Pastor Stephen Dedman

The Worst Became Best

April 10, 2020 Pastor Stephen Dedman Faith, Salvation, Trust

“Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.”
Matthew 27:45-46,50

Jesus was executed and put to death. The Son of God was put to death on a cross for who He was. He came into the world and the religious leaders feared Him and hated Him. While at first it may seem that all is said and done, it was the plan of God from the beginning.

How encouraging it is to know that today is called Good Friday because death died when Jesus died on the cross. The worst day in history is really the best day because of Jesus. Just remember this when you are at your worst, Jesus is at His best. The worst possible thing that could happen was actually the best.

Can we be honest for a moment? Jesus said, “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) There are times in our life when we are ready to throw in the towel. We are frustrated, confused, and irritated when things don’t turn out the way we want them to. But this is when we must rely on the strength and power of God to reveal to us that He is up to something bigger than we are. God has something in the works that may not seem important at the surface but deep down in the grasp of things, God is doing a mighty work.

Don’t give up hope. Don’t give into the temptations of the enemy. Satan tried everything he could to keep Jesus from dying on the cross but God did not allow it to happen. Why? Because He loves you more than you realize. He is more powerful than anyone can ever imagine.

Whatever you may be going through right now, God has a plan and it is going to work out for His glory.

“Then is shall be brought to pass as it is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:54-57)

Lord, thank you for loving me so much that You sent Your only Son to die on the cross and save me from my sins. Help me to never lose hope in what You are trying to accomplish.

Do You Worship, part 2

January 30, 2020 Pastor Stephen Dedman Encouragement, Trust

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭16:25-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Have you ever worshipped and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit? Have you ever had “God” bumps go up your arm while worshipping. There is an amazing effect that worship has when we are focused on worshipping Him. True worshippers get God’s attention.

Paul and Silas were put in the inner prison with a guard watching to make sure they didn’t escape. They were imprisoned while they were traveling around preaching when they encountered a demon-possessed fortune-teller who was working as a slave. After commanding the demon out of her, the men who were profiting from her work knew their crooked business was over and sought to have Paul and Silas taken away. They were beaten and chained up.

While in prison, they didn’t cry and complain, they worshipped. They sang hymns to God. They were praising God while they were suffering. And suddenly it happened. The foundations began to shake and the doors were opened and the chains fell off. They worshipped and got God’s attention. God set them free. God fought their battle. They worshipped during a time that most people could not.

True worship has a lasting effect on the world. True worshippers make a difference. When we find ourselves in difficult and disastrous situations we need to turn our eyes to God and worship Him. God can change the whole situation and turn it around for His glory. God seeks to find people who are true worshippers.

Lord, make me a true worshipper. Give me a heart of praise and joy. Help me to know I can turn to You when I’m in trouble.

Do You Worship, Part 1

January 29, 2020 Pastor Stephen Dedman Encouragement, Trust

“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.”
‭‭John‬ ‭4:23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What type of worshipper are you? Jesus said, God, the Father, is seeking for “true” worshippers to worship Him in spirit and truth. Are you a “true” worshipper? True worship is not about having a talented voice. It’s not about singing contemporary or traditional songs. It’s not about raising your hands, standing, or dancing. So what are the marks of a true worshipper? What is God looking for in a true worshipper?

Jesus said the greatest commandment is this, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”‭‭ (Matthew‬ ‭22:37‬) A true worshipper is one who praises God, in good times and bad, one who rejoices from their heart with gladness and joy, and knows that God is deserving of all honor; heart, soul, and mind. That means true worship is more than a church service and more than a concert. Don’t take me the wrong way, we do worship God in church services, through gospel singings, and in Christian concerts. But there is more to true worship than what we do on Sunday.

True worshippers worship God through their jobs. They serve others with their talents and gifts. True worshippers are found in the operating rooms, in restaurants, on construction sites, on the sales floor, in the back office, answering phones, delivering products, and cleaning toilets. They worship in court rooms, classrooms, in offices, at home, on the highways, behind closed doors, and out in the field. It doesn’t matter what you do or where you do it, as long as you glorify God through it.

We can worship through serving others, giving of our talents and time, and loving those around us. God is seeking true worshippers. Do you wake up with a song on your lips? Do you praise God when things go wrong? Is honoring God with all that you have a priority? True worshippers get God’s attention.

Lord, I lift my voice to the Heavens to praise your holy name. I honor you with all that you have blessed me with. May you receive the glory in all that I do.