Pastor Stephen Dedman

“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.”
‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬

Question
What is Jesus preparing you for right now that you may not fully understand?

Context
In John 16, Jesus is hours away from the cross. The disciples do not fully grasp what is coming… betrayal, arrest, crucifixion, fear, and scattering. Jesus is not reacting to events, He is preparing His followers ahead of time. He tells them about rejection, persecution, and hardship, not to discourage them, but to sustain them. Jesus knows the pressure that comes when faith is tested. He knows how quickly disappointment can turn into doubt. So He speaks truth in advance. He prepares them before the storm hits.

Application
Sometimes we only understand God’s words after we’ve walked through something difficult. But what if today’s Scripture is preparing you for tomorrow’s challenge? You may be misunderstood, face opposition, or experience loss. When it happens, remember that Jesus already spoke about this. Hardship is not proof that God has left you. It may be proof that He has prepared you. So instead of asking, “Why is this happening?” Ask, “How has Jesus already prepared me for this?”

Truth For The Day
Jesus prepares His people so they will not be caught off guard.

Pray
Lord, thank You for speaking truth before I even know I need it. When challenges come, help me remember that You have already prepared me. Teach me to trust that Your words are steady ground beneath my feet. Strengthen my faith today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭14

Question
What would it look like for you to trust God more fully in the situation you are trying hardest to control?

Context
These words were spoken by Moses at a moment of intense pressure. Israel stood trapped between the Red Sea and the advancing Egyptian army. Fear was at an all time high. There were no other options. Yet God was not absent, He was preparing to act. Before the sea parted, before the miracle unfolded, God called His people to trust Him in stillness.

Application
Stillness is one of the hardest disciplines of faith. We are wired to fix, move, explain, and control. But God often does His greatest work when we stop striving and start trusting. Being still does not mean being passive; it means resting confidently in who God is and what He has promised. When we quiet our hearts before Him, we make room to see His power at work.

Whatever battle are you may be facing today, pause and surrender it to the Lord. Pray before you plan. Trust before you act. Let God fight the battles that are beyond your strength, wisdom, or control.

Truth For The Day
God is at work even when you are standing still.

Pray
Lord, help me to be still when fear rises and pressure mounts. Teach me to trust You when I cannot see a way forward. I place my battles in Your hands today, believing that You are faithful to fight for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The fool has said in his heart, 
“There is no God.” 
They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; 
There is none who does good.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭53‬:‭1‬

Question
In what area of your life might God be calling you to stop relying on yourself and start trusting Him again?

Context
Psalm 53 mirrors Psalm 14 and was written in a time when moral decay was evident among God’s people and surrounding nations. David isn’t merely addressing unbelief, living as though God does not see, care, or act. This kind of thinking leads to corruption because when God is removed from the center, everything else begins to unravel.

Application 
Saying there is no God doesn’t always come from our lips but it often shows up in our lives. We do it when we ignore His Word and rely solely on our own wisdom. A life lived without God’s authority and presence drifts toward emptiness and chaos.

Today, examine your heart honestly. Are there areas where you’re living as though God isn’t involved in your time, your finances, your relationships, or your worries? Invite God back into every space. Wisdom begins when we acknowledge Him not just with our words, but with our trust and obedience.

Truth For The Day
A wise heart doesn’t deny God; it depends on Him.

Pray
Lord, forgive me for the moments I live as if You are not at work. Search my heart, restore my trust, and help me live each day aware of Your presence and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.