Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Jesus Is Coming

Encouragement

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”
Matthew 24:3

People have been predicting the Rapture and the end of the world for centuries. However, none have ever come true.

The disciples asked two critical questions: “When will this happen (the destruction of the temple), and what will be the sign of Your coming and the end?” Jesus never instructed how to calculate the day of His return but emphasized the need to be ready.

Jesus’ teachings encourage us to be faithful, watchful, and prayerful. Jesus is coming soon and we can see the signs from Heaven. God is preparing this world for the return of Jesus. We must not only encourage ourselves, but we must encourage others as well.

Paul, writing to the Christians in Thessalonica said, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.“ I Thessalonians 4:16-18

We must tell others that Jesus is coming with words of comfort. Encourage someone today that Jesus is coming soon.

How we live is reflected by what we believe. Do you believe that Jesus could return at any moment? Are you ready?

Pray

Lord, encourage me to be Your witness today. Let people see the hope and love that I have in Jesus. Help me to prepare myself and others for what is to come.

Someone To Talk To

Encouragement

…and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor…
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6‬ ‭

The prophet Isaiah spoke of Jesus over 700 years before He was born unto man. Isaiah said His name shall be called “Wonderful Counselor”.  And what a Wonderful Counselor Jesus is.

There are times in our life when we need to turn to wise counsel. Sometimes we have to make hard decisions not knowing what the outcome or impact might be. This is when we trust the Lord for His infinite wisdom.

We should always turn to the Lord first and seek His counsel when we need answers or just need someone to talk to. He is always available. There is no appointment needed and there is no charge for His services. Why would we seek any other counsel?

Jesus has everything we need. If we need financial help He is our Financial Advisor. When we need marriage advice, He is our Marriage Counselor. If we need help deciding a career, He is our Guidance Counselor. He is a Counselor of all things. We need to turn to Jesus first before we turn to anyone else or to anything.

As a Wonderful Counselor, He will not condemn you. He will listen as One who cares and understands what you feel. He is there to support you and help you every step of the way.

He is a friend in time of need. Not only will He give you the truth you need to hear but He will supply the needs that you have. There is only One who can do all things. There is only One who knows all things. He name is Jesus and we call Him “Wonderful Counselor”.

Do you need to talk to the Wonderful Counselor today?

Pray

Lord, You are my help in time of need. You are my rock and salvation. Help me to talk to You about all my troubles and I will listen for Your advice.

Faith That Pleases God

Encouragement

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5

There are only a few verses in the Bible that mention a special man by the name Enoch. Genesis 5:18-24, Hebrews 5:6-7, and Jude 1:14-15 are the only passages of Holy Scripture that reference Enoch and his close walk with God.

The most interesting thing about Enoch is that he pleased God so well that he did not die but was taken up to heaven.

Enoch is described as a man of faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Faith brings glory to God and faith in Jesus is what saves a person from sin.

Enoch is a beautiful picture of the church that is to be raptured up by Jesus Christ. Just as Enoch was raptured up before the judgment of the flood waters, so the church will be raptured up before the judgment of God is poured out on the earth in the seven years of tribulation.

We may not know the day or hour that Jesus will come but we need to walk in daily fellowship with God so we are prepared for such an event. Jesus will come in the clouds with a loud trumpet sound and everyone will know it.

In the meantime it is faith that pleases God the Father. It is faith in His Word and walking in close fellowship with Jesus that pleases God. One day we will be talking to Jesus in prayer and all of a sudden He will appear in the sky and we will meet Him in the air and forever be in His presence.

Does your faith today please God?

Pray

Lord, thank You for sending us Jesus to take away our sins. Help me to live by faith alone. Help me to be strong in my weaknesses and increased by faith.