Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Do You Have Compassion?

Encouragement

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
I Peter 3:8-9

The phrase “be of one mind” refers to unity. It means to be one with with Christ. While we are not all the same, we are to be like-minded in Christ.

Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus said people will know that you belong to Me if you have the same mind and same love as Me. Do people know that you belong to Him?

Perhaps the greatest challenge in loving others is when we are wronged. This is when we need the love of Christ in our hearts, right?

The human side of us wants to return evil for evil. The flesh tells us to defend ourselves and to help others by showing them what they did to us. But that is not what Jesus taught.

Peter learned from the best. He studied under the best Teacher known to man. And yet even Peter had to keep himself in check.

When you are challenged with loving others keep in mind the kind of love that Jesus had for all people, even those who persecuted Him. It’s a kind of love or “mindset” that we are to have for all people.

The best way to be of “one mind” in Christ is to keep yourself centered in the love of Christ. Keep focussing on how much Jesus loves you and it will be easier to love others who have wronged you.

Pray

Lord, keep me in Your arms. Let me see how You love others and how I am to love them the same. Help me to understand how much love You have for me.

What Are You Seeking?

Encouragement, Trust

For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭2:13‬

Why would anyone ever forsake the Lord?  Could there be anything better than the Lord?  

God can only give good and perfect gifts and could never cause any evil on anyone.  Sometimes we encounter times in our lives when we drift away from the Lord and seek our selfish ways.

Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” (John 7:37)  Jesus wants to give us an endless supply of fresh living water.  A water that will last for eternity.  A living water that gives all.  

Why would we ever seek for anything else but what the Lord has to offer?  God said, “My people have created their own water pots that can’t even hold water.”  This is so true when we try to rely on our own power and strength.  Without God we are nothing and can do nothing.  God desires to give us the best that He has to offer.  The problem is when we think that we can do something bigger or better than God. There is nothing in this entire universe that could ever out do God.

Think about the things that you are seeking in your life today.  Are they the things of God or the things of your own desires?  Be careful not to forsake the fountain of living water that God has to offer.  His ways are much better than our ways.  His provision is much healthier and will sustain us for eternity.  If you are encountering a dry spell in your relationship with the Lord, the problem is not with God.

Pray

Lord, Your promise is that we I seek You, I will find You.  When I draw you close, You draw unto me even closer.  Let me experience Your power today.

Hope And Healing

Encouragement

Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”
Isaiah 35:4

Isaiah prophesied about a time of judgment that would bring them to their knees but then God would strengthen them, raise them up, and save them. The people of Judah had committed adultery against God but God wanted to reveal His love to them.

Always remember God only chastises those whom He loves. He straightens our crooked paths and puts us back on track. He does this because He wants what is best for us.

Hebrews 12:12-13 says, “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.” The writer of Hebrews quoted Isaiah 35 while driving home the point that after God’s chastisement there is hope and healing.

Just like ancient Judah, we need hope and healing in our country today. We need every believer strong and courageous. We strengthen ourselves when we walk with the Lord.

Even in our present trials, we have the hope of Jesus Christ to help us overcome our fearful hearts. The hope that we have is in the confidence that God will save us and redeem us.

Are you progressing in your walk with the Lord today? Are you strengthening yourself in the Father’s love? God is actively seeking you to do His great work.

Pray

Lord, I need your strength today to do fulfill Your great will. Help me to overcome my fears and failures with Your hope and healing. Help me to encourage others to progress in their Christian walk as well.