Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: daily devotional

Do You Follow Jesus?

Faith, Salvation, Trust

Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:30‬

There are those who follow Jesus and those who follow Satan.  There is no other choice.  Everyone must decide who they will follow.  

To be against Jesus is to side with Satan.  If you are not serving Christ you are serving Satan.  If you are against Jesus you are against God.  There is no peace for those who are against God.

Joshua said, “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) 

The world has a lot to offer but it cannot give you anything permanent like what Jesus can.  The world will offer you happiness but Jesus gives you everlasting joy. Only Jesus can satisfy the longing of your soul.

Satan will deceive you and make you think that life is better without Jesus. Don’t fall in that trap. He comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus comes to give life and life more abundantly.

Which will you choose? To whom do you belong? Who gives you hope?

Pray

Lord, I will serve You and You only.  Guide me and direct my paths to do the work You call me to do. Thank You for giving me grace and forgiveness.

The Mighty Works Of God

Encouragement, Trust

Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
Luke 7:16

What should be the proper response when we witness the mighty works of God? In today’s verse we read about the response of fear (honor) and praise. There was a holy fear of the person and power of Jesus.

When the people witnessed Jesus raise the widow’s dead son back to life, they instantly realized that they had seen the mighty work of God. They knew only God could raise someone from the dead.

The raising of the widow’s son is another great illustration of how much God cares and loves His children. God is at work in the lives of His children and He deserves to be feared and praised.

God is involved with our daily concerns and wants us to recognize His greatness. Everyday God displays acts of blessing, mercy and grace upon those who believe. It is up to us as to how we respond.

This widow was helpless and hopeless. She needed more than just comfort. She needed supernatural providence. And Jesus was the source of what she needed.

What is your response when you face your struggles? Do you get angry at God or praise God? Do you blame Him or do you worship Him?

If we keep a proper response of honor and praise to God in our daily lives, we will naturally praise and honor Him even in our struggles.

Keep a watch for the mighty works of God today.

Pray

Lord, You know my heart and concerns. You know what is on my mind and what I need today. I thank You and praise You for Your daily provisions and for blessing me with amazing grace.

Pure Hearts Are Blessed

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:8‬

Jesus began His teaching and preaching ministry by going straight to the heart of His listeners. Jesus was more concerned with a persons inward character than He was about a persons outside performance.

the Bible says the heart is the center of man’s life. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs‬ ‭23:7‬)

Pure in heart refers to holiness and righteousness. To have a pure heart is to be like Jesus. It really means to be one with God.  God said of David, “I have found a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.” (Acts 13:22)

Jesus frequently spoke about the Pharisees as being hypocrites because their hearts were not right.  Jesus didn’t want His disciples to be like the Pharisees.  They were to be holy and set apart by the Holy Spirit of God.

“For they shall see God” means they see the glory of God in nature, history, and in the spiritual things. God will make Himself visible to those who are pure in heart.  The pure in heart will see God’s glory.

It also refers to those who will be with God for eternity.  It takes a pure heart to see God.  We can see God in a beautiful sunset, in the daily happenings of our life, and in the history of mankind.  God reveals Himself to those whose eyes have been spiritually opened.  

Is your heart right with God?

Pray

Lord, cleanse and purify my heart and set my heart in tune with Yours.  Help me to love the things You love and hate the things You hate. Let my heart be set on fire for You.