Pastor Stephen Dedman

July 23, 2025

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬

In the opening verses of the Bible, we are transported back to the moment when God spoke creation into existence. Genesis 1:2 provides a glimpse of the earth before God began His work of shaping and filling it with life. The imagery of darkness and chaos paints a picture of formlessness and emptiness, a canvas waiting to be blessed with God’s wondrous touch.

Yet, in the midst of this formless void, we encounter the Spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters. Here, in the very beginning, we witness the presence of the Holy Spirit as the active agent of God’s creative power. The Spirit hovers and moves over the waters, ready to bring order and beauty out of the darkness.

This passage not only speaks to the creative power of the Holy Spirit but also to His presence and activity in the world today. Just as the Spirit moved over the waters at creation, He continues to move and work in our lives, bringing transformation, renewal, and new life.

May we be reminded of the Spirit’s ongoing work in our lives. In moments of chaos and uncertainty, may we take comfort in knowing that the Spirit of God is present, ready to bring order out of chaos, light out of darkness, and beauty out of emptiness.

Invite the Holy Spirit to move in your heart and life, empowering you to live a life that reflects the creative power and glory of Creator God.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the presence and power of Your Holy Spirit in my life. May Your Spirit move and work in me, bringing order out of chaos and beauty out of darkness. Fill me afresh with Your Spirit, that I may walk in step with Your will and purpose for my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

July 22, 2025

and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬

The word of commendation given to the church in Ephesus serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and endurance in the Christian life. Like the Ephesian believers, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith, even when faced with difficulties.

Jesus also issued a warning to the church in Ephesus: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4, NKJV). Despite their commitment to serving God, the Ephesian believers had allowed their love for God to grow cold.

This warning speaks to the danger of becoming so focused on our outward actions and service that we neglect the most important aspect of our relationship with God: our love for Him. Just as a marriage can grow distant, so too can our relationship with God suffer if we neglect to cultivate a deep, passionate love for Him.

Today, let us examine our hearts and consider whether we have left our first love for God. Have we allowed the busyness of life, the cares of this world, or the pursuit of other things to replace our love for Him? If so, let us repent and return to our first love.

May we never grow weary in serving God and laboring for His kingdom, but let us do so out of a heart overflowing with love for Him.

Pray

Lord, forgive me for the times when I have allowed my love for You to grow cold. Renew within me a passion and for Your kingdom, that I may serve You with joy and devotion. Help me to prioritize my relationship with You above all else. In Jesus’ name, amen.

July 21, 2025

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬

Just as a thief comes unexpectedly in the night, so too will the day of the Lord arrive without warning. This truth calls us to live each day in readiness and anticipation of Christ’s coming. Let’s explore how we can apply this verse to our lives today:

Paul emphasizes that the Thessalonian believers were already aware of the imminent return of Christ. Similarly, as followers of Christ today, we too should be conscious of the reality that His return could happen at any moment. This awareness should shape our perspective on life, prompting us to prioritize eternal matters over temporal concerns.

Just as a thief’s arrival prompts immediate action to protect one’s belongings, the imminent return of Christ should motivate us to be spiritually prepared. We must examine our hearts, confessing and repenting of sin, and drawing near to God in prayer and devotion. Living with a sense of urgency, we seek to live holy and righteous lives, pleasing to the Lord.

Rather than living in fear or anxiety about the unknown timing of Christ’s return, we are called to live in readiness and anticipation. This means faithfully fulfilling our calling as disciples of Christ, serving others in love, and proclaiming the gospel to those who have yet to hear. Each day is an opportunity to live out our faith boldly and intentionally, knowing that we may not have tomorrow.

Let us embrace each day as a gift from God, using our time, talents, and resources to honor Him and advance His kingdom until He comes again.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the assurance of Your return. Help me to live each day with a sense of readiness and anticipation, knowing that You could come at any moment. May I be found faithful and diligent in service to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.