Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: pastor stephen dedman

The Test Of Faith

Faith, Trust

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22:1-2‬ ‭

When God spoke to Abraham, His words were very clear.  God first told Abraham, “Go to a land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)  Abraham’s faith was so strong.  He listened and obeyed the voice of God.  

Through the years, Abraham was tested in many areas.  God promised him a son but he was very old when Isaac was born.  He learned to wait on the Lord.

Perhaps the most important test in Abraham’s life was when God asked him to sacrifice his own son.  His son meant more to him than anything else and God asked him to offer him up as a sacrifice.  Abraham had waited over 25 years for the promise of his son and now he was asked to give him up.  God was asking a lot from Abraham and it was a true test of faith and obedience.

Our faith and obedience to God is tested everyday.  While it may not seem as significant as with Abraham, we too must be willing to give up the things that mean the most to us.  Is there something that God is asking you to do that requires much faith and obedience?

Knowing God’s will is easy.  Doing God’s will is what’s so difficult.  As you mature in your faith, God will ask you to do things that may take you out of your comfort zone.  When God speaks we must obey.

Pray

Lord, show me Your way.  I desire to be in Your will.  I am ready to receive Your word and commands.

Treasure God’s Word

Encouragement

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
Job 23:12

When was the last time you were really hungry? I mean really hungry. Food was very precious to you wasn’t it?

Now let me ask you, how important is God’s Word to you? When His Word is as important to you as physical food, then you will grow in your walk with the Lord. The problem is some people are starving themselves spiritually.

David said in Psalm 119:162, “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.” Both Job and David found God’s word to be a precious treasure. It was valuable and they could not live without it.

Just as our bodies can only go so long without nutrients, our Christian lives can only go so long without good spiritual nutrition. If we starve ourselves the Word of God, we will suffer the consequences.

God told Joshua, “Don’t let the Law depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)

Did you catch that? When you treasure the Word of God in your heart, you will have good success. What a precious treasure!

Pray

Lord, I need Your Word everyday. I need it more than I desire food. Help me to stay in Your Word and give me an understanding of it.

A New Year

Salvation

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.
Romans 7:18

It’s a new day and a fresh new year! The question at hand is, “What does God desire to accomplish in and through me this year?”

Many people are asking God what they can do for Him, but more importantly we should be asking God what He wants to accomplish through us. This life is much more than just what we can do for God. It’s about what He can do in and through us.

God does not need us, but He chooses us. He desires to use people to display His image and glory. People need to see the love of God in us so they can know Him.

Paul says that nothing good dwells in us, that which is in the flesh. The flesh is never good enough to please God. It’s only through the righteousness of Jesus that we are found righteous before God.

So instead of striving to do something good for God, let’s allow God to do something good in and through us for His glory.

Set your mind on the things of God.

Pray

Lord, I praise You for taking away my sin. Help me to keep my sinful nature dead and the new nature alive in You. Thank You for doing a good work through me.