Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Praise His Name

Encouragement

 

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:9‬

Jesus is a powerful name. In the name of Jesus miracles happen and prayers are answered. At the name of Jesus demons flee and every knee bows.  For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus saves!

But have you ever noticed how many names and titles are given to Jesus in the Bible. For example, some of the names and titles given to Jesus are:  Christ, Emmanuel, Master, Son of God, Son of Man, Word, Lamb of God, Light of the World, King of the Jews, Rabbi and Messiah.  Overall it is said there are about 700 names and titles that can be referenced to in Scripture. Have you ever considered why God gave so many names and titles to His only Son?

Names in the Bible have significant meanings. The Old Testament name given to Joshua means “Savior” or “Deliverer” as he delivered God’s people into the Promise Land. A New Testament name given to Peter means “Rock” as he was the first to build the Church. So the names and titles given to Jesus actually describe his attributes and character and describe who He is and how He works in the lives of so many people.

As you read Scripture that denotes a specific name or title given to Jesus, stop for a moment and discover how God wants you to know Him. By doing this you will build a more intimate relationship with Jesus. Plus it will give you a broader perspective of what Jesus can do in your life.  The more we know about Jesus, the more we become like Jesus.

Praise God for sending Jesus and for who He is to you. You will be blessed in doing so.

Unknown Places

Faith, Trust

“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)

Choose Life

Encouragement

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:19-20‬

In Deuteronomy chapters 29-30 Moses voiced his farewell speech by summarizing the last 40 years of being in the wilderness. He reminds them of the Ten Commandments and then gives them a final challenge.  But before Joshua took command and delivered the 2 million or more people into the Promise Land, Moses instructed them to make a choice.  And he urged them to choose life.  This was not a choice to be made merely individually but also as a nation.

Of course, then, they chose life and received the blessings of God.  For generations they were prosperous and blessed. However, today, I wonder what our nation and this generation have chosen.  Have we strayed from God’s commands and chose death and curse over life and blessing?  I’m thinking we have.

I’m not referring solely to the abortion epidemic. I’m referring to all human life: unborn, young, old, black, white, brown, yellow, male and female. All human life that has been murdered, abandoned and neglected. Our nation is in serious trouble due to the choices we have made in the last few years.  The consequences our next generation faces is death and curse.

But it’s not too late. God’s people are never too far gone that they can’t re-choose life and receive God’s blessings. God is faithful and just to forgive. But first we must confess our sins (1 John 1:9).  We must be obedient to God’s commands.

Over the last decade I have witnessed many people come to Christ as their Lord and Savior.  I have prayed and cried with some who have confessed murderous and adulterous sins to God and instantly and miraculously they received joy and peace. God will forgive. So we must not hesitate.

Pray for our nation today that we would become a Christian nation that loves God and that our next generations to come will be blessed because we choose life. Pray for our government and leadership.

Maybe you have made some regretful decisions and need God’s forgiveness and grace. It’s available even right now.  All you have to do is confess and repent.

If you need to speak with me personally, please feel free to reach out to me by phone, text or email.