Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: gospel

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.

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)

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.