Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

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.

In Your Midst

Encouragement

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬

Isn’t it great to have people who love you no matter your faults and failures?  

Zephaniah 3:17 is a great verse to remind you how much God loves you no matter what you look like or what you have done in the past.  God loves you with an unconditional, eternal love that is unfathomable.  

Today’s verse reminds us that God is always with us in the very middle of what is going on in our lives.  It’s comforting to know that the One who loves us the most is right in center of our lives.  

Even though we may think God is not thinking of us or involved with what’s happening in our lives, He is actively involved and holding everything together. With God in our midst, He is protecting us and guiding every step of the way.

When we look back through the history of God’s chosen people we can’t help but notice how much God loves His people.  Because God loves us, He wants to save us.  There is so much proof that He goes to great lengths to be with us.  He provides a way through His Son Jesus to bring us back to Him.  His love is so amazing that we can’t comprehend its greatness.

Never forget how much God loves and cares for His children.

Pray

Lord, thank you for Your everlasting love and kindness. Thank You for never giving up on me. I rest in Your great grace and forgiveness.