Pastor Stephen Dedman

Devotional For July 17, 2023

For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭6‬:‭17‬

Today’s verse presents a profound question that challenges every soul to consider the magnificence and sovereignty of our Lord.

“The great day of His wrath” describes the time of judgment when God’s righteousness will be fully revealed. It’s a day that the world has never witnessed before. This is a powerful reminder that no sin or injustice will go unnoticed or unpunished.

Then the question is posed, “who is able to stand?” It forces us to confront the reality of our human frailty and the weight of our sins. If we are honest, we realize that no one can withstand the fullness of God’s wrath on their own merits. Each of us has fallen short of God’s perfect standards, and we are in need of a Savior.

We discover a glorious answer to this question. We encounter the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who alone is worthy and able to stand in the face of God’s judgment. He is the only one who has lived a sinless life, fulfilling the requirements of the Law and offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Through His shed blood, we find forgiveness and redemption.

Jesus is our only hope in a world full of darkness. He brings light and offers salvation to all who turn to Him in faith. By His grace, we can face the day of judgment with confidence, knowing that we are united with Him who overcame sin and death.

Have you placed your faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior to give you eternal life?

Pray

Lord, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain for my sins. Help me to comprehend the magnitude of His sacrifice and the hope it brings. Strengthen my faith, that I may stand firm in Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For July 16, 2023

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
‭‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬

James poses a thought-provoking question: What is the value of a professed faith that lacks corresponding actions? Can such faith truly save?

James points out the connection between faith and works. Genuine faith is not merely a matter of intellection or knowledge about the saving power of the Gospel. It is a faith that produces fruit, demonstrating love and obedience.

Faith without works is like an Apple tree that produces no apples. It may appear to be an Apple tree, but it lacks the evidence. James reminds us that true faith is genuine and active. It reveals a Christ-centered lifestyle characterized by compassion, service, and righteousness.

We must be careful that our works are not a means of earning salvation, for we are saved by grace through faith alone. However, genuine faith compels us to respond to God’s love and grace with a life of obedience and good deeds. Our actions become the visible expression of our faith, reflecting the power of God’s love within us.

As followers of Christ, we are called to align our beliefs with our actions. We are called to love our neighbors, care for those in need, forgive our enemies, speak words of encouragement, and pursue justice and righteousness. These actions testify to the reality that our faith is real.

Does your faith produce good works? Are you living out your beliefs and demonstrating the love of Christ to those around you? Does your faith point others to Jesus Christ?

Genuine faith and good works are a reflection of a deep devotion to Christ.

Pray

Lord, help me to cultivate a faith that is active and genuine. Give me strength to be obedient to Your Word and to reflect Your love and grace to those around me. Let my faith and works glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For July 15, 2023

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬

What does it mean for us to say, “To live is Christ”? It means that our lives are no longer driven by selfish ambition, worldly success, or temporary pleasures. Instead, our lives are characterized by a passionate pursuit of Christ and a desire to align ourselves with His will. “To live is Christ” means we find our purpose, joy, and fulfillment in Him alone.

Paul’s declaration, “For to me, to live is Christ,” reveals his unwavering commitment to Christ as the very essence and purpose of his existence. Paul had encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, and from that moment, his life was radically changed. He abandoned his former way of life and pursued an intimate relationship with Jesus. Every aspect of Paul’s being—his thoughts, actions, and desires—were now directed towards the person of Christ.

Paul does not stop there. He continues, “and to die is gain.” This phrase may seem counterintuitive at first, as death is often viewed with fear and uncertainty. However, for a believer, death holds a different significance. It is not the end but the beginning. It is a gain because it marks our ultimate victory over sin and suffering.

Paul’s perspective on life and death challenges us to evaluate our priorities and prioritize our hearts towards what truly matters. The pursuits and possessions of this world pale in comparison to the immeasurable worth of Christ. When we grasp the profound truth that to live is Christ and to die is gain, it changes the way we approach every aspect of our lives.

Are you wholly devoted to Christ? Do you seek to live for Him in every circumstance? As we live for Christ, may we find comfort in the assurance that even death cannot separate us from His love and the eternal inheritance that awaits us.

Pray

Lord, help me to be a living testimony to the truth that to live is Christ. Teach me to surrender my desires, ambitions, and fears to You, and enable me to walk in step with Your Spirit each day. Help me to find joy and purpose. In Jesus’ name, amen.