Pastor Stephen Dedman

Latest Posts

God’s Presence

Encouragement, Trust

And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭33:15‬

There are many people today who are not concerned about the presence of God.  They are not concerned if God is with them personally or in their church.  It is alarming to know how many people claim to be Christian but are not concerned with God’s presence.  

Moses was concerned with God’s presence.  He didn’t want to go into the Promise Land if God was not going with them.  Moses said he would rather stay in the wilderness with God rather than be in a land flowing with milk and honey and be without the Him. Moses couldn’t imagine living life without God’s presence.

We should be praying daily that we are aligning our life with the way that God desires for us to live.  We make life choices everyday but are we seeking God’s way?  Too many times we exclude God from our lives.  We often make the mistake of doing things that we think we should and never ask God if it is what we should be doing.

God’s presence is powerful and brings peace into our lives.  Without God’s presence we will face many turmoils and disturbances that will cause us to lose sight of God’s big picture.

Do you sense the presence of God where you are right now?

Pray

Lord, mold me to make me what You want me to be.  Plant my feet on solid ground and move me to where You want me to be.

God Is Making A Way

Faith

And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
Joshua 3:5

God wants to do miraculous things in our life that can only be from God. Are you expecting miracles to take place today in your life?

The only thing holding us back is sometimes we like to play it safe. We like our comfort zones because we know what to expect.

However, our walk with God is not always about being in a comfort zone and playing it safe. Oftentimes, God is calling us out of our comfort zones so that we can experience Him in a powerful way.

God wants to use your life, right now, today! He wants to use you to show others what He can do. Do you realize that? God wants to do something amazing through you today to show others that He is your God.

Are you ready to receive a miracle from God today? Take a few moments and prepare yourself for what God wants to do through you and with you today or in the next few days.

We have to be in a position to receive the miracles from God. As today’s verse states, “sanctify yourself.” That means set yourself apart spiritually, mentally, and physically. Step out in faith. God will direct your steps once you do.

You may face some difficult circumstances today but remember that it may be part of the miracle. God is with you every step of the way. And when there doesn’t seem to be a way He will make a way. But make sure you are spiritually ready to be guided in the right direction.

Pray

Lord, prepare my heart to receive the great and wonderful things You have in store for me today. Allow me to see with an understanding heart. Bless me with Your wonders today.

You Can Conquer Sin And Satan

Salvation

“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4:7‬

The story of Cain and Abel is disturbingly tragic.  How could the first child born of Adam and Eve commit the sin of murder? It wasn’t like the world was so full of evil like it is today.  There were only 4 humans in existence.

The Bible says Cain and Abel both offered up offerings to God but only Abel’s was accepted.  Abel’s offering was considered to be the best of the best. Cain’s offering didn’t please God.  Jealousy and envy began to rage in the heart of Cain.

God said to Cain in verse 7, “If you do what is right you will be blessed.  But if you choose to rebel then you will be destroyed by the deadly effects of sin.”  God made it clear to Cain that sin was knocking at the door and he must master it.  However in verse 8, Cain went out and murdered Abel.

God’s warning to Cain is the same for us today. First, we must be aware that sin is present and near to every one of us.  No one is immune to it.

Second, sin is personal and seeking to devour you individually.  Satan’s plan is to rob you of joy and fellowship. Will you allow Satan to win?

And thirdly, sin is powerful and you must have control over it.  Any unconfessed sin will harbor hatred inside your heart.  We must be wise and alert or else our life will be consumed with evil like Cain’s.

Sin doesn’t have to reign in our life. Jesus gives us victory over sin and Satan. We must have faith in knowing that we are victorious only through Jesus and we conquer sin by abiding in Christ.

Pray

Lord, I repent of my sin and turn away from it quickly. Help me to receive the joy of Your great salvation. Keep me from evil and give me a heart of love.