Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: faith

Devotional For August 15, 2023

Encouragement

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭55‬:‭22‬

Life often brings us burdens—challenges, worries, and responsibilities that can bring us down. In the midst of these discouraging struggles, we are given a comforting and reassuring message. God wants to reassure His children that He will see us through.

Today’s encouraging word invites us to entrust our burdens to the Lord. It’s an invitation to release the weight of our worries and cares into His capable hands. Our burdens are those things that consume our thoughts and emotions—stress, fears, uncertainties, and even the heavy load of responsibilities we carry.

When we surrender our burdens to the Lord, we place our trust in His promise to take care of us. He knows our struggles. He invites us to lean on Him, to find rest in His presence, and to experience His loving care.

This verse assures us that the godly—those who seek and follow God—will not slip and fall. This doesn’t mean we won’t face difficulties, but it declares that God is our sure foundation. When we give our burdens to Him, He sustains us, providing the strength and stability we need to successfully thrive through life’s ups and downs.

Giving our burdens to the Lord is a continuous, conscious practice. It’s our choice to release control and trust in His guidance. When we make this a daily habit, we experience the peace that comes from knowing that our lives are in His hands.

Take a moment to reflect on the burdens that you’re carrying today. What worries or concerns are captivating your thoughts? Imagine handing each one over to Him, feeling the weight lifted off your shoulders. Trust in His promise to care for you and to guide your steps.

Pray

Lord, I come before You with my burdens that are weighing me down. I surrender them to You, trusting in Your care and provision. Help me to find rest in Your presence, and to experience the peace that comes from placing my trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Devotional For August 14, 2023

Encouragement

Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬

Paul humbly acknowledges his own unworthiness while considering the awesome privilege he was given. He recognizes that despite his past, God entrusted him with the task of sharing the Gospel of Christ with the Gentiles. This verse reminds us of the grace and love that God pours into our lives even though we don’t deserve it.

Paul’s humility is striking. He acknowledges himself as the “least deserving,” highlighting his past as a persecutor of Christians. Equally, it makes it known to us that our qualifications are not based on our merits, but on God’s grace.

The phrase “endless treasures available to them in Christ” speaks of the riches found in a relationship with Jesus. Through Christ, we have access to forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life. These treasures are cherished by everyone who knows they have been saved and transformed by the blood of Jesus.

As believers, it is important that we share these treasures with others. Just as Paul was called to bring the message to the Gentiles, we too are called to share the good news with those around us. Our transformed lives become a living testimony of God’s love and grace, inviting others to experience the same endless treasures in Christ.

Let Ephesians 3:8 encourage you today to embrace the gift of grace. Let go of any self-righteousness and rely on the grace of God for all aspects of your life. Allow your testimony to be a way to shathe gospel message to those who need the transforming power of Christ in their life.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the unsearchable riches available in Christ. Help me acknowledge my unworthiness and humbly accept the privilege of sharing Your message of grace. Help me to embrace the treasures found in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Devotional For August 13, 2023

Encouragement

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭1

Our acceptance by God is on the basis of grace through faith. We can’t earn it and we definitely don’t deserve it. God offers His righteousness so that we may be accepted through His Son, Jesus Christ. That’s grace!

Paul told the Philippian jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31) There was nothing that he needed to do but believe and receive. Grace secures our position in Christ as being right with God. 

Paul ultimately says in today’s verse, “Since we have been given grace we work toward complete holiness because we desire to honor God.” We honor God when we pursue holiness. Holiness isn’t about achieving perfection, it’s about aligning our life with God’s standards.

As we embrace this call to holiness, let’s remember that God’s promises empower us to overcome the pull of worldly influences. The more we focus on His promises and rely on His strength, the more we’ll be able to cleanse ourselves from the filthiness that hinders our spiritual growth.

Are you pursuing holiness today? Can you see the visible changes in your life since you’ve received the righteousness of Jesus Christ?

Pray

Lord, thank You for the promises that motivate me to pursue holiness. Help me to identify and remove anything that hinders my relationship with You. Fill me with a deep reverence for Your presence and an unwavering desire to live in a way that reflects Your character. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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