ORDINARILY

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.

You never know.

Yesterday started like most. Early.

A lingering effect of a long addiction is your sleep is never quite “normal”. And while I get teased a lot for my “early”retirements, not too many envy my early awakenings. But like I said, yesterday started ordinary; nothing special. The calendar had appointments, the phone had messages; the texts started around 5:07. Really, they did. Remember, I help other “formerly addicted”and sleep challenged people. :)

DISPATCH. A little exercise. Breakfast for Beth and then off to “work”.

Yet from there, the day shaped up to be a anything but ordinary. I had a early breakfast/coffee with a good friend. He has been and was still going through “a lot”. Relationship challenges. “Calling”questions. I have not met many who are stronger seekers than my friend. He chases after GOD heartily and with great enthusiasm. He is thoughtful and passionate. I appreciate him because he loves Jesus, isn’t afraid to share it and rarely meets a stranger.

But today, he needed me to remind him of the gospel and the providence of GOD. He needed me to energize and affirm him. Usually it is the other way around or at least an equally yoked chat. Yesterday I was there to listen. He was there to vent. And we were there to dig deeper into “where” GOD wanted us to go. So like I said, what was to be an “ordinary" "catch up" breakfast morphed into something much deeper and much more thoughtful...

That conversation needed GOD. We needed the Holy Spirit to navigate it. Nothing else was going to cut it.

Brought me back to this thought.

We need to be ready for anything GOD would have for us when we walk out the door each day. We need to activate the HOLY SPIRIT first thing because we have no idea what GOD has in store for us or with whom He will intersect us.

One thing is for sure however. Without the SPIRIT yesterday, I would have been overmatched and thin on conversation. But with Him leading, we learned and shared a lot. I was so grateful to have HIM along!

It reminded me of this important thought from Paul.

Ephesians 6:13

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued… Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

We can’t assume that any day will be an ordinary day. GOD is an extraordinary GOD. He demands more. But He equips us for more too!

He entrusts us to share Him with those we connect. We have to be prepared.

That is why it is crucial that we have GOD’s word handy for when we don’t know what to say.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

…Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another...Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

It is crucial that we are quick to pray when nothing else seems to make sense.

It is crucial that we remain alert to our surroundings and the opportunities GOD grants us each day!

For we never know when a day that starts so ordinarily will become anything but…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

Pastor GDelaney

UNEXPECTED

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 had the chance to marry another sweet couple yesterday. I know what some of you purists are saying, “A wedding; on a Tuesday afternoon?”

For me it was just another day of ministry.

When you have married folks on a wind-swept bridge in a park when it was just a "skosh" over 50 degrees or two couples through the glass over the phone in the jail, a Tuesday wedding is not that unusual.

What was unusual was my couple.

I met them as clients the JEREMIAH TREE and its partnership with our homeless shelter in Xenia. And over the course of their stay with us I have seen GOD do some pretty remarkable things with them.

They have come to love the Lord. They have grown in their love for each other. I have seen each of them grow eager to see what GOD has next for them and their marriage. Every task I gave them in counseling they embraced willingly and enthusiastically and now that they are man and wife, I believe GOD is going to continue doing the “unexpected”in their lives.

To be honest, I have been most surprised by these two. Out of some really tough circumstances has emerged quite the story of love and devotion. It has been MOST unexpected.

And that got me to thinking.

Our GOD is in the business of doing the unexpected; the extraordinary. He has made His name by taking what society, culture or sadly even the “church” would deem as hopeless or broken and making something amazing out of it. Just look…

Isaiah 61:3

…he will give: beauty for ashes...

My new friends embody this passage.

Life has been tough; lots and lots of ash and not much beauty. But GOD is making changes in them each and every day we are getting a chance to see it! They are embracing this new start with one another with vigor and enthusiasm and they are experiencing the favor of GOD. Again, we shouldn’t be surprised. That is what GOD does…

Proverbs 18:22

Find a good spouse, you find a good life—and even more: the favor of God!

I am happy for my friends. I am also so grateful to serve a GOD who continues to do the unthinkable, the unexpected and the seemingly impossible. I get a front row seat to amazing restoration stories almost every day. I often get to see scripture come to life; to see beauty birthed from ash and it is amazing.

The truth is GOD is doing things like this all around all of us every day. We just need to be more observant; be paying attention so we don’t miss it.

Isaiah 43:19

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way…

GOD uses the change in and the stories of others to “reveal” Himself to us; to “confirm” Himself to us, to inspire us! We need to be watching!

So can I encourage you to do something today?

Don’t get so absorbed with your “life” that you don’t take a second and look around and see what GOD is doing in the lives around you.

Colossians 1:2

…Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is.

For you too may get a chance at a front row seat to something “unexpected”!

Job 5:9

After all, he’s (GOD) famous for great and unexpected acts; there’s no end to his surprises…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

Pastor GDelaney

CAUSE FOR 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.

Yesterday during a chat with a new consult at the JEREMIAH TREE the topic of “gratitude”came up. The new client had hit upon some pretty hard times.

Car troubles.

Job search troubles.

Kid custody troubles.

She was homeless, pretty tired and a whole lot frustrated.

These are the tough sessions sometimes; when the litany of questionable choices and unfortunate circumstances are staring someone down. It is hard to find that silver lining; that hope.

But it is there.

And surprisingly enough it is found via gratitude.

I know that sounds a little counter-intuitive; being grateful when things are crumbling around us. But it works.

When we pause to THANK GOD for the things we DO have in the face of what we perceive we don’t; GOD brightens our perspective and injects hope!

Psalm 136:1

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; HIS LOVING KINDNESS CONTINUES FOREVER.

Challenging circumstance? His kindness continues...FOREVER.

Feeling oppressed? His kindness continues...FOREVER.

Overwhelmed? His kindness continues...FOREVER.

GOD reminds us that in spite of our circumstances and trials we are to REMAIN grateful, to remain mindful of His sovereignty and provision! He reminds us that we always will have our relationship with HIM and at the end of the day THAT is enough!

Isaiah 41:10

…Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Therefore friends we can remain grateful, even during trials.

Why?

Because not only is GOD right there with us, holding us and not only is HIS LOVE AND KINDNESS everlasting, but the Lord has also promised to work everything for our good. Yes, even the "tough stuff".

Romans 8:28

And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.

That means He has a purpose for every experience, pleasant or difficult.

Understanding these truths renews our strength for facing difficult times. And expressing GRATITUDE changes our ATTITUDE about God, ourselves, and our situations for the better.

More times than not we allow hurt and stress to form a pessimistic mindset which can negatively impact our lives. But believers have God’s Spirit working within them and the TRUTH to inject hope and possibilities into the most dire of circumstances!

Philippians 4:13

I CAN DO all things through him who strengthens me.

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation; he protects me from danger—whom shall I fear?

Therefore we must demonstrate unwavering gratitude in the face of harsh circumstances. For when we do GOD’s love, provision, and grace flow more FREELY!

2 Corinthians 9:8

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything…

Did you catch that?

GOD continues to pour on the blessing even when faced with ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. That is a cause for gratitude!

So maybe you are like my friend feeling as if you are facing ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING right now.

I encourage you to stay grateful.

The GOOD will be revealed.

The blessings are coming.

You have what it takes to make it through!

Don't take it from me...believe GOD!

1 Corinthians 10:13

…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.

Now that is cause for gratitude!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

CAN CHANGE

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.

“Things are never ever going to really change.” “Mind you, it changes for a second, then all of the “bad” stuff in my life resurfaces or revisits and there I am again, right back in the ditch.”

Sad words from a frustrated client.

I can empathize.

When things have gone badly in life for a long time it is really hard to perceive that they could ever change; even for a little while.

But our GOD is in the change business. Sometimes it is instantaneous and unexplainable as it was for this blind fella…

John 9:11

He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

And other times it takes “some time”. Ask those Israelites who took forty years to complete what could have been a 30 day walk.

But regardless of “how long” it may take, one fundamental truth remains. While GOD loves us the way we are, He certainly doesn’t want to leave us that way. He wants us to be changing everyday; changing to look, act and respond more and more like Jesus!

1 Peter 3:18

…Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Change starts with a desire to do so. When the status quo isn’t cutting it anymore; when “staying the same” means “staying in the pain” then it is time to embrace some change.

And GOD has a process and a plan.

Ephesians 4:33-34

…throw off your old evil nature—the old you that was a partner in your evil ways—rotten through and through, full of lust and sham. Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature.

Attitudes.

Thoughts.

Start there. Think differently about yourself, your circumstances and your predicaments. Allow yourself to see you and them as GOD sees them. GOD sees you as chocked full of destiny and potential. And GOD sees your circumstances and predicaments as opportunities for growth and advancement!

1 Peter 2:9

…you have been chosen by God himself—you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God’s very own

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

So my friends change is possible and it can be sustained! GOD promises!

Remember today that GOD desires your change; He wants to help you along the way.

Now is the day to believe it for yourself.

“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” (including you)

― Wayne W. Dyer

Have a blessed day…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

GOOD IDEA

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 other night we, along with countless dear friends were able to bless one of our“family” who is facing some rough road ahead. Very soon I will expand on that story. It is remarkable in its own right and deserves its own DISPATCH down the road. Stay tuned. It will be coming.

Today however I wanted to expand a little on what was said during the “big reveal” of this blessing to our sister.

Many of you who know my wife know that aside from being an amazing mate, a dedicated mom, a compassionate caregiver as well as a spiritual teacher and mentor to many, she is not without her “quirks”.

One of her “quirks” is when and where she tends to hear from the Lord.

It is usually in the shower.

Now before you dial 1-800-looneytune and have her head examined, she has gotten some pretty solid revelation with a head full of shampoo and a fistful of loofah. Remember GOD ways are not ours.

Isaiah 55:9

My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

And this time under the stream was no exception. So I have learned to not be surprised or taken aback by Beth’s divine, yet sometimes deluged encounters.

But I digress.

As Beth was sharing her most recent “shower encounter” and the wonderful idea that was given to her by the SPIRIT, my daughter Sam made a little seemingly throwaway comment. Just as we were all marveling at the inspiration GOD had given Beth, Samantha just said, “Well GOD DOES have REALLY GOOD ideas.”

And you know what, she is right.

GOD DOES have really good ideas. Lots of them.

So my question is why don’t we ask Him for them more often?

I mean:

GOD DOES know everything.

GOD DOES see everything.

GOD DOES have the answer to every question because He made both.

Why when we have run out of GOOD IDEAS do we go running to consultants and experts instead of just simply asking GOD for one of His?

Kinda hard to figure out isn’t it?

Considering…

James 1:17

…whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and he shines forever without change or shadow.

That alone should inspire us forget the “experts” and instead consult GOD for an idea or two shouldn’t it?

So I ask you today…are you fresh out of GOOD ideas?

Do you need inspiration or a little revelation from above?

Don’t go running to the shower, leave that for Beth.

Do however look above and ask. GOD is CHOCKED FULL of wonderful ideas for whatever you are dealing with, trying to resolve or create. He wants to share those wonderful ideas with you.

Really!

All you need to do is first “ask”…

Matthew 7:7

“Ask, and you will be given what you ask for. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened.

…and then listen.

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Let GOD share HIS ideas with you; shower or no shower.

That itself IS a GOOD idea…!

Have a blessed weekend…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney

LIVE BY FAITH

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.

“Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.”

- Max Lucado

“Often”we want to place our faith in GOD as long as He has the same agenda as we do. “Often” we “exercise” our faith, but with an end result in mind.

“I have faith that you GOD will bring ‘such and such to pass” is our prayer.

But GOD doesn’t ask us to both have faith and formulate a solution. GOD keeps it much simpler. He says He has done all of the heavy lifting, He has provided the good news and the promise, all we are to do is have faith in it.

Romans 1:17

The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself—that it begins and ends with faith. As the Scripture says, “But those who are right with God will live by faith.”

Romans 4:16

… the fulfillment of God’s promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does.

It's a day-by-day process.

Yet we are always looking for the angle, for the inside track. “How do I have faith but also get what I want”,we ponder. But why do we do that? Why when we know that GOD is all seeing, all knowing and sovereign would we limit our faith to just what we can fathom or surmise. GOD is way bigger right? His possibilities are way bolder right?

Ephesians 3:20

With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.

Not to mention that our faith in GOD has the iron clad assurance that whatever comes to pass is for our GOOD.

Romans 8:28

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

So why is it that we just can’t “live by faith” and leave the rest to GOD?

We are human.

Sometimes we go through times in our lives when it seems like nothing is happening in terms of our spiritual growth. We go through times when things are bad. We go through times when we are confused or worn out. We go through times when our agenda isn’t being met.

We go through times when we just aren’t seeing change.

Those are the times to LIVE BY FAITH! Yet sadly that is when we "waver".

GOD assures us that as we are walking by faith day by day, month by month, and year by year, we are being transformed; that His plan for us is in full swing and it is GOOD!

Romans 12:1-2

…fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it…God brings the best out of you…

So if we want in on the best then let’s put down the agendas and instead walk and live by faith.

2 Peter 1:5

So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, COMPLEMENTING your basic FAITH with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, NO DAY WILL PASS without its REWARD…

Live in FAITH today!

Have a blessed day…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney