Pastor Stephen Dedman

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬

The words of James echo through the ages, resonating with the struggles and conflicts that often plague relationships, both within the church and in our daily lives. Behind every argument, every disagreement, and every dispute lies the battle between our selfish desires and God’s will for us.

As believers, we are called to examine our hearts and motives. Are our actions driven by a desire for personal gain, recognition, or pleasure? Or are they motivated by a genuine love for God and others? When we prioritize our own desires above God’s will, we sow seeds of discord and division that disrupt the peace and unity of the body of Christ.

True peace and harmony can only be found through submission to God. When we surrender our will to His and seek His kingdom above our own desires, He grants us the grace to live in harmony with one another. As we humble ourselves before God, He lifts us up, filling our hearts with His love and enabling us to love others sacrificially.

In our daily interactions, let us strive to submit to God’s will. May we resist the urge to gratify our selfish desires and instead seek the unity of the body of Christ. As we yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit, may His peace reign in our hearts and overflow into our relationships with others.

Pray

Lord, forgive me for the times when I have allowed selfish desires to disrupt the peace and unity of Your body. Help me to submit fully to Your will, surrendering my selfish ambitions. Fill me with Your peace and love, that I may be an instrument of reconciliation and harmony to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
‭‭I John‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬

The apostle John reassures believers that they have been anointed by the Holy One, referring to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This special anointing enables them to discern spiritual truths and walk in divine guidance.

As followers of Christ, we are not left on our own. Through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, we have been anointed and empowered to live victoriously. This anointing equips us with spiritual insight and discernment, enabling us to know and understand the things of God.

The knowledge that believers possess through the anointing of the Holy Spirit is not mere intellectual understanding but a deep, experiential knowledge of God and His ways. It is a knowledge that transforms hearts, guides decisions, and shapes attitudes. This divine wisdom enables believers to discern truth from falsehood, righteousness from sin, and light from darkness.

How do we embrace the reality of our anointing by the Holy One? We rely on the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our lives, trusting that He will lead us into all truth. We cultivate a sensitivity to His leading and a willingness to follow wherever He may lead us.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me to rely on His guidance and wisdom in all that I do, that I may know and understand Your will for my life. Open my heart to receive Your truth and grant me the courage to follow wherever You may lead me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬

In the opening chapter of Ephesians, the apostle Paul prays for the believers in Ephesus. He is asking God to enlighten their understanding so they may fully grasp the hope of His calling and the glorious inheritance awaiting them in heaven. Paul urges them to live in light of their identity as God’s chosen people.

This prayer echoes the desire for believers to have spiritual insight and understanding, enabling them to comprehend the depth of God’s love and the significance of their calling in Christ. As recipients of God’s grace, we are invited to live each day with enlightened eyes, embracing the hope and assurance found in His promises.

To have the eyes of our understanding enlightened means to look beyond the temporal and to grasp the eternal truths of God’s Word. It involves recognizing the hope to which God has called us and understanding the riches of His glory that await us as His beloved children. This enlightenment empowers us to approach each day with confidence and purpose, even amidst challenges and uncertainties.

All we have to do is ask God for a deeper insight into His will and purposes for our lives. Live each day with a sense of anticipation and joy, knowing that your future is secure in Christ.

Pray

Lord, open the eyes of my understanding, that I may fully grasp the hope of Your calling and the richness of Your inheritance. Help me to live with confidence and assurance, knowing that You have chosen me and lavished Your love upon me. Help me walk in the light of Your truth, empowered by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.