Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: stephen dedman

Christ In You

Encouragement

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:26-27‬

When Jesus went to the cross, He wasn’t dying for himself, He was dying for sinners. He didn’t need to overcome Satan. Satan was never an issue. 

The victory He won on the cross was for our sake. What Jesus did on the cross, no one else could do. 

At the moment you place your faith in Jesus, you become a child of God. Nothing can ever change that miraculous transformation. When you become a Christian you are “in Christ” and Christ is in you. This transformation or what we also call, the moment of salvation, is very powerful and meaningful. 

Just consider…

  • Jesus became the Son of Man so that you might become a son of God. Jesus lowered Himself so that you could be lifted up. 
  • Jesus took on your sins so that you could be found righteous. 
  • Jesus was beaten and bruised so that you wouldn’t suffer. 
  • Jesus was found guilty so that you could be set free. 
  • Jesus was filled with despair so you could be filled with joy. 
  • Jesus took your shame so that you could take His glory. 
  • Jesus suffered death so that you could live. 

Sometimes we don’t consider what our life “in Christ” means. It means we have a God who loves us and only wants good for us. It means that God did what only He could do to redeem you. Have you thanked Jesus today?

Pray

Lord, thank you for all that you did for me. I don’t deserve it but I appreciate your gift. I will serve and honor you today with all that I do. 

Divine Vision

Encouragement

Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭18‬

Do you ever see yourself in the future? God gives us a vision to foresee what the possibilities can be. If we didn’t have a vision we wouldn’t have any hope.

One vision God wants us to have is a vision of heaven. He gives us wondrous descriptions of what heaven will look like and what we will be doing in heaven when we get there. We should be joyful knowing that our future in heaven outweighs every negative thought we have.

God also gives us a vision of what we can do here and now. He gives us the desires of our hearts to accomplish great things so He can receive the glory. What desires has He put in your heart?

Think about the vision God has given to you today. What can you do to take steps toward what you see? If you don’t have a vision, pray and ask God to give you one.

Pray

Lord, give me the desires of my heart. Show me Your path for me. Thank you for giving me a future of being with You for eternity.

Ask And Receive

Encouragement

‘So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”’ 
Mark 10:51

Can you imagine Jesus walking up to you and asking, “What do you want Me to do for you?” What would you say? What would you ask Jesus to do for you?

It is hard to believe that the Lord would ask us what He could do for us, but sometimes that is exactly the question we must answer. Bartimaeus was blind, but he knew exactly what he wanted Jesus to do for him. He wanted Jesus to give him vision. 

He didn’t just receive physical vision, his eyes were opened to Jesus Christ. Jesus knew Bartimaeus’ heart was faithful and immediately he was miraculously healed, physically and spiritually.

When we pray according to God’s will, He will answer our requests. When we pray in faith, He will give what we ask. God delights in responding to our requests and supplications. If we ask according to His will, we, like Bartimaeus, will receive far more than we anticipated. 

Begin your day by asking Jesus what is on your heart that you desire. Pray that what you ask for is aligned with the will of God. 

Pray

Lord, help me to know Your will so I can ask and receive from You. Forgive me for not having faith that You are willing and ready to give what I ask. Let my requests be according to what You have in store for me.