Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: faith

Devotional For September 2, 2023

Encouragement

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬-‭25‬

In these two verses from the book of Numbers, we are presented with a beautiful and timeless blessing that the Lord instructed Aaron and his sons to pronounce upon the children of Israel. This blessing is an expression of God’s love and care for His people, and it continues to hold great significance for us today.

“The Lord bless you and keep you”: This part of the blessing reminds us that God desires to bless us abundantly. His blessings are not merely material, but they encompass every aspect of our lives. He longs to provide for our needs, protect us from harm, and guide us along the path of righteousness. As we reflect on this, let us trust in His provision and rely on His unfailing protection.

“The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you”: This portion of the blessing is a reminder of God’s grace and favor. When God’s face shines upon us, it symbolizes His pleasure and delight in us. His grace, freely given, is a gift beyond measure. It reminds us that we are not deserving of His love, yet He showers it upon us.

These verses also point to the personal nature of our relationship with God. He desires to bless us individually and to be intimately involved in our lives. His desire is not only to bless and keep us but to shine His face upon us and be gracious to us personally.

As you go about your day, know that the Lord desires to bless you, keep you, shine His face upon you, and be gracious to you. May this knowledge bring you comfort, confidence, and a deeper connection with our loving and gracious God.

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your love and grace that You pour upon me. Let Your blessings remind me of how You desire to show Your love. Help me to bless others as You have blessed me. In Jesus’s name, amen.

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Devotional For September 1, 2023

Encouragement

Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!”
‭‭Haggai‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬

There are moments when we should take time to have some self-examination and reflection. This verse prompts us to evaluate the priorities and choices that shape our lives, urging us to align them with God’s purposes.

God’s message through Haggai encourages us to “consider your ways.” It’s an invitation to pause, reflect, and honestly assess the path we are on—whether it aligns with God’s will or veers away from it.

In the context of Haggai’s time, the people were neglecting the rebuilding of the temple, focusing on their own houses instead. Similarly, we must examine our priorities and ensure that God’s work and kingdom are at the forefront of our hearts and actions.

Haggai’s message is a call to shift our focus from self-centered pursuits to God’s purposes. It’s an opportunity to reevaluate our use of time, talents, and resources, and realign them with God’s desires.

“Consider your ways” is an invitation to transformation. It’s an opportunity to recognize areas of our lives that need adjustment and submit them to God’s guidance, trusting Him to lead us on the right path.

Take a moment to “consider your ways.” Are your priorities in alignment with God’s purposes? Are there areas in your life that need redirection? How can you actively pursue God’s will and kingdom in your daily choices?

Pray

Lord, I heed Your call to “consider my ways.” Open my eyes to areas in my life that need realignment with Your purposes. Help me to prioritize Your kingdom and work, trusting that as I seek You first, everything else will fall into place. Guide me on the path that leads to Your best for my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Devotional For August 31, 2023

Encouragement

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬

Daniel 12:2 gives us a glimpse into the promise of resurrection and the reality of eternal life. This verse invites us to reflect on the choices we make in this life and the hope we have in Christ for the life beyond. Our earthly lives are temporary compared to the eternal reality that lies ahead.

The imagery of those who “sleep in the dust shall awake” underscores the hope of resurrection. Just as sleep is temporary, death is not the end for believers. Through faith in Christ, we anticipate the ultimate awakening to everlasting life.

There are two possible outcomes: everlasting life or shame and contempt. This emphasizes the importance of the choices we make in this life and their eternal implications. Faith in Christ leads to the promise of eternal life, while rejecting Him leads to spiritual separation.

Today’s verse serves as a call to reflect the preciousness of life and the need to embrace the hope of eternity through our faith and relationship with God. It prompts us to evaluate our faith, our priorities, and our actions, considering the eternal consequences they hold.

The promise of eternal life is a source of comfort and motivation to live faithfully and intentionally, aligning our lives with God’s purposes.

Are you living with the perspective of eternity in mind? Your choices and priorities in this life have eternal implications.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Help me to live with a perspective of eternity, making choices that honor You and reflect the hope I have in You. Help me to embrace the truth of Your Word as I journey towards heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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