16th April 2026

Light And Shadow

"But at midnight Paul and Silas

were praying and singing hymns to God . . ."

Acts 16:25

Today's Bible Reading: Acts 16:25-32.

All the great masterpieces of art contain both light and shadow. Likewise, a happy life is one filled not only with sunshine, but one which uses both light and shadow to produce beauty. The greatest musicians, as a rule, are those who know how to bring song out of sadness. The blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby, her spirit aglow with faith in Christ, saw more with her sightless eyes than most of us do with normal vision. She has given us some of the greatest gospel songs which cheer and encourgae our hearts and lives. In a rat-infested jail in Philippi, Paul and Silas sang their song of praise at midnight to the accompaniment of the jailer’s whip (Acts 16:25). But their patience in suffering and persecution led to the heathen warden’s conviction, and salvation. Thus the Lord often brings His sweetest music out of our darkest nights, and teaches us that even suffering, when borne in faith, may become a song of praise unto God.

Prayer: God of Light and Hope, let my heart learn to sing when everything around me seems so dark. Give me Your grace to praise You, I ask. In the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

15th April 2026

Washed

"But you were washed, . . . sanctified,

. . . justified in the name of the Lord Jesus

and by the Spirit of our God."

1 Corinthians 6:11 

Today's Bible Reading: Titus 3:3-7.

In 1 Corinthians 6, after Paul gives several examples of how disobedience against God leads to separation from Him, he says, “That is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (v 11). “Washed,” “sanctified,” “justified”—Three words that point to believers being forgiven and made right with God.

Titus 3:4–5 tells us more about this miraculous thing called salvation. “God our Saviour . . . saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth.” Our sin keeps us from God, but through faith in Christ Jesus, sin’s penalty is washed away. We become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), gain access to our heavenly Father (Ephesians 2:18), and are made clean (1 John 1:7). Christ alone provides what we need to be washed fully from our sins.

Prayer: Almighty God, I know I have sinned against You. And I know that the penalty for my sin is separation from You. Thank You for the salvation You have made possible and for drawing me close to You forever, through Christ Your Son. Amen.

14th April 2026

Only Once

"Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many."

Hebrews 9:28 

Today's Bible Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28.

There are three key points in today's text from Hebrews 9:28.

First, Christ's Sacrifice: The verse emphasizes that Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. This refers to Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross, where He took upon Himself the sins of humanity. The sacrifice of Christ is central to Christian belief, as it provides redemption and forgiveness for believers.

Second, Second Coming: The verse also mentions that Christ will appear a second time. This is a reference to the Second Coming of Christ, which is an event eagerly awaited by believers. The Second Coming is associated with the fulfilment of God's salvation plan and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Third, Apart from Sin: The verse states that when Christ appears the second time, it will be "apart from sin." This indicates that His second coming will not be for the purpose of dealing with sin or making atonement, as He has already accomplished that through His first coming and sacrifice. Instead, His return will bring salvation and the consummation of God's redemptive work.

These points highlight the importance of Christ's sacrifice, the hope of His second coming, and the assurance of salvation for those who eagerly wait for Him.

Prayer: Lord and God, I thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore my sins on the cross. As Your Church eagerly await His second coming, fill us with hope and anticipation. Help us to live in righteousness and be a light in this world. In Jesus name, Amen.