Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: stephen dedman

Your Faith Is Tested

Encouragement

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, help me to walk close to You and know Your will. Teach me to be obedient and faithful in all areas.

A Life Of Victory

Encouragement

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:17

God did not send His Son for us to be defeated. However, many Christians live a defeated life. The devil defeats them mentally everyday and they allow the devil to have that kind of power over them.

As believers we have been delivered from the bondage of death and we walk in the newness of life. We died to our old lives and now we are alive in Christ. That means we have authority over the devil. We have victory over the devil.

We have the choice to live a victorious life everyday. We often focus on the future life in Heaven being victorious and perfect but it can be that way for us here and now; once we believe it. Jesus raised us up into a life of victory.

Whatever you’re facing today, just know that you are not defeated. Have a change of mindset. Get it in your mind and in your heart that Christ demolished and crushed whatever is limiting you from living victoriously today.

Jesus stood up and rebuked the winds and the waves and they obeyed. So can we! John 14:12 says, “Most assuredly, I (Jesus) say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”

Pray

Lord, You have given to me all that I need to live a victorious life here today. Help me to have the wisdom and understanding of Your word and truth that will set me free from the bondage of the devil.

The Purpose Of Serving God

Trust

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption.
‭‭Acts‬ ‭13:36‬ ‭

David had a servants heart. He was committed to being a servant for God. David learned how to please God in every situation.

The key to David’s life was doing what God purposed him to do. When David faced his final days of his life he could look back and smile with confidence knowing he lived his life for the glory of God. That is an amazing testimony. 

Throughout the Bible we read about men and women who were servants for God. They did what God purposed for them to do. Their purpose was to please God.

The greatest servant who gave Himself entirely for the purpose of God was Jesus. In His humanity, He gave His life for the sake of sinful man. God, the Father, was well pleased!

Are you a faithful servant for God? As Christians it is our ambition to serve as Christ served. We are to humble ourselves to the point of being servants for others.

Your purpose in life is to be a servant of God.  Search and see who you can serve today. Be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who need the love of God.

Pray

Lord, allow me to serve and minister to someone who is in need.  Show me what they need. Give me a servant’s heart to be a blessing to someone else.