Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

How Are You Living?

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”
Philippians‬ ‭3:20‬

The Apostle Paul was writing to the church at Philippi who placed much value in their Roman citizenship. Although they were not living in Rome, they considered themselves to be under the Roman law, custom, and culture.

Paul, himself, was a Roman citizen and knew their mindset. So Paul under the influence of the Holy Spirit wrote this Scripture for them to consider the value of what it means to be a citizen of heaven.

Just as a Roman citizen would never forget that they belonged to Rome, Christians must never forget that they belong to heaven. This ultimately means that we must conduct ourselves as heavenly citizens. If we belong to heaven, we need to act like it.

To live somewhere you don’t belong means you’re an alien or pilgrim. We live on this earth we but don’t belong here. We were made for so much more. This earth is foreign land to us.

As Christians we are pilgrims passing through and waiting for our time to come when we are residents of heaven. We should be set apart from this world and noticed for something special about us.

The problem is sometimes we live like we belong here on this earth and value the things here more than heavenly things to come. For example, if we know that we have a mansion in heaven being prepared for us, why are we placing so much value in a home here on earth?

Paul says it best in verse 19, “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” Then he says, “But our citizenship is in Heaven.”

Are you living like you belong here or heaven?

Are you storing up treasures here on earth or investing in Heaven?

God would have you to place more value in the life to come in heaven than being so earthly mindset. Take a moment today to consider your heavenly citizenship.

Pray

Lord, I know I belong to you. Let my actions and words be proof of my citizenship to Heaven. Today I live for You.

Joy vs. Sin

Encouragement

‘You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. ‘
1 Peter 1:8

Are you living a holy and righteous life? If you can say “yes” then most likely you are experiencing a fullness of joy.

As our verse for today says, “we rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy!” That’s a joy that’s so incredible you can’t even express it. And it’s all because of Jesus Christ.

At conversion, Jesus changes our life and gives us a new reason to live. The old self is dead and our new life is established in the purposes and plans of God. What a glorious way of living for Jesus!

Holiness is not about being religious. Rather, pure holiness is a beautiful expression and demonstration of the character of God. God desires that we live positively joyful while being disciplined and dedicated to the things that makes God happy.

The reason why people are not rejoicing is because they are harboring sin and shame. If you are not a joyful person you need to search your heart and repent of your sin. Then God will renew a right spirit within you and you will become joyful.

There is no joy in living in sin. Some people may enjoy their sin but there is no joy in their life. Instead they are miserable and disappointed.

But those who seek Him and His righteousness are full of inexpressible joy.

The only way we can remain pure and holy is to stay focussed on what is good, true, and right.

Pray

Lord, make my heart and mind reflect upon You and Your promises. Your ways and thoughts are much higher than mine. Give me a joy that reflects Your character.

Are You An Encourager?

Encouragement

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. “
II Corinthians 1:3-4

Do you put a smile on other people’s faces? Better yet, do you know someone that needs to be comforted today?

We all need to be encouraged. The entire world needs to be comforted. But who is going to do it?

In today’s Scripture, Paul says that just as we are comforted we should also comfort others. So let me encourage you to be an encourager.

That was Paul’s point that he was getting across to the church at Corinth. The world needs to see that Christians are people who are encouraged by God and through His word and through His Spirit.

The best way to encourage others is to be positive and uplifting. We love being around people who uplift us and make us feel great. We love to surround ourselves with people who bring out the best in us.

So let’s be that person that we love to be around. We need to be the person who instills positive beliefs into other people. The only way to do that is to be encouraged yourself.

Here is the thing… when we are encouraged, we can encourage others. When we are positive we can instill positive motivation into others. We have to feed ourselves first and then we can give what we have to others. This is why it is important for us to stay in the Word of God and meditate on it.

Today, there is going to be someone close to you that needs to be encouraged. God is entrusting you to be the one to share a positive influence of Christian belief.

Take God’s promises to heart and live them out through your words and actions. Motivate others to focus on what is true from God. His promises will endure forever and His words lead to life everlasting.

Pray

Lord, instill into me the courage and joy that I need today. Out of the abundance that You have given me, I will give to others. Let others see You in me.