Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: pastor stephen dedman

Don’t Be Amazed

Encouragement

Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.
I John 3:13

I know that you may not realize it but as a Christian you are hated by the world. The world despises the righteousness of God. No wonder we witness so much hatred in the world.

Jesus said the world hated Him first. People try so hard to fit into this world that they are hated and rejected by. We must realize that our permanent home is not this earth and we should be seeking our citizenship in heaven.

It’s difficult trying to live in this world but not being accepted. In fact a Christian should feel uncomfortable in this world. If we ever become comfortable with the lifestyle of the world then something is wrong.

John writes to us to let us know that it is okay to be rejected and persecuted by the world. Because the world does not know God, the world does not know us. But according to Romans 12:1 we are to be in this world but not of it.

We should stand as sore thumbs in this world. People should be able to pick us out of a crowd and know that we belong to Jesus. We should talk like Jesus, act like Jesus and love like Jesus.

Today you may be tempted to be transformed to this world. Don’t get trapped! Know that you belong to God and He will give you everything you need. Don’t trust the world’s system.

Pray

Family of God

Faith, Salvation

‘Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ‘
Ephesians 2:19

Have you ever felt like you were a stranger living in a foreign land? Have you ever had to relocate to a different community, new job or a new school and felt like a fish out of water? It takes a little time before you actually feel like it’s home.

In today’s verse, Paul wants us to consider what it feels like to become a member of God’s household; to be part of the family of God, to be a child of God.

Maybe you have sung the hymn, “I’m so glad… I’m a part… of the family of God.” Sing it right now! “I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood.” Now it’s stuck in your head!

In reality, faith is not just believing but belonging. As a believer in Jesus, you belong to God’s family and His household. The moment you put your trust in Jesus you are no longer a stranger to God but a friend or a child. Even though you are living on earth, your real citizenship is in heaven!

The moment you say, “Lord Jesus, I believe in you, forgive me of my sins and save me,” instantaneously and miraculously, you belong to God. Have you experienced that blessing of belonging to God?

Our home is in heaven and one day we will be in the presence of our Lord and Savior. Can you imagine what it will be like? Heaven awaits us and we long to see Jesus face to face. Let the hope of eternal glory fill your heart with everlasting joy.

Pray

Lord, thank You for saving my soul and accepting me into the family of God. Fill my heart with joy and give me a song in my mouth. Until I’m in Your presence, let Your light shine bright in me so others will know You as well.

God’s Will Gives Us Peace

Trust

“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:25‬

The reason that Jesus could endure the suffering of the cross was because He knew it was God’s perfect will. He also knew that He would be raised from the dead.

There is perfect peace that comes from being in God’s will and power in knowing that you have eternal life in Heaven.  It is God’s will that everyone know and confess Jesus as Lord.

We may never have all the answers to life’s problems but we do have a cure for our sin problem. It’s Jesus Christ. It’s forgiveness and grace. He is the One who saves us from all of our sins.

Even though Christians continue to sin we have forgiveness, mercy, and grace. And it is a result of the obedience and compassion of Jesus. We won’t fully comprehend what salvation means until we are in the presence of Almighty God. It will be at that time that we fully understand the love of God.

God wants the best for you. He wants you to prosper and succeed in this life, but it must be according to His will. God reveals His will to us through His Word. We will never know what we must do until we hear His voice.

God’s Word speaks to us and gives us wisdom to choose what is right. We will never know His will for our life until we submit and obey His commands. Have you ever found it difficult to know what God’s will is for your life?  The answer lies in the fact of hearing and doing His Word. If we only hear His Word and not act upon it we are simply rejecting His great blessings. But when we hear and do His Word we are blessed.

Pray

Lord, You are my Savior and I submit to You and follow Your direction. Speak truth into me today. Give me wisdom to choose what is right.