Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

He Will Make It Happen

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
Isaiah 46:11

As Christians we seek God’s will to be done here on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10).  In fact we pray for God’s will to be done in our lives.  There is no stopping the will of God nor is there a chance that we can change the will of God.  

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be God?  We are so thankful that God is who He is.  There is none like Him nor is there anyone or anything that can compare to Him.  There is one God and He is our God!

As He says in today’s verse, “I have said it and I will make it happen.”  Only God can fulfill those words and keep the promises that He speaks.  The reason He can make all things happen is because He plans and purposes all things.  

We need to grasp this concept and adapt it into our daily living.  God will use all things to work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

We pray and seek God’s will to be done but do we consider the bad things to be part of God’s will as well.  We tend to blame the bad things that happen on Satan.  Sometimes God’s will may allow us to go through trying times and through muddy waters before we receive the great reward.

God purposes and plans all things because He is in control of all things.

Pray

Lord, help me to know that You alone are in control and Your will is being purposed in my life. Give me peace and comfort of knowing that You love me and everything will be just as You have planned it.

The Heart Of Jesus

Encouragement, Faith, Salvation

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”
John 4:34

All through the Four Gospels we see the priority or the heart of Jesus.  We also witness the priority or the heart of the disciples.  Jesus was most concerned with the spiritual needs and the disciples were more concerned with the physical needs.  

Jesus stressed in Matthew 6:33 to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and then everything else will be added to your life.  Jesus promised that God would always meet peoples needs.  The disciples always had what they needed, exactly when they needed it.

In the beginning verses of John chapter 4, Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well.  The disciples went to get food and returned to give some to Jesus.  When they told him to eat He said, “My food is to do the will of God and to do His work.”  

Again while Jesus’ mind was on spiritual matters the disciples were thinking about feeding the flesh.  Jesus was giving the woman at the well eternal life while the disciples were more interested in feeding their bellies.

Here is the point… Jesus entrusts us to do His work.  We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to be concerned with the spiritual needs of others as much as their physical needs.  Sometimes we neglect sharing the truth with those who need it and concentrate on making sure they have something to eat or that their bills are paid.  

We should always make sure we are giving the “bread of life” to those who are lost and hungry.  Giving someone something to eat and not offering them Jesus is missing a great opportunity to witness.  

Witness to someone today and let them know that God loves them.

Pray

Lord, send someone in my direction and allow me time to share the truth of Jesus Christ with them.  Thank you for sending the person who helped me to know Jesus.

Believe Or Not

Encouragement

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5

There are only two kinds of people in this world. Romans 8:5-8 draws a sharp and distinctive difference between these two kinds of people. There are believers and nonbelievers of Jesus Christ.

There are some who live according to the flesh (or self will) and some who live according to the Spirit (the will of god). There is a distinction between the two. There is not a third or fourth class of people. Either you are saved or not.

Paul states there is an indication of salvation in your life. Do you live for yourself or do you live for the Lord?

Once you make a decision to follow Jesus your mindset is changed. Paul says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

No longer should you desire to live according the the things of the flesh. The things of the flesh lead to death but the things of the Spirit lead to everlasting life.

A true believer will show characteristics of being humble, kind, loving, and graceful. An unbeliever will show signs of being greedy, prideful, selfish, and unforgiving. It’s easy to see the difference, especially in the Christmas season.

What display of characteristics do you show? As long as you are walking in the flesh, you will display the things of the flesh. But if you are walking according to the Spirit of God, you will be displaying the image of God through everything you say and do.

Pray

Lord, I belong to You and You have changed my life. I no longer desire the things of the flesh but I desire to live for You. Help me to take up my cross everyday and die to self.