Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: christ

Pray For One Another

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
‭‭1 Timothy 2:1

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night and had friend or loved one on your mind?  That person was placed on your heart for a reason. God places people on our hearts and minds so we can help them and bless them.

Our prayers can actually bless others. We need to take time to pray for those who come to our attention and pray without hesitation. When we pray for others we are helping them get blessed.

Paul wrote a letter to Timothy to address some of the issues that were happening at the church at Ephesus.  One of the issues facing that church was prayer. The church was divided between the Jews and Gentiles who had complete different attitudes concerning spiritual matters such as salvation and blessings.  

So Paul instructed Timothy to instruct the church, the people of God, to pray for each other. It’s our responsibility and privilege to pray for one another.  Everyone needs prayer.

You need someone praying for you as well. That is why it is important to surround yourself with faithful praying people.  Other people can pray blessings into your life.

There is nothing more wonderful and amazing than to witness an answered prayer.  It’s important to pay attention to what others around you are going through so that you can pray for them specifically.  

Sometimes a generic prayer just isn’t enough.  We need to pray earnestly for the needs of others.  Pray for their salvation if they are lost.  Pray for their health if they are sick.  

If they are poor, pray for their wealth.  Pray for their strength if they are weak.  If they seem hopeless, pray for their faith to be strengthened.  Pray for them as the Holy Spirit directs you to.

Who is on your mind today as you pray? Reach out to that person and ask them how you can pray for them.

Pray

Lord, I pray for those who You put on my mind and heart. Thank You for allowing me to be part of their blessings. I pray that people are praying for me as well.

Virtue Of Love

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:2‬ ‭

There is great power in the virtue of love.  It is a characteristic of a Christian.  The apostle Paul knew how important it was to exemplify true love toward others.  He also knew that without love he was nothing.

In the previous chapter, Paul discusses spiritual gifts that are given to Believers by the Holy Spirit.  In this verse he mentions three of them.  Prophecy refers to the ability to declare God’s Word with power.  Knowledge involves the deep understanding of God’s Word.  Faith is the ability to trust God for great and mighty things.  These three gifts are given by the Holy Spirit but without possessing love a person is “nothing.”

You can be intelligent, wealthy, and talented but if you don’t love you have nothing and are nothing. You could be a great doctor or lawyer or even a superb teacher, yet if you lack love, you are nothing.  

God considers love to be one of the main characteristics that a Christian can possess.  Jesus set forth the best example of love.  He continually showed compassion to everyone He encountered.  

This is the kind of love that we are to show everyone around us.  We are to study God’s Word and to be wise but we are to show love as well.  Love makes us be the person who displays the light of Jesus and shows the world who Jesus is.  Do you have love?

Pray

Lord, help me to express love to everyone I encounter today.  Teach me to love everyone, even my enemies. Let my love be an example of who You are.

Justified In The Spirit, Part 3

Faith, Salvation

‘And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.’
I Timothy 3:16

Did you ever think that 1 Timothy 3:16 could be so deep? Great is the mystery of godliness. These truths unpack such a powerful meaning into our lives.

Just as God was manifested in the flesh through the person of Jesus Christ, He was also justified in the Spirit. Not because He was sinful and then made righteous, but that He was declared to be justified by the Holy Spirit. There are two passages of Scripture that shed light upon this truth.

At Jesus’ baptism, Matthew tells us, ‘When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”’ Matthew 3:16-17

At the resurrection of Jesus, Luke records, ‘This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.’ Acts 2:32-33

Jesus was declared to be righteous and holy by the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity. He always was justified before the Father. He didn’t have to prove Himself righteous; He always was righteous. Therefore He rightly took our place on the cross and provided salvation to all who believe.

Pray

Lord, thank You for revealing the truth of the gospel to me and opening my eyes to Your great salvation plan. You alone are God and able to save. I pray that I may show the love of Christ in all that I say and do.