Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Will You Stand In The Gap?

Encouragement, Faith

“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.”
Ezekiel 22:30

God seeks to find people who will display godly character and spiritual wisdom. He delights in people who will have a true meaningful relationship with Him. Those who live in closeness to the Lord reflect His nature and goodness.

When it comes to leadership, we need people who will stand in the gap between God and His people. A quick survey of the Old Testament will make you realize that God chooses those who can represent Him.

Noah found favor with God as the only blameless person living on the earth at the time (Genesis 6:8-9). But what is said about Noah in verse 9 is remarkable, “he walked in close fellowship with God.” He wasn’t perfect but he close to God.

Abraham was used by God because of his faith, “And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.’ (Genesis 15:6) Abraham’s faith in God directed his steps when he didn’t know where he was going.

Moses stood before God and His people as a humble servant. Moses pleaded with God not to destroy them because of their sin. (Hebrews 11:25)

David, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah and the list goes on. These where people who knew God in a meaningful, right relationship. They all made mistakes but their character and spiritual wisdom reflected the nature of God. The more quality time we spend with God the more we reflect His nature.

In today’s passage of Scripture we discover that God looked for someone to stand in the gap and found no one. God hoped for one who would lead and pray to avert His judgment; but there was none. Ultimately God sent His Son, Jesus, who stands as the wall of strength, stability, and security for His people. And today we stand in the name and in the power of Jesus Christ to reflect the nature of God.

Pray

Lord, help me to reflect the Light of Jesus to those around me. Draw me close to You so I can reflect godly character and spiritual wisdom in this dark and gloomy, sinful world. Let my fellowship with you be meaningful.

Enjoy The Good Times

Encouragement

‘“The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. ‘ Deuteronomy 1:6

If God only allowed us to experience “mountaintop” circumstances, we would never experience trouble or sorrow. You might think that sounds great but neither would we experience any victories. Great victories allow us to see God’s greatness.

The Israelites had gathered together at the bottom of Mount Horeb while God spoke aloud to them concerning His law and commandments. Fire and smoke consumed the mountaintop, lightning flashed from the clouds, and loud trumpet sounds were heard for miles. The ground shook and the people trembled in awe of what they experienced. (Exodus 19:16-25) It must have been a truly amazing experience to behold.

At times God will graciously provide us with mountaintop experiences. These experiences come in various settings: during a worship service, in time alone with Him, with Christian brothers and sisters, or even on the side of the road with a flat tire.

You may wish you could spend the rest of your life on the mountaintop, but just remember, that mountaintop encounters are God’s way of preparing you for the battles that await you. Enjoy the good times and consider the bad times as a way to see what God has planned next.

Pray

Lord, thank You for giving me mountaintop encounters so that I know who You are. Thank you for giving me trouble and sorrow so that I know that You can trust You. Help me to appreciate the good and the bad times.

Tell Others About Jesus

Encouragement, Salvation

The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”
John 4:28-29

Have you ever received some information that surprised you so much that it made you forget what you were doing at the present time?

Or have you ever gone the grocery store to pick up something simple and returned home only to realize you didn’t even purchase what you originally went for?

Maybe there was something you thought you knew how to do but after listening to an expert you were convinced that you didn’t need to do it? A change of mind or a change of direction can turn out to be very interesting.

In John 4, Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman who came to the well to draw water and discovered the Messiah. Jesus used an analogy to to show her that as she came seeking water from the well, what she really needed was living water from Him.

Once she realized that she needed the living water which only He could provide, she went away to go tell others. And what is so fascinating is that John tells us in verse 28 that she left her waterpot at the well. This tells us that what she originally went searching for didn’t turn out to be so important after all.

After encountering Jesus, this woman’s life was changed. She went to the well at that certain time to avoid others but now she wants people to know that she was changed.

Isn’t it great to see people who are on fire for the Lord? You can tell when someone has the gift of God in their heart and wants to give it to someone else.

What a great example this woman set for us. We too need to be telling others about Jesus. We need to rekindle the excitement that we first had when we encountered Jesus and let everyone know about what Jesus can do for them.

You may think you are not the right person to tell someone about Jesus but you are. You may think you don’t have the right words to say but you do. Don’t be intimidated about telling others about the grace and love of Jesus that you have.

Pray

Lord, let my fire for You burn like never before. Help me to be bold and share Jesus with everyone I meet. Most of all, put someone in my path today that I can tell them about You.