"LEAD" a LIFE..."LEAD" a 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 won’t kid you, Monday’s are looooonnggg days for me.

That old alarm goes off in my head about 4:30am and by the time the head hits the pillow it is sneaking up on 11ish. And those who know me (and by the way continue to poke fun at me, Shanna M.) know that I like to hit the hay a little earlier than most. If my clock reads 10pm and I am still awake something is wrong.

And yesterday was no different, it was a long Monday. But GOD has a way of taking those long days and making them matter. He always makes MONDAY’S “worth it”.

Yesterday was no exception.

Last night at FREEDOM two of my good friends helped me serve our FREEDOM family. Lauren and Madison (Maddy) stopped in to share a story of hope and man oh man did they ever deliver!

In short, Lauren had a checkered childhood and early life; drugs, bad relationships, rebellion, rehab, brokenness and pain. Maddy on the other hand; just the opposite. Her life was and is dotted with lots of Godly influence and stability. Yet somehow GOD placed them in the same house under the same roof for a season or two and something amazing happened.

GOD began a wonderful work in BOTH OF THEM. Lauren needed Madison’s stability, faithfulness and example to move forward in her faith. Madison needed the “challenge” of Lauren’s past, her habits, and questions to push her to a deeper walk with Christ.

As they invested in a friendship and a sisterhood with one another, GOD open doors, provided insight, inspired changed and advanced His purpose in both of them.

Today both are electrically charged and on separate missions for Christ; Maddy an anointed worship leader and Lauren a seeker of the lost wallowing in her “old culture”.

Their story personified this passage:

2 Corinthians 1:3

What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.

Their story brings me today’s thought.

GOD doesn’t NEED us to advance His kingdom, but He CHOOSES to use us to do just that.

So that begs the question, are you watching for those opportunities when GOD wants to use you like He used Madison? Are you ready and available to use the challenges and lessons of your past to help someone who is hurting?

All Madison did was lead a lifestyle that reflected Jesus. GOD took care of the rest when it came to its impact on Lauren.

And GOD calls us each of us to the same; to embody a lifestyle that is available and responsive to HIM and those we encounter!

Ephesians 4:

…lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Friends, you never know when GOD will intersect you with someone who NEEDS what you know, who is desperate for the love and words that are hidden in your heart. That is why it is so critical for each of us to be listening for GOD, watching for others and ready to share HIS word, HIS hope, HIS peace and HIS promise to those we encounter!

We need to "LEAD a LIFE" so that we can "LEAD a LIFE".

1 Peter 3:15

…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

So can I encourage you to take a page from Madison today?

Lead a life that is holy, genuine and that is consistently honoring GOD. You never know when your “LAUREN”may show up and need what you have!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

CITADEL of 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.

“To know God as He really is—in His essential nature and character—is to arrive at a citadel of peace that circumstances may storm, but can never capture.”

Isn’t that a great quote?

That to know GOD is to "know His nature" and to "know His nature" is to experience a marvelous peace that is forever assured!

Yesterday my dear anointed worship leader and friend, Anna, closed the service with an affirming “old” refrain about this “citadel of peace.”

“Peace, peace, wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above!

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray

In fathomless billows of love!”

I love that line “sweep over my spirit forever, I pray”.

A worthy prayer for sure!

Beth Moore says it this way…

“Prayer guards hearts and minds and causes God to bring peace out of chaos.”

We need to pray that prayer; for GOD to send His peace that will sweep, pour, envelope, and permeate our spirits; a peace birthed in and full of His love.

After singing that little chorus at the end of both services yesterday, I decide to look up that old song and uncovered one of the verses. It is as remarkable and profound as the chorus.

It says,

“What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,

Buried deep in the heart of my soul,

So secure that no power can mine it away,

While the years of eternity roll!”

We are truly a fortunate lot.

That amidst all of the strife, the noise, and clamor of this world, we can pray down a peace that is SO SECURE, SO RESOLUTE, SO DEEPLY penetrating that no power, no challenge, no unimaginable circumstance can “MINE IT AWAY” or overcome it!

A peace promised by Christ himself!

John 16:33

…trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, DEEPLY AT PEACE. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.

Today rest in the assurance that the LORD offers us peace, not as the world gives, but as He alone gives.

Today accept this peace into your hearts and then trust it when trials and life do their best to disrupt it!

Isaiah 26:3

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.

Pray that today you will arrive, enter and dwell in the “citadel of GOD’s peace”; the peace from the Father above!

Wonderful peace!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

PEACE GIFT

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 days can be a little hectic. I am sure yours are too. Deadlines, pressure, high expectations, the feeling of being pulled by the “folks up the ladder” while being constantly prodded by those below.

We live in a very chaotic time. We sleep less, work more, stress constantly. We text and truncate our conversations, we opt to tweet rather than converse and FACEBOOK over fellowship. We are on the go at breakneck speed prior to sun-up and well past when the sun goes back into hiding.

It is NO WONDER we all suffer from a lack of real “PEACE”.

Over the past few weeks here at my home church AHOP, Pastor Mark has been spending some time “unpacking” PEACE. He is taking us on a journey to discover it, uncover it, embrace it and apply it to this day to day meat-grinder we call life.

So today, I wanted to add a little to the manuscript of Mark and as we enter the weekend, offer this thought, this instruction.

Colossians 3:15

…let the peace of God rule in your hearts…

For the truth is this.

While life and chaos can and does incessantly swirl around us at all times, peace is always possible; always available.

Jesus taught us when he was in the boat with the disciples recorded in the Gospel of Mark, that even when the waves are crashing and the storm is raging, PEACE can and will reign.

And how can that be?

Because HE IS THE PRINCE of PEACE!

And because He loves us so very much He was willing to offer that same peace, the peace that calmed the storm; HIS PEACE to those who follow HIM!

John 14:27

…my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Friend, in your storm today there is a center that is calm; in your trouble there is tranquility. It's the heart of God. It is the promise and gift of CHRIST!

He is there in the midst of your storm. He is there in the challenge at work, the conflict at school, the frustration of family and the rawness of the frazzled relationship. His peace is as soothing as a cool breeze on a late summer day and as welcomed as that first kiss of spring.

It is something He has offered and something we should grab with gusto!

As someone has well said, "The LORD gives peace that the world can't take away." Why? Because it is supernatural peace.

I know I want that! Do you?

If so, welcome it today. Embrace it today. Apply it today.

“I bid you peace!”

1 Thessalonians 3:16

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.Want to learn more about this marvelous, matchless peace that comes from above? Join Pastor Mark and our fellowship at AHOP – 282 Stelton Road at either 9 or 11am Sunday, November 10th!

I love you all!

Freedom Church





Pastor GDelaney

INDESPENSIBLE

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 more I work with folks in crisis, the more thankful I am for the WORD of GOD. It truly is an indispensible weapon! It is!

Ephesians 6:16

…God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.

See I told you!

There are so many circumstances that I encounter; folks challenged with homeless conditions, families neck deep in financial chaos, individuals reeling from the impact of betrayal, or laid up in a hospital room following an unexpected and ill-timed episode, who need a word of encouragement to beat back the enemies of despair, hopelessness, anger and confusion.

And more times than not I have absolutely no answer for what that individual, couple or family are facing, but PRAISE THE LORD, He always does.

That is why I am discovering MORE AND MORE each day that when faced with crisis and confusion, I must lean first on this amazing and powerful WORD of GOD to answer those questions to guide those steps rather than leaning on my knowledge or intellect!

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES;

I believe we get ourselves in trouble from time to time (at least I know I do) when we go about dispensing advice and direction without consulting the WORD first. That is why more and more whenever I encounter any situation, I pull from GOD’s WORD that is hiding in my heart (or on my DROID app) so that might say and do the RIGHT thing for the situation at hand.

Psalm 119:11

Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

It has been my experience that when I refer to the WORD in counsel or crisis, GOD brings clarity; His WORD cuts through the confusion and to the heart of the matter just as He said it would.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

So the point of today’s DISPATCH is to encourage; encourage you (and me) to continue to hide that WORD, refer to that WORD, use that WORD, believe that WORD and apply that WORD!

IT IS INDESPENSIBLE!

Perhaps you are dealing with a mess in your life right now. Maybe there is something that is pending on the horizon that looks imposing and frightening. Perhaps you have some decisions to make or need to react to a pending challenge.

Lean on the POWER of the WORD to bring clarity, to open opportunities, to bring peace and direction to that situation.

NEVER FORGET!

It is the unerring, unfettered WORD of Almighty GOD that promises to show you where to go, what to do, and how to respond!

Don’t believe me? Believe the WORD!

2 Timothy 3:16 (MSG)

…There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way…Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

It is INDESPENSIBLE!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

FORGIVE...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.

"I really am sorry GOD."

"Really. You know that don’t you? I know it was the umpteenth time doing the same silly thing, but you know I don’t want to do that stuff anymore. But you forgive me right?"

"Right?"

Ever find yourself in the malaise of self-doubt?

Or worse yet, confronted by a moment of conviction and clarity that brings you face to face with that “same” sin again and all you can think is this is the last time; GOD has had enough.

You tell yourself there is no way GOD can forgive me this time. You think to yourself, I can't forgive me. How will GOD?

Well there is good news today. You aren’t GOD and you can be and are forgiven!

The truth is your “SIN” problem; your reoccurring struggle is not unique.

We all are in the same boat. All of us have the same ailment.

Sin.

We all lose our tempers, make mistakes, and do things that seem completely out of character. Many of us stay hamstrung by a particular sin over and over again. The truth of the matter is sin is a universal challenge. But THANK GOD He provided a universal solution; complete forgiveness for all of it!

Hebrews 8:12

I will show loving-kindness to them and forgive their sins. I will remember their sins no more.

But if GOD provided forgiveness for everyone who’ll accept it why do so many of us struggle to forgive ourselves?

Guilt.

Guilt can be so strong that it may seem to overshadow the enormous gift of pardon and restoration that God freely provides. We may think our past actions are so terrible that God would never forgive us. If our wrong actions produce tangible negative consequences, we may become so blinded by the result that we can’t forgive ourselves. Seeing the outcome of sin every day keeps guilt alive in our minds. As a result, we may simply refuse to let it go.

That’s a tragic error.

Why?

Because GOD isn’t about heaping buckets of guilt on us.

Romans 8:1

… those who are in Christ Jesus are not judged guilty

Instead GOD has offered the gift of forgiveness!

Psalm 103:11-12

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

What else keeps us from forgiving ourselves?

Missed expectations.

We can think pretty highly of ourselves from time to time. Add a title like elder, deacon, PASTOR, or ministry leader and the stakes just got immeasurably higher. But GOD doesn’t raise that bar.

We do.

We often place ridiculously high, self-imposed standards for our behavior and accomplishments. When we fail to achieve them, we’re all but crippled by disappointment. This makes self-forgiveness seem impossible. But GOD sees us all the same; as lost sheep, broken people who needed a Savior, a Savior HE has provided.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that WHOEVER believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

You see that WHOEVER, no title, no higher expectation, Jesus came to bring forgiveness to all!

So let's turn this around today. Will you join me in asking yourself: (because like many of the DISPATCH’S I write are for me as much as anyone).

"Is misplaced guilt blinding my access to the grace of GOD? Do I think so highly of myself and my position and expectations that I can’t remember I am fallible and in desperate need of the CROSS every day?"

If you are like me and can answer yes to either or both of those questions, let’s stop and exercise a little truth and “exorcise” those feelings of guilt and missed expectations.

Confess those sins.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Accept the forgiveness.

And choose to remember that Christ gave His life to make us free. So embrace that amazing and unshakable truth!

Galatians 5:1

Christ has set us free to live a free life!

And let’s forgive ourselves for God has already forgiven!

Psalm 32:5

…Then I let it all out;

I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.”

Suddenly the pressure was gone—

my guilt dissolved,

my sin disappeared.

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

GRATITUDE!

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.

Now that November has rolled in, I have been seeing folks posting their “gratitudes” on FACEBOOK. That is refreshing.

It is important to maintain a true sense of gratitude at all times. We live in a “grumbly” time; a time where gratitude is washed over by things like greediness and entitlement. Yet we are called to be a grateful group!

And here is why…

Gratitude keeps comparisons at bay and we all know where “comparisons and comparing” can lead; to jealousy, envy, covetousness and the like.

Gratitude helps us to maintain humility and a genuine appreciation for life. Gratitude helps us to enjoy and appreciate the things we "do have" rather than constantly straining to achieve or receive what we don’t.

GOD wants a SPIRIT of GRATITUDE to flow through us and to radiate from us. Why else would He COMMAND us to be thankful no matter what?

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

…thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

There is no better time than first thing in the morning to THANK GOD; to express gratitude. It sets our mind in the right frame for the day ahead. It points our perspective to the positive! It puts us on a path of humility and gratitude and that is JUST THE WAY CHRIST encouraged us to live.

The Lord encourages us to exercise gratitude because He knows the spirit is lifted and courage strengthened when we focus on His work in our life. And as we watch Him intervene, we rejoice more, pray harder, and learn to give thanks in everything.

So let me leave you with some encouraging verses to post around the house, the office or the car as we wade into this “season of harvest and gratitude”. Don't settle for just reading them, commit them to heart and activity! You will be blessed!

Ephesians 5:20

…thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Psalm 106:1

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Psalm 107:1

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Hebrews 12:28

So let us be thankful, because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

 

AGITATORS

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.

How many of you are old enough to remember the brand of washer and dryer that touted its special agitator?

Can you remember who that was? Was it Kenmore? Whatever or whoever it was, the pitch was that their washer was better because it was better at agitation. Now that is about the only way I can think of where agitation could be viewed positively.

Most times when I think of agitators, pictures like the slow driver in the fast lane or the person in the check-lane who is counting out the change from the piggy bank for their purchase come to mind. For my buddy Mark, agitators come in the form of pesky critters in the back yard or someone who whistles, maybe chews ice noisily or leave drawers just slightly open.

I can’t fathom garnering much joy from agitation unless you get really excited about how clean your clothes look after a turn in the Kenmore.

Yet agitation is a joy robber. A long red light when in a hurry, a few flies showing up at the cookout are examples of those little agitations that tend to morph into much larger annoyances and suck the life out of the best of times.

The truth is we all fall victim to outward agitation from time to time. How we handle it is what makes the difference.

Therefore when our desires and needs are not being fulfilled or we are feeling inconvenienced or bothered, instead of giving ground to agitation we need to look at those circumstances from God's point of view. When we do, when we embrace GOD’s perspective, irritation, anger, and the need to place blame will be replaced by an inner quietness and confidence. When we choose God's perspective we choose peace; GOD's gift and antidote for agitation.

Jesus said,

John 14:27

…the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.

That peace makes it possible for us deal with life’s agitations, to face trials and trouble and all the while maintain “peace”!

The secret is learning to bring GOD's power into those weak moments when agitation wants access.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Trusting that we have access to GOD's power through the Holy Spirit at all times for all situations is the first step to experiencing peace; to advancing beyond our agitations!

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So wrap yourself in the SPIRIT OF GOD’S PEACE today. Don’t fall prey to the agitations and irratants of this world or your circumstance. Instead recognize that peace and contentment are choices; choices supported and advanced by the Holy Spirit!

And then...

Romans 14:19

… try to do what makes peace…

I love you all!

Freedom Church