Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

Are You Involved?

Encouragement

Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.
Nehemiah 2:17-18

Nehemiah was burdened with rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. He knew he couldn’t do it alone so he enlisted the help of others. Teamwork makes dreamwork!

Nehemiah says that all kinds of people got involved. From priests to politicians and tradesmen to women who made clothes, there was a role for everyone who wanted to get involved. Everyone had a specific task and purpose.

Even though there were many who supported the efforts of rebuilding the wall, there were some who chose not to get involved. Nehemiah 3:5 tells us about the people of Tekoa who opposed the efforts. It is forever written in the Word of God that these individuals chose not to serve the Lord.

When it comes to building the Kingdom of God there is always a need for willing servants. Never let it be said of you that when there was something great to be done for God you didn’t get involved. God has given you a unique purpose to serve Him.

As a servant of Jesus Christ, you have been equipped to serve. Your talents and abilities are God-given and are given to glorify Him. Everything you do for the Lord makes a difference.

Your task is important and even though you may not see immediate results of your labor, it’s making a difference. If it’s in your community, church, or anywhere in the world, God will use you to do His great work.

Are you participating in building God’s Kingdom? There is a place and purpose for every person to serve the Lord. Just ask God what He wants you to do.

Pray

Lord, I want to serve You today. What can I do to get involved with the work of Your Kingdom. Show me how I can join others in serving You.

In The Likeness Of Jesus

Encouragement

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

One of the greatest blessings of being a Christian is knowing that God sees the righteousness of Jesus when He looks upon those who believe in Him. He doesn’t see our faults and failures; He sees the righteousness of Jesus that has been gifted to us.

Some people mistakenly believe that God is only pleased with them when they do good deeds. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. God is pleased with you and only wants good things for you.

God is never ashamed of your imperfections. He desires to bless you and give you peace. He wants you to be made perfect only through Jesus Christ.

If you want to understand who you are through Jesus Christ you need to recognize that God is perfecting you through His Son. Pauls said it this way, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)

We are far from perfect. But everyday we should strive to be more like Jesus. Jesus makes all things new!

Pray

Lord, thank You for giving me Jesus. I look forward to being more like You everyday. Help me to understand that I am being perfected through the works of Jesus.

With All Your Heart

Encouragement

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered.
II Chronicles 31:20-21

God will honor the heart that commits to follow Him. God is pleased to bless those who strive to please Him. So the surest way to prosper is to pursue the will of God.

Hezekiah, king of Judah, lived during a dangerous time. He faced very powerful enemies. Pagan and idol worship was the popular religion of the day. Even his parents rejected God and encouraged others to serve false gods.

Hezekiah had the opportunity to reject God as well yet he chose to serve God with all of his heart. He did everything in his power to encourage the people to worship the One and true God. He showed honor and respect to God by keeping His commandments.

Because Hezekiah served and obeyed God, God blessed him in return. God proved to the people that it is beneficial and prosperous to serve and obey God. Even when it was not the popular thing to do, Hezekiah resolved to follow God.

It takes courage and commitment to seek after God rather than pleasing people. When you do not set your heart to seek after the Lord, calamity and chaos fill your life. Resolve to pursue God with all your heart and receive the peace and prosperity that follow.

Pray

Lord, I seek You with all of my heart, soul, and mind. I desire to obey Your word and I strive to remain in Your will. I seek to please You only.