Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: bible

At The Name Of Jesus

Encouragement, Salvation, Trust

But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭3:6‬

Peter and John were walking into the temple to pray and they were greeted by a lame man begging for money.  Peter looked at him and said, “I don’t have any money but I’ll give you something better.  In the name of Jesus get up and walk!”  

Instantly the man was healed and he jumped up and began praising God.

Let’s unpack this wonderful miracle.  Notice the place where this miracle occurred.  It was at the temple gate entrance where many people, including the Pharisees, would pass through to get inside.  The lame man knew the place would be an ideal location because the Pharisees exercised their giving in front of other people to be noticed.  It was guaranteed to be profitable place.

Now notice the problem that was solved.  Poverty and paralyzation left the lame man with no hope or purpose.  But after being healed he was filled with joy.  This miracle gave him new life and purpose.  There’s no problem that Jesus can’t solve.

Notice the people who witnessed this great miracle.  Verse 9 says the people who saw him walking and worshipping were filled with amazement.  This miracle wasn’t just for the lame man.  It was for all the people to witness before Peter proclaimed the Gospel.  This miracle opened an opportunity for their hearts and minds to receive the Gospel and be saved.

Are you trusting money to solve your problem? Or are you trusting in someone else to take care of your needs? Trust Jesus and allow His Word to bring you joy and amazement as He works all things out for the glory of God

Pray

Lord, instead of focusing on my negative circumstances today, I will praise You for the miracle of grace You have shown upon me. Help me to be a witness for Your glory so others can experience Your grace.

Enemies Of Darkness

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12

Satan knows our weaknesses better than we do.  He knows where we are most tempted. We need to know where we are most vulnerable and arm ourselves for the battle.  Satan will attack when we are at our weakest point.

Paul had many people trying to attack him.  He had many enemies and was hated to the point that some wanted to kill him.  Paul was persecuted for his faith in Jesus.  Paul was always on the lookout for his enemy and especially Satan.  

He viewed his enemies as vessels of spiritual darkness.  Paul knew Satan was using people to attack him. It’s easy to get angry at someone when they do harm to us.  But we always need to keep in mind that they are being tempted by Satan.  

Satan will tempt Believers to act in ways that they shouldn’t.  He will make them say things that they shouldn’t.  We must all be aware of this struggle.  Don’t be the one who Satan is using against another person.  

When you experience someone who intends to do evil to you make sure you understand why they are doing what they are doing.  Instead of reacting with anger we should react with grace and love.  Your opponent needs to witness the love of Christ and experience the joy that you have. Do not let the enemy steal your joy.

Pray

Lord, I thank you for defeating my enemies.  Show me how to be Christ-like in all my circumstances. Help me to be an encouragement to others.

Children Of Light

Encouragement

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Ephesians 5:8

Have you ever noticed that sin happens in the dark? Darkness is the absence of light. Where there is no light sin abounds.

Light is referred to as knowledge, truth and holiness.  When light shines in the darkness it overcomes it and there is no more darkness.  This is what Paul is meaning as he says, “Walk as children of light.”  

Before you made a decision to believe and follow Jesus you were living in darkness.  But now, you have overcome the darkness with the light of Christ.

This verse begins in the past tense, “you were darkness.”  In the first few verses of Ephesians chapter 2 Paul says, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”  

But now that Christ lives in you, you are light and there is no darkness is in you.  The light that is now inside of you has overcome the darkness that once controlled you.  To live as a child of light means to walk according to what is acceptable to the Lord which is goodness, righteousness, and truth (vs. 9-10).

Pray

Lord, let me be the light in this dark world. Help me to shine bright so that it brings others to the light. Thank You for being my Light.