Pastor Stephen Dedman

Keys Of The Kingdom

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16:19‬

When you have a relationship with Jesus Christ you have all access to God the Father.  Because we are one with Christ, Jesus has given us access to everything that has been given to Him.  The keys of the kingdom of heaven represent this magnificent gift.

What more could a person desire? We are given authority and power because we belong to Jesus.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter used the power of Jesus’ name to preached the Gospel and three thousand people made a decision to follow Jesus. Peter used the kingdom keys for God’s glory. 

On the day that Peter commanded the lame man to get up and walk in Jesus’ name, he used the kingdom keys.  And the day that Peter was miraculously released from prison, the kingdom keys were used. Peter discovered and amazing opportunity of using the keys of the kingdom that were given by Jesus.

If you are a born-again Believer, you have the kingdom keys as well.  When you find yourself in fear or anxiety, remember you have direct access to God.  

When you are lacking anything, remember that you hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven.  

When you are broken or burdened, all you have to do is access the Father.  

God freely gives to those who belong to Him.  If you have the keys, you have something really amazing.

Pray

Lord, thank You for giving me direct access to You.  You have all that I need including eternal life. Help me to never forget what I have in You.

The Heart Of Jesus

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”
John 4:34

All through the Four Gospels we see the priority or the heart of Jesus.  We also witness the priority or the heart of the disciples.  Jesus was most concerned with the spiritual needs and the disciples were more concerned with the physical needs.  

Jesus stressed in Matthew 6:33 to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and then everything else will be added to your life.  Jesus promised that God would always meet peoples needs.  The disciples always had what they needed, exactly when they needed it.

In the beginning verses of John chapter 4, Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well.  The disciples went to get food and returned to give some to Jesus.  When they told him to eat He said, “My food is to do the will of God and to do His work.”  

Again while Jesus’ mind was on spiritual matters the disciples were thinking about feeding the flesh.  Jesus was giving the woman at the well eternal life while the disciples were more interested in feeding their bellies.

Here is the point… Jesus entrusts us to do His work.  We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to be concerned with the spiritual needs of others as much as their physical needs.  Sometimes we neglect sharing the truth with those who need it and concentrate on making sure they have something to eat or that their bills are paid.  

We should always make sure we are giving the “bread of life” to those who are lost and hungry.  Giving someone something to eat and not offering them Jesus is missing a great opportunity to witness.  

Witness to someone today and let them know that God loves them.

Pray

Lord, send someone in my direction and allow me time to share the truth of Jesus Christ with them.  Thank you for sending the person who helped me to know Jesus.

You Can Conquer Sin And Satan

“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4:7

The story of Cain and Abel is disturbingly tragic.  How could the first child born of Adam and Eve commit the sin of murder? It wasn’t like the world was so full of evil like it is today.  There were only 4 humans in existence.

The Bible says Cain and Abel both offered up offerings to God but only Abel’s was accepted.  Abel’s offering was considered to be the best of the best. Cain’s offering didn’t please God.  Jealousy and envy began to rage in the heart of Cain.

God said to Cain in verse 7, “If you do what is right you will be blessed.  But if you choose to rebel then you will be destroyed by the deadly effects of sin.”  God made it clear to Cain that sin was knocking at the door and he must master it.  However in verse 8, Cain went out and murdered Abel.

God’s warning to Cain is the same for us today. First, we must be aware that sin is present and near to every one of us.  No one is immune to it.

Second, sin is personal and seeking to devour you individually.  Satan’s plan is to rob you of joy and fellowship. Will you allow Satan to win?

And thirdly, sin is powerful and you must have control over it.  Any unconfessed sin will harbor hatred inside your heart.  We must be wise and alert or else our life will be consumed with evil like Cain’s.

Sin doesn’t have to reign in our life. Jesus gives us victory over sin and Satan. We must have faith in knowing that we are victorious only through Jesus and we conquer sin by abiding in Christ.

Pray

Lord, I repent of my sin and turn away from it quickly. Help me to receive the joy of Your great salvation. Keep me from evil and give me a heart of love.