Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Devotional For August 13, 2023

Encouragement

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭1

Our acceptance by God is on the basis of grace through faith. We can’t earn it and we definitely don’t deserve it. God offers His righteousness so that we may be accepted through His Son, Jesus Christ. That’s grace!

Paul told the Philippian jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31) There was nothing that he needed to do but believe and receive. Grace secures our position in Christ as being right with God. 

Paul ultimately says in today’s verse, “Since we have been given grace we work toward complete holiness because we desire to honor God.” We honor God when we pursue holiness. Holiness isn’t about achieving perfection, it’s about aligning our life with God’s standards.

As we embrace this call to holiness, let’s remember that God’s promises empower us to overcome the pull of worldly influences. The more we focus on His promises and rely on His strength, the more we’ll be able to cleanse ourselves from the filthiness that hinders our spiritual growth.

Are you pursuing holiness today? Can you see the visible changes in your life since you’ve received the righteousness of Jesus Christ?

Pray

Lord, thank You for the promises that motivate me to pursue holiness. Help me to identify and remove anything that hinders my relationship with You. Fill me with a deep reverence for Your presence and an unwavering desire to live in a way that reflects Your character. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Devotional For August 12, 2023

Encouragement

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6

How well do you manage your stress? God knows that we are going to face stressful situations so He teaches us how to manage it. When Christ is the center of our lives, we experience supernatural strength to push through and accomplish a life of more peace.

Paul was writing to encourage believers to endure. However, he was under great stress for preaching the Gospel. You would think God would have changed his circumstances, but instead God strengthened Paul to endure with grace. In today’s verse Paul gives us three practical steps to successfully manage our stress.

Don’t Worry – Paul encourages us to not worry. Worrying is like pouring gasoline on a fire. It makes every situation worse. Instead of worrying, trust that God is in control. 90% of the things we worry about never happen. So why worry?

Pray – If we spend more time praying to the One who can solve our problems, we would have less stress. The problem sometimes is we spend more time worrying than we do praying. Pray about everything!

Give thanks – Have you ever thanked God for your problems? God gives us strength and knowledge to overcome. We should be thankful that God is giving us what we need to make our situation better.

Pray

Lord, help me not to worry so much about the things that You already have control over. Give me strength to push through the difficulties that I am facing today. Thank You for the grace that sustains my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Devotional For August 11, 2023

Encouragement

Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭72‬:‭11‬

One day, all kings and nations will bow down before the Lord. Today’s verse shows us the sovereignty of God and the day when His rule will be acknowledged and embraced by all.

Today’s world is characterized by power struggles and political agendas. However, there is a day approaching when the highest earthly authorities will recognize the supremacy of the King of Kings. As believers, we find comfort and hope in the assurance that God’s divine plan will ultimately be carried out.

But what does this mean for us today? It serves as a reminder of the type of leadership that aligns with God’s heart. Godly leadership is characterized by humility, service, and a recognition that God has ultimate authority, not man. Whether we are leaders or followers, we’re called to live out the qualities that honor and serve God’s purposes.

Let’s pray for our leaders and for God to raise up Godly men and women who will recognize His authority and rule. Take a moment and reflect on your own life. Are your actions and attitude aligned with the humility and service that characterize godly leadership?

Pray

Lord, thank You for revealing that one day all kings and nations will bow before You. I pray for the leaders across the world to recognize Your sovereignty and power. Help me to personally model godly leadership that glorifies Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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