Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: christ

Be On Your Guard

Encouragement

And he (Jesus) said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:15‬ 

Many people foolishly believe that what matters most in life is how much they own. It may be money or things that can be acquired. The misunderstanding comes from thinking that having more of what we desire will make us content. But according to the Bible, only God can satisfy our every need. 

It’s so easy for us to direct our attention toward earthly pursuits and lose our eternal perspective. Worldly ways produce greedy and covetous attitudes. But Jesus taught the things of this world will all pass away while the things of Heaven are eternal and more meaningful. 

Jesus made it very clear that His Kingdom is not based upon fleshly desires or the pursuit of pleasures. If we were to be honest, we all desire a life of luxury and ease. Even the people that Jesus ministered to had the same desires. 

We are encouraged to be on guard against covetousness and greed.  Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark‬ ‭8:36‬)

If we spend our life focused on the things of this world and coveting the things we don’t have, we are wasting our life. The life that we lose here will be rewarded with much gain in Heaven. Jesus said to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew‬ ‭6:20‬) 

Our life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions but of the treasures that we have stored up in Heaven. 

Pray

Lord, keep me from selfish desires and envying what others may have. Help me to live for Christ today and produce fruit that proves I belong to You. 

Jesus Warned Us

Encouragement

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 7:15

The New Living Translation says it this way: “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.” 

“Disguised as harmless” is a good description of what we see today. There are voices all around us that claim to speak God’s truth. But watch out, most of them are fake, false, and phony.

Pay close attention to the voices you are listening to. Most importantly make sure you discern the voice of God. You can easily discern the voice of God when it aligns with the truth of the Scriptures. 

God’s truth and word does not change and will not change. What He said 6000 years ago is still true today.

Sadly, there are bad people disguised as good people that claim to speak the truth. They tell you how to believe, what to do, what to say, how to vote, how to spend money, how to parent, etc… These voices sound good and look good but they are vicious wolves. Their intent is to devour. 

Jesus warns us to make sure every voice we hear is supported with the authority of God’s Word. Does their message agree with the rest of the Bible? Does it point people closer to Jesus? That is why it is important to know what the Bible says to study it. 

You have a responsibility to choose wisely who you listen to. 

Pray

Lord, help me to discern who speaks in Your name. Let me speak truth and wisdom into others. Protect me and my sheep.

Another Way

Encouragement

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Matthew 2:12

We’re not told what happened to the wise men after they saw Jesus. They worshiped Him, then gave their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and then they departed. The Bible doesn’t say but they must have lived out the rest of their days as believers.

It was no accident that these men came to meet and worship Jesus. The star that guided them to the young Child gave way to a spiritual transformation. Today’s verse says they departed for their own country, but in another way.

Has your life taken a new direction since coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ? New life in Christ takes on a whole new direction. The truth of Jesus Christ is a truth that will set you free and give you a new purpose for living.

We should learn from these wise men. They searched for Jesus and when they found Him they worshiped Him. When they worshiped they were prepared to give sacrificially.

“Those who look for Jesus will see Him: those who truly see Him will worship Him: those who worship Him will consecrate their substance to Him.” – Charles Spurgeon

When is the last time you spent time talking with Jesus and listening to His voice? Has your new life in Christ set you in a new path? Are you still on that straight path?

Pray

Lord, You gave us Your best and in return I worship You with my best. I give you my heart, soul, and mind. I love You and will follow You all the days of my life.