Pastor Stephen Dedman

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What distractions do you need to set aside so you can spend more personal time with God?

Context
In Matthew 6, Jesus warns against practicing spiritual acts for the praise of others. He teaches that prayer is not about being seen by people but about meeting personally with God. Prayer is an intimate conversation with our heavenly Father, who sees us even when no one else does.

Application
We live in a world filled with noise, distractions, and the pressure to be noticed. Jesus invites us to step away from the noise and enter the secret place. This does not mean we can only pray in a private room, but it reminds us that our relationship with God should be genuine and personal. God is not impressed by fancy words or long prayers. He desires our hearts. When we come honestly before Him, we discover that the greatest reward is not what God gives us, but the privilege of being with Him.

Truth For The Day
God sees you, hears you, and meets you in the quiet place.

Pray
Lord, help me to make time to meet with You away from the noise and distractions of life. Teach me to pray with a sincere heart, not seeking the attention of others but simply desiring to know You more. Thank You for seeing me, hearing me, and loving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
How can you demonstrate respect and honor toward the authorities God has placed in your life?

Context
Peter wrote to believers living as strangers in a culture that did not always share or support their faith. He reminded them that following Christ should influence every part of their lives, including how they responded to authority. Submission to governing authorities was not simply about obeying people; it was an act of obedience to God. Peter’s words do not mean Christians must obey commands that directly contradict God’s Word, but they do call us to be people known for respect, integrity, and peace.

Application
It is easy to respect authority when we agree with every decision. The real test comes when we disagree. As followers of Jesus, our attitude should be different from the world around us. We can stand firmly for truth while still showing respect. We can disagree without being disrespectful. Our conduct should point people to Christ.

Truth For The Day
Our response to authority is part of our witness for Jesus.

Pray
Lord, help me to live with humility and respect. Give me wisdom to obey You above all things while honoring the authorities You have placed in my life. May my attitude and actions reflect the character of Christ and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
‭‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are your words today bringing healing and hope, or are they causing harm?

Context
James uses strong imagery to remind us of the incredible power of our words. Just as a small fire can quickly spread and cause enormous destruction, the tongue can damage relationships, reputations, and lives. A careless word spoken in anger may take only seconds to say but can leave wounds that last for years.

Application
We must remember that words have power. Before speaking, we should ask: Will this build up or tear down? Will this bring peace or cause more pain? When emotions rise, wisdom often means pausing before responding. Ask God to help you surrender your tongue to Him and speak with grace, truth, and love.

Truth For The Day
The tongue can be a fire of destruction, but when surrendered to God, our words can bring healing, encouragement, and life.

Pray
Lord, guard my tongue and guide my words. Forgive me for the times I have spoken carelessly or in anger. Help me to pause before I speak and to choose words that honor You. May my words bring encouragement, peace, truth, and life to those around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.