Pastor Stephen Dedman

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
‭‭I John‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you discouraged by where you are or encouraged by what God has promised you will be?

Context
The apostle John writes to believers to anchor them in truth and assurance. In a world of confusion and false teaching, he reminds them of two realities: who they are now and what they will become. They are already children of God, but their transformation is not yet complete. John points forward to the return of Christ, when every believer will be fully transformed into His likeness. What is now a process will one day be perfected.

Application
This verse reminds us that our current condition is not our final state. God is still working. Every step of growth, every moment of conviction, every challenge we face is part of a larger process that will one day be completed.

There will come a day when the struggle is over and we will see Jesus clearly and reflect Him perfectly. Until then, we walk by faith, trusting that God is doing a work in us that will not be left unfinished.

Truth For The Day
God has already determined what you will become.

Pray
Lord, thank You that I am already Your child. Even when I feel unfinished, remind me that You are still at work in me. Help me to trust Your process and to live with hope, knowing that one day I will see Jesus and be made like Him. Strengthen my faith as I wait, and continue shaping my life into His image.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What is currently in your hands that God is asking you to give your full effort to?

Context
The book of Ecclesiastes is written from the perspective of someone reflecting on life “under the sun.” Traditionally associated with King Solomon, it wrestles with the brevity of life, the mystery of God’s ways, and the seeming unpredictability of outcomes.

In chapter 9, the writer emphasizes a sobering truth: life is short, and opportunities are not guaranteed forever. Verse 10 comes as a call to urgency. Since our time is limited and uncertain, whatever God places in front of us today matters deeply.

Application
It’s easy to fall into the trap of waiting for something bigger, better, or more meaningful before giving our full effort. We tell ourselves, “When I get there, then I’ll give it my all.” But Scripture flips that thinking. God doesn’t ask us to wait for the perfect opportunity, He calls us to be faithful with what’s already in our hands.

That task you’ve been putting off. That responsibility that feels ordinary. That moment that seems small. Those are not distractions from your purpose, they are your purpose in this season. Remember: faithfulness in small things leads to greater things

Truth For The Day
What you do today matters more than you think so give it everything you’ve got.

Pray
Lord, thank You for the opportunities You’ve placed in my life today. Forgive me for the times I’ve approached them with a half-hearted attitude. Help me to see value in what’s right in front of me and to give my best in everything I do. Teach me to work with excellence, not for recognition, but for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
‭‭Ezra‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What “foundation” has God laid in your life that you need to be praising Him for today?

Context
The people of Israel had returned from exile in Babylon to a land that once felt like home but now was in ruins. Jerusalem was broken. The temple was destroyed. Everything familiar was gone. Yet in Ezra 3, under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, the foundation of the new temple was finally constructed. And what did the people do? They didn’t wait for completion of the entire temple. They began to worshipping and praising the Lord singing: “For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.”

Application
The temple wasn’t completely rebuilt yet. The city wasn’t restored. Life wasn’t fully put back together. But the foundation was laid, and that was enough to spark worship.

Too often, we delay our praise until everything looks right: “I’ll rejoice when the breakthrough comes”or “I’ll give thanks when the answer shows up.”

Ezra 3:11 reminds us that God is worthy of praise even in the early stages when all we see is a foundation. Some of the older men wept because they remembered the former temple. It didn’t look the same. It didn’t feel the same. But the younger generation shouted for joy.

And Scripture says the sound of weeping and rejoicing was so mixed that it couldn’t be distinguished. That’s real life. You can grieve what was and still praise God for what He is doing.

Truth For The Day
Don’t have to wait for the finished product to give God praise.

Pray
Lord, You are good, and Your love endures forever. Help me to praise You not just when things are complete, but while You are still working. Teach me to trust You in the process and to celebrate what You have started in my life. Even in the rubble, I choose to worship You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.