Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: travel

What Sort Of Man Is This

Faith

What Sort of Man Is This

And the men (disciples) marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:27‬

A Marvelous Man

Jesus calmed the wind and waves and the disciples were in complete astonishment.  They had just witnessed a miracle. They went from fearful to fascination in matter of seconds.  The disciples thought they were going to drown but instead they saw God in action.  It’s like the fans in the stands that are praying for a miracle and then their favorite team suddenly wins in the last seconds and they are stuck in disbelief.  Why are we in disbelief when God does something so amazing?  Especially when we are praying for it.

This same event is paralleled in Mark 4:35-41.  The disciples woke Jesus and said, “do you not care that we are perishing?”  I wonder how many times we think in our minds that God does not care about what we are facing?  Believe me, He cares!  He cares about the big stuff and he cares about the small stuff.  How awful it is for a child of God to think He doesn’t care for His own.

The disciples realized at that very moment that they were in the presence of God.  God was in the boat.  Now they know Jesus is God.  This truth was revealed to them and they knew they were following the true Messiah.  How awesome to know that the One who has power over nature is living inside our life and will do supernatural wonders that will make us marvel.  If you believe in God’s love and power you can weather any storm that comes your way.

Read Psalm 107:23-31 and be marveled.

Prayer

Pray Psalm 107:30 and “thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!”

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.

Pray like Jabez

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.”
‭‭1 Chronicles 4:10

This is an exciting verse that we have in front of us today. This verse is a prayer that was desperately prayed and God answered it. Do you realize that as a child of God your prayers are heard and answered?  God does not hear the prayers of those who do not belong to Him.

Jabez is only mentioned in verses 9 and 10 and this is all that we know about him. So let’s learn a few things from him.

First, we learn that no matter what is bothering us we can go to God for help. His name indicates that he either suffered pain or caused pain. Regardless, he needed help and turned to God. His prayer changed everything as God granted his request.

Second, we learn that our negative circumstances should never define our life.  Our hardships and trials shape us for what we can become.  We become better people when we overcome trials.  It increases our faith.

Third, we learn that we all are unique and have a special purpose in this life. We were created in the image of Almighty God and we should give Him glory for our unique attributes. God gives each of us special gifts and talents to honor Him with and to bless others.

Pray the “prayer of Jabez” and see how it changes your mindset and your outlook.