Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Stay Focussed And Encouraged

Encouragement

‘And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”’
I Kings 19:14

Discouragement comes when you are exhausted? There is no exception in the kingdom work of God. Doing the Lord’s work is exhausting. That’s why you need to stay refreshed and encouraged.

Elijah was discouraged from doing the work of God. He had just called down fire from heaven and experienced one of the most powerful victories on Mount Carmel. The prophets of Baal were defeated and people were turning to God. It was a powerful revival.

But because of this great awakening, Elijah was facing death threats causing him to run for his life. He felt defeated and discouraged. Oh how quickly it can happen in our life as well.

When we focus more on our troubles and problems than on the power of God we get overwhelmed. And certainly so when the devil attacks when we least expect it. Often times we get to this point right after we have done great things in the name of the Lord.

The good news is that God commanded Elijah to rest and it refreshed his mind, body, and soul. God also sent him a helper, friend, and companion. Elisha was a blessing to Elijah.

Sometimes we just need to take a moment to get refocussed and rejuvenated. If you are overwhelmed and exhausted you need to rest. Trust the Spirit of God to get refreshed and encouraged.

Pray

Lord, You alone are God! You are my Lord and Salvation! I focus on You and Your kingdom today. Encourage me and strengthen me through Your Spirit.

A Change Of Heart

Encouragement, Faith

‘Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.’
Psalms 51:12

Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that a change would be good. We might think that a new job making more money could be the solution. Or maybe a new president could change our situation. Or thinking that a change of appearance could make things better. This way of thinking is dangerous.

It may not be the circumstances that need to change. Is it possible that your heart needs to change? Jeremiah 17:9 says, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” The heart according to the Bible is deceitful.

Sometimes we just need a change of heart. Not so much as turning over a new leaf or trying to live a better life, but a radical renewing of your heart. Let’s be honest, sometimes we get into a slump and allow our lives to be controlled by the world’s way of thinking.

What we need is a spiritual transformation. That is exactly what David needed after he sinned against God and his whole world crumbled. He finally discovered that the problem was in his heart. The change that he needed was internal, not external.

Do you need a change of heart? Do you need God to transform your heart and give you a new heart? All you have to do is ask, and you will receive.

Pray

Lord, cleanse me and make me new. Wash me and forgive me of my sins. Make me hear joy and gladness. Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation.

He Is All We Need

Trust

‘Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.’
Psalms 145:3

There’s only one God as revealed in the Bible. You can’t make up a god of your own choosing. Once you experience His greatness you don’t need any other gods.

Do you remember in Exodus when Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments? He left the people for 40 days while he met with God. The people feared that he would never return and demanded that Aaron make them a “god” to go before them. (Exodus 32:1)

Aaron gathered all the gold from the people and constructed a “golden calf”. And sadly, they worshipped it and said, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” (Exodus 32:4)

When Moses returned he became very angry and threw down the two tablets, breaking them. He threw the golden calf into the fire, ground it into powder, scattered it on water, and forced the people to drink it. Then he instructed that the people repent and he went and pleaded with God.

Watch how great God is when we read Nehemiah 9:16-21. ‘“But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them, even when they made an idol shaped like a calf and said, ‘This is your god who brought you out of Egypt!’ They committed terrible blasphemies. “But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night. You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water for their thirst. For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!’

Why would we ever want to serve any other god besides the One true God of the Bible? He is all we need. Trust in Him to be your only source of wisdom and power.

Pray

Lord, I remove anything and everything that keeps me from serving You only. I trust in You for all things. Thank You for being so great to me.