Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Let It Sink In

Encouragement

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-5

Jesus was born as a man but if He had been born of Adam, He would have inherited the sin nature of Adam. Hence the reason for the virgin birth. Mary gave birth to a son but He was also the Son of God. Let that sink in for a minute.

Jesus was fully man and fully God at the same time. He was in the form of a man but not of man. God had a plan from the very beginning to save mankind from sin.

Here is an interesting viewpoint. Jesus defeated sin and death as a perfect man not as God. Jesus went to the cross fully man and defeated Satan’s power and authority. He could have done it easily as God but He chose to do it as a man.

God could have spoken a single word and Satan would have fallen in the blink of an eye. But instead, God chose to become man to defeat Satan’s dominion.

Animal sacrifices of the old covenant system were unable to provide complete remission of sins. But the blood of Jesus Christ was the complete atonement of sin.

Here is the point to today’s devotional. Jesus, being fully man and fully God, defeated Satan on your behalf. As a believer in Jesus, you no longer belong to Satan. You belong to God!

You have victory over sin, over temptations, over anything that grips you. You do not have to battle Satan and his demons. They were defeated by your Lord and Savior. Let that sink in!

If Jesus is in you and you are in Jesus, you are one. Let Jesus give you His peace and love so that you can live the “abundant life” today.

Pray

Lord, I know You defeated sin and Satan upon that cross. Give me the mindset of victory today so that I will complete this day with joy. Fill my heart with Your love and compassion.

Love Never Fails

Encouragement

‘Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ‘
I John 4:7

As Christians we are called to love others as we love ourselves. As difficult as this may be sometimes it is necessary for us to be obedient when it comes to this command. Remember, love never fails.

We are not commanded to love one another to earn the love of God, we love one another because we are loved by God. Because we have received that perfect love from God, we abide in it. Love conquers all and covers all.

It’s very important right now that we show the love of God to everyone, even those who try their best to cause evil in this world. John’s emphasis on love is powerful and has a great impact on others. John is saying when we abide in God’s love it will show by our love for one another.

People need to be shown the love of Jesus. When people around us act like the world they need to see and witness the love of God. And the only way they will experience Christ-like love is if we, who are children of God, show them love.

The world has enough evil in it but not enough love. Whatever you do today or whoever you come into contact with, make sure to shine the love of Jesus. Let the light and love of Jesus be so bright in our life that makes others curious.

Pray

Lord, I know that I am not the most loving person but I know Your love is powerful. Your love never fails so help me to love You more and give me the ability to love others the way You love.

Peace In Times Of Difficulty

Faith, Trust

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬

In today’s verse we find a promise from God to those who trust in Him. There’s no doubt that we all need more peace in our lives today. Have you noticed when you’re nearest to God there is more peace and joy?

That is because your trust is in Him. But how can we keep that “perfect peace” when we are faced with difficulties of life?

We need to rid ourselves of the fear and doubt that intrudes our minds which ultimately affects the way we think and act.

Oswald Chambers once said, “Your mind is the greatest gift God has given you and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him. You should seek to be ‘bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…’ (2 Corinthians 10:5). This will be one of the greatest assets of your faith when a time of trial comes, because then your faith and the Spirit of God will work together.”

If we place our minds on anything else we may experience temporary and imperfect peace, but God alone is the giver of perfect peace. God is the only One who can deliver on the promise of perfect peace.

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus calls us to build our lives on Him and to obey His words. The rain will fall, the floods will come, the winds will blow, but those who build on the foundation of Christ are like a house built on a rock that can withstand these storms. But those who put their trust in anything else other than Christ are like houses built on sand that can’t hold up and are washed away. I pray you place your mind on Christ and trust God who will provide you with peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

Pray

Lord, remove all doubt that I have. Give me peace that surpasses all understanding. Let my faith in You be greater than all my fears.