Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: grace

June 10, 2023

Encouragement

For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
‭‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬

Today, James reminds us of the consequences of having a judgmental spirit. If we pass judgment onto others, we too will face the same judgment.

However, when we embrace the mercy of God, it is greater and more powerful than any human standard of judgment. When we show mercy to others, we align our hearts with the heart of God and invite His mercy to be revealed through us.

As people who have received the blessing of God’s great mercy, we are called to extend that same mercy to others. When we choose mercy over judgment, we exemplify the character of Christ. Mercy creates a spirit or attitude of grace and forgiveness. It breaks down the barriers of bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness and creates the best opportunity for healing and growth.

We must also understand that mercy does not mean we turn a blind eye to a sinful behavior. Rather, it involves recognizing our own need for forgiveness and acknowledges that we fall short of God’s holy standards. It is about viewing others as Jesus does.

Mercy allows us to see beyond others external actions and attitudes and see the brokenness and pain that people are experiencing. Most of the time, people produce bad behavior as a result of being lost or out of fellowship with God. Showing mercy can turn others to God.

As we encounter those who hurt us, wrong us, or disagree with us, let us choose mercy over being judgmental. Practice extending forgiveness, compassion, and grace. When you do so, you will experience freedom and peace and will point others to our loving Father who will transform their life.

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your great mercy that triumphs over judgment. Help me to extend the same mercy to those around me. Teach me to see others the way You see them, with grace and understanding. Help me to be humble, acknowledging my own need for Your forgiveness and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

June 9, 2023

Encouragement

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say—
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭124‬:‭1‬

Imagine for a moment what it would be like not having the presence and protection of the Lord. Without Him, we would be helpless against the storms of life. We would be left to our own devices, relying on our own strength and wisdom to navigate through the trials that come our way.

Praise be to God! He has promised to be our refuge, our ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

The Lord’s presence in our lives is active and transformative. He is leading us, guiding us, and fighting on our behalf. When the enemy rises up against us, the Lord raises a standard of deliverance (Isaiah 59:19). When we stumble or fall, He extends His mighty hand to lift us back up (Psalm 37:24). When we are weak, He becomes our strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). Truly, if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, we would have perished.

Let your heart be filled with gratitude for the Lord’s presence in your life. Proclaim that your help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2). When you are faced with uncertainty or despair, remember that you are not alone. The Lord is with you, and in His strength we have the assurance of victory.

Pray

Lord, thank You for being my ever-present help in times of trouble. I know that without You, I am hopeless and helpless. Help me to remember that You are my refuge and deliverer, and in You, I find strength and victory. Guide me through the storms of life and lead me into the assurance of Your love and faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

June 8, 2023

Encouragement

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭21‬

Paul’s words urge us to examine our hearts and ensure that our lives are aligned with the will of God. He uses imagery to compare the cup of the Lord with the cup of demons.

The cup of the Lord represents grace, truth, and righteousness. It symbolizes fellowship with Christ and the unity we share as members of His body. Drinking from this cup is a commitment to Christ and our desire to walk in obedience to His commandments.

On the other hand, the cup of demons represents the deceptions of the world that are against the values of God. It represents the things that draw us away from God. By drinking from the cup of demons, we jeopardize our relationship with the Lord.

Paul says we cannot have a foot in both worlds. We must make a choice. We cannot claim to follow Christ and engage in practices that are contrary to His teachings. We cannot please both God and the world.

The context of this verse addresses the issue of idolatry and participating in idol worship. It calls us to examine what we allow to shape us. Are you partaking of anything that hinders your fellowship with the Lord?

We should be intentional about cultivating a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. By feeding our souls with His Word, spending time in prayer, and not forsaking the fellowship of other believers, we equip ourselves to resist the cup of demons.

As we face the pressures of the world, remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” Let your heart be wholly devoted to Christ, surrendering every aspect of your life to Him.

Pray

Lord, I come before You with a grateful heart. I pray for the strength and discernment to choose You above everything else. Help me as I drink from the cup of the Lord and to abstain from anything that would cause me to go astray. May my life be a testimony to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.