Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

Not My Will

Encouragement, Trust

Not My Will

Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.
Luke 22:42

God’s Will

As Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before He was to be crucified, He was intensely praying for God’s will to be done.  Divinely, Jesus knew what needed to be done but on the humanity side He was dreadful of what was to come.  This verse points to the fact that Jesus was fully man and fully God.

Jesus was praying for God to remove the cup of suffering.  He was praying if there could be any other way besides the cross then let it be.  But if not, then the will of the Father is best.  Jesus wanted the will of God to be done, perfectly.  This should be our prayer as well.  We should pray for God’s will to be done in our life not matter what.  No matter what suffer, loss, or anguish we must face it will be for the Lord’s sake.

Sometimes we don’t fully seek the will of God for our lives.  We seek was pleases us the most and when we face a mess we turn to God for help.  God’s will is always best for us but it’s not always the easiest.  We too may face suffering and shame in our walk with God but in the end we should always remember that if it is God’s will then it is the best way.  It’s hard sometimes to agree to have God’s will to be done in our life but we should yield our will and way to His.  Since God knows all things and He knows the future then we need to pray the same prayer that Jesus prayed.

Prayer

Lord, today, nonetheless, not my will, but yours, be done.  I submit to your will and way for my life.

Sow Bountifully

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

Sow Bountifully

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:6‬ ‭

You Reap What You Sow

God loves a cheerful giver. (vs. 7)  A generous heart that gives freely and willingly is rewarded in the same manner.  God will bless you according to how you give.  Christian giving is reflected by one’s relationship with God.  The more we are aligned with the will of God the more we will experience the awesomeness of God.

Paul is teaching the Believers in Corinth an encouraging principle.  He promised them that if they would give bountifully, God will reward bountifully.  As Christians we should be willing to give what we have to those who are in need.  The early church was able to meet the needs of everyone.  Today we see a lot of people who are in need.  There are a lot of church members who are in great need of assistance.  Some do not speak out nor ask anything from their church.  We should all be prayerfully sensitive to the needs of our fellow Believers.  There is great joy in store for those who are able to give freely and willingly.

God wants us to give more than just our money.  He desires that we share our faith and talents as well.  We all are gifted in various ways that provide blessings to other people.  If you can give big, give it and watch what God will do with it.  If you can sing beautifully, sing so others can hear you.  If you can teach, wisely teach the Word.  If you can preach, what are you waiting for?  There is so many different ways that you can bountifully give of yourself and what you have.  Always remember that you have what you have because God has bountifully given.

Prayer

Lord, use what I have to help someone else in need.  Give me a generous giving heart.

Holy, Holy, Holy

Encouragement, Salvation, Trust

Holy, Holy, Holy

The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:8‬

Worship Around The Throne

If we could get a personal glimpse of Heaven it would change the way we worship.  As the Scripture says, worship will never cease in Heaven.  In Heaven we will be worshipping around the throne of God for eternity.  It will be a worship experience that we have never witnessed before.

John was given a glimpse into Heaven and a vision of the throne of God.  The central focus of Heaven is the throne.  As well as our central focus of worship should be the throne of God.  God’s holiness drives us to worship Him.  Worship often includes words and actions but most importantly worship is from the heart.  If our heart is not right, we cannot worship right.  Worship is the God-centered focus and response of the soul.  So no matter what you say or sing you are worshipping only when your attention is on God.  And when your attention is on God you cannot help but only envision the holiness and worthiness of Him.

A profound statement about worship is found in John 4:23-25 as Jesus said, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”  Before we can worship in spirit and in truth we must have within us the Holy Spirit.  Without Him true worship will not happen.  If you have no desire to worship there is something missing in your life.

Prayer

Lord, Holy is Your Name and Holy You are.  I praise You and honor You with my heart and soul.