Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

Love Never Fails

Encouragement

‘Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ‘
I John 4:7

As Christians we are called to love others as we love ourselves. As difficult as this may be sometimes it is necessary for us to be obedient when it comes to this command. Remember, love never fails.

We are not commanded to love one another to earn the love of God, we love one another because we are loved by God. Because we have received that perfect love from God, we abide in it. Love conquers all and covers all.

It’s very important right now that we show the love of God to everyone, even those who try their best to cause evil in this world. John’s emphasis on love is powerful and has a great impact on others. John is saying when we abide in God’s love it will show by our love for one another.

People need to be shown the love of Jesus. When people around us act like the world they need to see and witness the love of God. And the only way they will experience Christ-like love is if we, who are children of God, show them love.

The world has enough evil in it but not enough love. Whatever you do today or whoever you come into contact with, make sure to shine the love of Jesus. Let the light and love of Jesus be so bright in our life that makes others curious.

Pray

Lord, I know that I am not the most loving person but I know Your love is powerful. Your love never fails so help me to love You more and give me the ability to love others the way You love.

Tell Them What God Has Done

Encouragement, Faith

‘However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” ‘
Mark 5:19

Have you every hesitated telling others about how you met the Lord? We should be quick to tell others about the great and wonderful things that God has done in our life.

The story of Mark 5:1-20 details a dramatic miracle of Jesus delivering a man of demons and casting them into a heard of swine. On that day two thousand demon possessed pigs squealed down the mountain and drowned into the sea.

The miracle angered the local pig farmers and Jesus was forced to leave. As Jesus got into the boat the man who was once possessed begged to go with Him but Jesus wouldn’t allow it. Instead Jesus instructed him to go home and tell his family and friends about his miraculous deliverance.

Later in chapter 6 Jesus returned and was gladly welcomed back. Because the man told everyone about the great things the Lord had done Jesus was able to perform other great miracles. There is power in sharing with others what the Lord has done for each of us. Never be ashamed to share what the Lord has done. You never know what kind of impact it could make.

Pray

Lord, put someone in my path today that I can share my story with them. Thank You for doing so many good things in my life. Help me to never be ashamed to speak of Your goodness.

Praise The Lord With Every Breath

Encouragement

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6

It is estimated that the average person takes 23,000 breaths every day. Every breath you take matters. If we were to stop breathing… death is near.

A dear friend of mine got really sick with Covid at the beginning of this year. He told me he had a really hard time breathing. He said he had to think about each breath he took. He had to concentrate on inhaling and exhaling.

Sometimes we don’t consider the necessity of breathing until we can’t. Sometimes we don’t even realize that we are breathing because we don’t have to think about it. We just do it, naturally.

Here is the point of today’s message. We are given 23,000 opportunities to praise the Lord. We should praise God for every breath He gives us.

Let’s praise the Lord for every breath we take and with every breath let’s praise the Lord!

Do you praise the Lord 23,000 times a day? With the mindset of praising God for giving us our next breath we can. But don’t wait until you can’t breathe to be thankful for each breath.

Take a deep breath right now and consider what happens when your lungs fill with air (oxygen) and you exhale the converted air (carbon dioxide). The 3 to 5 seconds that it took to breathe in and breathe out is amazing. The oxygen you inhale contains vital nutrients for blood to carry nutrients throughout your body to live.

Interestingly enough, you exhale carbon dioxide that provides sufficient nutrients for plants to survive. And in return plants give off oxygen for humans to survive. God works in mysterious ways!

How many times you can praise the Lord today?

Pray

Lord, thank You for every breath I take. Thank You for the clean air that I breathe and the plants that provide oxygen for me to breathe. Help me to realize that every breath I take matters and is an opportunity to praise You.