Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: grace

Only Jesus Can Satisfy

Salvation

‘Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”’
John 4:10

Wouldn’t it be awful to know that God had a gift for you that you never received? There are so many things that God desires to give us that we have never unwrapped or discovered. God offers us gifts that truly satisfies our soul.

When Jesus conversed with the woman at the well, He offered her a gift that would change her life forever. She was completely unaware of that gift until she encountered Jesus. He knew the longing in her heart for true love and acceptance. Her ways of searching for love and acceptance always left her unsatisfied and empty inside.

Jesus looked beyond her physical needs and met the desires of her heart. He offered her the gift of living water, the gift of eternal life. What a wonderful gift!

He offers the very same gift to you today. A fresh start with forgiveness and an intimate relationship with the living God. You can begin again!

Sometimes we search for satisfaction in the wrong places or in the wrong people. You don’t have to keep drinking from a well that never satisfies. Real satisfaction comes when you discover your significance in Jesus Christ.

Only Jesus can satisfy your soul!

Just as the woman responded, “Please sir, give me this water so I will never thirst again.”, is the same response we need have today. Believe and receive the free gift of grace today. Don’t leave it unopened.

Pray

Lord, I receive what You have to offer to me. I desire to search for You and Your amazing grace. Help me to discover the great things you have intended for me to have.

God Can Turn It Around

Faith

‘But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. ‘
Genesis 50:20

Sometimes we don’t understand why bad things are happening to us. Especially when we are in the will of God and doing exactly what He has called us to do. It’s in these times that we must know that God is up to something great.

Our character and faith are tested during times of difficulties. We are not promised a life of ease just because we are Christians. In fact Jesus said we will be hated by the world because the world hated Him first (John 15:18).

After Jacob’s death, his elder sons feared that Joseph would seek revenge for mistreating him. Indeed, payback would be expected. But Joseph’s attitude was outstanding. Joseph told them, “God intended it for good so that many would be saved.”

When we live by faith, we see that God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Joseph understood that God can take the worst of circumstances and turn them into a blessing.

Have you experienced God’s grace? Are you witnessing God working in your life? Give Him praise!

Pray

Lord, Your ways are higher than mine and Your thoughts are better than mine. Help me to see what You are doing in my life so that I become a hero of faith. Change my heart.

The Righteousness Of Jesus

Faith, Salvation

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭3:4-5‬

Do you ever find yourself trying to do something good to make up for the wrong you’ve done? It’s very common for us to think good works will justify the bad, but that’s far from the truth.

The truth is we could never do enough good to outweigh the bad. In addition, we could never do enough good works to get us into Heaven.

God saves us through the righteousness and holiness of Jesus Christ. Because of the good deeds of Jesus Christ, we are found righteous unto God. But only those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life can be saved and forgiven.

So why do we do good deeds to cover up the bad? This is how human nature works. Truth be told we want to clear our conscience and expect good things to happen. If we do good to others then good will be done to us, right?

The problem is we think this way about God as well. We think if we do more good than bad then we are ok. That’s not the case and we need to rethink this. God is holy. Even if we did one wrong thing it’s enough to keep us from spending eternity in Heaven.

God knew we needed to be saved so He sent to us a Savior. It’s not about our good works. It’s all about our faith in Jesus. Jesus renews our souls and gives us life. Jesus forgives our sins and gives us justification. Now we have the Holy Spirit who convicts us of our sins and directs us to serve Him.

Pray

Lord, I know You were sent from Heaven to save the world of sin. I know You have saved me of my sins. Thank you for giving me eternal life. May I do good only to please You.