Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: light

Is God’s Word Revealed In Your Life?

Trust

‘Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes!’
Psalms 119:5

Does this verse reflect your heart? Do your actions reflect God’s standards? As we mature in our walk with the Lord we should consistently reflect God’s will and ways in all our actions.

However, we are human and we fall short of the target of perfection. The psalmist goes on to give us some helpful insights to overcome our daily temptations. In verse 9 he says,”How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” There is supernatural power in the Word of God.

If we are to reflect God’s ways, we must know and keep God’s Word close to our heart. In verse 11 he says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” When we treasure God’s Word we hide it in our hearts and it provides for us a weapon against the temptation to sin. Thus the power of God’s Word!

If you desire to reflect God’s statues in your actions, you must know them and treasure them deep in your heart. The enemy wants to keep you in the dark but God brings all things to light. Verse 105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Again, it’s the power of God’s Word.

Can we live pure in an impure world? Absolutely. Can we overcome the temptation to sin? Of course. The power of God’s Word gives us victory!

Pray

Lord, I need to trust in Your Word and meditate on it day and night. Give me the desire to study it and the wisdom to understand it. Thank You for giving me Your Word.

Shine The Light Of Jesus

Encouragement, Faith

‘Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.’
Isaiah 60:1-2

There is a thick cloud of darkness that is covering the world. You can feel the darkness around you. There is the darkness of disease, the darkness of poverty, the darkness of loneliness, etc… Millions are facing hopelessness and despair at extreme levels.

In reality no political party or world leader has the answer to the deepest darkness of the soul. But God has given His people the light of His glory to shine through the darkness to give hope and comfort to those who are living in darkness.

How can we shine in the midst of such darkness? The answer is found in today’s verses. The first word, arise, is a call to action. We must be intentional and arise to the challenge. Once we take a stand in this dark world, the light of Jesus will be reflected in our lives. Light will overcome the darkness!

Jesus told His followers, ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5:16 Look around and see how God wants you to shine. Is it an act of kindness? Could it be an act of service that demonstrates love? It doesn’t take much but it does take an effort.

This world needs to see the Light of Jesus through the Saints. The only hope this world has is through the love of Christ. Let’s be the Light!

Pray

Lord, I want to be Your servant. Use me today to shine the Light of Jesus in this dark world. Enlighten me of how I can arise and shine.

Children Of Light

Encouragement

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Ephesians 5:8

Have you ever noticed that sin happens in the dark? Darkness is the absence of light. Where there is no light sin abounds.

Light is referred to as knowledge, truth and holiness.  When light shines in the darkness it overcomes it and there is no more darkness.  This is what Paul is meaning as he says, “Walk as children of light.”  

Before you made a decision to believe and follow Jesus you were living in darkness.  But now, you have overcome the darkness with the light of Christ.

This verse begins in the past tense, “you were darkness.”  In the first few verses of Ephesians chapter 2 Paul says, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”  

But now that Christ lives in you, you are light and there is no darkness is in you.  The light that is now inside of you has overcome the darkness that once controlled you.  To live as a child of light means to walk according to what is acceptable to the Lord which is goodness, righteousness, and truth (vs. 9-10).

Pray

Lord, let me be the light in this dark world. Help me to shine bright so that it brings others to the light. Thank You for being my Light.