Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

Keep Moving Forward

Encouragement, Faith

‘Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’
Philippians 3:13-14

Life is full of surprises and full of challenges. How we deal with the unexpected issues of our daily activities determines how view God. God allows us to encounter challenging circumstances for a reason.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.” 

The apostle Paul knew how to get through difficult situations by pressing on. He understood that everything he faced was for a reason. Many of our struggles help us strengthen our faith in God and deepen our relationship with Him.

Instead of giving up, we must step up. It’s easy to throw in the towel but it takes courage to keep pressing on. God expects us to rely on Him for wisdom and understanding. With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

Whatever your facing today just know that you are not facing it alone. As Christians we have everything we need through Jesus Christ. He gives us the strength to keep going and to overcome any new challenge or difficulty. Don’t ever think that you have to do it all on your own.

Jesus wants to be your Helper, Counselor and Savior. Trust Him for all things. Take on the attitude that Paul had and forget what has happened and reach forward to the things ahead. Press on!

Pray

Lord, give me strength and courage today to do the things I must do. Help me to maintain an attitude that is pleasing unto You. Help me to keep my head up and my eyes on the prize.

Don’t Let Evil Doers Deceive You

Encouragement, Trust

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:6‬

Today’s Scripture contains a serious warning from the apostle Paul. He was instructing Christians at Ephesus to be careful of what they listen to. He said, “Don’t be deceived.”

Christians need to be careful not to be misled by ungodly influence. As Christians we need to be a witness to unbelievers but we must not conform to their ways. We must be empowered by God to never let ungodly words trick us into sin. That is exactly how the enemy operates. The devil is sneaky and deceiving.

Usually the way we get tricked is by hearing the words, “there’s no real harm in it”, or “you’ll never get caught.” That’s how Eve was deceived in the garden of Eden. Paul voices his concern that there will be ungodly people try to smooth talk you into sinning. Everyday we are tempted to sin and when we have a voice repeating to us that it’s ok we may fall into the trap.

One of the problems that we face as Christians is we try to justify our sins. It is never ok to sin. Just because we have been wronged does not justify that we take revenge in return. And the biggest justifiable phrase we hear is, “at least I’m not as bad as them.”

Here is the solution. We are all accountable for our sins. We need to stand for what is right and for what the Bible instructs us to do. We must turn the other cheek, love our enemies, and forgive others. We will all stand in front of Jesus on judgment day and give an account. We should long to hear the words, “Well done!”

The verse goes on to state what happens to the unbelievers who deceive God’s children. The Scripture says they will face His wrath. Those are serious words. No one wants to face the wrath of God. But God will deal with the ungodly. In the meantime, be careful of who you listen to. Make sure your actions line up with the truth of God’s word. Make sure you’re not deceiving others.

Pray

Lord, forgive me of my sins. Help me to be guarded against the ungodly people I’m surrounded by. May they see Jesus in me.

The Spirit Of Love

Encouragement

‘On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’
Matthew 22:40

An expert of the law decided to try and trap Jesus by asking Him what is the most important commandment of the law. Jesus responded that the first is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second is of the same essence: love your neighbor as yourself.

In summary, the spirit of the Bible is love. If we love God we will love others. If we love others it is because the love of the Father is in us.

The Bible is a love story that begins with man rebelling against God, but God kept pursuing him ultimately to a cross. The very thing that separated man from God is what actually brought God to man. It’s all about love and it’s an unending love.

The Ten Commandments can be divided into two sections. The first five commandments deal with our relationship with God and the last five deal with our relationships with others. But they all go hand-in-hand.

Once we establish a right relationship and fellowship with God it will show by the presence of this love for God in our relationships with others. As Jesus brought all the commandments down to two, we can clearly see that it’s the spirit of love.

Jesus came so that we may visualize the love of God. And there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13). This is the example of true love.

We can do many things right but if we do not love we have missed the whole point. The better we understand the love of God the better we obey the word of God. And the better we obey the word of God the better we show the love of God.

Pray

Lord, help me to understand Your great love for me and let me reflect Your love in my life. Thank You for loving me even when I don’t deserve it. Give me the the spirit of love that others will see who You are.