Pastor Stephen Dedman

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God Is Bigger Than Our Problems

Faith, Trust

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
1 Samuel 17:45

We all have our problems.  How we deal with our problems is what makes a difference.  Some people ignore their problems and hope they go away while others face them head on and attack them with full force.  Whatever the case may be, our perspective of God is what makes our problems look small.

Notice how David acknowledged that Goliath was coming at him with full armor but it didn’t stop him.  David was experienced in the area of facing problems head on.  He had experience with beating off wild animals with bare hands.  Fighting the Philistine was nothing compared to the other animals he killed.  

David had something that most people don’t.  He had spiritual optimism.  David knew he had God on his side and that’s all he needed.  He knew God was bigger and better than any problem he faced.

David couldn’t ignore Goliath because he knew the power of God was with him.  He was prepared to have victory with just one throw of a stone.  We too, have the power of God to withstand any problem that comes our way.  

If we focus on the size of our problems they will seem very overwhelming.  But if our focus is on God our problems will seem pretty small in comparison.  Arm yourself in the name of the Lord.

Pray

Lord, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ that You give me victory over my problems today.  Your name is great and wonderful to be praised. Keep me in Your hand.

Walk With Integrity

Trust

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28:6‬

Christians are called to walk in integrity.  It is the basic element of Christian morality.  Integrity means to do what is right and honest even when no one is watching.  

Unfortunately, there are countless examples of Christians who make their public life appear to be great and wonderful but privately they are unrighteous.  Integrity calls us to walk in the path of Christ and to steer away from hypocrisy.

Our lives are to be marked by love, compassion, mercy, justice, and fearing God above everything else.  We must be quick to turn from evil and do good.  To know what is the right thing to do and not do it is a sin.  

We all face challenges of integrity that can either make us or break us.  Living a life of integrity means that we set aside popular self-perceptions and model Christ-like behaviors.  When it comes down to it, most of the time you are the only one who knows what you did is right or not.  

If we desire to influence others we must have integrity.  Integrity is crucial in all aspects of leadership.

Pray

Lord, keep me humble and always allow me to remember that when no one else is watching, You are. Help me to be a person of influence and a spiritual leader. Help me to do what is right in Your sight.

Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Faith, Trust

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:39‬

After He finished a long day of teaching, Jesus instructed His disciples to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was in the boat and He used the water to amplify His voice so the large crowd could hear Him. As soon as they launched out into the deep, Jesus began to nap.

As soon as they began crossing the lake they encountered a mighty windstorm. The waves were so big they were crashing over into the boat. When great fear set in, the disciples awakened Jesus and asked, “Do you not care that we are about to drown?”

Jesus stood up and rebuked the wind and waves and then there was a great calm. Jesus turned to the disciples and said, “why are you so fearful? Do you not have faith?” Now they were afraid because Jesus had just commanded nature and it obeyed Him.

Jesus demonstrates His power as an example of who He is and what He is capable of doing. But He has to move us out of our comfort zone. As long as we remain in our familiarities we don’t need faith. But as soon as we feel uncomfortable and desperate, the Lord can work wonders.

We must be willing to go where Jesus wants us to go and do things that are beyond our capabilities. This is when we witness the mighty power of God in our lives.

Can you get out of your comfort zone and speak to someone who doesn’t know Christ? Can you go where you’ve never been and trust that Jesus will guide your every move? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to please God with your faith?

Jesus wants to use you to do things that are much greater than what you can do yourself. Trust Jesus and place your faith in Him.

Pray

Lord, I want to please You with my faith. I desire to be used as a tool to build Your kingdom. Let me witness Your power and majesty.