Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: christ

Rejoicing In His Salvation

Trust

And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord ; It shall rejoice in His salvation.
Psalms 35:9

Do people believe that the most important thing to you is God?  It’s one thing to say that God is the most important thing; it’s another to prove it.

We must celebrate God in front of everyone we know.  We should never hide the fact that we belong to Jesus.  People should hear you speak about the One who gives you life and life eternal.

Do you take your relationship with God serious?  If you say yes, how much time do you spend with Him?  More importantly though, would God say you take your relationship with Him serious?

David took his relationship with God very serious.  He promised that his entire being would be given to honor God.  He truly celebrated and rejoiced in knowing God.

It makes a difference when we can rejoice in His salvation.  It’s not our salvation.  Salvation belongs to God and is given to us through the blood of Jesus Christ.  That is something to celebrate about!

When you know you are saved and redeemed you can’t help but let others know it.  You can’t hide it under a bushel.  Let the whole world know who you belong to.

Pray

Lord, I praise You and honor You as my Lord and Master.  Give me courage to never be ashamed to tell others that I love You.  May my life prove that love You more than anything in my life.

A Life Worth Living

Encouragement

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
John 15:4

It’s important to understand our position in Christ. As we understand our position it will make a difference in how we live out our daily lives.

When we place our trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, our standing before God changes. We are no longer guilty because Jesus set us free. We went from prisoner to priesthood in the fraction of a second.

Because of the grace and goodness of God, our standing or position is affirmed through the work of Christ. We don’t deserve it nor can we earn it. Jesus satisfied the requirements of God.

The riches of God’s grace gives us a purpose for living. We have a new hope that one day we will be in the presence of God for eternity. Living in Christ makes for a more joyful experience in this life.

Some people consider their accomplishments as a standard of position. For example, if I work hard and earn a lot of money then I can be a person of worth and wealth. Sadly, money will never satisfy our longing of joy.

Jesus makes our life worth living. Being in Christ and abiding in Him satisfies our need of belonging. Everyone has a longing to belong to something. When we find our joy in belonging to Christ, we will live in the understanding of being in Him.

Pray

Lord, You make my life complete. You give me strength and comfort to face each and every circumstance I face. Help me to stay on purpose with Your will.

Jesus Is All I Need

Encouragement

.

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:31

As you read through John’s Gospel of Jesus, there is an underlining purpose and message that John wants every reader to know.  John’s conviction and testimony states there is no other name by which we can be saved.  

John is clear to present the truth of Jesus Christ being our Redeemer and Savior.  It is only through Jesus alone that one can obtain eternal life.

Jesus performed various signs and wonders that we call miracles.  Miracles were a sign for all to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.  The blind were given sight, the lame were made to walk, the dead came alive, but most importantly sinners were forgiven of their sins.  

Jesus’ purpose in coming down from Heaven was to save sinners but the people who encountered Jesus wanted more.  So Jesus gave them miracles to prove to them He was the Messiah.  The problem is, some still didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah.

You may recall Thomas, who was a disciple of Jesus, wouldn’t believe unless he saw the nail print in His hands and put his finger into His side (John 20:25).  And after Jesus allowed him to do so, He said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Today, we don’t need signs or miracles to prove that Jesus is the Son of God and the true Messiah.  We have the written Word of God and that is all that we need.  The Bible reveals to us all we need to know about Him.

Instead of praying for a sign from heaven, just believe that Jesus is all that you need and by believing in Him you have all that you need.

Pray

Lord, You have spoken to me through Your written Word and You have revealed Yourself to me. Let my heart fully understand that You are all that I need. Let my heart and meditation be upon You.