Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: faith

God Is Making A Way

Faith

And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
Joshua 3:5

God wants to do miraculous things in our life that can only be from God. Are you expecting miracles to take place today in your life?

The only thing holding us back is sometimes we like to play it safe. We like our comfort zones because we know what to expect.

However, our walk with God is not always about being in a comfort zone and playing it safe. Oftentimes, God is calling us out of our comfort zones so that we can experience Him in a powerful way.

God wants to use your life, right now, today! He wants to use you to show others what He can do. Do you realize that? God wants to do something amazing through you today to show others that He is your God.

Are you ready to receive a miracle from God today? Take a few moments and prepare yourself for what God wants to do through you and with you today or in the next few days.

We have to be in a position to receive the miracles from God. As today’s verse states, “sanctify yourself.” That means set yourself apart spiritually, mentally, and physically. Step out in faith. God will direct your steps once you do.

You may face some difficult circumstances today but remember that it may be part of the miracle. God is with you every step of the way. And when there doesn’t seem to be a way He will make a way. But make sure you are spiritually ready to be guided in the right direction.

Pray

Lord, prepare my heart to receive the great and wonderful things You have in store for me today. Allow me to see with an understanding heart. Bless me with Your wonders today.

Hope And Healing

Encouragement

Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”
Isaiah 35:4

Isaiah prophesied about a time of judgment that would bring them to their knees but then God would strengthen them, raise them up, and save them. The people of Judah had committed adultery against God but God wanted to reveal His love to them.

Always remember God only chastises those whom He loves. He straightens our crooked paths and puts us back on track. He does this because He wants what is best for us.

Hebrews 12:12-13 says, “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.” The writer of Hebrews quoted Isaiah 35 while driving home the point that after God’s chastisement there is hope and healing.

Just like ancient Judah, we need hope and healing in our country today. We need every believer strong and courageous. We strengthen ourselves when we walk with the Lord.

Even in our present trials, we have the hope of Jesus Christ to help us overcome our fearful hearts. The hope that we have is in the confidence that God will save us and redeem us.

Are you progressing in your walk with the Lord today? Are you strengthening yourself in the Father’s love? God is actively seeking you to do His great work.

Pray

Lord, I need your strength today to do fulfill Your great will. Help me to overcome my fears and failures with Your hope and healing. Help me to encourage others to progress in their Christian walk as well.

Bold Faith

Faith

‘For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.’
II Timothy 1:12

Is your faith worth dying for? Of course it is you say. We say we would die for our faith, but remember Peter said the same words and then denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed.

Paul was in prison and awaiting death.  He was recounting the cause for Christ that led him to persecution and distress and then imprisonment.  He was writing to a young preacher named Timothy who was a close brother and friend to Paul.  Paul wrote him to encourage the young preacher as he too would face persecution for his faith.

Paul was hated by the Jews for preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.  Even though he suffered persecution and waiting execution, Paul considered his call to preach the gospel a worthy cause.  He never backed down from telling the truth of the gospel and never avoided speaking when he had a chance to share the Word of God with anyone.  His confidence in the Lord produced a boldness that glorified God.  His faith and hope in Christ fueled his efforts of winning souls and building the Kingdom of Heaven.

Paul’s knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ strengthened him daily but God’s grace is what kept him striving to endure the hardships he faced. Our knowledge of God’s Word and our strong faith in Jesus allows us the same opportunities to share the gospel with boldness. Never shy away from telling others about the good news of Jesus and always be ready to give an answer for your faith.  It is during times of persecution and trials that people either coward down or boldly step up.  Be prepared today to speak words of comfort to those who are suffering or lost.

Pray

Lord, give me boldness to speak my faith. When I fear persecution let me remember the words of Paul and not be ashamed. Thank You Jesus, for giving me eternal life.