#84 THE LOVE WITHIN 9-4-26

Oh what a beautiful thought that the love of Christ is being formed within us. Christianity is not simply about changing our behavior on the outside. It is about Christ changing us on the inside. Paul prayed that Christ would dwell in our hearts through faith and that we would be rooted and grounded in love. (Ephesians 3:17) The greatest evidence that Christ lives within us is that His love begins to live through us.

CHRIST IN US IS THE HOPE OF GLORY.

Paul spoke of “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27) What a thought. The hope of glory is not merely something waiting for us in the future. It is Christ living within us today. His presence gives us hope when life is difficult, peace when circumstances are uncertain, and strength when we are weak. Heaven begins to shape earth when Christ is being formed in our hearts.

Paul could say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20) He did not mean that his personality disappeared or that he ceased to be himself. He meant that Christ had become the center of his life. His thoughts were being surrendered to Christ. His desires were being surrendered to Christ. His hands, his words, his decisions, and his relationships were becoming instruments through which Christ could be seen.

CHRIST IS BEING FORMED IN US.

Paul told the Galatians that he was laboring until “Christ is formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19) That is the work God wants to do in every believer. He wants to form Christ in us until we become more patient, more forgiving, more compassionate, more humble, more truthful, and more loving. The goal is not simply that people hear us talk about Jesus. The goal is that they see something of Jesus when they encounter us.

And this is where the love within becomes so important. We cannot manufacture the love of Christ by simply trying harder to be loving. The love of God is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5) As we surrender ourselves to Christ, His love begins to influence how we see people. We begin to love those who are difficult to love. We begin to forgive those who have wounded us. We begin to serve without demanding recognition. We begin to care more about souls than about ourselves.

There should be something different within us because Christ is within us. The world has enough religion that can be seen on the outside while the heart remains unchanged. What the world needs to see is Christ living in ordinary people. A Christian should carry something of the fragrance of Jesus into every room, every conversation, every relationship, and every act of kindness. “We are the fragrance of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:15)

The more Christ is formed in us, the less room there is for pride, bitterness, hatred, selfishness, and unforgiveness. The old self begins to decrease while Christ becomes greater. John the Baptist expressed the principle perfectly: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

May Christ not merely be someone we believe in, talk about, worship, and preach. May Christ be the life within us. May His love become our love, His compassion become our compassion, His humility become our humility, and His heart become our heart. Christ in us, the hope of glory. Christ living in us, the love within.

________________

Father, form Christ in us. Let His love fill our hearts until it overflows into the lives of everyone around us. Help us to surrender our pride, selfishness, bitterness, and desires so that Jesus may be seen in our words, our actions, and our relationships. May we be able to say with Paul, “Christ lives in me.” Let the love within us become a living testimony of the Christ who lives within us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

#83 FAITH IS THE VICTORY 9-4-26

“Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.” (1 John 5:4)

Faith is more than believing that God exists. Faith is trusting Him when we cannot see the way forward. Faith looks at circumstances and then looks beyond those circumstances to the God who rules over them. Faith does not deny the storm. Faith simply knows that the One who is with us in the storm is greater than the storm.

FAITH IS THE VICTORY OVER FEAR.

Fear says, “What if everything goes wrong?” Faith says, “God is still in control?” Fear magnifies the problem. Faith magnifies God. Fear tells us to run away. Faith teaches us to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3) We may feel fear, but we do not have to be ruled by fear. Faith gives us courage to take the next step when we cannot see the whole road.

FAITH IS THE VICTORY OVER FAILURE.

We have all failed. We have made wrong decisions, spoken wrong words, taken wrong turns, and sometimes disappointed ourselves and others. But failure does not have to be the final chapter of our story. Peter failed Jesus, but Jesus was not finished with Peter. The righteous person may fall repeatedly, but he gets back up. (Proverbs 24:16) Faith believes that God’s grace is greater than yesterday’s failure. We may have fallen, but by faith we can rise again.

FAITH IS THE VICTORY OVER THE FLESH.

The flesh wants its own way. The flesh wants comfort, pleasure, recognition, revenge, and control. But faith teaches us to surrender our desires to God’s will. “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) Faith says, “Not what I want, but what God wants.” Faith gives us the strength to say no to ourselves when saying yes to God is harder.

Faith does not mean that we never struggle. Faith means that our struggles do not win. Fear does not win. Failure does not win. The flesh does not win. Jesus has won. And when our faith is resting in Him, we can face tomorrow with confidence because the victory does not ultimately depend upon our strength. It depends upon His.

So keep believing. Keep praying. Keep walking. Keep trusting. When fear rises, believe God. When failure hurts, believe God. When the flesh fights against you, believe God. Faith is the victory because faith takes our eyes off ourselves and puts them upon Christ. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

_______________

Father, strengthen our faith. Give us victory over fear when we are afraid, victory over failure when we have fallen, and victory over the flesh when our desires fight against Your will. Teach us to trust You when we cannot see, to rise when we have fallen, and to keep walking when the road is difficult. Let our faith become stronger, our hearts become steadier, and our eyes become fixed upon Jesus. In His name, Amen.

BDD

#82 LET US LOVE EACH OTHER 9-4-26

There is enough criticism in the world without Christians adding to it. There is enough tearing down without us becoming experts at finding faults in one another. The church ought to be a place where people discover that they are loved, valued, encouraged, and wanted. Let us love each other. Let us lift each other. Let us like each other as much as possible.

Jesus said, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another. As I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). Christianity is not merely believing the right things. It is learning to treat people with the same mercy we have received from Christ. We will never love perfectly, but we can love intentionally. We can choose kindness when criticism would be easier.

LET US LOVE EACH OTHER. Love does not mean that we approve of everything another person does. Love tells the truth, but it tells the truth with tears instead of stones. “Love suffers long and is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). Sometimes the greatest ministry we can give someone is simply letting them know, “I am glad you are here. You matter to God, and you matter to me.”

LET US LIFT EACH OTHER. Everybody carries something. Some people carry burdens that nobody else can see. A word of encouragement may be small to us but enormous to someone who is struggling. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). We should not be looking for opportunities to make people feel small. We should be looking for opportunities to help them stand tall.

LET US LIKE EACH OTHER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Sometimes we act as though loving our brothers and sisters is a command, but actually enjoying their company is optional. Yet the early church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship” (Acts 2:42). Fellowship means more than sitting in the same building. It means sharing life together. We will not agree on everything. We will not have the same personalities, preferences, or backgrounds. But we can still enjoy one another, laugh together, pray together, serve together, and walk together.

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Romans 12:10). What a beautiful picture of the church. Instead of asking, “Why doesn’t everybody appreciate me?” we can ask, “Whom can I appreciate today?” Instead of waiting for somebody to encourage us, we can become the encourager. Instead of wondering who is going to lift us, we can lift somebody else.

The church does not need more people competing for attention. It needs people giving attention. It does not need more people searching for faults. It needs people searching for opportunities to help. “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). We may forget many sermons, but we may never forget the person who believed in us when we were struggling to believe in ourselves.

Let us be people who make Christianity beautiful by the way we treat one another. Let us love each other when we agree and when we disagree. Let us lift the fallen, strengthen the weak, encourage the discouraged, forgive the repentant, and rejoice when somebody else succeeds. And as much as it depends upon us, let us like each other, enjoy each other, and thank God for each other.

_______________

Lord, teach us to love one another as You have loved us. Give us eyes to see the burdens people carry, hearts that want to encourage, hands that are ready to help, and words that build rather than destroy. Make us a people who leave others stronger, happier, and closer to Christ because we have crossed their path. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

Livestream Preaching Times for Friday, September 4, 2026

5:30 AM

“Shine Where God Has Placed You”

(Philippians 2:12–16)

10:00 AM

“Am I My Brother’s Keeper?”

(Genesis 4:9)

2:00 PM

“Who Is On the Lord’s Side?”

(Exodus 32:26)

5:00 pm

“God’s Righteous Judgment”

(Romans 2:2)

TikTok: @dewaynedunawayministries

All times CST

#81 WHEN SPIRITUALITY IS ONLY A MASK 9-3-26

Not everyone who looks spiritual is walking with God. Jude warned the church that certain people would quietly creep in among believers, appearing to be religious while secretly being driven by ungodly desires. They could speak the language, occupy the position, and impress the crowd, but beneath the appearance was pride, greed, sensuality, and rebellion against God’s authority (Jude 4).

TRUE LEADERS SERVE

A genuine servant of Christ does not use people to build himself. He gives himself to build others. “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Spiritual leadership is not about being noticed, praised, or followed. It is about faithfully pointing people to Jesus Christ.

A man may have a platform and still lack a servant’s heart. He may have followers and still not be following Christ. He may know how to preach to people while refusing to submit himself to God. True spiritual authority begins with submission to the authority of God.

TRUE LEADERS BEAR FRUIT

Jude described false teachers with some striking pictures. They were “clouds without water,” “late autumn trees without fruit,” and wandering stars destined for darkness (Jude 12–13). What a picture. They promised much but produced little. They looked impressive from a distance, but there was no spiritual fruit to sustain the people who trusted them.

Jesus gave us the same principle: “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). Character eventually reveals what appearance can conceal. Time has a way of exposing what a person really is.

TRUE LEADERS POINT TO CHRIST

The greatest test of a spiritual leader is not how much attention he draws to himself but how faithfully he directs attention toward Christ. John the Baptist understood this when he said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

False teachers make much of themselves. True servants make much of Jesus.

False teachers seek control. True servants seek to help people grow.

False teachers are motivated by what they can gain. True servants are willing to give.

False teachers may impress people for a season, but eventually their fruit tells the truth. God is not deceived by appearances, titles, personalities, popularity, or platforms. He sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

So do not be deceived by a religious appearance. Test what you hear by the Word of God. Watch the fruit. Examine the character. Listen for Christ to be exalted rather than man. The safest spiritual leader is not the one who makes you admire him most, but the one who continually leads you closer to Jesus.

BDD

#80 STAY AWAY FROM WITCHCRAFT 9-3-26

There are some doors that God never intended His people to open. One of those doors is the door of witchcraft. In 1 Samuel 28, King Saul had reached a terrible place in his rebellion against God. When the Lord would not answer him, Saul sought out a woman who practiced witchcraft. He knew better, yet desperation drove him toward something God had forbidden.

What makes this passage especially sobering is what happened when the woman was asked to bring up Samuel. When she saw what happened, she cried out with a loud voice and was greatly afraid (1 Samuel 28:12). Even she appears to have been shocked. Whatever she expected to happen, she did not seem to expect this. The text presents an extraordinary intervention of God in the situation. Saul had gone looking for the darkness, but God remained sovereign over what took place.

We need to understand something important. Witchcraft is real as a sinful practice, but we do not have to believe every claim made by people who practice it. Satan is a deceiver, and people can deceive themselves and others. Not every fortune teller knows the future. Not every medium actually communicates with the dead. Not every occult claim represents supernatural power. We should not become so radical in our opposition to witchcraft that we give the devil more power than the Bible gives him.

At the same time, we must never become so skeptical that we treat occult practices as harmless entertainment. God plainly commanded His people to stay away from them. He warned Israel against mediums, spiritists, divination, witchcraft, and attempts to communicate with the dead (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). These things do not belong in the life of someone who trusts God.

The tragedy of Saul was not merely that he consulted a woman of witchcraft. The deeper tragedy was that he stopped trusting God when God did not give him the answer he wanted. When heaven seemed silent, Saul looked somewhere else. That is where many people get into trouble. When God does not answer quickly, we begin searching for another voice. When prayer seems unanswered, we become vulnerable to anything promising certainty.

But God’s silence is not an invitation to seek the devil. God’s silence is an invitation to wait, trust, pray, and obey.

We do not need tarot cards when we have the Word of God. We do not need mediums when we have access to the Father through Jesus Christ. We do not need horoscopes to tell us our future when our future rests in the hands of a sovereign God. We do not need to consult the darkness when we can walk in the light.

There is also a danger in becoming fascinated with the occult while claiming to oppose it. We do not need to spend our lives studying demons, devils, witches, and darkness. Our eyes need to be fixed on Jesus Christ. The best way to recognize darkness is to know the light. The best way to resist deception is to know the truth. The best way to avoid the counterfeit is to remain close to the genuine.

Saul’s story ends tragically because he chose another source when he should have returned to God. Let us learn from his mistake. Stay away from witchcraft. Stay away from the occult. Stay away from attempts to contact the dead and from practices God has forbidden. But do not live in irrational fear of people who claim supernatural powers. God is greater. Christ is Lord. Satan is not God’s equal.

Our confidence is not in our ability to understand every mystery. Our confidence is in the One who understands every mystery. We do not have to fear the darkness when we belong to the One who is the Light of the world.

BDD

#79 LICENSE, LEGALISM, AND LIBERTY 9-3-26

There are two ditches on the road of Christianity, and neither one is where God wants us to live. On one side is legalism. On the other side is license. Between them is the road of liberty. We must learn to stay in the middle of the road, following Christ in the freedom of grace without falling into either extreme.

LICENSE

License says, “I am free, so I can do whatever I want.” But Christian liberty is never permission to live in sin. “Do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). Grace does not give us freedom from holiness. Grace gives us freedom to pursue holiness. We are not saved so that we can continue living for ourselves. We are saved so that we can live for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15).

LEGALISM

Legalism says, “I must do enough to be acceptable to God.” It takes the freedom of the gospel and replaces it with human rules, regulations, traditions, and performance. Jesus warned about honoring human commandments as though they were divine commands (Matthew 15:8-9). We must obey God, but we must never confuse obedience with earning salvation. We are saved by grace through faith, not by the works of the law (Ephesians 2:8-9).

LIBERTY

Liberty says, “I belong to Christ, and because I belong to Him, I am free to follow Him.” Biblical liberty is not the freedom to do whatever the flesh desires. It is the freedom to love God, serve others, pursue holiness, and walk according to the Spirit. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free” (Galatians 5:1).

The road is narrow, and the ditches are real. License takes grace too far. Legalism takes law too far. Liberty keeps us centered on Christ. We do not need to live in fear that we have failed to satisfy every human rule, nor do we need to live carelessly because we think grace makes sin unimportant. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and walk faithfully with Him.

Stay out of the ditch. Do not turn toward license. Do not turn toward legalism. Keep it in the middle of the road with liberty. Let grace be your foundation, truth be your guide, love be your motive, and Christ be your destination.

_________________

Father, keep me from the ditches of license and legalism. Help me to understand and live in the liberty Christ has given me. Let my freedom never become an excuse for sin, and let my obedience never become an attempt to earn Your grace. Keep my eyes on Jesus and my feet on the road of truth. Amen.

BDD

#78 THE DAYS ARE LONG AND THE DAYS ARE SHORT 9-3-26

There are days that seem to last forever, and there are days that seem to disappear before we realize they have begun. When we are young, the days can seem long and the years seem far away. As we grow older, the days seem to move faster and the years seem to disappear. Life has a way of teaching us that time is both long and short.

Some days are long because they are difficult. We wait for an answer. We endure a trial. We walk through loneliness. We wonder when circumstances will change. But even on the longest day, God is present. He has not forgotten us in the waiting. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Other days are short because they are filled with blessings. A conversation with someone we love, a meal around the table, a good laugh, a quiet morning, or an ordinary moment of peace can pass before we realize how precious it was. Sometimes we wish we could stop the clock and hold on to a particular moment just a little longer.

The truth is that we cannot make the days longer, but we can make the days count. We do not know how many days God has appointed for us, but we know that every day is an opportunity to love somebody, encourage somebody, forgive somebody, serve somebody, pray for somebody, and point somebody toward Christ. “This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Do not despise the long days, and do not take the short days for granted. The long days are teaching us patience. The short days are reminding us to cherish what matters. Both are gifts from God, and both can be used for His glory.

One day we will look back and realize that the days we thought would never end actually did end. The children grew up. The seasons changed. Friends came and went. Doors opened and closed. And our own lives moved forward one day at a time. That is why we should not simply ask how long we have. We should ask what we are doing with the day God has given us.

So whatever kind of day this is, make it count. If it is a long day, trust God through it. If it is a short day, thank God for it. If it is a hard day, walk with Him through it. If it is a beautiful day, enjoy His blessings. And whatever today brings, give today to Jesus.

_______________

Lord, thank You for the days You have given us. Help us when the days are long and remind us to cherish them when they are short. Teach us to live faithfully in the present moment, to love while we have the opportunity, to serve while we have the strength, and to make every day count for Your glory. Amen.

BDD

#77 THE GOD WHO DOESN’T CHANGE 9-3-26

Life can sometimes feel like “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” One moment everything seems calm, and the next moment everything changes. Plans change. People change. Circumstances change. Our health can change. Our finances can change. Even our emotions can change from one day to the next. We live in a world that seems to be constantly moving.

But it is wonderful knowing that God does not change. “For I am the LORD, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). While everything around us may be shifting, God remains the same. His character has not changed. His promises have not changed. His love has not changed. His grace has not changed.

Sometimes we spend so much time trying to hold everything together that we forget who is actually holding us. We cannot control tomorrow. We cannot prevent every difficulty. We cannot keep every person from disappointing us. But we can trust the God who holds tomorrow in His hands. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

So when life starts jumping around, stand still in your faith. When circumstances are changing, keep your eyes on Christ. When you do not understand what God is doing, trust who God is. You may not know what tomorrow will bring, but you know who will be there when tomorrow comes.

Life may be a little like “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” but the Christian has an anchor that does not move. The world changes. We change. Circumstances change. But Jesus never changes. And that is enough to give us peace today.

__________________

Lord, when life feels uncertain and everything seems to be moving around us, help us remember that You remain unchanging. Teach us to trust You when we cannot understand You and to rest in Your promises when circumstances are difficult. Keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus, our eternal hope and our unchanging Savior. Amen.

BDD

Livestream Preaching Times for Thursday, September 3, 2026

5:30 AM

“God Speaks Through His Son”

(Hebrews 1:1-2)

10:00 AM

“Through Whom He Made the Universe”

(Hebrews 1:3)

2:00 PM

“The Express Image of His Person”

(Hebrews 1:3)

5:00 pm

“The Bitter Truth About Sweet Grace”

(Revelation 10)

TikTok: @dewaynedunawayministries

All times CST

#76 THANKFUL 9-2-26

There is always something for which we can be thankful. Sometimes we look at what we do not have and forget to thank God for what we do have. We may not have perfect circumstances, perfect health, or perfect days, but we have a God who is faithful through them all. “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

We can be thankful for our health. Every breath is a gift from God. Every morning we awaken is another opportunity to live, serve, love, and glorify Him. We often do not appreciate the simple blessings of a healthy body until sickness reminds us how precious they are. Whether our health is strong or our bodies are struggling, we can still thank God for the life He has given us. “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

We can be thankful for our help. We were never created to walk through this life alone. God is our refuge, our strength, and our ever-present help in trouble. When we do not know what to do, He knows. When we do not know where to turn, He is there. When our strength fails, His strength remains. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

We can also be thankful for our hope. Our hope is not found in circumstances that change. It is found in Christ who never changes. The world may disappoint us, people may fail us, and tomorrow may be uncertain, but Jesus remains our hope. Because He lives, we can face today. Because He is with us, we can face tomorrow. Because He has promised eternal life, we can face eternity without fear. “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

So today, stop and give thanks. Thank God for the health you have. Thank Him for the help He provides. And above all, thank Him for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. There is always a reason to be thankful when God is in our lives.

_______________

Lord, thank You for every breath You give us, for every hand that helps us, and for every promise that gives us hope. Teach us not to take Your blessings for granted. Give us thankful hearts that see Your goodness even in difficult days. Help us to remember that our greatest blessing is not what You have placed in our hands, but the hope You have placed in our hearts through Jesus Christ. Amen.

BDD

#75 THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES 9-2-26

“Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ So I answered, ‘O Lord God, You know’”(Ezekiel 37:3).

The prophet Ezekiel was taken by the Spirit of God to a valley filled with dry bones. The scene was bleak and lifeless. These were not fresh bones, but bones that had been scattered and dried in the sun. They represented a people who felt completely defeated, hopeless, and cut off from their future.

God asked Ezekiel a question: “Can these bones live?”

Ezekiel did not pretend to know the answer. He replied, “O Lord God, You know.” He understood that what looked impossible to human eyes was completely possible for God.

Then God told Ezekiel to speak to the bones. As he obeyed, the bones began to come together. Tendons and flesh appeared, and skin covered them. But there was still no breath in them. The bodies had been restored, but they were not alive.

God then told Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath. When Ezekiel obeyed, breath entered the bodies, and they stood on their feet as a vast army. God had brought life into what appeared to be completely dead.

The Lord explained the meaning of the vision: “These bones are the whole house of Israel.” The people had lost hope and believed their future was gone. But God promised to open their graves, bring them out, and restore them to life. He would put His Spirit within them and return them to their land.

This vision was first given to Israel, but its message still speaks powerfully to us today.

GOD SEES WHAT WE CANNOT SEE

Ezekiel saw a valley of bones. God saw the possibility of restoration. We often look at our circumstances and see only failure, loss, and impossibility. We may see a broken marriage, a wayward child, a damaged reputation, a lost opportunity, or a spiritual life that feels dry and empty.

But God is not limited by what we see. He sees beyond the present condition. He knows what He can restore, rebuild, and revive.

The question is not whether the situation looks hopeless to us. The question is whether anything is impossible for God. The answer is no. God can bring life where we see only death. He can create a future where we see only ruins.

GOD CALLS US TO SPEAK HIS WORD

God told Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones. Ezekiel could not create life by his own power, but he could obey God’s command. He spoke because God told him to speak.

We also need to speak God’s truth into situations that appear hopeless. This does not mean denying reality or pretending that pain does not exist. It means refusing to let despair have the final word.

God’s Word brings truth, direction, correction, comfort, and hope. When our hearts are dry, The Scriptures remind us of God’s faithfulness. When we feel defeated, His promises strengthen us. When we believe our story is over, His Word reminds us that He is still working.

We must be careful not to speak empty optimism. Our hope is not based on positive thinking. Our hope is based on the character and promises of God.

RESTORATION MAY HAPPEN IN STAGES

The bones did not become a living army all at once. First, they came together. Then tendons and flesh appeared. Skin covered them. Finally, breath entered them.

This reminds us that God’s work in our lives may happen gradually. We may want immediate change, but God often restores us one step at a time. He may first bring order to what has been scattered. Then He may rebuild what has been damaged. Finally, He breathes new spiritual life into us.

Do not despise the early stages of restoration. A small step is still progress. A renewed desire to pray, a willingness to forgive, a return to God’s Word, or the courage to ask for help may be evidence that God is already working.

Even when the process seems incomplete, God is not finished.

OUTWARD CHANGE IS NOT ENOUGH

The bodies in Ezekiel’s vision were formed, but they were not alive until the breath entered them. This is an important reminder that outward improvement alone is not the same as spiritual life.

A person may change habits, improve circumstances, or appear strong on the outside while remaining empty within. True life comes from the Spirit of God.

We need more than repaired circumstances. We need renewed hearts. We need God’s presence. We need the Holy Spirit to breathe life into our worship, our obedience, our relationships, and our purpose.

The Christian life is not merely about looking alive. It is about being made alive through God.

GOD CAN RESTORE HOPE

The people of Israel said, “Our bones are dry, our hope is lost; we ourselves are cut off.” Their words describe the condition of many people today. Some have lost hope because of years of disappointment. Others feel trapped by past mistakes. Some are exhausted from grief, loneliness, illness, or financial pressure.

But God promised Israel, “I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live.” Their future did not depend on their strength. It depended on God’s faithfulness.

Our hope also rests in God. We may not know how He will work, when He will act, or what the final outcome will be. But we can trust that He is able to sustain us and restore what is according to His will.

Sometimes God restores a situation. Sometimes He restores our strength in the middle of it. Sometimes He gives us grace to endure until the final restoration that will come through Christ. In every case, He remains faithful.

WE MUST RESPOND IN OBEDIENCE

Ezekiel had to obey before he saw the result. He spoke to the bones when they were still dry. He spoke to the breath when the bodies were still lifeless. His obedience came before the miracle was complete.

There may be things God is asking us to do before we see change. He may be calling us to pray again, forgive someone, seek wise counsel, return to church, confess sin, serve others, or take a step of faith.

We cannot control the outcome, but we can obey the instruction God has given us. Faithfulness means doing what God asks, even when the evidence of change is not yet visible.

A MESSAGE FOR OUR LIVES TODAY

The valley of dry bones reminds us that no situation is beyond God’s power. It teaches us not to confuse present circumstances with final outcomes. What looks dead may still be within God’s reach.

If your faith feels dry, ask God to breathe new life into you. If your family is broken, continue to pray and obey. If your dreams have been buried, place them in God’s hands. If you have failed, remember that failure does not have to be the end of your story. If you feel forgotten, remember that God sees you in the valley.

Do not give up simply because you cannot yet see the finished work. The bones came together before the army stood. The process was evidence that God was moving.

The same God who spoke life into the valley is still able to restore hope, renew hearts, and bring purpose out of brokenness. He is not intimidated by dry places. He is not discouraged by scattered pieces. He is not limited by what appears impossible.

When God speaks, dead things can live again.

BDD

#74 WALKING IN THE LIGHT 9-2-26

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

God does not ask us to understand everything that will happen tomorrow. He asks us to walk with Him today. The Christian life is not lived ten years at a time, or even a year at a time. It is lived one day at a time. God gives us enough light for the step before us, and He calls us to trust Him with the road we cannot yet see.

One day at a time. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow has not arrived. Today is the day God has placed before us. Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” (Matthew 6:34) We do not have to carry tomorrow’s burdens today. We simply need to be faithful with the day God has given us.

One step at a time. Sometimes we want God to show us the entire path before we take the first step. But faith often means taking the next step without seeing everything ahead. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) A lamp does not illuminate the entire journey. It gives enough light for the next step. Keep walking. God will provide the light you need as you go.

One prayer at a time. Prayer does not have to be complicated. Sometimes all we can say is, “Lord, help me.” Sometimes it is, “Lord, give me strength.” Sometimes it is simply, “Thank You.” God hears the sincere prayer of His children. “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Prayer keeps our hearts turned toward God as we walk through the ordinary moments of life.

One good deed at a time. We cannot solve every problem in the world, but we can do some good today. We can encourage someone. We can forgive someone. We can feed someone who is hungry. We can visit someone who is lonely. We can speak a kind word. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all.” (Galatians 6:10). One act of kindness may seem small to us, but we never know what God can do with something done in love.

One trusting moment at a time. Faith is not merely trusting God when everything makes sense. Faith is trusting Him when it does not. There will be moments when we do not understand what God is doing. There will be prayers we do not understand the answers to. There will be roads we would not have chosen. But we can still say, “I trust You, Lord.” “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

Walking in the light does not mean that we never stumble. It means that when we stumble, we get back up and keep walking with Christ. It means we do not turn back into the darkness. We confess our sins, receive His cleansing, and continue the journey. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness@ (1 John 1:9).

So do not become overwhelmed by everything ahead of you. You do not have to live tomorrow today. You do not have to take ten steps today. Take the next step God has placed before you.

One day at a time.
One step at a time.
One prayer at a time.
One good deed at a time.
One trusting moment at a time.

Keep walking in the light.

The God who has brought you this far will be faithful for the next step. You may not know where the road leads, but you know who walks beside you. And sometimes that is all the light we need.

________________

Father, help us to walk in Your light today. Keep us from becoming consumed by yesterday or overwhelmed by tomorrow. Give us grace for this day, wisdom for the next step, strength for the next prayer, and love for the next opportunity to do good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

#73 WHICH MAKES MORE SENSE? 9-2-26

Sometimes we need to step back from all the arguments and simply ask a question: Which makes more sense? Does it make more sense to believe that everything we see, everything we know, and everything that exists ultimately came from nothing, or does it make more sense to believe that behind creation stands an eternal God?

The Bible begins with four simple words: “In the beginning God created” (Genesis 1:1). The Bible does not begin by trying to explain where God came from. God is presented as the One who already was. He is eternal. He is not part of creation. He is the Creator. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2).

Think about the alternative. If there is no God, then ultimately there is nothing. No matter. No energy. No space. No time. No consciousness. No laws of nature. Nothing. Yet somehow, without a Creator, there is now a universe filled with matter, energy, order, beauty, complexity, and life. We are then asked to believe that everything came from nothing.

But nothing cannot create something. Nothing has no power, no intelligence, no intention, and no ability to act. If there were literally nothing, there would still be nothing. The question is not merely, “How did the universe develop?” The deeper question is, “Why is there something rather than nothing?”

It makes more sense to me to believe that there is an eternal God than to believe that everything ultimately came from nothing. If we see a house, we assume there was a builder. If we see a painting, we assume there was an artist. If we discover a book, we know there was an author. Order points us toward intelligence. Design points us toward a designer. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

And then there is life itself. We are not simply looking at rocks and stars. We are looking at living beings who think, reason, love, communicate, create, and recognize meaning. We possess consciousness. We ask questions about our existence. We search for purpose. The Christian does not have to believe that all of this is ultimately meaningless. We believe it exists because we were created by a God who has purpose.

Faith in God is not believing in something simply because we refuse to think. In fact, the Bible says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1) Creation itself gives testimony that there is a Creator. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” (Romans 1:20)

Of course, there are questions we cannot answer completely. There are mysteries surrounding creation that remain beyond our understanding. But unanswered questions do not make unbelief more reasonable. Saying, “I don’t know exactly how God did it” is very different from saying, “Therefore there is no God.” We should be careful not to replace one kind of faith with another. Everyone begins with assumptions about ultimate reality.

So which makes more sense?

That nothing somehow produced everything, without intelligence, purpose, or power?

Or that an eternal, intelligent, powerful God created what we see?

For me, the answer is clear. I do not find it harder to believe that God exists. I find it far harder to believe that God does not exist and that everything ultimately came from nothing.

“In the beginning God.” (Genesis 1:1)

Before there was a universe, there was God. Before there was time, there was God. Before there was life, there was God. And because God is the beginning behind all things, our existence is not an accident and our lives are not without purpose.

The God who created the heavens and the earth is the same God who calls us to know Him. Creation tells us that He is there. The Bible tells us who He is. And Christ shows us His heart.

BDD

#72 ONE BODY 9-2-26

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ” 1 Corinthians 12:12).

God never intended His people to live as isolated individuals. He called us into a body. We are different people with different backgrounds, different gifts, different personalities, and different experiences, but when we come to Christ, we become one in Him. Our differences do not have to divide us because Christ is greater than our differences.

One in Christ. Our unity begins with Jesus. We are not united because we agree on everything or because we have the same preferences. We are united because we belong to the same Lord. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26) Christ is our common ground, our common Savior, and our common hope. When our eyes remain fixed on Him, we have less reason to focus on the things that separate us.

One in fellowship. The early church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42). Christianity was never meant to be lived alone. We need one another. We encourage one another, pray for one another, bear one another’s burdens, forgive one another, and strengthen one another. Fellowship is more than sitting in the same building. It is sharing life together under the Lordship of Christ.

One in purpose. We have not been saved merely to occupy a seat or to take up space in the world. We have been called to glorify God and make Christ known. Jesus prayed that His followers would be one so that the world might believe (John 17:21). When God’s people are united in purpose, our lives become a testimony. We may have different gifts, but we have one mission. We may have different responsibilities, but we serve one kingdom.

One in love. Paul tells us to “walk in love, as Christ also has loved us.” (Ephesians 5:2). Love is what allows unity to survive our differences. Without love, even truth can become a weapon. Without love, fellowship becomes fragile. Without love, our purpose becomes little more than activity. But when we love one another as Christ has loved us, we become willing to bear with one another, forgive one another, and seek the good of one another. “Above all things have fervent love for one another” (1 Peter 4:8).

One body. One in Christ. One in fellowship. One in purpose. One in love.

This does not mean that we will always agree about everything. It means that our disagreements do not have to destroy our love. It does not mean that we are all alike. It means that we belong to the same body. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4).

The world has enough division. The church should show the world something different. We should show what happens when imperfect people are brought together by a perfect Savior. We should demonstrate that Christ can take people who are different and make them one.

Let us not spend our lives building walls between ourselves. Let us build bridges of grace. Let us not compete with one another. Let us serve one another. Let us not look for reasons to separate. Let us look for reasons to love.

We are one body because we have one Savior. We have one fellowship because we share one faith. We have one purpose because we serve one Lord. And we have one love because Christ first loved us.

_________________

Father, thank You for making us one in Christ. Help us to walk together in fellowship, serve together in purpose, and love one another with the love of Christ. Forgive us when pride, selfishness, or disagreement creates division among us. Teach us to value one another, encourage one another, and bear with one another. May Your church be one body that faithfully displays the love and grace of Jesus to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

#71 REDEEMING THE TIME 9-2-26

“See then that you walk carefully, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Time is one of the greatest gifts God has placed into our hands, yet it is a gift we cannot keep. Money can be saved. Possessions can be stored. Things can be replaced. But yesterday can never be recovered, and tomorrow is not promised. Every moment that passes becomes part of eternity. That is why Paul tells us to redeem the time. We are not merely to let time pass. We are to use the time God gives us for His glory.

Learn from the past. We should never live in the past, but we should learn from it. Yesterday contains lessons that can make us wiser today. Our failures can teach us humility. Our victories can remind us of God’s faithfulness. Our mistakes can become warnings. Even our painful experiences can become places where God teaches us something we could not have learned any other way. Paul said, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning.” (Romans 15:4) Do not continually look behind you with regret. Look behind you long enough to learn, then turn your eyes forward and walk with God.

Look to the future. The Christian does not have to fear tomorrow because tomorrow belongs to God. We do not know what tomorrow will bring, but we know who holds tomorrow. There are things ahead of us that we cannot see, but there is a God who sees everything. The Bible tells us to set our minds on things above and to keep our eyes on the eternal things that cannot be seen. (Colossians 3:1-2; 2 Corinthians 4:18) We can look toward the future with hope because our future is in the hands of Christ.

But there is something we must never forget.

Live in the present. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not arrived. The only moment God has placed directly into our hands is this moment. We can waste today wishing we could change yesterday, or we can waste today worrying about tomorrow. Neither will accomplish the will of God. Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” (Matthew 6:34) There is grace for today, strength for today, work for today, opportunities for today, and people for us to love today.

Sometimes we miss what God is doing right in front of us because our minds are trapped somewhere else. We are looking backward at what we cannot change or looking forward at what we cannot control. Meanwhile, the present moment is passing away. A conversation with someone who needs encouragement is happening now. An opportunity to serve is happening now. A person who needs to hear about Jesus may be standing in front of us now. The time to pray, obey, forgive, love, serve, and proclaim Christ is now.

Redeeming the time does not mean trying to control every minute of our lives. It means surrendering our minutes to God. It means asking, “Lord, what would You have me do with this moment?” We cannot relive yesterday, and we cannot live tomorrow today. But we can give God today.

So learn from the past without living there. Look toward the future without fearing it. Live in the present without wasting it. Yesterday may teach you. Tomorrow may inspire you. But today is where God has placed you.

The clock is moving. The days are passing. Eternity is drawing nearer. Therefore, “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) Do not wait for a better day to serve God. Do not wait for a better opportunity to love someone. Do not wait for tomorrow to become what God has called you to be today.

Redeem the time. Give God your past, trust Him with your future, and faithfully live for Him in the present.

________________

Father, thank You for the gift of time. Help us learn from yesterday without being imprisoned by it. Help us look toward tomorrow with faith instead of fear. Most of all, help us faithfully live in the present, using every opportunity You give us to love, serve, obey, and glorify You. Teach us to redeem the time because the days are passing quickly. May we never waste the moments You have placed in our hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

Livestream Preaching Times for Wednesday, September 2, 2026

5:30 AM

“Blessed Are The Merciful”

(Matthew 5:7)

10:00 AM

“Pure in Heart”

(Matthew 5:8)

2:00 PM

“Peacemakers”

(Matthew 5:9)

5:00 pm

“Persecuted for Righteousness Sake”

(Matthew 5:10)

TikTok: @dewaynedunawayministries

All times CST

#70 THE DELUSION OF INDEPENDENCE 9-1-26

One of the greatest delusions of life is believing that we can live without God. We may call it independence, strength, self-sufficiency, or simply being our own person. But underneath it all is the ancient temptation to say, “I can do this on my own.” From the beginning, humanity has been tempted to believe that we can determine our own way and live without depending upon our Creator. The serpent told Eve that she could be like God (Genesis 3:5), and the deception continues today.

We were never created to live independently of God. Every breath we take is a gift from Him. Every ability we possess comes from Him. Every opportunity we have ultimately rests in His providence. Paul said, “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). We may think we are standing on our own, but we are standing because God has given us the strength to stand.

Jesus made the matter even clearer when He said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). He did not say we could do a few things without Him. He said we can do nothing. We may build businesses, accumulate possessions, achieve success, and become respected by others, but none of those things can give us spiritual life. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot cleanse our own hearts. We cannot make ourselves right with God. We need Christ.

The world tells us to believe in ourselves. The Bible tells us to trust in God. The world tells us to follow our hearts. The Bible tells us to surrender our hearts to God. The world celebrates self-sufficiency, but the Gospel teaches dependence. The Christian life does not begin with saying, “I can handle this.” It begins with saying, “Lord, I need You.”

Dependence upon God does not mean that we become lazy, irresponsible, or unwilling to work. God expects us to use what He has given us. We should think, work, plan, serve, and make wise decisions. But we do all of these things with the humble recognition that our sufficiency is not in ourselves. “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

Sometimes God allows us to discover the weakness of our independence by taking us through circumstances we cannot control. We discover that money cannot solve everything. People cannot fix everything. Human wisdom cannot answer every question. Our strength eventually reaches its limits. But when our strength runs out, God’s strength has not diminished. Paul learned this when he heard the Lord say, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The strange thing about the Christian life is that the way to become stronger is not to need God less. It is to recognize that we need Him more. The more we depend upon Christ, the more we discover His strength working through us. We do not lose ourselves when we surrender to God. We finally become what He created us to be.

Independence promises freedom, but independence from God is a prison. Dependence upon God is true freedom. When we stop trying to carry what only God can carry, we find peace. When we stop trying to accomplish what only God can accomplish, we find humility. When we stop trying to control what belongs in God’s hands, we find rest.

We were never meant to walk alone. We were created by God, sustained by God, redeemed through Christ, and strengthened by His grace. The greatest freedom is not being free from God. It is being free to live completely for God.

_________________

Lord, deliver us from the delusion that we can live without You. Forgive us for the times we have trusted our own wisdom, strength, and plans more than we have trusted You. Teach us to depend upon You in everything. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

#69 GOING PLACES WITH GOD 9-1-26

God has plans for you. He has plans for all of us. There is a purpose for our lives that is greater than simply getting through another day. Sometimes we cannot see where God is taking us, but that does not mean He does not know the way. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Going places with God begins with surrender. We often want God to bless the plans we have already made, but faith requires us to place our plans in His hands. “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). When we surrender ourselves to Him, we become willing to go where He leads, even when the destination is not yet clear.

We may think we know what our lives should look like. We make our schedules, establish our goals, and determine our direction. But God sees what we cannot see. He knows what is ahead, what is behind, and what is happening around us. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Sometimes God’s direction comes one step at a time. Abraham went out without knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). The disciples left their nets and followed Jesus (Matthew 4:19-20). Paul was willing to change his plans when God opened and closed doors (Acts 16:6-10). They did not have the entire journey mapped out. They simply trusted the One who was leading them.

There may be places God wants you to go, people He wants you to reach, things He wants you to learn, and work He wants you to accomplish that you cannot see right now. Do not become discouraged because you do not know everything. You do not have to know the whole plan to trust the One who has the plan.

Surrender does not mean that life will always be easy. It means that we do not have to walk through it alone. When God closes one door, trust Him. When He opens another, walk through it. When He tells you to wait, wait. When He calls you to move, move. When you cannot understand what He is doing, keep trusting Him.

God has plans for you. He has plans for all of us. We may not know exactly where those plans will take us, but if we surrender ourselves to Him, we can discover His purpose one step at a time. The greatest adventure is not going where we want to go. It is going where God leads.

_______________

Lord, I surrender my plans to You. Take my life, my dreams, my abilities, my failures, and my future, and use them for Your glory. Help me to trust You when I cannot see the road ahead. Give me the courage to follow wherever You lead and the faith to believe that Your purpose is better than anything I could plan for myself. Lead me, Lord, and let my life go wherever You want it to go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD

#68 THE TRUTH 9-1-26

Truth is not something we merely hear once and then forget. Truth is something we must receive, understand, and embrace. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). But before truth can transform our lives, we must be willing to listen to it, learn it, and love it.

LISTEN TO THE TRUTH

The first step is simply to hear what God has said. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We live in a world filled with voices, opinions, philosophies, traditions, and distractions. Not every voice deserves our attention. The child of God must learn to quiet the noise of the world and listen to the voice of God.

Listening requires humility. We cannot listen to God while insisting that we already know everything. We must come to His Word with an open heart and say, “Lord, teach me.” Sometimes the truth will encourage us. Sometimes it will correct us. Sometimes it will convict us. But whether it comforts us or confronts us, we must listen.

LEARN THE TRUTH

Hearing the truth is not enough. We must take what we hear and seek to understand it. “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (John 8:31). Disciples are learners. We study God’s Word, meditate upon it, examine it, and allow it to shape the way we think and live.

The more we learn God’s truth, the more clearly we see God Himself. We learn about His holiness, His righteousness, His mercy, His grace, and His love. We learn about our sin and our need for a Savior. We learn that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Truth is not merely information to store in our minds. It is revelation that should transform our lives.

LOVE THE TRUTH

There is a difference between knowing the truth and loving the truth. Some people know what God’s Word says but do not want to obey it. Paul warned about those who “did not receive the love of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10). God wants us not only to recognize truth but to treasure it.

When we love the truth, we will not run from it when it exposes us. We will welcome correction because we would rather be changed by truth than comforted by error. We will choose God’s Word over our feelings, God’s wisdom over human opinion, and God’s way over our own way.

Listen to the truth. Learn the truth. Love the truth.

Listen with your ears. Learn with your mind. Love with your heart. And when truth has reached the heart, let it reach your hands and your life. The truth we truly love is the truth we will live.

______________

Lord, keep us from rejecting truth because it is uncomfortable or difficult. Help us to receive Your Word with humility, believe it with faith, and live it with obedience. May Your truth become more than something we hear. May it become the foundation upon which we build our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BDD