Pastor Stephen Dedman

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What fear or uncertainty do you need to surrender to the Lord today, trusting that He is already at work ahead of you?

Context
As Moses prepared to hand leadership of Israel over to Joshua, he reminded God’s people that their confidence should not be in a leader but in God. Israel was about to enter the Promised Land and face unknown challenges, yet God assured them that He would go before them. Their future was secure because His presence would never leave them.

Application
Life often brings seasons of uncertainty. We face difficult decisions, unexpected hardships, and doors we’ve never walked through before. While we cannot see what tomorrow holds, God already stands there. He is never surprised by our circumstances or caught off guard by our struggles.

Because God goes before us, we don’t have to live in fear. His presence provides peace, His promises give us courage, and His faithfulness reminds us that we are never alone. Whatever lies ahead, the same God who has carried you through yesterday is already preparing the way for tomorrow.

Truth For The Day
You can walk confidently into an uncertain future because God has already gone before you.

Pray
Lord, thank You for always going before me. When I am tempted to fear the unknown, remind me that You are already there. Help me to trust Your guidance, rest in Your presence, and walk forward in faith instead of fear. Thank You for Your promise to never leave or forsake me. May my confidence always be found in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What do my priorities and daily choices reveal about who or what is truly ruling my heart?

Context
Jesus spoke these words while teaching His disciples about stewardship and the proper use of earthly possessions. He wasn’t condemning wealth itself, but warning against allowing money to become our master. The Pharisees, who loved money, believed material prosperity was a sign of God’s favor. Jesus exposed the danger of divided loyalty, reminding His followers that every heart ultimately serves one master.

Application
Money is a useful tool, but it makes a terrible master. Our priorities, decisions, and spending habits often reveal what truly has our hearts. When financial security, possessions, or the pursuit of success begin to take God’s rightful place, our devotion becomes divided. Christ calls us to wholehearted allegiance. As we place Him first, we discover that our security is not found in what we own but in the One who owns all things.

Truth For The Day
Whatever has first place in your heart will ultimately shape your life. When Jesus is your Master, everything else, including your finances, finds its proper place.

Pray
Lord, I confess that it is easy to become distracted by the pursuit of money and the things of this world. Help me to love You above all else and to trust You as my Provider. Give me wisdom to steward what You have entrusted to me in a way that honors You. May my heart be fully devoted to Christ, my only true Master. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you carrying a burden today that belongs in the Shepherd’s hands instead of your own?

Context
Psalm 23 was written by David, a man who understood both the responsibilities of a shepherd and the pressures of leadership. He had faced lions, bears, giants, and enemies, yet when he reflected on God’s care, he simply declared, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

A shepherd doesn’t merely point the way, he stays with his sheep. He leads them to green pastures, provides fresh water, protects them from danger, and searches for them when they wander. David knew that God had done all of those things in his own life.

Application
The same is true for every believer today. We often carry burdens we were never meant to bear. We worry about tomorrow, try to solve every problem, and exhaust ourselves striving for control. But our Shepherd never asks His sheep to carry the weight of the flock. He simply calls us to follow Him.

When Jesus identified Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), He demonstrated the greatest expression of shepherding love by laying down His life for His sheep. Because of His sacrifice, we can trust that He will faithfully provide everything we truly need.

Today, remember that your peace is not found in having all the answers but in staying close to the Shepherd. His guidance is perfect, His provision is sufficient, and His presence is constant.

Truth For The Day
The safest place you can be is following the Good Shepherd one step at a time.

Pray
Lord, thank You for being my faithful Shepherd. Forgive me for trying to carry burdens You never intended for me to bear. Help me to trust Your leadership, rest in Your provision, and follow wherever You lead. Thank You that Your presence is with me through every valley and every mountaintop. Teach me to walk closely with You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.