Pastor Stephen Dedman

October 27, 2026

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, 
And delivered me from all my fears.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What fear do you need to surrender to the Lord today?

Context
Psalm 34 was written by David during a difficult and frightening season of his life. Surrounded by danger and uncertainty, David did not hide his fear from God. Instead, he sought the Lord. In the middle of trouble, he discovered that God was not distant or silent. God heard him and brought deliverance.

Application
Fear has a way of overwhelming our hearts and controlling our thoughts. We fear the unknown, fear failure, fear loss, and fear what tomorrow may bring. Yet David reminds us that the answer to fear is not found in our own strength but in seeking the Lord. When we bring our worries to God in prayer, He replaces panic with peace and anxiety with confidence in His care.

God may not always remove every difficult circumstance immediately, but He promises His presence in the middle of them. The Lord hears every cry, sees every burden, and walks with us through every valley. When our eyes stay fixed on Him, fear loses its grip.

Truth For The Day
Seeking God in your fear will lead you to His peace and strength.

Pray
Lord, thank You for hearing me when I call on You. Help me to bring every fear and burden into Your presence. Fill my heart with peace and remind me that You are greater than anything I face. Teach me to trust You fully each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

October 25, 2026

“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Is there someone in your life with whom you need to pursue reconciliation or extend grace?

Context
In John 17, Jesus prays not only for His disciples but also for all who would believe in Him through their message. This means Jesus was praying for future believers, including us. One of the central requests in His prayer is unity among His followers. Jesus points to the perfect unity between Himself and the Father as the model for how believers should live together.

Application
Unity among believers is not just a nice idea, it is part of our witness to the world. When Christians love, support, and forgive one another, they reflect the character of Christ. Division, bitterness, and pride weaken that testimony. Living in unity requires humility, grace, and a shared commitment to Christ.

Truth For The Day
Unity among believers points the world to Jesus.

Pray
Lord, thank You for making me part of Your family. Help me walk in humility and love toward others. Teach me to pursue unity so that my life reflects the truth of the gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

October 24, 2026

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Is there something you’ve been frustrated about that you need to trust back into God’s hands?

Context
Psalm 84 is a song of longing for the presence of God. The psalmist expresses deep desire to dwell in the courts of the Lord. This verse comes as a declaration of confidence, not just in God’s presence, but in God’s character. He is described as both sun (provider of light and life) and shield (protector and defender).

Application
Sometimes we wrestle with the idea that God is holding something back from us. A door closes. A prayer seems delayed. An opportunity passes. In those moments, the enemy whispers, “God is withholding something good.”

But Psalm 84:11 corrects that lie. God is a sun. He illuminates what you need and warms what feels cold in your life. God is a shield. He blocks what would harm you, even when you don’t see it coming.

If something hasn’t happened yet, it may be because God is shielding. If something has been delayed, it may be because He is preparing you for glory, not just gratification.

Notice the promise: “No good thing will He withhold.” If He has withheld it, then in His wisdom, it is not good for you right now.

Truth For The Day
God is not depriving you. He is directing and protecting you.

Pray
Lord, thank You for being both my sun and my shield. When I don’t understand delays or closed doors, remind me that You are good and You are faithful. Help me to walk uprightly and trust that You will provide every good thing at the right time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.