Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

Devotional For July 12, 2023

Encouragement

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬

In the letter to the Thessalonians, Paul expresses his deep care and love for the believers in Thessalonica. He reminds them of the genuine love and sacrificial devotion he and his companions showed them while they were serving Christ together.

Paul’s ministry was characterized by a deep sense of love and grace. He and his fellow workers didn’t merely preach the gospel; they also invested into their lives. They shared the good news and then embraced the believers as family, helping them mature in their faith.

When we encounter people who are in need of Christ’s saving grace, our responsibility is not only to share the message of the gospel with them but also to accompany it with genuine acts of love and support.

As followers of Christ, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. We are to walk alongside them, sharing not only the gospel but our very lives. This means investing time and effort in building meaningful connections, listening intentionally, and meeting physical needs.

Are you sharing both the message of the gospel and investing your time and energy into others? Do you extend yourself in acts of kindness, hoping it creates an opportunity for others to encounter Christ’s love?

Pray

Lord, teach me to love others as You love me. Help me to build relationships rooted in Your love, so that through my life and testimony, others may encounter Your grace and compassion. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For July 11, 2023

Encouragement

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Matthew 16:25

Jesus teaches a truth in Matthew 16:25 that challenges the very core of our human nature. He calls us to let go of our selfish desires and to surrender our lives entirely to Him. This truth is the key to experiencing the abundant life that Christ has promised us.

We are compelled to prioritize our own comforts and pleasures above everything else. However, Jesus invites us to a higher way of living, one that leads us into a life filled with purpose, meaning, and eternal significance.

To “save our lives” implies holding tightly to our own agenda and desires. It means placing our own will above God’s will and seeking our own happiness without considering the consequences. But Jesus warns that this path only leads to emptiness and loss.

On the other hand, Jesus calls us to “lose our lives” for His sake. This does not mean we are called to live in misery or sacrifice for the sake of sacrifice. Instead, it means surrendering ourselves completely to Him, aligning our will with His divine purpose, and dedicating every aspect of our existence to the advancement of His Kingdom.

When we follow Christ entirely, we find true meaning and purpose in Him. It is in losing ourselves that we truly find ourselves. In surrendering to Jesus, we gain a life that is more fulfilling, more joyful, and more abundant than we could ever obtain on our own.

However, surrendering our lives to Christ requires a radical change in our mindset and priorities. It means letting go of the worldly things that promote self-gratification. It involves daily dying to our selfish desires, taking up our cross, and following Jesus.

In order to live in this manner that is pleasing to God we must remember that Jesus is our ever-present help and source of strength. As we yield ourselves to Him, He empowers us with His Holy Spirit, equipping us to live out His purpose and enabling us to experience the fullness of life in Him.

Pray

Lord, I come before You today, acknowledging my need for a renewed perspective on surrendering my life to You. Help me to let go of my selfish desires and ambitions. Grant me the strength and courage to align my will with Yours and to embrace a life lived for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For July 10, 2023

Encouragement

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬

The moment we come to faith in Christ, we experience a transformative encounter with the grace and love of God. We receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, surrendering our lives to His lordship and entrusting ourselves to His care. It is a moment of new birth, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God.

Paul reminds the church that receiving Christ is the beginning of a lifelong journey. He urges the Colossians—and us—to continue walking in Him, living in a way that reflects our relationship with Jesus. This ongoing journey of faith involves daily surrender, obedience, and dependence on Christ.

To walk in Christ means to align our thoughts, attitudes, and actions with His teachings and commands. It involves abiding in His Word and seeking His presence through prayer. It is a deliberate choice on our behalf to live in fellowship with Him.

We are called to be rooted in Christ. This means building our lives on the solid foundation of His truth and love. It means seeking His wisdom and guidance in every decision, trusting in His promises.

As we walk in Christ, our faith becomes deeply rooted. We are transformed into His likeness, bearing the fruit of love, joy, peace, and righteousness. Our lives become a testimony to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.

It is a daily discipline walk in Christ. Allow the grace and love of Christ to shape and guide your daily walk and watch how you become closer to God in fellowship.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the blessing me with the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Help me to walk in Him, day by day. Teach me to abide in Your Word, to seek Your presence, and to live in obedience to Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.