Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: church

Out On A Limb

Encouragement, Salvation

Out On A Limb

“And he (Zacchaeus) was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:3‬

Zacchaeus and Jesus

I love reading the story of Zacchaeus because it never gets old.  The theme of this passage of Scripture is salvation and how any person from any background can seek and find Jesus.  You probably remember Zacchaeus because he was “a wee little man, and a wee little man was he!” I’m sure everyone who hears the jingle remembers the gist.

Zacchaeus was a rich tax collector and was hated by everyone.  To say the least he didn’t have a very good reputation among the people for being honest.  But the day he met Jesus everything changed.  He became a new person.  And everyone witnessed it and benefitted from it.

Because of the large crowd, Zacchaeus literally went out on a limb to see Jesus.  He risked everything.  What he didn’t know was Jesus had seen him from the beginning.  As the sycamore tree was the divine meeting place for Zacchaeus, the wooden cross is ours.

Jesus does not look at your past or failures like the world does. Jesus sees you for the person you can become through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Just think of the potential you have as a Child of God.  The world means nothing when Jesus is on your side.

The good news is we don’t have to look very far to find Jesus, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke‬ ‭19:10‬)

Pray

Pray for the Holy Spirit to empower you with strength, courage and wisdom as you strive to become the perfect person God created you to be.

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.

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.