Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: salvation

Faith That Speaks

Encouragement

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.” 
Mark 11:22-23

The attitude of faith believes that whatever God says in His Word will happen. It is a spirit of faith that thrills the heart of God. David said in Psalm 116:10, “I believed, therefore I spoke…” 

An attitude of faith demonstrates what one believes. This attitude of faith is demonstrated through Jesus in Mark chapter 11. 

Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem when Jesus saw a fig tree that did not produce any fruit. In verse 14 He cursed the tree and it died. On the next day, as they were passing by, Peter saw the dead tree and remembered that Jesus spoke the words for the tree to die. Jesus’ response to Peter was, “Have faith in God.” 

Ultimately what Jesus was saying is faith believes and speaks. A person with an attitude of faith believes with all their heart and speaks it with their mouth. What you believe in your heart will come out through your mouth. 

When you believe the truth you will speak the truth. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God.” An attitude of faith must be derived from knowing the Word of God.

Jesus then said, “If you really believe that you can say to this mountain, ‘be lifted up and tossed into the sea’, then it will happen. But there can be no doubt. Any doubt whatsoever will keep you from having faith. (Sin increases doubt.) A life that demonstrates faith looks at impossible situations the way God does. With God, all things are possible. (Luke 18:27)

Pray

Lord, let nothing stand in my way of believing Your Word. Let Your truth live in my heart and let all doubt be removed. Yes, Lord, I believe.

Advancing The Gospel

Encouragement

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:12-13‬

Sometimes we are faced with unexpected circumstances. Either what we thought would happen didn’t or something happened that we didn’t plan for. Sometimes these life events can seem pretty intense. 

What do we do when we don’t know what the future holds? The Book of Philippians helps us learn about real life situations. 

Paul was faced with incredible life threatening circumstances. He was chained in prison for preaching Jesus. He was physically chained to a Roman guard. There was no way out. 

Can you imagine what was going through his mind? Would he actually be put to death for preaching in the name of Jesus? Would God somehow work a miracle and release him from prison? Or would he be forgotten about and spend the rest of his life in prison? 

His future was uncertain but he was sure of one thing as he stated in Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” He knew God was in control and had a perfect plan. 

When we face unexpected circumstances of our own we need to have the faith to respond and react the way that Paul did. He didn’t miss out on what God gifted him with. He didn’t have a multitude to preach to, but he did share the gospel with the Roman guards. 

He didn’t have fellowship with other Christians but he did write to them and encourage them. Even though his circumstances were not what he expected, he knew that God would reveal Himself to be powerful.

When we face unexpected circumstances (and we will), we need to look at them with the perspective that God is up to something big and wants to use us in a specific way for His glory. As our verse for today states, Paul’s imprisonment was for Christ’s sake and for the Gospel to be advanced. 

Pray

Lord, help me to use every opportunity to share Your grace with others. Let me notice that my unexpected circumstances are for Your glory. Make my faith stronger. 

God’s Eternal Love

Encouragement

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

We need people in our lives that love us regardless of our failures. We need people who will lift us up and encourage us when we feel like giving up. Do you have someone that can cheer you up when you are down?

You need to realize that God goes far and beyond what anyone else can do. God loves us no matter what we look like or what we have done in the past. God loves with an unconditional, eternal love that is just unfathomable. 

Today’s verse makes us realize that God is always with us in all of our circumstances and is in the very middle of what is going on in our lives. It’s comforting to know that the One who loves us the most is right in the center of our lives. Even though we may think He is not actively involved, He is actually the One who is holding all things together in our lives. 

It’s great to have people in our lives that will help us when we need help. But the One who we need the most is Jesus Christ. We need Christian people in our lives that will point us back to Jesus when we have turned away or have lost all faith. 

Remember that the next time you witness someone who has given up faith and hope. Point them to the One who loves the regardless of what they have done. Direct them to the God who can bring them out of their circumstances and give them a new beginning.

Never forget how much God loves and cares for His children.

Pray

Lord, thank You for loving me and holding all things together when I feel like it is falling apart. Help me to point people to You so they can have the same kind of hope and peace that I have.