Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

Devotional For October 21, 2023

Encouragement

Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬

John 6:14 is a response of the people who witnessed one of the many miracles performed by Jesus. They recognized that Jesus had an extraordinary nature.

The miracle these people saw was the feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus multiplied a few loaves of bread and fish to feed a multitude. While they saw a physical manifestation of God’s power, it points to a profound spiritual reality. Just as Jesus provided physical bread to satisfy their hunger, He is also the spiritual Bread that satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts.

The recognition of Jesus as the “Prophet who is to come into the world” reminds us that He alone can satisfy our spiritual hunger.

As you go about your day, consider the hunger within your own heart. Are you seeking to fill it with things that ultimately leave you empty, or are you turning to the true Bread of Life, Jesus Christ? His presence in your life can bring a profound sense of fulfillment, purpose, and eternal satisfaction.

Pray

Lord, thank You for being the Bread of Life. Help me to recognize You as the source of true fulfillment and satisfaction. May I turn to You to satisfy the deepest longings of my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For October 20, 2023

Encouragement

Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭29‬

The New Testament is rich with accounts of the miraculous works of Jesus, displaying His power to heal, restore, and transform lives. Matthew 9:29 captures a powerful moment when Jesus encountered two blind men. Their story serves as a profound reminder of the role faith plays in experiencing God’s miracles.

In the narrative, Jesus extended His divine touch to the blind men. It’s important to note that His touch was directly linked to their faith. He declared, “According to your faith, let it be to you.” This statement reveals a timeless truth – our faith is the key that unlocks God’s miraculous interventions in our lives.

Faith is not merely a wishful thought or a casual belief. It’s a deep trust in God’s power and goodness. Faith is both an acknowledgment of God’s ability to do the impossible and a surrender to His will. It is the force that connects our needs to God’s abundant supply.

Just as Jesus invited the blind men to believe, He invites each one of us to have faith in Him. Regardless of our circumstances, we can come to Jesus with our needs and trust that He is more than able to meet them. He does not require perfect faith but a willingness to believe and trust in His divine provision.

The phrase “let it be to you” reflects the principle that God’s response matches the measure of our faith. When we approach God with a small measure of faith, we may receive a small blessing. But when we come to Him with wholehearted faith, we open the door for extraordinary miracles.

Remember that faith is the key that unlocks the door to God’s miraculous interventions in your life. Your Heavenly Father is waiting for you to come to Him with a heart full of faith, ready to receive the blessings and transformations He has in store for you. Trust Him, for according to your faith, let it be to you.

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your divine power in my life. Help me to approach You with a heart full of faith ready to receive Your miraculous blessings. Give me courage to trust in Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For October 19, 2023

Encouragement

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭10‬:‭23‬

It is part of our human nature that we want to be in control of our lives and tend to think that we can control our own destiny. Jeremiah recognized the problem and came to the realization that we really can’t control our lives, but we can submit our lives to God’s care and control.

We make plans, set goals, and work diligently to shape our destiny. Yet, we are not truly in control of our own paths. Our human wisdom and strength have limitations, and we need to acknowledge our dependence on God.

Jeremiah begins by humbly acknowledging that our understanding is limited and our efforts alone cannot guarantee success or fulfillment. It is God who holds the infinite wisdom, and it is His guidance that we should be seeking.

Next, he reinforces the idea that our human abilities are insufficient to navigate the complexities we encounter. We need divine direction and power to make our steps meaningful and purposeful.

Surrendering control is not about giving up responsibility; it’s about aligning our will with God’s will. It’s about trusting that His plans for us are better than our own. In doing so, we find peace.

When we allow God to direct our steps, we walk in a path illuminated by His grace and wisdom, leading to a life filled with purpose and significance.

Pray

Lord, I humbly acknowledge that I am not in control of my own path. I trust in Your wisdom and guidance. Please direct my steps and lead me in the way that is pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.