Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: christ

Our Living Hope

Encouragement

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭1:3‬

Are you living in the hope of Jesus Christ? We have hope through Jesus’ death and resurrection because he defeated sin on the cross.

The hope that we have is based upon Jesus coming back for what we call the Second Coming of Christ. When Jesus comes all things will be made new. This earth will be dissolved and a new earth will be created for our good. Until Jesus comes back we patiently wait for the glorious day to appear. 

Some days we let the worries of the world get the best of us. We sit and sour over things that sometimes are meaningless. If we dwell in the living hope of Jesus our mindset will give us a positive outlook on life. Our hope in Jesus will give us courage to face opposition of the enemy.

Until the day Jesus comes back we honor and praise His wondrous name. We live our life in a way that brings glory to God. We set ourselves apart from evil and resist the devil. We live every day like it is our last day here. We desire to hear Jesus say, “good and faithful servant.” 

You may be faced with a dilemma today but rest in the blessed hope of Jesus. He will see you through to the end. It may not be the outcome you were expecting but God has a purpose and a plan just for you. Will you trust in His blessed hope today?

Pray

Lord, thank you for giving me hope and assurance. I praise you and honor you for who you are. As I go through this day, help me to see what you have in store for me. 

He Is Risen

Encouragement

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
Matthew 28:6

Today we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday is a day that the world can be assured that God keeps His promises. 

Because Jesus lived a perfect and holy life on this Earth, His blood that was shed on the cross became the atonement for our sins. Jesus became the spotless lamb that satisfied the wrath of God. 

Jesus defeated death and sin by raising Himself to new life. Only God could do such a magnificent and miraculous work. That is why we worship and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is alive!

Only Jesus could live, die and live again. All power and majesty are given unto Him! 

Because He is risen, we have hope and assurance in salvation. One day we all shall leave this Earth. But glory to God we shall see Jesus face to face. 

Heaven awaits us for eternal life in perfect harmony and glory where there is no more sin! No more death! No more tears! No more suffering! 

It’s all because of Jesus. It’s all because Jesus lived. It’s all because Jesus died. It’s all because He lives! 

Celebrate today with joy because God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son so that all who believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Our faith hinges on the resurrection of Jesus. Paul says, “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile (worthless and powerless); you are still in your sins!” (I Corinthians 15:17) 

Let your faith in Jesus be the proof that others may see and believe.

Pray

Lord, I praise Your great name. You have opened my eyes to see who You are and I believe in You. Show me Your glory and increase my faith.

Silent Saturday

Encouragement

And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭55‬-‭56‬

The sun was starting to set and they took Jesus off the cross and placed His body in a tomb that was carved out of the rock. They placed a heavy stone in front to keep anyone from entering in and stealing the body.

Saturday was the Sabbath. According to the law there was to be no work and no traveling. It was a day set aside to rest. The body of Jesus laid in rest and it was a silent, mournful Saturday.

The hours couldn’t pass fast enough. The women were anxious to get back to the tomb and anoint the body of Jesus with oils and spices. They were planning to prepare His body for final resting.

So what happened to Jesus when He died a sinner’s death? Jesus said in Matthew 12:40, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

We also know that Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be with Him in Paradise that same day. We will get our answers when we see Jesus face to face.

Are you anxiously waiting to see Jesus? Do you spend your days expecting Him to sound the trumpet and to see Him coming in the clouds? He is coming soon!

Pray

Lord, I know You are coming to get Your bride very soon. Help me to be ready and to share the good news with others. Thank You for conquering sin and death so I can have eternal life.