SEEK THE SEEDS

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)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

"Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity." - Og Mandino

Therefore…

...never collapse. The outward man (woman) does indeed suffer wear and tear, but every day the inward man (woman) receives fresh strength. These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.

- 2 Corinthians 4:16 (PH)

No one wants to experience tough times. But when they come our way, we have a choice about how to view them: as a burden or a bridge. Many people believe that they draw closer to God through blessings, but really, we discover God’s true love, mercy and grace through difficult situations and circumstances. - Stanley

That is true.

That passage from 2 Corinthians “confirms” it.  Even though you may be going through a tough time, there is purpose in the challenge; there are triumphs in the “teaching” there is discovery in the difficulty.

I have been recently privileged to share a little with a couple different congregations and at the close of “the talks” I shared this little nugget from Warren regarding “adversity, pain and bad or tough times” and their purpose.

“God is an expert at bringing good out of bad.  

He could have kept Paul out of prison in Philippi but instead He let Paul go to prison and the jailer became a believer as a result. God could have kept Jesus from the cross but He let Him go -- His own Son -- He let Him suffer and die.  Did He bring any good out of that?  I'd say He did!

God loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections. (ISN'T that great!)

The things you wish were most removed from your life are often the very things that God is using to shape you and make you into the believer of character He wants you to be.  He wants to use that problem for good in your life. There's something more important than your pain.  It's what you're learning…”

I know it not easy to consider the “benefit” when dealing with the “bad”.  I will quickly admit, I am not good at it and often stare at heaven kicking and screaming with my list of “whys” at GOD when it is going on with me.

BUT…

The truth is always the truth.  And the truth says:

GOD gives…unto (us) beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…Isaiah 61:3 (KJ21)

GOD promises…that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans. – Romans 8:28 (LB)

GOD will… never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)

Therefore, resist the urge to focus on the present pain.  Instead “seek those seeds” of:

Possibility.

Opportunity.

Understanding.

For…

“There is no better teacher than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve…” Unknown

I love you ALL!

Be blessed this weekend!

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)

 

Pastor GDelaney

WALK FROM VICTORY

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)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Isaiah 61:10 (CEB)

10 I surely rejoice in the Lord;

    my heart is joyful because of my God,

    because he has clothed me with clothes of victory,

    wrapped me in a robe of righteousness

Are you joyful today?

Or has the week taken its toll?

Has the “mundane-ness” of the grind “ground” you down?

Has the routine rutted?

If that is you let that verse wash over you for a second.

Your heart can ALWAYS be joyful because of whom?

GOD.

The world can take its best shot but it can’t rob you of GOD’S amazing and supernatural joy unless YOU let it.  So don’t focus on the routine or the mundane, the grinding and rutting.  Instead shift your focus to the truth of that little passage.

GOD has provided us joy.  It is full and strengthening for the wearying day.

Psalm 16:11(ESV)…in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

But He has also provided a little more.

I was sitting with some dear friends this past Tuesday.  We were making some strides in their efforts to be CHAMPIONS and to begin a gathering and work in Montgomery County Ohio. And as we were “strategizing” one of the dearest and insightful people I have ever encountered on this journey made a statement to me.

To paraphrase he said, “Pastor in this effort of CHAMPIONS remember we are NOT walking toward or STRIVING for VICTORY.  We are WALKING FROM VICTORY into the crisis.”

I was floored.

He was referencing this little passage I am sure.

GOD HAS clothed me in victory.  He has clothed him as well.  And you want some glorious news my fellow followers, HE has done the same for you.

Today you TOO walk in and from victory; in the strength that is the LORD’S joy. 

His presence is illuminating your spirit as we speak!

He has awakened to clothe you not just in victory but in RIGHTEOUSNESS as well!

That should put the proverbial spring in the step!

What is on your radar that has you feeling defeated before even the first light?  You are ALREADY victorious!

What sin has stolen your joy shamed you or caused you to be weighted with the thoughts of what I should have or could have done?

Wrap yourself in that ROBE of RIGHTEOUSNESS!

Remember today that “the Bible says that the kingdom of God is internal righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (see Romans 14:17). When we make Jesus Lord of our heart, we have joy in our lives. Satan has no right to steal from you today, so enjoy the good life that Jesus paid for you to have.” ― Joyce Meyer

A day and life of VICTORY!

I love you ALL!

Be blessed!

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)

INTERRUPTED AGENDA

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)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“This is the beginning of a new day!

You have been given this day to use as you will.

You can waste it or use it for good.

What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. In its place is something that you have left behind . . .

Let it be something good. —

Father, I anticipate the good things You have prepared for me today. 

Bring complete order to my day as I seek You first and make Your will my priority.

I rejoice in the new day You have given me. I praise You for making it fruitful and productive. Thank You for teaching me ways to increase my effectiveness— to work smarter.

I work according to Your AGENDA and perform for an AUDIENCE of one—the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” ― Cindy Trimm

Cindy has helped us to set the stage for today.

We have been given today.

GOD has GOOD for us in it.

Will we allow Him to orchestrate it?  Direct it?

Will we lean on Him to INCREASE our effectiveness?

To offer WISDOM?

Remember:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 (NIV)

Far too many times I think we just cling to the routine of our day and forget that GOD may have something completely different in mind; a different classroom, or maybe a revelatory experience. 

Case in point.

I had scoped out what I thought was going to be a “tight and empowering” agenda for a training class/seminar I was directing yesterday in Lancaster.  There were video’s, there was an exercise there was some PowerPoint “stuff” but GOD had something entirely different scheduled.

GOD (our AUDIENCE of ONE) used my audience and interrupted the day in an amazing way.  There WERE words of wisdom shared.  There was GOOD shared all around.  The “class” did MOST of the teaching.  They CLEARLY had embraced what Ms. Trimm has suggested much better than I.

They worked with GOD’S agenda in mind, never pausing to “take a break” to embrace the presence of GOD.  They were committed to allowing the SPIRIT to do some amazing teaching.  The helped me to “let GOD” and not my plan have the last word yesterday.

Proverbs 16:1 (MSG)

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

I was so humbled and blessed by the day and by this group of folks who were willing to EMBRACE the day with both hands, a group who were willing to GIVE GOD room in the “goings on” and let GOD have the agenda. 

And it was GOOD.

So the point is pretty clear I am sure.

Anticipate the GOOD things GOD has for today.

Ask GOD to bring ORDER to your day. (Give Him the agenda)

Thank Him in advance for WHAT He will teach you.

And give the AUDIENCE of ONE the reigns for the day.

You won’t be sorry.

I love you ALL!

Be blessed!

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)