Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: evangelism

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.

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.