Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

You Are The Church

Encouragement

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:31‬

Churches today don’t need new programs or events to lure people in. They need the power of God intervening through the work of the Holy Spirit. We need to get back to the basics of what the Scriptures set forth as an example of how a church can prosper. 

We have insight through Scripture of what the early church experienced as they spiritually grew and prospered. Many times we try to create ways for our churches to prosper but the model for ministry is laid forth through the New Testament, especially in the book of Acts. 

Acts 9:31 gives us 4 specific ingredients that are proven to make the power of God come alive. First, we notice that the church experienced peace. We should promote peace with one another in fellowship. People gravitate to places where there is peace.

Second, we see that the early church was edified. The word means to build up. Specifically the church was a place of encouragement. People were encouraged when they met together. They were full of joy and peace and it caused them to be encouraging to one another.

Thirdly, we read that the church was walking in fear of the Lord. The new Christians reverenced God and were convicted of their sins. God can only bless what is right. If His people are not confessing sin and striving for holiness and righteousness we are hindered from growing and prospering. 

Last, we see the church was comforted by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was promised by Jesus to come as our Comforter. The Holy Spirit guides and directs us to the things of God so we can be purposeful. We all have a purpose and God calls us to do His will. 

These 4 ingredients stand as a model for what it takes for us to grow and prosper as a church and individuals. We all play an important part in the work of God. 

Have you discovered what your purpose is as a follower of Christ? Are you part of a church that is purposely growing and building the kingdom of Heaven?

Pray

Lord, give us peace and let us be built upon the foundation of Jesus. We serve and honor you as our Lord. Let Your Spirit strengthen us to do a work that is greater than us. 

Sanctified

Encouragement

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
John 17:17

Keeping today’s verse in context, Jesus was praying the most profound prayer known to man. With suffering and death on His mind, He prayed to the Father for His disciples who He loved so dearly. He prayed that they would be sanctified in the truth, set apart and made holy unto Him.

Sanctification is a specific act of the Holy Spirit. Once a sinner is saved by grace, the ongoing process of becoming holy takes place in the heart of the believer. It’s an ongoing process that won’t be completed until we are in the presence of God in Heaven. Until then we are increasingly conformed in the likeness of Jesus Christ. It’s a life long process.

Everyone who trusts in the Lord for salvation is sanctified the moment they receive the Holy Spirit into their heart. But every believer must go through the process of maturing in their faith. Day by day we progress into the image of Jesus Christ Himself.

We are enriched with truth through the power of the Word of God. The truth of God sanctifies us and separates us from evil. As we meditate and on the Word of God and study its powerful promises, the truth is planted in our hearts. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we trust our heavenly Father to complete a good work that He started in us on the day of salvation. 

Have you allowed the Word of God to work in you? The work we do for Jesus is because of our faith in Him. We steadily and boldly work towards being the person God has called us to be. It’s not an easy to be a Christian but it is rewarding. Set yourself apart from the world today and proclaim the goodness of our Lord in your words and actions. 

Pray

Lord, thank You for choosing me. You loved me before I loved You. You have set me apart for Your good work and I am up for the challenge.

Controlling Your Emotions

Encouragement

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Mark 12:30

Expressing feelings is a part of life that must be controlled. People let their emotions control their actions. We must keep ourselves holy and righteous.

Your soul manifests your emotions, feelings, attitudes and actions. How you process your emotions is vital.

God says that we are to love Him with all our soul. Our primary reason for existence is to glorify God with who we are and what we have. That means we should express our emotions toward God so that others may know Him and believe in Him.

Sadly, we see people, Christians as well, expressing personal emotions toward political and social issues and but not so much spiritual. God wants us to express our emotions and feelings about the things that matter in our relationship with Christ. 

In the Scriptures we see political and social groups that rose up against Christ. The Pharisees and the Sadducees hated Jesus. They even tried to stone Him and kill Him before He went to the cross. 

They viewed Jesus as a threat in their political agenda. Jesus confronted the issues many times with them and called them out on their unrighteous behavior. 

As Christians, we must be the light in the darkness. Our love for God must be put on display for the whole world to see. How will unsaved people come to know Christ if they never witness the love of God?

We are called to be witnesses of Christ. Let’s express our love to God through a passionate relationship with Christ. Let’s glorify God with our soul today. He deserves it!

Pray

Lord, I praise Your holy name and give You honor and glory. Give me a heart and soul for the things that matter to You. Help me to express my love in a way that glorifies You.