Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Trust

The Purpose Of Serving God

Encouragement, Trust

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption.
‭‭Acts‬ ‭13:36‬ ‭

David had a servants heart. He was committed to being a servant for God. David learned how to please God in every situation.

The key to David’s life was doing what God purposed him to do. When David faced his final days of his life he could look back and smile with confidence knowing he lived his life for the glory of God. That is an amazing testimony.

Throughout the Bible we read about men and women who were servants for God. They did what God purposed for them to do. Their purpose was to please God.

The greatest servant who gave Himself entirely for the purpose of God was Jesus. In His humanity, He gave His life for the sake of sinful man. God, the Father, was well pleased!

Are you a faithful servant for God? As Christians it is our ambition to serve as Christ served. We are to humble ourselves to the point of being servants for others.

Your purpose in life is to be a servant of God.  Search and see who you can serve today. Be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who need the love of God.

Pray

Lord, allow me to serve and minister to someone who is in need.  Show me what they need. Give me a servant’s heart to be a blessing to someone else.

He Will Make It Happen

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
Isaiah 46:11

As Christians we seek God’s will to be done here on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10).  In fact we pray for God’s will to be done in our lives.  There is no stopping the will of God nor is there a chance that we can change the will of God.  

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be God?  We are so thankful that God is who He is.  There is none like Him nor is there anyone or anything that can compare to Him.  There is one God and He is our God!

As He says in today’s verse, “I have said it and I will make it happen.”  Only God can fulfill those words and keep the promises that He speaks.  The reason He can make all things happen is because He plans and purposes all things.  

We need to grasp this concept and adapt it into our daily living.  God will use all things to work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

We pray and seek God’s will to be done but do we consider the bad things to be part of God’s will as well.  We tend to blame the bad things that happen on Satan.  Sometimes God’s will may allow us to go through trying times and through muddy waters before we receive the great reward.

God purposes and plans all things because He is in control of all things.

Pray

Lord, help me to know that You alone are in control and Your will is being purposed in my life. Give me peace and comfort of knowing that You love me and everything will be just as You have planned it.

Suffering For A Purpose

Faith, Trust

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:19‬

We often find ourselves in the midst of suffering. Suffering can surface in various forms such as mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. As we live for Christ, we will suffer for Christ.

So what should our attitude be when we encounter such great suffering?

Peter gives us detailed steps on how we should respond to suffering. First, we are to rejoice. 1 Peter 4:13 says, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” God is in control of all things and allowing your suffering for a reason.

Second, verse 17 says we are to review our lives. “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” Our suffering may be happening because God is cleaning house and He will start with His own first. If the suffering is due to our sin, we need to confess and repent immediately. But always remember Job; he suffered hard and was righteous.

Third, verse 19 says we are to simply rely on Him. “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” When we realize that our suffering is for the cause of Christ, we need to rely on the grace of God. Just rely on God’s promises.

Pray

Lord, give me strength to endure the suffering You have set before me and give me wisdom to understand why. Help me to rely on You for all things.