Pastor Stephen Dedman

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

QuestionWhat situation have I labeled impossible that God is asking me to trust Him with today?

Context
Jesus spoke these words after His disciples questioned how anyone could be saved when human effort seemed insufficient. Jesus reminded them that what is impossible through human strength becomes possible through God’s power.

Application
Instead of carrying the pressure to solve everything yourself, bring your impossible situations to God. Trust that He is already working in ways you cannot see. Faith grows when we stop measuring outcomes by human ability and start trusting divine possibility.

Truth For The Day
WeHuman ability has limits, but God’s power does not.

Pray
Lord, when situations feel impossible, remind me that Your power has no limits. Help me place my worries and challenges into Your hands and trust You to do what I cannot. Strengthen my faith to believe that all things are possible with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬

Question
What loss in your life might God be using to lead you into something deeper?

Context
Jesus said something shocking to His disciples: “It is to your advantage that I go away.” This is the night before the crucifixion. The disciples have left everything to follow Him. He has been their teacher, protector, provider, and constant presence. And now He says leaving is better.

From their perspective, this sounds like loss. From heaven’s perspective, it is transition. Jesus is not abandoning them, He is expanding His presence through the Holy Spirit. If Jesus remained physically with them, His presence would be limited to one place at a time. But through the Spirit, He would dwell within every believer. What felt like loss was actually preparation for something greater.

Application
Sometimes we measure God’s goodness by what stays. But God often measures His goodness by what grows. There are seasons when something ends: a role, a relationship, a season of comfort, or even a plan you thought was certain. And it can feel like God has stepped back. But what if He is stepping forward in a different way?

The disciples could not see yet what Pentecost would bring. They could not see the boldness, the miracles, the global spread of the gospel. They only felt the pain of goodbye. Don’t confuse transition with abandonment. What feels like subtraction may be multiplication in disguise.

Truth For The Day
God may remove what is familiar to release what is powerful.

Pray
Lord, help me trust Your perspective over my feelings. Give me faith to believe You are providing something greater. Teach me to welcome the work of Your Spirit. Help me see that You are leading me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.”
‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬

Question
What is Jesus preparing you for right now that you may not fully understand?

Context
In John 16, Jesus is hours away from the cross. The disciples do not fully grasp what is coming… betrayal, arrest, crucifixion, fear, and scattering. Jesus is not reacting to events, He is preparing His followers ahead of time. He tells them about rejection, persecution, and hardship, not to discourage them, but to sustain them. Jesus knows the pressure that comes when faith is tested. He knows how quickly disappointment can turn into doubt. So He speaks truth in advance. He prepares them before the storm hits.

Application
Sometimes we only understand God’s words after we’ve walked through something difficult. But what if today’s Scripture is preparing you for tomorrow’s challenge? You may be misunderstood, face opposition, or experience loss. When it happens, remember that Jesus already spoke about this. Hardship is not proof that God has left you. It may be proof that He has prepared you. So instead of asking, “Why is this happening?” Ask, “How has Jesus already prepared me for this?”

Truth For The Day
Jesus prepares His people so they will not be caught off guard.

Pray
Lord, thank You for speaking truth before I even know I need it. When challenges come, help me remember that You have already prepared me. Teach me to trust that Your words are steady ground beneath my feet. Strengthen my faith today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.