Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

The Word Of God

Faith, Trust

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17

The gospel of Jesus Christ leads lost people to saving grace.  The power of God’s Word calls people to trust in the name of Jesus and causes people’s faith to be strengthened.

Sadly, there are a lot of people in the world today who are not searching for truth.  People believe much of what they hear to be true, even if it isn’t.  The media only tells people what they want them to hear and many times that means leaving out the truth.

One thing we can stand firm on is that the Word of God is true. All of Scripture is God’s truth to mankind. Truth produces faith and faith produces love and love produces patience.

Faith opens our hearts and minds to understand God’s truth.  Only those who hear the Word of God can repent of sin and trust Jesus for eternal life.  This is why God’s Word is so important.

As Christians, we need to be consumed in the Word of God so we can know and understand the perfect plan of God.  Scripture will reveal what we need to know.  However, if we never turn to the Word of God we will never understand what God desires for us to know.  

Maintaining a constant and consistent study and meditation of the Bible will allow us to hear from God and to align our lives with what He desires.

Pray

Lord, give me the desire to know the truth through reading Your word. Help me to align my heart with Your heart. Only Your word will I hide in my heart.

His Name Is Praised

Encouragement

My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord , And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever.
Psalms 145:21

Did you know that God will take what Satan intended for evil and make it good? That is how good our God is!

Sometimes it seems like when we get closer to God is when the spiritual battles occur in our life. But that is when Satan tries his best to make you stumble.

If you are not facing Satan’s opposition it may be because you are not doing anything for the Lord. When you boldly praise the Lord and live righteously for Him, Satan will attack like never before. Be on guard!

Satan’s strategy is to defeat you but God is there to empower you and lift you up. He will give you strength in times of weakness and grace to overcome any opposition.

God will be praised by those who truly seek Him and follow Him. His name will be blessed and honored by people who trust in Him for all things. His name is on the tip of our tongue all the day long.

If you were to have a recording of everything you said yesterday, what percentage of your speech was praise to the Lord? Was the majority of your words used to glorify God?

We need to be more attentive in speaking praise of the Lord. We are to bless His holy name all the day long. If we were to speak more praise we would be full of His joy. Praise the Lord today and watch what happens.

Pray

Lord, I praise and honor You with all of my heart, soul, and mind. Your wonderful works bless me and keep me strengthened. Let me see Your glory today.

Prayer Changes Things

Encouragement, Trust

But He (Jesus) would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:16‬

Difficulties and trials either push us away from God or they get us closer to God. Consider the most current suffering you’ve encountered and reflect on your response to it. Did it bring you closer to God or did you take matters in your own hands?

Prayer is one of the most important things a Christian can do.  It is how we communicate with God which means our prayer life should be taken very seriously.  Praying with God is how we spend time with Him.  It’s how we can know the heart of God.

Sometimes we forget just how powerful our prayers are.  Praying does not change God it changes us.  Our perspective of who we are and what we are facing changes when we see who God is and how powerful He is.

Prayer changes our hearts and when our hearts are pure, our lifestyle becomes righteous and holy. Praying should be done just like what we see in the Bible. Jesus spent hours in prayer. Jesus could pray all through the night.

He would constantly get away from everything to spend time with God. Jews had set times throughout the day when life came to a stop so they could pray. It’s important to spend time in prayer speaking to God about the things that are on your heart; good and bad.

How much time do you spend praying to God?

Pray

Lord, You know my heart and You know what is happening in my life. You have the power to change my circumstances and problems. I will trust in You for all wisdom and understanding.