Under Grace

November 22, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Faith, Trust

Under Grace

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:14‬ ‭

Dead To Sin

Have you ever considered why we all continue to sin even after we have been saved? Just because we accept the free gift of salvation doesn’t mean we will never sin again. It just means that the work of Jesus Christ has paid the penalty of our sins. He has justified us before God and we are forgiven.

For an unbelieving person, sin dominates their life. They do not even realize they are sinning. They are a slave to sin and sin is their master. But as a Believer you are a slave to righteousness. You have been set free from sin. That does not give us the right to go sin even more, it just gives us the attitude to sin less. Once we consider what Jesus did for us on the cross it will make us not want to sin. We will be more aware of our sins and we will make special effort not to sin. The Holy Spirit gives us power to overcome the sins that once dominated our life. Perhaps you noticed in your personal life that after you were saved you quit doing some of the sins you use to commit.

Christ makes us a new person from the inside out. He changes our heart first and then places a desire in our hearts to not want to sin. Sin is anything that does not glorify God. As Christ followers we live a life that is pleasing and accepting to Christ. We need to pay close attention to any sins that we commit on a regular basis.

Prayer

Lord, I confess my sins to you one by one. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me new life.

My Shepherd

October 21, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Salvation, Trust

My Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:1‬ ‭

Perfect Provision

The biblical shepherd knew everything about his sheep. He knew what they wanted to eat and when they needed fresh water to drink. He also knew the area well enough to guide the sheep in the right direction for the perfect food and water. The sheep grew to trust the shepherd to meet their needs. A good shepherd always gave his sheep the best. The condition of the sheep was a reflection of the shepherd.

The Lord is our Good Shepherd. (John 10:11) The Psalmist was convinced that he would never “want” for anything because the Lord would always provide the best. Just as the sheep need a shepherd so we need the Lord, our Good Shepherd, to meet our needs. He provides everything we need just in time. We do not need to worry of the Lord is going to provide, we just need to follow His lead and trust Him. The Psalmist gives us a perfect illustration of how the Lord loves His sheep. Even to die for us.

Is there something you are “wanting”? It may be that you have turned your focus off the Lord and turned to a worldly perspective. God’s economy is not the same as the world’s economy. When our desires are distracted by a worldly attraction our sense of “wanting” changes. We never need to “want” what the world has to offer. If we keep our minds set on Christ and heavenly things, we will never “want”. But if we place our passions on the things of this world we will find ourselves lacking because the things of the world will never satisfy our souls like the Lord does. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, I know you give me everything I need. Help me not to want what the world has to offer but to desire your perfect provision.

Endurance And Encouragement

October 8, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Faith, Trust

Endurance And Encouragement

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭

For Our Instruction

Reading and studying the Scriptures is not just to gain knowledge and wisdom. We engage ourselves with Scripture so that we may be encouraged as well. It must become a routine of our life in order to make a difference in how we live. As this verse says, it takes endurance.

The Word of God brings us hope. It is what connects us to the will of our Heavenly Father. It’s one thing to say that you are a Christian, it’s another to live as a Christian. God has given us His Word so that we may know what is expected of us as we live out our faith here and now. We are in the process of sanctification. Until we meet our Lord we are preparing for Heaven. How well are you preparing?

There are many things competing with the things of God. That is the reason why many today feel hopeless. The things of this world are not eternal and therefore will not sustain. The things which bring us hope are the things that are eternal. God’s love for example is eternal. God’s love brings us hope and sustains us even right now. God’s mercy and grace brings us hope. God’s patience brings us hope. The list can go on and on. But the fact of the matter is this; if we never dive into the Word of God for what it really is, then we may never really know lasting hope and contentment. Make God’s Word be part of your daily routine.

Prayer

Lord, I love Your Word. May it be my guide and way for living during these evil days. Speak to me today through it.