Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

He Gives Even When We Don’t Ask

Encouragement

He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.”
‭‭John‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬

We all have something that God has done for us that we didn’t deserve. That is because God is so good. He does good things for us even when we don’t ask for them.

Jesus happened to walk by and see a man who was blind from birth. From birth this man was told he would never be like everyone else. He lived a life of no hope for a brighter and better future.

The disciples asked Jesus who sinned his parents or himself that he was born that way. Jesus replied and let them know and the man know that his blindness was for the glory of God. And instantly Jesus made a cure for blindness and gave him sight.

John chapter 9 is loaded with truths about Jesus and what Jesus can do. One of the great things about Jesus is he does things for us even when we don’t ask. The blind man never asked for his sight. He never asked for mercy. But Jesus did it anyways.

Is there anything that God has blessed you with and you didn’t even ask for it? God wants to bless us even when we don’t deserve it or ask for it. He does it so we will praise and honor Him.

People need to witness the mighty works of God in our personal lives. People need to see and hear how good God has been to us. Take a moment and think about how good God has been to you and give Him praise.

Pray

Lord, thank You for being so kind to me. Thank You for giving me what I don’t deserve. You know what I need even before I ask. You are a good, good Father.

Forgiveness

Encouragement

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬ 

Is there someone you are having a difficult time forgiving? We’ve all had people that did something against us to makes us bitter. 

Maybe it was a false accusation or someone stole something from you. Maybe it’s your spouse, a family member, a co-worker, an ex-employer, or even yourself. We must come to the point of forgiving that person and that offense. 

We should know what the Bible says about forgiveness. But do we do it? The Bible says to forgive others just as Jesus has forgiven you. 

How many times have you asked for forgiveness and recommitted the very same sin? Over and over we sin against God but He is gracious to forgive us. 

The reason we must forgive others is to show the love of Christ that is living inside our hearts. When we don’t forgive we are storing up bitterness and anger which will eventually pour out like water. 

If you don’t forgive that certain person you will eventually become a miserable person. Just save yourself the time and energy and start practicing forgiveness. 

Sometimes forgiveness can be a difficult task. There are some very cruel people in our world that do cruel things. But here’s the thing… we cannot let someone else’s action dictate who we are or who we become. We cannot let a bad situation control our lives and make us live in agony. 

The power of forgiveness is beautiful. It releases the turmoil that has been living in your soul and gives you freedom to live in peace.

Pray

Lord, help me to understand true forgiveness and mercy. Help me to have a forgiving heart that shows others Your grace. Forgive me of my sins.

Encouragement

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬

Joshua was appointed by God to lead the people of God into the promise land. Stress and leadership pressures were upon him after Moses died. So God spoke a personal message to him to encourage him how to be a successful, spiritual leader. 

That same message is applicable to us today. God instructs us to be strong and courageous and to meditate on the Word of God. These are key elements to living a successful life under the lordship of Christ. 

The devil knows the power that God’s Word has on your life. Satan will do whatever he needs to do to keep you from experiencing the supernatural power of God. He will distract you, keep you occupied on things that don’t matter, and he will make you stress on things that God has already accomplished. 

The devil has a sneaky way of interfering with our daily walk with Jesus. It happened in the very beginning with Adam and Eve and it still happens today. But we have the mighty power of God to overcome and conquer the evil schemes of our enemy. 

God wants you to be strong and courageous. He wants you to lean towards Him for wisdom and safety. Everything we need is given to us through faith in Him. But it is up to you and I if we rely on Him to see us through. 

Would you rather have the resources from God or would you rather rely on your own human logic and strength? God wants you to trust Him and put your full faith into knowing He is all you need. 

Pray

Lord, I trust You and place my full faith in You because You know all things. I will encourage myself in Your Words and I will enjoy the life you have given to me.