Pastor Stephen Dedman

August 3, 2026

And the Lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Is there an area of compromise in your life that is slowly weakening your walk with God?

Context
Judges 16 records one of the most tragic chapters in Samson’s life. God had set Samson apart from birth to be a Nazirite and to begin delivering Israel from the Philistines. The source of his strength was not his hair but his relationship with God and his commitment to God’s calling. Yet Samson repeatedly flirted with temptation, especially through ungodly relationships. In this verse, the Philistine rulers secretly approach Delilah with a large sum of money to discover the secret of Samson’s strength so they can overpower him. While Samson is unaware of the plot, the enemy is carefully planning his downfall.

Application
Satan still works much the same way today. He studies our weaknesses, exploits our compromises, and uses subtle temptations rather than obvious attacks. Rarely does a believer fall overnight. Spiritual failure is often the result of small compromises that weaken our fellowship with God over time.

As followers of Christ, we must be careful not to become comfortable with sin. The enemy delights in convincing us that one compromise won’t matter, one secret sin won’t hurt, or one wrong relationship won’t affect our walk with God. But every compromise dulls our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

Truth For The Day
Small compromises can lead to great defeats, but wholehearted obedience keeps us close to the God who is our true source of strength.

Pray
Lord, help me recognize the subtle compromises that can pull my heart away from You. Give me discernment to see temptation before it takes root and the courage to walk in obedience, even when it is difficult. Keep my heart fully devoted to You, and remind me that my strength is found in Your presence, not in my own abilities. Thank You for Your grace that restores those who turn back to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

August 2, 2026

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What area of your life requires you to trust God’s timing instead of trying to take control yourself?

Context
Psalm 27 was written by David during a season of uncertainty and opposition. Although enemies surrounded him and danger was real, David’s greatest desire was not simply for his circumstances to change, it was to remain in the presence of God. As the psalm concludes, David encourages both himself and every believer to wait on the Lord with courage. His confidence rested not in immediate answers but in God’s unchanging character.

Application
Waiting is one of the hardest parts of the Christian life. We pray for healing, direction, restoration, or provision, yet God often doesn’t answer according to our timetable. In those moments, it’s easy to mistake God’s silence with absence.

God uses seasons of waiting to deepen our faith, refine our character, and teach us to trust Him rather than our own understanding. If every prayer were answered immediately, we might depend more on God’s gifts than on God Himself.

If you find yourself in a season of waiting today, don’t lose heart. The God who began a good work in you has not forgotten you. He is never late, never distracted, and never unable to accomplish His will. Trust Him while you wait.

Truth For The Day
Waiting on God is not a sign that He has abandoned you, it is often evidence that He is preparing you for His best.

Pray
Lord, thank You for reminding me that Your timing is always perfect. When waiting becomes difficult, give me the strength to trust Your heart even when I cannot see Your hand. Help me remain faithful, obedient, and full of hope, knowing that You are working for my good and Your glory. Teach me to rest in Your promises instead of my own plans. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

August 1, 2026

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
If you truly lived today believing that God saw every thought, word, and action, what would you do differently?

Context
The book of Proverbs is a collection of God-given wisdom that teaches us how to live lives that honor Him. Proverbs 15 contrasts the way of the righteous with the way of the wicked, emphasizing that our words, attitudes, and actions matter to God. Verse 3 reminds us that nothing escapes His notice. Unlike human beings, who only see outward appearances or limited moments in time, the Lord sees everything perfectly. His watchful eye is not merely one of judgment but also of loving care over those who belong to Him.

Application
There are times when we feel unnoticed. We faithfully serve, quietly pray, give generously, and seek to honor Christ, yet it seems that no one recognizes our efforts. At other times, we wonder why evil appears to prosper without consequence.

Proverbs 15:3 reminds us that God sees it all. Every act of obedience, every hidden sacrifice, every tear shed in prayer, and every temptation resisted is known by Him. Likewise, no sinful act, injustice, or rebellion escapes His attention. His perfect knowledge assures us that He is both a righteous Judge and a faithful Father.

Because God sees us, we do not need to seek the approval of people. We can live with integrity even when no one else is watching, knowing that our audience is ultimately the Lord. His eyes are never distracted, His care never diminishes, and His justice never fails.

Truth For The Day
God’s eyes are always on His children.

Pray
Lord, thank You that Your eyes are always upon me. Thank You for seeing my struggles, my victories, and even the burdens that no one else knows about. Help me to live with integrity, not for the applause of people but for Your glory alone. Give me confidence that You are working even when I cannot see the results, and remind me that my labor in You is never in vain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.