Pastor Stephen Dedman

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My Shepherd

Salvation, Trust

My Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:1‬ ‭

Perfect Provision

The biblical shepherd knew everything about his sheep.  He knew what they wanted to eat and when they needed fresh water to drink.  He also knew the area well enough to guide the sheep in the right direction for the perfect food and water.  The sheep grew to trust the shepherd to meet their needs.  A good shepherd always gave his sheep the best.  The condition of the sheep was a reflection of the shepherd.

The Lord is our Good Shepherd.  (John 10:11)  The Psalmist was convinced that he would never “want” for anything because the Lord would always provide the best.  Just as the sheep need a shepherd so we need the Lord, our Good Shepherd, to meet our needs.  He provides everything we need just in time.  We do not need to worry of the Lord is going to provide, we just need to follow His lead and trust Him.  The Psalmist gives us a perfect illustration of how the Lord loves His sheep.  Even to die for us.

Is there something you are “wanting”?  It may be that you have turned your focus off the Lord and turned to a worldly perspective.  God’s economy is not the same as the world’s economy.  When our desires are distracted by a worldly attraction our sense of “wanting” changes.  We never need to “want” what the world has to offer.  If we keep our minds set on Christ and heavenly things, we will never “want”.  But if we place our passions on the things of this world we will find ourselves lacking because the things of the world will never satisfy our souls like the Lord does.  Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, I know you give me everything I need.  Help me not to want what the world has to offer but to desire your perfect provision.

Sow Bountifully

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

Sow Bountifully

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:6‬ ‭

You Reap What You Sow

God loves a cheerful giver. (vs. 7)  A generous heart that gives freely and willingly is rewarded in the same manner.  God will bless you according to how you give.  Christian giving is reflected by one’s relationship with God.  The more we are aligned with the will of God the more we will experience the awesomeness of God.

Paul is teaching the Believers in Corinth an encouraging principle.  He promised them that if they would give bountifully, God will reward bountifully.  As Christians we should be willing to give what we have to those who are in need.  The early church was able to meet the needs of everyone.  Today we see a lot of people who are in need.  There are a lot of church members who are in great need of assistance.  Some do not speak out nor ask anything from their church.  We should all be prayerfully sensitive to the needs of our fellow Believers.  There is great joy in store for those who are able to give freely and willingly.

God wants us to give more than just our money.  He desires that we share our faith and talents as well.  We all are gifted in various ways that provide blessings to other people.  If you can give big, give it and watch what God will do with it.  If you can sing beautifully, sing so others can hear you.  If you can teach, wisely teach the Word.  If you can preach, what are you waiting for?  There is so many different ways that you can bountifully give of yourself and what you have.  Always remember that you have what you have because God has bountifully given.

Prayer

Lord, use what I have to help someone else in need.  Give me a generous giving heart.

Holy, Holy, Holy

Encouragement, Salvation, Trust

Holy, Holy, Holy

The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:8‬

Worship Around The Throne

If we could get a personal glimpse of Heaven it would change the way we worship.  As the Scripture says, worship will never cease in Heaven.  In Heaven we will be worshipping around the throne of God for eternity.  It will be a worship experience that we have never witnessed before.

John was given a glimpse into Heaven and a vision of the throne of God.  The central focus of Heaven is the throne.  As well as our central focus of worship should be the throne of God.  God’s holiness drives us to worship Him.  Worship often includes words and actions but most importantly worship is from the heart.  If our heart is not right, we cannot worship right.  Worship is the God-centered focus and response of the soul.  So no matter what you say or sing you are worshipping only when your attention is on God.  And when your attention is on God you cannot help but only envision the holiness and worthiness of Him.

A profound statement about worship is found in John 4:23-25 as Jesus said, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”  Before we can worship in spirit and in truth we must have within us the Holy Spirit.  Without Him true worship will not happen.  If you have no desire to worship there is something missing in your life.

Prayer

Lord, Holy is Your Name and Holy You are.  I praise You and honor You with my heart and soul.