Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: pray

We Have Obtained An Inheritance

Encouragement

We Have Obtained An Inheritance

In Him (Christ) we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:11‬

Jesus Is Our Everything

There are two things that we need to pay close attention to in this verse today.

First, notice that Paul is writing in the past tense.  In other words, when we come to Christ in faith we inherit everything at the moment of conversion.  Paul states it like it has already happened.  The moment we confess Jesus as Lord everything past, present and future has been settled and completed.  Let this important truth sink in for a moment.  At the moment of salvation all sin is forgiven, our place in Heaven is sealed and all that belongs to Christ also belongs to us.  As Christians we have so much to look forward to but we also have so much right now.  Not only do we inherit Christ, but He also inherits us!

Second, notice that “all things work according to the counsel of His will.”  Whatever God plans to do, He makes it happen. God doesn’t plan something and then try to sit back and figure out how it’s going to happen.  When God wills something it happens.  Isn’t God great!

What God has planned from the beginning will be accomplished.  According to Ephesians 1:11, If God chose us to be a part of His plan for eternity then He will bring it to pass.  Paul said, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬)

Always remember, the best thing we can give someone is Jesus because He is everything.

Prayer

Thank God today for thinking of you so long ago.

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.

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.