Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: jesus

The Purpose Of Serving God

Encouragement, Trust

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption.
‭‭Acts‬ ‭13:36‬ ‭

David had a servants heart. He was committed to being a servant for God. David learned how to please God in every situation.

The key to David’s life was doing what God purposed him to do. When David faced his final days of his life he could look back and smile with confidence knowing he lived his life for the glory of God. That is an amazing testimony.

Throughout the Bible we read about men and women who were servants for God. They did what God purposed for them to do. Their purpose was to please God.

The greatest servant who gave Himself entirely for the purpose of God was Jesus. In His humanity, He gave His life for the sake of sinful man. God, the Father, was well pleased!

Are you a faithful servant for God? As Christians it is our ambition to serve as Christ served. We are to humble ourselves to the point of being servants for others.

Your purpose in life is to be a servant of God.  Search and see who you can serve today. Be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who need the love of God.

Pray

Lord, allow me to serve and minister to someone who is in need.  Show me what they need. Give me a servant’s heart to be a blessing to someone else.

The Heart Of Jesus

Encouragement, Faith, Salvation

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”
John 4:34

All through the Four Gospels we see the priority or the heart of Jesus.  We also witness the priority or the heart of the disciples.  Jesus was most concerned with the spiritual needs and the disciples were more concerned with the physical needs.  

Jesus stressed in Matthew 6:33 to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and then everything else will be added to your life.  Jesus promised that God would always meet peoples needs.  The disciples always had what they needed, exactly when they needed it.

In the beginning verses of John chapter 4, Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well.  The disciples went to get food and returned to give some to Jesus.  When they told him to eat He said, “My food is to do the will of God and to do His work.”  

Again while Jesus’ mind was on spiritual matters the disciples were thinking about feeding the flesh.  Jesus was giving the woman at the well eternal life while the disciples were more interested in feeding their bellies.

Here is the point… Jesus entrusts us to do His work.  We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to be concerned with the spiritual needs of others as much as their physical needs.  Sometimes we neglect sharing the truth with those who need it and concentrate on making sure they have something to eat or that their bills are paid.  

We should always make sure we are giving the “bread of life” to those who are lost and hungry.  Giving someone something to eat and not offering them Jesus is missing a great opportunity to witness.  

Witness to someone today and let them know that God loves them.

Pray

Lord, send someone in my direction and allow me time to share the truth of Jesus Christ with them.  Thank you for sending the person who helped me to know Jesus.

Believe Or Not

Encouragement

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5

There are only two kinds of people in this world. Romans 8:5-8 draws a sharp and distinctive difference between these two kinds of people. There are believers and nonbelievers of Jesus Christ.

There are some who live according to the flesh (or self will) and some who live according to the Spirit (the will of god). There is a distinction between the two. There is not a third or fourth class of people. Either you are saved or not.

Paul states there is an indication of salvation in your life. Do you live for yourself or do you live for the Lord?

Once you make a decision to follow Jesus your mindset is changed. Paul says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

No longer should you desire to live according the the things of the flesh. The things of the flesh lead to death but the things of the Spirit lead to everlasting life.

A true believer will show characteristics of being humble, kind, loving, and graceful. An unbeliever will show signs of being greedy, prideful, selfish, and unforgiving. It’s easy to see the difference, especially in the Christmas season.

What display of characteristics do you show? As long as you are walking in the flesh, you will display the things of the flesh. But if you are walking according to the Spirit of God, you will be displaying the image of God through everything you say and do.

Pray

Lord, I belong to You and You have changed my life. I no longer desire the things of the flesh but I desire to live for You. Help me to take up my cross everyday and die to self.