Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

Your Faith Is Tested

Encouragement

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22:1-2‬ ‭

When God spoke to Abraham, His words were very clear.  God first told Abraham, “Go to a land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)  Abraham’s faith was so strong.  He listened and obeyed the voice of God.  

Through the years, Abraham was tested in many areas.  God promised him a son but he was very old when Isaac was born.  He learned to wait on the Lord.

Perhaps the most important test in Abraham’s life was when God asked him to sacrifice his own son.  His son meant more to him than anything else and God asked him to offer him up as a sacrifice.  Abraham had waited over 25 years for the promise of his son and now he was asked to give him up.  God was asking a lot from Abraham and it was a true test of faith and obedience.

Our faith and obedience to God is tested everyday.  While it may not seem as significant as with Abraham, we too must be willing to give up the things that mean the most to us.  Is there something that God is asking you to do that requires much faith and obedience?

Knowing God’s will is easy.  Doing God’s will is what’s so difficult.  As you mature in your faith, God will ask you to do things that may take you out of your comfort zone.  When God speaks we must obey.

Pray

Lord, help me to walk close to You and know Your will. Teach me to be obedient and faithful in all areas.

A Life Of Victory

Encouragement

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:17

God did not send His Son for us to be defeated. However, many Christians live a defeated life. The devil defeats them mentally everyday and they allow the devil to have that kind of power over them.

As believers we have been delivered from the bondage of death and we walk in the newness of life. We died to our old lives and now we are alive in Christ. That means we have authority over the devil. We have victory over the devil.

We have the choice to live a victorious life everyday. We often focus on the future life in Heaven being victorious and perfect but it can be that way for us here and now; once we believe it. Jesus raised us up into a life of victory.

Whatever you’re facing today, just know that you are not defeated. Have a change of mindset. Get it in your mind and in your heart that Christ demolished and crushed whatever is limiting you from living victoriously today.

Jesus stood up and rebuked the winds and the waves and they obeyed. So can we! John 14:12 says, “Most assuredly, I (Jesus) say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”

Pray

Lord, You have given to me all that I need to live a victorious life here today. Help me to have the wisdom and understanding of Your word and truth that will set me free from the bondage of the devil.

A Promise Of Hope

Encouragement

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Daniel 12:2

The message of the Bible is a promise of hope for those who believe.  This blessed hope gives mankind a deep and fulfilling meaning to life.  Someone who does not have hope will miss the true meaning of life.  

It’s exciting to know that God has great and wonderful things in store for those who believe in His Son, Jesus. We may not be able to fully grasp it now but one day we will know.

Daniel 12:2 gives the best understanding of what the future holds.  He writes, “some will enjoy everlasting life but some suffer shame and everlasting contempt.”   We plan our future by what we believe today.

Hope in Jesus Christ is what gets us through the trials and sufferings of this life. While we may not enjoy life here on earth, there is a day soon approaching that we will be in perfect peace.

Until we are in the presence of God, we long for the day we see Him face to face. Don’t let the things of this earth get you distracted, disappointed or discouraged. Keep your mind on the things above which are promised to those who believe in Jesus.

Do you live in the hope of seeing Jesus face-to-face soon? It’s not a “hope so” faith, it’s a “know-so” faith.

Pray

Lord, I praise You for the blessed hope and grace that You have given me through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to keep my eyes on the heavenly things and keep my thoughts on things above. Encourage me today in Your word.