Pastor Stephen Dedman

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What is competing for your heart today, and what step can you take to seek God more intentionally?

Context
Jeremiah wrote these words to the Jewish exiles living in Babylon. They longed for a quick return home, but God told them their captivity would last seventy years. Rather than lose hope, they were to trust His plan, settle where they were, and seek Him wholeheartedly. God’s promise was not simply that He would change their circumstances, it was that He would reveal Himself to those who genuinely sought Him.

Application
It is easy to seek God only when life falls apart, but the Lord desires more than occasional attention. He calls us to pursue Him with our whole heart. A wholehearted pursuit of God is cultivated through His Word, prayer, worship, and daily obedience. As we seek Him consistently, we discover that His presence satisfies us more deeply than the answers we are looking for. While He may not always change our circumstances immediately, He will always transform our hearts as we draw near to Him.

Truth For The Day
The greatest reward of seeking God is not receiving what you want, it’s knowing the One who loves you.

Pray
Lord, forgive me for the times I have sought Your blessings more than I have sought You. Give me a heart that longs for Your presence above everything else. Help me to pursue You faithfully through Your Word and in prayer, trusting that You will guide my steps and shape my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What fear or uncertainty do you need to surrender to the Lord today, trusting that He is already at work ahead of you?

Context
As Moses prepared to hand leadership of Israel over to Joshua, he reminded God’s people that their confidence should not be in a leader but in God. Israel was about to enter the Promised Land and face unknown challenges, yet God assured them that He would go before them. Their future was secure because His presence would never leave them.

Application
Life often brings seasons of uncertainty. We face difficult decisions, unexpected hardships, and doors we’ve never walked through before. While we cannot see what tomorrow holds, God already stands there. He is never surprised by our circumstances or caught off guard by our struggles.

Because God goes before us, we don’t have to live in fear. His presence provides peace, His promises give us courage, and His faithfulness reminds us that we are never alone. Whatever lies ahead, the same God who has carried you through yesterday is already preparing the way for tomorrow.

Truth For The Day
You can walk confidently into an uncertain future because God has already gone before you.

Pray
Lord, thank You for always going before me. When I am tempted to fear the unknown, remind me that You are already there. Help me to trust Your guidance, rest in Your presence, and walk forward in faith instead of fear. Thank You for Your promise to never leave or forsake me. May my confidence always be found in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What do my priorities and daily choices reveal about who or what is truly ruling my heart?

Context
Jesus spoke these words while teaching His disciples about stewardship and the proper use of earthly possessions. He wasn’t condemning wealth itself, but warning against allowing money to become our master. The Pharisees, who loved money, believed material prosperity was a sign of God’s favor. Jesus exposed the danger of divided loyalty, reminding His followers that every heart ultimately serves one master.

Application
Money is a useful tool, but it makes a terrible master. Our priorities, decisions, and spending habits often reveal what truly has our hearts. When financial security, possessions, or the pursuit of success begin to take God’s rightful place, our devotion becomes divided. Christ calls us to wholehearted allegiance. As we place Him first, we discover that our security is not found in what we own but in the One who owns all things.

Truth For The Day
Whatever has first place in your heart will ultimately shape your life. When Jesus is your Master, everything else, including your finances, finds its proper place.

Pray
Lord, I confess that it is easy to become distracted by the pursuit of money and the things of this world. Help me to love You above all else and to trust You as my Provider. Give me wisdom to steward what You have entrusted to me in a way that honors You. May my heart be fully devoted to Christ, my only true Master. In Jesus’ name, Amen.