Pastor Stephen Dedman

Latest Posts

Armor Up

Encouragement, Trust

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”
Ephesians 6:10

Sometimes life can be a real struggle. Reality can be obscured from a fantasy by what we watch in advertisements, in Hollywood, and see on social media.

While the battle itself is invisible, the battlefield is very much visible. Individuals fight, couples argue, families quarrel, and churches split. Add school shootings to the list as well. The struggles of our children are amongst the conflicts as well. Depression and anxiety added to the mix equates for a real messy situation. Life is a struggle.

The true reason of why we struggle in life is much deeper than we can imagine. What we commonly think is the source of our struggles is that we are in conflict against flesh and blood, against other people. However, Paul says our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but an invisible battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.

The good news is that we are strengthened and can be set free through Jesus Christ. Through Him we obtain strength and courage to endure any situation. The Lord helps us overcome any obstacle we face.

Satan doesn’t have any power over God’s children. When Jesus defeated Satan on the cross and defeated death on the third day when He arose. We who believe are set free to live an abundant life.

However, when we don’t rely on the strength of the Lord we become weak. Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God. The struggle is real but the Lord is ready to deal with our struggles.

Armor up with the strength of the Lord through the truth of His word. Face your daily struggles with confidence and assurance of who you are in Christ. Don’t try to do life without Him!

Pray

Lord, I am powerless and need You. Strengthen me in the knowledge of Your truth and wisdom. Help me to understand that without Jesus I am nothing. Thank You, Lord.

It Wouldn’t Have Mattered

Faith

Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.”
Mark 15:31

What comes to mind when you think about the crucifixion of Jesus? If we close our eyes and picture the horrific event we can envision several things. The cross obviously, the three nails driven into His hands and feet, a crown of thorns, and the blood-stained body of Jesus.

These are definitely the gruesome pictures that we have of Christ dying on the cross. But if we notice closely this is not what Mark’s account depicts of the crucifixion.

Mark 15:21-32 doesn’t put a lot of emphasis on the physical description of the crucifixion. Nor does Mark describe the agony that Jesus encountered on the cross.

Instead, Mark depicts the humiliating and emotional abuse that came from the people who watched Jesus suffer and die on the cross. They made fun of Him and joked about Him with words of mockery and insult.

The central idea of the people’s attitude claims that if Jesus was truly the Messiah then He should save Himself and come down off the cross. Even the religious leaders claimed that He saved others so He should be able to save Himself.

So what would Jesus have needed to do to make the unbelievers believe? Would saving Himself and climbing down off the cross be enough for them to believe? Or would an empty tomb be the best evidence?

Even after Jesus arose from the dead the mockers still didn’t believe!

Sometimes we fall into the trap of needing God to do something really amazing for us to know that He is present in our life. Let the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus be enough evidence to show that God loves you unconditionally and wants only the best for you.

Pray

Lord, when I struggle to believe that You are in control, help me to remember the cross. When I start to think You don’t care, let me remember the empty tomb. Help me to know I don’t need anymore proof.

Are You Dead To Sin?

Encouragement, Trust

‘What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? ‘
Romans 6:1-2

As a Christian, you died to sin. Temptations will be present but sin does not have control over you. You can still sin, but you are no longer under sin’s power. The victory over sin’s dominion was won on the cross at Calvary. The victory is won!

God’s grace is our motivation to resist sin. It was grace that led God to forgive our sin despite our rebellion against Him. Knowing this grace, we cannot continue to practice sin. You’re dead to sin.

God does not have to win a victory over your sin. He already has by sending Jesus to die in your place. You only need to apply His victory in each area of your life. If there is a sinful habit or an unrighteous relationship that needs to be dissolved, you just need to claim the victory of Christ’s saving power.

Do you have an ungodly attitude or a sinful habit? Do you have an unrighteous relationship that needs to end? What is keeping you from experiencing God’s the abundant life that God intends for you to live?

So many times we find ourselves disappointed because of our sin. While we should be convicted, we should never think that sin has that kind of power over us. Experience the victory of Jesus today that gives you the power over all things and live the abundant life that God intends for you.

Pray

Lord, I want to experience the great victory of my sin and shame. I want to know You and live out what You intend to be good for me. Help me to keep my mind on You.