Pastor Stephen Dedman

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What Sort Of Man Is This

Faith

What Sort of Man Is This

And the men (disciples) marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:27‬

A Marvelous Man

Jesus calmed the wind and waves and the disciples were in complete astonishment.  They had just witnessed a miracle. They went from fearful to fascination in matter of seconds.  The disciples thought they were going to drown but instead they saw God in action.  It’s like the fans in the stands that are praying for a miracle and then their favorite team suddenly wins in the last seconds and they are stuck in disbelief.  Why are we in disbelief when God does something so amazing?  Especially when we are praying for it.

This same event is paralleled in Mark 4:35-41.  The disciples woke Jesus and said, “do you not care that we are perishing?”  I wonder how many times we think in our minds that God does not care about what we are facing?  Believe me, He cares!  He cares about the big stuff and he cares about the small stuff.  How awful it is for a child of God to think He doesn’t care for His own.

The disciples realized at that very moment that they were in the presence of God.  God was in the boat.  Now they know Jesus is God.  This truth was revealed to them and they knew they were following the true Messiah.  How awesome to know that the One who has power over nature is living inside our life and will do supernatural wonders that will make us marvel.  If you believe in God’s love and power you can weather any storm that comes your way.

Read Psalm 107:23-31 and be marveled.

Prayer

Pray Psalm 107:30 and “thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!”

We Have Obtained An Inheritance

Encouragement

We Have Obtained An Inheritance

In Him (Christ) we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:11‬

Jesus Is Our Everything

There are two things that we need to pay close attention to in this verse today.

First, notice that Paul is writing in the past tense.  In other words, when we come to Christ in faith we inherit everything at the moment of conversion.  Paul states it like it has already happened.  The moment we confess Jesus as Lord everything past, present and future has been settled and completed.  Let this important truth sink in for a moment.  At the moment of salvation all sin is forgiven, our place in Heaven is sealed and all that belongs to Christ also belongs to us.  As Christians we have so much to look forward to but we also have so much right now.  Not only do we inherit Christ, but He also inherits us!

Second, notice that “all things work according to the counsel of His will.”  Whatever God plans to do, He makes it happen. God doesn’t plan something and then try to sit back and figure out how it’s going to happen.  When God wills something it happens.  Isn’t God great!

What God has planned from the beginning will be accomplished.  According to Ephesians 1:11, If God chose us to be a part of His plan for eternity then He will bring it to pass.  Paul said, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬)

Always remember, the best thing we can give someone is Jesus because He is everything.

Prayer

Thank God today for thinking of you so long ago.

The Lord Is With You

Encouragement

The Lord Is With You

And the angel of the Lord appeared to him (Gideon) and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.
‭‭Judges‬ ‭6:12‬

Mighty Man of What?

At first Gideon was not a man of valor (courage), he was weak and cowardly.  In fact, he was the smallest and youngest of his family and would be the least of many to be called a warrior.  What’s ironic about this passage of Scripture is the angel spoke these words to Gideon while he was underground hiding in fear of the Midianites robbing and killing him. But God had something special in store for Gideon.

God called upon Gideon to rise up when the Israelites finally cried out to the Lord for help after suffering seven years of punishment for worshipping Baal.  It wasn’t long after the Israelites were living comfortably in the Promise Land that they turned their back on God and broke the First Commandment.  Now it was time for Gideon to be the man God was going to use to save the Israelites from the Midianites.

Gideon led an army of 300 Israelites into victory by blowing trumpets, smashing clay pots, holding up torches and raising their voices (Judges 7:20).  The Midianites were defeated and Gideon never had to raise the first sword.

Gideon is a great example of God using the least of many to do great and wonderful things.  No matter your position or calling you are someone God wants to use.  He wants to use the ordinary to do extraordinary things to show His mightiness.  Never underestimate your usefulness because God wants to do amazing things through you.

Prayer

Pray for God to use your life to show others what a mighty God you serve.