Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: encouragement

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.

Concerning The Times

Encouragement, Faith, Salvation, Trust

Concerning The Times

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.
1 Thessalonians 5:1

Anticipate The Day

There is great joy and great confidence in knowing that Jesus Christ is coming very soon.  In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul gives answers to the questions of what happens when someone dies and Jesus hasn’t come back.  But there are many questions of when is Jesus coming back for the church.  So Paul starts chapter 5 with a great statement to encourage Believers.  Just as the Thessalonians were curious about the coming of Jesus and the Rapture of the church so are many of us today.

Paul said we do not need any more information because we already have what we need to know.  He means this in a way that Christians are prepared for Jesus’ return and since no one knows the day or hour we stay alert and rejoice in the fact that Jesus is returning soon.  Acts 1:7 says, “He (Jesus) said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”  If we knew the exact time that Jesus was going to return it would either cause panic and fear if it were near or it would cause us to lose hope if it were a long time away.  What Paul does say that we need to know is the fact that the day is coming soon.  We should expect it to happen even if it were today.

Prayer

Pray for God to help you live a holy life with complete obedience to His Word and in anticipation of looking forward to the day of the Lord.