Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: grace

June 26, 2023

Encouragement

and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬

In Revelation 2-3, Jesus addresses the seven churches. Each message contains a valuable lesson for believers, guiding us in our journey of faith. Today, we meditate on the message to the church in Ephesus. (Revelation 2:1-7)

Jesus commends the believers in Ephesus for their perseverance and endurance. He recognizes their faithfulness as they endured hardships and trials. It is remarkable to consider that the struggles they faced were not in vain but were endured for the sake of Christ.

As Christians, we are not exempt from difficulties. The Scriptures assure us that we will in fact face various trials. Yet, in the midst of our trials, we are called to stand firm in our faith and persevere just as the believers in Ephesus did.

Perseverance involves following Christ faithfully and obediently. It means remaining steadfast in our commitment to God, His Word, and His ways. Jesus reminds us that endurance is essential in our walk with Him.

Jesus goes beyond commending the believers’ perseverance. He addresses their flaw—the loss of their first love. While they were diligent in their works, they had neglected their love for God. Jesus urges them to repent and return to their first love.

It is not enough to persevere in our faith and endure hardships; we must also maintain a fervent love for God. When our love for God grows cold, our works lose their true purpose.

Have you allowed weariness and complacency to creep into your relationship with God? If so, take Jesus’ words to heart and repent. Seek a renewed passion for God and a fervent love that fuels your faith.

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness and love. I confess that at times I have allowed weariness and complacency to overshadow my relationship with You. Empower me to persevere in faith, even in the face of hardships. In Jesus’ name, amen.

June 25, 2023

Encouragement

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
‭‭II Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬

At some point in our life we may find ourselves faced with a difficulty that will test our patience. It is during these moments that we may be tempted to give up on doing what is good and what is right. Today’s verse serves as a word of encouragement to keep striving for righteousness, even in the face of adversity.

When we made the decision to receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, we were called to live a life that reflects His love, compassion, and righteousness. We are commanded to do what is good all the time, not just when it is convenient or easy.

In our efforts to do good, we may encounter resistance or experience discouragement. We might face criticism or indifference from those around us. We might grow tired, but it is precisely in these moments that we must remember the words of Paul.

God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), and He promises to be with us every step of the way (Matthew 28:20). When we feel like giving up, we can find strength through prayer and seeking divine power to sustain us.

Remember that your labor is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). Every act of goodness and kindness you do, no matter how small, has the potential to make a significant impact in someone else’s life. Your words can encourage, your kindness can comfort, and your righteousness can provide hope.

Never grow tired of doing what is good and what is right. God sees and rewards the good works done in His name.

Pray

Lord, empower me to keep doing Your will. Help me to not grow tired and discouraged, but fill me with joy everlasting. When I feel like giving up, help me to know that someone needs to see who You are through me.

June 19, 2023

Encouragement

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬

King Solomon, the son of King David, denied himself nothing, pursuing all forms of pleasure. Through his pursuit, he discovered that all the pleasures he indulged in were ultimately empty and meaningless.

There is a longing within every human heart to pursue happiness, satisfaction and fulfillment. It’s easy to fall into the trap of accumulating wealth, seeking temporary thrills, and hoping that these pursuits will fill the void within us. But, like Solomon, we too are left feeling empty and disillusioned.

Solomon directs us toward a great truth. He realized that the true rewards of life are not found in worldly pleasures but in something far more profound. It points us toward the eternal, the spiritual, and the heavenly.

Our hearts are designed to find fulfillment in a relationship with our Creator. In Him alone, true joy can be found.

Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:33, to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all things will be added unto you. Our pursuit of pleasure and satisfaction is to be rooted in the pursuit of God and His righteousness. When we prioritize our relationship with Him above all else, we discover that all other things fall right into place.

Are you seeking a right relationship with God? If so, you will find fulfillment in His love, peace, and grace. True joy resides not in the accumulation of worldly treasures but in knowing and serving our Lord with a sincere heart.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the wisdom given to me through Your Word. Help me to seek first Your kingdom and righteousness, knowing that You will provide all of my needs. Fill my heart with lasting joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.