Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: salvation

Keep Growing

Encouragement

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,” 
II Thessalonians 1:3

It is important that we grow in faith. God is constantly presenting us with new opportunities where we can mature in our faith and trust Him. Nothing pleases God more than when we fully trust in Him. 

Growing in our faith is a Christian process. We are continually faced with life situations that put our faith to the test. These tests let us know where we can improve but they also show us where God is leading us. 

God is equipping us to successfully conquer our next faith challenge. He is preparing you today for what is coming. God knows what we need.

You may be in the middle of a test right now. God may be waiting to see how you respond to what is happening in your life. Do you see God working in your life?

When we fully trust Him is when we can see what He is doing. We must keep advancing in our wisdom and faith. When we stop advancing we start slipping.

Be encouraged today. You have what you need through Jesus Christ. He will assist you and guide you through everything you face. You just need to recognize where you stand. 

Are you standing strong in your faith? Are you grounded in the truth of God’s Word?  Strengthen yourself in the Lord and keep growing in faith.

Pray

Lord, You are my strength. You are the One who establishes my ways. Keep me on track and in Your will. 

Confirmation Of Salvation

Encouragement

‘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 grace of God? How can we know that when we die we know for sure we are going to heaven? 

We are blessed with the Holy Spirit who 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.

Encouraged In The Lord

Encouragement

When he (Barnabas) came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Acts 11:23-24

So many people are carrying around too many burdens these days. Some wear it on their sleeves while others hide it in their hearts. That’s why encouragers are so attractive and desired to be around. Encouragers seem to make a difference.

Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement, must have had a great dad. He learned from an early age how to deal with discouragement and how to make a difference in people’s life. 

Look what the Scripture says about him. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And the result of that many people were added to the Lord. That’s how an encourager can make a difference.

There is so much that we can learn from Barnabas. First we need to be full of the Holy Spirit. When we are close to the Lord we are encouraged by the Lord. The Lord encourages us first and foremost. The Lord takes our burdens away and fights our battles for us. 

Second, when our faith is solely in the Lord we are encouraged because we know that God in near us and for us. When our faith is strong all doubt is gone. When our doubt is gone all fear is gone. When all fear is gone there is no discouragement. We can’t help but be encouraged.

Third, when we are encouraged in the Lord people see a difference in us and they are lead to the Lord. This makes a difference in the kingdom of God. This is how we are used by God. People are watching us daily and seeing if we truly believe what we say is true. Be a Barnabas today and watch what happens around you.

Pray

Lord, help me be a Barnabas and make a difference in this world. Let it all begin in me. Thank you for loving me and giving me the free gift of salvation