Pastor Stephen Dedman

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬

King Solomon, the son of King David, denied himself nothing, pursuing all forms of pleasure. Through his pursuit, he discovered that all the pleasures he indulged in were ultimately empty and meaningless.

There is a longing within every human heart to pursue happiness, satisfaction and fulfillment. It’s easy to fall into the trap of accumulating wealth, seeking temporary thrills, and hoping that these pursuits will fill the void within us. But, like Solomon, we too are left feeling empty and disillusioned.

Solomon directs us toward a great truth. He realized that the true rewards of life are not found in worldly pleasures but in something far more profound. It points us toward the eternal, the spiritual, and the heavenly. 

Our hearts are designed to find fulfillment in a relationship with our Creator. In Him alone, true joy can be found.

Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:33, to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all things will be added unto you. Our pursuit of pleasure and satisfaction is to be rooted in the pursuit of God and His righteousness. When we prioritize our relationship with Him above all else, we discover that all other things fall right into place.

Are you seeking a right relationship with God? If so, you will find fulfillment in His love, peace, and grace. True joy resides not in the accumulation of worldly treasures but in knowing and serving our Lord with a sincere heart.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the wisdom given to me through Your Word. Help me to seek first Your kingdom and righteousness, knowing that You will provide all of my needs. Fill my heart with lasting joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬

What does it mean for us to say, “To live is Christ”? It means that our lives are no longer driven by selfish ambition, worldly success, or temporary pleasures. Instead, our lives are characterized by a passionate pursuit of Christ and a desire to align ourselves with His will. “To live is Christ” means we find our purpose, joy, and fulfillment in Him alone.

Paul’s declaration, “For to me, to live is Christ,” reveals his unwavering commitment to Christ as the very essence and purpose of his existence. Paul had encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, and from that moment, his life was radically changed. He abandoned his former way of life and pursued an intimate relationship with Jesus. Every aspect of Paul’s being—his thoughts, actions, and desires—were now directed towards the person of Christ.

Paul does not stop there. He continues, “and to die is gain.” This phrase may seem counterintuitive at first, as death is often viewed with fear and uncertainty. However, for a believer, death holds a different significance. It is not the end but the beginning. It is a gain because it marks our ultimate victory over sin and suffering.

Paul’s perspective on life and death challenges us to evaluate our priorities and prioritize our hearts towards what truly matters. The pursuits and possessions of this world pale in comparison to the immeasurable worth of Christ. When we grasp the profound truth that to live is Christ and to die is gain, it changes the way we approach every aspect of our lives.

Are you wholly devoted to Christ? Do you seek to live for Him in every circumstance? As we live for Christ, may we find comfort in the assurance that even death cannot separate us from His love and the eternal inheritance that awaits us.

Pray

Lord, help me to be a living testimony to the truth that to live is Christ. Teach me to surrender my desires, ambitions, and fears to You, and enable me to walk in step with Your Spirit each day. Help me to find joy and purpose. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬

King Solomon, the son of King David, denied himself nothing, pursuing all forms of pleasure. Through his pursuit, he discovered that all the pleasures he indulged in were ultimately empty and meaningless.

There is a longing within every human heart to pursue happiness, satisfaction and fulfillment. It’s easy to fall into the trap of accumulating wealth, seeking temporary thrills, and hoping that these pursuits will fill the void within us. But, like Solomon, we too are left feeling empty and disillusioned.

Solomon directs us toward a great truth. He realized that the true rewards of life are not found in worldly pleasures but in something far more profound. It points us toward the eternal, the spiritual, and the heavenly. 

Our hearts are designed to find fulfillment in a relationship with our Creator. In Him alone, true joy can be found.

Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:33, to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all things will be added unto you. Our pursuit of pleasure and satisfaction is to be rooted in the pursuit of God and His righteousness. When we prioritize our relationship with Him above all else, we discover that all other things fall right into place.

Are you seeking a right relationship with God? If so, you will find fulfillment in His love, peace, and grace. True joy resides not in the accumulation of worldly treasures but in knowing and serving our Lord with a sincere heart.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the wisdom given to me through Your Word. Help me to seek first Your kingdom and righteousness, knowing that You will provide all of my needs. Fill my heart with lasting joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.