Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: faith

June 13, 2023

Encouragement

but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
‭‭II Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬

Peter recalls the story in Numbers 22, when Balaam was corrected by the Lord. Balaam was a prophet of God, but he allowed the temptation of selfish gain to cloud his judgment. He was enticed by King Balak to curse the children of Israel. Even though Balaam knew he shouldn’t do it, he continued to seek his own desires.

God intervened in a mysterious way and used a talking donkey to confront Balaam and redirect his path. The donkey spoke with human words to Balaam and prevented him from further disaster.

God will sometimes use unconventional means to confront our foolishness. Balaam’s story can teach us some valuable lessons:

  1. We can easily be enticed by the empty promises of this world, such as the pursuit of material possessions, power, or popularity. It is crucial to guard our hearts against worldly desires.
  2. When we compromise our faith, we put ourselves in a position of being susceptible to the schemes of the devil. It is essential to stay in the Word of God and resist the temptations that seek to lead us astray.
  3. God is always present in our life and will redirect us if we get off course. His discipline is an act of love and mercy, gently guiding us back into His will and way.
  4. True obedience requires us to surrender our own desires and commit to following God’s commands.

Stand firm in your faith and remain obedient to God’s calling. When you find yourself entangled in the snares of the devil, recognize your error and heed God’s correction.

Pray

Lord, help me to resist the temptations of this world. Give me discernment to recognize selfish desires and the strength to be obedient to Your Word. When I stray away from Your will, please redirect me back on course. In Jesus’ name, amen.

June 12, 2023

Encouragement

If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
Matthew 18:8

Jesus uses strong language and powerful illustrations to emphasize the seriousness of sin and the importance of having a devotion with God. In this verse, He encourages us to remove anything that hinders our relationship with Him.

Our hands and feet represent our actions. They symbolize the choices we make and the behaviors we engage in. Jesus challenges us to identify anything that keeps us from closely following Him.

This may include relationships, habits, or pursuits that distract us from God’s will and cause us to sin. It could be negativity, addictions, or activities that stunt our spiritual growth. Some of these things may seem harmless, but if they prevent us from following Christ wholeheartedly, they are hindrances to our spiritual well-being.

Cutting off a hand or foot is serious and drastic. It represents the willingness to let go of the things that have become idols or stumbling blocks. It requires courage, surrender, and trust in God’s plan for our lives.

Consider the areas in your life that may be hindering your spiritual growth. Are there any relationships or habits that lead you away from God? Are you willing to make the necessary changes to pursue holiness?

Jesus desires complete obedience. He desires your wholehearted commitment. Make a list of things that you are willing to surrender and ask God to give you strength to remove them from your life.

Pray

Lord, help me to examine and identify anything that hinders my relationship with You. Give me the courage and strength to let go of anything that leads me away from You. Help me to prioritize my relationship with You above all other things. In Jesus’ name, amen.

June 10, 2023

Encouragement

For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
‭‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬

Today, James reminds us of the consequences of having a judgmental spirit. If we pass judgment onto others, we too will face the same judgment.

However, when we embrace the mercy of God, it is greater and more powerful than any human standard of judgment. When we show mercy to others, we align our hearts with the heart of God and invite His mercy to be revealed through us.

As people who have received the blessing of God’s great mercy, we are called to extend that same mercy to others. When we choose mercy over judgment, we exemplify the character of Christ. Mercy creates a spirit or attitude of grace and forgiveness. It breaks down the barriers of bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness and creates the best opportunity for healing and growth.

We must also understand that mercy does not mean we turn a blind eye to a sinful behavior. Rather, it involves recognizing our own need for forgiveness and acknowledges that we fall short of God’s holy standards. It is about viewing others as Jesus does.

Mercy allows us to see beyond others external actions and attitudes and see the brokenness and pain that people are experiencing. Most of the time, people produce bad behavior as a result of being lost or out of fellowship with God. Showing mercy can turn others to God.

As we encounter those who hurt us, wrong us, or disagree with us, let us choose mercy over being judgmental. Practice extending forgiveness, compassion, and grace. When you do so, you will experience freedom and peace and will point others to our loving Father who will transform their life.

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your great mercy that triumphs over judgment. Help me to extend the same mercy to those around me. Teach me to see others the way You see them, with grace and understanding. Help me to be humble, acknowledging my own need for Your forgiveness and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.