ROUND UP THE USUAL SUSPECTS

At the conclusion of Casablanca, Captain Louis Renault gives the famous command, “Round up the usual suspects.” After a crime has taken place, the authorities look for familiar names and convenient answers. The line has become memorable because it reveals something about human nature: sometimes people would rather find someone to blame than search for the truth.

Spiritually speaking, we often do the same thing. When something goes wrong, it is easy to point fingers, identify someone else’s failures, and focus on another person’s mistakes. The Pharisees were experts at this. They were quick to condemn others while ignoring the condition of their own hearts. Jesus warned them, “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3).

The gospel calls us to a different response. Instead of searching for someone else to blame, we must allow God’s Word to examine us. David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties” (Psalm 139:23). The heart of humility is not asking, “Who is guilty?” but asking, “Lord, what do You want to change in me?”

This does not mean we ignore sin or refuse to stand for truth. Jesus never excused wrongdoing. But He also never used truth as a weapon to elevate Himself above others. He came to save sinners, including those who were willing to acknowledge their need for Him. At the cross, the blame that belonged to us was carried by Christ, who “bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).

There will always be “usual suspects” in the world—people we are tempted to criticize, judge, or dismiss. But before we point outward, we must look inward. The person who has been forgiven much by Christ should be quick to extend grace to others.

The greatest freedom comes when we stop building a case against others and allow God to transform our own hearts. Instead of rounding up suspects, may we seek the Savior. Instead of searching for someone to blame, may we search for ways to love, forgive, and reflect the mercy of Jesus.

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Prayer

Father, help me to examine my own heart before I judge others. Give me wisdom to recognize sin, humility to confess my own failures, and love to show grace to those around me. Thank You for sending Jesus, who took the punishment I deserved and gave me forgiveness I could never earn. Help me walk in His mercy each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

WHEN GOD WALKS INTO OUR STORY

In Casablanca, Rick Blaine says, “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.” It is a moment of surprise and emotion as Rick unexpectedly encounters someone from his past. The line captures the feeling of a chance meeting that changes everything. Life is filled with unexpected moments, but the child of God knows that what may seem like coincidence is often part of the providence of a faithful God.

Throughout the Bible, God repeatedly brought people together at exactly the right moment. Moses was placed in Pharaoh’s house for a purpose. Esther was positioned in the kingdom “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Philip was sent to a desert road where he would meet an Ethiopian official who was searching for truth (Acts 8:26-35). These were not random encounters; they were divine appointments.

Many times, we pass by people without realizing that God may have placed them in our path. A conversation, a kind word, a helping hand, or a simple act of love may become the moment when someone sees the grace of God through us. Jesus was always aware of the people around Him—the forgotten, the hurting, the searching, and the lost.

The greatest unexpected encounter in history was when God came into our world through Jesus Christ. Humanity was lost in sin, but God stepped into our story to bring redemption. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The Savior came not because we deserved Him, but because His love was greater than our failure.

We may never know the reason behind every person God places in our lives, but we can trust the One who guides our steps. The next person we meet may simply be another face in the crowd, or they may be someone God has placed in our path for an eternal purpose. May we have eyes to see the divine appointments God gives us each day.

BDD

THE BEGINNING OF A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP

At the end of Casablanca, Rick Blaine tells Captain Louis Renault, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” After a story filled with loss, sacrifice, and difficult choices, Rick discovers that a new chapter is beginning. The line reminds us that sometimes God uses the hardest seasons of life to lead us into unexpected blessings and new relationships.

Many people fear endings, but God often specializes in new beginnings. A closed door is not always a sign that God has abandoned us; sometimes it is the very thing that prepares us for what He wants to do next. The same God who led Abraham away from his homeland, who restored Peter after his denial, and who transformed Saul the persecutor into Paul the apostle is still able to write new chapters in our lives.

The greatest friendship we can ever have is the friendship offered through Jesus Christ. He did not wait for us to become worthy before reaching out to us. He came to us in our sin and brokenness and offered reconciliation. “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). Through obedience and faith, we can walk in fellowship with the Savior.

Earthly friendships are precious gifts from God, but even the best friendships have limitations. People may disappoint us, circumstances may change, and seasons may end. But the friendship of Christ remains constant. He promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Every day we have the opportunity to begin a more beautiful friendship, not only with others, but with God Himself. Whatever yesterday held, the Lord invites us into a deeper relationship with Him today. The greatest chapter of life begins when we place our trust in the One who calls us His friends.

BDD

HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU, KID

In the classic film Casablanca, Rick Blaine says the memorable words, “Here’s looking at you, kid,” to Ilsa Lund. The phrase carries the weight of a relationship marked by love, sacrifice, and memories that cannot simply be forgotten. It is a reminder that sometimes we look back on people and moments that have shaped our lives. But while human memories can be beautiful, they are also limited. Only God can take every relationship, every sorrow, and every experience and weave them together for His eternal purpose.

Throughout the Bible, we see that God is a God who sees. When Hagar was alone and hurting in the wilderness, she called Him “the God who sees” (Genesis 16:13). The world may overlook us, people may forget us, and seasons of life may change, but the eyes of the Lord are always upon His children. He knows our struggles, our joys, our regrets, and our hopes.

There is also a beautiful truth in knowing that God looks upon us with compassion. Unlike the uncertain love portrayed in earthly stories, the love of Christ is perfect and unchanging. Jesus did not simply look upon humanity from a distance; He came into our world, carried our burdens, and gave Himself for us. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

As we look back on the people and moments that have shaped our lives, we should be thankful. Memories are gifts, but they are not our foundation. Our foundation is the One who sees us completely and loves us faithfully. The greatest joy is not that someone once looked at us with affection, but that the Savior continually looks upon us with mercy.

One day, when this life is finished, we will stand before the One who has watched every step of our journey. The One who saw our tears, heard our prayers, and carried us through our darkest nights will welcome us home. Until that day, may we live knowing that the eyes of the Lord are upon us—and may we keep our eyes fixed upon Him.

BDD

WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE PARIS

The famous line, “We’ll always have Paris,” from Casablanca, speaks of a treasured memory that time cannot erase. There are wonderful moments in life so precious they remain with us long after the moment has passed.

God has given us many such memories—times of answered prayer, sweet fellowship, family gatherings, victories over temptation, and seasons when His presence seemed especially near. These memories are gifts of His grace, and they strengthen us when the road grows difficult.

And yet the Christian’s hope is not anchored in yesterday. As wonderful as the past may have been, God has not called us to live there. Some people spend their lives reliving former successes or grieving over former failures, but neither will help us walk faithfully today. The Lord is always doing a new work in the lives of those who trust Him. Every sunrise is another opportunity to know Him more deeply and to serve Him more faithfully.

The apostle Paul understood this truth. Though he had experienced remarkable victories for Christ, he refused to rest on them. He wrote, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3:13). Paul treasured God’s faithfulness in the past, but his eyes were fixed on the finish line and the prize that awaited him in Christ.

The greatest “Paris” the believer possesses is not a place on earth but the promise of heaven. This world is not our permanent home. Every beautiful memory here is only a faint glimpse of the joy that awaits those who belong to Jesus Christ. Earth’s happiest moments eventually fade, but the inheritance God has prepared for His children will never perish, grow old, or disappoint. As Hebrews reminds us, “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come” (Hebrews 13:14).

So thank God for the “Parises” of your life. Remember His goodness, cherish His blessings, and rejoice in His faithfulness. But don’t become so captivated by yesterday that you miss what God is doing today. The best is not behind the child of God—it is still ahead. Keep your heart set on the city whose Builder and Maker is God, where every longing will be fulfilled and every joy will be made complete.

BDD

CYRUS: THE KING GOD CALLED BY NAME

Before Cyrus ever lifted a sword, God had already written his name into the pages of prophecy. Long before the Persian king appeared on the stage of history, the Lord declared through Isaiah, “Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and he shall perform all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 44:28). The world saw a mighty ruler rising, but heaven saw an instrument in the hand of God.

How wonderful is the providence of our God! Kings rise and kingdoms fall, armies march and nations change, but the purposes of the Almighty stand firm. Cyrus thought he was conquering nations, yet he was fulfilling the counsel of the One who holds all nations in His hand. Isaiah records God’s words: “I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me” (Isaiah 45:4).

Cyrus did not know the Lord as Israel knew Him, yet God knew Cyrus. God’s knowledge reaches farther than our understanding. Before we sought Him, He was already working. Before we called upon His name, He was preparing the way for our salvation through Jesus Christ.

The same God who guided Cyrus to restore Jerusalem has guided history toward the coming of Christ. Every promise, every prophecy, and every act of providence points us to the faithfulness of God. He is never late, never confused, and never defeated.

When we look at the uncertainties of our own days, let us remember Cyrus. The world may appear out of control, but it is never out of God’s hands. The Lord who directs kings can direct our lives. The God who opened the gates of Babylon can open doors of grace, hope, and redemption.

Let us trust the One who knows the beginning from the end. Our names may not be written in earthly history books, but if we belong to Christ, our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20).

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Prayer

Lord, help us trust Your providence even when we cannot see Your plan. Remind us that You are working through every circumstance to accomplish Your purposes. May we rest in the hands of the God who knows all things and leads us faithfully through Christ. Amen.

BDD

Livestream Preaching Times for Monday, August 3, 2026

5:30 AM

“Security of the Saved”
(1 Peter 1:5)

10:00 AM

“The Sin of Envy”
(James 3:16)

2:00 PM

“All We Need is Just a Little Patience”
(James 1:3-4)

6:00 pm

“Numbering Our Days”
(Psalm 90:12)

TikTok: @dewaynedunawayministries

All times CST

LOOK TO JESUS, NOT TO YESTERDAY

One of Satan’s favorite weapons is to keep us looking backward. He reminds us of old failures, painful memories, words we wish we had never spoken, and opportunities we wish we had never missed. If he can keep our eyes fixed on yesterday, he can rob us of the joy, usefulness, and peace God has prepared for today.

The Lord never intended His children to live chained to their past. His grace is always calling us forward.

Jesus also warned us about another distraction. In Matthew 7:3 He asked, “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” How easy it is to dwell on the faults of others while forgetting our own constant need for mercy. A heart occupied with criticizing others soon loses sight of Christ. But a heart humbled by God’s grace becomes patient, forgiving, and compassionate.

The writer of Hebrews gives us the cure: “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Our victory is not found by staring at our failures or at the failures of others. It is found by fixing our eyes upon the Savior. The more we behold Him, the more His love reshapes our hearts. His forgiveness becomes the pattern for our forgiveness. His mercy becomes the measure of our mercy.

When our attention is centered on Christ, yesterday no longer controls us. We can leave our sins beneath His cross, extend grace to those who have hurt us, and walk confidently into the future He has prepared. God is always at work in the present, accomplishing things we cannot see if we are constantly looking over our shoulder.

Today, choose to lift your eyes. Refuse to let guilt, regret, or resentment steal another moment of your life. Look to Jesus. Trust His promises. Follow His footsteps. As your heart rests in Him, you will discover that forgiveness brings freedom, peace replaces anxiety, and hope shines brighter than every shadow of the past.

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Prayer

Father, keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. Help me to leave my past in Your hands and to stop dwelling on the faults of others. Fill my heart with Your forgiveness, Your peace, and Your grace so that I may walk faithfully with You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

THE PEACE THAT PASSES UNDERSTANDING

There is a peace that the world can give, and there is a peace that only God can bestow. The peace of the world depends upon circumstances. When life is pleasant, when health is strong, when plans succeed, and when troubles are far away, men may experience a measure of calm. But the peace of God is different. It does not rise from what is happening around us; it flows from what God has promised within us.

The apostle Paul wrote, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). This peace is not merely the absence of conflict. It is the presence of God ruling in the soul. It is a holy quietness that remains even when the storms of life are raging. It is the assurance that the Father is near, that Christ is victorious, and that nothing can separate us from His love.

Notice that Paul speaks of a peace that “surpasses all understanding.” This does not mean that God’s peace is unreasonable or that it cannot be known. It means that human reasoning cannot produce it or explain how it remains in the midst of suffering. The world looks at the believer facing trials and asks, “How can you still have joy? How can you remain calm? How can you trust when everything seems uncertain?” The answer is that the believer is resting in a God who is greater than every circumstance.

This peace is found through surrender. Many hearts are troubled because they carry burdens that God never intended them to bear. We attempt to control tomorrow, solve every problem, and protect ourselves from every difficulty. But the Lord calls us to cast our cares upon Him. Paul gives the pathway to this peace: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). The heart that learns to bring everything to God in prayer is the heart that learns to rest.

The Christian life is a life of abiding dependence upon God. Peace does not come because we have mastered life; it comes because we have surrendered our lives into the hands of the Master. The soul that trusts God completely finds that the presence of God becomes greater than the pressures of life.

The peace of God also comes through communion with Christ. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27). The peace Jesus gives is His own peace. It is the same peace that allowed Him to sleep in the boat during the storm. It is the same peace that enabled Him to stand silently before His accusers. It is the peace of a heart completely confident in the Father’s will.

This divine peace is not only for moments of comfort; it is especially for moments of trial. Anyone can have peace when the road is smooth, but the peace of God shines brightest in the valley. When sorrow comes, when answers are delayed, when the future is unknown, the child of God can still say, “My Father knows. My Savior is near. My life is in His hands.”

The peace that passes understanding is not something we manufacture; it is something we receive. It is the fruit of trusting God, walking with Christ, and allowing the Holy Spirit to rule our hearts. The world searches for peace in possessions, achievements, and pleasures, but the believer finds peace in a Person.

May we learn to live near to the heart of God, for there is a place of quiet rest where the storms cannot reach. When Christ is our confidence, when prayer is our refuge, and when God’s promises are our foundation, we can possess a peace that the world cannot give and cannot take away.

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Prayer

Father, teach us to rest in You. Remove the anxious thoughts that trouble our hearts and help us surrender every burden into Your loving hands. Fill us with the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding, and let our lives become a testimony of Your faithfulness even in the midst of trials. Amen.

BDD

BURIED WITH CHRIST, RAISED TO NEW LIFE

Paul writes in Romans 6:3-4, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” These words are among the most powerful descriptions of baptism in the New Testament. Yet, just as Peter explained that baptism is not “the removal of the filth of the flesh” (1 Peter 3:21), Paul shows that baptism’s meaning is found in our union with Christ, not in the water itself.

When Paul says we are “baptized into Christ Jesus,” he is not saying that water itself has the power to place someone into a relationship with Christ. The power belongs to Christ and His resurrection. Baptism is the appointed act of faith by which a believer identifies with what Jesus has accomplished. Just as a wedding ceremony does not create love but publicly expresses a covenant relationship, baptism does not replace the work of Christ but openly identifies us with Him.

Paul uses the language of death, burial, and resurrection because baptism pictures the greatest event in human history. Jesus died for our sins, was buried in the tomb, and was raised to new life. When a believer is baptized, it represents leaving behind the old life of sin. When the believer is raised from the water, it represents the new life found in the resurrected Savior. The picture is not that the water magically changes the person, but that God has given baptism as the powerful testimony of a transformed life.

This is why Paul says, “that just as Christ was raised from the dead…even so we also should walk in newness of life.” The goal of baptism is not merely a moment in water; it is a new way of living. The person who has been united with Christ is no longer supposed to live as the old person. Romans 6:6 says, “Our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with.” Baptism points backward to Christ’s sacrifice and forward to a life surrendered to Him.

The connection between baptism and salvation is not found in the water itself, but in what the water represents and in the Savior to whom it points. A person can be baptized in water and come out unchanged if there is no faith, no repentance, and no surrender to Christ. But when baptism is joined with faith in the risen Lord, it becomes a beautiful expression of the believer’s union with Him. The believer is saying, “My old life has been buried. My hope is in the One who was raised.”

Just as Noah’s ark passed through the waters of judgment into a new world, baptism marks the believer’s passage from the old life into the new life in Christ. The water does not save because water has power. Christ saves because He has conquered sin and death. Baptism declares that we belong to Him, that we have died with Him, and that we now live because He lives.

BDD

THE WATERS THAT LIFTED THE ARK

When Peter wrote, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism” (1 Peter 3:21), he immediately explained what he did not mean: “not the removal of the filth of the flesh.” In other words, baptism is not a literal washing away of sin. Water can remove dirt from the body, but it cannot remove guilt from the soul. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse the conscience. Peter carefully guards us from thinking that salvation is found in water itself. The saving power is never in the water but in the risen Christ.

To understand Peter’s point, we must go back to Noah. Peter reminds us that “eight souls were saved through water” (1 Peter 3:20). In what sense were they saved by water? Certainly not because the water itself rescued them. Had Noah and his family been in the flood apart from the ark, the water would have destroyed them. The ark was God’s means of deliverance. Yet the floodwaters did play an important role. They lifted the ark above a world under God’s judgment and carried Noah and his family safely into a new beginning. The very waters that condemned the wicked became the means by which God separated His people from the old world and brought them into the new.

Peter says baptism is the antitype of that event. Just as the flood marked Noah’s separation from a condemned world, baptism marks the believer’s identification with Jesus Christ. It is the God-ordained point at which we publicly leave the old life behind and stand with Christ and His people. Baptism does not save because water possesses some mystical power to wash away sin. Rather, it saves in the sense that God has appointed it as the believer’s response of faith, the appeal of a good conscience toward Him, “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). The water does not cleanse the conscience; Christ does.

This is exactly why Peter adds the words, “not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.” If baptism literally removed sins, Peter would have had no reason to make this distinction. Instead, he directs our attention away from the physical act and toward its spiritual significance. Baptism is not a bath. It is not the washing of the body. It is the believer’s confession that his hope rests entirely in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The New Testament consistently teaches that forgiveness is found in Christ alone. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). Baptism does not compete with the cross; it points to the cross. It is the visible expression of an invisible faith. It is the public crossing from the old life into the new, just as the flood marked the end of one world and the beginning of another for Noah and his family.

When Peter says that baptism “now saves us,” he is not teaching that water literally regenerates the soul. He is speaking of baptism in its God-appointed role. It is the moment of identification with Christ, the public appeal of faith, the believer’s entrance into the visible covenant community, and the declaration that he now belongs to the risen Lord. In that biblical sense, baptism saves, not because of anything the water accomplishes, but because it is joined to faith in the One who conquered death. The body enters the water, but it is Christ who cleanses the conscience. The water raises us before the world as followers of Jesus, but only the Savior raises us to eternal life.

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Prayer

Lord, thank You that my confidence is not in water, ceremonies, or religious works, but in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Thank You for giving us baptism as a beautiful testimony of our faith and our union with Your Son. Help us never to trust in the symbol instead of the Savior, but to rejoice that through His death and resurrection we have forgiveness, a clean conscience, and the hope of everlasting life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

CAN YOU FIND OUT GOD?

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?” (Job 11:7, KJV). These words from Zophar remind us of one of the greatest truths about our relationship with God: we can know Him, but we can never fully comprehend Him.

Human beings have always searched for answers. We study the stars, explore the depths of the earth, seek to understand the mysteries of life. But the greatest mystery of all is God Himself. The Creator cannot be placed under a microscope by His creation. The finite mind cannot completely grasp the infinite God.

This does not mean God is unknowable. The Bible reveals that God has made Himself known through His creation, His Word, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. We can know His character, His love, His mercy, and His will for our lives. But there will always be depths of His wisdom that are beyond us.

The proper response is not frustration but humility. A God we could completely understand would be no greater than our own minds. Instead, we worship a God whose greatness exceeds our imagination.

We do not seek God because we think we can master Him. We seek Him because He has invited us to know Him. The more we discover of God, the more we realize how much more there is to discover.

BDD

Livestream Preaching Times for Sunday, August 2, 2026

8:00 AM

“The Spirit Helps Our Weakness” (Romans 8:26-27)

6:00 PM

Communion

“The Mind of Christ”
(Philippians 2:5-11)

TikTok: @dewaynedunawayministries

All times CST

DEAD FLOWERS

A flower can look beautiful for a season. Its colors may be bright, its fragrance may be pleasant, and it may appear full of life. But eventually every flower fades. What once looked vibrant becomes dry and lifeless. The beauty that seemed permanent was only temporary.

The same is true of the things of this world. Wealth, popularity, possessions, and human accomplishments may appear impressive, but they cannot provide lasting life. “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away” (1 Peter 1:24).

The world is filled with things that promise satisfaction but eventually fade away. The pleasures of sin may appear attractive for a moment, but they cannot satisfy the deepest needs of the soul.

John warned, “The world is passing away, and the lust of it” (1 John 2:17). Everything that is built only on earthly desires will one day wither. The things people chase today may be forgotten tomorrow.

Jesus asked, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26). A person can possess everything this world offers and still have an empty heart.

The difference between a living plant and a dead flower is found beneath the surface. A flower must be connected to its source of life. In the same way, a person must be rooted in God.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4). A life disconnected from Christ may appear successful outwardly, but it lacks true spiritual life.

Paul described those who have “a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). Spiritual appearance without spiritual reality is like a beautiful flower that has already died.

God did not call us to simply look alive; He called us to bear fruit. A living faith produces a changed life.

Jesus said, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:8). The fruit God desires is seen through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22-23).

The good news is that God can bring life where there was once death. “Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5). Through Christ, dead flowers can become living branches again.

The world offers flowers that eventually wither, but God offers a life that never fades. Do not spend your days chasing things that will one day become dead flowers. Instead, be rooted in Christ, where true life is found.

“Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God” (Psalm 92:13).

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Prayer

Father, help us not to be deceived by the temporary beauty of this world. Root our hearts deeply in Christ so that our lives will produce fruit that lasts. May we seek the things above and find our true life in You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

BDD

MOONLIGHT MILE

There is something peaceful about traveling under the light of the moon. The road may still be long, the destination may still be far away, but the darkness does not feel quite as overwhelming when there is light guiding the way. Life is often like that. We may find ourselves weary from the journey, carrying burdens we never expected, but God never leaves His people to walk alone.

The Bible reminds us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). God does not always reveal the entire journey at once, but He gives enough light for the next step.

The Journey

Every person is on a journey. The road of life contains moments of joy and moments of sorrow, victories and disappointments, beginnings and endings. Even faithful servants of God experienced seasons when the road seemed long.

David cried, “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1). Elijah became discouraged under the weight of his circumstances (1 Kings 19:4). But God met them in their weakness and gave them strength to continue.

The Christian life is not a promise that the road will always be easy. It is a promise that God will always be present. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

The Weariness

Long journeys can make us tired. The same is true spiritually. There are moments when our faith feels weak, our prayers seem unanswered, and our hearts become heavy.

Paul knew what it meant to endure hardship. He spoke of being “hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8). His strength was not found in his circumstances but in the God who sustained him.

Jesus invited the weary to come to Him: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Christ does not promise a life without burdens, but He promises to carry them with us.

The Destination

A long journey is easier to endure when we remember where we are going. The Christian does not walk aimlessly. We are headed toward a heavenly home prepared by our Lord.

Paul wrote, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). Every step of faith brings us closer to the day when the journey will be complete.

Revelation gives us a picture of the end of the road: “There shall be no night there” (Revelation 21:25). The temporary darkness of this world will give way to the eternal light of God’s presence.

Sometimes life feels like a long moonlight mile — a quiet road traveled through the darkness, with questions we cannot answer and burdens we cannot carry alone. But God’s light still shines. His promises still stand. His presence still guides us.

Keep walking. The journey may be long, but the Father is leading His children home.

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Prayer

Father, when the journey becomes difficult and the road seems long, remind us that we are never walking alone. Give us strength when we are weary, faith when we cannot see clearly, and hope as we look toward the home You have prepared for us. May Your light guide our steps until we see You face to face. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

BDD

CAN’T YOU HEAR HIM KNOCKING

A person can ignore a knock at the door for only so long. The sound may begin softly, but the longer it continues, the more difficult it becomes to pretend it is not there. The One standing outside is not a stranger, but the Savior who desires fellowship with us.

Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). Christ does not force His way into our lives. He patiently calls, invites, and waits for hearts willing to receive Him.

The Knocking

The voice of God has always called people to come to Him. From the beginning, God sought Adam and Eve in the garden, asking, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). It was not because God did not know their location, but because He desired them to return to fellowship with Him.

Through the prophets, God continued to call His people back. “Return to Me, and I will return to you” (Malachi 3:7). Jesus came into the world with the same invitation, saying, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

The knocking of Christ can be heard through His Word, through the conviction of the Spirit, and through the invitation of the gospel. “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15).

The Ignoring

The tragedy is that many people hear the knocking but refuse to open the door. Some are distracted by the cares of this world. Jesus warned about those who hear the word, but “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word” (Matthew 13:22).

Others delay, believing they will answer later. Yet every day we put off obedience is a day we risk hardening our hearts. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

A closed door is not always caused by disbelief. Sometimes it is caused by pride, comfort, or a desire to remain in control. Jesus lamented over Jerusalem, saying, “How often I wanted to gather your children together but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37). The Savior was willing, but they refused to open the door.

The Opening

The beautiful promise of Scripture is that those who open the door to Christ will never be turned away. Jesus said, “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). He desires not merely a moment of acceptance but a lifetime of fellowship.

Opening the door means surrendering our will to His. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). It means allowing Christ to rule our hearts, transform our lives, and guide our steps.

The world offers many voices competing for our attention, but there is only one voice that brings life. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). The Shepherd is calling. The Savior is knocking.

Can’t you hear Him knocking?

The question is not whether Christ is willing to come in. He has already extended the invitation. The question is whether we will open the door. Today, hear His voice, respond to His call, and welcome the One who came to bring forgiveness, hope, and eternal life.

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Prayer

Father, help us to hear the voice of Your Son and never allow our hearts to become hardened. Give us the humility to open the door of our lives to Christ and allow Him to lead us each day. May we recognize His call, trust His promises, and walk faithfully with Him. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

BDD

SWAY

A tree with deep roots may bend in a storm, but it does not fall because it is firmly anchored. A shallow tree, however, is easily swayed by every strong wind. The same is true of our faith. Christians who are not deeply rooted in God’s truth are easily influenced by the opinions, pressures, and philosophies of the world.

Paul warned believers, “That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). God calls His people to stand firm, not to be swayed.

The Stability

The Christian life is built upon an unchanging foundation. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Truth does not change because culture changes. God’s word remains the same in every generation (Isaiah 40:8).

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). The more deeply God’s word takes root within us, the less likely we are to be swayed by error or temptation. Mature believers are established in the faith because they continue in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42) and let the word of Christ dwell in them richly (Colossians 3:16).

The Swaying

Many people are not led away by open rebellion but by subtle compromise. False teachers use persuasive words (Colossians 2:4), while the world appeals to “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). Little by little, convictions weaken and priorities shift.

Paul warned, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). James wrote that friendship with the world is hostility toward God (James 4:4). When we spend more time listening to the voices of the world than the voice of God, we will eventually begin to sway.

The Steadfastness

God has not called us to uncertainty but to steadfastness. Paul concluded his great chapter on the resurrection by saying, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Peter likewise exhorted Christians to “beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness” (2 Peter 3:17).

Our confidence is found in Christ, the solid rock upon which we stand (Matthew 7:24-25). As we continue in prayer (Colossians 4:2), remain faithful in worship (Hebrews 10:24-25), and walk in obedience (John 14:15), our faith becomes firmly anchored. The winds will still blow, but they will not carry us away.

The world is constantly trying to sway our thinking, our priorities, and our loyalties. Yet God calls us to stand firm in His truth. A believer rooted in Christ may bend under pressure, but he will not be moved, because his confidence rests not in the changing opinions of men, but in the unchanging Word of God (Psalm 1:1-3).

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Prayer

Father, root us deeply in Your truth so that we will not be swayed by the changing opinions of this world. Strengthen our faith through Your Word, help us stand firm in Christ, and give us courage to remain faithful no matter what pressures we face. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

BDD

SLIPPING AWAY

The older we get, the faster the days seem to slip away. One minute we’re starting out, and the next, the sun is setting on another season of life.

In the middle of life’s quick and quiet passage, there is an anchor that holds steady: Jesus loves us.

He didn't just speak that love; He proved it in the most radical way possible: by giving His life for us on the cross (John 15:13). That’s grace in its purest form. While His love reaches toward everyone, there is a distinct, sacred sweetness reserved for those who love Him back and draw near to His heart (Proverbs 8:17).

When we place our trust in the Lord, we stop trying to force our own path and begin walking in rhythm with a higher, divine will. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Life suddenly finds its true harmony.

And the best part? The story doesn't end when the sun goes down. Jesus promised He is coming back for us (John 14:3). So hold fast, trust Him today, and live with your eyes on the horizon. The best is yet to come.

BDD

Livestream Preaching Times for Saturday, August 1, 2026

9:00 AM

“The House of Christ”
(Hebrews 3:1-6)

2:00 PM

“The Living Hope”
(1 Peter 1:3)

TikTok: @dewaynedunawayministries

All times CST

CHRIST OUR SECURITY

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." — John 10:27–28

How often the child of God is troubled by the thought of his own weakness. We look within, and what do we find? A heart prone to wander, feelings that ebb and flow like the tide, and a faith that seems so fragile against the storms of life. We ask ourselves in secret anguish: “How can I stand? How can a soul so weak ever endure unto the end?”

Dear soul, the error lies not in recognizing your weakness, but in looking to yourself for the strength to endure. You have forgotten where your true security lies. Security is never found in the strength of your grasp upon Christ, but in the omnipotence of His grasp upon you.

The Fatal Mistake of Self-Keeping

There are many sincere believers who live in a state of continual unrest. They believe that Christ has saved them, yet they act as though the maintenance of that salvation rests entirely upon their own vigilance. They treat their spiritual life as a frail flame that they must shield with their own trembling hands.

How wearying is such a life! To depend upon your own faithfulness is to build upon shifting sand. Your resolution may be earnest today, but what of tomorrow? Your devotion may feel strong in the quiet hour of prayer, but what will happen in the fiery furnace of temptation?

If your security depended in any measure upon your own holding fast, you would have reason to fear every hour. But listen to the blessed gospel: Salvation is of the Lord, from its first awakening in the soul to its final realization in glory.

Held in the Hand of Omnipotence

Consider the glory of the Redeemer to whom you have entrusted your soul. He is not merely a helper who offers advice from afar; He is the living Lord, possessing all power in heaven and on earth.

When Christ undertook your redemption, He undertook it completely. He did not come to do half the work and leave the remainder to your feeble flesh. He is both the Author and the Finisher of our faith.

Look at His own blessed words: “Neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Consider what that hand is:

It is the hand that created the heavens and the earth.

It is the hand that was pierced upon the cross to pay the full price of your redemption.

It is the hand that now holds the keys of death and Hades.

Can any foe overcome that hand? Can the world, or the devil, or even your own lingering weakness tear you away from that divine hold? No, beloved child of God! The hand that holds you is the very hand that upholds the universe. Your security rests not in your fluctuating feelings, but in the unchangeable character of your Savior.

The Secret of Perfect Rest

How, then, does the believer enter into the full enjoyment of this security?

It is through the simple, daily act of surrender. You must cease the hopeless effort of trying to keep yourself. You must come to the Lord Jesus and say:

“Lord, I cannot keep my own heart for a single hour. I surrender the keeping of my soul entirely into Your hands. You have promised to preserve me from falling; I trust You to do it."

This is the rest of faith. It is not a passive license to sin, but a active, trusting yields to His sanctifying power. When you truly trust Him to keep you, His Spirit works within you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Love constrains you, and His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guards your heart and mind.

Look Away from Self unto Him

Child of God, turn your eyes away from your own weakness, your failures, and your fears. Every glance at self brings discouragement; every glance at Christ brings strength and peace.

Say to your soul today: “The Lord is my keeper. He will not suffer my foot to be moved. He who keeps me will neither slumber nor sleep.”

Dwell in the fortress of His love. Let His promises be your shield and buckler. In Him you are safe—not for a day, nor for a year, but for all eternity. Rest in Him, for He is faithful who has promised, and He will surely do it.

BDD