Pastor Stephen Dedman

Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭29‬ ‭NKJV‬

Question
Where is God asking you to trust Him, even though you can’t quite see the outcome?

Context
John 20:24–29 takes place after the resurrection of Jesus. The disciples have seen Him but Thomas has not. When they tell him, he struggles to believe. A week later, Jesus appears again and meets Thomas right where he was and invites him to see and believe. Then Jesus spoke beyond Thomas to us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Application
We often live in the space between promise and fulfillment. Like Thomas, we want clarity, proof, and certainty. But Jesus calls us to trust Him even when we don’t see the full picture. Faith is not blind, it’s anchored in who Jesus is.

Truth For The Day
God is working even when you don’t see it.

Pray
Lord, You know how often I want answers before I trust. Help me to believe even when I can’t see what You’re doing. Strengthen my faith in uncertain moments and remind me that You are always present and always working for my good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Is there something you have been trying to hide from God or others that you need to confess and surrender to Him?

Context
Proverbs reminds us that God is not looking for people who pretend they have no sin. He desires people who are willing to be honest about their sin and turn from it. Trying to hide sin may fool people, but it never hides anything from God.

Application
We often try to cover our mistakes by making excuses, blaming someone else, or simply refusing to talk about them. But hidden sin has a way of controlling us. Confession brings sin into the light, where God can deal with it. To confess means to agree with God about our sin, and to forsake it means to turn away from it. God’s response is not condemnation for the repentant heart, but mercy.

Truth For The Day
The place of confession is the place where mercy begins.

Pray
Lord, give me the courage to be honest about my sin. Help me stop making excuses and start turning away from the things that separate me from You. Thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
‭‭Jonah‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Is there an area where God is giving you another opportunity to obey Him?

Context
Jonah was running from God, ended up in the belly of a great fish, and finally cried out to the Lord. After Jonah prayed and surrendered, God commanded the fish to release him. Jonah’s failure did not cancel God’s purpose for his life.

Application
Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult places because of our own choices. But even there, God hears our heart crying out to Him. Jonah’s story reminds us that God can bring us out of places we never should have entered and give us another opportunity to obey Him.

Being brought back to “dry land” was not the end of Jonah’s story, it was the beginning of his obedience.

Truth For The Day
God’s discipline may interrupt your plans, but His grace can restore you to His purpose.

Pray
Lord, thank You for Your mercy when I fail. Help me learn from my mistakes, surrender completely to You, and faithfully follow where You lead. Give me the courage to obey You when You give me another opportunity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.