Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

Remembering 9/11

Encouragement, Faith

‘that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ ‘
Joshua 4:6

September 11, 2001 was a day that many thought could never happen. Why would someone hijack a plane and use it as a suicide bomb? How could two planes cause so much havoc in New York City? Although it’s been 20 years, many still remember like it was yesterday.

Today’s verse proves that events such as 9/11 should never be forgotten. Memorials have been built so that people always remember what happened. People died and families were destroyed because of the cowardly attacks on our society.

God places emphasis on building memorials. They not only serve as reminders of what happened in the past but they also remind us how God brought so many people through.

There is even more attention put on this special day as our military was removed out of Afghanistan and the terrorist are back in power. It’s as if the war on terrorism was fought in vain. It’s as if the terror attacks never happened. Has America lost its patriotism?

When we are asked questions similar to, “What do these stones mean to you?”, what will we say? We should take this opportunity to remember how even in the midst of great tragedy, God was with us. Let’s recall how for a short time afterward, we were all united together as ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.

God please help us! And God bless the USA!

Pray

Lord, may we never forget that You are in our midst even in times of trouble. May our nation be turned back to You. Help us to unite together as one under You as our Almighty Creator, God.

Stop Running

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

“Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31:5‬

There is a story of a lawyer who was trying to deliver an important document to a man. Thinking it was a subpoena, the man avoided the attorney at all cost. But this was a very persistent attorney, and he wouldn’t give up.

This went on for many years, until the man ended up in the hospital, dying of a serious illness. As he was lying on his death bed, the lawyer walked up next to him with the document in hand. The man said, “I can’t run from you anymore. I’m dying. Just give me the subpoena.”

“What subpoena?” the lawyer asked. “I have a document here to prove that you’ve inherited $20 million dollars!”

That is how it is when we run from God. We’re saying, “Get away from me, God, I don’t want your forgiveness, your love, and your mercy. I don’t want your blessings. I want to live the way I want to live.”

People run from God for all kinds of reasons. Maybe it’s because we think God has abandoned us. Or maybe we run from God because of pride and rebellion. Some run because they’ve been hurt. Others run because they’re scared. The reason we run is because we believe the lie that God’s presence is not best for us.

Instead of running away from God we need to run to Him. God loves you and wants to help you. God forgives you and extends mercy and grace when we don’t deserve it. Don’t be like the man in the story who ran for so long that he ended up missing out on a great blessing. Don’t miss out on the best things God has to offer.

Pray

Lord, I run to you and you only. Into your hand I commit my spirit. Forgive me for not trusting you more.

Time To Transition

Encouragement

‘The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.’
Psalms 14:2

When God looks down from heaven, one thing He looks for is if there are people who understand His heart and seek after Him for righteousness sake. He’s not looking for people who are smart enough to figure Him out. He looks to see who has a moral and spiritual awareness.

As we transition from Christmas celebrations to New Year’s resolutions, it’s fair to say that we look forward to something new. 2021 will definitely be a year of transition. We will be transitioning from old ways and developing new methods.

We have the opportunity to set our hearts toward God. Once we seek after the heart of God we can be certain that God will align our paths and keep us in His perfect will. God notices those who seek after Him.

Let this be a time of transition. Transition your heart from what’s not important to the things that matter most to God. Allow God to speak to your heart about the things that need to happen for His glory.

Pray

Lord, I know you see my heart and You know my mind. Help me to establish behaviors that bless Your name. Keep me in Your ways and purposes.