Pastor Stephen Dedman

Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭2‬

To serve with gladness is an invitation to infuse every act of service with a spirit of joy. As we go about our daily tasks, we are to carry with us a glad heart, knowing that our service is never in vain.

The call to come before His presence with singing is an acknowledgment that our worship is not confined to a designated time or space; rather, it is a continual melody that accompanies our journey. Everyday is an opportunity to worship. 

The joy of the Lord becomes our strength (Nehemiah 8:10), and as we serve with gladness, we tap into a wellspring of strength that sustains us in every season. It transforms mundane tasks into offerings and ordinary moments into encounters with the extraordinary.

Our service and worship are interconnected movements. Serving with gladness becomes an act of worship that reaches the ears of our Heavenly Father. So, let your service be an expression of joy, your worship a sweet melody rising from the depths of a grateful heart.

Pray

Lord, let my service and worship to You be worthy and acceptable. Fill my heart with joy that allows me to serve with gladness. Help me to balance service and worship and glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭30‬

Psalm 18:30 serves as a powerful declaration of the unchanging faithfulness of God. In a world marked by uncertainty and change, God’s character remains constant. His ways are perfect, and His Word is proven true through the ages.

First, David affirms that God’s way is perfect. Unlike human plans and strategies that are flawed and subject to error, God’s ways are flawless and beyond reproach. He orchestrates every detail of our lives with wisdom and precision, leading us along paths of righteousness and blessing.

Second, David declares that the word of the Lord is proven. Throughout history, God has faithfully fulfilled His promises and upheld His Word. His faithfulness in the past gives us confidence to trust in Him for the future. We can rely on His promises with unwavering certainty, knowing that He is faithful to His word.

Lastly, David proclaims that God is a shield to all who trust in Him. God not only guides and directs our steps but also protects us from harm and danger. He is our defender and refuge, shielding us from the attacks of the enemy and preserving us in times of trouble.

Today, let us reaffirm our trust in God’s perfect ways and proven word. As we face the challenges and uncertainties of life, may we find refuge and strength in the unchanging faithfulness of our God.

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your perfect ways and proven word. Help me to trust in Your unfailing faithfulness, knowing that You are my shield and protector. Strengthen my faith and guide me along paths of righteousness, that I may honor You in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭36‬

In this single verse, the apostle Paul expresses the scope of God’s reign over all creation. It serves as a beautiful reminder of our place in God’s grand design and calls us to respond with awe, reverence, and adoration.

This verse affirms that everything originates from God, finds its sustenance in Him, and ultimately returns to Him. Every aspect of creation, every event in history, every moment of our lives is under His sovereign control and authority. Nothing exists apart from Him, and nothing happens outside of His divine purpose.

As we meditate on this truth, we are invited to surrender ourselves to the sovereign will of God. We are reminded that our lives are not our own but belong to the One who created us and sustains us. In times of uncertainty and difficulty, we can take comfort in knowing that God is in control and that He works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Recognizing that all things are from Him and through Him leads us to respond with gratitude and praise. Every blessing we receive, every provision we enjoy, is a gift from the hand of our Heavenly Father. In moments of joy and abundance, may we lift our voices in thanksgiving, acknowledging the source of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).

As we contemplate that all things are to Him, we are reminded of our ultimate purpose: to bring glory to God. 

Pray

Lord, I am in awe of Your sovereignty and majesty, for of You and through You and to You are all things. Help me to surrender to Your will and to trust in Your goodness and faithfulness. May I bring glory to Your name, as I acknowledge You as the source and sustainer of all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.