Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: faith

Good Friday

Encouragement

And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.
‭‭Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭37‬

Jesus’ earthly mission was to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10) It was accomplished when Jesus died on the cross. God’s plan of salvation was complete.

Satan did everything in his power to keep Jesus from going to the cross. He even tried killing the lineage leading up to Jesus. Satan could not prevail.

When Jesus breathed His last breath, Satan knew it was over. God won and Satan was defeated. Today, Satan is just waiting for his time to be cast into the depths of hell. He has no future and he knows it.

Today, on this Friday before Easter Sunday, we remember what Jesus went through to save us from our sins. When we sin we must remember the price that Jesus paid so we don’t have to.

That alone should put a desire in our heart to seek to live righteous and holy lives. As born again believers, we have forgiveness of our sins because Jesus bore our sins on the cross. Praise God for sending His Son to save us!

We can have eternal life with God in heaven because Jesus paid it all. What sins do you need to confess and repent from? A sinless and righteous life is what we seek for.

Pray

Lord, thank You for dying in my place. You give me peace knowing I have eternal life. Forgive me and set me free from sin.

Holy Thursday

Encouragement

Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered.’”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬

Thursday of Holy Week was Jesus’ last day to be with His disciples. He observes the Passover meal, washes the feet of the disciples and then goes out to the garden to pray.

The loneliness of Jesus must be considered. He was with His disciples everyday and loved them very much. He spent time explaining deep things so they would understand.

Thursday night as Jesus was arrested and taken away He was removed from those closest to Him. Jesus had so much time invested into making sure they would continue the work He started.

The disciples were hiding because of fear of the Jews. They didn’t want to be arrested like Jesus. So they left and Jesus was alone.

Loneliness is a form of suffering. It is not good for man to be alone. God intended for us to have fellowship with others and to have close relationships.

Just before Jesus was arrested He spent quality time with disciples eating and singing together. The disciples had no clue of what was to happen the next day.

It is important that we build relationships with people for the sake of glorifying God. We are to be encouragers and we are to be encouraged as well. Relationships that are healthy make for a great blessing.

Who do you have in your life today that you can encourage? Maybe just being with that person is a blessing. Cherish the relationships you have.

Pray

Lord, I know You love me and have given me what I need the most. Thank You for loving me with an everlasting love. Help me to love others with the same love.

Holy Wednesday

Encouragement

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭14‬-‭15‬

After a long day of teaching and speaking in the temple on Tuesday, Jesus must have rested on Wednesday. Each evening He and the disciples journeyed to Bethany.

There is not much Scripture referring to events on Wednesday except the fact that Judas conspired with the chief priests and sought opportunity to turn Jesus in to the authorities.

Judas was used by Satan to betray Jesus and he paid the price for it. We know that after Judas did what he did, he went outside the city and hung himself.

Satan still tries to use people to do his work. We must be careful that we are not led astray by Satan. Even the smallest opportunity Satan can get he will try to get you to do evil things. We all must be aware.

We can overcome the devil and his evil schemes by staying rooted and established in a close walk with the Lord. However, we must always be on guard. Satan will seek and devour when we least expect it.

We have the power to overcome the devil and any temptation we face. In the name of Jesus we have all authority to rebuke Satan and temptation. Just call on the name of Jesus.

Pray

Lord, I call on You to guide and protect me today. Keep me from evil and give me strength to overcome the devil. I seek righteousness and holiness today.