Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: Heaven

The Blessing of Forgiveness

Encouragement, Salvation

‍The Blessing of Forgiveness

“And he (prodigal son) arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:20‬

The Prodigal Son’s Father

Isn’t the response of the prodigal son’s father truly amazing?  He had so much compassion for his son and was so happy when he finally returned home.  Although, this joyous occasion was not what the son had expected to receive.  According to jewish customs the son knew that he would never be accepted back as part of the family but could return as a hired servant. Boy was he surprised!

As Jesus spoke this parable to the religious leaders (the Pharisees and Scribes), an intriguing aspect would have to be considered for the fact that the father ran to meet his son.  A first-century Middle Eastern man would never run.  Running would have caused him to pull up his tunic (so he wouldn’t trip and fall) and expose his bare legs.  This would have been embarrassing and degrading to a mature man.  However, the Scripture says, he ran!

The motivation behind the father’s shameful demonstration reveals an important truth.  The father ran to meet his son before anyone else could reject or insult him for his disgraceful sins.  Also because the father ran, it would have caused a disturbing scene.  The people watching would have noticed the emotional reunion and accepted the son back as well.  Only the father could restore the son back into a right relationship with the family.

God, the Father, accepted the shame of our sins through His Son, Jesus.  As Jesus endured the cross, the wages of sin was satisfied through His death.  As a result, we are restored and reunited with God in an eternal relationship.  No matter what we do or how far we stray, God runs to embrace His children with loving arms.  We are forgiven!  Isn’t God’s forgiveness a blessing?

Prayer

Pray and confess your sins so that you will experience the blessing of forgiveness just as the prodigal son did.

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.