Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

Enemies Of Darkness

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12

Satan knows our weaknesses better than we do.  He knows where we are most tempted. We need to know where we are most vulnerable and arm ourselves for the battle.  Satan will attack when we are at our weakest point.

Paul had many people trying to attack him.  He had many enemies and was hated to the point that some wanted to kill him.  Paul was persecuted for his faith in Jesus.  Paul was always on the lookout for his enemy and especially Satan.  

He viewed his enemies as vessels of spiritual darkness.  Paul knew Satan was using people to attack him. It’s easy to get angry at someone when they do harm to us.  But we always need to keep in mind that they are being tempted by Satan.  

Satan will tempt Believers to act in ways that they shouldn’t.  He will make them say things that they shouldn’t.  We must all be aware of this struggle.  Don’t be the one who Satan is using against another person.  

When you experience someone who intends to do evil to you make sure you understand why they are doing what they are doing.  Instead of reacting with anger we should react with grace and love.  Your opponent needs to witness the love of Christ and experience the joy that you have. Do not let the enemy steal your joy.

Pray

Lord, I thank you for defeating my enemies.  Show me how to be Christ-like in all my circumstances. Help me to be an encouragement to others.

What Are You Asking Jesus For Today?

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20:32‬ ‭

What if Jesus asked you, “What do you want Me to do for you?” What would be your response?  

What is the most pressing thing on your mind today?  Is there something that you could quickly ask for?

Jesus was passing through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem and heard two blind men cry out, “Have mercy on us!”  Jesus walked over to them and asked them what they wanted Him to do for them and of course they asked for their eyes to be opened.  

This was a great miracle because there was no cure for blindness and there was no doctor that could restore someone’s vision.  The Scripture says Jesus compassionately touched them and they were able to see.  

As soon as their eyes were opened they saw Jesus!

We all have things that we want the Lord to do for us.  The problem is most of the time we ask selfishly for things that we really don’t need.  Most of the time it is considered a want and not a need.  

Jesus promises to give us what we need.  He always knows what we need.  He just wants us to have faith that He is going to meet our needs.

He wants us to go to Him first before we go to anyone else.  Just as these men cried out for mercy, we too should be crying out to Jesus for mercy and forgiveness. Only Jesus is able to do such wonders in our life.

What do you want to ask Jesus for today?

Pray

Lord, open my eyes that I may see You for who You really are.  You are my Lord and Master and I will serve you everyday. Give me mercy and forgiveness.

It Wouldn’t Have Mattered

Faith

Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.”
Mark 15:31

What comes to mind when you think about the crucifixion of Jesus? If we close our eyes and picture the horrific event we can envision several things. The cross obviously, the three nails driven into His hands and feet, a crown of thorns, and the blood-stained body of Jesus.

These are definitely the gruesome pictures that we have of Christ dying on the cross. But if we notice closely this is not what Mark’s account depicts of the crucifixion.

Mark 15:21-32 doesn’t put a lot of emphasis on the physical description of the crucifixion. Nor does Mark describe the agony that Jesus encountered on the cross.

Instead, Mark depicts the humiliating and emotional abuse that came from the people who watched Jesus suffer and die on the cross. They made fun of Him and joked about Him with words of mockery and insult.

The central idea of the people’s attitude claims that if Jesus was truly the Messiah then He should save Himself and come down off the cross. Even the religious leaders claimed that He saved others so He should be able to save Himself.

So what would Jesus have needed to do to make the unbelievers believe? Would saving Himself and climbing down off the cross be enough for them to believe? Or would an empty tomb be the best evidence?

Even after Jesus arose from the dead the mockers still didn’t believe!

Sometimes we fall into the trap of needing God to do something really amazing for us to know that He is present in our life. Let the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus be enough evidence to show that God loves you unconditionally and wants only the best for you.

Pray

Lord, when I struggle to believe that You are in control, help me to remember the cross. When I start to think You don’t care, let me remember the empty tomb. Help me to know I don’t need anymore proof.