Pastor Stephen Dedman

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What has God entrusted to you that you can use more intentionally for His glory?

Context
Genesis 1:28 comes immediately after God creates Adam and Eve in His image. Before giving them responsibilities, God blesses them. He then gives them a purpose: to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and exercise stewardship over His creation. God’s blessing was never intended to be merely enjoyed; it was intended to be lived out through purposeful obedience.

Application
God has blessed each of us with opportunities, abilities, relationships, resources, and influence. The question is not simply, “What has God given me?” but, “What am I doing with what God has given me?” We are called to faithfully steward our lives for His glory.

You may not feel like you have much to offer, but God can use whatever you place in His hands. Your home, your work, your church, your influence, and even the ordinary things you do each day can become opportunities to fulfill His purposes.

Truth For The Day
God blesses us so that our lives can become a blessing to others and a testimony of His goodness.

Pray
Lord, thank You for every blessing and opportunity You have given me. Help me not to take Your blessings for granted or use them only for myself. Teach me to faithfully steward everything You have entrusted to me and use my life to bless others. May my words, actions, resources, and influence point people toward You. Help me fulfill the purpose You have given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭25‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What are you waiting for God to do, and are you willing to trust Him while you wait?

Context
Isaiah 25 looks beyond the struggles of the present to the day when God will ultimately defeat death, wipe away tears, and bring His people into His promised salvation. Isaiah points to a future when God’s people will look back and realize that every promise was worth waiting for. Their confidence was not misplaced because God proved Himself faithful.

Application
Waiting on God can be difficult. We often want Him to act according to our timetable and in the way we expect. But God is never late, and His promises never fail. There may be seasons when you cannot see what God is doing, but you can still trust who He is.

The people in Isaiah’s prophecy would one day say, “This is our God; we have waited for Him.” Their waiting would turn into rejoicing.

Whatever you are facing today, don’t allow the difficulty of the moment to make you doubt the faithfulness of God. Keep trusting. Keep praying. Keep waiting. The God who saved you is the God who will sustain you.

Truth For The Day
God is worth waiting for because He is always faithful to His promises.

Pray
Lord, help me trust You when I cannot see what You are doing. Give me patience to wait on Your timing and faith to believe Your promises. Remind me that You are faithful, even when my circumstances are difficult. Help me look beyond today and rejoice in the salvation and hope You have promised. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Where do you turn when fear, uncertainty, or trouble enters your life?

Context
Psalm 46 was written in a time of great uncertainty and danger. The psalmist describes a world that seems to be falling apart with mountains moving, waters roaring, and nations raging. Yet in the middle of chaos, there is an unchanging truth: God is our refuge. He is not distant from His people in times of trouble. He is present and powerful.

Application
September 11 reminds us that life can change in a moment. We remember the thousands of lives lost, the families who were forever changed, and the heroes who ran toward danger while others were running away.

We should remember, but we should also turn our remembrance into faith. We cannot control what tomorrow will bring, but we can know the One who holds tomorrow. When fear comes, run to God. When grief comes, seek His comfort. When uncertainty comes, trust His sovereignty.

The answer to a troubled world is not found in pretending trouble does not exist. It is found in knowing that God is with us in the middle of it.

Truth For The Day
When the world feels uncertain, God remains our certain refuge.

Pray
Lord, today we remember September 11 and the lives that were lost and the families whose lives were forever changed. Comfort those who still carry grief from that day. Thank You for the courage of those who sacrificed themselves to help others. Help us never to forget. In Jesus’ name, Amen.