Pastor Stephen Dedman

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What is something you may be holding onto that Jesus is asking you to place completely in His hands?

Context
A rich young ruler came to Jesus asking what he needed to do to have eternal life. He had kept many of the commandments and believed he had done everything right. But Jesus revealed something deeper: the man’s possessions had become more important to him than following Christ. Jesus wasn’t simply asking him to give away his wealth; He was asking him to surrender whatever stood between him and complete devotion.

Application
Following Jesus requires more than outward obedience. It requires a surrendered heart. Sometimes the thing Jesus asks us to release isn’t money. It may be our plans, reputation, comfort, control, relationships, or ambitions. Anything we value more than Christ can become an obstacle to following Him.

God isn’t trying to take something from us, He is calling us to something greater. Earthly treasures eventually disappear, but what we invest in God’s kingdom has eternal value.

Truth For The Day
You cannot fully follow Jesus while holding tightly to anything He is asking you to surrender.

Pray
Lord, help me examine my heart and recognize anything I value more than You. Give me the courage to surrender whatever You ask of me. Teach me that nothing I possess compares with the treasure of knowing and following You. Help me trust You enough to let go and follow wherever You lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What situation are you facing today that you need to stop limiting God in and begin trusting Him with?

Context
Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:20 come at the end of a powerful prayer. He has prayed that believers would be strengthened by God’s Spirit, that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith, and that they would understand the incredible love of Christ. Paul then reminds them that God is able to do far beyond anything they could ask or even imagine.

Application
We often limit God by the size of our circumstances, our resources, or our own expectations. We pray, but sometimes we only expect God to do what seems reasonable to us. Ephesians 3:20 challenges us to remember that God is not limited by our limitations.

This does not mean God will give us everything we want. It means His ability is greater than our understanding. He can work in ways we cannot see, open doors we never expected, change hearts we thought would never change, and accomplish purposes far greater than anything we could have planned.

Whatever you are facing today, don’t measure God’s ability by your circumstances. Measure your circumstances by the greatness of your God.

Truth For The Day
God can accomplish far more than I can ask, imagine, or understand.

Pray
Lord, help me to trust You beyond what I can see and understand. Forgive me for limiting You by my circumstances and expectations. Remind me that You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ever ask or imagine. Strengthen my faith and help me surrender my plans to Your greater purpose. Work in my life according to Your power and for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What part of your life are you trying to find your identity or security in instead of Christ?

Context
Paul is reminding believers that following Christ means our old life no longer defines us. When we place our faith in Jesus, we die to the person we once were and receive a new identity in Christ. Our true life is now “hid with Christ in God.” That means our security, identity, and future are found in Him, not in our circumstances, accomplishments, failures, or the opinions of others.

Application
There will be days when you may feel overlooked, discouraged, or uncertain about who you are. You may look at your circumstances and wonder if God is doing anything at all. Colossians 3:3 reminds us that the most important things about our lives are not always visible.

You don’t have to prove your worth because Christ has already given you your identity. You don’t have to fear losing what matters most because your life is secure in Him. And you don’t have to live for the approval of others because your ultimate purpose is found in Christ.

Truth For The Day
My identity is not found in what I accomplish or what others think of me. My life is hidden and secure in Christ.

Pray
Lord, thank You that my life is hidden with Christ in You. Help me stop looking to the world, my accomplishments, or other people for my identity and security. Teach me to rest in who I am because of Jesus. When I feel uncertain or discouraged, remind me that my life is safely held in Your hands. Help me live today with the confidence that my old life is gone and my new life belongs to Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.