Pastor Stephen Dedman

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You Have Been Healed

Faith, Salvation, Trust

You Have Been Healed

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:24‬ ‭

Take Up Your Cross Daily

Many people wear a cross as jewelry to symbolize their love and devotion to Jesus. Indeed a picture a cross makes us remember Jesus and the forgiveness of sins. The empty cross even proves He is alive and forever our Redeemer.

2,000 years ago the cross meant much more than forgiveness. Crucifixion was the most horrible and gruesome way to die. It was the suffering that was so brutal to the victim upon the tree. If we were to go back in time and visualize the suffering and shame that Jesus endured upon the cross we probably wouldn’t consider it as art and jewelry. Instead we would remember it as a tragedy and horrific death of the person who took our place and satisfied our debt of sin.  If we really focus on the cross it would make us live a more righteous and holy life as we consider what Jesus went through on our behalf.

Peter is not referring to a physical healing but instead a spiritual healing due to our sin nature.  Jesus has given us a spiritual healing that sets us free from the wages of sin and from the burden that it brings.  As a Christian consider yourself healed from the sickness of sin.  Just as leprosy and blindness was considered to be brought about due to sinful behavior, we are healed from the dreadful effects that sin brings into our life.  We all seek physical healing from our Lord but the death of Jesus upon the cross graces us with spiritual healing for eternity.  Consider the cross and die daily to your sin and submit to the authority of Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Lord, I give myself as a living sacrifice and submit to your ways and to your will. You are my Master and Savior.

Eyes Like Fire

Faith, Trust

Eyes Like Fire

The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭

The Risen Lord

If you were to describe what Jesus looks like would you use this description?  Most people would visualize Jesus smiling with a brown beard, brown hair and brown eyes.  Seeing Jesus with a white beard, white hair, and fire-filled eyes is not what most would depict Jesus to look like.  So why did John have this vision of Jesus?

When we read about Jesus in the Gospels we read about a humble man who walked in sandals with a long robe and loved to be around people.  He was meek and gentle with a love for children.  We tend to depict Him as a soft spoken forgiving person.  But in Revelation 1 we see the risen Lord in a great and mighty appearance.  In the Bible, white is symbolized as pureness.  His white hair and white garments refer to the power He has to purify His people from their sins. His eyes as a flame of fire represents His all seeing power.  Jesus can see the thoughts of people and look straight to the their heart. This is who Jesus is.  He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present.

Daniel had a similar vision of Christ hundreds of years earlier.  Daniel 10:5-6 gives a description of Jesus that made Daniel fall to the ground trembling. John also fell at Jesus’ feet as though he was dead.  What an amazing reaction these two men had as they witnessed the great majesty of the risen Jesus.  But do not think that Jesus tried to frighten either one of them.  Both men were told not to be afraid and regained their strength.  This exemplifies how Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and every knee shall bow to Him.

Prayer

Lord, may we never underestimate your power and majesty.  Allow us to experience your love and mercy as you purify and perfect our hearts.

I Stand At The Door

Trust

I Stand At The Door

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:20‬

Open The Door

Have you ever witnessed a church that was not on fire for the Lord?  Maybe the church wasn’t dead but it just wasn’t doing anything productive for the Lord.  This describes the spiritual condition of the Church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-21. The Church was neither cold nor hot. And it really upset the Lord to the point of sickness. In verse 16 the Lord says, “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”

The Church at Laodicea was obviously a wealthy and prosperous congregation as they had everything they needed.  Their riches caused them to turn away from being effective in the ministry of serving the Lord. It sounds like they lost their focus and purpose of why they were a church in the first place. But the good news was they had opportunities to change. The Lord tells them that He is standing outside the door and knocking. He wants to come in but He will never be where He is not welcome.

It takes each and every Christian to be effective in the ministry of the Church. You need to be using your gifts and talents to evangelize and edify one another in your church. If you are not serving in a local church, you should ask the Lord to direct you to one that preaches the entire truth of God’s Word and serves the Lord with gladness and love. If you are at a church like Laodicea open the door and let the Lord back in where He can visit with you.

Prayer

Lord, I hear Your voice and I open the door to invite you in to fill Your house with Your Spirit.