Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Give People Jesus

Encouragement

‘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.

Confirmation Of Salvation

Encouragement

‘The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.’ 
Romans 8:16-17

How do you know that you are born again and saved by the grace of God? How can we know that when we die we know for sure we are going to heaven? 

We are blessed with the Holy Spirit who confirms and testifies that we belong to the family of God, that God is our Father and we have been born again. Paul says it’s “the Spirit Himself” that bears witness to our spirit that we are children of God.

We should be able to look at our lives and see how God is working in and through us to make us more like Jesus. The Spirit brings a profound awareness of how God is at work in our hearts. It’s this awareness that gives us assurance and confidence of salvation.

It would be very difficult to live the Christian life if we didn’t have the assurance of salvation. You must be confident that you are born again. You must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that you have repented of your sins. 

We don’t have to wonder if we are really Christians or not. God’s children know who they are.

Pray

Lord, thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit that gives us confidence that we belong to You. Allow me to see how You are working in my life today. Take my life and use it as You desire.

Encouraged In The Lord

Encouragement

When he (Barnabas) came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Acts 11:23-24

So many people are carrying around too many burdens these days. Some wear it on their sleeves while others hide it in their hearts. That’s why encouragers are so attractive and desired to be around. Encouragers seem to make a difference.

Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement, must have had a great dad. He learned from an early age how to deal with discouragement and how to make a difference in people’s life. 

Look what the Scripture says about him. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And the result of that many people were added to the Lord. That’s how an encourager can make a difference.

There is so much that we can learn from Barnabas. First we need to be full of the Holy Spirit. When we are close to the Lord we are encouraged by the Lord. The Lord encourages us first and foremost. The Lord takes our burdens away and fights our battles for us. 

Second, when our faith is solely in the Lord we are encouraged because we know that God in near us and for us. When our faith is strong all doubt is gone. When our doubt is gone all fear is gone. When all fear is gone there is no discouragement. We can’t help but be encouraged.

Third, when we are encouraged in the Lord people see a difference in us and they are lead to the Lord. This makes a difference in the kingdom of God. This is how we are used by God. People are watching us daily and seeing if we truly believe what we say is true. Be a Barnabas today and watch what happens around you.

Pray

Lord, help me be a Barnabas and make a difference in this world. Let it all begin in me. Thank you for loving me and giving me the free gift of salvation