Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: travel

God’s Compassion

Encouragement, Salvation

God’s Compassion

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew the he had already been there a long time, he said to him, Do you want to be healed?
John 5:6

Healed by Jesus

While in Jerusalem, Jesus walked by a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years.  Every day he would sit next to the Pool of Bethesda waiting for someone to pick him up and place him into the pool when it began to stir.  Foolishly, there was a well known superstition that supposedly an angel would stir the water and the first person to step into the pool would be healed of their disease.  For 38 years this man anticipated the day that he would be healed.  On this certain day Jesus walked up to him and asked if he wanted to be healed.  Instead of a yes or no answer the man gave an excuse that no one would help him into the water.  Jesus then told him to get up and pack up his bed and walk.  Instantly the man was healed and he walked away.

This miracle was the result of God’s great compassion.  The first thing to notice is the fact that this man could not save himself.  He had good intentions but he couldn’t do it on his own. He needed help and he needed a Savior.  Second, this man was chosen by Jesus.  In John 15:16 Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you…”  Thirdly, Jesus gave him new life.  For 38 years this man was stuck in unfavorable circumstances until Jesus came into his life and gave him hope.

Are you thankful for God’s compassion and saving grace in your life?

Prayer

Pray and thank God for sending His Son, Jesus, into this world to save you for giving you eternal life and hope.

Wait On The Lord

Encouragement, Trust

Wait On The Lord

Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
‭‭John‬ ‭11:32‬

Waiting For God’s Blessings

One of the greatest things about God is everything good happens in His timing. There are great rewards for those who patiently wait for the Lord to show up.

Lazarus had been dead for 4 days when Jesus arrives to Bethany to perform His last public miracle.  Mary and Martha come to Jesus and they are both an emotional wreck.  A messenger had been sent to tell Jesus to come quickly so He could heal their brother but He delayed and Lazarus died.  As Mary and Martha are mourning the death of their brother, Jesus shows up. They are sad, angry and even blaming Jesus for not saving their brother.  Little did they know something wonderful was about to happen.  Jesus walks over to the tomb and cries out with a loud voice for Lazarus to come forth and instantly he comes walking out. Everyone who saw was amazed and Mary and Martha rejoiced.

Jesus is never late showing up.  He knows what is happening in your life but the timing is all part of His master plan.  Sometimes we develop a bad case of “stinkin’ thinkin'”.  We think we know what is best and we don’t wait for the Lord to show up.  This is when we mess up and take matters into our own hands.  Abraham made this mistake with Sarah’s servant, Hagar, and forced a son (Ishmael) before having Isaac (Genesis 16)?  It caused years of havoc.

Always wait upon the Lord (Isaiah 40:31) because He is going to show up.

Prayer

Pray for the Lord to give you a spiritual mindset to understand His master plan and patiently wait for all things to come together in His perfect timing.

Pray And Don’t Lose Heart

Encouragement

Pray And Don’t Lose Heart

And he (Jesus) told them (disciples) a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:1‬

 

Fighting For A Good Cause

Please take a moment and read Luke 18:1-8.  Right before Jesus tells the twelve disciples a parable (an earthly story with a heavenly meaning) he says the words “keep praying and don’t lose heart”.  The reason he said these words was to encourage them to stay motivated.  In the previous chapter (Luke 17:20-37) Jesus was speaking about his coming death, the end times and the coming of the Kingdom and it was bothering them.  He knew it was troubling them.

Jesus tells a story that everyone could relate to.  He tells of an unrighteous judge who did not fear God or man and would not help bring justice to a poor widowed woman.  She was helpless and hopeless but she didn’t give up fighting for a good cause.  Finally, out of distress, he grants her what she wanted.  The reason he helped her was not because he wanted to do something good, it was selfishness because he was tired of being bothered by her everyday.  He wanted to get rid of her and by granting her legal help she would leave him alone.  Her persistence paid off.

Jesus told this story so Christians understand the urgency of persistent prayer and to never lose hope.  He meant there would be times when you just want to give up and give in, but don’t!  The Lord says keep praying, keep hoping and stay encouraged.  He wanted them to realize they were fighting for a good cause.

Let this message saturate your life today.  You are not fighting a losing battle.  Jesus is victorious!  Satan is going to be chained-up, lock-up, and cast-out. When Satan tries to discourage you, just remind him of that.

Prayer

Praise Jesus for His victory over sin.  There is power in prayer.  Those who keep praying never lose hope.  Those who lose hope are the ones who stop praying.