Pastor Stephen Dedman

You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What burden have you been carrying that you need to place into God’s hands today?

Context
David wrote these words during a painful season of fear and uncertainty while fleeing from his enemies. Even in the middle of distress, he found comfort in knowing that God saw every moment of his suffering. Nothing David experienced was ignored by the Lord, not even his tears.

Application
Sometimes people overlook our pain because they cannot fully see what we carry inside. We may smile in public while privately fighting discouragement, grief, or even disappointment. Yet Psalm 56 reminds us that God notices every tear and every silent struggle. He is not distant from our hurt. He is near to the brokenhearted and attentive to every burden we carry.

What a powerful picture this verse gives us. God values us so deeply that He keeps record of our sorrows. Our tears matter to Him because we matter to Him. When life feels heavy, remember that heaven is not indifferent to your pain.

Truth For The Day
God sees every tear and cares about every detail of your life.

Pray
Lord, thank You for seeing my pain and caring for my heart. Help me trust You with every burden and find peace in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
How can you encourage and honor the mothers and spiritual mentors God has placed in your life today?

Context
Proverbs 31 paints the picture of a godly woman whose life leaves a lasting impact on her family. Her strength is not found in perfection, but in her faithfulness. She leads with wisdom, serves with compassion, and trusts God through every season. Mothers carry enormous responsibility, yet God gives grace for every moment.

Application
Motherhood is one of the greatest callings God has given. It is filled with sacrifice, patience, prayer, and unconditional love. Many of the daily things a mother does may go unnoticed by others, but they are never unnoticed by God. Every prayer whispered over a child, every tear cried in private, and every act of love matters deeply to Him.

Today we honor mothers who continue to love, encourage, teach, and pray even when life feels exhausting. Whether you are a mother, grandmother, spiritual mother, or someone who pours into the next generation, your influence is powerful. Seeds planted in love and faith will produce fruit in God’s perfect timing.

Truth for Today
A mother’s faithful love leaves a legacy that honors God.

Pray
Lord, thank You for the gift of mothers. Strengthen and encourage every woman who faithfully pours into others. Let them feel appreciated, valued, and deeply loved today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you trusting God to strengthen your faith through this season you are in, or are you only focused on getting out of it?

Context
In 1 Peter, Peter writes to believers facing hardship, persecution, and pressure for their faith. He reminds them that suffering is not the end of the story. God uses difficult seasons to mature His people and draw them closer to Him. Suffering lasts only “a while,” but the work God does through it has eternal value.

Application
No one enjoys seasons of suffering. We often pray for God to remove the struggle immediately, but sometimes God chooses to work through the struggle instead of around it.

Notice the promise in this verse. God will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. What feels like pressure today may actually be producing stability tomorrow. Trials have a way of deepening our faith, strengthening our character, and teaching us to depend fully on God.

Instead of asking only for escape from hardship, ask God what He wants to produce in you through it. Trust that He is still working, even in difficult seasons.

Truth for Today
The struggle you are facing today may be the very thing God uses to strengthen you tomorrow.

Pray
Lord, thank You for being the God of all grace. In moments of hardship, help me trust that You are still working in my life. Strengthen my faith, establish my steps, and settle my heart in Your peace. Remind me that suffering is temporary, but Your promises are eternal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.