Pastor Stephen Dedman

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With All Your Heart

Encouragement

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered.
II Chronicles 31:20-21

God will honor the heart that commits to follow Him. God is pleased to bless those who strive to please Him. So the surest way to prosper is to pursue the will of God.

Hezekiah, king of Judah, lived during a dangerous time. He faced very powerful enemies. Pagan and idol worship was the popular religion of the day. Even his parents rejected God and encouraged others to serve false gods.

Hezekiah had the opportunity to reject God as well yet he chose to serve God with all of his heart. He did everything in his power to encourage the people to worship the One and true God. He showed honor and respect to God by keeping His commandments.

Because Hezekiah served and obeyed God, God blessed him in return. God proved to the people that it is beneficial and prosperous to serve and obey God. Even when it was not the popular thing to do, Hezekiah resolved to follow God.

It takes courage and commitment to seek after God rather than pleasing people. When you do not set your heart to seek after the Lord, calamity and chaos fill your life. Resolve to pursue God with all your heart and receive the peace and prosperity that follow.

Pray

Lord, I seek You with all of my heart, soul, and mind. I desire to obey Your word and I strive to remain in Your will. I seek to please You only.

The Importance Of Prayer

Faith, Trust

‘Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ‘
James 5:16

Did you know that you can get God’s attention through prayer? It’s not so much in what you say but what your heart desires. James, the brother of Jesus, gives us a great truth to always remember.

James gives us the insight on how to get God’s attention when we pray. He says to confess our sins. This is necessary to have good fellowship with God. We need to confess our sins and cleanse our hearts.

All through the Bible, the righteous were close to God and He was near to them. Anyone who comes into the presence of Almighty God will be renewed and changed. It is important that we confess our sins and remain pure at heart. This is how we can know God will hear our prayers.

In the next verse, he uses the example of Elijah as he prayed fervently that it might not rain and there was no rain for 3 1/2 years. And then in verse 18, he prayed again for rain and heaven poured down rain. So what made Elijah’s prayers get God’s attention?

Proverbs 15:29 says the Lord hears the prayer of the righteous. But this same verse also says the Lord is far from the wicked. When the righteous speak, He hears. But God does not hear those who do not repent.

Also, James says to pray for one another. Is your heart’s desire set on the healing of others? Not just the healing of sickness but spiritual healing as well. It is important that we pray for others and not just ourself.

Perhaps the greatest key to getting God’s attention is in our faith in the One True God. Our faith is what gets God’s attention the most. Our faith speaks louder than words. Is your faith strong? Do you pray expecting God to answer your prayers? Don’t be so surprised when God answers your prayers.

Pray

Lord, forgive me of my sins and renew a right spirit in me. Cleanse my heart and make me new again. Help me know that you hear my prayers and You will answer according to Your Will.

Jesus Is Judge

Faith

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
II Corinthians 5:10

Aren’t you glad you have the forgiveness of Jesus Christ? It’s all because of Jesus that our sins are washed away and our lives are pure and righteous before God.

Reading 2 Corinthians 5:10 with the mindset that our sins are not forgiven is terrifying. While it is true we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ one day, we must also keep in mind that our sins (past, present and future) are forgiven and forgotten.

I pray you stand before Jesus one day and He looks you in the eyes and says, “well done good and faithful servant!” Those are the words that every Christian strives to hear from our Lord.

If a believer is freed from all sin then what will we be judged for when we appear before the judgment seat of Christ? Since Jesus took upon Himself the punishment of sin (death) what is left to be judged?

We will be judged on how we lived our lives here on earth. The moment that Jesus came into our lives and transformed us we started living for Christ.

Remember this… every tree is judged by its fruit. You are known for what you produce. It’s either good fruit or bad fruit. If you produce good works you are rewarded and if you do bad deeds, you will lose your rewards.

As a Christian your citizenship is secured in heaven. Praise God! Nevertheless, God expects His children to live godly to glorify our Father who is in Heaven.

Pray

Lord, thank You for saving my life and forgiving me of my sins. Help me to appreciate the free gift of salvation that has been graced upon me. Help me to live my life for Jesus today.