Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: God

Words Of Truth

Encouragement

‘Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. ‘
Ezekiel 3:10

The Bible was written not just to inform us but to change us. Real life change comes from spending time with God. No one can truly meet with God and not be changed. When we read the Scriptures we need to let them sink deep into our heart as Ezekiel 3:10 states.

How do you hear God’s voice? How do you know He is speaking to you and it’s not just your own thoughts or worse, the devil? The best way to know you are hearing the voice of God is to engage in the Scriptures on a daily basis.

The best way to allow the Word of God to sink into our hearts is to meditate on the Scriptures. Allow the words to marinate in your mind and hear them as you read them. Most of the time there will be a word or phrase that leaps off the pages of the Bible and makes a difference in your life.

Take that word or phrase and allow it to change your life. Watch how it changes your mind, attitude, or heart. Try to remember that word or phrase from the Scripture and reflect on it all day.

For example take today’s verse and ponder the words, “Listen, carefully.” Those two words can change your life. They can speak truth through the day. Every time you think of the words you will be reflecting on what you need to listen carefully to, or who you need to listen to. Try it and see for yourself.

Pray

Lord, speak to me through Your Word today. Let Your words make a real change in my life. Help me to meditate on Your Word.

Trust God’s Timing

Faith, Trust

‘For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’
2 Corinthians 6:2

God is never in a hurry and He is never late. God’s timing is always perfect. His schedule and our schedule may not be the same but He’s always right on time.

Our faith is tested when we learn to trust His timing. Waiting on God is a difficult thing to do when we are impatient.

At times it may seem like God is not listening but He is. It may seem like He is not meeting our needs but He is. God hears our prayers and He hears our cries.

The day that You need Him, God will be there to help. Don’t lose faith and never lose hope. And don’t ever think that He doesn’t care. He does care and He knows your needs.

Sometimes it can be frustrating having to wait on the Lord, but His plan for our lives is good. When we place our trust in His timing we can have total peace and joy.

Joseph had to trust God’s timing. He waited many years for the fulfillment of his dreams to come to pass. God was with him every step of the way. There was some trying times in his life but God timing was always perfect.

Trust that the Lord’s timing is perfect for you too. God wants to show you what you need to know when it’s the right time and place. Be patient and wait on the Lord. Good things come to those who wait upon the Lord.

Pray

Lord, I know Your timing is perfect. Give me knowledge and wisdom to discern the difference between my timing and Yours. Help me to wait on You.

The Lord Is With Me

Encouragement, Trust

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalms 23:4

When you read the first verse of Psalm 23 you will notice that David is talking about the Lord. He says, “The Lord is my Shepherd… He makes me to lie down… He leads me… He restores my soul.”

Then in verse 4 there is a change. He transitions and begins speaking to the Lord. He says, “You are with me… Your rod and staff comfort me.” David is getting personal with the Lord.

Sometimes it takes valleys of darkness to make us get personal with God. When everything seems to be going great we don’t get very personal with God. But the moment we enter into a dark, lonesome valley, we let the Lord know we mean business.

It’s in those times of being in the valley that we turn to Him for help and comfort. And He is always there for us! God wants to be close and personal to us.

How often do you get personal with God? In other words, when do you turn you situations over to the Lord and trust Him to carry you through? Most of the time it is late in the game when we are down and there is no way out.

Instead, we should be personal with God everyday and with everything. We shouldn’t wait until we are in a deep valley of despair to seek Him. We need to seek Him daily and openly.

We need to understand that God wants to be in every detail of our life. Not just the bad but the good as well. We praise Him when things are good and we praise Him when things are not so good. If we keep a personal walk with the Lord, we will know He is always with us.

Pray

Lord, forgive me of my sins. Bring joy into my heart today. Let me see your glory in every direction I go.