Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: missions

Heaven Bound

Encouragement

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3

Peter was writing to a group of believers who were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. They were facing rejection and severe hatred from the world around them.  So Peter began his letter encouraging them to endure the difficult times that they will face in this world.

Perhaps one of the best solutions of how to deal with difficult living is to look toward our heavenly future. This serves not only as encouragement but as a promise from God.  Troubles in this life are temporary and small compared to eternity in Heaven.

We all need to be reminded from time to time that we will suffer trials in order to build stronger faith.  So we need to view our suffering and trials as good things and keep glorifying God through it all.  

In the Old Testament, Job is one of the best examples of suffering as he kept on praising and worshipping God.  He never lost faith and he never stopped worshipping God.

Suffering should never direct you away from worshipping God.  Instead it should draw you to Him.

As Christians our inheritance is Heaven.  All of Heaven!  As children of God we are given eternal life that is free from sin and full of grace.  

It is hard for us to comprehend what life in Heaven will be like but Paul says it best, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Pray

Lord, show me what I need to learn through my sufferings. Let my trials and difficulties bring me closer to You. Help me to see a heavenly perspective.

The Ultimate Demonstration Of Love

Encouragement, Trust

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.  God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
1 John 4:16

What is perfect love?  It’s a love that is full and complete and needs no improvement.  A love that is at its maximum.  It’s a love that everyone longs for but no one will ever find outside of a relationship with God.

Perfect love is demonstrated through the person of Jesus Christ.  John 13:1 says, “when Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”  

Jesus loved perfectly.  His love was full and complete all the way to the cross.  He loved with grace and compassion and forgiveness.  This is the kind of love people are looking for.  A love that has no end.

It’s easy for us to love when we are loved in return.  However, it’s difficult to demonstrate love for someone who does you wrong.  This is what separates perfect love from all other love.  

Jesus loves those who curse Him and blaspheme His name.  He died for those people as well.  Jesus demonstrated His love for the entire world through selfless sacrifice.  And that same love abides in the heart of every Believer.

As Christians we are to love as Christ loved.  We are called to demonstrate love to those who love us and to those who hate us.  Our ability to love comes from the love of God that is in us.  We are to love one another because God is the source of love and perfect love puts God on display.  Love is evidence of salvation.

Pray

Lord, give me a heart that is like Yours. Help me to love like You love. Your love overwhelms my soul and renews my spirit.

Pray For One Another

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
‭‭1 Timothy 2:1

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night and had friend or loved one on your mind?  That person was placed on your heart for a reason. God places people on our hearts and minds so we can help them and bless them.

Our prayers can actually bless others. We need to take time to pray for those who come to our attention and pray without hesitation. When we pray for others we are helping them get blessed.

Paul wrote a letter to Timothy to address some of the issues that were happening at the church at Ephesus.  One of the issues facing that church was prayer. The church was divided between the Jews and Gentiles who had complete different attitudes concerning spiritual matters such as salvation and blessings.  

So Paul instructed Timothy to instruct the church, the people of God, to pray for each other. It’s our responsibility and privilege to pray for one another.  Everyone needs prayer.

You need someone praying for you as well. That is why it is important to surround yourself with faithful praying people.  Other people can pray blessings into your life.

There is nothing more wonderful and amazing than to witness an answered prayer.  It’s important to pay attention to what others around you are going through so that you can pray for them specifically.  

Sometimes a generic prayer just isn’t enough.  We need to pray earnestly for the needs of others.  Pray for their salvation if they are lost.  Pray for their health if they are sick.  

If they are poor, pray for their wealth.  Pray for their strength if they are weak.  If they seem hopeless, pray for their faith to be strengthened.  Pray for them as the Holy Spirit directs you to.

Who is on your mind today as you pray? Reach out to that person and ask them how you can pray for them.

Pray

Lord, I pray for those who You put on my mind and heart. Thank You for allowing me to be part of their blessings. I pray that people are praying for me as well.