The Second Time

November 18, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Faith, Trust

The Second Time

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time,
Jonah 3:1

Can You Hear Me Now

Jonah is well-known for trying to run away from God’s mission work. God commanded him to go to the wicked city of Nineveh and preach repentance. The people in Nineveh were worshipping idols and were on the verge of being destroyed by God. Jonah hated the people of Nineveh and probably wanted to see the entire city destroyed by the hand of God.

Jonah went the opposite way from where God called him to go. After being swallowed and saved God spoke to Jonah a second time. The second time God spoke Jonah listened and obeyed. Because of Jonah’s obedience and Nineveh’s repentance, God spared his judgment and did not destroy the city. It’s considered one of the largest revivals in history. There is nothing better than to see an entire city fall on their knees and turn back to God.

There is a couple of things to ponder about this story. First, we should always be ready to obey the voice of God the first time He speaks. God shouldn’t have to speak twice before we listen and obey. Instant obedience is important. Second, we should be thankful for second chances. God is so gracious to give us second chances to do His will. He is patient and forgiving and desires for us to align our life with His will. Third, we should never wish the wrath of God on anyone. Sometimes we spare sharing faith and hope with those who need it the most. If God gives you a second chance to speak the gospel truth to someone you should be ready and willing to obey. If God has given you a second, third, or fourth chance to do something you should be very thankful.

Prayer

Lord, I want to hear you speak to me and I desire to obey Your Word. Give me ears to hear and a willing heart to respond.

Peace And Holiness

November 12, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Encouragement, Faith, Trust

Peace And Holiness

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:14‬ ‭

Only Through Jesus

We are instructed to pursue peace and holiness as we mature in our Christian life. But notice carefully that without holiness no one will see the Lord. You may be active in church attendance, engaged in spiritual activities, and believe you are a spiritual person, but if you do not have holiness you will not see the Lord. In other words those who are without holiness, which is godliness or Christlikeness, will not inherit eternal life in Heaven.

Some people believe that if they do enough good it will gain them eternal life in Heaven. The truth is we are only able to see the Lord in Heaven through Jesus Himself, not by our good deeds. There is no way we could do enough good things to impress God in order to gain eternal life in Heaven. However, Jesus did live a good and perfect life which qualified Him to be the ultimate sacrifice that pleased God. And the only way that He was able to do so was because He was God in the flesh. Jesus lived a holy and perfect life that was in complete obedience to God and He did it all for those who could not keep the law of God.

All who trust in the person and works of Jesus Christ are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables those who are in Christ to pursue holiness and possess a longing for the things of God. A new yearning to live holy and perfectly is the result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If you pursue peace and holiness it is because God gives you the ability to do so. You cannot pursue peace and holiness outside a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Ask the Lord to give you strength and courage as you strive to live holy and perfectly according to His Word.

Their Unbelief

November 9, 2019 Pastor Stephen Dedman Faith

Their Unbelief

And He (Jesus) did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:58‬ ‭

Despised And Rejected

Jesus returned to His hometown to teach and preach in the local synagogue. After they heard Him, they discredited His wisdom by making statements like, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

Rather than opening their hearts and having faith, the people were skeptics and resistant. Because they rejected Jesus, they were not able to see the great works and miracles that could have been done in that town. Many people could have been healed and saved. Some could have had new life by simply believing in Him. Even more could have been forgiven of their sins. That is tragic to hear that some people would reject the One who came to save the world.

Does your unbelief keep you from seeing the mighty works and miracles of Jesus? Sometimes we are just like those people who were skeptical and resistant. Sometimes we limit the power of God because of our unbelief. Just like the people of Nazareth, we try to humanize the things of God. Unbelief holds you back from witnessing the greatness of God. It enables us to see God’s power and glory. Unbelief hinders the work that God desires to do in you and through you. Unbelief causes us to question His ability to do great things. We should be like the father of the child in Mark 9:24 when he says, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Prayer

Lord, I confess my unbelief and ask You to forgive me. Help me to faithfully live out what I believe.