Pastor Stephen Dedman

If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭26‬

Jesus speaks these words to His disciples during the final days of His earthly ministry, just before He is to suffer on the cross. Jesus emphasizes the cost of discipleship and the connection between service, following Him, and divine honor.

As His followers, Jesus invites us into a life of service and discipleship. True service involves following Christ closely, aligning our actions with His teachings, and being where He is—both in physical presence and spiritual alignment. This involves sacrificial love, humility, and a commitment to living out the principles of God’s kingdom. In doing so, we receive the promise that the Father will honor us.

Today, consciously choose to serve Christ. This may manifest in acts of kindness, compassion, and selflessness. It may require you to step out of your comfort zone, just as Christ did during His earthly ministry.

Pray

Lord, I come before You with a heart open to Your guidance. Teach me to be a true servant, following closely in Your footsteps. Grant me the strength to serve selflessly, the humility to follow obediently, and the grace to embody the values of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭29‬

Have you had those days when you lost all hope and you didn’t know how you would get through? We all have. Isaiah 40 gives us some hope. 

Isaiah unveils a profound truth – our God is the source of unwavering strength. He graciously bestows power upon the weary, breathing hope into the exhausted soul.

When we feel overwhelmed by the challenges before us, we can turn to the Almighty, for He is not only aware of our weaknesses but delights in granting strength to His children. His power is not limited by our inadequacies; rather, it is magnified in our dependence upon Him.

Is there an area of your life that you feel weak? Acknowledge this weakness before the Lord and ask for His strength to carry you and lean on His power and might. 

Pray

Lord, today I seek Your strength. Thank You for the promise that You give power to the weak and increase strength to those who have none. Empower me to face each day with the assurance that Your strength is more than sufficient for every circumstance. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬

On this Veterans Day, we pause to honor those who have served and sacrificed for the freedoms and peace we enjoy. Veterans are individuals who have answered a call, displaying courage, discipline, and a willingness to serve even when it required great personal sacrifice. Their commitment to protecting and serving others mirrors the love and selflessness taught by Christ.

In John 15:13, Jesus speaks of the ultimate form of love—the willingness to lay down one’s life for others. He exemplified this love on the cross, bearing the ultimate sacrifice for all of humanity. While most of us may not face this exact call, the verse speaks to our everyday opportunities to lay down our own lives, figuratively or literally, for others.

Veterans live out this verse daily. They put aside personal comfort, safety, and sometimes their lives to serve a greater cause. Their sacrifice reminds us of the sacrificial love Jesus displayed and challenges us to consider ways we, too, can serve and protect those around us. We may not wear uniforms or serve on a battlefield, but we are each called to serve others in meaningful ways—whether by showing kindness, standing up for justice, or sharing in others’ burdens.

Take time today to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans, and express gratitude for the freedoms their service has safeguarded. Embrace the call to live sacrificially, not only in large ways but in small acts of love, patience, and kindness.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the courageous men and women who have served this great country, sacrificing so much to protect and preserve the freedoms I enjoy. Thank You for their willingness to put others before themselves, and I ask You to bless them with peace, healing, and the support they need. Teach me to serve others with humility and grace, and guide me to be a source of comfort and gratitude for all who have served. In Jesus’ name, amen.