Pastor Stephen Dedman

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
If you truly lived today believing that God saw every thought, word, and action, what would you do differently?

Context
The book of Proverbs is a collection of God-given wisdom that teaches us how to live lives that honor Him. Proverbs 15 contrasts the way of the righteous with the way of the wicked, emphasizing that our words, attitudes, and actions matter to God. Verse 3 reminds us that nothing escapes His notice. Unlike human beings, who only see outward appearances or limited moments in time, the Lord sees everything perfectly. His watchful eye is not merely one of judgment but also of loving care over those who belong to Him.

Application
There are times when we feel unnoticed. We faithfully serve, quietly pray, give generously, and seek to honor Christ, yet it seems that no one recognizes our efforts. At other times, we wonder why evil appears to prosper without consequence.

Proverbs 15:3 reminds us that God sees it all. Every act of obedience, every hidden sacrifice, every tear shed in prayer, and every temptation resisted is known by Him. Likewise, no sinful act, injustice, or rebellion escapes His attention. His perfect knowledge assures us that He is both a righteous Judge and a faithful Father.

Because God sees us, we do not need to seek the approval of people. We can live with integrity even when no one else is watching, knowing that our audience is ultimately the Lord. His eyes are never distracted, His care never diminishes, and His justice never fails.

Truth For The Day
God’s eyes are always on His children.

Pray
Lord, thank You that Your eyes are always upon me. Thank You for seeing my struggles, my victories, and even the burdens that no one else knows about. Help me to live with integrity, not for the applause of people but for Your glory alone. Give me confidence that You are working even when I cannot see the results, and remind me that my labor in You is never in vain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What voices have the greatest influence on your thinking, and do they consistently point you toward the truth of God’s Word?

Context
The apostle John wrote his first letter to believers who were facing false teachers who distorted the truth about Jesus Christ. Some claimed to have special spiritual knowledge while denying that Jesus had truly come in the flesh. John reminded the church that not everything claiming to be spiritual is from God. Instead, believers are to test every teaching against God’s revealed truth. Discernment is not optional, it is essential for a healthy and faithful Christian life.

Application
John’s command is simple: test the spirits. Before we embrace a teaching, follow a trend, or believe a claim about God, we must ask, “Does this align with Scripture? Does it exalt Jesus Christ? Does it produce obedience to God?”

Discernment is developed through daily fellowship with God. The more familiar we become with His Word, the more quickly we recognize error. Just as a bank teller learns to identify counterfeit money by handling genuine currency, believers recognize false teaching by knowing the truth.

God has not left His people defenseless. He has given us His Spirit, His Word, and the fellowship of the church to help us stand firm. In a culture where truth is constantly challenged, Christians must remain anchored in the unchanging truth of Scripture.

Truth For The Day
God’s truth never changes, and His Word remains the reliable standard for every believer.

Pray
Lord, thank You for giving me Your Word as the foundation for my faith. Help me to recognize truth and reject error. Give me discernment through the Holy Spirit so that I will not be deceived by the voices of this world. May my heart remain anchored in Christ, and may my life reflect obedience to Your truth each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.
‭‭I John‬ ‭2‬:‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you living each day with the confidence of God’s eternal promise, or are you allowing temporary circumstances to overshadow the hope you have in Christ?

Context
The apostle John wrote his first letter to strengthen believers who were being challenged by false teachers. Throughout chapter two, John encourages Christians to remain faithful to Christ and to abide in the truth they had received from the beginning. False teachers were offering empty promises and distorted views of Jesus, but John reminds believers that God’s promises are certain because they come from the God who cannot lie. In the midst of warnings about deception, John points his readers to the greatest promise of all: eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Application
We live in a world filled with broken promises. People fail us, circumstances change, and even our own plans often fall apart. It can be easy to become skeptical about promises because we have experienced disappointment so many times.

When God makes a promise, His character guarantees its fulfillment. Eternal life is not a reward we earn through our efforts; it is a gift secured by the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Our confidence is not based on how well we perform but on how faithful God is.

When trials come, remember that they are temporary. When life feels uncertain, remember that your future is secure. The greatest promise ever made has already been guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Truth For The Day
Because God always keeps His promises, those who trust in Christ can live with confidence, hope, and assurance that eternal life is already theirs.

Pray
Lord, thank You for being a God who never breaks His promises. Thank You for the gift of eternal life. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on what is eternal rather than what is temporary. In Jesus’ name, Amen.