THROUGH AND BECAUSE

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 got a pretty “distressed” call yesterday afternoon.  A good friend, a strong and I mean strong and dedicated follower of Jesus called. She is a true source of encouragement for others and she had been knocked off her feet and was at the breaking point.

Life was winning and she was in a word, OVERWHELMED.

Now listen before I continue this is no “run of the mill” Jesus-follower I am talking about. This one can “take a punch” when it comes to adversity. So for her to raise the white flag and feel like giving up just doesn’t happen.  She is a TIMEX watch (takes a licking…you know).

But yesterday was a different story.  She was over her skis and tumbling.

And like my friend, it is not uncommon for any of us to run up against things that are bigger than us; things and circumstances that loom so large or seem so enormous that we simply cannot overcome in our own strength. It may be outside trials or be an internal battle like a lust that threatens to consume us, or our addiction that repeatedly trips us up, a resentment that is growing inside us, or a sorrow that seems to paralyze us.  

We all have something that from time to time seeks to get the best of us.

But I want to encourage you this morning to remember some things; some things familiar, some things OFTEN quoted.  And while they have become a little "clichéd" there is NO DENYING their TRUTH regardless how familiar the refrain.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that 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.

When the problem becomes too big or we feel in too deep, we can ALWAYS trust this VERSE.  And because of it we can always shift our focus from the source of the issue and RELY on the TRUTH of the solution, CHRIST.

You see THERE ARE some old tried and true “truths” that “just work” and are BEST in times like this.

Especially this one.

Philippians 4:13 (NCV)

I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.

Another familiar verse reminding us again that the strength for these “overwhelming” situations does not come from us, or from our own willpower but from Jesus Christ who has the power and deliverance we need.

Now I know these are tread-worn passages, but HOW OFTEN when the heat is on do we forget them?

Exactly!

So today if you are being knocked around or overwhelmed, ask some questions.

“WILL I make it through this trial?"

Yes! Through and BECAUSE of Christ I WILL!

"Can I overcome that temptation or addiction?"

Yes! Through and BECAUSE of Christ I WILL!

"Can I rise above my grief or depression?"

Yes! Through and BECAUSE of Christ I WILL!

There is nothing that you cannot do through the strength that Christ has promised to you. I don’t care how big, how ugly, how ill-timed the issue, if this is your first battle or your 99,995th battle, turn to Him my friends, and find the confidence, the joy, the strength that is found where?

Through Christ.

It is the hope of Christ that makes it possible for us to persevere in times of tribulation and distress. We have an anchor for our souls that rests in the One who has gone before us and conquered.” ― R.C. Sproul

 

Have a blessed DAY!

I love you all

FREEDOM CHURCH

 

Pastor GDelaney

ROSY NOT THORNY

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 sharing some time Saturday with a good friend who has been in the ICU at Kettering Hospital in Dayton for 60 days or so. He is IMPROVING but has a “ways to go”.  He is stricken with guillain-barré syndrome.  In fact his case is one of the worst on record.  But he is progressively healing and progressively improving. 

Continue to pray for Kip.

The good news was that Saturday was the first I have been able to converse with Kip since he got sick.  The disease had him paralyzed.  And it was good to see the wry smile and a little light back in those eyes as we caught up.  He has been through a lot. 

But the visit brought with it a lot of perspective.

We can get pretty frustrated with waiting for our coffee at the drive thru.  Get impatient with the folks behind the counter or on the phone.  We curse at the traffic and get frustrated with the boss or the supervisor.  We complain. 

We grumble.

But when you see a once vibrant and powerful man laying fairly motionless in the bed struggling to talk, being assisted to breathe and eat, suddenly those little inconveniences seem, well AWFULLY little.

It can be a little humbling.

GOD called us to be thankful people.

GOD called us to be grateful people.

1 Thessalonians 5:18(NIV)

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

“Reflect upon your present blessings -- of which every man/woman has many -- ” - Dickens

When we are argumentative or impatient, when we express ungrateful behaviors or exude frustration, we don’t look much like He desires us to look.

So a couple of simple suggestions today.

Remember Kip. 

But before you offer GOD your laundry list for yourself, THANK GOD and then pause and think about the others around you who could use a prayer a little more than you today.

Someone sick?

Someone in a crisis?

Pray for that first.

Is there something you can do? A visit?  A card? A call? Get that on your calendar. Don't "gonna do it", do it!

Resolve to keep them in mind throughout the day rather than grumbling about ‘your stuff’.

Resolve to not complain so quickly.

Remember…

Some people grumble that roses have thorns; be grateful that thorns have roses.

So don’t be “thorny”.  Be rosy!

Deuteronomy 26:11…celebrate all the good things He has given to you…

For:

“The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.” NVP (Norman Vincent Peale)

I love you all

Freedom Church

MEMORIAL DAY

Happy Memorial Day...
“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.” -- Billy Graham
http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/51552/Remember-And-Honor-Memorial-Day


Love you all.
Be BLESSED this MEMORIAL DAY!

GIVE GRACE

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 have logged about 7 full years in the “recovery” world; 82 months or so.  Over that time I have seen “just about everything”.  And over those years I have seen tragedy and triumph; experienced euphoria and disappointment.

I have been audience to some amazing transformations, watched many folks who had been written off turn things around and astonish.

But it is rare when I am "surprised". It is even rarer when I am surprised in a good way.

Most of the time I am surprised in a dejected or “I can’t believe that really happened” kind of way. 

But that wasn’t the case yesterday. No yesterday GOD reminded me that there are MANY GOOD people in the Kingdom; people that “get it”.  People who understand friendships are not always quid pro quo; people who understand the FULLNESS of GOD’s grace.

John 1:16 (ESV)

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

And because they understand the “amazingness” of grace they levy it, share it, live in it and love with it.

I will be honest.

It is easy to become a little jaded doing recovery work.  That is why when GOD sends me an encouragement like yesterday, I have to share it!

I have a young lady in my fellowship who is a “rollercoaster” recoverer.  She has moments of amazing revelation and stability followed by benders and binges that you have to see to believe. 

I love her dearly. Everyone does.

She has an amazing heart and disposition when she is clean. I know that is why the enemy wants her off stages and out of commission; she is that impacting and amazing when she is clicking.

And she was doing great. 

I mean great. 

And then the track crested and her roller-coaster car started another plummet.  This one so steep and severe that she landed in jail.

During her recent time on the rise and at her pinnacle she found some CHRISTIAN friends.  She got involved with a group of “non-recoverers” and they were doing life together. 

All was grand.  She was one of the “bible-study” girls.  And that was a good thing. 

But now she has failed them.  She let them down.  She was “back out”.

Now here is the surprising part.  Instead of judgment, which is what I am used to seeing, this crew of friends offered gift cards to the now “single dad” manning the ship.  They built a babysitting calendar. They started a FACEBOOK page to rally support and prayer.  They started making calls to treatment centers and to other organizations to open doors and present options for their friend.

Did I tell you they “don’t understand” addiction and recovery? 

I have NEVER seen such unfettered unconditional support.

Never.

Most of the time the “new friends” jet. 

Most of the time the “new friends” expand the distance.

Most of the time the “addict” is left to their own devices and “old friends” for support. 

Quite the contrary with this bunch!

These ladies “get it”.  

They have EXPERIENCED the FULLNESS of grace and now they are quick to SHARE it even when they don’t understand how a mother of two could trade time with her kids and husband for a rock of crack cocaine. 

But to them the coke isn’t important. Why their friend is in trouble irrelevant.

In their mind it is time to love.

In their mind it is time to show grace.

In their mind it is time to be like Jesus.

Lift up a hallelujah for my friend’s friends.  They are worthy to be praised!

Lisa Terkeurst says this, “I give grace because I so desperately need it”.

That is the lesson from these wonderful women today.

A lesson for all of us!

Give grace!

“The way you treat people who are in no position to help you, further you, or benefit you reveals the true state of your heart.” ― Mandy Hale

Have a blessed Memorial Day Weekend!

Love you all

FREEDOM CHURCH

UNSEEN

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 to tell the story of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.” – Old hymn.

I could not have “seen” some of the recent interactions in my life coming let alone some of the recent intersections. There is no way I could have envisioned the signs, the changes, the possibilities and connections.  No way could I have envisioned the potential opportunities or struggles the conflicts or the need for conviction.

But GOD did. GOD does. He works in the unseen.

Many of you know I have recently been engaged in several collaborative projects. And not a day goes by when GOD isn’t doing some “unseen things above.”

Doors are swinging open and closed

Relationships are being forged.

He is making changes in me.

Stories are providing energy and validation

Holy Spirit revelations that if not written down could escape me, are providing the context for conversation.

I thank GOD that He continues to reward my often feeble and fickle faith and astonish me in spite of me.

But…

“Faith and hope make you to thank God for the invisible things by looking at the visible things which were once invisible too.” ― Israelmore Ayivor

Isn’t that good?

For example:

I was with a mom day before yesterday who never thought she could be sober, single, pure and hopeful.  But now she can see it every day in the mirror. What was invisible was now visible.  The unseen being seen.

I was with a ministry over the weekend that was the dream of a woman who saw her “neighbor” and remembered:

'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Mark 12:31)

...and four houses and 50+ women later what was “unseen” was now being seen, supported, blessed and inspiring! The invisible has become “REAL” estate!

Look around.

What was once unseen in your life?

A marriage that had no shot that now is flourishing? (That is one of mine).

Kids who were once distant and hurting now sharing their hearts and future daily with their dad? (Oh, mine again, sorry)

Now those UNSEEN things above are the evidences of JESUS and HIS love; His love for me.  They are the by-products of faith and trust.

But I am not alone in this.

What in your life was just a dream or an impossibility that is now a reality?

Come on, there is something. 

GOD loves to “show off” from time to time.  He loves to do the impossible.  He loves to make ways out of no ways.  He loves to make things “appear”.

Remember:

“Yesterday’s impossibilities are today’s miracles.”

So do you have a story to tell of unseen things above? Of JESUS and His glory? Of Jesus and His love?

I am betting you do. 

So, share it! 

Relish in it! 

Build on it!

Most of all thank GOD for it!  

And then get ready. There are more where those came from!

For Hudson Taylor one said, “There are three stages to God’s will in your life: impossible, possible, and done.”

 

Have a blessed day.

I love you all

Freedom Church

A CHANCE TODAY

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 don't know where you are or what you’ve done, but I know this for sure: you can have a fresh start today. There’s an Enemy who would have you believe that you're stuck and there is no hope for change in your life. But Jesus' spilled blood cries out, “You can turn! I will come to you a second time, and a third, and a fourth, and for however long it takes." – Paul David Tripp

Boy oh boy, I have felt that way some days.  How about you?

That by the time the sun sets and you have a second to catch your breath and you look back on all that you have said and done you realize that it wasn’t a “red letter day” by any stretch.

Anger won.

Lust won.

Frustration won.

Sin won.

Self won.

It is at the close of those days that I am grateful for pending sunrises and unending grace.  For I can wake today to a FRESH start.  I can wake today to GOD’s grace that is beyond anything that I could conjure or understand. I can wake today to the hope that is the CROSS; the hope that is CHRIST; and the grace to TRY AGAIN!

Yes TRY AGAIN. Why?

“God uses people who fail—'cause there aren't any other kind around.” ― John C. Maxwell

So if yesterday wasn't "red letter", let's embrace the FRESH START!

“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...” ― Marcus Aurelius

And get right back to the “work” GOD has called us to do.

Galatians 6:9 (AMP)

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

And when faced with those times of adversity or when that old “sinful self” wants to take charge or steer us from that course, remember the CROSS and remember there is hope even in our failures.  Our job is to never fail to KEEP striving, KEEP trying, KEEP hoping and to KEEP living!

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.”

― Mother Teresa

Embrace your fresh start at LIVING today! Start it by thanking JESUS for the CROSS and the CHANCE!

And...

Seize the wonder and uniqueness of today! Recognize that throughout this beautiful day, you have an incredible amount of opportunities to move your life into the direction you want it to go.”  - Steve Maraboli

Have a blessed day.

I love you all

Freedom Church

PROTECTION AND PEACE

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 27:4(MSG)

I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him (to dwell) 

…

5 That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway far from the buzz of traffic.

Yesterday during our staff time my friend and colleague Layna shared from this passage. In fact she shared the entire Psalm. It is WORTH a read. Take a minute and go find your BIBLE and read through it once you are done here.  You won't regret it!

But I wanted to offer this snippet as ENCOURAGEMENT for today.

If you could choose one thing today, why not make it to dwell with GOD?

You can CHOOSE that!

His invitation is open.  His hand extended. 

Psalm 145:16

You open Your hand and satisfy every living thing with favor.

There is safety for this day with Him.

For:

Psalm 91:1(HCSB)

The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.

So to choose that "one thing", to choose to "dwell", WOULD make all the other “things” about today BETTER.  

It would!

For in that dwelling place is GOODNESS and MERCY needed for today. (Psalm 23)

In that dwelling place is GUIDANCE and DIRECTION needed for today. (Check a Proverb or two)

In that dwelling place is the OPTIMISM and HOPE needed for today!

And in that dwelling place is your measure of PEACE for today!

That means all the chaos of today can continue to clang for the buzz of the intense traffic and noise has no penetrating power in HIS dwelling place.

That is a GOOD thing! Amen?

So let's DWELL! Why wouldn't we?

Take refuge.  

Allow GOD to filter the noise in that perfect GETAWAY.

Matthew 11:29(MSG)

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.

And embrace GOD's PEACE and PROTECTION for this day!

For peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands.” ― Elisabeth Elliot

I love you all

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney