Pastor Stephen Dedman

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬

Question
Where might God be calling you to live or speak unashamed of the gospel today?

Context
Paul wrote these words to the Roman believers living in a city marked by power, pride, and pressure to conform. To openly identify with the gospel in that culture required courage. Yet Paul declared that he is not ashamed. Why? Because the gospel is not merely a message to be admired; it is the power of God to save, transform, and give life.

Application
Being unashamed does not mean being loud or confrontational. t means being convinced. Convinced that the message of Jesus is still good news in a hurting world. Convinced that God still saves, still changes hearts, and still works through ordinary people who trust Him.

Ask yourself where you may be tempted to shrink back at work, in conversations, or in quiet moments when faith could be spoken but isn’t. Remember that the power is not in your eloquence or confidence, but in the gospel itself. Today, choose to live unashamed, trusting God to work through your obedience.

Truth For The Day
The gospel doesn’t need to be defended; it needs to be declared.

Pray
Lord, thank You for the gospel that saved me and continues to shape my life. Remove any fear or hesitation that keeps me silent. Help me live with humble boldness, confident that Your power is at work through Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬

Question
How closely are you walking with Christ today?

Context
Jesus connects two powerful realities in this verse: abiding and asking. Many people focus on the promise of answered prayer but overlook the condition that comes before it which is remaining in Christ. To abide means to stay, to dwell, to live connected to Him daily. It is a relationship marked by trust, obedience, and dependence.

When Christ’s words abide in us, our desires begin to change. Our prayers are shaped by His heart, His will, and His purposes. Prayer then becomes less about convincing God to do what we want and more about aligning ourselves with what He already desires to do. Out of that alignment flows a life that experiences God’s provision, peace, and power.

Application
Take time today to examine your connection to Christ. Are you listening to His Word, obeying His voice, and trusting His timing? Bring your requests to Him, not out of desperation, but out of relationship. Ask boldly, knowing that a life rooted in Christ can trust God with both the answer and the process.

Truth For The Day
A full life of prayer flows from a faithful life of abiding.

Pray
Lord, help me to abide in You. Let Your Word shape my heart and guide my prayers. Teach me to ask with faith and trust You fully with the outcome. I want my life to bear fruit that brings glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬

Question
Where is God asking you to trust Him today, even though the next step isn’t fully clear?

Context
Hebrews 11 was written to believers who were experiencing pressure, persecution, and fatigue in their faith. Some were tempted to turn back or rely on what was familiar rather than continue trusting Christ. The writer reminds them that faith has always been the way God’s people live, by trusting His promises even when they cannot yet see their fulfillment. Hebrews 11:1 serves as the foundation for the entire chapter, defining faith as confident trust in God’s unseen but certain promises.

Application
Faith requires action. Today, choose to obey God in the areas where He has already spoken, even if you don’t yet see the outcome. This may look like continuing in prayer, extending forgiveness, remaining faithful in service, or stepping forward in obedience despite fear. Trust that God is working beyond what your eyes can see, and let faith guide your decisions rather than doubt.

Truth For The Day
God’s promises are certain, even when they are not yet visible. Faith rests in who God is, not in what we see.

Pray
Lord, strengthen my faith today. Help me trust You when I cannot see the outcome and walk in obedience even when it feels uncomfortable. I choose to place my confidence in You, not in what I can understand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.