Pastor Stephen Dedman

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Going Fishing

Encouragement, Faith

Going Fishing

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
John 21:3

Fishing For The Familiar

It’s amazing how quickly we can forget our mission and purpose in life.  As Christians we are commanded by Christ to make disciples.  But sometimes we lose focus of the big picture and lean toward seeking fulfillment of what we “want” to do.  Especially when we face discouraging moments.

This was the case with Peter.  Peter was facing a difficult time.  On one hand he knew he was suppose to serve Christ and fulfill the mission of sharing the gospel with others.  But on the other hand, he was dealing with guilt and shame because he denied Jesus.  Peter started doing what he use to do.  He went fishing because he lost his mission and vision of serving Christ.

For over three years Peter had followed Jesus close enough to know that he was a soul winner and no longer a fisherman.  Jesus told him that he was the “Rock” that would build the church and the gates of Hell could not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)  But sadly, when Jesus was distant, Peter went back to fishing again as he did before he met Christ.  It was the easy thing to do.  When he started battling discouragement he gave up and retreated to something familiar.  But notice they caught nothing all night.  He wasn’t a fisherman, he was still a fisher of men.

Let’s stay focussed on what God has called us to do and keep making disciples.

Prayer

Lord, help me to focus on Your love and keep me in your loving arms.

Torn In Two

Encouragement, Faith, Salvation

Torn In Two

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
Matthew 27:51

All Access

Matthew, Mark and Luke share the same event of the curtain (or the veil) being torn when Jesus died on the cross.  The tearing of the curtain has a significant meaning that we must consider as we remember the death of Jesus.  The events that took place while Jesus was on the cross prove that Jesus was the Messiah.

The Jewish temple was a complicated place of worship.  On the outside there were courts set aside for women and Gentiles to be able to worship God.  On the inside the temple the Jewish men were allowed to worship.  The temple had a very special room called the Holy of Holies.  Once a year the High Priest would go into the Holy of Holies and offer a sacrifice for the sins of the nation of Israel.  There were certain rules and arrangements made just for this special occasion. A beautiful curtain blocked the entrance of this special place where the presence of God was said to be in the Ark of the Covenant. The curtain was approxmiately 60 feet long, 20 feet wide and 4 inches thick.  The historian, Josephus, said horses tied to each side could not pull it apart.  But yet we read that when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain was torn from the top to the bottom.  Only God could have done such a wondrous work.

The torn curtain symbolizes how every Christian now has access to God without going through a priest.  As a Believer we can go directly to God anytime we want to.  Because the Holy Spirit resides in the heart of the Believer there are no longer any barriers separating us from God.

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for sending us Jesus to save us and give us eternal life.  We thank you for removing all barriers and allowing us to pray directly to You.

My Redeemer Lives

Trust

My Redeemer Lives

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
‭‭Job‬ ‭19:25‬

Because He Lives

The resurrection of Jesus is the single most important day for Christians. The Bible declares the wonderous story of Jesus defeating not only sin but death as well. From the oldest book in the Bible, Job foretells the resurrection of Jesus Christ thousands of years before it took place.

Because Jesus lives we have hope and assurity that we too will be resurrected. We will have a glorified body that will never die, never grow old, never ache, never thirst, never hunger, nor will we ever sin!  That’s the greatest promise that we have from our risen Savior. One day soon He will break the clouds and call His children home and forever we will be with Him.

Today, we can celebrate because we know that Jesus is alive and is at the right hand of the throne of God. All of Heaven is singing praises to Him and awaiting the time for all of us to gather together with them at the throne of God. What a glorious day that will be. In the meantime, we patiently wait upon the Lord.

Our hope is in Jesus because He came back alive. No one else has the power or might to do such a miraculous work. We offer up to Him our bodies as living sacrifices that are pleasing unto Him. He is worth our praise and sacrifice. He is worthy to be called the Son of the Living God. He alone is our Salvation and Redeemer. He purchased us with His blood and delights in calling us His Bride.

Prayer

Thank You Jesus for all that You are and all that You have done. Today we seek to praise and honor you.