Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Salvation

A View From God’s Perspective

Faith, Salvation

‘Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.’
Exodus 3:6

Could you imagine standing on the moon looking back at the Earth? When we think about the enormous size of the earth, it makes us feel really small doesn’t it? Just think how small we are compared to the rest of the universe.

God has a certain way of showing us things that are bigger than ourselves. He also has a way of showing us things from an eternal perspective. This is what happened the day Moses witnessed the burning bush.

Moses was just a humble shepherd minding his own business when all of a sudden he saw something that didn’t make sense. A bush was burning but was not being consumed in the fire. He needed a closer look to understand what was taking place.

As he approached the burning bush the voice of God spoke to Moses from the midst of the bush. At that moment he realized the God of all creation, God Almighty, Jehovah God, was audibly speaking words to him. Moses must have felt terrified as he hid his face.

God revealed Himself to Moses by declaring His relationship to the patriarchs. And now Moses would become essential to the covenant promise. God used Moses to accomplish a work that was larger than he could comprehend.

While we may be compared to a spectacle of dust compared to the universe, God uses us to accomplish His purposes. Each and everyone of us are essential in building the kingdom of God. Each of us play a vital role in winning the lost to Christ. What is your part?

Pray

Lord, use my life to show who You are. Give me words to speak that will speak life into others. Help me to see an eternal perspective of accomplishing Your will and way.

The Righteousness Of Jesus

Faith, Salvation

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭3:4-5‬

Do you ever find yourself trying to do something good to make up for the wrong you’ve done? It’s very common for us to think good works will justify the bad, but that’s far from the truth.

The truth is we could never do enough good to outweigh the bad. In addition, we could never do enough good works to get us into Heaven.

God saves us through the righteousness and holiness of Jesus Christ. Because of the good deeds of Jesus Christ, we are found righteous unto God. But only those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life can be saved and forgiven.

So why do we do good deeds to cover up the bad? This is how human nature works. Truth be told we want to clear our conscience and expect good things to happen. If we do good to others then good will be done to us, right?

The problem is we think this way about God as well. We think if we do more good than bad then we are ok. That’s not the case and we need to rethink this. God is holy. Even if we did one wrong thing it’s enough to keep us from spending eternity in Heaven.

God knew we needed to be saved so He sent to us a Savior. It’s not about our good works. It’s all about our faith in Jesus. Jesus renews our souls and gives us life. Jesus forgives our sins and gives us justification. Now we have the Holy Spirit who convicts us of our sins and directs us to serve Him.

Pray

Lord, I know You were sent from Heaven to save the world of sin. I know You have saved me of my sins. Thank you for giving me eternal life. May I do good only to please You.

Everyone Needs Jesus

Faith, Salvation

‘Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” ‘
Acts 3:6

Have you ever had someone ask you for money and you didn’t have any cash on-hand to give them? I don’t mean just another beggar asking for money, I’m talking about someone who you really wanted to help but you couldn’t. It’s a bad feeling to know that you can’t help someone who really needs it.

Peter and John faced a similar situation. While walking into the temple to pray, Peter was asked by a lame man if he had any money to give. Peter didn’t give him money, instead he gave him the best thing that he could ever receive and that was… a new life. Peter had faith that the beggar could be healed and he was.

Immediately the man got up and started praising God. The Bible says that all who saw him were amazed at what happened. Peter used this miracle as a preaching opportunity and Acts 4:4 tells us that about five thousand men were saved because of it.

Perhaps the best words that Peter said were, “What I do have I give you.” Peter knew that he possessed what the lame man needed. Not just a healing but salvation. Don’t ever miss an opportunity to share your faith with someone who is in need. God may be sending someone to you today so that you will give them what you have.

Pray

Lord, give me the spiritual power to give people what they need. Help me to notice when someone is in need. Thank You for giving me the best thing that has ever happened in my life.