FRONT ROW SEAT

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.

My friend Joy and I talk often how while our roles in ministry have their moments of challenge, fatigue and frustration, we are truly blessed to have a “front row seat”.

What do I mean? Let me first back up a bit.

Joy is the Executive Director of SAFEHARBOR HOUSE (http://www.safeharborhouse.org/) a wonderful ministry dedicated to helping broken and hurting women find freedom in CHRIST from prostitution, drug addiction, homelessness and pain. She is my buddy. It is an honor to serve alongside her!

Almost daily she, amid the drama and tears, sees women who once were disenfranchised, past over, and hurt, women who have made drastically radical and awful decisions, find healing in Jesus. She has story after story of reclamations, restorations, and reconciliations. And she has got to watch GOD work in these lives from HER “front row seat”.

Well yesterday I had a “front row seat” experience myself.

B, M, and S all were baptized.

B, the oldest of the group was a long-time alcoholic who had found sobriety and now Jesus. M, a skeptic and a cynic who had previously turned to heroin for relief, emerged from the baptismal tank a changed fellow, FREE and full of a new hope for the first time in his life. S, a young teen who had suffered with fear and sadness so severe she had resorted to cutting, found herself in the healing water of Jesus and seeing a new door to FREEDOM opening.

John 5:24

I assure you, anyone who hears what I say and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life. They will not be judged guilty. They have already left death and have entered into life.

And I (along with about 500 other AHOPPERS) got the front row seat to see all of them enter a "new life"!

But you don’t have to be in “official” ministry to SEE what GOD can do; to have your front row seat. All you need to do pause and...

Psalm 34:8

...open your eyes and see— how good God is.

Opportunities for transformation are everywhere.

You have a co-worker struggling in his marriage? Maybe a cup of coffee after work to talk would be a “front row seat”opportunity for you to see GOD work a miracle.

Got a friend who is overwhelmed? Maybe going over to help with some things around the house would give you a “front row seat”to see GOD change a perspective.

Never forget GOD is still in the miracle business; GOD is still into changing the old to new!

Isaiah 65:17-18

Pay close attention now: I’m creating new heavens and a new earth. All the earlier troubles, chaos, and pain are things of the past, to be forgotten.

Therefore there are “front row opportunities” all over the place! We just to make ourselves aware of those people and situations that NEED JESUS! We then, like my buddy Joy, need to be responsive and equipped to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus and then get ready to watch what GOD will do!

Psalm 105:5-6

Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. Remember the world of wonders he has made, his miracles…

Then you too will get your chance at a “FRONT ROW SEAT”!

I love you all…

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney