Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: faith

Faith Like A Mountain

Encouragement

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
Psalms 125:1

Those who fully trust in God are unmovable in their faith. Nothing can shake up the one who puts full trust into the Lord. Are you unmovable and unshakable?

Psalm 125 is written with the concept that the people surrounding Jerusalem were on their way to celebrate and take part of the annual feasts of Israel. They would be marching in as families and anticipating a wonderful time with the Lord. They were eagerly excited to travel into the city of David.

Some scholars believe that this could have been part of a chant that took place as they were walking and had Mount Zion and the temple in their view. They knew that very soon they would be worshipping God with thousands of others who trusted in the Lord as well. One can only imagine the intensity and joy.

We, who place our trust in the Lord, are promised security and life everlasting. His love never fails and He never gives up on the ones who belong to Him. Stand firm on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Be unmovable and unshakable all the days of your life.

Pray

Lord, I know You are with me and will never leave me. Give me joy in understanding how You alone deserve all of my trust and faith. Fill my heart with peace and love.

Christ In You

Encouragement

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:26-27‬

When Jesus went to the cross, He wasn’t dying for himself, He was dying for sinners. He didn’t need to overcome Satan. Satan was never an issue. 

The victory He won on the cross was for our sake. What Jesus did on the cross, no one else could do. 

At the moment you place your faith in Jesus, you become a child of God. Nothing can ever change that miraculous transformation. When you become a Christian you are “in Christ” and Christ is in you. This transformation or what we also call, the moment of salvation, is very powerful and meaningful. 

Just consider…

  • Jesus became the Son of Man so that you might become a son of God. Jesus lowered Himself so that you could be lifted up. 
  • Jesus took on your sins so that you could be found righteous. 
  • Jesus was beaten and bruised so that you wouldn’t suffer. 
  • Jesus was found guilty so that you could be set free. 
  • Jesus was filled with despair so you could be filled with joy. 
  • Jesus took your shame so that you could take His glory. 
  • Jesus suffered death so that you could live. 

Sometimes we don’t consider what our life “in Christ” means. It means we have a God who loves us and only wants good for us. It means that God did what only He could do to redeem you. Have you thanked Jesus today?

Pray

Lord, thank you for all that you did for me. I don’t deserve it but I appreciate your gift. I will serve and honor you today with all that I do. 

Divine Vision

Encouragement

Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭18‬

Do you ever see yourself in the future? God gives us a vision to foresee what the possibilities can be. If we didn’t have a vision we wouldn’t have any hope.

One vision God wants us to have is a vision of heaven. He gives us wondrous descriptions of what heaven will look like and what we will be doing in heaven when we get there. We should be joyful knowing that our future in heaven outweighs every negative thought we have.

God also gives us a vision of what we can do here and now. He gives us the desires of our hearts to accomplish great things so He can receive the glory. What desires has He put in your heart?

Think about the vision God has given to you today. What can you do to take steps toward what you see? If you don’t have a vision, pray and ask God to give you one.

Pray

Lord, give me the desires of my heart. Show me Your path for me. Thank you for giving me a future of being with You for eternity.