Pastor Stephen Dedman

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you truly trusting God or only trusting Him when things make sense to me?

Context
In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon is giving wisdom to guide everyday life. This isn’t theology, it’s practical instruction for how to walk with God. Proverbs 3 is a call to live with full dependence on the Lord, not just in big decisions, but in every step.

Application
Trusting God sounds simple until life doesn’t make sense. We like clarity. We want to understand why things are happening, how they’ll work out, and when things will change. But this verse confronts that desire head-on: “lean not on your own understanding.”

We see in the moment but God sees the big picture. We see problems, God sees the purpose. We see delays but God sees development.

To “trust with all your heart” means you don’t just give God part of your life, you surrender your need to control, your demand for answers, and your reliance on your own reasoning.

Sometimes God will lead you in ways that don’t make immediate sense. In those moments, the question is not, “Do I understand?” but “Do I trust?”

Truth for Today
You don’t have to understand everything, just trust the One who does.

Pray
Lord, I admit that I often lean on my own understanding. But today, I choose to trust You with all my heart. Help me surrender my need for answers and rest in Your wisdom. Lead me, guide me, and give me the faith to follow You even when I don’t fully understand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭58‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Where is God calling you to remain faithful, even when you don’t immediately see the results?

Context
In this chapter, Paul is writing about the resurrection and the victory believers have in Christ. He reminds the church that because Jesus has conquered death, everything we do for Him carries eternal weight. This verse is not just encouragement it’s a command to remain faithful because what we do for God truly matters.

Application
Every act of service, every lesson taught, every prayer prayed, every moment invested in others is never in vain. Even when results aren’t immediately visible, God is working beneath the surface.

It’s easy to wonder if what you’re doing is making a difference. Maybe you’ve served quietly, loved consistently, and poured into others without recognition.

Truth For The Day
What you do for God today will echo into eternity tomorrow.

Pray
Lord, help me to remain faithful in every season. When I grow tired or discouraged, remind me that my labor in You is never wasted. Strengthen my heart to keep serving, keep loving, and keep trusting that You are working through it all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What is one area of your life where God is calling you to live more set apart for Him?

Context
The apostle Peter wrote this letter to believers scattered across regions facing pressure and persecution. In the verses leading up to this command, Peter reminds them of their living hope through Jesus Christ and the salvation they’ve received. Because of that new identity, they are no longer to live according to their old desires, but according to the character of the God who saved them. Holiness here isn’t presented as an option, it’s a calling rooted in who God is.

Application
Holiness can feel like a heavy word, but it simply means being set apart because we belong to God. This touches every part of life: how we speak, how we treat others, what we pursue privately and publicly, and even what we allow into our minds and hearts.

Peter doesn’t say “be holy in some areas,” but “in all your conduct.” That means our faith isn’t just something we practice on Sundays, it’s what shapes our everyday decisions.

Holiness isn’t about perfection, it’s about direction. It’s choosing, daily, to align our lives with God’s character instead of our old patterns.

Truth For The Day
You are called to reflect the character of God in every area of your life.

Pray
Lord, You are holy, and You have called me to reflect Your character. Help me to live differently, not for my own glory, but for Yours. Show me the areas where I need to grow and give me the strength to walk in obedience. Shape my heart, my thoughts, and my actions so that my life points others to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.