Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: bible

Devotional For July 27, 2023

Encouragement

Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭29‬:‭9‬

Have you ever wondered why God blesses some people but not others? Have you witnessed times in your life when God was blessing you more than other times? Let’s take a close look at a possible reason why?

In Deuteronomy 29, Moses addressed the Israelites, reminding them of God’s faithfulness throughout their 40 years in the wilderness. He emphasized the importance of keeping the covenant they made with the Lord and obeying His commands. Today, we too are called to remember God’s faithfulness and walk in obedience.

God’s covenant with His people is a promise that extends beyond generations. His covenant affirms that He will always be our faithful and trustworthy guide. Just as the Israelites were called to keep the covenant, we are also called to honor our covenant with God through faith and obedience.

When we faithfully keep His Word, we position ourselves to prosper in all that we do. This prosperity may not always be materialistic but it does include peace and joy that comes from walking in obedience. God enjoys blessing His children.

Today, make a commitment to walk in obedience to God’s commands. As you seek to follow His ways, you will open yourself up to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. When you are in fellowship with God, your life becomes a testimony of His goodness, grace, and faithfulness.

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness throughout my life. Help me to remember Your goodness and grace. Give me the strength and willingness to obey Your Word and honor the covenant I have with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For July 24, 2023

Encouragement

This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬

The Apostle Paul carefully explains that the righteousness of God is not attained through our good works or efforts, but through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a righteousness that comes from God Himself and is made available to all who believe.

Living by faith is an ongoing journey of trust and dependence on God’s love and grace. From the moment we place our faith in Christ, we embark on a life-long experience of growing in God’s righteousness.

The phrase, “through faith a righteous person has life,” comes from the Old Testament book of Habakkuk (Habakkuk 2:4). Both Paul and Habakkuk affirm the significance of living a life that is grounded in faith.

Living by faith requires surrendering our desire for control and humbly acknowledging our need for God’s guidance. It involves trusting God, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. As we walk by faith, God’s righteousness transforms our hearts, minds, and actions.

In our journey of faith, there will be moments of doubt and struggles. Yet, when we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), we find the strength to persevere. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are continually being conformed into the image of Christ, reflecting His righteousness to the world around us.

Today devote yourself to trusting in God’s righteousness and walking in obedience to His Word. As you grow in faith, you will experience the abundant life that comes from knowing and following Jesus Christ.

Pray

Lord, help me to live by faith and be guided by Your Spirit. Strengthen my faith as I face doubts and difficulties. Transform me daily into the likeness of Your Son, that I may reflect Your righteousness to those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For July 22, 2023

Encouragement

As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬

As followers of Christ, we are called to safeguard and uphold the purity of the Gospel message, resisting any deviation or distortion of the Gospel that may arise from false teachings or worldly influences. What is our role in doing so?

  1. Reject False Teachings: We must discern and reject any teachings that stray from the core message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. We must be diligent to examine the beliefs and doctrines we encounter, ensuring they align with the teachings of the Bible.
  2. Stay Rooted in God’s Word: In order to identify false teachings, it is vital to be well-grounded in the Scriptures. Regular study and meditation on God’s Word will equip us with discernment.
  3. Guard the Gospel: The Gospel is the cornerstone of Christianity. We are entrusted with safeguarding this precious message and passing it on faithfully to generations to come. We must resist the temptation to modify it to conform to our society or personal preferences.
  4. Avoid Compromise: The world may pressure Christians to compromise in our beliefs to be accepted or avoid conflict. Compromising the Gospel is not an option. Instead, we are called to stand boldly for Christ and His teachings.
  5. Seek Unity in Truth: When we all hold firm to the truth of the Gospel, we can stand together as a strong and unified community, bearing witness to God’s love and grace.

Are you anchoring yourself in God’s Word? Are you boldly proclaiming the truth of the Gospel? There is someone needing hope and redemption and you might just be the one who reveals the need of salvation to them.

Pray

Lord, thank You for giving me illumination to the truth of Your Word. Help me to boldly protect against false teachings. Give me discernment to recognize when teachings do not align to the Bible. In Jesus’ name, amen.