Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Trust

What Does Your Heart Look Like?

Encouragement, Trust

“Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:34‬

Have you ever said something and the moment it came out of your mouth you regretted saying it? Yes, we all have. It’s because our hearts are deceitful. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?”

The truth behind Jesus’ teaching is not so much about watching what we say, but guarding and protecting the condition of our heart. Everything that comes out of our mouth springs forth from what is already in your heart.

A couple of chapters later, Jesus was answering criticism of the Pharisees about the Jewish custom of washing hands and He said, “Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:17-20‬)

What you say is a reflection of the spiritual condition of your heart. When you speak kind words, it reveals a cheerful heart. On the contrary when you speak words that hurt others it’s because your heart is not in a good place.

The heart is a well and the mouth is the water pot that draws from that well. It’s not enough to simply “clean up” what you say. The mouth cannot draw up anything but what is already in the heart. That’s why we must guard and protect our heart.

Pray

Lord, protect my heart from evil. Help me to remain clean and pure. If I’m doing something I shouldn’t be doing, please convict my soul.

Jesus Wants To Comfort You

Encouragement, Salvation, Trust

“And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:5‬ ‭

The story of Zacchaeus took place while Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem for the triumphal entry. Zacchaeus did something most grown men wouldn’t do and that was climb up into a tree so he could watch Jesus as he walked by.

To his surprise Jesus stopped beneath the tree, looked up and called Zacchaeus by name. And as we read in today’s verse, Jesus wanted to go to his house and have a personal meeting with him.

Zacchaeus didn’t have a reputation for being a devout, moral man. He was a chief tax collector which meant he made his riches by taking advantage of the working class. Although his name means “pure one” he didn’t get much respect from other people to say the least.

But the day Jesus walked by all eyes were on Zacchaeus. Jesus made it a point to call him by name and show him some attention. After meeting with Jesus, he was transformed.

This passage of scripture helps us to know that when we feel forgotten or abandoned by others Jesus knows us by name. He knows our hearts and he wants to comfort us.

There is nothing that can stand in the way of Jesus loving us and making us feel special. Just as Zacchaeus had a personal invitation to meet and talk with Jesus, we too have that opportunity to share what’s on our minds or what’s weighing heavy on our hearts.

We don’t have to wait for Jesus to come to town nor do we have to fight our way through a crowd just to speak to Him. We have the convenience of praying at anytime and from anywhere. Do you spend time with Jesus in prayer? He wants to spend time with you.

Pray

Lord, you know me by name and you know my heart. Help me to know your heart and your desires. I want to be used by you.

Don’t Let Evil Doers Deceive You

Encouragement, Trust

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:6‬

Today’s Scripture contains a serious warning from the apostle Paul. He was instructing Christians at Ephesus to be careful of what they listen to. He said, “Don’t be deceived.”

Christians need to be careful not to be misled by ungodly influence. As Christians we need to be a witness to unbelievers but we must not conform to their ways. We must be empowered by God to never let ungodly words trick us into sin. That is exactly how the enemy operates. The devil is sneaky and deceiving.

Usually the way we get tricked is by hearing the words, “there’s no real harm in it”, or “you’ll never get caught.” That’s how Eve was deceived in the garden of Eden. Paul voices his concern that there will be ungodly people try to smooth talk you into sinning. Everyday we are tempted to sin and when we have a voice repeating to us that it’s ok we may fall into the trap.

One of the problems that we face as Christians is we try to justify our sins. It is never ok to sin. Just because we have been wronged does not justify that we take revenge in return. And the biggest justifiable phrase we hear is, “at least I’m not as bad as them.”

Here is the solution. We are all accountable for our sins. We need to stand for what is right and for what the Bible instructs us to do. We must turn the other cheek, love our enemies, and forgive others. We will all stand in front of Jesus on judgment day and give an account. We should long to hear the words, “Well done!”

The verse goes on to state what happens to the unbelievers who deceive God’s children. The Scripture says they will face His wrath. Those are serious words. No one wants to face the wrath of God. But God will deal with the ungodly. In the meantime, be careful of who you listen to. Make sure your actions line up with the truth of God’s word. Make sure you’re not deceiving others.

Pray

Lord, forgive me of my sins. Help me to be guarded against the ungodly people I’m surrounded by. May they see Jesus in me.