WALK RIGHT UP

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.

Draw near to God with confidence…Keep in mind that God invites you to come close to him and welcomes you with great love… HOPLER

James 1:5-8
If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

This little passage has been popping up over and over again in the ministry of late.
People are “confounded” as to what to do next.
People are “confused” by what GOD is “doing”.
People are taking new steps in life and the apprehension and “anxiety” have them flummoxed.
People are just needing direction for the next step, the next plan, the next move.

To be honest, one of those people is me.
I think that is why I keep having this passage from James come back to mind.

The wisdom we all need is at the ready. GOD is there. GOD is willing and GOD desires to help. Why is it that we “don’t approach” Him with confidence?
He encourages it!
Hebrews 4:16
…let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

I believe far too many times we allow the enemy to convince us that GOD “isn’t” interested or that GOD is too busy or that we have been “too bad” to confidently approach the THRONE of GOD. GOD says differently.
Jeremiah 29:13 (MSG)
“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree.

Maybe you are like me right now with too many balls in the air; where your work has never been more “challenging” and the prospects for the future never seemingly brighter yet at the same time never cloudier. Maybe you too have lots of questions about what to do next or how to handle a particular situation.
GOD is encouraging, commanding us to SEEK HIM, APPROACH HIM, ASK HIM, “walk right up” to Him confidently in prayer for the help and the direction.

He says WE WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!

So I am trying to be less “wind-whipped” and worrisome. Not an easy trick for someone who has some “diagnosed” anxiety issues. But I am trying. This trusting thing is no easy trick for me, but GOD is infusing more confidence with each time I do!

So let me ask you. Are a little like me? A little apprehensive?

Let’s be bold today!

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

He is ready to help us!

I love you all.
Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

AVOID THE ANGER

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.  There are days in this ministry that get the best of me.  Too many “bigger than me” challenges.  Too many “not enough resources” issues.  Everyone’s hair is on fire and my fire extinguisher is empty.

Now before you think I am looking for a pity party or an “it’ll be alright” talk, I am not.  I am stating some facts.  Sometimes we whip the day and other times the day whips you.

Well yesterday the day whipped me and before I knew it I was angry, frustrated, overwhelmed and edgy.  And sadly this is right after counseling a sweet young girl on leaning on the Holy Spirit to help her with her rejections and challenges.

Sounds like I need to find the nearest mirror and get to practicing what I preach on myself.

Trouble is that even when I “know” better, sometimes I don’t "do" better.

And unfortunately, anger is a “door opener” to the enemy for me.  Probably is for you too.  Don’t ever believe it isn’t.

James 1:20

A man’s anger DOESN'T produce the kind of life God wants.

The reality is that anger leaves us wide open to temptation and to the enemy's attacks on our spiritual life! And often when anger comes in one door, our spiritual life goes out the other.   

At least it happens for me that way.  I don’t look or sound to PASTORAL when I am cranked up over things which often are out of my control.  The enemy knows this and he can be crafty with the hot buttons and the triggers.

Proverbs 26:24

Your enemy shakes hands and greets you like an old friend, all the while conniving against you…

That is just like our enemy…

The great thing is that…

2 Corinthians 2:11

…we are not ignorant of his schemes

You and I just need to be cognizant of how vulnerable we are when we are angry.

So if we want to stay out of the sin-zone, we need to learn to control our anger. The best way to do this is to deal with frustration before it ever turns to anger. In our frustrating circumstances, God wants us to have faith and remember that He is in control and He'll use even these circumstances to mature us spiritually if we'll trust in Him through them.

Therefore when dealing with a frustrating situation, turn to Christ. Give the frustration to Him.

2 Corinthians 10:5

…take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.

This should help to diffuse the frustration and keep it from bubbling to anger.

That is what I am going to do today.  I am going to try and "practice my preaching" and...

1 Peter 5:8 (MSG)

Keep a cool head (&) ...keep a firm grip on the faith. 

And do my best to avoid the anger!

 

I love you all.

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

GOD IS THINKING OF YOU

GOD IS THINKING OF YOU
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 139:16-18
How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me.
And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!

Isn’t that a remarkable truth?

Yesterday was sitting in a service with some friends from up the street in Xenia; the folks from Xenia Grace Chapel. I was there to do a little “thank you” and update on the Jeremiah Tree but I think I was also there to hear the word from Pastor Dan.

He actually provided a couple of "dispatch inspirations”. The first of which is the passage above.

I want you to let it sink in today.

Often we wake up on Monday’s already slogging through the prospects of another challenging week still groggy from previous weeks or a tiring weekend. Let’s be honest it is often hard to get motivated for Mondays. But if you can just pause and let that little passage from Psalm 139 minister to you, I am sure that will lift your countenance and “heighten” your spirits! It should cause a spring to return to your step!

GOD is thinking of you! RIGHT NOW!
GOD is ready to ENGAGE you! RIGHT NOW!
GOD is at the ready to HELP you with today, to love on you today, to inspire you today, to energize you today!

WOW!

Isaiah 40:28-31
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

I believe I am going to revel in GOD’s concern and love for me today. How about you?

I believe I am going to stop relying on my STRENGTH and snag a little of that “FRESH STRENGTH” to help today. How about you?

I believe since GOD is engaged, I am going to engage Him!

GOD is already thinking of the plan...why not follow it?

That is the recipe for a much better Monday!

I love you all.
Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

WISDOM FOR "THOSE THINGS"

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.

James 1:5-8 (VOICE)

5 If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking.

6 The key is that your request be anchored by your single-minded commitment to God. Those who depend only on their own judgment are like those lost on the seas, carried away by any wave or picked up by any wind. 7 Those adrift on their own wisdom shouldn’t assume the Lord will rescue them or bring them anything. 8 The splinter of divided loyalty shatters your compass and leaves you dizzy and confused.

Wisdom, as James understands it, is the ability to live life well and make good decisions. Wisdom doesn’t come from old age or hard knocks. Wisdom begins with knowing and depending absolutely on God, who is never stingy when it comes to wisdom for those who seek it. He supplies all the wisdom we need when we ask. But when we try to go it alone—without God—trouble is around the corner. (VOICE COMMENTARY)

I referred to this passage and its translation as I was counseling a friend who in the middle of a very confusing time in his life.  To say he has experienced a few hard knocks is an understatement.  But now all of that seasoned experience was creating more confusion than counsel; shattering his compass if you will.  

And often, at least for me,  some of my“experience” has selective amnesia. Sometimes my experience leads me down the wrong path for a second or umpteenth time.  

We forget that the hard knock and experienced gained is more about educating us on how “not to do” something again rather than offering a repeatable process.

Yet often when faced with difficult times and circumstances we will lean on our understanding and our “wisdom” rather than leaning on GOD for the “next step” or the “next choice”.  We forget that GOD is in the business of our good.  We forget that GOD is forever faithful.  We forget that this challenge is likely in place to “make us better"; to push us to dependence on GOD rather than to our reservoir of experience.

Scripture confirms this. 

Proverbs 3, Romans 8, Jeremiah 31, 1 Peter 1.

Sometime I think we are intimidated by GOD.  We think that our puny little problem is not worth His attention, intervention or instruction.  But James makes it clear GOD will not “blow us off”.  GOD welcomes the inquiries. GOD welcomes the TRUST.  GOD welcomes the FAITH!  In fact without it, GOD is NOT pleased.  

Translation: GOD is more grieved when we “go it alone” than “irritated" when we call upon Him for help!

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

You catch the last portion of that familiar verse?  

GOD REWARDS those who discount their experience and exercise faith.  

Want more validation?

Matthew 6:33

But put God’s kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all of those things will also be given to you.

What are those things you ask?

Answers to the seemingly impossible questions. That is one of THOSE THINGS.

Clarity for the cloudy.  That is one of THOSE THINGS.

Direction for the day.  That is one of THOSE THINGS.

You are getting my drift right?

So if you are struggling for an answer or which way to go today like my friend is, just GO BACK to James.

James 1:5 (VOICE)

5 If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need.

 

Simple enough?

Have a blessed weekend.

I love you all.

Freedom Church

NOT AVIS

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.

“…we are always challenging ourselves and one another to "try harder." We seem to believe success in the Christian life (however we define success) is basically up to us: our commitment, our discipline, and our zeal, with some help from God along the way. We give lip service to the attitude of the Apostle Paul, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10), but our unspoken motto is, "God helps those who help themselves."

Yet the realization that my daily relationship with God is based on the infinite merit of Christ instead of my own performance is a very freeing and joyous experience.

As many of you have heard me say many times, the difference between living for God and living for anything else is that when we live for anything else we do so to gain acceptance. When we live for God we do so because we are already accepted. Real freedom (the freedom that only the Gospel grants) is living for something because we already have favor instead of living for something in order to gain favor. - Tullian Tchividjian

This past Sunday I spoke that FREEDOM is our DESTINY (Galatians 5:13 -GOD has called us to FREEDOM).

Trouble is many of us allow our “performance based” mentality seep into our relationship with CHRIST and sadly inhibit our FREEDOM.  

Tullian is right.  

We should make our choices based on GOD’s favor and His wonderful love for us; in appreciation for the CROSS, GRACE and GOD’s love. Yet unfortunately far too many times and days we are consumed with trying to live up to GODLY expectations; to gain GOD’s favor and acceptance by “trying harder.”

We are not AVIS my friends.

We aren’t called to “try harder”.  We could try and try and try and not move the needle one iota toward being more acceptable to GOD.

Isaiah 64:6

When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.

Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

Tough truth.  But truth nonetheless.

What we often fail to realize is that GOD simply wants us to commune with Him, walk with Him, befriend Him, and cherish our time with Him. He wants us to trust Him, lean on Him, value Him and honor Him.  

And none of that is truly possible when we are feeling like we have to impress Him.  

He loves us the way we are.  He sent His Son to die when we were “the way we are”.

Charles Stanley says it this way...

God's love for us does not vary in quality or quantity. It will never end or even diminish. No circumstance–or our own actions–can cause the Lord to stop loving us.

Bottom line is, GOD just wants us to walk in His grace unencumbered by the “pressure of performance.”

Matthew 11:28

…Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

So step into the FREEDOM that is yours today.

Stop trying to impress GOD with your efforts.  Stop pushing to “be noticed”.  Stop the “trying harder” thing.  He already knows everything about you, every hair on your head, every mistake you’ve made or about to make and He is faithful.

He will always love you.

Jeremiah 31:3

God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!

I love you all.

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

WAY TRUTH 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 was lying in bed last night a little “worn out”.  It has been a long couple of weeks.  Between promoting our events held over the weekend and the absolute deluge of homelessness challenges (more in the last 3 weeks than in the history of the ministry) I was a little “weary”.

So as I was winding down I caught a little of a talk that Jesse Duplantis was sharing at a conference.

He was sharing from John 14.

As he was reading he shared this familiar passage, one that I had used in my own little talk on Sunday.

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

Now when I had incorporated that passage on Sunday, I emphasized that JESUS was TRUTH and because He was TRUTH it was HE that brings TRUE FREEDOM!

John 8:32

…you will know the TRUTH (Jesus), and the truth will make you free.

Yet Jesse offered a little different insight.

He commented that Jesus was the WAY, that HE and GOD have blazed the course for all of us to follow.

Psalm 119 (MSG)

You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.

Jesus was the TRUTH so HE could not be deceived.  Therefore all He said and did was ironclad in it “rightness”.  We can take it at face value and know it to be solid.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (V)

So surely you ought to stick to what you know is certain…All of Scripture is God-breathed; in its inspired voice, we hear useful teaching, rebuke, correction, instruction, and training for a life that is right…

And lastly Jesse reminded us that JESUS offered LIFE!  Forever-life!

John 10:28

I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one shall snatch them away from me…

Take a second to pause and thank Jesus for being these things for us.

He is showing us the way through this treacherous landscape of life.

He is offering us nothing but truth to draw from to make decisions and choices.  We have no reason for skepticism or concern as to what He is instructing us to do.

He has given us LIFE from HIS life.  So we can walk without fear or intimidation.

Marinate a little on that familiar refrain from John today.  There is so much in so few words; so much promise in such a short passage.

Let it inspire you today!

 

I love you all.

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

NO GRUMBLING PLEASE

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 2:14 (ESV)

Do all things without grumbling…

That can be a tall order some days can’t it?

Circumstances can turn what was a pretty smooth day into a bumpy and challenging one.  Sometimes on a dime it seems. 

Did me yesterday. 

The day opened on such a “high” but after all of the phone calls, crisis situations, urgent texts, and unsolvable circumstances had taken their measure, I was a little “grumbly.”

I will admit it.

But GOD encourages us over and over again to not allow “grumbling” to seep into our psyche.  In fact He presses us toward being THANKFUL in all things. Yes, even the “things” that would seemingly deserve a little grumbling.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)

…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

But I admit it. I fall victim to grumbling. 

And I am just guessing I am not the only one.

Yet if not kept in check, sometimes the stress of the work or the circumstances we navigate can lead to more grumbling than gratitude. And for that we have to be careful. 

Careful to not allow a lack of gratitude to cripple our spirits.

Comparisons and complaining can lead to discontentment and discouragement and can damage our walk with Christ.

"If we do not believe that we are deeply dependent on God for all we have or hope to have, the very spring of gratitude and faith runs dry." – JOHN PIPER

And God is never pleased with grumbling, ungrateful hearts. 

Ask the Israelites.

Conversely however, developing a heart of gratitude is essential to growing a stronger faith.  And STRONGER faith is what will see us through the challenging circumstances!  So stay grateful.

Colossians 4:2

Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude.

Will you join me and make the choice today to take our eyes off the circumstances and seemingly unsolvable problems and instead gratefully acknowledge who God is and what He is doing? 

Let’s deny ourselves the right to complain, embracing instead the deep-seated joy of gratitude. . . in all things.  Let's strengthen our faith by being grateful and allowing that gratitude to dictate what we say and do!

Psalm 50:23 (NLT)

But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”

Psalm 19:14 (VOICE)

14 May the words that come out of my mouth and the musings of my heart meet with Your gracious approval, O Eternal, my Rock, O Eternal, my Redeemer.

I love you all.

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

WOW MOMENTS

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.

It truly is remarkable when GOD “presents” himself.  

And before I go further, GOD doesn’t always present Himself in mountaintop experiences or “wow” moments, one of which I am about to share.  Those are awesome for sure, but sometimes GOD shows up to correct us or to “steady the ship” as well.

Psalm 25:8

God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction.

The truth is GOD just loves to “get involved” with us!

And this past week, time after time, GOD has presented Himself to me in some most amazing WOW” moments.  And over the course of the next few weeks I will share them in order to GLORIFY HIM and hopefully INSPIRE you because that is “my job”…

Psalm 115:1(ESV)

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

So I thought I would share one such “WOW” which was last night. 

It is not often in life when we get to “rub elbows” with those we have admired from afar; the “famous ones” if you will. But last night GOD blessed me immeasurably and inexplicably by intersecting me with one of my heroes, Michael English.www.michaelenglishmusic.com.

Michael is an accomplished and decorated solo artist in the gospel music world; Grammy winner and Dove Award winner.  But my connection to Michael is more than just as a fan of his talent.  My connection to Michael was through his transparent and inspired auto-biography “The Prodigal Comes Home.”  His journey into depression, drugs and drinking is so eerily similar to mine.  His fears and “missed expectations” so similar to mine that I thought I was reading my story when I was reading his. 

But it is his story of GOD’s RESTORATION that helped to change my life.

I count the living breathing nature of THE WORD OF GOD, Michael’s BOOK, and Pastor Mark Brook’s initial visit to me in the hospital as the three crucial catalysts for my recovery from alcoholism and entrance into full-time ministry.

I always believed that when I fell into alcoholism, I would never serve the Lord again.  GOD wouldn’t want me.  GOD surely wouldn’t need me.  Yet as the pages turned in Michael’s book I found a GOD who DID love me in spite of me and a GOD who still valued me; not for any talent, but just for me and I could RECOVER.

Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV)

I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

And last night after years of being a “fan in the stands”, Michael and I just “hung out”. He was gracious enough to come and celebrate my 5^th year in ministry with me.  We talked about our kids.  We talked about challenges.  We talked about music. We talked about anxiety and failure.

But mostly we shared our gratitude for GOD’S RESTORATION.

Isaiah 61:3

…He will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.

It is not often we meet our heroes.  Not often at all.  We pray that they live up to expectations.  Mine most certainly did. It still is a little surreal.

So last night would be easily categorized as a WOW moment; a top ten evening for me directly on the heels of a top ten morning (which I will talk about soon).

And that brings me to the point of today’s DISPATCH.  It is a simple one.

GOD is pursuing us relentlessly.  He has plans and dreams for our lives.  He wants WOW moments for US.  He wants US to be ABLE TO SEE Him frequently and powerfully each day.

And while I had a big WOW yesterday, I know there may be another one waiting on the other side of the door this morning.  In fact I have begun TRUSTING GOD for MORE of them. (even the "correcting" ones)  And all HE asks is that when they happen to give HIM the GLORY.

Ephesians 3:20

Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.

So be on the lookout today.

A “WOW MOMENT” for you might be just on the horizon!

And if you have one, GIVE GOD the GLORY!

I love you all.

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney