Pastor Stephen Dedman

Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭32‬:‭24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What is God trying to show youor change in you during this season of your life?

Context
Jacob was facing one of the most difficult moments of his life. He was preparing to meet his brother Esau, the brother he had deceived years earlier. Fear and uncertainty surrounded him. Jacob had sent his family and possessions ahead, and suddenly, he was left alone.

That night, Jacob wrestled with a mysterious man who is understood in the passage to be a divine manifestation. Jacob would not let go until he received a blessing. By morning, Jacob was physically wounded but spiritually changed. His encounter with God marked a turning point in his life.

Application
Sometimes God allows us to get alone because He wants our attention. We often try to avoid being alone with our thoughts, our fears, and especially with God. We fill our schedules, reach for our phones, stay busy, and look for distractions. But some of the deepest work God does in our lives happens when everything else becomes quiet.

Jacob entered that night carrying fear about tomorrow. He came out of it walking differently. There are moments when God doesn’t immediately change our circumstances because He is first changing us.

Maybe you’re facing something today that you cannot control. Maybe you’re worried about what tomorrow will bring. Perhaps God is allowing you to walk through a season where you feel alone.

Jacob’s greatest encounter came when he was left alone. Your greatest spiritual growth may happen in the same kind of place.

Truth For The Day
God often does His deepest work in us when He has our undivided attention.

Pray
Lord, thank You for meeting me even in the lonely and difficult places. Help me not to run from the moments when I am alone, but to use them to draw closer to You. Give me the courage to wrestle with the things You are revealing in my heart and the faith to hold on to You until You accomplish Your work in me. Change me, strengthen me, and help me trust You with what lies ahead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.
‭‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Question
What obstacle have you allowed to keep you from taking the next step of faith,?

Context
Jesus was teaching in a crowded house in Capernaum when four men brought their paralyzed friend to Him. They believed Jesus could help him, but there was one major problem: they couldn’t get through the crowd.

They could have turned around. They could have said, “We tried.” Instead, they climbed onto the roof, opened it up, and lowered their friend directly in front of Jesus.

Their faith moved them to action. They refused to allow the crowd, the circumstances, or the obstacles to keep their friend from Jesus.

Application
There will always be obstacles between people and what God wants to do in their lives.

Sometimes the obstacle is fear. Sometimes it is discouragement, disappointment, failure, or circumstances we cannot control. And sometimes the obstacle is simply the crowd: the voices and opinions of people around us.

But Mark 2 reminds us that faith doesn’t always mean the way will be easy. Sometimes faith means finding another way forward when the obvious way is blocked.

Notice something else: the man on the bed could not get himself to Jesus. He needed someone willing to carry him.

Who has God placed around you who needs to be carried to Jesus through your prayers, encouragement, love, and witness?

Truth For The Day
Real faith refuses to let obstacles have the final word.

Pray
Lord, give me the kind of faith that refuses to quit when the way becomes difficult. Help me see obstacles not as reasons to turn around, but as opportunities to trust You more deeply. Give me compassion for those who need someone to carry them to Jesus. Make me willing to pray, serve, encourage, and do whatever I can to help others encounter Christ. When the way seems blocked, remind me that You are still there. Give me courage to keep moving forward in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Is there an area of your life where you are more concerned about fitting in than faithfully following Jesus?

Context
John the Baptist was not trying to fit into the culture around him. His appearance, lifestyle, and message were unusual because God had called him to a unique purpose: preparing the way for Jesus. John’s life demonstrated that obedience to God sometimes means being willing to look different from everyone else.

Application
It is easy to become more concerned with fitting in than standing out for Christ. We can adjust our convictions, words, and behavior simply because we want to be accepted. John reminds us that following God is not about winning approval, it is about fulfilling our calling.

Being different for Christ does not mean being strange or seeking attention. It means being willing to live according to God’s Word when the world around us chooses another path. Our lives should point people toward Jesus, just as John’s life pointed people toward the coming Messiah.

Truth For The Day
You don’t have to fit in to faithfully follow Jesus.

Pray

Lord, help me to live faithfully for You even when it means standing apart from the world around me. Give me courage to follow Your Word, humility to serve You, and a life that points others to Jesus. May I never seek the approval of people more than I seek to please You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.