Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Trust

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.

Be Humble

Encouragement, Trust

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:11

It is natural for us to desire places or positions of honor and importance that make us look good. But it’s not biblical.

Jesus taught a very valuable lesson as He spoke to a multitude of people seeking to hear Him. He spoke a parable about attending a wedding reception and intentionally not taking the seat of honor just in case someone else arrived who was more important.

He said it would shame a person to place oneself in a place of honor when someone else deserves it more. Instead He said to sit at the lowest place and let the one who invited you place you at a higher place and then you will be honored by those you sit with.

Jesus spoke this parable to teach us about humility. When we seek to take honor to ourselves, we will always be humbled or humiliated. It is important for us to start off being humble and then let someone else exalt us.

Jesus was the perfect example of this. He deserved the highest place of honor but chose the lowest place and then God granted Him the highest place. Philippians 2:5-9 says, “though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,”

We live in a world that places so much value on being successful. While it’s good to strive to be the best at what you do, it’s equally important to consider how you treat others in the process. Lift others before yourself. Your actions reflect the condition of your heart.

Pray

Lord, help me to be humble. Let me notice what others need and want before myself. Thank you for being lowly and setting the perfect example for me to follow.