Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: grace

Merry Christmas

Encouragement

Let your heart be filled with the wonder of Mary,
as obedient as Joseph,
as joyful as the heavenly host of angels,
as eager to seek the Savior as the shepherds,
determined like the magi,
and may the peace of Christ satisfy your soul.

A Christmas Prayer

Father God, let Your glory shine upon us that we may conform ourselves to Your goodness. You have come to us as a Child for us to be filled with Your joy. Your everlasting love is the greatest gift known to mankind. Your majesty and power is too much for us to understand. Let Your mercy reach down from Heaven and redeem us each and every day. Let us strengthen our faith through fellowship with You. May we enter into the rest of recognizing Your presence in our life. Give us peace that passes all understanding. Reveal Your holiness to us that we may purify our hearts with gladness. Forgive us from our sins and cleanse us from unrighteousness. May we trust in You with all of heart and mind. Give us the courage and wisdom to seek Your will and way. We praise Your holy name. It’s in the most precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas!

Another Way

Encouragement

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Matthew 2:12

We’re not told what happened to the wise men after they saw Jesus. They worshiped Him, then gave their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and then they departed. The Bible doesn’t say but they must have lived out the rest of their days as believers.

It was no accident that these men came to meet and worship Jesus. The star that guided them to the young Child gave way to a spiritual transformation. Today’s verse says they departed for their own country, but in another way.

Has your life taken a new direction since coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ? New life in Christ takes on a whole new direction. The truth of Jesus Christ is a truth that will set you free and give you a new purpose for living.

We should learn from these wise men. They searched for Jesus and when they found Him they worshiped Him. When they worshiped they were prepared to give sacrificially.

“Those who look for Jesus will see Him: those who truly see Him will worship Him: those who worship Him will consecrate their substance to Him.” – Charles Spurgeon

When is the last time you spent time talking with Jesus and listening to His voice? Has your new life in Christ set you in a new path? Are you still on that straight path?

Pray

Lord, You gave us Your best and in return I worship You with my best. I give you my heart, soul, and mind. I love You and will follow You all the days of my life.

God Had A Plan From The Beginning

Encouragement

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
Luke 2:4

What’s the big deal about Bethlehem? Have you ever wondered why God chose Bethlehem to be the birthplace of Jesus?

Bethlehem which means “House of Bread”, has historical significance as the place where David was crowned as king of Israel thus giving Jesus a royal lineage. According to the Book of Ruth, Bethlehem is where Ruth gleaned the fields for grain.

Joseph and Mary had to travel about 80 miles south of Nazareth to reach Bethlehem to register for the census. It would have taken them several days as they journeyed down the dusty and rocky roads. Being 9-months pregnant, Mary would have either walked or rode on a donkey.

Needless to say, it was difficult and dangerous for the young couple. But it was Bethlehem that Micah prophesied to be the birthplace for the Messiah (Micah 5:2). So they went.

Sometimes our life’s journey is difficult and dangerous, but God has a plan for our life. We may not know why we go where we go but God directs our steps. We just need to be obedient and go.

Are you being obedient to the plan of God? Are you allowing God to use you right where He has you?

Pray

Lord, Your plans and Your purposes are much better than mine. Your ways and thoughts are so much higher than mine. Help me to trust you in every area of my life. Even when I question what is happening help me to trust in You.