Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

You Are Family

Encouragement

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Ephesians 2:19

Have you ever felt like you were a stranger living in a foreign land? Have you ever had to relocate to a different community, new job or a new school and felt like you were out of place? It takes a little time before you actually feel like it’s home. 

In today’s verse, Paul wants us to consider what it feels like to become a member of God’s household; to be part of the family of God, to be a child of God, and to have a place where you are welcomed.

Maybe you have sung the hymn, “I’m so glad… I’m a part… of the family of God.” Sing it right now! “I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood.” Now it’s stuck in your head!

In reality, faith is not just believing but belonging. As a believer in Jesus, you belong to God’s family and His household. The moment you put your trust in Jesus you are no longer a stranger to God but a friend or a child. Even though you are living on earth, your real citizenship is in heaven!

The moment you say, “Lord Jesus, I believe in you, forgive me of my sins and save me,” instantaneously and miraculously, you belong to God. Have you experienced that blessing of belonging to God? 

Our home is in heaven and one day we will be in the presence of our Lord and Savior. Can you imagine what it will be like? Heaven awaits us and we long to see Jesus face to face. Let the hope of eternal glory fill your heart with everlasting joy.

Pray

Lord, thank You for saving my soul and accepting me into the family of God. Fill my heart with joy and give me a song in my mouth. Until I’m in Your presence, let Your light shine bright in me so others will know You as well.

Honor God

Encouragement

But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.
I Samuel 2:30

When we honor God, He honors us. But just the same, those who disrespect God will be treated as least in His Kingdom. It is fair to say that how we respond to God will determine how God responds to us.

God had to deal justly with Eli, the priest. Although he had served and honored God for many years, his sons were evil. Eli knew the standard of God’s righteousness and holiness but he chose to honor his sons and not God. 

Eli revealed his heart when he failed to honor God before the people of Israel by the way he dealt with his sons wickedness. He allowed them to continue in sin.

God is not pleased when you praise Him on Sunday but not on Monday. It does not bring honor to God when you accept the standard of wickedness and sin from your family, friends and co-workers. 

God expects us to honor Him completely and consistently. Just because we work or play around sinful people does not mean that we conform their ways. We must honor God by standing up for what is right and holy.

You may not be the popular person for excusing yourself when you around filthy conversation or jokes. You may even be mocked when you tell others to stop the nonsense. But that is what God expects from those who completely honor Him.

Pray

Lord, I will honor You with my whole heart. I will stand up against wickedness and stand strongly for the things that bring praise and honor to Your name. Father, forgive me for caving into the temptations of this world.

You Are Chosen

Encouragement

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession…
1 Peter 2:9

The Apostle Peter describes how we are important and special to God.  He says we were chosen.  Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you…” (John 15:16)  

From the very beginning we see that God chooses His own. God chose Noah, Moses, Abraham, David, Peter, and Paul and even you.  God chooses you based on His mercy and grace not according to performance.

We are a royal priesthood.  Priests had privileges with God that others didn’t have.  They were instructed to live in holiness and pureness.  They were to speak different, dress different, and act different because they represented God. Today, Christians represent God.

We are a holy nation.  God made a great promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:2 when He said, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”  Today, we are part of that holy nation.

And last but not least, we belong to God. We are a people for His possession. That means God will protect, provide, sustain, and sanctify us.  God will bless you and make you great as well.  It’s great to belong to God!

Pray

Lord, I am so blessed that You love me. Thank You for redeeming me and making me whole. Thank You for choosing me.