Pastor Stephen Dedman

Devotional For May 19, 2024

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬

In 1 Corinthians 13, the apostle Paul describes the characteristics and importance of love in the life of a believer. In verse 13, he concludes by affirming the enduring nature of faith, hope, and love, highlighting love as the greatest. Faith, hope, and love are foundational virtues that sustain and bless our Christian life.

Faith anchors us in the promises of God, enabling us to trust in His goodness, sovereignty, and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem uncertain. It is through faith that we are justified before God, receiving salvation as a free gift through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Hope, likewise, sustains us in times of trouble, reminding us of the future glory that awaits us in Christ. It is the confident expectation of what God has promised, the assurance that His purposes will be fulfilled, and His kingdom will come in all its fullness (Romans 8:24-25).

But above all, there is love—the greatest of these virtues. Love is not merely an emotion; it is a choice, an action, a way of life. It is the selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love that God has lavished upon us through Jesus Christ, demonstrated most profoundly on the cross (1 John 4:9-10).

As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect this same love in our relationships with God and others. Love compels us to seek the good of others, to forgive as we have been forgiven, to show kindness, compassion, and grace to all, regardless of merit or deserving.

In a world that often values power, success, and self-interest, may we be known as a people who prioritize love above all else. May our lives be a reflection of God’s love, shining brightly in the darkness, pointing others to the source of all love—Jesus Christ.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the blessing of faith, hope, and love. Help me to use these virtues and to prioritize love above all else. Fill me with Your love, that I may love You with all my heart and love others as myself. May my life be a testament to Your great love and grace, drawing others into relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For May 18, 2024

His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭72‬:‭17‬

The name of the Lord is not merely a label; it represents His character, authority, and eternal nature. It is a name that endures throughout all generations. As we reflect on the enduring nature of God’s name, we are reminded of His faithfulness, grace, mercy, and compassion towards His people.

In Jesus, we have a visual of the embodiment of God’s name—His character, attributes, and purposes fully revealed. He came to earth to reconcile humanity to God, to bring salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him. Through His death and resurrection, He established a kingdom that will never end.

As believers in Christ, we are blessed to be recipients of God’s grace. In Him, we find forgiveness, redemption, and new life. Through faith in Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family, co-heirs with Christ, and recipients of every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3).

But the blessings of God are not meant to be kept to ourselves. They are meant to be shared with others, to be a source of blessing and encouragement to others. As we live each day in Christ and reflect His love and grace to those around us, we become channels of God’s blessing, agents of His kingdom, and ambassadors of His grace.

May we, as followers of Christ, be known as a people who bring blessing wherever we go—blessing our families, communities, and nations with the love, mercy, and compassion of Jesus Christ. And may all nations call Him blessed, as they come to know and experience the eternal blessings found in Him alone.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the enduring nature of Your name and the eternal blessings You give. Help me to abide in You, to walk in Your ways, and to reflect Your love and grace to the world around me. Use me as an instrument of Your blessing, that others may come to know and call You blessed. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For May 17, 2024

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬

Paul’s words give us a great truth about the Christian journey—the burden of our hearts for the salvation of others. Just as Paul prayed for the salvation of his fellow Israelites, so too are we called to intercede for the lost and share the message of salvation with those who have yet to hear and believe.

As followers of Christ, we are commissioned to be ambassadors of the gospel, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with a world in need of hope and redemption. Like Paul, we should have a heart’s desire to see people come to faith in Christ, to experience the transformative power of His love and grace.

But our passion for souls should not end with just emotion. It should drive us to action—to fervent prayer, bold witness, and compassionate outreach. We should be willing to sacrifice our time, resources, and comfort for the sake of seeing others come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

As we meditate on Paul’s words, let us examine our own hearts and ask ourselves: Do we share Paul’s burden for the salvation of others? Are we willing to pray earnestly for the lost and engage in the work of evangelism and discipleship? May we be inspired by Paul’s example and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be faithful witnesses of the gospel, sharing the message of salvation with love, boldness, and compassion.

Pray

Lord, ignite my heart’s desire for the salvation of the lost. Grant me the courage to pray fervently for those who have yet to know You and the boldness to share the gospel with others. Use me as an instrument of Your grace and mercy, that many may come to experience Your saving power. In Jesus’ name, amen.