Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: christ

You Are Blessed

Encouragement

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

This passage of Scripture is a beautiful blessing that God instructed Moses to give to the Israelites. God wanted His people to know and understand that He desired to bless them for being obedient and faithful.

This blessing is a powerful reminder of God’s love and care for us. It affirms that God desires to bless us and protect us, that He desires to shine His face upon us and be gracious to us, and that He desires to give us His peace. Can you see this blessing in your life?

It’s important to remember that this blessing is not just for the Israelites of old, but it is also for us today. As believers in Christ, we are part of God’s family and can affirm this blessing as our own. When we receive this blessing, we are reminded of God’s goodness and faithfulness towards us.

May we hold onto this truth and receive God’s blessing, protection, grace, and peace today. Let God know that your are thankful for His blessings and worship Him.

Pray

Lord, You have blessed me more than I deserve. Your grace and goodness overwhelm me. Thank you for keeping me in Your protective hands.

Spirit Led

Encouragement

One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
Acts 13:2-3

Acts 13:1-3 describes a significant moment in the early Christian church when the Holy Spirit set apart Paul and Barnabas for a special work. As they were worshipping and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to the church leaders and called them to separate these two men for the task of spreading the gospel to the Gentiles.

This passage reminds us of the importance of seeking God’s direction and guidance in our lives. Just as the church leaders were sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we too should be attentive to God’s voice and open to His leading.

God has a plan and a purpose for each of us, and it is only by seeking His guidance that we can fulfill that purpose. When we take time to worship, fast, and pray, we create space to hear from God and discern His will for our lives.

Let us follow the example of the early church and be intentional about seeking God’s direction in all that we do. As we do so, we can trust that He will lead us on the path of righteousness and use us to accomplish His purposes.

Pray

Lord, I want to be led by Your Spirit and be obedient to Your commands. Help me to discern Your voice. Help me to rid myself of any distractions that are keeping me from following You.

Joy In The Midst Of Pain

Encouragement

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭30:5‬

Psalm 30:5 is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and steadfast love towards us, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The psalmist acknowledges that weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

This verse speaks to the reality that life is full of ups and downs. There will be times when we experience pain, loss, and heartache. But in those moments, we can take comfort in the fact that God is with us and that he will bring us through to the other side.

God’s anger towards our sin is real, but it is also temporary. His grace and favor towards us are eternal. No matter what we have done or what we are going through, God’s love for us remains constant.

As we face the trials of life, we can trust that God is working all things together for our good. We may not always understand what he is doing or why, but we can be sure that he is with us and that he will never leave us nor forsake us.

May we hold onto the promise of Psalm 30:5, and may we always remember that joy comes in the morning. Let us trust in God’s unfailing love and faithfulness, and may we find hope and peace in him, no matter what we may face.

Pray

Lord, I trust your mercy and grace will see me through today. Help me to enjoy what you have supplied me with and I will find peace in resting in Your presence.