Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: christ

Peace And Holiness

Encouragement

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
Hebrews 12:14

Have you ever considered the importance of peace and holiness? The command in today’s verse is to pursue peace and holiness. This means that we are to walk right with both men and God.

A lack of holiness is a critical obstacle to a close relationship with the Lord. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Unholy Christians are the plague of the church. They are spots in our feasts of charity. Like hidden rocks, they are the terror of navigators. It is hard to steer clear of them; and there is no telling what wrecks they may cause.”

You may be active in church attendance, engaged in spiritual activities, and believe you are a spiritual person, but if you do not have holiness you are missing a vital part of being a follower of Christ. Holiness is godliness and Christlikeness. 

Jesus lived a holy and perfect life that was in complete obedience to God the Father. Everything He did pointed people to God. His peace and holiness showed the glory of God.

You cannot pursue peace and holiness outside a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Good works alone will not get you into Heaven. The closer you are to the Lord the more peace and holiness you will pursue.

Pray

Lord, will You give me the strength and courage to avoid evil and pursue peace and holiness? Forgive me and cleanse me of all sin. Fill me with Your love and joy.

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.

God Wants You

Encouragement

‘For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.’ 
II Chronicles 16:9a

Did you know that God will judge any nation that neglects and rejects His ways? As we focus in on the condition of America today we see that our neglect of God has been an issue for more than 50 years. We can see through Scripture that the redemption of America awaits the repentance of the people of God.

It may sound surprising to you but if we sincerely think about it, the salvation of our great nation has little to do with Washington or Hollywood; it has everything to do with the people of God! If the chosen ones of God, the church, don’t sense that the problem is with us, then we may never see a revival in our land.

God responds to repentant hearts. Jesus said in John 14:13, “and whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” With this promise, God’s people can change the course of our nation being judged.

The condition of our nation is a reflection of the choices that have been made by the people of God. So we have an urgent need for the people of God to get on our knees and pray. It doesn’t require a large amount of people to turn the course of a nation. 

What could God do through your life? Do you sense that America needs the mighty help of the Holy Spirit? Most importantly, do you believe God can use you as He has done with others in the Bible?

Pray

Lord, we need You. We need the help of Your Holy Spirit to touch us and convict us and to bring us to repentance. Use me to reflect Your grace and mercy to everyone I come into contact with today.