Pastor Stephen Dedman

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What area of your life requires you to trust God’s timing instead of trying to take control yourself?

Context
Psalm 27 was written by David during a season of uncertainty and opposition. Although enemies surrounded him and danger was real, David’s greatest desire was not simply for his circumstances to change, it was to remain in the presence of God. As the psalm concludes, David encourages both himself and every believer to wait on the Lord with courage. His confidence rested not in immediate answers but in God’s unchanging character.

Application
Waiting is one of the hardest parts of the Christian life. We pray for healing, direction, restoration, or provision, yet God often doesn’t answer according to our timetable. In those moments, it’s easy to mistake God’s silence with absence.

God uses seasons of waiting to deepen our faith, refine our character, and teach us to trust Him rather than our own understanding. If every prayer were answered immediately, we might depend more on God’s gifts than on God Himself.

If you find yourself in a season of waiting today, don’t lose heart. The God who began a good work in you has not forgotten you. He is never late, never distracted, and never unable to accomplish His will. Trust Him while you wait.

Truth For The Day
Waiting on God is not a sign that He has abandoned you, it is often evidence that He is preparing you for His best.

Pray
Lord, thank You for reminding me that Your timing is always perfect. When waiting becomes difficult, give me the strength to trust Your heart even when I cannot see Your hand. Help me remain faithful, obedient, and full of hope, knowing that You are working for my good and Your glory. Teach me to rest in Your promises instead of my own plans. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
If you truly lived today believing that God saw every thought, word, and action, what would you do differently?

Context
The book of Proverbs is a collection of God-given wisdom that teaches us how to live lives that honor Him. Proverbs 15 contrasts the way of the righteous with the way of the wicked, emphasizing that our words, attitudes, and actions matter to God. Verse 3 reminds us that nothing escapes His notice. Unlike human beings, who only see outward appearances or limited moments in time, the Lord sees everything perfectly. His watchful eye is not merely one of judgment but also of loving care over those who belong to Him.

Application
There are times when we feel unnoticed. We faithfully serve, quietly pray, give generously, and seek to honor Christ, yet it seems that no one recognizes our efforts. At other times, we wonder why evil appears to prosper without consequence.

Proverbs 15:3 reminds us that God sees it all. Every act of obedience, every hidden sacrifice, every tear shed in prayer, and every temptation resisted is known by Him. Likewise, no sinful act, injustice, or rebellion escapes His attention. His perfect knowledge assures us that He is both a righteous Judge and a faithful Father.

Because God sees us, we do not need to seek the approval of people. We can live with integrity even when no one else is watching, knowing that our audience is ultimately the Lord. His eyes are never distracted, His care never diminishes, and His justice never fails.

Truth For The Day
God’s eyes are always on His children.

Pray
Lord, thank You that Your eyes are always upon me. Thank You for seeing my struggles, my victories, and even the burdens that no one else knows about. Help me to live with integrity, not for the applause of people but for Your glory alone. Give me confidence that You are working even when I cannot see the results, and remind me that my labor in You is never in vain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What voices have the greatest influence on your thinking, and do they consistently point you toward the truth of God’s Word?

Context
The apostle John wrote his first letter to believers who were facing false teachers who distorted the truth about Jesus Christ. Some claimed to have special spiritual knowledge while denying that Jesus had truly come in the flesh. John reminded the church that not everything claiming to be spiritual is from God. Instead, believers are to test every teaching against God’s revealed truth. Discernment is not optional, it is essential for a healthy and faithful Christian life.

Application
John’s command is simple: test the spirits. Before we embrace a teaching, follow a trend, or believe a claim about God, we must ask, “Does this align with Scripture? Does it exalt Jesus Christ? Does it produce obedience to God?”

Discernment is developed through daily fellowship with God. The more familiar we become with His Word, the more quickly we recognize error. Just as a bank teller learns to identify counterfeit money by handling genuine currency, believers recognize false teaching by knowing the truth.

God has not left His people defenseless. He has given us His Spirit, His Word, and the fellowship of the church to help us stand firm. In a culture where truth is constantly challenged, Christians must remain anchored in the unchanging truth of Scripture.

Truth For The Day
God’s truth never changes, and His Word remains the reliable standard for every believer.

Pray
Lord, thank You for giving me Your Word as the foundation for my faith. Help me to recognize truth and reject error. Give me discernment through the Holy Spirit so that I will not be deceived by the voices of this world. May my heart remain anchored in Christ, and may my life reflect obedience to Your truth each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.