Pastor Stephen Dedman

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬

Question
What loss in your life might God be using to lead you into something deeper?

Context
Jesus said something shocking to His disciples: “It is to your advantage that I go away.” This is the night before the crucifixion. The disciples have left everything to follow Him. He has been their teacher, protector, provider, and constant presence. And now He says leaving is better.

From their perspective, this sounds like loss. From heaven’s perspective, it is transition. Jesus is not abandoning them, He is expanding His presence through the Holy Spirit. If Jesus remained physically with them, His presence would be limited to one place at a time. But through the Spirit, He would dwell within every believer. What felt like loss was actually preparation for something greater.

Application
Sometimes we measure God’s goodness by what stays. But God often measures His goodness by what grows. There are seasons when something ends: a role, a relationship, a season of comfort, or even a plan you thought was certain. And it can feel like God has stepped back. But what if He is stepping forward in a different way?

The disciples could not see yet what Pentecost would bring. They could not see the boldness, the miracles, the global spread of the gospel. They only felt the pain of goodbye. Don’t confuse transition with abandonment. What feels like subtraction may be multiplication in disguise.

Truth For The Day
God may remove what is familiar to release what is powerful.

Pray
Lord, help me trust Your perspective over my feelings. Give me faith to believe You are providing something greater. Teach me to welcome the work of Your Spirit. Help me see that You are leading me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“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.

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭10‬

Question
Are you trying to earn a love that God has already freely given?

Context
John writes to believers about the nature of true love. In a world where love is often reduced to emotion, attraction, and romance, John defines love in something deeper. He doesn’t point first to human affection. He points to divine sacrifice.

Application
Valentine’s Day celebrates love and rightly so. God designed love. He created marriage. He created companionship. He is not against romance; He designed it. But the greatest love ever displayed was not written on a card. It was written in blood.

Before you ever loved Him, ever sought Him, or ever chose Him. Human love can disappoint but God’s love never will. Human love can fluctuate but God’s love remains steadfast.

Today, remember that you are fully loved. Let the love you’ve received from Christ overflow in your heart and mind.

Truth For The Day
You don’t earn God’s love, you receive it.

Pray
Lord, thank You for loving me first. On this Valentine’s Day, remind me that Your love is greater than any human affection and deeper than any emotion. Help me reflect Your sacrificial love to those around me. Anchor my heart in the unchanging truth that I am fully known and fully loved in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.