Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: christ

June 28, 2023

Encouragement

I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬

In the third letter to the seven churches, we discover a powerful message to the church in Pergamos. Pergamos was a beautiful and art-filled city known as the place where Satan’s influence and power was very strong. Pergamos was a center of pagan worship.

Despite living in the midst of darkness, the believers in Pergamos stood strong in their faith and held firm to the name of Jesus. Even when Antipas, a faithful witness of Christ, faced persecution and death, they did not coward down their faith.

As followers of Christ, we will certainly face spiritual battles. While the severity may vary, we encounter daily temptations, challenges to our faith, and worldly distractions. Yet, like the believers in Pergamos, we are called to remain true to the name of Jesus.

It is during these moments that our commitment to Christ is tested. We may experience trials that tempt us to compromise or turn away from our beliefs. Yet, today’s verse serves as a powerful reminder that, even in the face of persecution and hardship, we are to never deny Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

The faithfulness of the Christians in Pergamos shows us that our commitment to Christ is not determined by our daily circumstances. True faith is revealed in how we respond when the pressures of life bear down on us. It is in times of adversity that our loyalty to Jesus is proven.

As you navigate the challenges in your own life, remember that even in the midst of adversity, you have the power of Christ living inside of you. You have the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen, and equip you to remain faithful. Are you committed to Christ no matter the circumstance?

Pray

Lord, give me strength, courage, and unwavering faith to stand firm in the face of adversity. Help me to overcome the challenges and temptations that come my way. Empower me to be faithful in the midst of a world filled with evil. In Jesus’ name, amen.

June 27, 2023

Encouragement

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬

In the second letter to the seven churches, Jesus encourages the Christians in Smyrna, who were was facing persecution for their faith. Let’s focus on the words of Jesus and be encouraged as well.

  1. Do Not Fear: Jesus begins by addressing the fears that the church in Smyrna would face. Fear can cause a person to fight, flight or freeze. Jesus reminds us not to fear the trials and tribulations that come our way. He is with us and He is greater than any challenge we face.
  2. Testing and Tribulation: Jesus acknowledges that the church in Smyrna would experience severe suffering. Just as they faced opposition from the devil, we too encounter trials and hardships in our daily walk with Christ. However, in our times of testing, God refines our faith, strengthens our character, and deepens our dependence upon Him. Our struggles serve a bigger purpose in God’s plan for our lives.
  3. Be Faithful until Death: The central message of this verse is a call to be faithful, even if it cost us our lives. Jesus encourages the believers to remain committed to Him, regardless of the cost. This is a challenge for us today as well. We are called to hold fast to our faith and to remain faithful even in the midst of adversity, opposition, or persecution.
  4. The Crown of Life: In the midst of their suffering, Jesus offers the church in Smyrna a glorious promise: the crown of life. This crown is the eternal reward and the abundant life that awaits those who remain faithful until the end. It is a reminder that our temporary struggles are incomparable to the joy and fulfillment that await us in heaven. As we remain faithful, we can look forward to receiving the crown of life promised to all who love Him.

Regardless of the challenges you face, do not waver in your faith. God is with you in every trial, testing, and tribulation. As you remain faithful until death, God, who is Faithful and True, will reward you with the crown of life.

Pray

Lord, give me strength and courage to not fear the things that I often fear. Fill my heart with love and give me a sound mind. Thank You for being with me in every step I make. In Jesus’ name, amen.

June 19, 2023

Encouragement

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬

King Solomon, the son of King David, denied himself nothing, pursuing all forms of pleasure. Through his pursuit, he discovered that all the pleasures he indulged in were ultimately empty and meaningless.

There is a longing within every human heart to pursue happiness, satisfaction and fulfillment. It’s easy to fall into the trap of accumulating wealth, seeking temporary thrills, and hoping that these pursuits will fill the void within us. But, like Solomon, we too are left feeling empty and disillusioned.

Solomon directs us toward a great truth. He realized that the true rewards of life are not found in worldly pleasures but in something far more profound. It points us toward the eternal, the spiritual, and the heavenly.

Our hearts are designed to find fulfillment in a relationship with our Creator. In Him alone, true joy can be found.

Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:33, to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all things will be added unto you. Our pursuit of pleasure and satisfaction is to be rooted in the pursuit of God and His righteousness. When we prioritize our relationship with Him above all else, we discover that all other things fall right into place.

Are you seeking a right relationship with God? If so, you will find fulfillment in His love, peace, and grace. True joy resides not in the accumulation of worldly treasures but in knowing and serving our Lord with a sincere heart.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the wisdom given to me through Your Word. Help me to seek first Your kingdom and righteousness, knowing that You will provide all of my needs. Fill my heart with lasting joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.