Pastor Stephen Dedman

But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you trying to earn God’s acceptance, or are you living in the freedom that Christ has already secured for you?

Context
The writer of Hebrews contrasts the Old Testament priests with Jesus Christ. Under the old covenant, priests stood daily offering sacrifices that could never completely remove sin. Their work was never finished because sin’s debt remained. In contrast, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice once for all. After His work on the cross was complete, He sat down at the right hand of the Father, a powerful picture that His work of redemption was finished.

Application
Many believers still live as though they must earn God’s favor by their performance. We strive to be “good enough,” hoping our efforts will make us acceptable to God. Hebrews 10:12 reminds us that our salvation rests entirely on the finished work of Christ. We obey, serve, and worship not to earn God’s love but because we have already received it through Jesus. His sacrifice was sufficient yesterday, is sufficient today, and will be sufficient forever.

Truth For The Day
Because Jesus’ sacrifice was complete, you can rest confidently in His finished work.

Pray
Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice for my sins. Help me to stop relying on my own efforts and to trust fully in His finished work. May my life be marked by gratitude, obedience, and confidence in Your amazing grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
How can your response to your current trial point others to the faithfulness and goodness of Christ?

Context
Peter wrote to believers who were facing persecution because of their faith in Christ. Rather than encouraging them to avoid suffering, he reminded them that hardship for the sake of Christ is not a sign of God’s absence but an opportunity to identify with Jesus. Their suffering had purpose because it pointed others to the hope found in Christ and prepared them for the glory yet to come.

Application
Hardship is something we all face, but not all suffering is wasted. When we endure trials with unwavering faith, we become living testimonies of God’s sustaining grace. Our response to pain often speaks louder than our words. People are watching to see whether our faith is genuine when life is difficult. As we trust God through disappointments, sickness, loss, or opposition, He uses our perseverance to glorify Himself and strengthen others. Though we may not understand every trial, we can be confident that God is using it to shape us into the image of Christ.

Truth For The Day
God never wastes your hardships when they are surrendered to Him for His glory.

Pray
Lord, when hardships come, help me to trust You instead of becoming discouraged. Give me strength to endure with joy, knowing that You are at work even when I cannot see it. Let my life reflect Your grace so that others will see Christ through me. May every trial bring You glory and draw me closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭20‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
When challenges arise, what do you instinctively trust first: your own abilities or the Lord?

Context
Throughout Israel’s history, military strength was often measured by the number of horses, chariots, and soldiers a nation possessed. The temptation was to place confidence in visible power rather than the unseen God. David reminds God’s people that true security has never been found in earthly resources but in the Lord Himself.

Application
We face similar temptations today. We place confidence in our bank accounts, careers, education, health, or even our own abilities. While these things have value, they cannot provide lasting peace or guarantee tomorrow. Circumstances change, but God never does.

Confidence in the Lord is not pretending life will always be easy. It is the settled assurance that God is faithful, sovereign, and present regardless of what we face. When our confidence rests in Him, fear loses its grip because we know the One who holds our future.

The stronger our relationship with God becomes, the stronger our confidence grows. As we remember His faithfulness in the past, we gain courage to trust Him with today and tomorrow.

Truth For The Day
Confidence in God never disappoints because His faithfulness never fails.

Pray
Lord, forgive me for the times I place my confidence in myself or in things that cannot last. Teach me to trust You with every part of my life. Remind me that You are faithful, powerful, and always present. Help me face each day with confidence that comes from knowing You, not from my circumstances. May my life reflect unwavering trust in Your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.