Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: salvation

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.

New Life In Jesus

Trust

“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

John the Baptist tried to prepare people for the coming Messiah but many would not listen.  They held tight to their false religion. Sounds a lot like today’s world, doesn’t it?

Some of the Jews did not keep the Law of God as they were commanded to do. Some of the Jews repented but others, especially the religious leaders, were too prideful to repent.  They thought they were good people.

Jesus’ message was similar in nature but instead of trying to keep the law, He wanted people to turn to Him in a personal relationship.  He wanted people to trust Him for forgiveness.

Jesus preached a message of grace and peace that could only be found through Him. They needed to trust in Him as the Messiah. 

We too need to trust in His saving grace. It’s not until we have an experience with Jesus that we seek His righteousness. Zacchaeus is a wonderful example of a changed life after experiencing Jesus in a personal way.

Some people look at salvation as having to give up something they really like. However, our salvation through Jesus is something we’ve gained. We’ve gained eternal life, forgiveness of sin, peace, and hope. And it’s all a gift through faith.

Are you trying to hold on to something of your old life before Jesus?  

You will never enjoy all that God has in store for you until you give up and surrender everything to Jesus.  It will be obvious by the way you live if you’ve experienced a new life in Christ. 

Pray

Lord, I trust in You for forgiveness and eternal life. Replace my heart of stone with a new heart that loves and obeys You. Let my life prove that I’ve been saved and redeemed. 

His Name Is Praised

Encouragement

My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord , And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever.
Psalms 145:21

Did you know that God will take what Satan intended for evil and make it good? That is how good our God is!

Sometimes it seems like when we get closer to God is when the spiritual battles occur in our life. But that is when Satan tries his best to make you stumble.

If you are not facing Satan’s opposition it may be because you are not doing anything for the Lord. When you boldly praise the Lord and live righteously for Him, Satan will attack like never before. Be on guard!

Satan’s strategy is to defeat you but God is there to empower you and lift you up. He will give you strength in times of weakness and grace to overcome any opposition.

God will be praised by those who truly seek Him and follow Him. His name will be blessed and honored by people who trust in Him for all things. His name is on the tip of our tongue all the day long.

If you were to have a recording of everything you said yesterday, what percentage of your speech was praise to the Lord? Was the majority of your words used to glorify God?

We need to be more attentive in speaking praise of the Lord. We are to bless His holy name all the day long. If we were to speak more praise we would be full of His joy. Praise the Lord today and watch what happens.

Pray

Lord, I praise and honor You with all of my heart, soul, and mind. Your wonderful works bless me and keep me strengthened. Let me see Your glory today.