Pastor Stephen Dedman

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A Father’s Example

Faith, Trust

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:9

The best way to lead is by example. Dads have a major responsibility with leading their family but the most important teaching that should come from a dad is how to worship God. And what better way than by example.

As spiritual leaders it is a privilege and responsibility to be an example to others. Paul encouraged others to follow his life as an example. It’s one thing to just learn what the Bible teaches but it’s a whole different issue to live it out.

We are instructed to be obedient to what the Bible teaches and to obey each command. Paul knew the reward for such obedience is the blessing of God’s peace.

Like Paul, we’ve got to live in such a way that we can say, “Learn what I teach – by my example!” What kind of example are you setting for others to follow? Is it an example of love and compassion? Is it an example of fearing and honoring God as sovereign Lord? Is it an example of leading others to Christ? Your life is a testimony to others.

People need to witness Christ-like examples of Christian living. Our children need to witness what it means to live holy and righteous. Our world needs to witness examples of God’s grace and forgiveness. Our churches need men who set an example of what it means to be faithful and true. The challenge is before us to practice the things which we have learned.

Pray

Lord, thank you for giving us Christian men and women who have been great examples of how we should live our lives. Help me to pass on to others what I have learned so that someone may witness who You are in me.

Faith Makes A Way

Faith, Trust

“And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭2:4‬

Alexander Graham Bell once said, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

There is much truth to what Bell said. So often we are faced with “closed-doors” and we give up or wait for another opportunity to go a different direction. However, as we see in today’s Bible verse, our faith can take us to a higher ground where we see new opportunities.

Mark 2:1-12 tells us of an event when 4 men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus to be healed. As soon as they arrived to the house the crowd was so pressed that they could not enter through the door. Instead of giving up they carried the man up upon the roof and made an opening to lower the man down to Jesus.

It was an amazing event for the multitude of people to witness. They were all astonished when this man got up and walked away. Jesus not only healed him physically but He healed him spiritually by forgiving his sins.

These four men had such strong and courageous faith that they would not and could not give up. They were determined to get the crippled man to Jesus. They knew Jesus would do something to heal him. And He did.

But watch what happened. When they could not get through the door, they didn’t wait for another door to open. They went up to the rooftop and made a door. Their faith moved them to make a way. They got creative and got to work. Their faith moved them into action.

Is your faith strong enough to move you into action? Does your faith cause you to do courageous and extraordinary things? God does not give us faith just to sit and wait. He gives us faith that can move mountains.

Pray

Lord, give me courage to use my faith to show people Your glory. Let my faith shine today. Let my faith be noticed by You.

Who Is On Your Mnd?

Encouragement

‘Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ‘
I Timothy 2:1

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night or from a deep sleep and had someone on your mind? That person was put on your mind for a good reason.

God places people on our hearts and minds so we can help them and bless them. We need to take time to pray for those who come to our attention and pray without hesitation.

Paul wrote this letter to Timothy to address some of the issues that were happening in the church at Ephesus. One of the issues facing the church was prayer.

The church was divided between the Jews and Gentiles who had complete different attitudes concerning spiritual matters such as salvation. So Paul instructs Timothy to make sure the church, the people of God, prayed for one another.

It’s our responsibility and privilege to pray for one another. Everyone needs prayer. You need someone praying for you everyday. That is why it is important to surround yourself with faithful praying people. James 5:16 says, “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Be that righteous person who prays for others.

There is nothing more wonderful and amazing than to witness prayers being answered. It’s important to pay attention to what others around you are going through so that you can pray for them specifically.

Pray

Lord, put someone on my heart and mind and let me pray for them today. Put me on someone else’s heart as well. Thank You, Lord, for answering prayers.