Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

Devotional For November 17, 2023

Encouragement

Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭2‬

David expressed his commitment to daily praise. This verse encourages us to cultivate a lifestyle of continuous praise and worship. David’s words inspire us to make praise a daily rhythm, not confined by circumstances but based on the unchanging character of God.

Consider the beauty of David’s commitment – not just occasional praise, but a deliberate act woven into the fabric of each day. It challenges us to recalibrate our perspective, shifting from gratitude to a posture of praise. In the busyness of life today, let’s echo David’s resolve, allowing every moment to be an opportunity to praise the Lord.

Are you ready to praise the Lord today? As you go through the day, make a purposeful attempt to praise God for all the things He has done for you.

Pray

Lord, I am stirred to make praise a daily practice. May my heart be continuously in a melody of gratitude, offering praise that honors You. Your name is worthy of eternal worship, and I commit to bless You every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For November 16, 2023

Encouragement

Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭34‬

Jesus presents a powerful message about the connection between our hearts and our words. He addressed the Pharisees, calling them a “brood of vipers” and challenged them to examine the source of their speech. The message is clear: our words are not just utterances but reflections of the condition of our hearts.

The heart, in biblical terms, is the core of our being, containing our thoughts, emotions, and intentions. It serves as the wellspring from which our words flow. Jesus’ words remind us that the condition of our heart influences the content and nature of our speech. Just as a fountain cannot produce both fresh and bitter water at the same time, our heart cannot produce both good and evil speech.

As believers, we are called to guard our hearts diligently because our words have the power to build up or tear down, to encourage or discourage, to speak life or death. When we align our hearts with God’s truth and invite Him to shape our words, our speech will glorify Him.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, may we cultivate hearts that reflect the love and grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May the words that flow from our mouths be a testimony to the transformative work God is doing within us, for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Pray

Lord, help my heart be a reflection of Your heart. Empower me to speak words that bring glory and honor to Your name. Strengthen my heart to guard against evil. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For November 15, 2023

Encouragement

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30‬:‭19‬

In today’s verse, God places before us a profound reality: the power to choose life or death, blessing or cursing.

The invitation to choose life is displayed throughout the pages of the Bible. God gives us the freedom to shape our destiny within the boundaries of His divine will. Every decision we make contributes to the overall purpose He has for our lives.

The context of this verse is Moses addressing the Israelites, urging them to obey God’s commandments and to choose life that they and their descendants may live. Similarly, in our journey of faith, God invites us to align our choices with His will, to walk in obedience, and to embrace the abundant life He offers.

Choosing life involves more than just the continuation of our physical existence; it involves the fullness of life that God desires for us. It’s a life marked by love, joy, peace, and purpose.

What does it mean for us to choose life today? It means seeking God’s guidance in our decisions, aligning our choices with His principles, and trusting in His promises. It’s a daily surrender of our will to His, acknowledging that He knows what is best for us. In every crossroad, big or small, we have the opportunity to choose the path that leads to life.

Heaven and earth bear witness to our choices, and God, our loving Father, beckons us to choose life. In doing so, we not only experience the richness of His blessings but also become channels of His life-giving love to those around us.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the gift of choice. Help me to choose life in every decision I make. May my heart be aligned to Your will, and may I walk in obedience to Your Word. Grant me the wisdom to discern the paths that lead to life. In Jesus’ name, amen.