Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

May 25, 2023

Encouragement

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭4‬

What does it mean to delight in the Lord? Delighting in the Lord means finding joy, satisfaction, and contentment in the Lord Himself, rather than in the pleasures of this world.

When we wholeheartedly delight in the Lord, something amazing happens. We begin to see the world through His perspective, and our desires are transformed to reflect His perfect plans for us.

It is essential to remember that delighting in the Lord does not guarantee the fulfillment of every wish or dream. Instead, it redirects our desires to align with His divine purpose and will. Our desires become more in tune with His desires for us, which ultimately leads to a life of greater fulfillment and purpose.

God knows what is truly best for us, even when we are unsure or misguided in our desires. The fulfillment of our desires is within God’s perfect timing and sovereign plan. We must be patient and trust in His providence.

Take a moment and reflect on the condition of your heart. Are you truly delighting in the Lord, finding our joy and contentment in Him alone? Are you seeking His presence daily, allowing His love and grace to transform you from within?

As we seek God, He will grant us the desires of our hearts. His faithfulness endures forever, and His promises never fail. So, let us trust in His goodness and walk in the assurance that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Pray

Lord, I come before You today with a heart full of gratitude. Help me to delight in You above anything else. Teach me to trust in Your timing and surrender my hopes and dreams into Your hands

May 24, 2023

Encouragement

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭86‬:‭5‬

Today’s verse offers a profound and comforting truth: the Lord is good, forgiving, and overflowing with mercy for all who call upon Him.

The psalmist acknowledges God’s inherent goodness and willingness to forgive. He is a compassionate and loving God, even when we stumble and fall. His goodness and forgiveness are not conditional because of His nature and character.

When we call upon the Lord, we acknowledge our need for His forgiveness and mercy. In our brokenness, we find that His love surpasses all of our failures. God longs for us to come to Him with contrite hearts, ready to receive His grace.

Regardless of the mistakes we’ve made, the Lord eagerly waits for us to turn to Him. He longs to extend His loving-kindness, lifting the weight of guilt from our shoulders and showering us with His mercy.

It is important that we confess our sins and ask God to forgive us. Only then will we experience the depth of His mercy and grace

Pray

Lord, your goodness and mercy keep me coming back to You. Your grace is sufficient for me. Help me to never find comfort outside of Your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.

May 23, 2023

Encouragement

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
‭‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬

As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers. Today we are reminded of how important it is to be cultivators of peace.

Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is a profound state of harmony and well-being. It involves unity, reconciliation, and restoration. God desires for us to promote peace to reflect His glory.

When we have experienced the peace that surpasses all understanding in our own lives, we become equipped to extend that same peace to others. As we draw near to God, He enables us to bear the fruit of righteousness, which includes peace as a vital part.

Promoting peace involves choosing our words carefully, speaking with grace and love, and seeking reconciliation rather than harboring bitterness and resentment. It involves careful listening, empathizing, and seeking to understand others’ perspectives. It involves forgiving others.

As we faithfully promote peace, we will reap a harvest of righteousness. Additionally, we create an environment where righteousness can flourish. It brings healing, restoration, and transformation.

Promoting peace may be difficult at times. But don’t get discouraged because God is with us. We can find strength in knowing that we are aligning ourselves with His divine purpose and reflecting His character.

Are you a peacemaker? Do you faithfully pursue peace, reflecting the awesome power of God’s love and grace?

Pray

Lord, thank You for calling me to be a person who reflects Your character. Help me to promote peace in all areas of my life. Transform my heart to reflect Your peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.