Pastor Stephen Dedman

Devotional For December 3, 2023

Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭2‬

To serve with gladness is an invitation to infuse every act of service with a spirit of joy. As we go about our daily tasks, we are to carry with us a glad heart, knowing that our service is never in vain.

The call to come before His presence with singing is an acknowledgment that our worship is not confined to a designated time or space; rather, it is a continual melody that accompanies our journey. Everyday is an opportunity to worship.

The joy of the Lord becomes our strength (Nehemiah 8:10), and as we serve with gladness, we tap into a wellspring of strength that sustains us in every season. It transforms mundane tasks into offerings and ordinary moments into encounters with the extraordinary.

Our service and worship are interconnected movements. Serving with gladness becomes an act of worship that reaches the ears of our Heavenly Father. So, let your service be an expression of joy, your worship a sweet melody rising from the depths of a grateful heart.

Pray

Lord, let my service and worship to You be worthy and acceptable. Fill my heart with joy that allows me to serve with gladness. Help me to balance service and worship and glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For December 2, 2023

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭11‬:‭2‬

This verse unveils the nature of the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of a Christian. As we open our hearts to Him, we experience the richness of His wisdom and understanding. In moments of uncertainty, the Spirit provides divine counsel, guiding us with supernatural insight. His might empowers us to face challenges with strength beyond our own, while the knowledge He imparts deepens our connection with God.

Let us invite the Spirit of the Lord into every aspect of our lives, allowing His wisdom to govern our decisions, His understanding to bring clarity to our minds, His counsel to direct our paths, and His might to sustain us in every season. In embracing the Spirit’s work, we cultivate a reverence for the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty and aligning our hearts with His purpose.

As we journey through life, may the Spirit of the Lord manifest in us, shaping us into vessels of wisdom, understanding, and strength. Let our lives be a testimony to the transformative power of His presence, drawing others to experience the fullness of life found in the Spirit of the living God.

Pray

Lord, I humbly come before You, grateful for the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. May Your Spirit of wisdom and understanding dwell richly within me, guiding my thoughts and actions. Grant me the grace to seek Your counsel in all matters, relying on Your might to face challenges with unwavering strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Devotional For December 1, 2023

Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭24‬:‭12‬

In the 24th chapter of Genesis, we are given a special story. It’s the story of Abraham sending his servant, Eliezer, on a mission to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham trusted Eliezer to find the perfect woman.

Interestingly enough, Abraham thought his inheritance and blessing would fall upon Eliezer according to Genesis 15:2. Now, Eliezer was replaced with Isaac and yet through the years, he remained a faithful servant. On this mission, we see the attitude and heart of a servant who pleases God.

As he prayed, he asked God to show him the perfect woman that would be just right for Isaac. He stayed focussed until he accomplished what he set out to do. He even praisesGod when he finds her.

Have you ever prayed and askedGod to give you a servants heart? Have you prayed and asked God how you might be a blessing to someone else? Ask God to use you in a powerful way.

Pray

Lord, give me the heart and attitude of a true servant. Allow me to be a blessing to someone today. Let my actions prove that I belong to You. In Jesus’ name amen.