Pastor Stephen Dedman

You shall have no other gods before Me.
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What is competing for God’s place in your heart today?

Context
When God gave the Ten Commandments to Israel, He began with a command that addressed the heart before behavior. Israel had just been delivered from Egypt, a land filled with false gods and idols. God wanted His people to understand that He alone was their Savior, Provider, and King. Before He instructed them on how to live, He reminded them who was to be first in their lives.

Application
While most people today do not bow before carved idols, anything that takes God’s rightful place in our hearts can become a god. Careers, money, possessions, relationships, hobbies, and even ministry can compete for our devotion. The question is not whether God has a place in our lives, but whether He has first place.

Jesus reaffirmed this truth when He taught that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. When God is first, everything else falls into its proper place. When something else takes His place, our priorities, decisions, and peace begin to suffer.

Truth For The Day
God will not share His throne. He deserves first place in every area of our lives.

Pray
Lord, forgive me for allowing other things to take priority over You. Help me examine my heart and remove anything that competes with my devotion to You. Teach me to love You above all else and to honor You as Lord of every area of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭5‬:‭33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What step of obedience is God asking you to take today as you walk with Him?

Context
In Deuteronomy 5, Moses is reminding the people of Israel of God’s covenant and commandments before they enter the Promised Land. After receiving the Law, the people were instructed not merely to know God’s commands but to walk in them. God’s desire was not for occasional acts of obedience but for a lifestyle that reflected His character and His will.

Application
Following God is often described in Scripture as a walk. A walk is not a single step but a journey. Each day presents opportunities to choose God’s path over our own. Sometimes those choices are significant, but most of the time they are found in the ordinary moments of life through our words, attitudes, and priorities.

God’s commands are not meant to restrict us but to guide us toward the life He desires for us. When we walk in His ways, we experience His provision, protection, and peace. While obedience does not remove every hardship, it keeps us aligned with the God who faithfully leads us through every season. The path of obedience is not always the easiest path, but it is always the best path.

Truth For The Day
Walking with God is a daily choice to follow His direction rather than our own.

Pray
Lord, help me to walk faithfully in Your ways each day. Give me a heart that desires to obey You in both the big decisions and the small moments of life. Lead my steps, strengthen my faith, and help me trust that Your path is always best. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭29‬ ‭NKJV

Question
Are you relying more on your own understanding or on the truth and power of God?

Context
In Matthew 22:29, Jesus responds to the Sadducees, a group that did not believe in the resurrection. They tried to trap Him with a complicated question about marriage in heaven, but Jesus answered plainly: “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” Their confusion did not come from a lack of intelligence, but from a lack of understanding of God’s Word and trust in His power.

Application
We can become overwhelmed by fear, doubt, and confusion when we lean on our own understanding instead of grounding ourselves in Scripture. When we neglect God’s Word, our perspective becomes limited. When we forget His power, our faith becomes weak.

Jesus reminds us that truth is found in knowing both the Scriptures and the power of God. The Bible reveals who God is, how He works, and what He promises. His power reminds us that nothing is impossible for Him. What seems hopeless to us is still fully within His control.

When life feels uncertain, return to God’s Word. Fill your mind with His truth and trust that His power is greater than your circumstances. God has not changed, and neither have His promises.

Truth For The Day
God’s Word gives direction, and God’s power gives confidence.

Pray
Lord, help me know Your Word deeply and trust Your power completely. Strengthen my faith when doubts arise and guide me in Your truth each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.