Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

June 30, 2023

Encouragement

Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬

Jesus addresses the fifth church which was located in Sardis. He urged them to wake up from their spiritual slumber. Today, this message resonates with believers all over the world, as we are often plagued with complacency.

Jesus begins by urging the church to remember their moment of salvation. Do you remember the overwhelming love and grace that engulfed you when you first encountered Jesus? Never let that memory fade into the background of your spiritual journey.

Jesus called the church at Sardis to hold fast to their faith and to repent. It means to cling to the truth of God’s Word and refuse to ever compromise because of worldly pressures. It means to remain faithful in our commitment to following Christ, even when the path seems difficult. Repentance involves turning away from anything that hinders our relationship with God. It is an act of humility, surrender, and willingness to change.

Jesus also issued a stern warning to the church. He reminds us that He is coming back, and His return will be unexpected. Everyone must be watchful and alert, living with a sense of urgency. We cannot be caught off guard being entangled in the distractions and cares of this world. Instead, we must prioritize our relationship with Christ, knowing that His return is imminent.

We are called to be the light of the world. We are not meant to blend in but to stand out. Let us heed the words of Jesus and awaken from our spiritual slumber.

Be watchful and diligent to seek the Lord. Shine bright in the midst of darkness. Let your faith and hope be placed in the promise that Jesus is coming soon.

Pray

Lord, awaken my heart from any spiritual slumber I may have fallen into. Help me to remember the power of my salvation and the work You have done in my life. Fill me with a sense of watchfulness and readiness for Your return. In Jesus’ name, amen.

June 29, 2023

Encouragement

I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬

Jesus’ fourth letter to the seven churches was addressed to Thyatira. In His message, He speaks directly to their works, love, service, faith, and patience. These qualities are essential in the life of every believer, and they demonstrate the power of Christ working in us.

Jesus begins by acknowledging their works. A Believer’s works are an outward expression of their faith and relationship with the Lord. The Lord not only sees what we do but also understands the motives behind what we do.

Next, He commended the church for their love. Our love for God compels us to love our neighbors as ourselves. When love controls our actions, our works become acts of kindness, pointing others to the love of Christ.

Thyatira was a church full of servants. In our service to the Lord, we demonstrate the character of Christ and bring glory to His name. There are so many opportunities to serve others. When we are servants for Christ, even the smallest act of kindness can have a profound impact on someone’s life.

Faith was another quality Jesus recognized. Thyatira had a deep trust in God’s promises. Our faith should lead us to trust and obey the word of God. It is through faith that mountains move, miracles happen, and lives are transformed.

Finally, Jesus commended the church’s patience. Obviously, they endured hardships and persevered in their trials. Patience is knowing that God is faithful and will fulfill His promises in due time. Patience produces hope.

Are your works driven by love, rooted in faith, and characterized by selfless service? Are you patiently enduring in the midst of challenges? Is your life a testimony of Jesus’ love and grace.

Pray

Lord, help me to have a heart filled with love, service, faith, and patience. Let my life be a testimony of the power of Your love. Show me the power of patience. In Jesus’ name, amen.

June 28, 2023

Encouragement

I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬

In the third letter to the seven churches, we discover a powerful message to the church in Pergamos. Pergamos was a beautiful and art-filled city known as the place where Satan’s influence and power was very strong. Pergamos was a center of pagan worship.

Despite living in the midst of darkness, the believers in Pergamos stood strong in their faith and held firm to the name of Jesus. Even when Antipas, a faithful witness of Christ, faced persecution and death, they did not coward down their faith.

As followers of Christ, we will certainly face spiritual battles. While the severity may vary, we encounter daily temptations, challenges to our faith, and worldly distractions. Yet, like the believers in Pergamos, we are called to remain true to the name of Jesus.

It is during these moments that our commitment to Christ is tested. We may experience trials that tempt us to compromise or turn away from our beliefs. Yet, today’s verse serves as a powerful reminder that, even in the face of persecution and hardship, we are to never deny Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

The faithfulness of the Christians in Pergamos shows us that our commitment to Christ is not determined by our daily circumstances. True faith is revealed in how we respond when the pressures of life bear down on us. It is in times of adversity that our loyalty to Jesus is proven.

As you navigate the challenges in your own life, remember that even in the midst of adversity, you have the power of Christ living inside of you. You have the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen, and equip you to remain faithful. Are you committed to Christ no matter the circumstance?

Pray

Lord, give me strength, courage, and unwavering faith to stand firm in the face of adversity. Help me to overcome the challenges and temptations that come my way. Empower me to be faithful in the midst of a world filled with evil. In Jesus’ name, amen.