Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: stephen dedman

June 19, 2023

Encouragement

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬

King Solomon, the son of King David, denied himself nothing, pursuing all forms of pleasure. Through his pursuit, he discovered that all the pleasures he indulged in were ultimately empty and meaningless.

There is a longing within every human heart to pursue happiness, satisfaction and fulfillment. It’s easy to fall into the trap of accumulating wealth, seeking temporary thrills, and hoping that these pursuits will fill the void within us. But, like Solomon, we too are left feeling empty and disillusioned.

Solomon directs us toward a great truth. He realized that the true rewards of life are not found in worldly pleasures but in something far more profound. It points us toward the eternal, the spiritual, and the heavenly.

Our hearts are designed to find fulfillment in a relationship with our Creator. In Him alone, true joy can be found.

Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:33, to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all things will be added unto you. Our pursuit of pleasure and satisfaction is to be rooted in the pursuit of God and His righteousness. When we prioritize our relationship with Him above all else, we discover that all other things fall right into place.

Are you seeking a right relationship with God? If so, you will find fulfillment in His love, peace, and grace. True joy resides not in the accumulation of worldly treasures but in knowing and serving our Lord with a sincere heart.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the wisdom given to me through Your Word. Help me to seek first Your kingdom and righteousness, knowing that You will provide all of my needs. Fill my heart with lasting joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

June 17, 2023

Encouragement

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬

James asks a thought-provoking question that invites us to consider the root cause of the conflicts that arise in our lives. He declares the source is the internal battle within ourselves—the war of self-pleasure.

James says that our external conflicts are merely reflections of the battles that are raging within our hearts. At this point we need to stop and ask ourselves two questions.

  1. Are our desires rooted in self-seeking motives, seeking to gratify our own desires without considering the well-being of others?
  2. Are our desires rooted in love, seeking to honor God and serve others?

We must allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts. When we choose to seek God’s will and align our desires with His, our conflicts will diminish.

Today’s verse is challenging us to examine our hearts and surrender our passions to God. As we yield to His guidance, we will experience His peace that surpasses all understanding and witness the transformation of our relationships for His glory.

Pray

Lord, help me to recognize the passions I have in my heart that are not surrendered to Your will. Give me strength to overcome the battles that I’m facing and wisdom to pursue unity with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

June 16, 2023

Encouragement

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
‭‭I John‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬

What an of incredible blessing we have received as followers of Christ: an anointing from the Holy One. This anointing is the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, empowering and guiding us.

God’s anointing serves as a seal of divine approval, a mark of identification that sets us apart as His chosen ones. It is the Holy Spirit who teaches us and reveals the deep mysteries of God’s Word.

The anointing of the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual discernment. It empowers us to navigate the complexities of life with divine guidance.

Have you considered the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be a blessing in your Christian walk?

Listen to His voice today and yield to His leadership. By doing so, you will experience the abundant life that Christ has promised.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit and the anointing I have received. Help me to fully embrace Your presence. Guide me and empower me to be the person You have called me to be. In Jesus’ name, amen.