Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Trust

Wait On The Lord

Encouragement, Trust

Wait On The Lord

Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
‭‭John‬ ‭11:32‬

Waiting For God’s Blessings

One of the greatest things about God is everything good happens in His timing. There are great rewards for those who patiently wait for the Lord to show up.

Lazarus had been dead for 4 days when Jesus arrives to Bethany to perform His last public miracle.  Mary and Martha come to Jesus and they are both an emotional wreck.  A messenger had been sent to tell Jesus to come quickly so He could heal their brother but He delayed and Lazarus died.  As Mary and Martha are mourning the death of their brother, Jesus shows up. They are sad, angry and even blaming Jesus for not saving their brother.  Little did they know something wonderful was about to happen.  Jesus walks over to the tomb and cries out with a loud voice for Lazarus to come forth and instantly he comes walking out. Everyone who saw was amazed and Mary and Martha rejoiced.

Jesus is never late showing up.  He knows what is happening in your life but the timing is all part of His master plan.  Sometimes we develop a bad case of “stinkin’ thinkin'”.  We think we know what is best and we don’t wait for the Lord to show up.  This is when we mess up and take matters into our own hands.  Abraham made this mistake with Sarah’s servant, Hagar, and forced a son (Ishmael) before having Isaac (Genesis 16)?  It caused years of havoc.

Always wait upon the Lord (Isaiah 40:31) because He is going to show up.

Prayer

Pray for the Lord to give you a spiritual mindset to understand His master plan and patiently wait for all things to come together in His perfect timing.

Why Worry

Trust

Why Worry

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:25‬

Anxious For Nothing

Did you know most of the things that you fear will happen never happens?  Most of our fears come from a misunderstanding of God’s love and sovereignty.  You must understand that you were created for God’s glory and for His purpose.  If God takes care of His children then why do we worry?

Jesus provides a solution to not just treat anxiety but to eliminate it.  In Luke 12:22 Jesus instructs his disciples not to worry about the physical side of life.  Jesus says your life is more than about food or clothing.  Because you exist to glorify Him, He will supply your every need.  We are not to worry if we have enough now or if we will have enough in the future.  Worry is a lack of trusting that God will provide.  Worry is a sin!  Remember that God provided in times of hunger.  There are many examples including, Joseph saving his family, God providing daily Manna, Jesus feeding the 5,000 men and the list can go on and on.  When you worry, Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?”

Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  The solution to a worry-free life is to live a life of worship and praise to God.  Seek Him first, then all other things will be added.  Paul says in Colossians 3:1, “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”  Set your mind on Heavenly things.

What are you worried about today?  Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)

Prayer

Pray, “Lord, set me free from worry, stress and fear because I completely trust You.”

Then The Devil Left Him

Trust

Then The Devil Left Him

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to Him.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:11‬

Dealing With Temptations

Temptation has always been a struggle for mankind ever since Adam was tempted in the Garden.  Scripture is filled with examples of people who have struggled with Satan’s attack of temptation.  But there is good news. God has provided a wonderful plan for victory.

Matthew presented the temptations of Jesus to show that the conflict with Satan was real and to prove that temptations can be overcome by the power and authority of the Holy Spirit.  If Satan could get Jesus to sin then the entire redemptive plan of God would be destroyed.

Three times Jesus was tempted by Satan. The first temptation was a temptation of the flesh.  Satan wanted Jesus to satisfy the flesh and distrust the Father’s ability to provide.  Satan’s plan of attack is always with “if” to create doubt in people’s mind.

The second temptation took trust to the next level. Satan says, “Ok, if you really trust God then jump off this cliff and see if He will save you.” Satans temptation was to make Jesus distrust and test God.

The third and final temptation was the big one. Satan tried to get Jesus to bypass all the suffering and just enjoy what was already His.  Satan was trying to keep Jesus from dying on the cross.

Jesus was tempted three times and each time Jesus used the Word of God to defeat the devil’s power. The temptation was real but the power of God gave way to victory. We have the same source and power to overcome any temptation we face.

Notice verse 11.  “Then the devil left Him.”  These are some great words. Aren’t you glad when the devil leaves you alone?

Prayer

Pray Matthew 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”