Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Encouragement

The Mighty Works Of God

Encouragement, Trust

Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
Luke 7:16

What should be the proper response when we witness the mighty works of God? In today’s verse we read about the response of fear (honor) and praise. There was a holy fear of the person and power of Jesus.

When the people witnessed Jesus raise the widow’s dead son back to life, they instantly realized that they had seen the mighty work of God. They knew only God could raise someone from the dead.

The raising of the widow’s son is another great illustration of how much God cares and loves His children. God is at work in the lives of His children and He deserves to be feared and praised.

God is involved with our daily concerns and wants us to recognize His greatness. Everyday God displays acts of blessing, mercy and grace upon those who believe. It is up to us as to how we respond.

This widow was helpless and hopeless. She needed more than just comfort. She needed supernatural providence. And Jesus was the source of what she needed.

What is your response when you face your struggles? Do you get angry at God or praise God? Do you blame Him or do you worship Him?

If we keep a proper response of honor and praise to God in our daily lives, we will naturally praise and honor Him even in our struggles.

Keep a watch for the mighty works of God today.

Pray

Lord, You know my heart and concerns. You know what is on my mind and what I need today. I thank You and praise You for Your daily provisions and for blessing me with amazing grace.

Pure Hearts Are Blessed

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:8‬

Jesus began His teaching and preaching ministry by going straight to the heart of His listeners. Jesus was more concerned with a persons inward character than He was about a persons outside performance.

the Bible says the heart is the center of man’s life. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs‬ ‭23:7‬)

Pure in heart refers to holiness and righteousness. To have a pure heart is to be like Jesus. It really means to be one with God.  God said of David, “I have found a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.” (Acts 13:22)

Jesus frequently spoke about the Pharisees as being hypocrites because their hearts were not right.  Jesus didn’t want His disciples to be like the Pharisees.  They were to be holy and set apart by the Holy Spirit of God.

“For they shall see God” means they see the glory of God in nature, history, and in the spiritual things. God will make Himself visible to those who are pure in heart.  The pure in heart will see God’s glory.

It also refers to those who will be with God for eternity.  It takes a pure heart to see God.  We can see God in a beautiful sunset, in the daily happenings of our life, and in the history of mankind.  God reveals Himself to those whose eyes have been spiritually opened.  

Is your heart right with God?

Pray

Lord, cleanse and purify my heart and set my heart in tune with Yours.  Help me to love the things You love and hate the things You hate. Let my heart be set on fire for You.

Celebrate God

Encouragement, Faith

‘And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord ; It shall rejoice in His salvation.’
Psalms 35:9

Do people believe that the most important thing to you is God? It’s one thing to say that God is the most important thing; it’s another to prove it.

We must celebrate God in front of everyone we know. We should never hide the fact that we belong to Jesus. People should hear you speak about the One who gives you life and life eternal.

Do you take your relationship with God serious? If you say yes, how much time do you spend with Him? More importantly though, would God say you take your relationship with Him serious?

David took his relationship with God very serious. He promised that his entire being would be given to honor God. He truly celebrated and rejoiced in knowing God.

It makes a difference when we can rejoice in His salvation. It’s not our salvation. Salvation belongs to God and is given to us through the blood of Jesus Christ. That is something to celebrate about!

When you know you are saved and redeemed you can’t help but let others know it. You can’t hide it under a bushel. Let the whole world know who you belong to.

Pray

Lord, I praise You and honor You as my Lord and Master. Give me courage to never be ashamed to tell others that I love You. May my life prove that love You more than anything in my life.