Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

You Are Not Alone

Encouragement, Faith

‘Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should abe alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” ‘
Genesis 2:18

After God created man, He said, “it is not good that man should be alone.” God wants us to love others and to be loved by others. It’s important that we have social interaction with others and feel a sense of community and fellowship. Maintaining healthy relationships with others is vital to a healthy lifestyle, physically and spiritually.

There are some negative effects of loneliness that could have an impact on your health. Studies have shown that those who feel lonely or isolated choose more unhealthy food options and are less motivated. Loneliness can also lead to depression.

The devil tries to isolate you and make you feel like a prisoner in solitary confinement. He tries to eliminate your community and fellowship with others. But God provided a solution to the problem and created other people.

He told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply. (Genesis 1:28) After the flood He told Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply. (Genesis 9:1) He told Jacob to be fruitful and multiply. (Genesis 35:11) God wants us to be with and around other people.

We have become a society that avoids people and personal, social contact. We even have a fear that contact with others will cause sickness and the spread of viruses. We need to use caution but we still need personal interaction with others.

Do you know someone who lives alone? Have you noticed someone close to you not being as social anymore? Reach out to that someone today and let them know they are loved by you and loved by God.

Are you feeling a sense of loneliness? As a Christian you are not alone. Christ is living inside of you and He is with you. The Holy Spirit is our Helper and Comforter. Jesus said, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

Pray

Lord, give me peace and comfort through Your Spirit today. Help me to notice who is lonely and share Your love and comfort with them. Thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to help us.

We Can Make A Difference

Encouragement, Trust

‘When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. ‘
Acts 2:1-4

There are defining moments in our lives when our life changes and we are never the same. Some of those moments are anticipated and are welcomed into our life but other times they come unexpected and sometimes with pain.

Often times we struggle with change and wonder how God can bring about any good with the pain and suffering. But God always has a way of working all things for our good, even when the enemy intends to do harm.

On the day of Pentecost the disciples lives changed. Something happened that defined who they were. They were ordinary men who were able to be used by God like never before.

But they had to wait for the very specific time and date. They had to wait for the exact moment for it to happen. They had to wait for the promise to be fulfilled.

As we live in a world full of chaos and turmoil we need to know that God wants to do something great. God wants to use us in this fallen world.

It is up to you and me to make a difference. It is up to us to stand up and be like Jesus in this world and to make a statement of love and mercy. It takes courage and the strength of the Holy Spirit to do it.

Pray

Lord, fill me with courage and grace to speak words of love and encouragement. This world needs You. We need Your grace and love.

A View From God’s Perspective

Faith, Salvation

‘Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.’
Exodus 3:6

Could you imagine standing on the moon looking back at the Earth? When we think about the enormous size of the earth, it makes us feel really small doesn’t it? Just think how small we are compared to the rest of the universe.

God has a certain way of showing us things that are bigger than ourselves. He also has a way of showing us things from an eternal perspective. This is what happened the day Moses witnessed the burning bush.

Moses was just a humble shepherd minding his own business when all of a sudden he saw something that didn’t make sense. A bush was burning but was not being consumed in the fire. He needed a closer look to understand what was taking place.

As he approached the burning bush the voice of God spoke to Moses from the midst of the bush. At that moment he realized the God of all creation, God Almighty, Jehovah God, was audibly speaking words to him. Moses must have felt terrified as he hid his face.

God revealed Himself to Moses by declaring His relationship to the patriarchs. And now Moses would become essential to the covenant promise. God used Moses to accomplish a work that was larger than he could comprehend.

While we may be compared to a spectacle of dust compared to the universe, God uses us to accomplish His purposes. Each and everyone of us are essential in building the kingdom of God. Each of us play a vital role in winning the lost to Christ. What is your part?

Pray

Lord, use my life to show who You are. Give me words to speak that will speak life into others. Help me to see an eternal perspective of accomplishing Your will and way.