I love you all!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

STICK WITH THE FORMULA

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.

Hebrews 13:16 (TLB)

16 Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to him.

I touched a little yesterday on the importance of “taking interest” in others; to seeing opportunities to serve and then seizing them. 

That can be a “tough” assignment some days.  I mean it is true that we will have days when we feel we are the ones to be served rather than do the serving.  Sometimes our needs do surface and cause us to feel like putting GOD and others to the back burner.

But GOD makes it clear that if we “stay with HIS formula”; of seeking HIM first and placing the needs of others ahead of our own, to doing GOOD and sharing, that “our needs and our interests” will be covered.

Matthew 6:33 (NCV)

33 Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.

Joyce Meyer puts it this way:

“Is there any real purpose in being alive if all we are going to do is get up every day and live only for ourselves?

Live your life to help others. Give & live selflessly.”

I believe we all intellectually grasp this instruction of serving GOD and serving others.  I believe we fully grasp that those are Christ’s fundamental instructions for all of us. 

Mark 12:33

One must love God with all his heart, all his mind, and all his strength. And one must love his neighbor…

Yet living them out, doing the good as encouraged by the writer of Hebrews, those simple instructions are quickly lost on our “me first”, “I am number one” culture.  Yet I am confident that when we just listen to the Lord and obey these simple commands, the blessings we so deeply desire for our lives will quickly and abundantly come to us.

1 Peter 3:9 (MSG)

…bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

When we serve GOD and the interests of others GOD pours into our lives all that we could ever desire or dream.  He promised.

Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (MSG)

Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures...

So the message today is just about the same as yesterday.  Embrace this spirit of “blessing”, this spirit of investing in others, this spirit of doing good and making sacrifices for those around you.  Give of yourself. Give of your talent. Give of your time.

Jesus will be pleased!

Mark 4:24-25

“Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.

 

I love you all!

HAVE A BLESSED Day!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

SEE AND SEIZE

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.

Philippians 2:4 -5

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

GOOD passage to start a week don’t you think?  Here at my little home church it is REACH week. (Reaching Everyone as Christ’s Hands)  It is a week dedicated to “seeking opportunities” to serve others in our community in love and with the heart and attitude of Christ.  Already a “Walk for Life” was enjoyed, some time with our Special Olympians shared and the homeless are being served with food and fellowship.  The rest of the week is chocked full of other chances to serve. 

Taking an interest in others given our “me first”, "egocentric, “selfie” obsessed culture can be tricky; even tough.  “Looking out for number one” has become the mantra of many.  Yet as Christians we are called to serve. Jesus was the epitome of SERVANT leader.

Matthew 20:28

…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve

Therefore if we are to embrace this instruction of Paul and this example of Jesus we too must have a heart to SERVE rather than be SERVED.  And guest what? 

There are wonderful benefits to serving one another.  

There are!

Freedom for one! 

Galatians 5:14

…serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom

And who couldn’t use a little more of that in their day and life?

So as you embark on this day, this week, pause and look around.  Is there a neighbor who could use some help with the lawn?

Maybe there is someone whose car is broken down and could benefit from a once over under the hood or at least a ride to the store.  Maybe it is something as simple as a quick text to someone you know has been dealing with “some stuff”.

Serving and taking an interest in others need neither be “elaborate or highly organized”.  Opportunities to serve are all around us today.  It is our job to "see" the opportunities and then “seize” the opportunities.

You will be blessed!

Matthew 10:42

…even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.

“…The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.”  ― Gordon B. Hinckley

See and seize your opportunity today!

I love you all!

HAVE A BLESSED Day!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney