Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

Learning The Will Of God

Faith, Trust

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!”
Psalm 143:10

Learning something new can be a bit of a challenge. But once you discover how to do something new it can be rewarding and great. For example, learning to play an instrument can be difficult and time consuming but once you learn to play a song it’s exciting.

In the same sense, learning to do God’s will can be challenging but the reward is worth it all.

In this Psalm David is cries out to God for help. It’s a desperate cry for help. But right in the middle of this Psalm, David seeks to understand the will of God because he knows it’s the best thing. He knows that God is in control of all things but he wants God to reveal His will to him.

This is the best attitude to have when we face difficult times in our life. Instead of praying for God to remove our trials we should face them with a perspective that God is trying to teach us something new.

Just think about all the challenges that David faced during his life.

  • He was the youngest and smallest of his brothers but he knew he had a purpose.
  • He took on the biggest and strongest Phillistine and experienced victory.
  • He committed many sins but found forgiveness through God’s love and grace.
  • He lost a child who was only a few days old but knew the child was with God in Heaven.

The list can go on and on but David was always aware that God was maturing his faith and increasing his spiritual strength.

That is how we should look at our life. God causes all things to work for His glory. God wants to see you grow in faith.

Pray

Lord, teach me to do Your will. Let Your Spirit lead me along the path that You desire. Increase my faith and give me strength to endure to the end.

Enemies Of Darkness

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12

Satan knows our weaknesses better than we do.  He knows where we are most tempted. We need to know where we are most vulnerable and arm ourselves for the battle.  Satan will attack when we are at our weakest point.

Paul had many people trying to attack him.  He had many enemies and was hated to the point that some wanted to kill him.  Paul was persecuted for his faith in Jesus.  Paul was always on the lookout for his enemy and especially Satan.  

He viewed his enemies as vessels of spiritual darkness.  Paul knew Satan was using people to attack him. It’s easy to get angry at someone when they do harm to us.  But we always need to keep in mind that they are being tempted by Satan.  

Satan will tempt Believers to act in ways that they shouldn’t.  He will make them say things that they shouldn’t.  We must all be aware of this struggle.  Don’t be the one who Satan is using against another person.  

When you experience someone who intends to do evil to you make sure you understand why they are doing what they are doing.  Instead of reacting with anger we should react with grace and love.  Your opponent needs to witness the love of Christ and experience the joy that you have. Do not let the enemy steal your joy.

Pray

Lord, I thank you for defeating my enemies.  Show me how to be Christ-like in all my circumstances. Help me to be an encouragement to others.

What Are You Asking Jesus For Today?

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20:32‬ ‭

What if Jesus asked you, “What do you want Me to do for you?” What would be your response?  

What is the most pressing thing on your mind today?  Is there something that you could quickly ask for?

Jesus was passing through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem and heard two blind men cry out, “Have mercy on us!”  Jesus walked over to them and asked them what they wanted Him to do for them and of course they asked for their eyes to be opened.  

This was a great miracle because there was no cure for blindness and there was no doctor that could restore someone’s vision.  The Scripture says Jesus compassionately touched them and they were able to see.  

As soon as their eyes were opened they saw Jesus!

We all have things that we want the Lord to do for us.  The problem is most of the time we ask selfishly for things that we really don’t need.  Most of the time it is considered a want and not a need.  

Jesus promises to give us what we need.  He always knows what we need.  He just wants us to have faith that He is going to meet our needs.

He wants us to go to Him first before we go to anyone else.  Just as these men cried out for mercy, we too should be crying out to Jesus for mercy and forgiveness. Only Jesus is able to do such wonders in our life.

What do you want to ask Jesus for today?

Pray

Lord, open my eyes that I may see You for who You really are.  You are my Lord and Master and I will serve you everyday. Give me mercy and forgiveness.