Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: grace

May 24, 2023

Encouragement

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭86‬:‭5‬

Today’s verse offers a profound and comforting truth: the Lord is good, forgiving, and overflowing with mercy for all who call upon Him.

The psalmist acknowledges God’s inherent goodness and willingness to forgive. He is a compassionate and loving God, even when we stumble and fall. His goodness and forgiveness are not conditional because of His nature and character.

When we call upon the Lord, we acknowledge our need for His forgiveness and mercy. In our brokenness, we find that His love surpasses all of our failures. God longs for us to come to Him with contrite hearts, ready to receive His grace.

Regardless of the mistakes we’ve made, the Lord eagerly waits for us to turn to Him. He longs to extend His loving-kindness, lifting the weight of guilt from our shoulders and showering us with His mercy.

It is important that we confess our sins and ask God to forgive us. Only then will we experience the depth of His mercy and grace

Pray

Lord, your goodness and mercy keep me coming back to You. Your grace is sufficient for me. Help me to never find comfort outside of Your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.

May 21, 2023

Encouragement

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
‭‭I John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬

Prayer is a precious privilege that allows us to communicate with our Heavenly Father, sharing our heart, our desires, and all of our concerns with Him. The apostle John, encourages us to pray with confidence and to pray according to God’s will.

The assurance of being heard by God gives us comfort, hope, and strength. We can approach the throne of grace with boldness. God invites us to share our needs with Him because He cares deeply for us.

It is essential to understand that our confidence is not based on a presumption that God will grant every request we make. Our confidence is in knowing that God hears us and responds according to His perfect wisdom. As we align our prayers with His will, we can trust that He will answer in the way that is best for us and brings glory to His name.

Praying according to God’s will requires us to surrender our heart with Him. It means seeking His guidance and aligning our desires with His purposes. It involves a willingness to lay aside our own desires and submit to His perfect plan.

God’s timing is perfect, and His ways are higher than our ways. He sees the bigger picture and knows what is best for us, even when we cannot comprehend it in the moment. We can find comfort in knowing that God is always working things out for the best.

As we grow in our relationship with God and develop a habit of praying according to His will, our prayers will become more aligned with His heart. Our desires will become He desires. Our confidence is never in the outcome we desire, but in the goodness of our Heavenly Father.

Today, when you approach the throne room of God in prayer, align your desires with His purposes. Trust in His wisdom and timing knowing that He is already working all things together for your good.

Pray

Lord, thank You for giving me the privilege of prayer. Teach me to pray according to Your will and to trust in Your perfect wisdom. Increase my faith as I wait upon Your perfect timing. In Jesus name, amen.

May 19, 2023

Encouragement

but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬

As believers, we are called to embrace both truth and love. These two components are inseparable when it comes to our relationships with God and with others. Living in a world full of lies, deception, and manipulation, the call to speak the truth in love is a requirement for every believer.

When we speak the truth, we align ourselves with the character of Christ. Jesus proclaimed, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). Truth is not merely a concept but the person of Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate Him with our words, actions, and attitudes.

However, speaking the truth can sometimes be a challenge. Especially when it involves addressing difficult or sensitive issues. Hence the reason why the apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of speaking the truth in love. Truth without love can become condemning. On the other hand, love without truth can lead to compromise. The combination of the two brings about peace and harmony.

Speaking the truth in love is not about winning arguments or proving our superiority but about nurturing genuine connections and fostering growth in others. When we embrace the call to speak the truth in love, we become examples of Christ.

Do your words, actions and attitude reflect a right fellowship with Christ?

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your Word that guides and instructs me. Help me to embrace the call to speak the truth in love. Fill my heart with Your truth, that my words and actions will reflect Your character.