Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

Our Hearts Burn Within Us

Encouragement, Trust

Our Hearts Burn Within Us

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:32‬

Walking With Jesus

After Jesus’ resurrection He appeared to two disciples who were leaving Jerusalem and apparently witnessed His crucifixion.  They received the news that Jesus was not in the tomb but was alive.  They were very sad as they discussed the details of the events that happened over the weekend.  As they were walking and talking, Jesus joined their conversation and they did not know that it was Him.  Jesus spent much time with them as they talked on the road to Emmaus.

As Jesus spoke to the two disciples, He began with Moses and the prophets to tell the story of Himself.  They spent time together as He shared the Scriptures with them and broke bread together.  Their eyes were finally opened to see that it was Jesus who spoke with them concerning all things.  After they considered all things they said, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us and as He opened the Scriptures to us?:  Their hope was restored and their passion was renewed.  The fire burned in their hearts as they heard the words of Jesus.

In the same way, Jesus wants to renew your passion for Him.  Notice that it begins with the Word of God.  A you walk with Jesus, He wants to spend time with you to reveal His goodness and mercy for you to be encouraged.  We must allow time for Him to speak to us and the fire will be rekindled within our hearts.

Prayer

Open our hearts to what You have to say to us and help us to learn from Your word.  Give us what we need to hear.

Not Ashamed

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

Not Ashamed

But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
2 Timothy 1:12

Confidence and Boldness

Paul is in prison and awaiting death.  He is recounting the cause for Christ that has led him to persecution and distress and now imprisonment.  He is writing to a young preacher named Timothy who was a close brother and friend to Paul.  Paul writes him to instruct and encourage the young preacher as he too may face persecution for the faith.

Paul was hated by the Jews for preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.  Even though he suffered persecution and waiting execution, Paul considers his calling to preach the gospel a worthy cause.  He never backed down from telling the truth of the gospel and never avoided speaking when he had a chance to share the Word of God with anyone.  His confidence in the Lord produced a boldness that glorified God.  His faith and hope in Christ fueled his efforts of winning souls and building the Kingdom of Heaven.

Paul’s knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ strengthened him daily but God’s grace is what kept him striving to endure the hardships he faced. Our knowledge of God’s Word and our strong faith in Jesus allows us the same opportunities to share the gospel with boldness. Never shy away from telling the lost about the good news of Jesus and always be ready to give an answer for your faith.  It is during times of persecution and trials that people either coward down or boldly step up.  Be prepared today to speak words of comfort to those who are suffering or lost.

Prayer

Ask the Lord to give you boldness to speak the truth of the gospel to everyone everywhere.

Teach Me To Do Your Will

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

Teach Me To Do Your Will

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
Psalm 143:10

God’s Will and God’s Way

Learning something new can be challenging at times.  But once you discover how to do something new it can be rewarding and great.  Learning to do God’s will can be challenging but the reward is worth it all.

In Psalm 143 David is crying out to God for assistance.  It’s a desperate cry for help indeed.  But right in the middle of this song, David seeks to know the will of God because he knows it is the best thing.  He knows that God is in control of all things but he wants God to reveal His will to him.  Obviously he knows he is going through this storm for a reason but he wants God to show him what he needs to learn from it.  This is the best attitude to have when we face difficult and trying times.  Instead of praying for God to remove our trials we should face them with a perspective that God is trying to teach us something.

Just think about all of the challenges that David faced during his life.  He was the youngest and smallest of his brothers but still knew he had a purpose.  He took on the biggest and strongest giant and experienced victory.  He committed many sins but found forgiveness through God’s love and grace.  He lost a child who was only a few days old but knew the child was with God in Heaven.  The list can go on and on but David was always aware that God was deepening his faith and increasing his spiritual strength.  That is how we need to look at our own life.

Prayer

As you seek to learn God’s will and way for your life, count it all joy when you suffer for the cause of Christ.