Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

Lead Me, O Lord

Faith, Trust

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭

David certainly had enemies that were plotting against him.  They had evil intentions and were manipulating him before king Saul.  King Saul was growing jealously aware that David could possibly steal his throne.  It was all false and made David look like the bad guy.

Can you can relate to this situation?  Have you ever had someone falsely accuse you of something or say something about you that wasn’t true?  

David responded with wisdom and reason.  He wanted God to lead him down the right path so he would not fail.  David wanted the tables turned and for his enemies to get what they were plotting for him. He wanted their own words to be their trap, to be caught in their lies so he could be cleared.

This still happens today. Even in the church, people gossip and slander each other. The Bible tells us that God hated this for David and hates it when we do this to one another or when people of the world do this to His children.

God hates wicked speech of any form.  The remarkable thing is that David displayed the mark of true discipline, the result of a God-centered life, following Him, His precepts and plan while seeking His purpose for his life.  

Walk in God’s righteousness and allow the Lord to lead you in the right path.

Pray

Lord, keep me in Your straight path. Give me wisdom and reason to respond righteously when I face evil people. Help me to seek Your righteousness.

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.