Pastor Stephen Dedman

The Fool Says

The Fool Says

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭14:1

Make Room For God

David begins Psalm 14 by describing what many people say within their hearts, “There is no God.”  This concept is formed from the mindset of atheism.  This is not a new concept either.  There have always been and will always be people who will not believe that there is a God.  David says that those who say in their hearts that there is no God are fools.

David refers to these people as fools because they are not observant. Romans 1:20 says, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”  A person is foolish if they cannot realize that there is someone greater than themselves. The attributes of God can be seen by anyone.  And if you don’t see these things, you are without excuse.

The result of believing that there is no God and refusing to make room for God in our lives is that we become corrupt.  David makes this clear as he continues in verse 1, “They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.”  We are guilty of being foolish when we do not make room for God in our lives.  We may believe that God is real but if we don’t make room for Him in our lives we are considered as fools.  Not only are we to believe that God is real and true, we must also make room for Him in our personal lives.  We are to make sure that our lives are reflecting that we do believe there is a God and He is alive and with us.

Prayer

Lord, help me to make room for you in all the areas of my life.  I depend on you daily and need you every hour.

Daily Devotional

The Things That Are Unseen

The Things That Are Unseen

As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:18

Daily Devotional

Looking Up

It is exciting to come to the realization that we were created for more than just this world we live in now.  This Earth is not our eternal home. If you ever feel such that you don’t belong to this world, you’re right. We were made to live with God and experience His beauty and majesty.

The Bible tells us that we have a future home to look forward to.  We cannot fathom the great and wonderful things God has in store for those who believe in Jesus. There will be mansions, streets of gold, rivers of water that is crystal clear, and most of all the throne of God will be shining eternally. There will be no need for light because we will be living in the presence of God’s glory. What a sight to behold! Why would anyone ever think that the world we live in now is even comparable to what Heaven will be like.  There is no paradise such as the one we will witness after we leave this earth. There are some beautiful places to see here on Earth but they don’t come close to the things we will see in Heaven.

The Lord wants us to keep our focus on the things above. He desires that we love the things that glorify Him. We are to enjoy what God has created for us here and now but we need not to get comfortable. This earth will pass away and all things will be made new. To God be the glory.

Prayer

Lord, allow me to understand that this world is not my final home. Help me to see things as temporal and to know that the things of Heaven are eternal.

Daily Devotional

In Spirit And Truth

In Spirit and Truth

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
John‬ ‭4:23

True Worshippers

The day that Jesus encountered the woman at the well something amazing occurred.  Jesus went to the well after traveling and was very thirsty.  He met a Samaritan woman who was drawing water and asked her to draw Him some water.  He promised her living water that would truly satisfy.  Then he asked her to call her husband. She said she had no husband but Jesus knew she has had five husbands, and was living with a man. This woman was looking for satisfaction and fulfillment but could never find it.

She tried to change the subject with her question about worship. The question is not where you worship but what you worship. She was trying to find satisfaction from a man instead of from God.  Jesus, of course, had full knowledge of her heart and history.

The fact that the woman came to the well at noon reveals a lot.  She did not draw water in the morning when the other women were around because she was shameful.  But her encounter with Jesus changed her life.  After she met with Jesus, “The woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”” (John 4:28–29)  She immediately went to the people she had avoided with an invitation and an openness about herself.  The shamefulness was over.  Jesus knew all that she had done and still offered her living water.  That is a result of a true worshipper.

Prayer

Lord, I worship You and You alone.  You are all that I need.  Change me and make me new.