Endurance And Encouragement

October 8, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Faith, Trust

Endurance And Encouragement

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭

For Our Instruction

Reading and studying the Scriptures is not just to gain knowledge and wisdom. We engage ourselves with Scripture so that we may be encouraged as well. It must become a routine of our life in order to make a difference in how we live. As this verse says, it takes endurance.

The Word of God brings us hope. It is what connects us to the will of our Heavenly Father. It’s one thing to say that you are a Christian, it’s another to live as a Christian. God has given us His Word so that we may know what is expected of us as we live out our faith here and now. We are in the process of sanctification. Until we meet our Lord we are preparing for Heaven. How well are you preparing?

There are many things competing with the things of God. That is the reason why many today feel hopeless. The things of this world are not eternal and therefore will not sustain. The things which bring us hope are the things that are eternal. God’s love for example is eternal. God’s love brings us hope and sustains us even right now. God’s mercy and grace brings us hope. God’s patience brings us hope. The list can go on and on. But the fact of the matter is this; if we never dive into the Word of God for what it really is, then we may never really know lasting hope and contentment. Make God’s Word be part of your daily routine.

Prayer

Lord, I love Your Word. May it be my guide and way for living during these evil days. Speak to me today through it.

The Fool Says

October 7, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Faith, Trust

The Fool Says

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭14:1‬

Make Room For God

David begins Psalm 14 by describing what many people say within their hearts, “There is no God.” This concept is formed from the mindset of atheism. This is not a new concept either. There have always been and will always be people who will not believe that there is a God. David says that those who say in their hearts that there is no God are fools.

David refers to these people as fools because they are not observant. Romans 1:20 says, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” A person is foolish if they cannot realize that there is someone greater than themselves. The attributes of God can be seen by anyone. And if you don’t see these things, you are without excuse.

The result of believing that there is no God and refusing to make room for God in our lives is that we become corrupt. David makes this clear as he continues in verse 1, “They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.” We are guilty of being foolish when we do not make room for God in our lives. We may believe that God is real but if we don’t make room for Him in our lives we are considered as fools. Not only are we to believe that God is real and true, we must also make room for Him in our personal lives. We are to make sure that our lives are reflecting that we do believe there is a God and He is alive and with us.

Prayer

Lord, help me to make room for you in all the areas of my life. I depend on you daily and need you every hour.

The Things That Are Unseen

October 2, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Encouragement, Trust

The Things That Are Unseen

As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:18‬

Looking Up

It is exciting to come to the realization that we were created for more than just this world we live in now. This Earth is not our eternal home. If you ever feel such that you don’t belong to this world, you’re right. We were made to live with God and experience His beauty and majesty.

The Bible tells us that we have a future home to look forward to. We cannot fathom the great and wonderful things God has in store for those who believe in Jesus. There will be mansions, streets of gold, rivers of water that is crystal clear, and most of all the throne of God will be shining eternally. There will be no need for light because we will be living in the presence of God’s glory. What a sight to behold! Why would anyone ever think that the world we live in now is even comparable to what Heaven will be like. There is no paradise such as the one we will witness after we leave this earth. There are some beautiful places to see here on Earth but they don’t come close to the things we will see in Heaven.

The Lord wants us to keep our focus on the things above. He desires that we love the things that glorify Him. We are to enjoy what God has created for us here and now but we need not to get comfortable. This earth will pass away and all things will be made new. To God be the glory.

Prayer

Lord, allow me to understand that this world is not my final home. Help me to see things as temporal and to know that the things of Heaven are eternal.