Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Faith

Tell The Good News

Faith, Trust

And He did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭5:19‬

Mark 5:1-20 is a dramatic miracle of Jesus healing a demon possessed man.  As an outcast and mad man, he was chained hand and foot in a nearby cemetery.  Everyone was scared of this man because of his uncontrollable strength and reckless behavior.  He was a beast!

But when he saw Jesus, everything changed. He ran and fell down and worshipped Him and the demons begged to be cast into a large heard of swine.  Jesus gave the command and instantaneously the two thousand demon possessed pigs ran off a mountain and drowned in the sea.

The people who saw this dramatic event were terrified and demanded Jesus to leave their town.  As Jesus got in the boat to leave, the man who had been possessed begged to go with Him but Jesus wouldn’t allow it.  

Instead Jesus told the man to go home and tell all his family and friends about what had happened. Verse 20 says he did and everyone marveled. They were amazed because he had been made new.

Later in chapter 6 Jesus was able to return and was greatly welcomed.  He performed many other miracles because of one man’s testimony of how much the Lord had done for him.  

There is power in sharing what the Lord had done for us.  You never know what kind of impact it will make. Just by telling someone what the Lord has done for you may change their life.

Pray

Lord, put someone in my path today that I can share the many things You have done for me. I am so thankful for all that You have done. Let my attitude prove my thankfulness.

In The Line Of Fire

Faith, Trust

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
I Peter 4:16

There are times when we are caught in the crossfire of severe trials such as death, disease, pain… and even persecution for our faith. Because we live in a cursed and evil world, we are not immune to the sufferings of this world.

God never promised to keep us out of the crossfire, but He did promise that when we are in the crossfire, He would be there with us!

You might remember Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They refused to compromise their faith and bow down and pray to the statue of king Nebuchadnezzar. These guys faced a fiery furnace. However, in the midst of the furnace they were not alone. God was right there with them.

Whenever you are caught in the crossfire of a trial or persecution for your faith, remember that the Lord Jesus is there with you. It may not always feel like He is with you, but He is. And He is working out His perfect plan for your life.

No matter what you are facing today or in the days to come, you have a Comforter that knows you and knows what you are facing. No matter how big or small the situation may be He is always there with you. Trust the promises of God. Place your faith in the One who knows all things. Live confidently in the hope of Jesus Christ.

Pray

Lord, I trust you are working everything out according to Your plan and purpose. I will trust You and honor You as my Lord. My full faith is in You.

Lead Me, O Lord

Faith, Trust

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭

David certainly had enemies that were plotting against him.  They had evil intentions and were manipulating him before king Saul.  King Saul was growing jealously aware that David could possibly steal his throne.  It was all false and made David look like the bad guy.

Can you can relate to this situation?  Have you ever had someone falsely accuse you of something or say something about you that wasn’t true?  

David responded with wisdom and reason.  He wanted God to lead him down the right path so he would not fail.  David wanted the tables turned and for his enemies to get what they were plotting for him. He wanted their own words to be their trap, to be caught in their lies so he could be cleared.

This still happens today. Even in the church, people gossip and slander each other. The Bible tells us that God hated this for David and hates it when we do this to one another or when people of the world do this to His children.

God hates wicked speech of any form.  The remarkable thing is that David displayed the mark of true discipline, the result of a God-centered life, following Him, His precepts and plan while seeking His purpose for his life.  

Walk in God’s righteousness and allow the Lord to lead you in the right path.

Pray

Lord, keep me in Your straight path. Give me wisdom and reason to respond righteously when I face evil people. Help me to seek Your righteousness.