Pastor Stephen Dedman

Devotional For April 21, 2024

“Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭24‬

Here is a profound truth about the nature of God—He is omnipresent, meaning He is present everywhere at all times. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God’s awareness of all things and His constant presence with His people.

God’s omniscience means that He knows everything—every thought, every action, every motive. There is no secret place where we can hide from Him. This truth should encourage us to live with integrity and transparency, knowing that God sees and knows all things.

There is no place in the universe where God is not present. He is not confined to a specific location or limited by time or space. This reality should bring us comfort and assurance, knowing that wherever we are, God is with us. We are never alone, for He is always near.

Jeremiah’s proclamation of God’s omnipresence reaffirms His sovereignty over all creation. He is not a distant or detached deity but actively involved in the affairs of His creation. His presence fills the heavens and the earth, sustaining and upholding all things by His power. This truth reminds us that God is in control, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.

In light of God’s omnipresence, our response should be one of reverence, awe, and surrender. We cannot hide from God, nor can we escape His presence. Therefore, let us live our lives with a deep awareness of His presence, seeking to honor Him in all that we do. Let us draw near to Him in prayer, knowing that He is always listening and attentive to our cries.

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your omnipresence—that You fill heaven and earth with Your presence. Help me to have a deep awareness of Your presence, knowing that You are always near. Help me to walk in integrity and reverence before You, honoring You in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For April 20, 2024

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭23‬

Romans 6:23 sums up the fundamental truth of the gospel—the reality of sin and its consequences, contrasted with the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. In this verse, the apostle Paul presents a difference between two paths: one leading to death and the other to life.

Paul begins by acknowledging the reality of sin and its consequences. Sin is not just a minor infraction; it is a serious offense against a holy and righteous God. The wages, or the payment, for sin is death—not only physical death but also spiritual separation from God for all eternity. Sin leads to brokenness, pain, and ultimately, eternal separation from God.

Next, Paul introduces a message of hope and redemption—the gift of God. Unlike wages earned through labor, a gift is freely given, unearned and undeserved. God, in His infinite love and mercy, offers the gift of eternal life to humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ. This gift is made available to all who believe in Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

The gift of eternal life is not merely an extension of our earthly existence; it is life in its fullest and truest sense, a life characterized by an intimate relationship with God. Through Jesus Christ, we are reconciled to God, forgiven of our sins, and adopted into His family as His beloved children. Eternal life is not just a future hope; it begins the moment we place our faith in Jesus and continues for all eternity.

The gift of eternal life demands a response from us. We cannot earn this gift through our own efforts; it is purely by God’s grace. However, we must respond to God’s offer of salvation with faith and repentance. We must acknowledge our need for a Savior, turn away from our sin, and place our trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

Let us respond to this gift with humility, gratitude, and obedience, living each day in light of the hope and assurance it brings.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the gift of eternal life. Help me to grasp the magnitude of this gift and to live in response to Your grace and mercy. Help me turn away from sin and embrace the abundant life You offer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For April 19, 2024

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭7‬:‭37‬

In Mark 7:31-37, Jesus heals a deaf and mute man. Some people brought the man to Jesus, begging Him to heal him. Jesus took the man aside, touched his ears and tongue, looked up to heaven, sighed deeply, and said, “Ephphatha,” which means “Be opened.” Immediately, the man’s ears were opened, and his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. The people were amazed at this miraculous healing, acknowledging that Jesus indeed does all things well.

This account of Jesus healing the deaf and mute man teaches us some valuable lessons:

  1. Jesus Is Compassionate: Jesus’ response to the man’s condition reveals His deep compassion for the suffering. He takes the time to personally attend to the man’s needs, showing that He cares about every aspect of our lives, including our physical ailments.
  2. Jesus Is Powerful: The miraculous healing of the deaf and mute man demonstrates Jesus’ authority over sickness and infirmity. His mere touch and spoken word are enough to bring about complete restoration and wholeness. This reminds us that there is nothing too difficult for Jesus, and He has the power to overcome any obstacle in our lives.
  3. Jesus Is Worthy Of Praise: The people’s response to the miraculous healing is one of astonishment and praise. They recognize that Jesus has done all things well and acknowledge His greatness. As believers, we are called to praise the Lord, acknowledging God’s wonderful works in our lives and giving Him the glory He deserves.

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your miraculous works. I praise You for Your compassion and power to heal and restore. Help me to have faith, knowing that You are able to do all things well. I give You the praise and glory You deserve. In Jesus’ name, amen.