Pastor Stephen Dedman

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
‭‭Micah‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Does your daily life reflect the kind of heart God desires?

Context
The Book of Micah was written during a time when God’s people had become outwardly religious but inwardly distant from Him. They continued offering sacrifices and performing rituals, yet their hearts were far from obedience. Through the prophet Micah, God makes it clear that He is not merely looking for religious activity, He desires transformed lives.

Application
People often wonder what God truly wants from them. Is it more church attendance? More activity? More accomplishments? While those things can have value, Micah 6:8 simplifies God’s desire into three powerful instructions: Do justly, Love mercy, and Walk humbly with God.

To do justly means we live with integrity and treat people rightly. Our faith should shape the way we speak, lead, work, and respond to others.

To love mercy means we don’t just tolerate grace, we delight in giving it. Mercy reflects the heart of God. In a world that is harsh and unforgiving, believers are called to show compassion.

To walk humbly with your God means we recognize our dependence on Him daily. Humility is not weakness, it is surrender. It’s understanding that we need God in every area of our lives.

God never intended faith to be merely something we practice on Sundays. He desires a relationship that changes how we live every day.

Truth for Today
God is not just interested in religious actions, He desires a heart that walks closely with Him.

Pray
Lord, help me to live the way You have called me to live. Teach me to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You every day. Let my faith be more than words or routines, let it transform my heart and actions. Shape me into a reflection of Your character so that others may see You through my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Where in your daily life is God calling you to shine more boldly for Him?

Context
In Gospel of Matthew chapter 5, Jesus is delivering the Sermon on the Mount. It’s a foundational teaching on what it looks like to live as a citizen of God’s kingdom. Just before this verse, He calls His followers “the light of the world.” This wasn’t just poetic language; it was a calling. In a world marked by spiritual darkness, believers are meant to reflect the character, truth, and love of God in visible ways.

Application
Your life is constantly communicating something. The way you speak, serve, forgive, and respond under pressure either reflects light or blends with the darkness. You don’t have to manufacture the light. God has already placed it within you. Your responsibility is to let it shine.

Jesus is not telling us to draw attention to ourselves, but to live in such a way that our lives point beyond us and to the Father. When you live this way, people don’t just see you they begin to see God at work in you.

Truth For The Day
Your life is a reflection either revealing God’s glory or hiding it. Choose to shine.

Pray
Lord, thank You for placing Your light within me. Help me not to hide it out of fear, pride, or distraction. Give me the courage to live in a way that reflects Your goodness in every situation. Let my words, actions, and attitudes point others to You. May my life bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What is one area of your life where you’ve been saying “if You can” to God, instead of trusting that He already can?

Context
There’s a moment in Mark 9 where a desperate father brings his son to Jesus. The boy is tormented, the disciples have failed to help, and hope is fading. In a raw, honest plea, the father says, “If You can do anything…” Jesus responds with a powerful correction: “If you can believe…”

Application
The issue wasn’t Jesus’ ability, it was the father’s faith. How often do we live in that same tension? We believe, but not fully. We hope, but with hesitation. We pray, but with an escape clause in case nothing happens. Yet Jesus redirects us to a deeper truth: belief unlocks the door to what God wants to do.

This verse isn’t a blanket promise that we can control outcomes with our faith. It’s a call to trust the One who holds all power.

What makes this story even more powerful is the father’s next words: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). That’s where many of us live, caught between faith and doubt. And Jesus doesn’t reject him for it. He meets him right there.

Today, whatever you’re facing—whether it’s a burden, a battle, or a broken place—bring it to Jesus. Don’t wait until your faith feels strong. Come honestly. Come expectantly. And trust that what seems impossible to you is not impossible to Him.

Truth For The Day
Faith doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. It just has to be placed in the right Person.

Pray
Lord, I believe but I know there are places where doubt still lingers. Strengthen my faith. Help me trust You fully, even when I don’t understand. Remind me that nothing is too hard for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.