Pastor Stephen Dedman

His Way Is Better

For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭2:13‬

Today’s verse reveals a profound truth about our human condition and our relationship with God.

God is the source of all life, goodness, and blessing. He is the “spring of living water” that satisfies the deepest longings of our souls. However, instead of turning to God and trusting in His provision, we often try to find fulfillment and satisfaction in other things.

Sometimes we dig our own cisterns, hoping to capture and contain the blessings we desire. But these cisterns are broken and cannot hold the life-giving water we crave.

The first sin that Jeremiah identifies is the sin of forsaking God. We turn away from Him and seek our own way, thinking that we can find fulfillment and happiness apart from Him. But the truth is that we were created to be in relationship with God, and apart from Him, we will never find true joy.

The second sin is the sin of self-reliance. We try to meet our own needs and desires through our own efforts, thinking that we can create our own blessings. But no matter how hard we try, we can never create anything that can truly satisfy our souls. Our efforts are like broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

The message of this verse is to repent. Only God can satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts, and we must turn to Him and trust His ways. We must forsake our own ways and rely on Him alone.

Remember the truth of Jeremiah 2:13 and turn to God, the source of living water, to satisfy our souls.

Pray

Lord, help me to always trust You. Let my heart and mind align to Yours. Forgive me for trying to live life without You.

Breathed Out By God

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
II Timothy 3:16-17

As Christians, we believe that the Bible is not just a collection of human writings, but it is the very Word of God, given to us to guide and instruct us in all areas of life.

The phrase “breathed out by God” in this verse means that the Bible is God’s own words, spoken through human authors. The Bible is not just a human book, but it is a divine book written for our benefit.

The Scriptures are profitable for teaching us what is right, rebuking us when we go astray, correcting us when we make mistakes, and training us in righteousness so that we can live a life that pleases God.

As we read the Bible, we should read it with an open heart and mind, asking God to speak to us through its pages. We should seek to apply its teachings to our lives, allowing it to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

In a world that is constantly changing and filled with conflicting messages, we can trust in the unchanging and timeless truths of the Bible. It is our source of wisdom, guidance, and comfort.

Are you committed to reading, studying, and obeying the Scriptures? Find joy in learning what God has to offer you through His Word.

Pray

Lord, Your Word is life to my soul and light to my path. Help me find satisfaction in searching Your truth and wisdom. Thank You for giving me joy.

You Are Blessed

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

This passage of Scripture is a beautiful blessing that God instructed Moses to give to the Israelites. God wanted His people to know and understand that He desired to bless them for being obedient and faithful.

This blessing is a powerful reminder of God’s love and care for us. It affirms that God desires to bless us and protect us, that He desires to shine His face upon us and be gracious to us, and that He desires to give us His peace. Can you see this blessing in your life?

It’s important to remember that this blessing is not just for the Israelites of old, but it is also for us today. As believers in Christ, we are part of God’s family and can affirm this blessing as our own. When we receive this blessing, we are reminded of God’s goodness and faithfulness towards us.

May we hold onto this truth and receive God’s blessing, protection, grace, and peace today. Let God know that your are thankful for His blessings and worship Him.

Pray

Lord, You have blessed me more than I deserve. Your grace and goodness overwhelm me. Thank you for keeping me in Your protective hands.