Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: faith

Devotional For July 9, 2023

Encouragement

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭17‬-‭18‬

In Psalm 34, David expresses his heart in praise and gratitude to the Lord. As he prayerfully considers his experiences of difficulties and deliverances, he shares a profound discovery about the character and love of God. Sometimes it is in the midst of suffering that we experience God in a profound way.

Life will often leave us feeling overwhelmed and burdened. It is in those moments that we are encouraged to cry out to the Lord, for He hears our prayers and delivers us from all our troubles. As the righteous cry out to Him, we can be certain that God hears us and is working on our behalf.

The way God works on our behalf may not always be what we expect, but we can trust that God’s faithfulness and power are at work. He is our source of help and rescue in every situation.

Verse 18 reveals to us that the Lord draws near to those who have a broken heart. He is actively present in our difficulties. When our spirit is crushed and we feel the weight of suffering, God is near. His love and grace bring us hope and peace.

God is always present in our pain. He cares for us and is always aware of what bothers us. In our brokenness, we can find hope in the fact that the Lord sees, understands, and walks alongside us in our journey toward healing and restoration.

Are you burdened with troubles or suffering a broken heart? Just know that the Lord is near. He hears your prayers and is working on your behalf. Trust in His love and rest in His presence.

Pray

Lord, thank You for hearing my prayers and caring for what burdens me. I cry out to You, knowing that You know my troubles will deliver me. Help me to be humble and restore my heart with joy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Devotional For July 3, 2023

Encouragement

“Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭24‬

It may be a frightful thought but no one can escape God’s watchful eye or hide their actions from His sight. There is no secret or hidden place beyond His awareness. God knows all things, sees everything, and is everywhere.

The Lord says, “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” These words reveal the magnitude of God’s presence. He is not confined to a specific location or limited by time and space. There is no place where He is not.

This truth holds great significance for us as believers. It reminds us that we are never alone or forgotten. In our joys and victories, God is present. In our struggles and sorrows, He is with us. He sees us in our private moments, knows the thoughts of our hearts, and understands the complexities of our lives.

The omnipresence of God brings comfort, accountability, and a sense of awe. It assures us that we can turn to Him in every situation, knowing that He is near and attentive to our needs. It also serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences, for we cannot hide our deeds from the all-seeing eyes of our Heavenly Father.

Knowing that God is omnipresent, we are called to live with integrity. We can take comfort in knowing that even in the most challenging circumstances, God sees us and is working on our behalf. He hears our cries and understands our hearts.

Is there something you are trying to hide from God? Don’t be deceived by the false notion that you can hide anything from God or live in ways contrary to His will. Know that God is with you, guiding and directing your steps. Allow His presence to lead you to worship and honor Him in all that you do.

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your omnipresence. Help me to grasp the depth of this truth and to live in constant awareness of Your presence in my life. Guide me to walk in integrity and to honor You in every area of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A Daily Devotional For July 2, 2023

Encouragement

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬

This is the last church that Jesus speaks to in his letters to the seven churches. His message is to the church at Laodicea. He addresses their lukewarmness and calls for them to renew a passion for Him. The metaphorical language used in this verse portrays a humbling message—one that challenges us all to examine the condition of our hearts.

Lukewarmness represents a spiritual indifference, complacency, and lack of genuine devotion. It is a dangerous condition that can slowly creep into our lives, causing us to lose sight of the power of our relationship with Christ. When we are neither cold nor hot, we find ourselves in spiritual stagnation, lacking the zeal to be effective for Christ.

Jesus warned the Laodicean church to wake-up. It should be a warning to us as well that Jesus distastes a half-hearted devotion and a lukewarm attitude. He desires a genuine, passionate relationship that is always ready to do His good work.

It is crucial that we evaluate the state of our own hearts and the spiritual health of our walk with Christ. Are we modeling a Christ-like faith? Are we cultivating a passion for Jesus and a hunger for His presence?

Can you identify if you have allowed complacency, negativity, or the busyness of this world to dull your spiritual walk? Have you become too focused on routine religious activities and neglected the seriousness of your relationship with Christ? If so, it is essential that you realign your heart with God’s Word and seek the leading of His Spirit.

Pray

Dear Lord, forgive me for any areas of lukewarmness in my walk with You. Reveal to me where complacency has taken root and reignite a passion for serving You. Fill me with the joy of Your Holy Spirit and let my life be an example of what You desire. In Jesus’ name, amen.