Pastor Stephen Dedman

“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭8‬

It’s easy to say the right words, to sing the right songs, and to appear devoted to God on the outside. But Jesus warns that outward expressions of worship mean nothing if our hearts are not truly near to Him. True worship is not just about what we say or do, it’s about the condition of our hearts.

God desires a relationship with us, not just routine religious actions. He longs for hearts that are fully surrendered to Him, not just lips that speak His name. It’s possible to attend church, pray, and serve while still being distant from God inwardly. That’s why we must continually examine our hearts, ensuring that our love for Him is genuine and not just surface-level.

Today, take a moment to reflect: Is your heart truly close to God, or have you been going through the motions? He is inviting you into deeper intimacy with Him, where worship is not just an outward act, but an expression of a heart fully devoted to Him.

Pray

Lord, I don’t want to just honor You with my words, I want my heart to be truly close to You. Help me to seek You with sincerity, to worship You in spirit and truth, and to live a life that reflects genuine love for You. Draw me nearer, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.
‭‭Jonah‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬

The story of Jonah is often remembered for the great fish that swallowed him, but its greatest lesson is about God’s mercy. In Jonah 3:10, we see that when the people of Nineveh repented, God relented. He saw their sincerity, their turning away from sin, and He withheld the judgment He had planned. This moment reveals a fundamental truth about God: He is not eager to destroy but delights in showing mercy to those who turn to Him.

Nineveh was a wicked city, deserving of destruction. Yet, when they heard Jonah’s warning, they responded with humility, fasting, and repentance. Their actions demonstrated a true change of heart, and God responded with grace. This is the same God we serve today. No matter how far we have strayed, when we turn back to Him with sincere repentance, He is faithful to forgive and restore.

Sometimes, we struggle to believe that God will forgive us. Guilt and shame try to convince us that we’ve gone too far. But Jonah 3:10 reminds us that God sees our repentance. He does not take pleasure in punishing us but desires that we walk in His grace and transformation.

If you’ve been holding onto sin or feeling distant from God, know that He is ready to forgive the moment you turn to Him. His mercy is greater than your mistakes, and His love is deeper than your failures.

Pray

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great mercy. I acknowledge my need for You and ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to turn away from anything that separates me from You. Thank You for Your patience, love, and grace. Teach me to walk in obedience and trust in Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭24‬

In Mark 8, we find Jesus healing a blind man in an unusual way. Instead of instantly restoring his sight, Jesus does it in stages. First, the man’s vision is partially restored and he can see, but not clearly. Only after Jesus touches him again does he see everything plainly.

This passage is a powerful reminder that spiritual clarity often comes in stages. Many times, when we come to Christ, we don’t immediately grasp everything about Him, His Word, or His will for our lives. At first, we might only see “men like trees, walking”, a blurry understanding of God’s purpose. But as we continue seeking Him, spending time in His presence, and allowing His Word to transform us, our spiritual vision becomes clearer.

Are there areas in your life where you are struggling to see God’s plan? Do you feel like your understanding of His Word or His direction is unclear? Just know that Jesus is still at work in you. Just as He completed the blind man’s healing, He will complete His work in your life. Keep looking up. Keep trusting Him. And in His perfect time, you will see clearly.

Pray

Lord, I thank You that You are always working in my life. Even when I don’t fully understand or see things clearly, I trust that You are leading me step by step. Open my eyes, Lord, that I may see You more clearly and walk in the fullness of Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.