Pastor Stephen Dedman

Unknown Places

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:8

Abraham is best known for being the father of the great nation of Israel, God’s chosen people.  In this passage of Scripture the unknown writer of Hebrews wants us to consider him as a model of faith not just because of his obedience to God but for something more.

God made a promise to Abraham that would require many years to accomplish.  Abraham was promised to be the father of many but in his retirement years he still didn’t have a child of his own. He took in his nephew, Lot, but he was more of a problem than a blessing. At 90 years of age, Sarah, gave birth to their only son, Isaac. Even though they only had one son it was all part of God’s plan as Hebrews 11:12 says, “therefore, from one man, where born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

What makes Abraham such a model of faith is summarized in Genesis 15:6“And he believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness.” God didn’t give Abraham all the details, He just wanted Abraham to trust Him daily. The writer could have used the example of Abraham going up the mountain to sacrifice his son, Isaac, but instead he used the example of him faithfully packing up his entire family and possessions to journey into a foreign land not knowing where he was going.  That is the kind of faith God expects from each of us.

We might not have all the details, but we can believe God will work out all the details in His timing.  God just wants us to believe and trust Him for all things. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him…” (Hebrews 11:6)  There are tremendous blessings for those who faithfully trust and obey God when traveling into the unknown places of life.

Pray as the apostles prayed, “Lord, increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5)

Concerning The Times

Concerning The Times

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.
1 Thessalonians 5:1

Anticipate The Day

There is great joy and great confidence in knowing that Jesus Christ is coming very soon.  In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul gives answers to the questions of what happens when someone dies and Jesus hasn’t come back.  But there are many questions of when is Jesus coming back for the church.  So Paul starts chapter 5 with a great statement to encourage Believers.  Just as the Thessalonians were curious about the coming of Jesus and the Rapture of the church so are many of us today.

Paul said we do not need any more information because we already have what we need to know.  He means this in a way that Christians are prepared for Jesus’ return and since no one knows the day or hour we stay alert and rejoice in the fact that Jesus is returning soon.  Acts 1:7 says, “He (Jesus) said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”  If we knew the exact time that Jesus was going to return it would either cause panic and fear if it were near or it would cause us to lose hope if it were a long time away.  What Paul does say that we need to know is the fact that the day is coming soon.  We should expect it to happen even if it were today.

Prayer

Pray for God to help you live a holy life with complete obedience to His Word and in anticipation of looking forward to the day of the Lord.

Pray like Jabez

“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.”
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1 Chronicles 4:10

This is an exciting verse that we have in front of us today. This verse is a prayer that was desperately prayed and God answered it. Do you realize that as a child of God your prayers are heard and answered?  God does not hear the prayers of those who do not belong to Him.

Jabez is only mentioned in verses 9 and 10 and this is all that we know about him. So let’s learn a few things from him.

First, we learn that no matter what is bothering us we can go to God for help. His name indicates that he either suffered pain or caused pain. Regardless, he needed help and turned to God. His prayer changed everything as God granted his request.

Second, we learn that our negative circumstances should never define our life.  Our hardships and trials shape us for what we can become.  We become better people when we overcome trials.  It increases our faith.

Third, we learn that we all are unique and have a special purpose in this life. We were created in the image of Almighty God and we should give Him glory for our unique attributes. God gives each of us special gifts and talents to honor Him with and to bless others.

Pray the “prayer of Jabez” and see how it changes your mindset and your outlook.