Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: jesus

Encountering Others

Encouragement

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬-‭6‬

Sometimes we encounter people who do not share our same beliefs and values. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, encourages us to be wise in our attitude and actions toward nonbelievers. Let’s reflect on these two verses and discover the wisdom they offer.

Walk in wisdom: As followers of Christ, our actions should reflect His character and love. We are called to be intentional in the way we conduct ourselves, especially when interacting with those who do not share our faith. We must be wise in our actions, showing kindness, compassion, and respect to everyone we encounter.

Make the most of every opportunity: We must strive to make a positive impact on others. Each interaction, whether big or small, can be an opportunity to reflect God’s love and share the hope we have in Christ. We must be alert and prayerful, asking God to open doors for us to share His love and truth.

Let your speech be full of grace: Our words hold tremendous power. They can either build someone up or tear someone down. They can encourage or discourage, bring peace or cause strife. As followers of Christ, we should speak with kindness, empathy, and humility, seeking to bridge gaps and foster unity.

Seasoned with salt: The words we speak should be seasoned with grace, wisdom, and truth. The world needs Christ’s message of redemption and love. We need to be intentional with our words.

As we strive to live out these verses, our ultimate goal is to honor and glorify God in all that we do. By walking in wisdom, making the most of every opportunity, speaking graciously, and seasoning our speech with salt, we can be vessels of God’s love and truth in a world in need.

Pray

Lord, grant me wisdom to interact with those who do not know You. Help me to make the most of every situation to share Your love and truth. Use me as a vessel of Your transformative power to impact others for Your glory.

Life Is A Mystery

Encouragement

As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬

Life is a mixture of mystery and wonder. It presents us with countless questions and circumstances that often leave us searching for answers.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, the wise author Solomon invites us to embrace the uncertainty of life and recognize the profound work of God in everything. Today’s verse is a gentle reminder of the limitations we have as human beings and the awe-inspiring power of the Creator.

As we journey through life, we strive to understand the why and how of every that happens. We desire to make sense of the troubles we face and search for clarity and control. However, the wisdom that Solomon gives to us in Ecclesiastes encourages us to release our need for absolute understanding and surrender ourselves to the divine mystery of God.

God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are beyond our comprehension. Though we may not always understand the events of our lives, we can trust that God is at work in the midst of it all.

Instead of being consumed searching for answers, we need to cultivate a spirit of faith and trust. We find peace in the knowing that our Heavenly Father is sovereign over everything, and His purposes are perfect, even when they are far from our understanding.

As we draw closer to God, our perspective expands, and we begin to appreciate the beauty of His great works. When we are faced with uncertainty, let us be reminded that His plans are beautiful and purposeful.

Pray

Lord, I confess that I often seek answers and understanding when faced with the mysteries of life. Help me to surrender the need for control and choose to trust in Your perfect plan. Help me embrace the mystery and find peace in knowing that You are at work in every aspect of my life.

Strength And Confidence

Encouragement

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬

We have a powerful reminder of the amazing privilege we have as believers to come before God’s throne and receive His mercy and grace. Let’s consider what it actually means to approach God’s throne with confidence, and how we can access the mercy and grace.

In ancient times, approaching the king’s throne was a serious matter. It required great reverence and respect, and those who approached the throne were often faced with fear and trembling. But through Christ, we have the privilege of approaching God’s throne with confidence. Not because of anything we have done, but because of what Christ has done for us.

The verse also says that we can receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. This speaks to the fact that God’s mercy and grace are not just theoretical concepts, but practical resources that we can tap into in our daily lives. When we are struggling or in need, we can come before God’s throne and ask for His help. He promises to give us strength and confidence to face any challenge that comes our way.

You should be encouraged to approach God’s throne with confidence and receive His mercy and grace. Always remember that you are loved and accepted by Him, and that He is always ready and willing to help you in your time of need. And give thanks for the amazing privilege you have as a believer to come before His throne and receive His unfailing love and care.

Pray

Lord, I thank you for always giving me what I need to face my challenges and difficulties. Your love and grace encourage me to come before You with my struggles. I know You are always there for me.