Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Trust

Time To Worship

Trust

I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
‭Psalms‬ ‭13:6‬

David expressed his joy by singing to the Lord. He was overwhelmed with joy from meditating on the fact that God had given him salvation. He knew he was saved and rejoiced in it. Singing to God increased his joy even more. 

David used singing to overcome negative thoughts and emotions. When he felt depressed he would sing. If he felt burdened he sang to the Lord. Singing and praising the Lord was his way of coping with the difficulties he faced.

As David reflected on his life he couldn’t help but notice how good God was to him. God was always there for him no matter what he was facing. Do you have a reason to rejoice unto the Lord? 

If you have received the free gift of salvation, you have a reason to sing. If you know your sins (past, present, and future) are forgiven, you have a reason to sing. If you know your eternal home is in Heaven, you have a reason to shout! 

God gave us Jesus so we could rejoice and be glad. Jesus gives us hope for a bright future. When we think about how good God is and how good He has been to us it should put a song in our heart. 

David began Psalm 13 with thinking that God had forgotten about him. He was feeling abandoned and all alone but by the last verse he was rejoicing and was glad. 

When you are feeling down just meditate on the goodness of God. If you feel depressed or overwhelmed with despair think about what good things God has done for you. It won’t take long before your sorrow turns to joy. 

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad today. Put a smile on your face and a song on your lips. Let others around you know how good God is. Let them join you in singing to the Lord. 

Pray

Lord, thank you for giving me Jesus. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins. Thank you for giving me eternal life in Heaven. 

Trusting God’s Timing

Trust

For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’
2 Corinthians 6:2

God never has to be in a hurry because He is never late. God’s timing is always perfect. His schedule and our schedule may not be the same but He’s always right on time.

Our faith is tested when we learn to trust His timing. Waiting on God is a difficult thing to do when we are impatient and needing God to do something quickly.

At times it may seem like God is not listening but He is. It may seem like He is not meeting our needs but He is. God hears our prayers and He hears our cries.

The day that You need Him, God will be there to help. Don’t lose faith and never lose hope. And don’t ever think that He doesn’t care. He does care and He knows your needs.

Sometimes it can be frustrating having to wait on the Lord, but His plan for our lives is good. When we place our trust in His timing we can have total peace and joy.

In Genesis we see that Joseph had to trust God’s timing. He waited many years for the fulfillment of his dreams to come to pass. God was with him every step of the way. There was some trying times in his life but God timing was always perfect.

Trust that the Lord’s timing is perfect for you too. God wants to show you what you need to know when it’s the right time and place. Be patient and wait on the Lord. Good things come to those who wait upon the Lord.

Pray

Lord, I know Your timing is perfect. Give me knowledge and wisdom to discern the difference between my timing and Yours. Help me to wait on You.

Keys Of The Kingdom

Salvation, Trust

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.