Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: faith

Devotional For November 28, 2023

Encouragement

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28:6‬

Christians are called to walk in integrity.  It is the basic element of Christian morality.  Integrity means to do what is right and honest even when no one is watching.  

Unfortunately, there are countless examples of Christians who make their public life appear to be great and wonderful but privately they are living unrighteously.  Integrity calls us to walk in the path of Christ and to steer away from hypocrisy.

Our lives are to be marked by love, compassion, mercy, justice, and fearing God above everything else.  We must be quick to turn from evil and do good.  To know what is the right thing to do and not do it is a sin.  

We all face challenges of integrity that can either make us or break us.  Living a life of integrity means that we set aside popular self-perceptions and model Christ-like behaviors.  When it comes down to it, most of the time you are the only one who knows what you did is right or not.  

If we desire to influence others we must have integrity.  Integrity is crucial in all aspects of leadership.

Pray

Lord, keep me humble and always allow me to remember that when no one else is watching, You are. Help me to be a person of integrity. Keep me in Your sovereign hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For November 27, 2023

Encouragement

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬

The apostle Paul delivers a profound message about the sacredness of our physical bodies. Our bodies house the very presence of the Holy Spirit. Imagine, the God of the universe chooses to dwell within each believer, making each one into a living temple.

This scripture calls us to live to a higher standard. It challenges us to view our bodies not merely as vessels for personal desires but as holy sanctuaries set apart for a divine purpose. As stewards of these sacred temples, we are entrusted with the responsibility to honor God in all we do.

The call to honor our bodies as temples goes beyond physical well-being; it’s honoring God with our thoughts, words, and actions. How do we speak about ourselves and others? What thoughts dominate our minds? Are our actions reflective of the holiness residing within us? These questions urge us to align our lives with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our choices matter. Let us seek after a journey of intentional living. As we do, we will find joy and peace in fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives. Our bodies, temples of the Holy Spirit, become instruments through which His light shines brightly in a world longing for the hope and love only found in Christ.

Pray

Lord, thank You for making my body as a temple where You choose to reside. Help me to always remember to honor my body as a holy place. Let my thoughts, words, and actions be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For November 26, 2023

Encouragement

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬

In the compassion of Jesus, we find the source of comfort, healing, and restoration. The Gospels are filled with instances where Jesus’s compassion touched and changed lives. It’s the compassion of Christ that draws us close to Him.

Jesus encountered a large crowd and instead of turning them away, He had compassion on them. This compassion was an abiding concern for the well-being of those before Him. It moved Him to action, and in this case, to heal their sickness.

The compassion of Christ is a theme throughout the Gospels. We see it when He weeps for the mourning, when He feeds the hungry, and when He heals the diseased. His compassion is not limited by circumstance, social status, or past mistakes. It is given to all who come to Him.

Consider the leper who approached Jesus, the woman caught in adultery, or the blind Bartimaeus crying out for mercy. In each instance, Jesus responded with compassion. He didn’t merely address their physical needs but reached into the depths of their souls, offering forgiveness, restoration, and a renewed sense of purpose.

As recipients of Christ’s compassion, we find peace in His understanding of our struggles, pains, and fears. His compassion is cure for our wounded hearts, a light in our moments of darkness, and a promise of hope in our times of despair.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the compassion You demonstrated during Your earthly ministry. In moments of weakness, pain, and uncertainty, help me turn to you, knowing that Your compassionate heart understands my every need. Teach me to love as You love, to see with Your eyes, and to reach out with Your hands of mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.