Livestream Preaching Times for Sunday, July 26, 2026

8:00 AM

“The Cost of Confessing Christ”
(Matthew 10:33-34)

6:00 PM

“The Lord Added to the Church”
(Acts 2:42-47)

TikTok: @dewaynedunawayministries

All times CST

EMMETT TILL

Today marks the 85th anniversary of the birth of Emmett Till a day that should fill our souls with solemn remembrance and humble reflection before the Almighty.

Born into this transient world on July 25, 1941, this young boy was destined to become a tragic beacon, casting a piercing light upon the profound depths of human depravity and the desperate, crying need for divine justice.

When we look upon his brief earthly pilgrimage, we are reminded that the hearts of men, when untamed by the sovereign grace of God, are capable of the darkest cruelties.

Yet, even in the shadow of such monstrous malice, the sprawling providence of God remains unshakeable, turning the ashes of a cut-down youth into a trumpet blast that awakened a slumbering nation’s conscience.

How desperately we must weep when we consider the bitter cup of hatred pressed to the lips of one so young. Like a tender plant ruthlessly uprooted before it could blossom, young Emmett was snatched away by the hands of wicked men whose hearts were hardened by the poison of prejudice. It is a sorrowful truth that the cry of innocent blood rises from the ground, reaching the ears of the Lord, who sits upon the throne of absolute righteousness.

We look at the brokenness of Tallahatchie County not merely as a failure of earthly tribunals, but as a stark demonstration of man's fallen nature apart from the renewing power of the Holy Spirit. It forces us to our knees, crying out for that heavenly mercy which alone can wash away the deep, crimson stains of our collective transgressions.

Yet, let us not despond as those who have no hope, for our God is a master weaver who takes the tangled, severed threads of human tragedy and spins them into a tapestry of ultimate deliverance. The courageous resolve of a grieving mother, who chose to let the world behold the brutalized visage of her only son, became a catalyst for an unstoppable march toward righteousness.

It was as though the Lord took that closed, darkened grave and burst it wide open to expose the rotting sins of a generation, demanding that justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. What the enemy intended for absolute destruction, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe used to kindle a holy fire for freedom that could never be quenched by the waters of oppression.

As we commemorate this day, let every believer examine his own heart under the searching light of God’s immutable Word. Let us not merely condemn the sins of the past while harboring the subtle roots of bitterness, pride, or apathy in our own bosoms today.

We must look forward to that glorious day when the true Judge of all the earth shall make all things new, where every tear shall be wiped away, and where hatred shall be utterly swallowed up in the victory of divine love.

Until that trumpet sounds, let us labor with unceasing zeal to stand for the oppressed, to speak for the voiceless, and to point a broken world to the cross of Christ, where alone true reconciliation, perfect justice, and everlasting peace are achieved.

BDD

WARNING LABELS

A warning label is a small message designed to protect us from danger. We see them on medicine bottles, electrical equipment, and hazardous materials.

A wise person does not ignore a warning simply because it is inconvenient. A warning exists because someone understands a danger that may not be immediately visible.

In the same way, God’s word contains warnings because the Lord loves us and desires to protect us from the destructive consequences of sin. “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother” (Proverbs 1:8).

THE PURPOSE OF WARNINGS

Warnings are not given to remove joy but to preserve life. A guardrail on a mountain road does not exist to limit the traveler. It exists to keep the traveler from destruction. God’s commands function in the same way. His wisdom protects us from paths that lead to sorrow.

The Lord warned Adam and Eve about the forbidden tree because He knew the consequences of disobedience (Genesis 2:16-17). The command was not an expression of God’s cruelty but of His love. Every divine warning reveals that God cares enough to tell us the truth.

Jesus often warned His followers about spiritual dangers. He warned against hypocrisy, greed, false teachers, and unbelief because He desired His disciples to remain faithful (Matthew 16:6; Luke 12:15). The warnings of Christ are not meant to frighten His people away from Him but to keep them close to Him.

THE DANGER OF IGNORING WARNINGS

A warning only helps those who pay attention. Many tragedies occur because people dismiss the signs placed before them. Spiritually, the same is true. A person may hear God’s warnings repeatedly yet continue walking toward danger.

The Israelites provide many examples of this. They witnessed God’s power, received His guidance, and experienced His blessings, yet many hardened their hearts through unbelief and disobedience (Hebrews 3:7-12). Their history serves as a reminder that spiritual privileges do not replace spiritual faithfulness.

The greatest danger is not that we fail to hear God’s word. The greatest danger is hearing it and refusing to obey. James compared the person who hears God’s word but does not practice it to someone who looks into a mirror and forgets what he saw (James 1:22-24).

THE BLESSING OF FOLLOWING WARNINGS

The person who listens to God’s warnings discovers that obedience brings protection and peace. God’s instructions are not burdens placed upon us but guidance from a loving Father. “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalms 19:7).

A wise traveler appreciates warning signs because they reveal the safe path. A wise Christian appreciates God’s warnings because they reveal the path of life. The Lord corrects those He loves, and His discipline is evidence of His fatherly care (Hebrews 12:5-6).

The greatest warning in the Bible is the reality of standing before God in judgment. Yet the greatest promise is that those who come to Christ find forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus came not only to warn us about sin but to rescue us from its power.

Let us not ignore the warning labels God has placed throughout His word. Let us read them carefully, receive them humbly, and obey them faithfully. The God who warns us is the God who loves us, and every command He gives is for our eternal good.

_____________

Prayer

Our loving Father, give us humble hearts that listen to Your warnings.

Keep us from becoming careless or hardened toward Your truth. Help us receive Your correction as an expression of Your love and guide us away from every path that leads to harm.

May we walk faithfully in the wisdom of Your word and remain close to Jesus Christ.

In His name, Amen.

BDD

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

The phrase “mind your own business” is often used in a negative way, as if it means ignoring others or refusing to care. But when understood through the wisdom of God’s word, it carries an important spiritual lesson.

There is a difference between loving concern and sinful interference. God calls us to bear one another’s burdens, yet He also calls us to examine our own lives and faithfully fulfill our own responsibilities. Wisdom knows when to help and when to step back.

Paul gave a practical command to believers in Thessalonica: “That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). This was not a call to selfishness. It was a call to live responsibly, avoid unnecessary conflict, and focus on the work God has given us.

THE DISCIPLINE OF SELF-EXAMINATION

Before we attempt to correct others, we must first examine ourselves. Human nature often makes us quick to notice the faults of others while overlooking our own weaknesses. Jesus warned about removing the plank from our own eye before trying to remove the speck from our brother’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5).

A humble person understands that personal growth begins with self-examination. David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties” (Psalms 139:23-24). The wise believer spends more time asking God to change his own heart than criticizing the hearts of others.

THE DANGER OF MEDDLING

There is a temptation to become overly concerned with matters that God has not assigned to us. Unnecessary involvement in the affairs of others can produce gossip, division, and frustration. Peter warned believers not to suffer as a “busybody in other people’s matters” (1 Peter 4:15).

A person who constantly watches the lives of others may neglect the responsibilities God has placed before him. Jesus corrected Peter when he became concerned about another disciple’s future. The Lord told him, “What is that to you? You follow Me” (John 21:21-22). Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is faithfully follow Christ in our own calling.

THE DUTY OF LOVING SERVICE

Minding our own business does not mean ignoring people in need. Christianity is not built on isolation but on love. We are commanded to bear one another’s burdens and restore those who have fallen (Galatians 6:1-2). The question is not whether we should care about others, but whether we care in the right way.

Love does not gossip about another person’s struggles. Love prays, helps, encourages, and restores. Love does not seek control over others. Love seeks their good. The servant of Christ learns to balance compassion with wisdom.

A mature believer understands that God has given each person a stewardship. We must faithfully manage our own lives while showing kindness toward others. We are responsible for our choices, our attitudes, and our obedience to the Lord.

The world would be better if people spent less time judging others and more time seeking God’s will for themselves. When we faithfully mind the business God has given us, we become more useful in His kingdom and more gracious toward those around us.

____________

Prayer

Our Father, give us wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent, when to help and when to step back. Help us examine our own hearts before judging others.

Teach us to love people with compassion while faithfully carrying the responsibilities You have given us. May our lives reflect the humility and grace of Jesus Christ.

In His name, Amen.

BDD

FLIGHT

Flight. It’s fascinating. From the earliest dreams of humanity, people have looked toward the heavens and wondered what it would be like to rise above the earth.

The bird soaring through the sky speaks of freedom, movement, and the desire to overcome limitations.

The greatest flight is not the movement of the body through the air but the lifting of the soul toward God. The human heart was created for something higher than earthly pursuits. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

THE DESIRE FOR FLIGHT

Every person carries within a desire to rise above ordinary things. We long for meaning, purpose, and a life greater than ourselves. This longing reveals that we were created with eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The soul searches because it knows that earthly achievements cannot completely satisfy.

Many people attempt to find this higher life through success, possessions, or recognition. These things are like clouds that disappear after a passing storm. Jesus asked, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). The greatest flight is not climbing higher in the eyes of people but drawing nearer to the presence of God.

THE DANGER OF FALLING

Flight requires balance, and the spiritual life requires humility. The greatest danger comes when a person attempts to rise without dependence upon God. Pride caused Lucifer to desire a place above what God had appointed, and his rebellion brought destruction (Isaiah 14:12-15).

Human beings often fall when they trust their own strength instead of the wisdom of the Lord. Peter believed he could stand firm through his own courage, but he learned that self-confidence without dependence upon Christ leads to failure (Matthew 26:33-35, 69-75). The safest heights are reached not by self-exaltation but by surrender.

THE POWER OF SPIRITUAL FLIGHT

God does not call His people to remain trapped by sin, fear, and discouragement. He gives strength to those who wait upon Him. Isaiah declared, “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).

The believer’s flight is made possible through Christ. He lifts us above guilt through forgiveness, above despair through hope, and above weakness through His grace. Paul described the Christian life as being raised with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:4-6).

The eagle does not create the wind that carries it upward. It simply spreads its wings and trusts the current. In the same way, the believer does not create God’s power but learns to rest in His strength.

Let us not waste our lives crawling after temporary things when God has called us to walk with Him in heavenly places. The world offers many ways to rise, but only Christ can lift the soul to true freedom. The greatest flight is the journey of a heart surrendered completely to God.

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Prayer

Our Father, lift our hearts above the distractions and burdens of this world. Teach us to trust Your strength instead of our own and help us to rise above sin, fear, and selfishness through the power of Christ. May our lives be focused on things eternal and may we walk each day in fellowship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

THE TRAGEDY OF WASTED POTENTIAL

One of the saddest sights in life is not failure but unused possibility. A seed that never grows, a song that is never sung, a gift that is never developed, and a calling that is never fulfilled all represent something precious that was left untouched.

God does not create without purpose. Every life carries potential placed there by the Creator. The tragedy is not that we begin with limitations, but that we fail to surrender what we have into the hands of God. Jesus taught that every person is accountable for what has been entrusted to him (Luke 12:48).

THE GIFT OF POTENTIAL

Every person possesses gifts that come from God. Some gifts are visible, while others are hidden beneath the surface. The Lord told Jeremiah that before he was formed in the womb, God knew him and had appointed him for a purpose (Jeremiah 1:5). This does not mean every person will have the same calling, but it does mean every person has significance in God’s plan.

Jesus illustrated this truth through the parable of the talents. A master entrusted different amounts to his servants, and he expected each one to faithfully use what had been given (Matthew 25:14-30). The servant with one talent was not condemned because he had less than the others. He was condemned because he refused to use what he had received.

God is not asking us to possess another person’s abilities. He is asking us to faithfully develop the gifts He has placed within us.

THE DANGER OF NEGLECTING POTENTIAL

Potential can be wasted through fear, laziness, pride, or misplaced priorities. Many people never become what God intended because they are afraid of failure. The servant in Jesus’ parable hid his talent because he feared the master rather than trusting him (Matthew 25:24-25).

Others waste potential because they spend their lives pursuing temporary things. The world encourages people to chase recognition, pleasure, and comfort, but those pursuits often leave the soul empty. Paul warned that some believers had become distracted by worldly desires and failed to live according to their calling (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

The greatest tragedy is not having limited abilities. The greatest tragedy is having abilities that are never offered to God.

THE REDEMPTION OF POTENTIAL

The good news is that God can restore wasted years and redeem unused gifts. The Lord told Israel that He would restore the years that had been consumed by the locust (Joel 2:25). Our past mistakes do not have to determine our future usefulness when we surrender ourselves to God.

Peter failed greatly when he denied Jesus, but the Lord restored him and used him powerfully to proclaim the gospel (John 21:15-19; Acts 2:14-41). Paul once persecuted the church, yet through the grace of Christ he became a faithful servant and apostle (1 Timothy 1:12-16).

God specializes in taking imperfect people and accomplishing His purposes through them. The question is not whether we have wasted opportunities in the past. The question is whether we will faithfully use the opportunities God gives us today.

A life fully surrendered to Christ will never be wasted. The world may measure success by fame, wealth, or influence, but God measures faithfulness. The greatest use of our potential is to place it into the hands of the One who gave it.

Prayer

Our gracious Father, thank You for the gifts and opportunities You have placed in our lives.

Forgive us for the times we have neglected what You have entrusted to us. Help us overcome fear, selfishness, and distraction.

Teach us to use our abilities faithfully for Your glory and the blessing of others. May our lives fulfill the purpose You have designed for us through Jesus Christ.

In His name, Amen.

BDD

MARTYRS

Throughout history, there have been men and women who valued faithfulness to God more than comfort, safety, or even life itself. They stood when others bowed, confessed when others remained silent, and endured suffering because they believed that the truth of God was worth every sacrifice.

The word martyr says that faith is not merely something we speak with our lips. It is something we treasure with our lives. Jesus said, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34).

THE COURAGE OF MARTYRS

Martyrs demonstrate a courage that comes from a conviction deeper than fear. Their strength is not found in human bravery alone but in confidence that God is greater than every earthly threat. When the apostles were commanded to stop preaching about Jesus, they answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

The early Christians faced imprisonment, rejection, and death because they refused to deny Christ. Stephen, the first recorded Christian martyr, stood before those who opposed him and boldly proclaimed the truth. Even as stones were thrown against him, he looked toward heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at His right hand (Acts 7:54-60).

The courage of martyrs reminds us that truth is not determined by popularity. A crowd may reject what is right, but faithfulness does not depend upon the approval of people.

THE COST OF MARTYRDOM

Martyrdom reveals the cost of genuine devotion. Jesus never promised that following Him would always be easy. He warned His disciples that they would face opposition because the world had rejected Him first (John 15:18-20).

The apostle Paul understood this cost. He experienced beatings, imprisonment, dangers, and hardships because of his service to Christ. But he considered these temporary sufferings insignificant compared with the eternal glory promised by God (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Martyrs teach us that Christ is worth more than comfort. They remind us that eternal treasures are greater than temporary security. A person who truly understands the value of Christ can endure the loss of earthly things because he possesses something that cannot be taken away.

THE CROWN OF MARTYRS

God does not forget those who suffer for His name. The world may overlook their sacrifice, but heaven remembers their faithfulness. Jesus promised, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

The martyrs who gave their lives for Christ are examples to every generation of believers. They call us to examine our own commitment. We may not face the same circumstances they faced, but every Christian is called to die to self and live fully for the Lord (Romans 12:1).

The greatest victory of the martyrs was not that they escaped suffering. Their victory was that suffering could not separate them from Christ. They proved the truth of Paul’s words: “Neither death nor life shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

The testimony of the martyrs continues to speak. Their lives prove that the kingdom of God is built not only through words spoken but through lives surrendered. May we possess the same devotion, courage, and love for Christ, whatever challenges come before us.

____________

Prayer

Our faithful Father, strengthen us to stand firmly for the truth of Christ. Give us the courage of those who have remained faithful through suffering and help us value Jesus above all earthly things.

Teach us to live with such devotion that our lives become a testimony of Your grace and power. May we remain faithful until the end and receive the crown of life You have promised.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

Livestream Preaching Times for Saturday, July 25, 2026

10:00 AM

“The Promise Before the Law”
(Galatians 3:15-18)

2:00 PM

“Walking in the Light”
(1 John 1:5-10)

TikTok: @dewaynedunawayministries

All times CST

THE TRAGEDY OF EXCHANGING GOD’S GLORY

There is no greater madness than for a creature to turn away from his Creator. Romans 1 is not merely a history of the ancient world. It is a mirror held before every generation.

When people refuse the light God has given them, they do not become enlightened. They become darkened. They boast of wisdom while marching deeper into folly.

The apostle Paul writes, “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things” (Romans 1:22-23).

The Pride of Human Wisdom

The beginning of man’s downfall was not ignorance but pride. Men claimed to possess wisdom while rejecting the very source of all wisdom. They exalted human reason above divine revelation. They believed they had outgrown the need for God.

What they failed to realize is that every step away from God’s word is a step away from true understanding. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). A brilliant mind without Christ is still in darkness.

Education cannot cleanse the conscience. Philosophy cannot forgive sin. Science cannot reconcile a guilty soul to God. Only the wisdom that comes from above leads to life (James 3:17).

The Perverting of God’s Glory

Paul says they “changed the glory of the incorruptible God.” Imagine exchanging a mountain of gold for a handful of dust. Imagine casting away a priceless diamond for a broken piece of glass. Such comparisons are still too small.

God is infinitely glorious, infinitely holy, infinitely worthy of worship. And yet sinful man traded the worship of the eternal God for images fashioned by his own hands. The heart of idolatry is not merely bowing before a statue. It is giving to anything the love, trust, and devotion that belong to God alone.

Some worship wealth. Others worship pleasure, success, politics, family, or self. Whatever sits upon the throne of the heart has become an idol. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).

The Progression into Idolatry

Notice how far man falls once he abandons God. First came images of man. Then birds. Then animals. Then creeping things. Sin always moves downward. Rejecting the Creator never elevates humanity. It degrades it.

Those who refuse to worship God will always find something else to worship. If they will not bow before the Lord of heaven, they will bow before the gods of this world. They become servants of the very things they were created to rule. As Paul later says, they “worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25).

This passage also exposes the spirit of our own age. Modern man congratulates himself on his intelligence while denying the God who gave him life. He claims enlightenment while embracing moral darkness. He celebrates human achievement while mocking the authority of God’s word.

The idols may no longer be carved from wood and stone, but they are no less real. Self has become the supreme deity of our generation. Men speak of following their own hearts rather than following Christ, while the heart without God is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).

How different is the gospel. The gospel does not tell us to trust ourselves. It calls us to behold the glory of Jesus Christ, “who is the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). The glory that sinful man exchanged is perfectly revealed in the face of Christ.

He is the One who left the glory of heaven, took upon Himself our humanity, bore our sins upon the cross, and rose again in triumph over death. Those who look to Him are transformed “from glory to glory” by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Let us therefore renounce every idol. Let us humble ourselves before the God whom angels adore. Let us worship Him in spirit and in truth, giving Him the glory that belongs to His name. Every crown laid at His feet is well placed. Every rival removed from our hearts is a gain, not a loss.

The soul was made for God, and it will never find rest until it delights in Him alone.

________________

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, forgive us for every idol we have allowed into our hearts. Keep us from trusting in human wisdom and teach us to fear You above all else.

Open our eyes to behold the glory of Jesus Christ. May He alone reign upon the throne of our lives.

Help us to worship You with sincere hearts until the day we stand in Your presence forever.

In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

BDD

JUSTINIAN’S GREATEST LEGACY

The name of Justinian still echoes through the halls of history. Historians remember him as the emperor who sought to restore the glory of Rome. They admire the splendor of Hagia Sophia. They study the victories of his generals. They examine the code of laws he commissioned.

In all this, though, all the grandeur of his reign whispers the same solemn truth. “The world is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).

Justinian understood that a kingdom without order cannot stand. He gathered centuries of Roman laws, removed confusion, and organized them into what became the Corpus Juris Civilis. Long after his throne was empty and his crown had turned to dust, those laws continued to influence nations. There is wisdom in preserving what is good. There is blessing in passing truth from one generation to the next.

But there is a greater law than that of Rome. There is a King greater than Justinian. The Lord has not left mankind to wander through the darkness of human opinion. He has given us His holy Word. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul” (Psalm 19:7). Roman law may restrain the hand, but God’s Word transforms the heart. Civil law can punish crime, but only the gospel can pardon the criminal.

How often men labor to build monuments to their own greatness while neglecting the eternal kingdom of Christ. Justinian’s buildings have weathered earthquakes. His empire has vanished. His armies are silent. But the gospel that fishermen preached beside the Sea of Galilee is still saving sinners today. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

There is another lesson hidden in Justinian’s story. He desired unity for an earthly empire, but true unity is found only in Christ. No decree of an emperor can reconcile sinful people to a holy God. No government can produce the new birth. No legislation can create righteousness. The cross accomplishes what no throne ever could. At Calvary, justice and mercy embraced. There the Lawgiver bore the penalty of lawbreakers so that all who believe might be justified by faith.

Let us not spend our lives merely preserving the achievements of men while neglecting the truth of God. Libraries filled with human wisdom have their place, but one open Bible is worth more than all the treasures of earthly kingdoms. Better to know Christ than to govern an empire. Better to possess eternal life than temporal power. Better to have your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life than engraved upon the grandest monument ever raised by human hands.

The greatest legacy is not the kingdom we build, but the King we serve. Justinian gave the world a legal code that shaped civilizations. Jesus Christ gives the world the gospel that saves sinners forever. One points men toward earthly justice. The other leads them to everlasting life. “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28).

BDD

THE CREATION IS A SIGNPOST, NOT THE DESTINATION

God created the heavens and the earth to display His glory, not to replace Him. The stars, mountains, oceans, and forests are all witnesses pointing beyond themselves to their Creator. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). Creation was never meant to be our final fascination. It was meant to awaken our hearts to worship the One who made it.

Sinful humanity often stops at the gift and forgets the Giver. We admire the beauty of the sunset but ignore the God who painted it. We stand in awe of the vast universe but give little thought to the One who spoke it into existence.

As Paul wrote, “Professing to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image” (Romans 1:22–23). Later he says they “worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25).

Every flower should remind us of His wisdom. Every sunrise should speak of His faithfulness. Every star should proclaim His power. Creation is a sermon without words, calling us to lift our eyes above what has been made and adore the eternal God who made it all.

Do not stop at the masterpiece. Worship the Master. Do not become captivated by the creation while neglecting the Creator. The greatest wonder is not the universe. The greatest wonder is the God who made it and, through Jesus Christ, invites us to know Him.

BDD

THE MORNING STAR

There is something beautiful about the first light of day. After the darkness of night has covered the earth, a single star often appears before the sunrise, shining as a promise that darkness will not last forever. It does not remove the night instantly, but it announces that a new day is coming.

In the same way, Jesus Christ is called the Morning Star because He is the hope of a world waiting for the fullness of God’s eternal light. He declared, “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16).

The Morning Star shines because Christ Himself is the source of spiritual light. Humanity was not merely lacking information. We were walking in darkness, separated from God and blinded by sin. But Jesus came as the Light of the world. John wrote that the true Light came into the world, giving light to every person (John 1:9).

The light of Christ reveals what darkness tries to hide. It exposes sin, but it also reveals grace. It shows us our need for a Savior while showing us the mercy of the One who came to save us. Jesus said, “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).

The morning star served as a guide for travelers who journeyed through the darkness before sunrise. In a similar way, Christ guides His people through the uncertainties of this present world. We often cannot see the entire path ahead, but we can follow the One who knows the way.

Peter described the prophetic word as a light shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts (2 Peter 1:19). The Lord does not always reveal every detail of tomorrow, but He gives enough light for today’s obedience.

The believer does not walk alone. Christ leads through His word, strengthens through His Spirit, and comforts through His promises. When confusion surrounds us, His truth remains steady.

The Morning Star not only points to Christ’s present work but also reminds us of His promised return. The first coming of Jesus brought salvation, but His return will bring the complete fulfillment of His kingdom. The night of suffering, sorrow, and sin will not continue forever.

Paul reminded believers that the night is far spent and the day is at hand, calling them to walk as children of light (Romans 13:11-12). Every believer lives with the hope that the darkness of this age will give way to the glory of eternity.

The world searches for hope in many places, but every earthly light eventually fades. Human achievements, possessions, and philosophies cannot overcome the darkness of the soul. Only Christ, the Morning Star, can bring everlasting hope.

Let us keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus. When the night feels long, remember that the Morning Star has already appeared. The promise of dawn is certain because Christ is faithful. Those who belong to Him are not walking toward darkness but toward the eternal sunrise of God’s kingdom.

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Prayer

Our glorious Savior, You are the Bright and Morning Star who brings hope to our hearts. Shine Your light upon us, guide our steps, and strengthen our faith when we walk through dark seasons. Help us to follow You faithfully until the day when Your eternal glory fills all things. May our hearts remain fixed upon Christ, our everlasting hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

THE LOVE OF MONEY

Money is one of the most useful servants and one of the most dangerous masters. In itself, money is neither good nor evil. It can provide for families, support the work of God, and meet the needs of those who are suffering.

The problem is when money moves from our hands into our hearts, it becomes a rival to God. The Bible gives a solemn warning: “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness” (1 Timothy 6:10). The danger is not possessing money. The danger is allowing money to possess us.

THE ATTRACTION OF MONEY

Money has a powerful attraction because it appears to offer security, independence, and control. It promises that we can protect ourselves from uncertainty and guarantee our future. But the security money offers is temporary. Riches can disappear, markets can change, and possessions can be lost in a moment. Jesus warned, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19).

The heart naturally seeks something to trust. If it does not rest in God, it will find another foundation. Some trust in wealth, some trust in success, and some trust in their own abilities. The Lord tells us He alone is the true source of life and blessing. “Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing” (Psalms 34:10).

THE DANGER OF MONEY

The love of money is dangerous because it can quietly replace our love for God. Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). Money demands loyalty. It asks us to sacrifice time, relationships, integrity, and even spiritual priorities in order to gain more.

The rich young ruler came to Jesus desiring eternal life, but when Christ exposed his attachment to his possessions, he walked away sorrowful (Matthew 19:16-22). His wealth was not the problem. His heart’s dependence upon wealth was the problem. He wanted the blessings of God without surrendering control to God.

Money can also create pride. A person may begin to believe that success came entirely through personal ability rather than through God’s providence. Paul reminded believers, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Everything we have is ultimately a gift entrusted to us by the Lord.

THE PURPOSE OF MONEY

God does not condemn the proper use of money. He teaches us how to use it with wisdom and generosity. Wealth is a tool, not a treasure. It should be used to honor God, care for others, and advance what is righteous.

Jesus praised the generosity of the widow who gave two small coins because her gift reflected a heart of complete trust (Mark 12:41-44). The value of her offering was not measured by its amount but by the devotion behind it.

The believer who understands God’s ownership can hold possessions with an open hand. Paul instructed those who are blessed with material things to trust not in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy, and to be generous and ready to share (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

The greatest wealth in life is not found in a bank account, a possession, or a position. The greatest treasure is found in Christ. A person who has Christ has riches that cannot be stolen, destroyed, or taken away. Let us use earthly blessings wisely while keeping our hearts fixed upon eternal things.

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Prayer

Our Father in heaven, guard our hearts from the love of money. Help us to see our possessions as gifts from Your hand and not as substitutes for Your presence. Teach us contentment, generosity, and wisdom in all that we do. May we treasure Christ above all things and use every blessing for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

GREED

Greed is a disease of the soul that often hides behind respectable appearances. It does not always announce itself through obvious selfishness. Sometimes it appears as ambition, careful planning, or the desire for security.

Beneath the surface, greed is the heart’s attempt to find satisfaction in possessions rather than in God. The Lord Jesus warned, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

What we own may reveal our priorities, but it can never provide what only God can give.

THE DECEPTION OF GREED

Greed deceives because it promises satisfaction but always leaves the soul wanting more. The person controlled by greed believes that one more possession, one more achievement, or one more increase will finally bring peace. And then the appetite of greed is never satisfied. Solomon observed that those who love silver will never be satisfied with silver (Ecclesiastes 5:10).

The danger of greed is that it can make temporary things appear eternal. Wealth can be useful, and possessions can be blessings from God, but they become dangerous when they take the place that belongs only to the Lord. Jesus told the story of a rich man who built larger barns to store his abundance but failed to prepare his soul for eternity (Luke 12:16-21).

Greed whispers that we own everything we have, but the Bible says that every blessing comes from God’s hand. “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness” (Psalms 24:1). We are not ultimate owners. We are stewards entrusted with what belongs to God.

THE DESTRUCTION OF GREED

Greed damages our relationship with God and with others. A greedy heart begins to view people as opportunities rather than as souls created in the image of God. It values possessions above compassion and gain above generosity.

Judas Iscariot provides a tragic example. He walked with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, and heard His teachings, yet greed entered his heart. He betrayed the Lord for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). The price he received was small, but the cost of his greed was devastating.

Paul warned that the love of money is a root of many kinds of evil and that some, by pursuing it, have wandered from the faith (1 Timothy 6:9-10). Money itself is not sinful. The problem is when money captures the heart and becomes our master.

THE DELIVERANCE FROM GREED

The cure for greed is found in contentment and generosity. The heart that is satisfied in God no longer needs possessions to prove its worth. Paul learned this secret when he said he had learned to be content in whatever circumstances he experienced (Philippians 4:11-13).

Jesus calls His followers to store up treasures in heaven rather than treasures on earth, because earthly treasures fade while heavenly treasures endure (Matthew 6:19-21). The generous heart understands that blessings are not merely gifts to enjoy but opportunities to glorify God and bless others.

True riches are found in knowing Christ. A person may possess little earthly wealth and yet be spiritually rich. A person may possess great wealth and yet be spiritually poor. The greatest treasure is not found in what we hold in our hands but in the God who holds our lives.

Let us examine our hearts and ask whether we possess things or whether things possess us. May the Lord free us from the chains of greed and teach us the joy of generosity, gratitude, and complete trust in Him.

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Prayer

Our gracious Father, deliver us from the power of greed. Teach us to be thankful for what You provide and generous with what You place in our hands. Help us seek the riches that cannot fade and treasure Christ above all earthly possessions. May our lives reflect contentment, compassion, and love for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

JEALOUSY

Jealousy is a quiet enemy of the soul. It rarely enters with a loud announcement. Instead, it slips into the heart unnoticed, comparing, measuring, and questioning why another person has received what we desire. It can steal gratitude from our blessings and replace joy with resentment.

The Bible warns, “A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones” (Proverbs 14:30). Jealousy does not merely harm our relationship with others. It slowly damages our own hearts.

THE ROOT OF JEALOUSY

Every outward struggle with jealousy begins with an inward misunderstanding of God. When we forget that the Lord is wise, good, and generous, we begin to believe that another person’s blessing is somehow our loss. The jealous heart looks at what others possess and forgets what God has already provided.

The first human sin was connected to this deception. The serpent convinced Eve that God was withholding something good from her (Genesis 3:1-6). Instead of trusting the goodness of the Creator, she desired what had been forbidden. Jealousy often grows from the same root: the suspicion that God has not given us enough.

Paul warned that those who compare themselves among themselves are not wise (2 Corinthians 10:12). Comparison creates a false standard where another person’s success becomes a threat instead of a reason for thanksgiving. The cure begins when we remember that God deals with each of His children according to His perfect wisdom.

THE RUIN OF JEALOUSY

Jealousy has the power to destroy relationships and divide hearts. Cain became jealous of Abel because Abel’s offering was accepted by God, and that jealousy eventually led to hatred and murder (Genesis 4:3-8). What began as an emotion hidden in the heart became an action that brought terrible consequences.

The religious leaders delivered Jesus to be crucified because of envy. They saw His influence, His works, and the love people showed toward Him, and their jealousy hardened their hearts (Matthew 27:18). A jealous heart cannot rejoice in another person’s good because it is too focused on protecting its own pride.

James described jealousy and selfish ambition as producing disorder and every evil thing (James 3:14-16). Where jealousy grows, peace disappears. The heart that should be filled with love becomes occupied with competition.

THE REDEMPTION FROM JEALOUSY

The answer to jealousy is not simply trying harder to ignore our feelings. The deeper cure is learning to rest in God’s love and purpose for our lives. When we understand that our identity comes from Christ, we no longer need to compete for worth or significance.

John the Baptist demonstrated this beautiful attitude when others began following Jesus instead of him. Rather than becoming jealous, John said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). He found his joy not in personal recognition but in the glory of Christ.

Love is the opposite of jealousy. Paul wrote that love does not envy and does not seek its own way (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). When Christ fills the heart, we can celebrate the blessings of others because we know that God is faithful to us.

The jealous heart says, “Why did they receive what I wanted?” The trusting heart says, “Lord, thank You for Your goodness to them, and help me faithfully use what You have given me.”

The Lord has written a unique story for every believer, and our calling is not to copy another person’s journey but to walk faithfully in our own.

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Prayer

Our Father, cleanse our hearts from jealousy and comparison. Teach us to trust Your wisdom and rejoice in the blessings You give to others. Help us to find our worth in Christ rather than in recognition, possessions, or position. Fill us with love that celebrates the good of others and gratitude for Your perfect gifts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

Livestream Preaching Times for Friday, July 24, 2026

5:30 AM

“Faith That Works”
(James 2:14-26)

10:00 AM

“The Alpha and the Omega”
(Revelation 1:4-8)

2:00 PM

“God With Us”
(Matthew 1:18-25)

6:00 pm

“The Tragedy of Exchanging God’s Glory”
(Romans 1:22-23)

TikTok: @dewaynedunawayministries

All times CST

SEALED BEFORE THE STORM

The opening verses of Revelation 7 provide a pause between the sixth and seventh seals. The question at the end of chapter 6 is, “Who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:17).

Before the next judgments unfold, God answers that question by showing that He knows and preserves His people. Revelation 7 is not first about wrath. It is about assurance. Before the winds blow, God marks His servants as His own.

John sees four angels holding back the four winds of the earth so that no harm comes to the land, sea, or trees (Revelation 7:1).

Another angel appears with the seal of the living God and commands that the earth not be harmed until God’s servants are sealed on their foreheads (Revelation 7:2-3).

Judgment does not move ahead until God permits it. He rules over the nations (Psalm 22:28). His throne is established in heaven and His kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19). Nebuchadnezzar learned that no one can restrain God’s hand or question His purposes (Daniel 4:35).

Even in judgment, God remains in complete control.

The seal identifies those who belong to God. In Ezekiel’s vision, a mark was placed upon the faithful before judgment came upon Jerusalem (Ezekiel 9:4-6). During the Passover, God distinguished His people by the blood upon their houses (Exodus 12:13).

In the same way, the servants in Revelation are marked as God’s own. The Lord knows those who are His (2 Timothy 2:19). Jesus said, “I know My sheep” (John 10:14), and again, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them” (John 10:27).

Those who belong to Christ are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of their inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). God does not forget His people in times of trouble.

John then hears the number of those who are sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand from the tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4-8). The number signifies completeness and fullness. God knows every one of His people. Not one servant is overlooked.

Jesus promised that He would lose none of those given to Him by the Father (John 6:39). Paul taught the faithful that God has always preserved a remnant according to grace (Romans 11:5). Their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20), and they are engraved upon His hands (Isaiah 49:16).

For the first readers, this vision brought comfort. Difficult days were coming. Jesus had foretold great tribulation surrounding the fall of Jerusalem and promised deliverance for His elect (Matthew 24:21-22).

Before those events unfolded, God assured His faithful people that they belonged to Him. He would not confuse the righteous with the wicked.

The same truth comforts Christians today. Nations rise and fall. Trials come and go. Yet Christ still knows His sheep. Before the storm begins, He knows His people. While the storm rages, He remains with them. When the storm has passed, He will bring them safely home (Romans 8:38-39).

BDD

DO NOT DRIFT AWAY

A ship does not drift because someone steers it in the wrong direction. It drifts because no one is paying attention. The tides slowly carry it away from its harbor.

The same is true in the Christian life. Few people abandon Christ all at once. More often, they slowly drift by neglecting God’s word, prayer, worship, and faithful obedience. For this reason the writer of Hebrews begins with a solemn warning: “We must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1).

The Danger

The warning begins with the words, “We must.” Spiritual vigilance is not optional. The Christian must give careful attention to the message revealed through Christ. Faith comes by hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17), and we are to be doers of the word rather than hearers only (James 1:22).

The blessed man delights in God’s law day and night (Psalm 1:1-3). Jesus taught that the wise man builds his house by hearing His sayings and putting them into practice (Matthew 7:24-27).

When we neglect these things, drifting is inevitable. Satan does not always push people away from Christ. Sometimes he simply persuades them to stop paying attention.

The Disobedience

The writer reminds his readers that every violation of the law given through angels received a just punishment (Hebrews 2:2). If God held Israel accountable under the old covenant, we should not expect to escape when we neglect the greater revelation that has come through His Son.

Jesus is greater than the prophets (Hebrews 1:1-2), greater than the angels (Hebrews 1:4-14), and His covenant is better than the one given through Moses (Hebrews 8:6). To neglect such a salvation is a serious matter.

Jesus asked, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). The danger is not merely rejecting Christ but ignoring Him.

The Deliverance

The salvation offered through Christ is described as “so great” (Hebrews 2:3). It is great because it was first spoken by the Lord Himself (Mark 1:14-15), confirmed by those who heard Him (Acts 2:22-24), and witnessed by God through signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 2:3-4; Mark 16:20).

This salvation was purchased by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7), offers forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), reconciles us to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-21), and gives the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2). There is no greater gift God could have given, and there is no greater tragedy than to neglect it.

The writer does not warn against one dramatic act of rebellion. He warns against a slow, careless drift. Every Christian should regularly examine his heart, hold fast to God’s word, and keep his eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2).

The safest believer is not the one who thinks he cannot fall, but the one who daily draws near to Christ and gives earnest heed to what he has heard.

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Prayer

Father, keep us from drifting away from Your Son. Give us hearts that love Your word, ears that are eager to hear it, and lives that faithfully obey it. Help us never to neglect the great salvation You have provided through Jesus Christ. In His name we pray. Amen.

BDD

NO OTHER GOSPEL

The churches of Galatia had not abandoned Christ by rejecting Him outright. They were in danger of leaving Him by accepting a different message. False teachers had persuaded many that faith in Christ was not enough and that obedience to the Law of Moses was necessary for salvation.

Paul responded with urgency because the gospel was at stake. Whenever men add to or take away from the gospel of Christ, they no longer preach the gospel at all.

Desertion

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6). To leave the gospel is to leave Christ Himself. The gospel calls sinners by God’s grace (2 Thessalonians 2:14), reveals the righteousness of God (Romans 1:16-17), and brings salvation to those who believe (1 Corinthians 15:1-2).

Any message that replaces God’s grace with human merit or human tradition is a departure from the truth. We are warned not to go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6) and not to compromise the message of redemption through Christ Jesus.

Distortion

Paul quickly explains that there is not another genuine gospel, “but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:7). A distorted gospel may use biblical language while teaching unbiblical doctrine. Satan has always mixed truth with error (Genesis 3:1-5).

Jesus warned of false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). Peter warned of false teachers who would secretly bring in destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1). The only safeguard against error is to compare every teaching with the word of God, as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11). The gospel revealed by Christ is complete, and it does not need revision or improvement (Jude 3).

Devotion

Paul declares that even if he himself, another apostle, or an angel from heaven preached a different gospel, that messenger was to be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9). Truth is not determined by the reputation of the messenger but by the faithfulness of the message.

Paul then asks, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men?” (Galatians 1:10). Faithful servants of Christ seek God’s approval above human applause. As Peter and the other apostles said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Preachers are stewards of God’s mysteries (1 Corinthians 4:1-2), and it is required that stewards be found faithful.

The church today faces the same temptation as the Galatians. Some add human traditions to the gospel. Others remove the demands of repentance, faithfulness, and holy living. Still others reshape the gospel to fit the spirit of the age.

But there is still only one gospel.

It is the gospel preached by the apostles, centered in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Our task is not to improve it, modernize it, or soften it. Our task is to believe it, obey it, defend it, and proclaim it.

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Prayer

Father, help us to love the truth more than the praise of men. Give us wisdom to recognize error and courage to stand firmly for the gospel You have revealed through Your Son.

May we never add to it or take away from it, but faithfully proclaim it until Christ returns.

In His name we pray. Amen.

BDD

THE GOSPEL THAT SAVES

The word gospel means “good news.” It is the greatest news the world has ever heard because it tells what God has done through His Son to save sinners.

Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth that the gospel was the message he had preached, the message they had received, the message in which they stood, and the message by which they were being saved, if they continued to hold fast to it (1 Corinthians 15:1-2).

In a world filled with religious opinions and competing messages, the church must never lose sight of the gospel itself.

The Proclamation

Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians of the gospel he had preached to them (1 Corinthians 15:1). The gospel is not man’s invention. It is God’s message.

Paul declared that he received it by revelation from Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12). Therefore, no one has the authority to change it. Paul warned the Galatians that even if an apostle or an angel from heaven preached another gospel, that messenger was to be rejected (Galatians 1:6-9).

The gospel was “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), and Christians are to “hold fast the pattern of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13). The church is never called to improve the gospel, only to proclaim it faithfully (Mark 16:15).

The Person

At the heart of the gospel is not a plan but a Person. Paul summarizes the gospel in three historical facts: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

His death provided the sacrifice for sin (Isaiah 53:5-6; 1 Peter 2:24). His burial confirmed the reality of His death (Matthew 27:57-60). His resurrection declared Him to be the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4) and assures our own resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

Remove any one of these truths, and the gospel is no longer the gospel.

The Power

The gospel is not merely information to be admired. It is God’s power to save. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Through the gospel, sinners are called into fellowship with Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14), forgiven of their sins (Acts 2:38), and given the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2). There is no other message that can reconcile man to God.

The body of Christ must never become distracted by entertainment, politics, or human philosophy. Our mission is the same as it was in the first century: preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are not merely the beginning of Christianity. They remain its very heart. Whenever the gospel is preached as God revealed it, people still have the opportunity to believe, obey, and be saved (Romans 10:17).

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Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the good news of Jesus Christ. Help us never to change, neglect, or be ashamed of the gospel.

Give us courage to proclaim the death, burial, and resurrection of Your Son with faithfulness and love. May many come to know Him through the message You have entrusted to Your church.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD