Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: God

Be Gracious To Others

Encouragement, Faith, Salvation, Trust

And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:54‬

Have you ever been so angry that you wanted God’s wrath to be poured out on someone? We need to be careful with this type of attitude.

As Jesus made His final trip into Jerusalem to face the cross, He wanted to minister to a village of Samaritans but the people would not welcome Him.  Jesus sent a few men ahead of them to find a place to stay but they couldn’t find one.  

The city of Samaria wanted nothing to do with Jesus.  When James and John discovered this, they wanted to see the village go up in flames.  They thought the people should be destroyed because they rejected the Messiah.

James and John were nicknamed “Sons of Thunder” because of their bodacious attitudes. (Mark 3:17)  They were brothers and close friends to Jesus and expected people to believe in Jesus as Messiah.  However, we all know that Jesus is rejected by many.  

Even today we witness people rejecting the message of Jesus but we should never want to see them consumed with fire because of their hardened hearts.  Instead we should pray for them and for their hearts to be softened to receive the gospel of Jesus.  Jesus rebuked James and John for their judgmental attitude.

Again in Acts 8:5, Philip (one of the twelve disciples) went back to Samaria to preach the Gospel and great things happened as they received the Word of God.  We should never give up on those who reject the gospel of Jesus.  

We should be consistent with sharing the love and good news to those who are ignorant to the truth.  Calling down judgment and wrath is not the right perspective.  God’s ultimate plan was carried out as they finally accepted Jesus and believed.  But what if they were destroyed before they ever believed?

Prayer

Lord we want to see Your great work done here on earth and we want to witness your power and grace. Help me to have a soft heart and a compassion for others.

Faith In Jesus

Salvation

The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:22‬

The free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is offered for all who believe in Him. Jesus died on the cross for everyone. He died a sinner’s death in the place of sinners. There is forgiveness for sins for those who believe and trust in the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The most memorized verse, John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (NKJV)  There is a great promise to those who believe in Jesus that they will not perish.  This blessing is only given to those who believe.

There are many who know about Jesus but only those who trust in the person of Jesus will inherit eternal life.  The only way to trust Jesus is to know Him personally.  In order to trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, you must acknowledge that He is the Son of God, believe that He died on the cross, and arose from the dead three days later.  

Salvation is not earned but given by God to all who believe.  To know Jesus means to have a real, meaningful relationship with Him.  Jesus instructs all who believe in Him to follow Him and to keep His commandments.  This is the true test of real faith.  

The question may have been asked of you, “Do you know Jesus?” But you must answer this question as well, “Does Jesus know you?”

Pray

Lord, I believe in You and trust You as my Lord and Savior.  I repent of my sins and ask You to give me eternal life in Heaven.  Thank you for dying on the cross in my place.

A New Opportunity

Encouragement

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
II Corinthians 5:17

Don’t you love the fact that God offers us second chances? And third chances! And so many more chances.

We need more than just second chances. But at the same time we can’t keep making the same mistakes over and over again. We need the grace of God, but we cannot continue in sin.

God gives us the opportunity to come to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. Forgiveness gives us a fresh start and a new beginning. The Christian life is life of hope. In Jesus, everyday is a new beginning.

True forgiveness allows us to put the past in the past. The only way to receive true forgiveness is through Jesus Christ. Today’s verse narrows in on the word “if”. If anyone is in Christ, he or she is made new.

Are you resting in the promise of newness in Christ? Do you seek the opportunity to refresh yourself in the person of Christ everyday? Everyday is a new chance to start fresh and to let go of the past things that kept us from glorifying God.

Make today count. Let everything be made new in and through Christ. Set your mind on the things of Christ that can create new blessings of opportunity.

Pray

Lord, thank You for giving me a new day and a new opportunity to seek forgiveness and repent of my sins. You have saved me from a death in Hell and given me life in Christ. Let me make the most of it today.