Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Children Of Light

Encouragement

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Ephesians 5:8

Have you ever noticed that sin happens in the dark? Darkness is the absence of light. Where there is no light sin abounds.

Light is referred to as knowledge, truth and holiness.  When light shines in the darkness it overcomes it and there is no more darkness.  This is what Paul is meaning as he says, “Walk as children of light.”  

Before you made a decision to believe and follow Jesus you were living in darkness.  But now, you have overcome the darkness with the light of Christ.

This verse begins in the past tense, “you were darkness.”  In the first few verses of Ephesians chapter 2 Paul says, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”  

But now that Christ lives in you, you are light and there is no darkness is in you.  The light that is now inside of you has overcome the darkness that once controlled you.  To live as a child of light means to walk according to what is acceptable to the Lord which is goodness, righteousness, and truth (vs. 9-10).

Pray

Lord, let me be the light in this dark world. Help me to shine bright so that it brings others to the light. Thank You for being my Light.

Do You Follow Jesus?

Faith, Salvation, Trust

Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:30‬

There are those who follow Jesus and those who follow Satan.  There is no other choice.  Everyone must decide who they will follow.  

To be against Jesus is to side with Satan.  If you are not serving Christ you are serving Satan.  If you are against Jesus you are against God.  There is no peace for those who are against God.

Joshua said, “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) 

The world has a lot to offer but it cannot give you anything permanent like what Jesus can.  The world will offer you happiness but Jesus gives you everlasting joy. Only Jesus can satisfy the longing of your soul.

Satan will deceive you and make you think that life is better without Jesus. Don’t fall in that trap. He comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus comes to give life and life more abundantly.

Which will you choose? To whom do you belong? Who gives you hope?

Pray

Lord, I will serve You and You only.  Guide me and direct my paths to do the work You call me to do. Thank You for giving me grace and forgiveness.

The Mighty Works Of God

Encouragement, Trust

Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
Luke 7:16

What should be the proper response when we witness the mighty works of God? In today’s verse we read about the response of fear (honor) and praise. There was a holy fear of the person and power of Jesus.

When the people witnessed Jesus raise the widow’s dead son back to life, they instantly realized that they had seen the mighty work of God. They knew only God could raise someone from the dead.

The raising of the widow’s son is another great illustration of how much God cares and loves His children. God is at work in the lives of His children and He deserves to be feared and praised.

God is involved with our daily concerns and wants us to recognize His greatness. Everyday God displays acts of blessing, mercy and grace upon those who believe. It is up to us as to how we respond.

This widow was helpless and hopeless. She needed more than just comfort. She needed supernatural providence. And Jesus was the source of what she needed.

What is your response when you face your struggles? Do you get angry at God or praise God? Do you blame Him or do you worship Him?

If we keep a proper response of honor and praise to God in our daily lives, we will naturally praise and honor Him even in our struggles.

Keep a watch for the mighty works of God today.

Pray

Lord, You know my heart and concerns. You know what is on my mind and what I need today. I thank You and praise You for Your daily provisions and for blessing me with amazing grace.