TIME TO LOVE

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.

Curtain closes and out comes a few of “Mark’s minions”; each holding a big block letter.

L.O.V.E. they spell on the stage behind our pastor, Mark. We hear that “in our foyer” there are lovely flowers and treats to show that special someone you love them with all the proceeds going to help some other folks in Honduras in order to share more l.o.v.e!

Later on yesterday Pastor Josh was planning to get “crazy” with his love for some frigid “Fusion U” faithful.

Love was most certainly in the air at AHOP yesterday. Wrapped in red papers and blooming with red carnations.

Yet it was a passage that Pastor shared that tugged at my heart strings, a passage sweeter than the sweetest Valentine treat.

Romans 8:38-39

Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.

We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

That friends is love that is not just sticky sweet but stuffed with real substance.

That friends is love that needs to be appreciated and admired 24x7, 365.

It is the kind of love that can’t be held in a heart shaped box, is too vast and complicated for a Hallmark card and is just too intense to be limited to one day in the middle of February.

No that is a love that has permanence and resonance. It is a love forged in sacrifice.

Romans 6:8

God put his LOVE on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

I don’t know about you but that is the kind of love that demands my attention, my reverence and my obedience. That is the kind of love that inspires me to love likewise! So that is what I will aspire to do today.

Act like Him and love.

John 13:34

Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another.

 Time to love…

Have a lovingly blessed day…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

DON'T IGNORE IT

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.

Two meetings. One live.

One over the phone late yesterday afternoon.

Two men.

Both of them 50ish.

Both of them beat up.

Both of them tired, voices graveled from abuse.

2 different fellows but the stories were the same.

“Drinking is killing me”, they say. “I don’t know how to stop. I’m losing everything or lost everything. What can I do?”

One was even too sick to “stop drinking”, at least not until the proper medical team had a look at him. The other was sort of sober, sort of ready, but a little overwhelmed at the prospect of life and coping without his old friend, booze.

I even have a third I am meeting tomorrow for breakfast who is reeling from a DUI.

They all remind me of someone…now who could that be…oh, that is right,

ME…

Yet I know that GOD brought me back from the brink of death for days like yesterday. Why else would 3 men, all my age, all dealing with similar circumstances, find my number, get referred to me for breakfast or stagger into my office?

Because the BIBLE said they would.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

…Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.

So I had better be there for them don’t you think? Can't ignore it.

That is why I never tire or grow weary of listening to the stories of men like this. I never tire of trying to help. For I know that this is what I am supposed to be doing.

Why?

There is that BIBLE again...

Ephesians 2:10

It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.

The Lord blesses me in these conversations. He emboldens me, reminds me of how much He has loved and poured in to me. These talks remind me to be grateful for my deliverance. The challenges press me to lean on His word and His counsel for these situations demand it.

Not only that, when I pause to share, GOD increases my FREEDOM!

Galatians 5:13

…use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows...

But I am certainly NOT special. GOD asks this of all of us.

Each of us has been given a “special” purpose by GOD. Don’t ever doubt that. Each of us has experienced situations and circumstances that are unique, supervised by GOD with a purpose in mind.

So when given the opportunity, share your experiences, your deliverances, your stories with those GOD puts in your path. GOD wants you to. GOD has placed you there to help someone experience HIM as you have! And I will guarantee that as you share, YOUR relationship with GOD and your FREEDOM will grow and advance as well.

Trust me. GOD will send them to you.

Be ready to help! Don't ignore it. Remember...

Ephesians 2:10

...ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.

And guess what?

GOD will make it worth it.

Proverbs 24:12

...The Lord knows everything, and he knows why you do things. He watches you, and he will pay you back for what you do.

Have a blessed weekend…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

GOD IS NOT FAR

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.

Sometimes it seems GOD is so near and then other times He couldn’t feel more far away. Anyone else ever experience that…?

Gaither recorded a song with a lyric to that effect…

“Heart so broken, God is so far

Sleep won't come and tears won't quit…”

That person was in my office this week, R.M; A fellow that could have easily penned that phrase.

Tears.

A broken heart.

A broken spirit.

Lost. Alone. Confused. Staggered. GOD no where to be found.

His wife of 37 years had diminished to a 62 pound shell that cancer left roughshod. She was gone. He was left. Bills mounting. Loneliness intensifying.

God was “so far”.

Yet the true beauty of that song and a true promise for R.M. comes later on…it says…

“When you can't think, you can't even pray

Please hear me when I say

You may not have the words, but until you do

I'll pray for you

Answers will come, but until they do

I'll pray for you…”

Isn’t it good to know that when GOD “feels” so far away that others who are experiencing “closeness” to Him can lift you up? Bring GOD closer to you?

I was glad I could pray with R.M.; to bring GOD closer. You know that is our job some days; to bring GOD closer for others; to clear the fog separating someone from seeing the glory of the Father and His hope. We can do that you know and make an impact.

James 5:16

…When a believing person prays, great things happen.

Never discount the power of your prayer. Never be too busy or allow yourself to feel too awkward to stop and pray when you don’t have the words or when the circumstance or situation is beyond your knowledge and experience.

Stop. Pray.

GOD won’t be taken aback or by surprise. And He is never “so far” He doesn’t hear…

Hebrews 4:16

come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhrxwsA9gQM

Have a blessed day…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

STOP DOUBTING and SHARE

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.

These little conversations intrigue me these days.

“Pastor, I thought about doing what you are doing back in the day, but then…”

There is always a “but then”…

Yesterday’s story involved a tough upbringing, multiple moves and a little trip to jail for“mistakenly using a car”. This young man believed that since jobs and housing were tough to come by with a felony and a few prison numbers, serving GOD would be out of the question.

This is when it is “fun” to share that the old guy behind the desk (that would be me) has a mug shot or two on file, has spent a minute or two behind “similar bars”, use to frequent his share of sinful dens, and was (and is sadly) a pickled mess.

The look on the face of the other person is usually pretty priceless after that little revelation.

I am so grateful GOD allows me to do that…

But the enemy is really good about laying doubt on us when it comes to our abilities to serve the Lord. He fills our minds with thoughts like, “How can you say you love GOD given what you did last night.” “How can you possibly continue to minister or be counted on for good counsel given that episode yesterday. Don’t you know GOD won’t be mocked?” "You remember who you are, you are a car thief."

He pours on lie after lie doing his best to convince us that we have “no purpose” that we are “damaged goods” and could never be effective voices for GOD.

We shouldn’t be surprised.

John 8:44

At the core of his character, he is a liar; everything he speaks originates in these lies because he is the father of lies.

That is why when the enemy starts to place those doubts in our minds we must remember THE TRUTH. GOD has equipped each one of us UNIQUELY and for HIS GLORY. Therefore our bobbles, flaws, scars, and warts are all part of the plan; all part of OUR MESSAGE. We must embrace them, SHARE them and serve GOD with them!

1 Peter 4:10-11

…Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

It is far too easy to do as my new friend yesterday, to believe his opportunity to share GOD, to serve GOD and to voice GOD were over. Don’t believe it!

Instead embrace that GOD loves the broken. We are all broken…

Romans 3:23

Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal;

…yet He chooses us to be HIS voice!

And GOD wants to take that mess as the old cliché goes and turn it into a message.

You feeling a little like my new friend, like there is nothing GOD can do with you, you’re sketchy past, you’re less than lovely “present” or you’re seemingly dim future?

Think again. GOD wake you up today?

Then it is time to stop doubting and start sharing!

Psalm 107:2

Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies.

Have a blessed day…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

#itsreal

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.

“Murder, attempted murder, prison, mental health problems, drug and alcohol addiction, attempted suicide and EVEN DEATH aren't too much for God!! He is a changed man! #jesus #freedom #transformation #hope #itsreal”

That was a little post from the "always amazing Natalie" last night.

Oddly enough she left out cancer and being shot. I guess her fingers got tired. I know my mind was having a hard time wrapping around what I was hearing as well.

You see a goal of mine for FREEDOM CHURCH this year is to share the power of “THE STORY”. The bible talks of the power of the story in Revelation 12:11.

Revelation 12:11

They triumphed…by the blood of the Lamb and by the "word of their testimony"…

And last night was the first of our “stories” for 2014; the “triumphal”story of James.

And Natalie wasn’t exaggerating when she was describing the “events”of James’ story in her post. All of it was “#itsreal.”

Over the course of James’ very intense, very rocky life he has experienced all of those things described. Doing time for taking and attempting to take a life, severe illness, being shot at and targeted by mafia types for crimes against “the family”. And that just scratches the surface. The list continues of trials, bad decisions and gritty consequences. Too many to list!

Yet through it all, there was James sharing his wonderful “story” of deliverance, grace, possibility, and hope from the stage at AHOP last night.

It was amazing and inspirational. He has triumphed!

James’ shared of lying in a bunk in a penitentiary desperate and lost. His bunk mate was an addicted mess; responsible for manufacturing hooch and working the drug traffic in the prison. And yet, James knew something had to change. He had known the Lord since his childhood and the Lord was calling him back. So in that cell James fell to his knees and asked GOD to save him.

And guess what.

GOD did.

In spite of all the demons remaining in that cell with him, James has remained sober since that day. In spite of serious health issues, continued adversity and consequence, James remains faithful to this day with his recovery, his zeal for Christ and his walk.

In fact James has even coined a phrase when it comes to his trials, “Just another thing”, he says. And I believe him!

The enemy has tried his best to take him out, but thanks to Jesus James keeps doing the impossible. But that is what GOD does.

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

This is one of those mornings I wish we podcasted FREEDOM. But for a lot of reasons we don’t. Then I could share James’ “story” with a few more today.

But suffice it to say James’ embodies the true nature of GOD’s AMAZING GRACE. That when we are done, that when we come to the end of ourselves and “IT”, GOD is always ready to step in, take over and do something amazing!

Psalm 107:6

“Lord, help!” (James) cried, and he did!

GOD sure has for James.

He will for you too!

Psalm 118:5-7

In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me. He is for me! How can I be afraid? What can mere man do to me? The Lord is on my side; he will help me.

And like Natalie said…”#itsreal”!

Have a blessed day…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

DELIVERING ON THE HYPE

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.

Last night was the “Super Bowl”. Anything but “super” this year. Lots and lots of build up and the game fell pretty flat. Really from the first snap of the game the tone was set and the Seahawks steamrolled.

Yet it wasn’t the first time the big game didn’t deliver on its “big hype.”

Truth is the American “hype machine” does a great job of building drama and enhancing anticipation and expectation. From the pregame pundits to the fireworks launched from the brim of the stadium the folks in charge of “game day” know their stuff.

They know how to HYPE.

Unfortunately sometimes, like last night, the game doesn’t cooperate; sometime the payoff just doesn’t deliver.

And that got me to thinking as I switched off the game and was closing things down for the night. I am so glad that GOD is not just about the hype and anticipation. I am so glad that GOD WILL most certainly DELIVER.

Our promised future with the Lord is not just buildup and hyperbole. Rather when it comes GOD’s “big game day” the“hype” is going to pale in comparison to the PAYOFF.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

It is true.

The hype and the anticipation will not disappoint!

For those of us who have been anxiously awaiting His return we won’t be let down.

He promised it will be wonderful. We can count on it! There will be no fumbled snaps or miscues.

GOD will deliver! No further “hype” needed!

Revelation 21:1-4 (V)

I looked again and could hardly believe my eyes. Everything above me was new. Everything below me was new. Everything around me was new because the heaven and earth that had been passed away, and the sea was gone, completely. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride on her wedding day, adorned for her husband and for His eyes only. And I heard a great voice, coming from the throne.

A Voice: See, the home of God is with His people.

He will live among them;

They will be His people,

And God Himself will be with them.

The prophecies are fulfilled:

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more;

Mourning no more, crying no more, pain no more...

Quite a payoff indeed!I’m HYPED!

How about you?

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney