Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: faith

Devotional For November 23, 2023

Encouragement

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭4‬

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we gather around the table with family and friends, let us reflect on what God has done with an attitude of gratitude. Our gratitude is not based on circumstances but on the character of our God. He deserves our praise because of who He is.

Psalm 100 reminds us to approach God with joy, worship, and thanksgiving. It calls us to recognize the Lord as our Creator and Shepherd, acknowledging our dependence on Him. In the midst of the busyness of life, it’s important to pause and reflect on His goodness, faithfulness, and enduring love.

May this Thanksgiving be a time of deep reflection, heartfelt gratitude, and joyful worship as we celebrate the goodness of our Lord who is worthy of all praise. May His love and faithfulness continue to guide us in the days to come.

Pray

Lord, I thank You for Your loving kindness and faithfulness. I thank You for the gift of family and friends. Open my eyes to the opportunities to share Your love and blessings with others. Thank You for the gift of salvation and eternal life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For November 22, 2023

Encouragement

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬

As followers of Christ, our lives are intertwined with the lives of those we influence. Paul cherished the Thessalonian believers as his hope and joy, recognizing that their spiritual journey was not merely an individual pursuit. In the same way, our faithfulness can become a source of joy for others and a testament to God’s transformative power.

Consider the three facets Paul mentions: hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing:

  1. Hope: Our hope is not just a distant wish; it is a living expectation anchored in Christ. The hope Paul speaks of here is the anticipation of sharing eternity with fellow believers. Our lives, lived in faith, contribute to this shared hope.
  2. Joy: The joy Paul experiences is not based on circumstances but on the spiritual well-being of those he has influenced. As we invest in the spiritual growth of others, their flourishing becomes a source of enduring joy.
  3. Crown of Rejoicing: Picture a victor’s crown bestowed upon faithful athletes. In a similar way, our crown of rejoicing is the culmination of a life dedicated to Christ and the joy found in the spiritual victories of those we’ve guided in their faith.

Whose spiritual journey are you influencing? Let us live with the anticipation that our faithful living will lead to eternal rejoicing in the presence of our Lord.

Pray

Lord, help me to be mindful of the influence my words and actions have on those around us. Let my hope in You be a beacon of light for others, drawing them closer to the warmth of Your love. Fill me with a joy that surpasses circumstances, a joy rooted in the transformative power of Your grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For November 20, 2023

Encouragement

For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭15‬

These words can relate to the internal struggle that we all face—the tension between our intentions and our actions.

Paul’s wants us to acknowledge our own human frailty, the moments when our desire for righteous living collides with the reality of our shortcomings. We constantly find ourselves wrestling with the same internal conflicts, recognizing the gap between our desire to do good and the stumbling blocks we encounter.

But within this honest admission, there is a profound revelation of grace. Paul’s acknowledgment of his struggle doesn’t lead to despair but lays the groundwork for God’s mercy to intervene. In recognizing our flaws, we open ourselves to the redemptive work of Christ, who meets us in our imperfections.

As we navigate the complexities of living out our faith, let Romans 7:15 serve as a reminder that our journey is marked by both aspiration and imperfection. It’s an invitation to extend grace to ourselves and others, understanding that the transformative journey of sanctification is a process.

The question we need to ask ourselves is, “Are we allowing the power of God to control our lives?” God wants to reveal Himself in such a way that we cannot live life without Him. We may have good intentions, but we need the God to work on our behalf.

Pray

Lord, I come acknowledging the tension within my heart, the struggle to do what is right and the reality of my actions. I confess the need for Your mercy and grace. Thank you for understanding my frailty and giving me redemption. May Your power continue in my life as I walk in this journey of faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.