Pastor Stephen Dedman

Light Is Essential

This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:5

The Bible was written so that everyone would have the knowledge of God. Scripture reveals the nature of God through “special revelation.” If we didn’t have the Bible we wouldn’t know anything about God.

The Apostle John desires that we know God is light.  Light is essential for the existence of life and without light there would be no life. Light sustains life.  We need light in order to live physically.

We also need light to live spiritually. In order to live spiritually and eternally we need God’s light.  God’s light is Jesus. In John 8:12 Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  Jesus is our light to live eternally with God in Heaven.

Jesus also says in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world.”  As a Christian, the light of God is displayed through your life.  You can agree that we live in a dark world that needs the light of God. Light exposes the dark things which we call sin.

When we live holy lives the light of God shines bright.  When we shine bright we show others who God is.  We are like the moon as we reflect the light of God. How bright are you shining?

Pray

Lord, thank You for giving me Jesus as the Light. Help me to shine in this dark world so that others will know who You are. Increase my knowledge of You through Your Word.

God Desires Only The Best For You

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84:11‬ ‭

God desires to see you succeed and be prosperous. If you are walking in obedience and seeking to please Him, you can be assured that God will give you the best.  God can only do good. 

The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus proves how much God loves you.  And because God loves you, He desires to give you the best.  God will not withhold any good thing from those who seek His righteousness.  

God can only give good and perfect things because He is holy.  So when you ask God for something, believe that He will give only the best things.

With this concept in mind we must also know that if God does not answer our prayers the way we expect, it is for a reason.  God is all-knowing.  He knows what will happen in the future and will only give accordingly if it is what He wills for you.  

A “no” from God is ultimately a good thing.  If He knows it is not good for you, He will not give it.  This is great within itself.  We can trust that God will do what He knows is right.  

Sometimes it is a blessing to be told “no”.  When our priorities or mindset is not set on the things of God we need to be adjusted accordingly.  And by not giving us what we ask could eventually be a blessing.  

Do you remember a prayer that you were praying and God did not answer the way you expected?  Wasn’t it for the best?

Pray

Lord, I want my prayers to be aligned with Your will and way.  Holy Spirit reveal to me what I need to be praying. Thank You for answering my prayers.

Keys Of The Kingdom

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16:19‬

When you have a relationship with Jesus Christ you have all access to God the Father.  Because we are one with Christ, Jesus has given us access to everything that has been given to Him.  The keys of the kingdom of heaven represent this magnificent gift.

What more could a person desire? We are given authority and power because we belong to Jesus.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter used the power of Jesus’ name to preached the Gospel and three thousand people made a decision to follow Jesus. Peter used the kingdom keys for God’s glory. 

On the day that Peter commanded the lame man to get up and walk in Jesus’ name, he used the kingdom keys.  And the day that Peter was miraculously released from prison, the kingdom keys were used. Peter discovered and amazing opportunity of using the keys of the kingdom that were given by Jesus.

If you are a born-again Believer, you have the kingdom keys as well.  When you find yourself in fear or anxiety, remember you have direct access to God.  

When you are lacking anything, remember that you hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven.  

When you are broken or burdened, all you have to do is access the Father.  

God freely gives to those who belong to Him.  If you have the keys, you have something really amazing.

Pray

Lord, thank You for giving me direct access to You.  You have all that I need including eternal life. Help me to never forget what I have in You.