Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Salvation

What Does God’s Grace Mean To You?

Faith, Salvation

‘To me (Paul), though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ‘
Ephesians 3:8

Paul understood the grace of God. When he discovered that Jesus was the Messiah his eyes were opened to the grace of God. Despite his murderous past and hatred of Jesus, Paul was chosen by God to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

After his conversion, Paul was a total different person. He called himself “small Paul”. He was not one of the twelve disciples who followed Jesus, nor was he baptized by John unto repentance. Paul wasn’t among the men who received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost but God chose to use him greatly.

Because Paul was made new in Christ, he had a great understanding of salvation. He gives us understanding of God’s grace through his personal experience. It is not surprising that Paul could only refer to himself as the very least of all the saints.

More importantly, he referred to God’s grace as “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” For someone who deeply knows that he has been forgiven and freed of the bondage of sin, he can preach the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The moment we fully realize the fullness of God’s grace is the moment that we will bel sold-out for Christ.

Pray

Lord, I praise You for the unfathomable, unsearchable, boundless riches that I have received by grace through faith. I have every right to be condemned but instead You lifted me up into the courts of a heavenly royalty. Thank You for saving me from the depths of hell.

Tell Others About Jesus

Encouragement, Salvation

The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”
John 4:28-29

Have you ever received some information that surprised you so much that it made you forget what you were doing at the present time?

Or have you ever gone the grocery store to pick up something simple and returned home only to realize you didn’t even purchase what you originally went for?

Maybe there was something you thought you knew how to do but after listening to an expert you were convinced that you didn’t need to do it? A change of mind or a change of direction can turn out to be very interesting.

In John 4, Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman who came to the well to draw water and discovered the Messiah. Jesus used an analogy to to show her that as she came seeking water from the well, what she really needed was living water from Him.

Once she realized that she needed the living water which only He could provide, she went away to go tell others. And what is so fascinating is that John tells us in verse 28 that she left her waterpot at the well. This tells us that what she originally went searching for didn’t turn out to be so important after all.

After encountering Jesus, this woman’s life was changed. She went to the well at that certain time to avoid others but now she wants people to know that she was changed.

Isn’t it great to see people who are on fire for the Lord? You can tell when someone has the gift of God in their heart and wants to give it to someone else.

What a great example this woman set for us. We too need to be telling others about Jesus. We need to rekindle the excitement that we first had when we encountered Jesus and let everyone know about what Jesus can do for them.

You may think you are not the right person to tell someone about Jesus but you are. You may think you don’t have the right words to say but you do. Don’t be intimidated about telling others about the grace and love of Jesus that you have.

Pray

Lord, let my fire for You burn like never before. Help me to be bold and share Jesus with everyone I meet. Most of all, put someone in my path today that I can tell them about You.

Only Jesus Can Satisfy

Salvation

‘Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”’
John 4:10

Wouldn’t it be awful to know that God had a gift for you that you never received? There are so many things that God desires to give us that we have never unwrapped or discovered. God offers us gifts that truly satisfies our soul.

When Jesus conversed with the woman at the well, He offered her a gift that would change her life forever. She was completely unaware of that gift until she encountered Jesus. He knew the longing in her heart for true love and acceptance. Her ways of searching for love and acceptance always left her unsatisfied and empty inside.

Jesus looked beyond her physical needs and met the desires of her heart. He offered her the gift of living water, the gift of eternal life. What a wonderful gift!

He offers the very same gift to you today. A fresh start with forgiveness and an intimate relationship with the living God. You can begin again!

Sometimes we search for satisfaction in the wrong places or in the wrong people. You don’t have to keep drinking from a well that never satisfies. Real satisfaction comes when you discover your significance in Jesus Christ.

Only Jesus can satisfy your soul!

Just as the woman responded, “Please sir, give me this water so I will never thirst again.”, is the same response we need have today. Believe and receive the free gift of grace today. Don’t leave it unopened.

Pray

Lord, I receive what You have to offer to me. I desire to search for You and Your amazing grace. Help me to discover the great things you have intended for me to have.