Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Our Hearts Burn Within Us

Encouragement, Trust

Our Hearts Burn Within Us

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:32‬

Walking With Jesus

After Jesus’ resurrection He appeared to two disciples who were leaving Jerusalem and apparently witnessed His crucifixion.  They received the news that Jesus was not in the tomb but was alive.  They were very sad as they discussed the details of the events that happened over the weekend.  As they were walking and talking, Jesus joined their conversation and they did not know that it was Him.  Jesus spent much time with them as they talked on the road to Emmaus.

As Jesus spoke to the two disciples, He began with Moses and the prophets to tell the story of Himself.  They spent time together as He shared the Scriptures with them and broke bread together.  Their eyes were finally opened to see that it was Jesus who spoke with them concerning all things.  After they considered all things they said, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us and as He opened the Scriptures to us?:  Their hope was restored and their passion was renewed.  The fire burned in their hearts as they heard the words of Jesus.

In the same way, Jesus wants to renew your passion for Him.  Notice that it begins with the Word of God.  A you walk with Jesus, He wants to spend time with you to reveal His goodness and mercy for you to be encouraged.  We must allow time for Him to speak to us and the fire will be rekindled within our hearts.

Prayer

Open our hearts to what You have to say to us and help us to learn from Your word.  Give us what we need to hear.

daily devotional

His Brothers

Faith, Salvation, Trust

His Brothers

For not even his brothers believed in him.
‭‭John‬ ‭7:5‬

daily devotional

The Lost Are Dying

Does it concern you to hear that someone near and dear to you doesn’t believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior?  Do you have family members who are not save?  As Christians we should be concerned for those who are lost.

Even Jesus faced the issue of His own half-brothers not believing that He was the Messiah until after He was resurrected from the dead. James, especially, did not believe in the faith until after Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave. Then James became a leader in the early church in Jerusalem and was concerned about the faith of many others. Jude was another brother that eventually believed after the resurrection. They knew who Jesus was but they did not place their faith in Him as Lord until later in life.

This gives us hope and comfort that in the Lord’s timing there is salvation given to our family and friends that we love so much. We must never give up sharing our faith and testifying to others about who Jesus is to us. There is hope that one day they will see Jesus for who He really is. We must pray for our unbelieving family and friends and keep trying to win them to Christ. Sometimes we get so “churched” and close to our fellow believers that we lose sight of those who are lost and dying. We need to pray for those who do not have faith in Jesus nor eternal life. If you knew that someone you cared about was going to Hell would you make it a point to say something to assist the Hoy Spirit in saving their life?

Prayer

Lord, place a concern in my heart for those who are lost and without You.

Daily Devotional

Not Ashamed

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

Not Ashamed

But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
2 Timothy 1:12

Confidence and Boldness

Paul is in prison and awaiting death.  He is recounting the cause for Christ that has led him to persecution and distress and now imprisonment.  He is writing to a young preacher named Timothy who was a close brother and friend to Paul.  Paul writes him to instruct and encourage the young preacher as he too may face persecution for the faith.

Paul was hated by the Jews for preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.  Even though he suffered persecution and waiting execution, Paul considers his calling to preach the gospel a worthy cause.  He never backed down from telling the truth of the gospel and never avoided speaking when he had a chance to share the Word of God with anyone.  His confidence in the Lord produced a boldness that glorified God.  His faith and hope in Christ fueled his efforts of winning souls and building the Kingdom of Heaven.

Paul’s knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ strengthened him daily but God’s grace is what kept him striving to endure the hardships he faced. Our knowledge of God’s Word and our strong faith in Jesus allows us the same opportunities to share the gospel with boldness. Never shy away from telling the lost about the good news of Jesus and always be ready to give an answer for your faith.  It is during times of persecution and trials that people either coward down or boldly step up.  Be prepared today to speak words of comfort to those who are suffering or lost.

Prayer

Ask the Lord to give you boldness to speak the truth of the gospel to everyone everywhere.