Pastor Stephen Dedman

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;“
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬

No one likes to wait. Especially for something great and wonderful. We want what we want, right now.  And sometimes we jump ahead and force things to happen on our timing. Waiting on the Lord and His promises is not a simple task to do.

Jesus instructed His disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to come to them.  That’s all the details that they were given.  They didn’t know how long they would have to wait.  They didn’t even know what to expect. But what we see them doing is great.  They were together in the upper room praying and seeking the direction of God.  

The disciples were spending time together preparing for the next big thing to happen.  They were eagerly awaiting the presence and power of God to come down.  The next important thing was to replace Judas with Matthias. They were focussed on the things of the Lord.

What do you do when you are in a time of waiting?  It is important to focus on the things of God and never jump ahead of God’s timing.  Waiting is sometimes referred to as suffering, but the suffering is part of our character building.  

Patiently waiting on the Lord requires self-control and wisdom.  The reward is worth the wait.  When you are in a waiting period of your life consumeyourself in the Word of God, surround yourself with godly people, and focus on doing the Lord’s work.

Pray

Lord, help me to wait for Your direction. Give me wisdom and courage to wait for You to instruct me and guide me. I will patiently wait on You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭24‬:‭12‬

In the 24th chapter of Genesis, we are given a special story. It’s the story of Abraham sending his servant, Eliezer, on a mission to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham trusted Eliezer to find the perfect woman. 

Interestingly enough, Abraham thought his inheritance and blessing would fall upon Eliezer according to Genesis 15:2. Now, Eliezer was replaced with Isaac and yet through the years, he remained a faithful servant. On this mission, we see the attitude and heart of a servant who pleases God. 

As he prayed, he asked God to show him the perfect woman that would be just right for Isaac. He stayed focussed until he accomplished what he set out to do. He even praisesGod when he finds her. 

Have you ever prayed and askedGod to give you a servants heart? Have you prayed and asked God how you might be a blessing to someone else? Ask God to use you in a powerful way. 

Pray

Lord, give me the heart and attitude of a true servant. Allow me to be a blessing to someone today. Let my actions prove that I belong to You. In Jesus’ name amen.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬

In our regular routine of life, we often find ourselves caught up in the everyday rhythms of work, responsibilities, and distractions. Yet, in the midst of all these things, Paul calls us to practice a profound truth: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”

The Word of Christ is not a visitor but an honored guest. It doesn’t just visit; it dwells. It takes up residence. It becomes a part of your innermost being. It shapes your thoughts, decisions, and character.

As the Word takes residence, it imparts wisdom. It’s practical insight for daily living. It guides your steps, helps you discern right from wrong, and provides clarity in the midst of confusion.

The Word of Christ isn’t meant to be kept to ourselves. It’s a treasure we share with everyone. We teach others through its timeless truths, and at times, it admonishes, gently correcting and redirecting us on the right path.

This dwelling isn’t a silent one. It’s filled with music – the melodies of praise and gratitude. Whether in psalms, hymns, or spiritual songs, our hearts overflow with thankfulness, expressing our love and devotion to the Lord.

The music that springs from our hearts isn’t mere notes and lyrics; it’s infused with grace. It’s a reflection of the grace we’ve received from the Lord. It’s a melody of redemption and forgiveness.

As you go about your day, take a moment to reflect on this verse. Are you allowing the Word of Christ to dwell richly in your heart? Is it shaping your thoughts, guiding your actions, and overflowing into songs of praise? Remember that in the midst of life’s busyness, this dwelling is your source of wisdom, strength, and grace.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the precious gift of Your Word. Help me, Lord, to let the Word of Christ dwell in my heart and mind richly, guiding my thoughts, actions, and words. May my life be a beautiful melody of praise to You, filled with grace and gratitude. In Jesus’ name, amen.