Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: christ

Is Jesus On Your Mind?

Encouragement

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
I Peter 1:13

Is your mind disciplined? Do you have complete control over your mind? Furthermore, is your mind at peace with God?

The meditation of God’s word allows our mind to be controlled by the Spirit of God. Some of God’s most effective servants were disciplined in their minds with the word of God. They were spiritually controlled in their service to God. Maybe you remember Joshua’s command to meditate on the Word of God, day and night.

Sadly, many Christians today do not use their minds for the service of God. We fill our minds with secular music and entertainment of pleasure and are under control of the media. As Peter states in today’s verse, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace of Jesus Christ. 

Paul encouraged Believers to strengthen their minds and be mature in understanding matters of righteous living (1 Corinthians 14:20). Don’t allow others to do your thinking for you, especially Hollywood and mass media. Allow the word of God to control your mind and lead you into spiritual service for God. 

Pray

Lord, I seek Your instructions and commands to control my heart and thinking. Allow me to resist the temptation to be controlled by secular mentality. Speak Your truth into my life.

What Are You Facing?

Encouragement

Behold, I am the Lord , the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?
Jeremiah 32:27

Have you ever faced an obstacle that you didn’t think you could get through or get over? Maybe you’re facing one right now. Obstacles come in all different sizes and shapes. If there is ever an obstacle that you think is too overwhelming to overcome let God remind you that there is nothing too hard for Him to handle.

God in in control of your health issues. He can handle your financial matters. He has your marriage and family situations under control. He is doing something with your relationships, companionships, and workmanships. He is working in your ministry opportunities. He knows the mistakes you’ve made and reassures you it’s all going to be ok. There is nothing too hard for Him!

When the waters were too deep, just remember that Moses crossed over the Red Sea on dry ground. If the wall is too tall, remember that Joshua marched around Jericho until it finally collapsed. Is your enemy too big to handle? Little David defeated Goliath with a slingshot. And when you think the fire is too hot, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the furnace without getting burned. When the lion is seeking to devour you, remember Daniel. There is nothing too hard for Him!

If the bill collector is calling, don’t forget Jesus told the disciples to catch the fish with the coin in its mouth. If you seem to be lacking, 5 loaves and 2 fish served 5,000 men. When you are in the middle of the storm, that’s right… the wind and waves must obey the voice of Jesus. There is nothing too hard for Him!

There is nothing that you are facing today that can’t be conquered by the Lord. God can and God will, but will you let God do it? Sit back and watch what happens when you turn it all over to the Lord. There is nothing too hard for Him!

Pray

Lord, deliver me from my problems. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse my heart. Give me courage to know that You will supply my needs for today.

Incredible Greatness

Encouragement

and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 1:19-20

We read in the Bible the most miraculous things that man could ever imagine such as creating everything from nothing, parting the Red Sea, making the sun stand still for a day, and causing the wall around Jericho to fall with shouting voices. These are great things but still not the greatest of all.

The mightiest work of God ever recorded is raising Jesus from the dead. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest display of the power of God. And God wants us to know what happened in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus died on the cross but He is alive and well today. He is seated at the right hand of God, which is the seat of authority. Jesus has all authority over everything. Paul writes these things for our spiritual understanding; so that we may know the authority that we hold since we are “in Christ.”

The New Living Translation says it this way, “I (Paul) also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe in Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 1:19-20) Meditate on these words and let the Spirit of God speak to you.

Pray

Lord, You are the head of the church and the head of my life. You have full control and I submit to Your Lordship. Help me to understand the authority that I hold as I believe in You.