Pastor Stephen Dedman

The Power Of God

“And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8:18

It’s a disturbing thought that someone could actually forget about where God has brought them from. But we are just like the Israelites. We need to be reminded that we cannot live without the power of God. 

The Lord blesses us because He loves us. He extends an over abundance of grace and mercy even when we don’t deserve it. He shows favor and forgiveness when we haven’t earned it.

The Lord does not operate on the same scale as humans. He does not do good things for us just because we do good things for Him. Neither does he withhold good things just because we have done bad things. 

God wants us to remember who He is even when we are in a season of dryness. When our life seems to appear that He has removed His blessings, He hasn’t.

If life was always rainbows and roses we would not need God and we would forget the need for God. This is what the instructions where about when Moses was telling the Israelites to never forget that He is the One who supplies our every need and blessing.

It is God who gives the abundance of everything. He should never be forgotten. God should never be viewed as a endless gift giver. He should be lifted up and honored at all times. We can never give back what He deserves. 

Have you considered all that God has done for you?  Have you shown thankfulness and gratitude towards God’s everlasting love?  His love will never end and His blessings prove it.

If you think that God is not blessing you, you need to evaluate all that He has done for you and you will change your mind.

Pray

Lord, I need you every hour of the day. I depend on you for my next breath. Thank you for your endless love for me.

God Has No Limits

‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ‘
Ephesians 3:20

Paul’s desire is that we fully understand the riches of God’s grace and love. We may never know the entirety of God’s goodness until we get to Heaven. Paul wants us to grasp that God is able to do things that we cannot even imagine.

God only wants what is good for us. However we must trust that God is able to do things in our life that is supernatural and miraculous. God is all-powerful and all-knowing!

Paul uses a unique word to describe God’s greatness in power. Some translations of the term include “immeasurable”, “above and beyond”, and “infinitely more.” Ultimately there is no limit as to what God is able to do for us.

When was that last time you were blown away by an answered prayer? Did God not prove His love for you in giving you more than you asked for?

One might argue that the reason we don’t witness great and awesome things of God is because of our lack of faith and disbelief. God wants us to trust in Him for all things.

Jesus revealed to men what God is able to do if only we place our faith in Him. Only a few followers witnessed the glory of God through His Son. God wants to show us what He is able to do in our lives.

Take a little time today to experience God’s goodness. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Ask God to reveal some supernatural things to you.

Pray

Lord, You are completely amazing. Words cannot even describe what You are able to do. You do it all because You love me and want what is good for me. Thank You, Lord!

Enemies Of Darkness

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12

Satan knows our weaknesses better than we do.  He knows where we are most tempted. We need to know where we are most vulnerable and arm ourselves for the battle.  Satan will attack when we are at our weakest point.

Paul had many people trying to attack him.  He had many enemies and was hated to the point that some wanted to kill him.  Paul was persecuted for his faith in Jesus.  Paul was always on the lookout for his enemy and especially Satan.  

He viewed his enemies as vessels of spiritual darkness.  Paul knew Satan was using people to attack him. It’s easy to get angry at someone when they do harm to us.  But we always need to keep in mind that they are being tempted by Satan.  

Satan will tempt Believers to act in ways that they shouldn’t.  He will make them say things that they shouldn’t.  We must all be aware of this struggle.  Don’t be the one who Satan is using against another person.  

When you experience someone who intends to do evil to you make sure you understand why they are doing what they are doing.  Instead of reacting with anger we should react with grace and love.  Your opponent needs to witness the love of Christ and experience the joy that you have. Do not let the enemy steal your joy.

Pray

Lord, I thank you for defeating my enemies.  Show me how to be Christ-like in all my circumstances. Help me to be an encouragement to others.