Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

Doing It For The Lord

Encouragement

‘And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. ‘
Colossians 3:23-24

Mediocrity and laziness have no place in the Christian life. We must always maintain integrity and reliability. Our work habits and labor reflect in our personal relationship with the Lord. God always wants us to do our best.

We will always have people in our lives that will disappoint us, neglect us, mistreat us, and even betray us. Some will demand that we give to them while offering nothing in return. And that is why Paul instructs us to do everything enthusiastically as to the Lord and not to people.

There is a big difference between doing something for people and doing something for the Lord. Working for the Lord changes our perspective as we view our endeavors in light of what He has done for us. Our efforts are never overlooked when we know we are doing it all for the Lord.

You may have a boss that doesn’t appreciate you, a friend who isn’t loyal, or a spouse who doesn’t respect you, but that does not give you the right to cut corners, gossip or cheat in return. God demands that we love others the same way He does. We are to treat others according to the way God treats us.

Pay close attention as to why you do what you do. Are you doing things to please others or to please the Lord? God is worthy of our best effort.

Pray

Lord, increase my abilities to always give my best in everything I do. Give me wisdom to understand that I am working for You and You will reward my efforts. Thank You for giving me strength, knowledge and wisdom to do what I do.

Everyone Needs Jesus

Faith, Salvation

‘Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” ‘
Acts 3:6

Have you ever had someone ask you for money and you didn’t have any cash on-hand to give them? I don’t mean just another beggar asking for money, I’m talking about someone who you really wanted to help but you couldn’t. It’s a bad feeling to know that you can’t help someone who really needs it.

Peter and John faced a similar situation. While walking into the temple to pray, Peter was asked by a lame man if he had any money to give. Peter didn’t give him money, instead he gave him the best thing that he could ever receive and that was… a new life. Peter had faith that the beggar could be healed and he was.

Immediately the man got up and started praising God. The Bible says that all who saw him were amazed at what happened. Peter used this miracle as a preaching opportunity and Acts 4:4 tells us that about five thousand men were saved because of it.

Perhaps the best words that Peter said were, “What I do have I give you.” Peter knew that he possessed what the lame man needed. Not just a healing but salvation. Don’t ever miss an opportunity to share your faith with someone who is in need. God may be sending someone to you today so that you will give them what you have.

Pray

Lord, give me the spiritual power to give people what they need. Help me to notice when someone is in need. Thank You for giving me the best thing that has ever happened in my life.

Do You Have Unbelief?

Faith

‘And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.’
Matthew 13:58

Jesus spent a lot of time teaching and preaching in Nazareth. It was His hometown and many knew of Him. It was His custom to go to the synagogues and teach the Scriptures. Needless to say, His teachings were not welcomed openly.

The Jewish leaders rejected His authority. They discredited Him as being the Messiah. They even sought ways to kill Him.

Rather than opening their hearts and having faith, they were skeptics and resistant. They were closed-minded and hard-hearted. And because they rejected Jesus, they were not able to see and experience the mighty works of God through Him.

Many people could have been healed. Many miracles could have been performed. Even more importantly, many people could have received forgiveness of their sins and but could not because of their unbelief.

Does your unbelief keep you from seeing the mighty works and miracles of God? Sometimes we are just like the skeptics and resistant people. Sometimes we limit the power of God because of our unbelief.

We need not to humanize the things of God. Unbelief holds us back from witnessing the greatness of God. We want to see and witness His glory. We need to be like the father in Mark 9:24, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Pray

Lord, I confess my unbelief and ask You to forgive me. Help me to faithfully live out what You teach me in the Scriptures. Help me to never hinder the Spirit of God.