Pastor Stephen Dedman

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You Are Family

Encouragement

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 you were out of place? 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, and to have a place where you are welcomed.

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.

Forgiveness

Encouragement

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬ 

Is there someone you are having a difficult time forgiving? We’ve all had people that did something against us to makes us bitter. 

Maybe it was a false accusation or someone stole something from you. Maybe it’s your spouse, a family member, a co-worker, an ex-employer, or even yourself. We must come to the point of forgiving that person and that offense. 

We should know what the Bible says about forgiveness. But do we do it? The Bible says to forgive others just as Jesus has forgiven you. 

How many times have you asked for forgiveness and recommitted the very same sin? Over and over we sin against God but He is gracious to forgive us. 

The reason we must forgive others is to show the love of Christ that is living inside our hearts. When we don’t forgive we are storing up bitterness and anger which will eventually pour out like water. 

If you don’t forgive that certain person you will eventually become a miserable person. Just save yourself the time and energy and start practicing forgiveness. 

Sometimes forgiveness can be a difficult task. There are some very cruel people in our world that do cruel things. But here’s the thing… we cannot let someone else’s action dictate who we are or who we become. We cannot let a bad situation control our lives and make us live in agony. 

The power of forgiveness is beautiful. It releases the turmoil that has been living in your soul and gives you freedom to live in peace.

Pray

Lord, help me to understand true forgiveness and mercy. Help me to have a forgiving heart that shows others Your grace. Forgive me of my sins.

Great Is His Faithfulness

Encouragement

Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22-23‬

One of the most interesting things about this passage of Scripture is that for the first 20 verses the writer is focused on his personal struggles and afflictions. He explains in summary how life is full of pain and difficulty. And then all of a sudden he speaks of how God loves him, God is faithful, and God shows compassion.

There are two things we can take away from today’s verses. First, God loved us before we loved Him. His love is not like ours. He loves us with a committed or loyal type of love. It’s a fixed and final love.

God’s love not based on success or achievements. It’s a never changing love. He loves us because He wills to love us. 1 John 4:8 says “God is love.”  It is His nature. It is the center of His being.

It is important for us to understand this concept because it gives us security and hope. 

Here is the second take away… because God loves us, He is faithful to us. God has promises that are specifically for us today. There is a long list of promises that God has given to us through the Scriptures. He is faithful to keep His word.

This is also important because we know nothing will change, no matter who we are or what we do. If we choose not to serve God, He still loves us and keeps His promises to us. If we choose to disobey or rebel, God still loves us and remains faithful to us.

Nothing will ever change how God loves us. How great is His faithfulness. God’s love is unconditional and His faithfulness is great. What more can a person ask for? God’s love and faithfulness is all we need to get through life’s troubles and problems.

Pray

Lord, because You love me, I will love you. I will strive to serve you and honor you as my Master. Thank you for your love and faithfulness.