Pastor Stephen Dedman

Devotional For February 7, 2024

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
I Peter 1:13

Peter urges believers to prepare their minds for action and to be sober-minded in their approach to life. He encourages them to set their hope fully on the grace that will be revealed when Jesus Christ returns. This verse comes in the context of Peter’s letter to Christians facing persecution and trials. He reminds them of the sure hope they have in Christ’s return and the future inheritance awaiting them in heaven.

As followers of Christ, we are called to live with a sense of anticipation and readiness for His return. This means actively engaging our minds in the pursuit of holiness and setting our hope firmly on the grace that will be revealed to us at the coming of Jesus Christ.

In a world filled with distractions and temptations, it’s easy to lose sight of our ultimate hope. However, Peter’s exhortation reminds us to intentionally focus our minds on the truth of God’s promises and the assurance of our salvation. By girding up the loins of our minds and being sober-minded, we can resist the schemes of the enemy and remain steadfast in our faith.

Setting our hope fully on the grace of Christ also means living with confidence in His provision and victory over sin and death. It means trusting that God is faithful to fulfill His promises and believing that our future is secure in Him. This hope empowers us to persevere through trials and challenges, knowing that our suffering is temporary and that a glorious inheritance awaits us in eternity.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the hope I have in You. Help me to gird up the loins of my mind and be sober-minded in my approach to life. Strengthen my faith and increase my anticipation of Your return. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For February 6, 2024

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬

In this passage, Paul offers a prayer for the believers, expressing his desire that they would receive spiritual insight and revelation from God. He addresses God as the Father of glory, highlighting His majesty and sovereignty. Paul’s prayer underscores the importance of deepening one’s knowledge of God, not merely in an intellectual sense but through a profound spiritual understanding facilitated by the Holy Spirit.

Our journey of faith involves more than just knowing about God; it’s about knowing God intimately. Paul’s prayer serves as a reminder of the necessity of spiritual wisdom and revelation in our lives. We are called to seek a deeper understanding of who God is, His character, His will, and His purposes for our lives.

We are to pray to be filled with the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. This prayer is not merely for knowledge sake but for transformation. It’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate our hearts and minds, enabling us to perceive spiritual truths and apply them to our daily lives.

Pray

Lord, thank You for being the source of all wisdom and knowledge. I come before You, longing for a deeper understanding of who You are and Your plans for me. Grant me the spirit of wisdom and revelation, that I may know You more intimately. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For February 5, 2024

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

In Jeremiah 32:27, we find the prophet Jeremiah delivering a powerful message from God to the people of Israel. The context of this verse is during a challenging time when the Babylonians were about to conquer Jerusalem. Despite the imminent destruction and captivity, God reassures His people through Jeremiah that He is the Lord, the God of all flesh. The question posed, “Is there anything too hard for Me?” is a rhetorical question, emphasizing God’s sovereignty even in the face of seemingly insurmountable circumstances.

In our lives, we often encounter situations that seem out of our control, filled with challenges and uncertainties. Just as God spoke through Jeremiah to the Israelites, He speaks to us today, reminding us of His power and presence. The verse encourages us to trust in God’s ability to handle any circumstance, no matter how difficult it may seem.

We can find peace and strength in surrendering our concerns to God. This verse challenges us to shift our focus from the size of our problems to the greatness of our God. It calls us to live with faith and confidence, knowing that nothing is too hard for Him.

Pray

Lord, I come before You with gratitude for Your presence and power. In moments of uncertainty and difficulty, help me to anchor my faith in Your promises. Grant me the wisdom to trust in Your sovereignty and the courage to surrender my concerns to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.