Pastor Stephen Dedman

Devotional For October 14, 2024

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.

Devotional For October 13, 2024

As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭29‬

Luke 9:28-36 provides a unique and glorious moment in the life of Jesus, known as the Transfiguration. During this event, as Jesus prayed, His face shone with radiant glory, and His clothes became intensely white. This glimpse of His divine nature offers us several valuable lessons.

First, the Transfiguration shows us Jesus’ divinity. It’s a revelation of His true nature as the Son of God. In our daily lives, it’s easy to forget the majesty and holiness of Jesus. The Transfiguration serves as a reminder that He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Second, it emphasizes the importance of prayer. The Transfiguration occurred while Jesus was in prayer. It underscores the significance of seeking communion with God in prayer. In our own prayer life, we may not experience such visible transformations, but our time spent with God can indeed transform us from the inside, renewing our minds and hearts.

Lastly, it gives us a glimpse of the glory that awaits us in eternity. As believers, we are called to be transformed into the image of Christ, and one day, we will share in His glorious presence. The Transfiguration serves as a foretaste of the heavenly glory that is to come.

Be encouraged to seek a deeper intimacy with Christ through prayer and be inspired to live in anticipation of seeing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

Pray

Lord, thank You for the Transfiguration which reveals Your divine nature. As I seek You in prayer, may I be transformed by Your presence. Help me to remember the glory that awaits me in eternity and to live in light of this hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For October 12, 2024

Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But after that no one dared question Him.
‭‭Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭34‬

In Mark 12:32-34, the scribe acknowledged the importance of loving God with all one’s being and loving one’s neighbor as oneself. Jesus commended the scribe for his understanding, affirming that he was close to the kingdom of God. This exchange highlights the centrality of love for God and others in fulfilling God’s commandments.

The point Jesus is making is that genuine understanding and practice of these foundational commandments bring one close to the essence of God’s kingdom. The scribe’s recognition that love for God and others surpasses religious rituals and sacrifices aligns with Jesus’ teachings about the heart of true spirituality. The kingdom of God is not merely about external observances but is found in the sincere love, devotion, and ethical treatment of God and fellow human beings.

The application here is profound – you can worship and follow religious practices but until you truly love God and love others, something is still missing. Following Jesus closely allows us to express our love for God and toward each other. 

Pray

Lord, grant me the wisdom to understand and follow Your commandments. May my actions reflect a heart that seeks Your kingdom. Draw me closer to You as I grow in understanding and obedience. Thank You for the guidance Your Word provides. In Jesus’ name, amen.