BORROW TROUBLE

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 grandma Winnie had a wonderful old saying. To be honest she had several nuggets of wisdom, but one that sticks out and I use quite often is, “Don’t borrow trouble.” In her little country drawl it usually came out "Don't 'borree' trouble."

I always loved that little phrase.

It always reminded me to not get too far out in front of things; to not project more trouble, even when I was in trouble. It was good advice. It was sound advice. In fact it was GODLY advice.

Matthew 6:34(MSG)

…don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen

Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

…Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Unfortunately we all “project” from time to time don’t we?

A little bad news can quickly evolve and morph into tragedy in our minds before it actually does in our lives if we are not cautious. That is why it is so important to listen to Winnie and never BORROW TROUBLE. Instead we should TRY TRUSTING! Why project the worst in things rather than trusting GOD’S best?

That doesn’t make sense does it?

Why worry over things we can’t control rather than trusting GOD’s hand and provision?

It is the beginning of a new week. Maybe you are like me this morning and realizing that you have a way too much month for the money currently in the account. Maybe you have got a doctor’s visit later this week and his/her tone over the phone has you freaked. Perhaps you are like my little girl Sam, stressing heavily over a pending ACT test, college applications, the looming end to high school.

Let’s not FRET; let’s have FAITH!

Let’s not borrow trouble; let’s TRUST!

Psalm 56:4

…I trust in God. What can mere mortals do?

Isaiah 26:5

Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.

Isn’t that passage from Isaiah 26:5 wonderful?

Depend, TRUST on GOD and keep at it! Why? Because GOD is a sure thing, a rock solid lock!

He already knows the trouble we are facing, He already sees clearly the other side of it and He will not leave or forsake us as we go through it. So stick with Him and all things will work out! He promised. All He asks is that we TRUST!

Lamentations 3:22

I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over)…

Romans 8:28

We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him.

No more borrowing for me today! How about you?

Let’s trust!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

CHAOS? 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.

In a word, some days at the JEREMIAH TREE can be only be categorized as “chaotic”. Most of the time folks who are stopping by and making time to meet with me and my team are in crisis; most of the time in full on “911 mode”. Peace often is nowhere to be found.

That is why I am so thankful that when the chaos sits down across the desk, I can pull this out to help.

Philippians 4:7

The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand…

Thank GOD for HIS PEACE!

It IS much greater than we can understand and more importantly it IS truly greater than any chaos, crisis, nervous meltdown, or pressure this old world can throw at it!

But chaos is not limited to just those 10 or 12 that daily make their way to the TREE. Everyone, I would wager even you, experience times of emotional chaos and NO PEACE. But the Lord promises that contentment and peace are available in even the darkest and most turbulent periods of our lives.

How you ask?

I can’t see peace you say.

I can’t hear peace you say.

Maybe not but you most certainly can FEEL peace, and without question, you can EXPERIENCE peace for it COMES from GOD.

1 Corinthians 14:33

God is…a God of peace.

The key to finding peace in the chaos comes from leaning on the source and “PRINCE OF PEACE", Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 9:6

And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…

Our job is to believe that TRUTH, trust that TRUTH, and embrace that TRUTH when chaos and calamity come calling! GOD will bring and keep the peace! GOD will strengthen us through any hardship. That is a fact!

Never forget:

“We are inseparably connected to the Lord, just as branches are attached to the vine. Life-giving nutrients run through the plant to every shoot. And so it is with Christ and His followers. His peace flows into and through us.” –Charles Stanley

So no matter that level of chaos or the severity of crisis, nothing can choke off that endless and ever accessible flow of peace.

John 16:33

…in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

So you see, nothing can stop the LORD’s peace from reaching us. If our contentment dries up or if our peace goes “missing”, it is because of doubt on our part. Not GOD's!

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

It is true chaos is not exclusive to that little house at 118 West Second Street in Xenia, the “TREE”. Every person will, at some point, face hardship, experience turmoil, but we don’t have to give in to that anxiety; that havoc!

We have an awesome God caring for us. If we trust Him to see us through our challenges, He will pour His strength, guidance, and comfort into our lives. And in Him, we will find that supernatural peace that surpasses understanding!

I love you all!

Have a blessed weekend!

Freedom Church

(Want to hear more about this life-changing truth regarding PEACE? Then join Pastor Brooks this Sunday, October 20th at AHOP in XENIA, 282 Stelton Road in Xenia @ 9 or 11am!)

Pastor GDelaney

HOPE HAMMER

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.

“Will it get better GOD? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? I really DOUBT it is ever going to improve.”

“He lost his job…

The notice is on the door…

The funds are depleted…

The kid’s winter clothes don’t fit…

I’ve had peanut butter the last 3 nights in a row…

They gave me til Friday to come up with what?...”

Wow…

“I doubt I can make it.”

And while those weren’t the words just one person, they were the words I heard yesterday while sitting behind the desk at the JEREMIAH TREE. All of them desperate all of them flecked with doubt.

Without question doubt is a powerful and negative emotion. It does it best to strip us of the one thing that can defeat it…HOPE!

Do you ever catch yourself being brought down by doubt?

Do you?

DEFEND yourself!

Stop doubting and starting hoping! It works!

Titus 1:2

(GOD) gives hope of life that lasts forever. God promised this before the world began. He cannot lie.

So our HOPE like “they say” can spring eternal, our HOPE should never run out, our HOPE is in a “forever” life! Our HOPE is assured! So let’s defeat that doubt and HAMMER it with hope!

Psalm 31:24

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!

Psalm 33:20

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.

Psalm 37:34

Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you…

Psalm 130:5

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.

Don’t kid yourselves. Over and over again the enemy tries to fill our heads with doubt. Remember doubt is destructive. It fills us with uncertainty. The enemy wants you to focus on all the negatives, to rock your faith and hope with circumstance after circumstance. He starts with doubt hoping to lead to discouragement.

But when we counter all of that doubt with HOPE we hammer it with HOPE-FILLED CERTAINTY; GOD’S love for us!

Jeremiah 31:3

…I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
So don’t doubt.

Not today.

Place your hope FIRMLY in the LORD. With FAITH be reminded of GOD’s unfailing and everlasting love for you! Nothing has changed with that!

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

And “OUT” all that doubt; HAMMER it with hope!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

"STILL" WORKS

 

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.

He was reeling.  Tears flowing.

Shaky. Nervously pulling his glasses off and then on.  Not sure what to say.

He had been a faithful servant, a communicator of the truth; a shepherd no less and now “HE” was the lost sheep. No direction. Options dwindling. Confused and bewildered.  He was convinced that GOD had pulled a fast one and it had left him stunned, staggered and empty handed.

It was hard to watch let alone counsel.  I mean what do you offer to someone who without warning has it all “stolen” away?  What do you say when he says they call the “other fella” dad and she wants all the stuff?  What do you say when he says he has been stuck searching for “what went wrong” for the last few months?

What do you say? This is what I said.

GOD is STILL GOD and it is time to be STILL.  That is all we can say.

One of my dearest and favorite people on this big blue ball is my sister Anna.  I deeply treasure her, her amazing testimony, her spirit and her life.  She truly inspires me. 

And yesterday it was HER testimony that was the ticket for this reeling and abandoned soul.  It was her testimony of steely commitment that would be the truth this one who felt as though everything had been stolen would need to hear.

I recounted Anna’s story of standing at the window watching the traffic, feeling as if not just her husband but GOD had abandoned her.  I recounted her tears. I recounted her desperation.  But most importantly I recounted HER BREAKTHROUGH!  That in spite of all that was seemingly crumbling around her, GOD was STILL GOD and SHE needed to be STILL!

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God…

That was the WORD my new friend needed!  For when we turned our focus from the circumstance to the CROSS something amazing happened.

The tears stopped. 

 

The possibility for a fresh start began to seep in.  The devil’s grip on him loosened.  A new hope bubbled to the surface and fear began to dwindle.  As his focus changed from the circumstance to the TRUTH, his soul began to find rest and freedom in that truth.  He just needed to BE STILL long enough to allow GOD to reveal it!

We all go through times like Anna and my friend; times when life washes over us like a huge tsunami crashing against the shore.  But when that happens, we must learn from Anna and be still.  We must pause and remember that regardless of how awful the circumstances may be (homeless, pending divorce, betrayal and hurt for my friend) GOD is there, GOD is loving, and GOD will respond!  Our job is to be STILL and call on HIS name.

Psalm 107:6-8

Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God.

He got you out in the nick of time; He put your feet on a wonderful road

that took you straight to a good place to live.

So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.

Perhaps today your condition is as this beleaguered shepherd's; perhaps even as bleak as Anna’s, don’t let it wash you over.  Be STILL. Call out to GOD.  He will snatch you up in the nick of time, show you mercy and love and put your feet back on a hope-filled path!

Jeremiah 30:17

For I will heal you. I will heal you where you have been hurt,’ says the Lord…

 

I love you all!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

TEARS CLEARED

:
 

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.

It wasn’t the scene I was ready to have played out just yet.  The horn had just sounded, there were a few “specialists” around one of the “special ones” recently helped off due to injury (praying for you AS), the scoreboard read 3 to 1, wrong side winning and a wonderful journey had suddenly come to an end.

A little over a decade ago, I made a few phone calls, got a few little girls together, rolled out some little soccer balls and created the Xenia Xpress; a wacky bunch of pigtails and soon to be missing teeth, a real special collection of quirks and smirks for sure.  And over the years sometimes playing together, sometimes on opposite sides of the pitch, this little band of sisters still remain true to those roots planted back so many years ago.  They are dear friends. They are lovely young ladies.  They are the Xpress.

Yet there we were under the lights in enemy territory and the journey together on the pitch had just ended. Save for alumni a get-together down the road perhaps, the door had just closed on a very special era; the Xpress era.

But why bring this up?  I am sure my dramatic melancholy is coming across a little overblown or misplaced for some.  But I bring it up not to emphasize my “grieving” but to express my gratitude.  I am one very blessed person.

As I shared a couple weeks ago, I am blessed beyond description to have shared with these kids; to be Papa Smurf to some and Coach Greg to others.  So even though last night was a bitter pill to swallow, I am grateful and blessed this morning. And I was reminded that even in our most troubling and melancholy circumstances, gratitude clears the tears every time!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

Give thanks in all circumstances

So while I would have loved to see the journey continue, I am grateful I was afforded the chance to ride as long as I did!  Blessed just to be a part of such a special group of kids and parents.

I share this little story this morning as an encouragement to anyone who has had a moment in life recently that “didn’t quite go as desired”; or one who is feeling a bit melancholy themselves.  Maybe a job offer fell through, maybe a family dispute bubbled back up, and maybe a friendship took a sour turn.  And while those things are no fun, GOD calls us to be thankful in spite of those circumstances.  Why?

Because gratitude clears the tears!

Win or lose be grateful.  Reflect on the amazing work GOD has already done and will likely do!

“Gratitude keeps us aware of God’s presence” – Charles Stanley.  And GOD's presence is right where we need to be when we are feeling a little low.

The Lord encourages us to exercise continuous gratitude because He knows the spirit is lifted and courage strengthened when we focus on His work in our life. When we are grateful we can see past the temporary disappointment and see clearly His sovereignty, His truth and His promise on our lives!

Romans 8:28

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.

So while I “express” a sullen and sad goodbye to the era of the “XPRESS” this morning, I thank you GOD for the wonderful work these little girls who seemingly just kicked a ball around a field have done in my life and the amazing journey that is to come as I continue to watch them grow and flourish. And I trust YOU GOD that it will all continue to be GOOD regardless what that scoreboard may say.

Tears cleared!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney

CHANGE AGENT

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.

It is a new week. What will be your impact?

And no I am not talking about getting that important project done and up the ladder at work. And no I am not talking about knocking out that important homework assignment and moving one step closer to graduation.

I am asking what impact will you make for Jesus this week?

Do you have that figured in? Do you have a plan for that?

Why do I ask?

1 Timothy 2:4

God wants EVERYONE to be saved and to fully understand the truth.

And GOD wants us to be HIS agents of change and influence to our neighbors and to our world! GOD wants ALL people to be with Him forever and He has given us the assignment of delivering that message of hope, change and possibility to a culture and creation in desperate need of all three!

His plan is to use folks like you and me to make an impact on the world. It's God’s will for each of us to live in such a way that we influence other people for their spiritual good. And to make it “visual” and tangible, Jesus used two very distinct words—salt and light—to illustrate.

Matthew 5:13-16

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, it cannot be made salty again. Salt is useless if it loses its salty taste. It will be thrown out where people will just walk on it. “You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lamp-stand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

NJ our Pastor of outreach at AHOP here in town made the point a week or two ago that both salt and light are AGENTS of CHANGE! And if we are called to be salt and light, then WE ARE agents of change!

Think about it.

Salt penetrates and spreads throughout any food on which it is sprinkled and creates a CHANGE in flavor; spread it on an icy road and it CHANGES the composition and melts the ice. As “salt” we are to spread the appeal of Christ through our interaction with others to bring about life change. But, Jesus warns that the “saltiness” of our lives will decrease if we practice ungodly habits and attitudes. Chronic patterns of sin will render us “tasteless” and ineffective.

So we need to constantly be checking our salinity!

Jesus also calls us to AGENTS of light. For HE WAS LIGHT and now we are to imitate HIM!

John 1:4-5

In him (CHRIST) there was life, and that life was the light of all people. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.

Light CHANGES darkness, reveals what is present, illuminates the path ahead, and warns of danger. We're to do the same by reflecting CHRIST’S LIGHT via our actions, conversation and conduct. But we must to must WALK in the light, limit our time in the dark so that our REFLECTION of HIM has the greatest CHANCE to effect CHANGE!

So before you head out today, ask yourself that question. What will be my impact? Ask yourself “How and where can I enhance and enlighten others for Jesus?” That is your assignment! Go and spread a little salt and light this week. Be an AGENT of CHANGE!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

PAINFUL LEARNING

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.

Aristotlesaid: "We cannot learn without pain"

Well GOD sat me down in the middle of an “all day” seminar yesterday. I was getting pulled into classroom after classroom only to find one problem after another, each room more challenging than the last; each problem more painful. By the time I had pulled the covers back to my bed last night my head was spinning and hurting.

“What should I do about this?”

“Why did he choose that?”

“I can’t believe the nerve of them.”

“Really?”

“Don’t they know that will kill them?”

“Didn’t we just complete a 12 week treatment?”

“She popped positive for what?”

“He tried that again?”

“Why lie to me? I can’t help when they lie to me.”

“How can I help if they do that?”

“Doesn’t someone realize that I can’t do that?”

“Am I losing it?”

“GOD I quit!”

Now I said a few DISPATCH’S ago, I don’t insert these little quotes for show or flash. These are real thoughts and sighs uttered during yesterday’s pressure cooker of a day.

Thankfully GOD understands them.

Romans 8:26

…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Worded groans too!

And while yesterday was borderline overwhelming, I know and am grateful that GOD not only wants me to learn from days like yesterday, but He has promised to help me with days like yesterday.

And He did. So while the questions and frustrations were pouring out of my mouth, GOD quickly poured HIS WORD back in to help.

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

Proverbs 3:5

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.

Psalm 55:22

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you…

I am glad He did. I truly was coming unglued. But GOD’s WORD held me together! He did just what He said He would do when I let Him HAVE ALL of it; when I released it!

Philippians 4

…let God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Christ did and I slept just fine. Even woke up ready for today’s class.

Maybe you had a day like mine (or maybe a week or month like mine). Let’s LEARN from the pain. Let’s see past the circumstances and the drama and seek GOD instead.

I believe for me HE is teaching me to remember that I am NOT HIM and that I have to TRUST HIM even more as this ministry continues its exponential growth; even more when the days are doused in drama.

He may have a different lesson for you.

The bottom line is to remember that in spite of how painful things may seem at the moment, there is always a lesson and GOD’s WORD has the answer to the test! We must have faith! Just look!

1 Peter 1:6-7

…even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine.

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Ready for class? Remeber no pain-no gain!

Be blessed this weekend! Trust GOD.

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney