Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: truth

Words Of Truth

Encouragement

‘Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. ‘
Ezekiel 3:10

The Bible was written not just to inform us but to change us. Real life change comes from spending time with God. No one can truly meet with God and not be changed. When we read the Scriptures we need to let them sink deep into our heart as Ezekiel 3:10 states.

How do you hear God’s voice? How do you know He is speaking to you and it’s not just your own thoughts or worse, the devil? The best way to know you are hearing the voice of God is to engage in the Scriptures on a daily basis.

The best way to allow the Word of God to sink into our hearts is to meditate on the Scriptures. Allow the words to marinate in your mind and hear them as you read them. Most of the time there will be a word or phrase that leaps off the pages of the Bible and makes a difference in your life.

Take that word or phrase and allow it to change your life. Watch how it changes your mind, attitude, or heart. Try to remember that word or phrase from the Scripture and reflect on it all day.

For example take today’s verse and ponder the words, “Listen, carefully.” Those two words can change your life. They can speak truth through the day. Every time you think of the words you will be reflecting on what you need to listen carefully to, or who you need to listen to. Try it and see for yourself.

Pray

Lord, speak to me through Your Word today. Let Your words make a real change in my life. Help me to meditate on Your Word.

We Have Obtained An Inheritance

Encouragement

We Have Obtained An Inheritance

In Him (Christ) we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:11‬

Jesus Is Our Everything

There are two things that we need to pay close attention to in this verse today.

First, notice that Paul is writing in the past tense.  In other words, when we come to Christ in faith we inherit everything at the moment of conversion.  Paul states it like it has already happened.  The moment we confess Jesus as Lord everything past, present and future has been settled and completed.  Let this important truth sink in for a moment.  At the moment of salvation all sin is forgiven, our place in Heaven is sealed and all that belongs to Christ also belongs to us.  As Christians we have so much to look forward to but we also have so much right now.  Not only do we inherit Christ, but He also inherits us!

Second, notice that “all things work according to the counsel of His will.”  Whatever God plans to do, He makes it happen. God doesn’t plan something and then try to sit back and figure out how it’s going to happen.  When God wills something it happens.  Isn’t God great!

What God has planned from the beginning will be accomplished.  According to Ephesians 1:11, If God chose us to be a part of His plan for eternity then He will bring it to pass.  Paul said, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬)

Always remember, the best thing we can give someone is Jesus because He is everything.

Prayer

Thank God today for thinking of you so long ago.

In His Hands

Encouragement

“You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145:16-18‬

It is amazing to know that God is in control of all things. The power that is within the majesty and glory of God can never be understood by human logic. For the Lord declares, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
(‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:9‬)

Let’s ponder God’s compassion and grace for a moment. It is God alone who forgives sin and heals the nations. It is God who graciously gives to those who are in need and blesses those who are faithful.  It is God who fights our battles and destroys our enemies.  We have a compassionate Father who loves to bless His children and keeps them safe in His hand. Throughout the entire Bible we witness God seeking to have a relationship with His people.

God wants everyone to experience His great love and compassion. However, not everyone belongs to God. If you don’t belong to God you are at war with Him. And I promise you, God is victorious!  You will never win a war with the One who created you.  If Satan was honest, he would say the same.

As a child of God, rest assured that His compassion never ends. “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
‭‭(Lamentations‬ ‭3:22-23) Be confident in knowing that God will always take care of you. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭40:8‬)

Pray as king David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”‭‭ (Psalms‬ ‭51:10-12)