Pastor Stephen Dedman

From the rising of the sun to its going down the LORD’s name is to be praised.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭113‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What is one thing you can praise God for today?

Context
Psalm 113 begins and ends with a call to praise the Lord. The psalmist reminds us that God is worthy of praise at all times and in every place. From the moment the sun rises until it sets, His name deserves to be lifted up. This is not simply a command for Sunday worship, it is a call to make praise a way of life.

Application
It is easy to praise God when everything is going your way. But Psalm 113:3 challenges us to praise Him throughout the entire day, regardless of our circumstances. When you wake up, praise Him for another day. When you face difficulty, praise Him for His faithfulness. When you experience blessing, praise Him for His goodness. When the day comes to an end, look back and recognize His hand at work.

Praise changes our focus. Instead of allowing our circumstances to become bigger than God, we remind ourselves that God is greater than our circumstances.

Truth For The Day
God is worthy of our praise from sunrise to sunset because He is always faithful.

Pray
Lord, help me to praise You throughout this entire day. When life is good, keep me grateful. When life is difficult, keep me trusting. Don’t let my circumstances determine my worship. Remind me that You are always worthy of praise because You are always faithful. May my words, thoughts, and actions bring glory to Your name from sunrise to sunset. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you taking advantage of the access Christ has given you or are you trying to handle life on your own?

Context
Paul is explaining what Jesus accomplished through His death on the cross. Sin had separated humanity from God, but Christ broke down that barrier. Those who were far from God have been brought near through Jesus. Now, both Jew and Gentile can come into the presence of God, not because of their background, goodness, or religious works, but because of Christ.

Application
Ephesians 2:18 reminds us that prayer is not approaching a distant or reluctant God. Through Jesus, we have access to the Father.

Think about that: the God who created everything invites you to come to Him. You don’t need to earn your way into His presence. You don’t have to clean yourself up first. Because of Jesus, you can come boldly, honestly, and confidently.

When you’re afraid, you can come to Him. When you’re confused, you can come to Him. When you’ve failed, you can come to Him. When you don’t know what to do, you can come to Him.

Truth For The Day
Because of Jesus, I a never without access to my Father.

Pray
Lord, thank You for making a way for me to come into Your presence through Jesus. Thank You that I don’t have to earn Your attention or approach You in fear. Help me to come to You honestly and confidently in every situation. When I am weak, remind me that You are near. When I am uncertain, help me trust You. Teach me to make prayer more than a last resort and to live every day aware of Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
‭‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What area of my life needs to come more into agreement with what God’s Word teaches?

Context
Paul wrote to Titus, a young pastor serving on the island of Crete. The churches there needed strong leadership because false teaching and ungodly living were threatening the health of the church. Paul tells Titus that his responsibility was not simply to teach what was true, but to teach truth that produces a godly life.

Sound doctrine is more than knowing the right answers about God. Biblical truth should shape the way we think, speak, behave, and treat others.

Application
It is possible to know Scripture without allowing Scripture to change us. We can attend church, listen to sermons, and understand biblical doctrine while still living according to our own desires.

Paul reminds us that truth and life belong together. What we believe about God should affect how we live for God.

Ask yourself: Does my life match what I say I believe? If we truly believe that Christ has saved us, then our lives should increasingly reflect His character.

We don’t live godly lives to earn salvation. We live differently because we have been saved by grace.

Truth For The Day
Sound doctrine should produce a sound life.
The truth we believe should become the life we live.

Pray
Lord, help me not only to know Your truth but to live it. Shape my thoughts, words, choices, and actions so that my life reflects the gospel I believe. Give me the courage to follow Your Word even when it is difficult. May the truth I profess be evident in the way I live. In Jesus’ name, Amen.