Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: family

Rejoice In The Lord

Encouragement, Trust

Rejoice In The Lord

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3:18‬

 

God Is In Control

Habakkuk was experiencing some very tough economic times. Verse 17 tells us what was happening.  There were no figs on the trees, no grapes on the vines, no oil to cook with, no crops growing and no animals for meat. This simply means there was nothing to eat or drink and the future was not very promising.  People would panic if that were to happen today.

Habakkuk remained positive and faithful as verse 18 shines rays of hope. Habakkuk knew God was the source of everything. He knew that God is the Creator and Sustainer and could make anything happen. He knew God had everything under control. If God wasn’t going to allow the earth to produce then somehow everything would work out in His timing.  That’s why he says, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord and take joy in the God of my salvation.”  Even in the worst case senerio he knew he would be saved, even if he died.

Don’t focus on your circumstances. Focus on praising the One who controls everything. Circumstances can change quickly.  There was not a lot of food, but Jesus fed 5,000 men.  There was no wine at a wedding feast but Jesus saved the best for last.  To rejoice in the Lord when things are not going well means you know that God has something great in the works.  People all around you may be down in the dumps and depressed but you could be the one who brings hope and encouragement as a solution. Your attitude and actions reflect how you trust God.

Prayer

Praise God for what He has provided and you will not dwell on what you are lacking. God will provide what you need. Thank Him in advance.

No Doubt

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

No Doubt

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬

Casting out all fear and doubt

Satan uses tools of fear and doubt to keep us from doing extraordinary things.  God gives us power, love and a sound mind to do things that glorify Him.  But sometimes we limit God because of the fear and doubt we possess in our minds.

In Matthew 17:14-21 a man came to Jesus and begged for his son to be healed from demonic convulsions associated with epilepsy. Previously the man brought his son before the disciples but they couldn’t heal him. Immediately Jesus cast the demon out and the boy was healed. The disciples asked why they couldn’t cast it out and Jesus replied, “Because of your unbelief.”  He said if they had mustard seed-sized faith they could move mountains and nothing would be impossible for them. The problem wasn’t with their faith.  They had faith.  The problem was with their unbelief or doubt.  He gave them a solution: “this kind (of unbelief) does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” 

The devil plants seeds of doubt into our minds subconsciously and sometimes we are not aware of it.  We must protect our minds and be sure of what we are hearing and seeing is full of truth and not lies of Satan. Jesus said to fast and pray.  Fasting and praying starves the flesh of self desires and feeds our souls with the Spirit of God.

Is there anything ungodly that you should eliminate by fasting and praying?

Prayer

Pray in the Name of Jesus to have all fear, unbelief and doubt removed from your mind and replaced with God’s power, love and truth.

I Am The Lord

Trust

I Am The Lord

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭32:27‬

God Can Do It

Have you ever faced an obstacle that you didn’t think you could get through or get over?  Are you facing one right now in your life?  Obstacles come in all different sizes and shapes and substances.  If there is ever an obstacle that you think is too overwhelming to overcome let God remind you that there is nothing too hard for Him to handle.

God can handle your health problems.  He can handle your financial matters.  He can handle your family situations.  God can handle your work related issues. He can handle your relationships, your companionships and your workmanships.  He can handle your ministry, your marriage or your mistakes.  He can handle anything and everything that comes your way.  God can handle it because there is nothing too hard for Him!

If the waters are too deep, remember Moses crossed the Red Sea.  If the wall  is too tall, remember Joshua marched around Jericho.  If the enemy is too big, remember David defeated Goliath.  If the fire is too hot, remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived the furnace.  If the lion is seeking to devour, remember Daniel in the lions den.  If the bill collector is calling, remember the coin in the fishes mouth.  If you’re lacking, remember 5 loaves and 2 fish served 5,000 men.  If you’re fearful, remember the wind and waves obey.

There is nothing too hard for the Lord.  There is nothing you are facing today that can’t be conquered by the Lord.  It’s not a question of “if” God can do it.  The question is “will you” let God do it? God can and God will.  Sit back and watch what happens when you turn it over to the Lord.

Prayer

Pray and ask God to deliver you, provide for you, promise you or supply you for what you need today.