Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Trust

No Comparison

Encouragement, Trust

No Comparison

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:18‬

Suffering Vs. Glory

Every Christian lives in the hope of glory to come.  The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with hope and the reality that one day we will be in the presence of Almighty God.  Because we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Jesus Christ restores us unto God with blessed assurance.  One day we will be made perfect and live eternally in Heaven with all the saints of God.  We shall see Jesus face-to-face.  That alone is enough to motivate us to anticipate the coming day of the Lord. Hallelujah!

But what about here and now, as we live on this earth?  We are not promised a life of luxury just because we are followers of Christ.  To say that a person is free from suffering and anguish because they trust Jesus is a false theology.  Perhaps when we do come to Christ in faith the sufferings and trials we face are more because the devil is trying hard to get us to stumble.  And the battle rages between good and evil.  That is why we are persecuted, mocked, and scorned for our faith in Christ.

Do you know that sufferings we face today will all fade away.  When we get to Heaven the glory we will receive outweighs the pain and suffering we endure here and now.  But here is the thing, we must keep the big picture in mind.  We are only here on this earth for a very short amount of time compared to eternity in Heaven.  James 4:14 says, “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

Prayer

Pray and ask God to give you a heaven bound mind.

With All Your Heart

Salvation, Trust

With All Your Heart

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;”
‭‭Joel‬ ‭2:12‬

 

Worship With All Your Heart

There is somewhat of a mystery to when the prophet Joel lived but most scholars believe he prophesied after the people returned to Jerusalem from the 70-year Babylonian captivity.  Joel speaks of a “locust plague” in Joel 1:4 that results from God’s judgment to the people’s lack of repentance.  Whether this plague was literal or not, Joel tells the people that they need to turn to God in repentance and worship to receive His rewards.

There has always been a history of God’s people straying away during times of prosperity and enjoying their blessings more than worshipping the God who blessed them.  This is still happening today.  We are so blessed as children of God but sometimes we tend to get caught up in seeking pleasure from material things than seeking joy from worshipping and praising God.

People who heed the proclamation of Joel can reverse the judgment of God and experience the character of God as Joel says, “God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and relents from punishing.” (Joel 2:13)  We must all repent and worship God whole-heartily.  Jo-el means “God is Jehovah”.  There is One God and we serve Him faithfully.

God demands and deserves our full commitment. Serving God half-heartily is unacceptable.  Lukewarm devotion has its devastating consequences as Jesus states in Revelation 3:16.

Even right now, turn to God with all your heart, soul and mind.

Prayer

Pray and ask God to forgive you of any sin that might be keeping you from receiving true joy and fellowship.

I Am The Lord

Trust

I Am The Lord

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭32:27‬

God Can Do It

Have you ever faced an obstacle that you didn’t think you could get through or get over?  Are you facing one right now in your life?  Obstacles come in all different sizes and shapes and substances.  If there is ever an obstacle that you think is too overwhelming to overcome let God remind you that there is nothing too hard for Him to handle.

God can handle your health problems.  He can handle your financial matters.  He can handle your family situations.  God can handle your work related issues. He can handle your relationships, your companionships and your workmanships.  He can handle your ministry, your marriage or your mistakes.  He can handle anything and everything that comes your way.  God can handle it because there is nothing too hard for Him!

If the waters are too deep, remember Moses crossed the Red Sea.  If the wall  is too tall, remember Joshua marched around Jericho.  If the enemy is too big, remember David defeated Goliath.  If the fire is too hot, remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived the furnace.  If the lion is seeking to devour, remember Daniel in the lions den.  If the bill collector is calling, remember the coin in the fishes mouth.  If you’re lacking, remember 5 loaves and 2 fish served 5,000 men.  If you’re fearful, remember the wind and waves obey.

There is nothing too hard for the Lord.  There is nothing you are facing today that can’t be conquered by the Lord.  It’s not a question of “if” God can do it.  The question is “will you” let God do it? God can and God will.  Sit back and watch what happens when you turn it over to the Lord.

Prayer

Pray and ask God to deliver you, provide for you, promise you or supply you for what you need today.