Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: christ

Rejoice In The Lord

Encouragement, Trust

Rejoice In The Lord

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3:18‬

 

God Is In Control

Habakkuk was experiencing some very tough economic times. Verse 17 tells us what was happening.  There were no figs on the trees, no grapes on the vines, no oil to cook with, no crops growing and no animals for meat. This simply means there was nothing to eat or drink and the future was not very promising.  People would panic if that were to happen today.

Habakkuk remained positive and faithful as verse 18 shines rays of hope. Habakkuk knew God was the source of everything. He knew that God is the Creator and Sustainer and could make anything happen. He knew God had everything under control. If God wasn’t going to allow the earth to produce then somehow everything would work out in His timing.  That’s why he says, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord and take joy in the God of my salvation.”  Even in the worst case senerio he knew he would be saved, even if he died.

Don’t focus on your circumstances. Focus on praising the One who controls everything. Circumstances can change quickly.  There was not a lot of food, but Jesus fed 5,000 men.  There was no wine at a wedding feast but Jesus saved the best for last.  To rejoice in the Lord when things are not going well means you know that God has something great in the works.  People all around you may be down in the dumps and depressed but you could be the one who brings hope and encouragement as a solution. Your attitude and actions reflect how you trust God.

Prayer

Praise God for what He has provided and you will not dwell on what you are lacking. God will provide what you need. Thank Him in advance.

No Comparison

Encouragement, Trust

No Comparison

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:18‬

Suffering Vs. Glory

Every Christian lives in the hope of glory to come.  The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with hope and the reality that one day we will be in the presence of Almighty God.  Because we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Jesus Christ restores us unto God with blessed assurance.  One day we will be made perfect and live eternally in Heaven with all the saints of God.  We shall see Jesus face-to-face.  That alone is enough to motivate us to anticipate the coming day of the Lord. Hallelujah!

But what about here and now, as we live on this earth?  We are not promised a life of luxury just because we are followers of Christ.  To say that a person is free from suffering and anguish because they trust Jesus is a false theology.  Perhaps when we do come to Christ in faith the sufferings and trials we face are more because the devil is trying hard to get us to stumble.  And the battle rages between good and evil.  That is why we are persecuted, mocked, and scorned for our faith in Christ.

Do you know that sufferings we face today will all fade away.  When we get to Heaven the glory we will receive outweighs the pain and suffering we endure here and now.  But here is the thing, we must keep the big picture in mind.  We are only here on this earth for a very short amount of time compared to eternity in Heaven.  James 4:14 says, “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

Prayer

Pray and ask God to give you a heaven bound mind.

I Am The Lord

Trust

I Am The Lord

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

God Can Do It

Have you ever faced an obstacle that you didn’t think you could get through or get over?  Are you facing one right now in your life?  Obstacles come in all different sizes and shapes and substances.  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 can handle your health problems.  He can handle your financial matters.  He can handle your family situations.  God can handle your work related issues. He can handle your relationships, your companionships and your workmanships.  He can handle your ministry, your marriage or your mistakes.  He can handle anything and everything that comes your way.  God can handle it because there is nothing too hard for Him!

If the waters are too deep, remember Moses crossed the Red Sea.  If the wall  is too tall, remember Joshua marched around Jericho.  If the enemy is too big, remember David defeated Goliath.  If the fire is too hot, remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived the furnace.  If the lion is seeking to devour, remember Daniel in the lions den.  If the bill collector is calling, remember the coin in the fishes mouth.  If you’re lacking, remember 5 loaves and 2 fish served 5,000 men.  If you’re fearful, remember the wind and waves obey.

There is nothing too hard for the Lord.  There is nothing you are facing today that can’t be conquered by the Lord.  It’s not a question of “if” God can do it.  The question is “will you” let God do it? God can and God will.  Sit back and watch what happens when you turn it over to the Lord.

Prayer

Pray and ask God to deliver you, provide for you, promise you or supply you for what you need today.