Pastor Stephen Dedman

Devotional For May 18, 2024

His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭72‬:‭17‬

The name of the Lord is not merely a label; it represents His character, authority, and eternal nature. It is a name that endures throughout all generations. As we reflect on the enduring nature of God’s name, we are reminded of His faithfulness, grace, mercy, and compassion towards His people.

In Jesus, we have a visual of the embodiment of God’s name—His character, attributes, and purposes fully revealed. He came to earth to reconcile humanity to God, to bring salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him. Through His death and resurrection, He established a kingdom that will never end.

As believers in Christ, we are blessed to be recipients of God’s grace. In Him, we find forgiveness, redemption, and new life. Through faith in Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family, co-heirs with Christ, and recipients of every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3).

But the blessings of God are not meant to be kept to ourselves. They are meant to be shared with others, to be a source of blessing and encouragement to others. As we live each day in Christ and reflect His love and grace to those around us, we become channels of God’s blessing, agents of His kingdom, and ambassadors of His grace.

May we, as followers of Christ, be known as a people who bring blessing wherever we go—blessing our families, communities, and nations with the love, mercy, and compassion of Jesus Christ. And may all nations call Him blessed, as they come to know and experience the eternal blessings found in Him alone.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the enduring nature of Your name and the eternal blessings You give. Help me to abide in You, to walk in Your ways, and to reflect Your love and grace to the world around me. Use me as an instrument of Your blessing, that others may come to know and call You blessed. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For May 17, 2024

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬

Paul’s words give us a great truth about the Christian journey—the burden of our hearts for the salvation of others. Just as Paul prayed for the salvation of his fellow Israelites, so too are we called to intercede for the lost and share the message of salvation with those who have yet to hear and believe.

As followers of Christ, we are commissioned to be ambassadors of the gospel, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with a world in need of hope and redemption. Like Paul, we should have a heart’s desire to see people come to faith in Christ, to experience the transformative power of His love and grace.

But our passion for souls should not end with just emotion. It should drive us to action—to fervent prayer, bold witness, and compassionate outreach. We should be willing to sacrifice our time, resources, and comfort for the sake of seeing others come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

As we meditate on Paul’s words, let us examine our own hearts and ask ourselves: Do we share Paul’s burden for the salvation of others? Are we willing to pray earnestly for the lost and engage in the work of evangelism and discipleship? May we be inspired by Paul’s example and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be faithful witnesses of the gospel, sharing the message of salvation with love, boldness, and compassion.

Pray

Lord, ignite my heart’s desire for the salvation of the lost. Grant me the courage to pray fervently for those who have yet to know You and the boldness to share the gospel with others. Use me as an instrument of Your grace and mercy, that many may come to experience Your saving power. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For May 16, 2024

Then He (Jesus) said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭24‬

In our distracting and noisy world, it’s easy to become passive listeners, allowing countless messages to bombard our minds without discernment or reflection. Yet, Jesus calls us to a higher standard of listening—one marked by attentiveness, discernment, and intentionality.

When Jesus told His disciples to “take heed what you hear,” He urged them to be selective and discerning about the messages they allow into their hearts and minds. Not all words are equal in value or truthfulness, and it’s essential to filter what we hear through the lens of God’s Word and His truth.

Jesus also highlighted the nature of hearing and receiving. The measure with which we listen and receive God’s truth will determine the measure of blessing and understanding we receive in return. Those who listen with open hearts and receptive spirits will be granted deeper insights, greater understanding, and a richer experience of God’s truth.

As followers of Christ, we need to develop a habit of listening with purpose in our spiritual lives. This means prioritizing time in God’s Word, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and actively engaging with His truth. It means being discerning about the messages we allow into our minds and hearts, filtering out that which is contrary to God’s Word.

When we listen with purpose, we position ourselves to receive more of God’s grace, wisdom, and revelation. Our spiritual growth and understanding deepen, and we become better equipped to live out our faith and impact the world around us.

Pray

Lord, help me to listen to You with purpose and intentionality. Give me discernment to filter out messages that are contrary to Your truth and wisdom to receive Your Word with an open heart. May I be attentive to Your voice, receptive to Your guidance, and faithful in applying Your truth to my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.