Pastor Stephen Dedman

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Where in your life are you wavering instead of trusting God fully?

Context
The Book of James is a practical letter written to believers facing trials and pressure. In chapter 1, James encourages them to ask God for wisdom with only one condition: they must ask in faith, not in doubt. This wasn’t about perfection, but about a settled trust in God’s character.

Application
Doubt doesn’t just affect what you think, it affects how you live. James paints a picture of a wave tossed back and forth by the wind. It has no stability, no direction, no consistency. That’s what a doubting life looks like. It’s constantly shifting based on circumstances, emotions, or fear. Faith, on the other hand, anchors you.

This doesn’t mean questions won’t come, but it does mean your confidence in God remains firm, even when life isn’t. The problem isn’t that God is unreliable. The problem is when our trust in Him becomes inconsistent.

God is not asking for perfect faith. He’s asking for committed faith. Don’t let your life be driven by the winds, be grounded in faith.

Truth For The Day
A steady faith in God will keep you from living a shaky life.

Pray
Lord, strengthen my faith. Where I have doubted, help me to trust You more. Keep me from being unstable in my walk with You. I choose to believe You are faithful, even when I don’t see immediate results. 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.

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.