Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Trust

Well Done

Encouragement, Trust

Well Done

His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:21‬ ‭

 

Good And Faithful Servant

“Well done” are words that everyone desires to hear.  A pat on the back and a thumbs up make us feel that we accomplished what we set out to do.  We must be careful when we receive the praise of man and not from God.  You may be able to please man but never please God.  Or you may please God and never please man.  We should rather choose to please God rather than man.  It’s never popular to do so but it is the safest thing to do.

God gives us time and resources and we must decide what we are going to do with them.  Will we choose to use them wisely or will we choose to neglect what God has blessed us with?  God knows exactly what your capable of doing and what your limits are.  He will never ask you to do something that you would never be able to accomplish.  He will give you the strength and courage to accomplish whatever task He is asking you to do.

What has God entrusted you to do?  Has He given you blessings in order to bless others?  Has He given you something that you can bless someone else with such as a talent or skill?  Be sure to use everything God gives you to glorify Him and to honor Him in all that you do.  What ever increase is given to you is given by the grace of God.  What do you have to give back today?

Prayer

Lord, I give everything I have for You to use to show someone else who you are.   Lord, use me today.

Come To Me

Trust

Come To Me

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

From Stressed To Blessed

According to the American Psychological Association, the top 3 things that Americans are stressed about are the future of our nation, money, and work. When asked what specific issues in our country cause them stress, Americans’ most common responses were health care and the economy.  On average women have reported higher stress levels than men.  Millennials have the highest reported stress levels.  It’s stressful just reading the statistics about stress.

The good news is Jesus doesn’t want you to be stressed about the future of our nation, money, or work.  There are so things in our lives that cause us to be weary and heavy burdened.  Everyones’ burdens differ in various ways.  The things that you are burdened about may not be a big deal to someone else.  Satan will try to attack you with anything and everything to distract you from serving the Lord with all your heart and with all of your mind.  Don’t allow your stress to keep you from being blessed by the Lord.  The Lord wants to give you rest and peace.  But first we must “come to Jesus” and lay our burdens at His feet.  Then we will be able to breath easier and rest.

What burdens are you carrying today that you need to let go of?  It doesn’t make sense to keep stressing over the things that you cannot change.  Trusting Jesus for rest and comfort sounds a whole lot better than suffering physical and emotional issues associated with stress.  It’s just not worth it.

Prayer

Lord, I trust that You know best.  I know You are active in my life and aware of what’s burdening me but I turn it over to You.  Help me to know you are in control.

Authority And Power

Encouragement, Trust

Authority And Power

…far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:21‬

Victory In Jesus

Satan may have more power than you but he doesn’t have authority over you as a born again believer. We should never confuse power with authority. Satan knows he doesn’t have authority over you but he doesn’t want you to know it.  Satan will try hard to intimidate you with lies and pressure and to deceive you into believing he has authority over you.  He even tried deceiving Jesus.

The day that Jesus died on the cross, Satan lost his authority.  Even though he prowls like a lion trying to devour Christians, he is unsuccessful. You do not belong to Satan, you belong to Jesus. Jesus is the One who died in your place. He is the One who gives forgiveness of sins. As a Christian, you answer to Christ, not Satan.

You may think that you’ve lost but don’t you haven’t. There is a spiritual war raging right now and you can’t see it. Satan’s angels are trying to get you but God’s angels are more powerful. They are fighting for you. That should put a smile on your face and joy in your heart. In The Name of Jesus all demons have to flee. That is the kind one of authority we have over Satan and his angels. If you feel like you are being deceived, speak the name of Jesus and watch what happens. Make a difference today by knowing that you can speak authority of Satan. He powerful, but you have more authority because of Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for giving me eternal life through Jesus. Give me strength and power to overcome all temptations.