Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: God

Do You Have Unbelief?

Faith

‘And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.’
Matthew 13:58

Jesus spent a lot of time teaching and preaching in Nazareth. It was His hometown and many knew of Him. It was His custom to go to the synagogues and teach the Scriptures. Needless to say, His teachings were not welcomed openly.

The Jewish leaders rejected His authority. They discredited Him as being the Messiah. They even sought ways to kill Him.

Rather than opening their hearts and having faith, they were skeptics and resistant. They were closed-minded and hard-hearted. And because they rejected Jesus, they were not able to see and experience the mighty works of God through Him.

Many people could have been healed. Many miracles could have been performed. Even more importantly, many people could have received forgiveness of their sins and but could not because of their unbelief.

Does your unbelief keep you from seeing the mighty works and miracles of God? Sometimes we are just like the skeptics and resistant people. Sometimes we limit the power of God because of our unbelief.

We need not to humanize the things of God. Unbelief holds us back from witnessing the greatness of God. We want to see and witness His glory. We need to be like the father in Mark 9:24, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Pray

Lord, I confess my unbelief and ask You to forgive me. Help me to faithfully live out what You teach me in the Scriptures. Help me to never hinder the Spirit of God.

Live Like Jesus

Faith, Trust

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬

Have you ever considered why we try so hard to be holy and righteous? It’s so hard to live a perfect life like Jesus commanded us to.

In fact sometimes we get discouraged when we’re trying so hard to be what God has called us to be as Christians and we see people who don’t go to church, don’t tithe, nor do they produce fruit and they seem to be doing just fine. The problem is we are trying too hard. We are working too hard trying to be holy and righteous when Jesus has already finished the work.

Jesus confronted this issue and used the Pharisees as an example in His sermon on the mount. In Matthew 5-7, Jesus raised the bar to a level that even the Pharisees realized they could never attain. The Pharisees were taught to hate their enemies; we’re told to love ours. They were told to judge; we’re told to recognize the fruit but not judge.

Here is the point. Their concept of righteousness didn’t glorify God, it glorified themselves. They sought a confidence before God based on their achievements instead of His works.

God knows we are going to struggle with sin and righteousness. That is why we need to work harder on increasing our faith in Jesus instead of trying harder to please God with self-made achievements. Until we come to the realization that we need to lean on Him instead of doing it all on our own we will never be satisfied.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.‭‭” (Matthew‬ ‭5:3‬) We need to come to a point of brokenness so we can lean on Him for everything.

Pray

Lord, help me to know that I can’t do anything without You. You are my strength and my shield. Help me to overcome my self-righteousness and pride.

Eliminate Your Worry

Faith, Trust

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:25‬

Did you know most of the things you fear will happen will never happen?  Most of our fears come from a misunderstanding of God’s love and grace.  If God takes care of His children and provides every need then why should we worry?

Jesus provides a solution that helps us eliminate all anxiety.  In Luke 12:22, Jesus instructed His disciples not to worry about their physical needs.  Jesus says your life is worth more than worrying about food and clothing.  

Because you exist to glorify Him, He will supply your every need.  We are not to worry if we have enough now or if we will have enough in the future.  

Worry is a lack of trust.  Worry is a sin!  Remember that God provided in times of hunger.  There are many examples in the Bible including, Joseph saving his family, God providing daily Manna, Jesus feeding the 5,000 men and the list goes on and on.  

When you worry, Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?”

Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  The solution to a worry-free life is to live a life of worship and praise to God.  Seek Him first, then all other things will be added.  Paul says in Colossians 3:1, “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”  Set your mind on Heavenly things.

So what are you worried about today?  Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)

Pray

Lord, I know I shouldn’t worry. Help me to trust you more everyday. I know you are aware of my thoughts and cares. I give glory to your name.