Pastor Stephen Dedman

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A Different Perspective

Faith, Trust

“When the Philistine (Goliath) arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17:48‬

The story of David and Goliath is one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. It has motivated children and adults alike to face their biggest fears and claim victory over life’s toughest challenges.

David’s approach was so courageous that it seemed ridiculous to those who watched in awe. For 40 days the arrogant, loud mouth giant taunted the Israelites. The Israelites were scared to death. But once David heard what Goliath was doing he responded in faith.

David had a different perspective towards the problem. He had a God-perspective. While everyone was saying how big the giant was David was saying how small he was compared to God. Everyone was saying Goliath was too big to hit while David was saying he was too big to miss.

We all face challenges that test our courage and faith. How we respond depends on how we view God. When we respond to challenges with fear we are ultimately telling God He is not big enough or strong enough to take care of us. That’s not the right approach. Instead we need the courage like David had so we can face our fears with faith.

God wants to show us what He can do for us and through us. When we don’t give Him the chance to move in miraculous ways. We tend to down-size His majestic power and minimize His great blessings.

If you want to experience great victories, you’re going to have to place your faith and trust in God for all things and gain a God-size perspective for all your challenges.

Pray

Lord, give me courage to allow You to work in and through me. Show me what You are able to do. Thank You in advance for what You are going to do.

What Do You Do When…

Encouragement, Trust

“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalms 121:2

What do you do when you feel helpless? When life seems to spiral out of control, what do you do?

Helplessness can turn to hopelessness if you don’t know where to turn. At some point in time we all need assistance. We all experience situations in life that stretch our abilities and resources to the max. It is at this point when we ask, “Where does my help come from?”

God will allow difficult circumstances in our lives for us to turn to Him for what we need. When we face impossible situations we have a choice to make. We can continue to feel helpless and hopeless or we can turn to God.

We don’t ever need to think that God is not wanting to help us or that we have done something so bad that God won’t come through for us. We all make mistakes and we all need God’s help.

That is what makes God an awesome God. He forgives and He extends grace to those who don’t deserve it.

Obviously the psalmist was facing some very stressful circumstances that required the Lord’s assistance and he knew God was going to do something for him.

Most of the time we ignore the signs of needing God and we try to accomplish difficult tasks in our own strength and wisdom. But wouldn’t you rather have the One who created the heavens and the earth to help you?

God knows what you need and knows how to help you. He is just waiting for you to say, “Help!”

Don’t wait until you have exhausted all of your abilities and resources. Immediately when you realize you need help just ask God. He will be ready to give you comfort and hope.

More than anything we need to know that God cares for us and is desiring to show us how much He loves us. God loves you and will be your help.

Pray

Lord, I need you today. Help me in my time of trouble. You are my rock and my shield. I trust You and know You are doing something about my circumstance right now.

The Ultimate Demonstration Of Love

Encouragement, Trust

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.  God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
1 John 4:16

What is perfect love?  It’s a love that is full and complete and needs no improvement.  A love that is at its maximum.  It’s a love that everyone longs for but no one will ever find outside of a relationship with God.

Perfect love is demonstrated through the person of Jesus Christ.  John 13:1 says, “when Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”  

Jesus loved perfectly.  His love was full and complete all the way to the cross.  He loved with grace and compassion and forgiveness.  This is the kind of love people are looking for.  A love that has no end.

It’s easy for us to love when we are loved in return.  However, it’s difficult to demonstrate love for someone who does you wrong.  This is what separates perfect love from all other love.  

Jesus loves those who curse Him and blaspheme His name.  He died for those people as well.  Jesus demonstrated His love for the entire world through selfless sacrifice.  And that same love abides in the heart of every Believer.

As Christians we are to love as Christ loved.  We are called to demonstrate love to those who love us and to those who hate us.  Our ability to love comes from the love of God that is in us.  We are to love one another because God is the source of love and perfect love puts God on display.  Love is evidence of salvation.

Pray

Lord, give me a heart that is like Yours. Help me to love like You love. Your love overwhelms my soul and renews my spirit.