Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: devotional

Remain Positive

Encouragement, Trust

For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:24-25‬

We hear a lot of bad news on a regular basis. We expect the news sources to keep us informed with what’s happening around the world but most of the news is negative. After hearing so much bad news and negativity for so long we can start to grow numb to it.

The Bible teaches us there is a day soon approaching when Jesus will come for His bride, the Church. The dead in Christ will rise from their graves and all Christians still living will meet Jesus in the air before entering into Heaven. This future event is called the Rapture.  

We see events unfolding everyday that leads us to believe the Rapture could happen at any time.  Violence and crime will continue to get worse and persecution of Christians will soon be like it was in the first century.  But don’t worry, there is hope.

The good news is given to us through the Word of God. The nightly news may be doom and gloom but God’s Word brings peace and comfort to those who believe it.

It is important to saturate ourselves with the Good News of Jesus Christ.. This dark world needs the positivity of the church until we leave this world. The Church should be the light that brightens the world.

What can you do today to brighten someone’s day? Can you share a compliment, extend a helping hand, or pass a smile to someone who is down. Positivity starts with you. You can make a difference in someone’s life today.

Pray

Lord, thank You for growing your church throughout the world. Help us be a part of spreading your good news. Keep me positive and grounded in Your truth.

Tell The Good News

Faith, Trust

And He did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭5:19‬

Mark 5:1-20 is a dramatic miracle of Jesus healing a demon possessed man.  As an outcast and mad man, he was chained hand and foot in a nearby cemetery.  Everyone was scared of this man because of his uncontrollable strength and reckless behavior.  He was a beast!

But when he saw Jesus, everything changed. He ran and fell down and worshipped Him and the demons begged to be cast into a large heard of swine.  Jesus gave the command and instantaneously the two thousand demon possessed pigs ran off a mountain and drowned in the sea.

The people who saw this dramatic event were terrified and demanded Jesus to leave their town.  As Jesus got in the boat to leave, the man who had been possessed begged to go with Him but Jesus wouldn’t allow it.  

Instead Jesus told the man to go home and tell all his family and friends about what had happened. Verse 20 says he did and everyone marveled. They were amazed because he had been made new.

Later in chapter 6 Jesus was able to return and was greatly welcomed.  He performed many other miracles because of one man’s testimony of how much the Lord had done for him.  

There is power in sharing what the Lord had done for us.  You never know what kind of impact it will make. Just by telling someone what the Lord has done for you may change their life.

Pray

Lord, put someone in my path today that I can share the many things You have done for me. I am so thankful for all that You have done. Let my attitude prove my thankfulness.

Prayer Changes Things

Encouragement, Trust

But He (Jesus) would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:16‬

Difficulties and trials either push us away from God or they get us closer to God. Consider the most current suffering you’ve encountered and reflect on your response to it. Did it bring you closer to God or did you take matters in your own hands?

Prayer is one of the most important things a Christian can do.  It is how we communicate with God which means our prayer life should be taken very seriously.  Praying with God is how we spend time with Him.  It’s how we can know the heart of God.

Sometimes we forget just how powerful our prayers are.  Praying does not change God it changes us.  Our perspective of who we are and what we are facing changes when we see who God is and how powerful He is.

Prayer changes our hearts and when our hearts are pure, our lifestyle becomes righteous and holy. Praying should be done just like what we see in the Bible. Jesus spent hours in prayer. Jesus could pray all through the night.

He would constantly get away from everything to spend time with God. Jews had set times throughout the day when life came to a stop so they could pray. It’s important to spend time in prayer speaking to God about the things that are on your heart; good and bad.

How much time do you spend praying to God?

Pray

Lord, You know my heart and You know what is happening in my life. You have the power to change my circumstances and problems. I will trust in You for all wisdom and understanding.