Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Faith, Trust

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:39‬

After He finished a long day of teaching, Jesus instructed His disciples to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was in the boat and He used the water to amplify His voice so the large crowd could hear Him. As soon as they launched out into the deep, Jesus began to nap.

As soon as they began crossing the lake they encountered a mighty windstorm. The waves were so big they were crashing over into the boat. When great fear set in, the disciples awakened Jesus and asked, “Do you not care that we are about to drown?”

Jesus stood up and rebuked the wind and waves and then there was a great calm. Jesus turned to the disciples and said, “why are you so fearful? Do you not have faith?” Now they were afraid because Jesus had just commanded nature and it obeyed Him.

Jesus demonstrates His power as an example of who He is and what He is capable of doing. But He has to move us out of our comfort zone. As long as we remain in our familiarities we don’t need faith. But as soon as we feel uncomfortable and desperate, the Lord can work wonders.

We must be willing to go where Jesus wants us to go and do things that are beyond our capabilities. This is when we witness the mighty power of God in our lives.

Can you get out of your comfort zone and speak to someone who doesn’t know Christ? Can you go where you’ve never been and trust that Jesus will guide your every move? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to please God with your faith?

Jesus wants to use you to do things that are much greater than what you can do yourself. Trust Jesus and place your faith in Him.

Pray

Lord, I want to please You with my faith. I desire to be used as a tool to build Your kingdom. Let me witness Your power and majesty.

The Test Of Faith

Faith, Trust

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, show me Your way.  I desire to be in Your will.  I am ready to receive Your word and commands.

Treasure God’s Word

Encouragement

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
Job 23:12

When was the last time you were really hungry? I mean really hungry. Food was very precious to you wasn’t it?

Now let me ask you, how important is God’s Word to you? When His Word is as important to you as physical food, then you will grow in your walk with the Lord. The problem is some people are starving themselves spiritually.

David said in Psalm 119:162, “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.” Both Job and David found God’s word to be a precious treasure. It was valuable and they could not live without it.

Just as our bodies can only go so long without nutrients, our Christian lives can only go so long without good spiritual nutrition. If we starve ourselves the Word of God, we will suffer the consequences.

God told Joshua, “Don’t let the Law depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)

Did you catch that? When you treasure the Word of God in your heart, you will have good success. What a precious treasure!

Pray

Lord, I need Your Word everyday. I need it more than I desire food. Help me to stay in Your Word and give me an understanding of it.