Pastor Stephen Dedman

Category: Trust

Are You Serious About Jesus?

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Can you say you’re serious about following Jesus? Many people make a decision to place their faith in Jesus for salvation but few make a serious commitment to follow Jesus closely.

Jesus doesn’t require you to follow him, it’s your choice. But when we whole heartily follow Jesus, we are part of the vine and we bear good fruit. People don’t have to wonder if you are a Christian because you reflect the light of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes our words and actions do not reflect the life Jesus expects from his followers. This happens when we don’t put Jesus first. When we don’t take our walk with Jesus serious we allow the devil to step in. There’s no place for the devil when you’re filled with the Spirit. If you’re filled with the Spirit, where can the devil go? He has no place.

True followers are made in a day, but proven over a lifetime. We are matured and tested for as long as we live. If you genuinely treasure Jesus, God’s still working in your following. With His help, we will go wherever he calls, knowing that he knows best and anything we lose or leave behind will be repaid a hundredfold or more.

What’s keeping you from truly following Jesus? Is it your job? Is it a secret sin? Possibly a lack of knowledge? Make a commitment today to take your relationship with Jesus a priority. The first step is repentance. You must confess your sins. The next step is to yield. You can start by asking Jesus to guide and direct you today. I promise you will see a difference. It’s simple but not easy. You have to take the first step.

Pray

Lord, I don’t want to just know of you. I want to be close to you. I want to feel you near me. Help me to remove anything that is keeping me from being a true follower.

The Word Is Truth

Faith, Trust

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
John 17:17

Just before He was taken away from His disciples, Jesus prayed the most beautiful and profound prayer known to man. With suffering and death on His mind, He prayed to the Father for His disciples who He loved so dearly. He prayed that they would be sanctified in the truth, set apart and made holy unto Him.

Sanctification is a specific act of the Holy Spirit. Once a sinner is saved by grace, the ongoing process of becoming holy takes place in the heart of the believer. It’s an ongoing process that is completed once we are in the presence of God in Heaven. Until then we are increasingly conformed in the likeness of Jesus Christ. It’s a life long process.

Everyone who trusts in the Lord for salvation is sanctified the moment they receive the Holy Spirit into their heart. But every believer must go through the process of maturing in their faith. Day by day we progress into the image of Jesus Christ Himself.

We are enriched with truth through the power of the Word of God. The truth of God sanctifies us and separates us from evil. As we meditate and on the Word of God and study its powerful promises, the truth is planted in our hearts. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we trust our heavenly Father to complete a good work that He started in us on the day of salvation.

Have you allowed the Word of God to work in you? The work we do for Jesus is because of our faith in Him. We steadily and boldly work towards being the person God has called us to be. It’s not an easy to be a Christian but it is rewarding. Set yourself apart from the world today and proclaim the goodness of our Lord in your words and actions.

Pray

Lord, thank You for choosing me. You loved me before I loved You. You have set me apart for Your good work and I am up for the challenge.

Sunday Is Coming

Trust

‘So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.’
Matthew 27:66

Saturday… the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Nothing happened on Saturday. It was a silent day.

The Bible makes one reference to Saturday of Holy Week in Matthew 27:62-66 when the Pharisees visited Pontius Pilate asking for a guard to be placed in front of the tomb where Jesus’ body lay.

We can only imagine how Mary and Jesus’ disciples were feeling after the tomb was sealed. They probably had a sense of failure, a loss of hope, and were in the depths of grieving the death of their Savior.

We know that Easter is coming. They did not have comfort in knowing that Sunday was going to be a day of celebration. Instead they wept and mourned.

Take this day to prepare your heart to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. Take a few moments today, be silent and reflect on your life. What areas do you need comfort in knowing that Jesus makes all things new?

The best way to prepare for Easter is to confess your sins to God and rebuke the temptations of the devil. Abide in His Word today and receive the comfort of knowing that Jesus makes everything right.

Are things secured in your life right now? Is Jesus the top priority of your life? Has Jesus given you peace and comfort?

Sunday’s coming!

Pray

Lord, You can make all things new in my life. You make my life complete and You give me peace. Help me to spiritually and mentally prepare for Resurrection Sunday.