FOLLOW HIS DIRECTIONS

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.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Are you one of those folks that when you purchase something new, instead of looking at the directions or giving the schematic a once over, you just dive in and start putting it together?  Are you also one of those folks who when you think you are done assembling this new treasure look around and have a couple of screws or a bolt or two left over?

To be honest, I am the least handy person on the planet so I have no room to talk. 

Even after following the directions to the letter I will often find myself with a few parts left over. I am not gifted for that sort of thing.  

But the point today is this...

The possibility of SUCCESS is much more likely when we follow the directions.

Wouldn’t you agree?

Think about it.

Someone has thought out ahead of time the best way to assemble that bicycle, swing-set or shelf, why not trust their expertise or their foresight?

But often many of us instead give the directions a toss to the side and dive right into the project many times with less than favorable results.

You know the same could be said for many of us when it comes to our “work” for the LORD each day.  We often don't consult the directions.  

We should.

Go back up and re-read Paul’s statement about that.  

”created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

What does that say?

It says that GOD has “prepared a plan” for our works for Him ahead of time.  

GOD has exercised his perfect “forethought” as to what we SHOULD be doing today to advance HIS agenda through us.

Yet often instead of “pausing and listening for the directions”, we choose to dive right into the projects, the planning, and worse yet the “execution” of the work without consultation or reference.

So today, I am offering a little encouragement.

GOD has prepared you for something today.  He has.  Why else would He have awakened you, offered you the new mercy you needed, equipped you with the grace, the knowledge, the geography, the resources and the energy to carry it out?

Make sense?

So then wouldn’t it also make sense that since He has created and offered this day to you that you should consult HIS DIRECTION as to what to do with it?  GOD says He will help!

Psalm 32:8 (LB)

I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress.

What I am saying today is this...

Let's tune our hearts, ears and minds to the SPIRIT today and every morning so that we can hear specifically from GOD what “work” we are to be doing today.

That way we can be assured it will turn out right.

Proverbs 8:32-35 (GW)

Blessed are those who follow my ways.

Blessed is the person who listens to me, watches at my door day after day and waits by my doorposts. Whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.

Remember:

“God loves to pour out His Spirit with power on those who will dare to align radically their purposes with His.” ― Steve Childers

In other words, on those who follow HIS directions...!

 

I love you all.

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

HIS WILL, YOUR WILL

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 main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”― Stephen R. Covey

What is the main thing today?

Very simple answer.

Jesus.

“When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden.”

― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

We had a little “bonus” appearance by Pastor Josh at AHOP this week. His focus was UNITY.  His message was clear.  Jesus at the CENTER of all things breeds unity. 

Simply put, LOVE GOD.  Trust HIS will.  It works. 

Josh shared that churches that keep this "main thing the main thing" will be effective at seeking and saving the lost.  Those that don’t will often find division at every corner, even over the color of carpet.  The same thing holds true for the believer.  We can get distracted by so many things; offenses, agendas, and confusion to name a few. That can swiftly suck the joy out of SERVICE!

So for the believer as with the church always "CENTER UP"!

And how do we do that? Do what JESUS did when faced with "life"; DEFER to the FATHER’S WILL.

Luke 11:2

…Thy will be done…

Today, let’s take Jesus’ lead. Let’s try to have a “THY WILL BE DONE” kind of day.  Starting with loving and deferring to GOD and continuing from there!

Now you may think you can’t do it. BUT you CAN.  Let me show you some ways.

You say you are not sure how to PRAY in the WILL of GOD. No worries. GOD WILL do that for you!

Romans 8:27

If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us…

You say you are not sure you know how to stay aligned with the WILL of GOD for today.  You say you need HIS unbiased insight or assistance to hit the mark. Again, GOD provides the plan.

Psalm 19:7-9 (GW)

7 The teachings of the Lord are perfect.

    They renew the soul.

    The testimony of the Lord is dependable.

    It makes gullible people wise.

8 The instructions of the Lord are correct.

    They make the heart rejoice.

    The command of the Lord is radiant.

    It makes the eyes shine.

9 The fear of the Lord is pure.

    It endures forever.

    The decisions of the Lord are true.

    They are completely fair.

I could go on, but you get the gist.  Put JESUS at the CENTER today.  Let the MAIN thing direct “your thing” today.  Give it a GO. 

Proverbs 16:3 (MSG)

Put God in charge of your work,

And make HIS WILL your WILL and HIS CENTER your CENTER.

Blessing awaits!

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

MORE TIME

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.

 …reserve a daily time with God for Bible reading, self-examination and prayer in order to know God and his will for my life and to gain the power to follow his will.” – John Baker/Rick Warren – Life’s Healing Choices

Are you doing this?

Are you “recharging” daily; reserving time for GOD? Are you gaining access to the power GOD has for you and for the day or days ahead?

John Maxwell suggests a “Question for God” every morning:

What is the main event today? What do you want me to focus on today?”

Last night I again had the privilege of sharing with a few of the inmates at the MONTGOMERY COUNTY JAIL.  Our lesson focused around relapse; around taking the steps to “maintain the momentum” of their recovery and their rehabilitation once their time of incarceration had ended. 

Why?

For when we went around the room, there were mostly “repeat” offenders sharing their time with our team; men who had made some mistakes, paid for them yet continued to make choices that landed them "back on the block" as it were again and again.

So the teaching was focused on while they had time and access to resources, to RESERVE time for GOD each and every day.  To ask the question of GOD, what was the main thing to be learned today, what should be an area of focus for their journey back to society? 

Makes sense.

Lamentations 3:40(MSG)

Let’s take a good look at the way we’re living and reorder our lives under God.

But let’s all be honest for a second.  We ALL could use MORE time with GOD.  We could all stand for more time in PRAYER, more time in HONEST SELF-EVALUATION, REPENTANCE and CONFESSION.  We ALL have ROOM to grow, things to “chisel” out of our lives, habits to diminish, hurts and issues that NEED GOD’s healing!

I know I do.

For far too many days I suffer from “MARTHA-SYNDROME”.  

You remember the story of Jesus coming to visit Mary and Martha and Martha being so consumed with the work, the stress, the anxiety of the job at hand that she sacrificed time at the feet of Jesus for the busyness. (Luke 10)

That is me.  

And not only do I sacrifice time with GOD to “work” for GOD, I often allow the frustration of the work and my frailties to intersect, making me a GOOD candidate for potentially “sinful” stress relief because of the work.

That is NOT GOOD!  A little wacky when you pause and think about it.

But something tells me I am not alone.  I mean there were 14 inked-up dudes dressed in blue with little armbands that can testify to that.

So daily it is important to heed the words of Paul and…

2 Corinthians 13:5 (MSG)

Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.

I love that last line. 

If you find yourself drifting or in other words entertaining “slipping toward” old copings and behaviors, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Mark 14:38 (MSG)

Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don’t enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don’t be naive.

Ask yourself:

“Do you think God can be trusted? Or do you think you need to take things into your own hands?”  ― Andy Stanley

That answer is an easy one!

Carve out some time to RECHARGE today! Don’t put yourself at risk like me.  Get out that BIBLE and read.  Get on your knees and pray. Tune your ear for the answer to the question of focus and direction!

Remember!

Zechariah 4:6 (GW)

You won’t succeed…but by my Spirit, says the Lord…

 

I love you all

Have a GREAT weekend!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

GOOD LIST 8.19.2014

GOOD LIST
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.

Bumped across this from “UPWORDS from Max Lucado” this week. I adapted it a little and posted it to the JEREMIAH TREE wall yesterday.

Everyone likes a list. Lists are reassuring. They comfort us. To list is to understand, solve, and even control. Moses brought a list down from the mountain. There are lists of the gifts of the Spirit. Lists of good fruit and bad.
Here is a little list to consider:
When no one is watching, live as if someone is.
Pray twice as much as you fret.
Listen twice as much as you speak.
God has forgiven you; you’d be wise to do the same.
Good little list huh?

I am a list kind of guy. One of the lovely by-products from a long season of hard core addiction is my memory is “sketchy”. This is especially true when it comes to my “to do” list. My old boss Tim used to mock my process of keeping a legal pad or two on hand to constantly add to and cross things off over the course of the day. But the truth is that when my endless "to do’s" significantly exceed my feeble brain’s ability to manage much less do them, this little system however rudimentary and old school at least keeps me somewhat keeled.

But Max’s list is the kind of list that doesn’t just need kept or checked off. Rather his list requires some DAILY application! It is packed with GODLY instruction; GOOD guidance for an embarking day.

Just look at Max’s first point…”when no one is watching…”
In other words strive to live a GODLY life. That is a “to do” worth embracing huh? At least Paul thought so!
Romans 12:2 (MSG)
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. …fix your attention on God.

Pray don’t fret. Another rock solid, applicable instruction!
Philippians 4:6 (MSG)
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.

Listen before speaking. Well what do you know…?
James 1:19 (ESV)
Know this…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak…

Could we go FOUR FOR FOUR? Forgive others?
Ephesians 4:32 (LB)
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.

How bout we do this…
Will you join me and putting down “our lists” for just for a second let this one settle into the psyche? Perhaps we could go so far as pausing to pray that GOD will allow this list to permeate our “to do’s” today.
I think if we do we can add today to the “LIST of good ones” once it ends.

Have a blessed day!
I love you all.
Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

RIGHT ROAD

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.

“When you are committed to doing what’s right, you are sowing seeds for God’s blessings. You will never go wrong by taking the high road and doing more that is required.”― Joel Osteen, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential

I probably have what I call the “Y in the road” talk with folks at least 2 to 3 times a week.  In my line of work I share intense conversations with folks who have made some pretty bad decisions in life; chosen the wrong side of the Y more often than not.  Addiction, crime, abandoned kids, and selfishness have been some of the choices that many have made in their past.  When they were presented with Y’s in the road to do right or wrong, to take the high road or the low, the choice was often wrong and low more often that right and high.

Yet it is during these conversations that we unpack the importance of choices and that they can start making good ones immediately. Why?

We are offered them continuously.  Our days are littered with "Y after Y". Some easy…

“Do I eat that second piece of cake?”

“Do I exercise or sleep in?”

“Bible time or one more episode of reality TV?”

Some much harder. And when it comes to the “BIG Y’s”, the harder choices, choices like…

“Continue in addiction or take steps to stop.”

“Make the necessary changes to gain access to my kids again.”

“Put the filter on the computer to honor my spouse”

…Joel’s quote hits the mark!

If we take the high road (the right side of the Y), we will begin to uncover blessing!

Deuteronomy 28:1,6 (TLB)

If you fully obey (the) commandments of the Lord your God (take THE HIGH ROAD) These are the blessings that will come upon you:…Blessings when you come in, Blessings when you go out.

Making GOOD choices and doing more than is required should be the traits of a follower of CHRIST.  We are called to be imitators of Him and He was the perfect example of good choice making and always doing more and going the extra mile.  He even preached on the latter.

Matthew 5:41 (V)

If someone forces you to walk with him for a mile, walk with him for two instead.

Therefore today me and you have some choices to make.

For example:

Maybe it would be easier to take the side of the Y that leads to more grumbling about your current condition at work.  Does that obey GOD; is that the high road?

Philippians 2:14 (ERV)

Do everything without complaining or arguing...

Maybe it would be easier to turn a blind eye to a co-worker or friend in distress for fear of being put out.  Does that obey GOD: is that going the extra mile?

Galatians 6:2 (NIRV)

Carry each other’s heavy loads. If you do, you will give the law of Christ its full meaning.

Face it my friends, we have a calling to the high road, to the right side of the Y each and every time.  So take a moment before you make those decisions today

and remember the right and high road!

Matthew 7:13-14 (V)

There are two paths before you; you may take only one path. One doorway is narrow. And one door is wide. Go through the narrow door. For the wide door leads to a wide path, and the wide path is broad; the wide, broad path is easy, and the wide, broad, easy path has many, many people on it; but the wide, broad, easy, crowded path leads to death. Now then that narrow door leads to a narrow road that in turn leads to life.

Have a blessed day!

I love you all.

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

NO SEPARATION

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.

Luke 22:31

…stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me…

Jesus was warning the disciples and later in the passage Peter, that the enemy was chomping at the bit to wreck their relationship, to ruin their bond and connection as He was on His way to the cross.

Sadly, Jesus knew this would happen.  More sadly all of them did “separate” from Jesus when the time came for Him to be crucified.  As many know, Peter went so far as to “separate” himself three times before he even realized what was happening.

Yet I share that little passage and explanation to give context to this:

Last night I spent time with a couple who were in crisis.  Satan was doing his best to “create separation” in their marriage.  Some sin had crept into their union.  One of them had opened that “sin-door” with some selfish choices and now the enemy was raring back and getting ready to kick the door in and start destroying four years of amazing union and a glorious story of recovery and love.  He was in “full on” separation mode!

But we shouldn’t be surprised.  That is what he specializes in; attacks and destruction and separation.

1 Peter 5:8

The devil is your enemy, and he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to attack…

John 10:10 (ERV)

(THE) thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy…

Wonderfully both of these folks were believers.  Both of these folks wanted nothing to do with separating. They wanted to begin healing, restoring, and mending!

And the good news is that THAT IS THE BUSINESS GOD is in!

RESTORATION not SEPARATION!

1 Peter 5:10

…the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself RESTORE, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

The truth is the ENEMY diligently tries to cause separation in all of us. 

He knows apart from GOD we are vulnerable and weakened.  He knows apart from GOD our marriages and relationships do suffer.  He knows apart from GOD he can gain footholds of sin and destruction. 

And sadly we are the ones who “create the separation” by walking away, making selfish choices, embracing sinful behaviors and ignoring the GODLY life.

But I have some more wonderful news for all today; news you probably have already seen coming.  

In spite of all the enemy's efforts, all his schemes, all his thievery, all his attacks and pressures, in spite of all our failings, "missteps" and bad choices, NOTHING will ever fully separate us from restorative and perfect LOVE OF GOD.

Romans 8:38-39

…nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are—high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean—nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us.

No separation. Never!

Restoration! Forever!

Praise GOD for that!

 

Have a blessed day!

I love you all.

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

SEASONS

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.

1 Peter 1

…There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return.

Notice it says, “even though the going is rough for a while down here. These trials are only to test your faith” That phrase "a little while" literally means a season.  The KJV says, “Though now for a SEASON, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.”

At my house a “new season” has begun.  Samantha, my middle child, left for college this past weekend.  She is off to CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY to start her first “season” of work toward her dream of being a VET.  For my youngest, today marks the start of “Junior High”, that “awkward” season of growth, change and challenge.  My wife finished orientation last week in order to enter into her NEW SEASON of study as she pursues a doctorate. My oldest is four classes from a Nursing Degree so her "season of school" is winding down. 

And while these “seasons” offer hope and promise and excitement, there are some of you who are “praying for a fresh season” for you have just gone through a BRUTALLY difficult one.  You need the encouragement and are welcoming the prospect of a fresh turn; “a wonderful joy ahead” as Peter eludes.

Trust that truth!

That tells me and you that the rough season IS going to end.  It is not forever. And for those who have been engaged in a rough one, that is GOOD NEWS.  It is GOOD news that eventually every season ends. 

Just remember… Winter ends. Spring ends. Summer ends...every season has a beginning, and every season has an end.

So for you who are in a trial, maybe the fight of your life and feeling the weight of it, grieving because of it, take heart, this season will pass.  Things are going to change.  It may not seem like it, but trust GOD.

Ecclesiastes 3

To EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven…

Even if you are not one of those experiencing that type of trial today, I am confident you have gone through such a season, and it is likely that you will again. So for when you do, remember and be encouraged.  GOD's Word wants you—and me—to remember it is always for just a “little while.”

Revelation 21:5

...I make all things new.

Even seasons.

 

I love you all.

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney