Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Well Done

Encouragement, Trust

Well Done

His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:21‬ ‭

 

Good And Faithful Servant

“Well done” are words that everyone desires to hear.  A pat on the back and a thumbs up make us feel that we accomplished what we set out to do.  We must be careful when we receive the praise of man and not from God.  You may be able to please man but never please God.  Or you may please God and never please man.  We should rather choose to please God rather than man.  It’s never popular to do so but it is the safest thing to do.

God gives us time and resources and we must decide what we are going to do with them.  Will we choose to use them wisely or will we choose to neglect what God has blessed us with?  God knows exactly what your capable of doing and what your limits are.  He will never ask you to do something that you would never be able to accomplish.  He will give you the strength and courage to accomplish whatever task He is asking you to do.

What has God entrusted you to do?  Has He given you blessings in order to bless others?  Has He given you something that you can bless someone else with such as a talent or skill?  Be sure to use everything God gives you to glorify Him and to honor Him in all that you do.  What ever increase is given to you is given by the grace of God.  What do you have to give back today?

Prayer

Lord, I give everything I have for You to use to show someone else who you are.   Lord, use me today.

Come To Me

Trust

Come To Me

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

From Stressed To Blessed

According to the American Psychological Association, the top 3 things that Americans are stressed about are the future of our nation, money, and work. When asked what specific issues in our country cause them stress, Americans’ most common responses were health care and the economy.  On average women have reported higher stress levels than men.  Millennials have the highest reported stress levels.  It’s stressful just reading the statistics about stress.

The good news is Jesus doesn’t want you to be stressed about the future of our nation, money, or work.  There are so things in our lives that cause us to be weary and heavy burdened.  Everyones’ burdens differ in various ways.  The things that you are burdened about may not be a big deal to someone else.  Satan will try to attack you with anything and everything to distract you from serving the Lord with all your heart and with all of your mind.  Don’t allow your stress to keep you from being blessed by the Lord.  The Lord wants to give you rest and peace.  But first we must “come to Jesus” and lay our burdens at His feet.  Then we will be able to breath easier and rest.

What burdens are you carrying today that you need to let go of?  It doesn’t make sense to keep stressing over the things that you cannot change.  Trusting Jesus for rest and comfort sounds a whole lot better than suffering physical and emotional issues associated with stress.  It’s just not worth it.

Prayer

Lord, I trust that You know best.  I know You are active in my life and aware of what’s burdening me but I turn it over to You.  Help me to know you are in control.

Faithful God

Encouragement, Faith

Faithful God

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
Deuteronomy 7:9

Every Word Matters

We live in a world of broken promises. From the workforce to marriages there are people suffering from broken promises and unfulfilled commitments.  A person’s word has no merit when it comes to contracts and legal documents.  Unkept promises make for a frustrating life.

When we learn about the truth of God we know that faithfulness is part of His character.  It’s what makes Him God. He keeps every promise because He is faithful.  If God were not faithful, we could not be saved nor would there be any reason to pray and absolutely no hope for the future.  We live in faith knowing that God is faithful and true.

To say that God is faithful we must realize that what He says is the truth.  He says what He means and means what He says.  His word never fails or falters.  His promises will always be kept.  2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His Glory.” If God says it we can count on it.

Sometimes when we face trials in our life we tend to think that God has either forgotten about us or He doesn’t care what happens to us.  That is far from the truth and we must change the way we view God’s character.  God loves His children and He is faithful in every aspect known to man.

Prayer

Show the Lord that you trust His faithfulness by praising Him in every circumstance you face whether it is good or bad.