Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

Committed To Prayer

Trust

And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luke 22:44

Our natural tendency is to avoid pain at all cost. But what happens when God leads us to a place where pain and suffering are necessary?

God is more interested in your spiritual maturity than your comfort. Fully trusting and obeying God sometimes requires a painful experience. But in the end it is worth it all.

Jesus knew the intensity of pain that was awaiting Him to take away the sins of the world. He knew the cost that was required of Him. But He also knew it was worth it all.

Some people never experience God in deep intercessory prayer because we know what it involves. It may require you to stay up late and pray while everyone else is sleeping. Or it may involve you experiencing brokenness while others are trying to be happy.

When was the last time you were deep into prayer with God? Or when was the last time you fasted and prayed until God specifically answered your prayer? It’s in these moments that God breaks the silence and speaks.

We long for our prayers to be answered but how much suffering are you willing to endure? Jesus prayed until His sweat turned to blood. That is the agony of prayer. But He did it to keep in God’s will.

There are no shortcuts to prayer. Prayer is how we express our heart to God. Are you committed to prayer?

Pray

Lord, I seek You in earnest prayer. I will not quit praying and seeking You until I receive what You want me to have. I want to experience You and rest in Your provision.

Make A Difference

Faith, Trust

‘Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.’
I Corinthians 16:13-14

This is the only place in the New Testament where the Greek word for “be brave” is used (andrizomai). It literally means “to act like a man.”

Paul emphasized 5 military commands: Watch, continually be on guard, lest you be surprised by your enemies… Stand fast, keep in your ranks, not disorderly… Be brave, maintain your ground… Be strong, summon up all your courage.

Paul knew what it meant to be a soldier for Jesus Christ. He experienced great opposition for the cause of Christ and considered the reward as a blessing. Sometimes we sit by silently because we don’t want to offend or cause a problem. But when it comes to our convictions we must maintain our ground and be brave.

Shadrach, Meshac, and Abednego didn’t coward down to governmental officials. Joseph didn’t let bad circumstances destroy his destiny. Caleb and Joshua foresaw victory when the rest of the eight spies saw defeat. The list goes on but what remains true of each of the brave men and women mentioned in the Bible is that they stood their ground and God blessed them.

Be brave today and maintain your ground with conviction. Be the one who is left standing when everyone else is gone. Anything that’s worth having is worth fighting for. Be led by the Holy Spirit in what you say and do to show love and gentleness while being brave. Be someone who makes a difference.

Pray

Lord, help me not to fear anyone or anything but You. Give me strength and boldness to be brave. Guard my heart from evil thoughts and let Your love shine through me.

You Can Win

Faith

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12

Do you feel like you can’t win no matter how hard you try? You can win but you must know how to fight the battle.

We are constantly in a spiritual battle. Our nation, our churches, our families, our children, we all are under attack. Satan is fighting for the souls of men.

Satan will use whatever and whoever to divide and conquer. He will do whatever to steal, kill, and destroy. He will devour the weak.

So many Christians are not prepared for this battle. If we are going to win the battle we must be armored, strengthened, and ready to fight. Remember it’s a spiritual battle.

We must endure to the end. We must finish the race. And at the finish line is our reward, the crown of life.

Jesus gives us strength. His Word gives us wisdom. The Holy Spirit gives us courage. We have everything we need to win.

We can overcome every temptation we face. Jesus overcame the temptation of the devil with speaking the truth; the Word of God. He gives us what we need to endure and be approved.

What will you do today to prepare for the battle?

Pray

Lord, equip me and sustain me for what I will face today. Give me Your strength and courage to fight to the end. Thank You for giving me the crown of life.