Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: thoughts

Heaven Bound

Encouragement

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3

Peter was writing to a group of believers who were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. They were facing rejection and severe hatred from the world around them.  So Peter began his letter encouraging them to endure the difficult times that they will face in this world.

Perhaps one of the best solutions of how to deal with difficult living is to look toward our heavenly future. This serves not only as encouragement but as a promise from God.  Troubles in this life are temporary and small compared to eternity in Heaven.

We all need to be reminded from time to time that we will suffer trials in order to build stronger faith.  So we need to view our suffering and trials as good things and keep glorifying God through it all.  

In the Old Testament, Job is one of the best examples of suffering as he kept on praising and worshipping God.  He never lost faith and he never stopped worshipping God.

Suffering should never direct you away from worshipping God.  Instead it should draw you to Him.

As Christians our inheritance is Heaven.  All of Heaven!  As children of God we are given eternal life that is free from sin and full of grace.  

It is hard for us to comprehend what life in Heaven will be like but Paul says it best, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Pray

Lord, show me what I need to learn through my sufferings. Let my trials and difficulties bring me closer to You. Help me to see a heavenly perspective.

Children Of Light

Encouragement

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Ephesians 5:8

Have you ever noticed that sin happens in the dark? Darkness is the absence of light. Where there is no light sin abounds.

Light is referred to as knowledge, truth and holiness.  When light shines in the darkness it overcomes it and there is no more darkness.  This is what Paul is meaning as he says, “Walk as children of light.”  

Before you made a decision to believe and follow Jesus you were living in darkness.  But now, you have overcome the darkness with the light of Christ.

This verse begins in the past tense, “you were darkness.”  In the first few verses of Ephesians chapter 2 Paul says, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”  

But now that Christ lives in you, you are light and there is no darkness is in you.  The light that is now inside of you has overcome the darkness that once controlled you.  To live as a child of light means to walk according to what is acceptable to the Lord which is goodness, righteousness, and truth (vs. 9-10).

Pray

Lord, let me be the light in this dark world. Help me to shine bright so that it brings others to the light. Thank You for being my Light.

Pray For One Another

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
‭‭1 Timothy 2:1

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night and had friend or loved one on your mind?  That person was placed on your heart for a reason. God places people on our hearts and minds so we can help them and bless them.

Our prayers can actually bless others. We need to take time to pray for those who come to our attention and pray without hesitation. When we pray for others we are helping them get blessed.

Paul wrote a letter to Timothy to address some of the issues that were happening at the church at Ephesus.  One of the issues facing that church was prayer. The church was divided between the Jews and Gentiles who had complete different attitudes concerning spiritual matters such as salvation and blessings.  

So Paul instructed Timothy to instruct the church, the people of God, to pray for each other. It’s our responsibility and privilege to pray for one another.  Everyone needs prayer.

You need someone praying for you as well. That is why it is important to surround yourself with faithful praying people.  Other people can pray blessings into your life.

There is nothing more wonderful and amazing than to witness an answered prayer.  It’s important to pay attention to what others around you are going through so that you can pray for them specifically.  

Sometimes a generic prayer just isn’t enough.  We need to pray earnestly for the needs of others.  Pray for their salvation if they are lost.  Pray for their health if they are sick.  

If they are poor, pray for their wealth.  Pray for their strength if they are weak.  If they seem hopeless, pray for their faith to be strengthened.  Pray for them as the Holy Spirit directs you to.

Who is on your mind today as you pray? Reach out to that person and ask them how you can pray for them.

Pray

Lord, I pray for those who You put on my mind and heart. Thank You for allowing me to be part of their blessings. I pray that people are praying for me as well.