Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: thoughts

Watch And Pray

Encouragement, Trust

Watch And Pray

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41

 

The Spirit vs. The Flesh

Jesus warned Peter, James, and John to watch and pray as He went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray to the Father.  He had just celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples and was about to be betrayed by Judas.  The guards were seeking to arrest Him and He knew He only had a couple of hours to prepare Himself for the worst suffering and torture known to man. Three times Jesus went away to pray and three times He returned and found the three men slumbering.

Jesus tried warning the three disciples but they let their guard down.  Little did they know that they were about to be tested and tempted more than ever before.  They didn’t think all of this would happen on that night because it was a time of Jewish celebration.  In verse 33 Peter exhaust himself and exclaimed that he would never deny Him even if he were to die.  Three times Peter denied Jesus before the rooster crowed.

We all fall into similar slumbering.  We think all is well and life couldn’t be any better.  That is when Satan prowls like a lion to devour.  We must never let our guard down.  We must always be alert to the temptations of sin.  Jesus said the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  We all have high regards to what we strive to do for Christ but in the end we each fall into the same category as Peter.  Good intentions are not good enough.

We can all relate to Paul and his dilemma in Romans 7:15-20.  He sums it up in verse 19, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”

Prayer

Pray for the Lord to help you to stay alert keep you from the temptation of sin.

I Am The Lord

Trust

I Am The Lord

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭32:27‬

God Can Do It

Have you ever faced an obstacle that you didn’t think you could get through or get over?  Are you facing one right now in your life?  Obstacles come in all different sizes and shapes and substances.  If there is ever an obstacle that you think is too overwhelming to overcome let God remind you that there is nothing too hard for Him to handle.

God can handle your health problems.  He can handle your financial matters.  He can handle your family situations.  God can handle your work related issues. He can handle your relationships, your companionships and your workmanships.  He can handle your ministry, your marriage or your mistakes.  He can handle anything and everything that comes your way.  God can handle it because there is nothing too hard for Him!

If the waters are too deep, remember Moses crossed the Red Sea.  If the wall  is too tall, remember Joshua marched around Jericho.  If the enemy is too big, remember David defeated Goliath.  If the fire is too hot, remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived the furnace.  If the lion is seeking to devour, remember Daniel in the lions den.  If the bill collector is calling, remember the coin in the fishes mouth.  If you’re lacking, remember 5 loaves and 2 fish served 5,000 men.  If you’re fearful, remember the wind and waves obey.

There is nothing too hard for the Lord.  There is nothing you are facing today that can’t be conquered by the Lord.  It’s not a question of “if” God can do it.  The question is “will you” let God do it? God can and God will.  Sit back and watch what happens when you turn it over to the Lord.

Prayer

Pray and ask God to deliver you, provide for you, promise you or supply you for what you need today.

Why Worry

Trust

Why Worry

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:25‬

Anxious For Nothing

Did you know most of the things that you fear will happen never happens?  Most of our fears come from a misunderstanding of God’s love and sovereignty.  You must understand that you were created for God’s glory and for His purpose.  If God takes care of His children then why do we worry?

Jesus provides a solution to not just treat anxiety but to eliminate it.  In Luke 12:22 Jesus instructs his disciples not to worry about the physical side of life.  Jesus says your life is more than about food or clothing.  Because you exist to glorify Him, He will supply your every need.  We are not to worry if we have enough now or if we will have enough in the future.  Worry is a lack of trusting that God will provide.  Worry is a sin!  Remember that God provided in times of hunger.  There are many examples including, Joseph saving his family, God providing daily Manna, Jesus feeding the 5,000 men and the list can go on and on.  When you worry, Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?”

Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  The solution to a worry-free life is to live a life of worship and praise to God.  Seek Him first, then all other things will be added.  Paul says in Colossians 3:1, “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”  Set your mind on Heavenly things.

What are you worried about today?  Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)

Prayer

Pray, “Lord, set me free from worry, stress and fear because I completely trust You.”