Pastor Stephen Dedman

He (Jesus) said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”
‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
If Jesus asked you today, “Do you love Me more than anything?”, what would your honest answer be?

Context
In John 21, after His resurrection, Jesus meets His disciples by the Sea of Galilee. Peter, who had previously denied Jesus three times, is now face-to-face with the Savior he failed. Instead of condemning him, Jesus restores him by asking three times, “Do you love Me?” Each question mirrors Peter’s denial and gives him an opportunity to reaffirm his love. With every response, Jesus reassigns purpose: “Feed My sheep.” This moment is not just about forgiveness, it’s about restoration and calling.

Application
It’s easy to get caught up in doing things for God while neglecting our love for Him. Jesus makes it clear that our calling flows from our relationship with Him. Before focusing on what you’re doing, examine why you’re doing it. Let your service, obedience, and leadership be rooted in genuine love for Christ, not obligation, guilt, or routine.

Truth for Today
A restored love for Jesus leads to a renewed purpose in life.

Prayer
Lord, thank You for loving me even when I fall short. Help me not to just go through the motions, but to truly love You with all my heart. Restore any area of my life where my passion has faded, and let my love for You be the foundation of everything I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭85‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Where in your life do you need God to bring renewal and restore your joy?

Context
Psalm 85 is a prayer from God’s people after experiencing His mercy in the past, yet sensing distance from Him in the present. They remember how God restored them before, and now they cry out again, not just for relief from circumstances, but for spiritual renewal. This verse is not a prayer for the lost, but for the people of God who need their hearts stirred again.

Application
It’s possible to know God and still feel spiritually dry. To go through the motions, yet lack joy. To serve, attend, and believe, yet feel distant.

The psalmist teaches us something important: revival starts with recognition. He doesn’t pretend everything is fine.
He doesn’t try to fix himself first.
He simply asks God to do what only God can do and that’s to revive.

Maybe you’ve lost your joy.
Maybe your passion has faded.
Maybe your walk with God feels more routine than relationship. The good news is this: the same God who revived you before can revive you again.

Truth For The Day
God is able and willing to revive my heart again.

Pray
Lord, I need You to revive my heart again. Restore the joy that I’ve lost and renew my passion for You. Forgive me for going through the motions and drawing near with my actions but not my heart. Breathe fresh life into me, and help me to rejoice in You again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Where have you lost your grip on God’s promises, and how is it affecting the way you live?

Context
In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul is contrasting the old covenant with the new covenant in Christ. The old covenant, represented by Moses, carried glory but it was fading. The new covenant, established through Jesus, carries a greater and lasting glory. Because of this, Paul says we can live with confidence because our hope is secure in Christ and not dependent on our performance.

Application
It’s possible to still have all the right tools spiritually, but lose the grip that makes them effective. Like a screwdriver without a handle, we may still have knowledge of God’s Word, but lack the confidence to live it out.

When we lose our grip on hope, we begin to shrink back: we hesitate to speak truth, struggle to trust God fully and live cautiously instead of boldly.

But boldness doesn’t come just from personality. When we fix our eyes on Jesus and remember what He has done, our confidence is restored. We begin to live with strength, clarity, and purpose again.

Truth For The Day
Because my hope is in Christ, I can live with boldness and confidence today.

Pray
Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve lost my confidence and tried to live in my own strength. Restore my grip on Your promises. Help me to walk in boldness, not because of who I am, but because of who You are. Strengthen my faith and use my life for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.