Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: God

The Unconditional Love Of God

Encouragement

‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ‘
John 15:9

There is no greater love than the love of Jesus. God’s love for the world is witnessed through the person of Jesus for the sole purpose that all people should be saved. His love is unconditional and unchanging.

The promise of the Scripture tells us that there is nothing that can separate us from His love (Romans 8:35). As we study the Word of God, the message of His love is embedded through every book and every chapter. God wants us to know how much He loves us.

During times of uncertainty and difficulty His love never fails. His great love is what gives us hope and joy to endure the difficult times. Hence the reason for Jesus saying, “Abide in my love.” When we remain in His love we can endure to the end.

It’s easy to forget about how much Jesus loves us. Sometimes we stray from His Word and we let the distractions of life to control our minds and hearts. But the only way to stay in His love is to stay in His Word.

What’s more important than being in God’s Word and being reminded of His great love? No matter how busy we get or how famous we become we can never forget how much He loves us. Stay in His love and stay in His Word.

Pray

Lord, whatever is keeping me from being closer to You needs to be removed. Help me to remain in Your love and in Your Word. Thank you for loving me even when I’m hard to love.

Is God Woking Through You?

Salvation, Trust

‘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 blood of Jesus? What gives us assurance that when we die we know that we are going to heaven?

We are blessed that the Holy Spirit 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.

A Father’s Example

Faith, Trust

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:9

The best way to lead is by example. Dads have a major responsibility with leading their family but the most important teaching that should come from a dad is how to worship God. And what better way than by example.

As spiritual leaders it is a privilege and responsibility to be an example to others. Paul encouraged others to follow his life as an example. It’s one thing to just learn what the Bible teaches but it’s a whole different issue to live it out.

We are instructed to be obedient to what the Bible teaches and to obey each command. Paul knew the reward for such obedience is the blessing of God’s peace.

Like Paul, we’ve got to live in such a way that we can say, “Learn what I teach – by my example!” What kind of example are you setting for others to follow? Is it an example of love and compassion? Is it an example of fearing and honoring God as sovereign Lord? Is it an example of leading others to Christ? Your life is a testimony to others.

People need to witness Christ-like examples of Christian living. Our children need to witness what it means to live holy and righteous. Our world needs to witness examples of God’s grace and forgiveness. Our churches need men who set an example of what it means to be faithful and true. The challenge is before us to practice the things which we have learned.

Pray

Lord, thank you for giving us Christian men and women who have been great examples of how we should live our lives. Help me to pass on to others what I have learned so that someone may witness who You are in me.