Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

Truth And Grace Are Eternal

Encouragement

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:8‬

Where do you find your security? Maybe it’s in your marriage, a career, good health, or even a comfortable lifestyle. 

But what would happen if your “security blanket” disappeared overnight?  What if you lost your job?  What if your spouse walked out on you?  Or a health issue surfaced or you’re diagnosed with a terrible disease?  Let’s pray these never happen!

There will be times in our life when we’re jolted out of our false security. This is usually when panic sets in because we realize how vulnerable we really are. God has a way of showing us that we need Him and His Word instead of trusting in ourselves, others, or something else. 

Our response to our troubles may sound like, “God, why have you forsaken me?”  “How am I going to make it?”  “How much longer, God?”  

Have you been there before?  Maybe your there right now.

Here is the truth: Everything on this earth is temporary, but the things of God stand forever. 

We watch the grass turn green and the flowers bloom. These are the seasons when everything is going smooth and we start to believe that we don’t need God. But then the grass dries up and petals fall off leaving a gloomy landscape. 

The promise that God gives us is that His Word stands forever. The things of God are permanent and they will last forever. 

Do you have any areas of your life where you are struggling? Those are the areas where God wants to show you His love and grace He wants you to trust in Him 

Pray

Lord, show me where I’m trying to be in control and not allowing You to guide me. Help me to not trust in false hope. God, I allow you to come into every area of my life. 

You Get To Choose

Encouragement

But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬

The Apostle Paul is writing a letter to encourage the Christians in the church at Philippi. Ironically Paul is in prison and in chains. He doesn’t even know if he will ever see freedom again.

He is writing to encourage believers about joy and freedom. And he is doing it while he is being punished. Preaching joy and freedom from the worst of circumstances is an amazing achievement.

How is it possible for someone to remain joyful while experiencing the vilest circumstances? This is where we need to pay attention. Paul can only stay encouraged due to the fact that he chose to be joyful.

There are so many times in life that we face circumstances that we didn’t choose. Basically we were given circumstances against our wishes. But what we do and the choices we make have a great impact on our life.

Paul didn’t get to this place in his life overnight. You see, he started making small choices in life that made a great impact on his future. In other words, Paul knew that choosing to joyful everyday and in every circumstance allowed him to be joyful when he faced a very hopeless situation.

We make choices everyday, all day. It’s the little decisions that we need to be concentrated on. When we make good small choices then we get in a habit of making good choices.

Allow me to elaborate. If we choose to not get angry over little things everyday, then when we have a serious situation tempt us to get angry we are better equipped to control our anger. It’s the same with joy. If we can make small choices everyday to be joyful in the little things either good or bad, then when we face a crisis, we can remain joyful because we are in a habit of being joyful in all things.

It’s the same with sin. If we choose to not lie in the little things we will develop a lifestyle of not lying even if the temptation was big. If we choose not to steal little things then we will most likely not be tempted to steal a car.

If we choose to pray to God in all the small decisions and ask for His wisdom then when we face a severe hardship we are in the habit and lifestyle of seeking God in prayer and we won’t worry because we are in the habit of praying and trusting God.

It’s the small choices that we make everyday that align our faith in God. Pay attention to how important it is to make good choices in the little things of life.

Make a decision to trust and obey God in the little things and watch how much more peaceful your life will become.

Pray

Lord, help me to do what is right in the small things today. I know You will lead and guide me everyday. Help me to develop a lifestyle of faithfully serving You.

Satan Knows The Power of Prayer

Encouragement

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭59‬:‭2‬

One of the most powerful tools that we possess as Christians is the power of prayer. Jesus has given us the authority to use His name to pray and to have our prayers answered by God. Praying makes a difference.

The prayers of Christians are so powerful that even Satan knows how much an impact prayers make. It’s no wonder that the devil wants our prayers to be hindered. When our prayers are hindered the things of God are not as powerful.

We should be concerned with our prayer life. It’s important that we stay in good fellowship with God. When we are in harmony with God our prayers avail much. That is why we should be confessing and repenting of our sins daily.

Our sins separate us from God. Thank the Lord we have a Mediator of stands in our place. We are washed in the righteousness of Jesus. But we still need to live holy and righteously for our prayers to be powerful.

Your prayers can change your life or even the life of another person. When Jesus died on the cross the veil in the temple was torn in half thus giving us full access to God himself. Our prayers are our access of communicating with God the Father.

How do you view your prayer life? Do you value your time speaking to God in prayer? He desires to hear our hearts cry out to Him.

Pray

Lord, I lift my voice to You in prayer. Forgive me and cleanse my heart so that my prayers are heard and that my prayers align with Your Holy Spirit.