Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

Joyful Worship

Encouragement

‘Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.’
Psalms 100:1-2

What does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the Lord? Is it just on Sundays?

There is something about music that encourages our soul. Listening to music makes a mundane job go by a lot faster. Listening to Christian music allows you to praise the Lord while you work or play.

Our happy God should be worshipped and praised by happy people. It should be easy for us to praise the Lord. Every time we think of something God has done for us we ought to shout to the Lord with a joyful noise.

Worship doesn’t happen just on Sundays or in a church service. Worship can happen wherever you’re at. Even right now you can worship the Lord.

Notice that the psalmist says make a joyful shout and then serve the Lord with gladness. Did you know that it is your privilege and duty to be happy in your worship to the Lord? It ought to come natural to sing and shout with praise to the Lord.

A true believer in Jesus serves God because he loves to serve Him. And when you love to serve Him, it will be done with gladness and joy.

Find a way to serve the Lord with gladness today. A simple smile can make a difference in someone’s life today.

Pray

Lord, I thank You for giving me everything I need. I will praise You and honor You for who You are and not just what You do for me. Help me to be a blessing to someone else today.

Declare His Greatness

Encouragement

One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness.
Psalms 145:4-6

God’s works and mighty acts are worthy to be praised. It is the responsibility of fathers and mothers to teach their children about the greatness of God. Generation after generation shall declare His greatness.

Meditation upon God’s splendor moves people to praise. His creation and redemption are all part of His wondrous works. His nature is revealed in His works.

God’s power is spoken of by those who experience His greatness. Once you witness His excellence you will never stop speaking of His majesty.

We praise the Lord because of who He is to us. As small as we may be compared to all of creation, He has chosen mankind to be His best works.

God wants us to experience His greatness on a daily basis. He wants us to love Him for who He is. And as soon as your eyes are opened, you can’t help but love the Creator of the universe.

Do you love God with all of your heart? Let your actions prove it. Let your lips prove it.

What has God done for you today that makes you praise His great name?

Pray

Lord, You alone are worthy of all praise. Thank You for giving me the fee gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ. Let the words of my lips reflect my heart of joy.

Devoted To Scripture

Encouragement, Trust

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:13‬

How important is the truth of God’s Word to you? Do you value the time in which you read and study the Bible? It must be important if you’re reading this devotional.

Keeping within the context of this verse, Paul is giving advice to Timothy on leading the church as a pastor.  Even though this is directed to Timothy as a minister, it can be beneficial for everyone.  As Christians, everyone is to be a spiritual leader of some sort.

Paul instructs Timothy to devote himself to the public reading, preaching and teaching of the Scriptures.  The Scriptures are to be the central focus of our life.  We can find true success in life if we devote ourselves to the Bible.  

The local church should be a place where people can hear the Word of God spoken accurately and plainly.  In Nehemiah 8, Ezra read from the Scriptures from early morning until midday.  As he opened the Book, the people stood and listened intently.

There is great power in hearing the Word of God.  Romans 10:17 says, “so faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Are you devoted to the Word of God?

Prayer

Lord, Your Word is my central focus today.  Give me passion for Your Word as I desire to hear it and obey it. Help me to meditate on it and speak it to others.