18th July 2026

The Lamplighter

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works

and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:16

Today's Bible Reading: Matthew 5:14-16.

Twilight gave way to darkness across Victorian London. The horse-drawn cab carrying Charles Spurgeon clattered towards the bottom of the hill. A single light appeared up ahead. Then another. And another. Ascending, one by one, to the summit. A lamplighter, invisible in the gloom, was igniting the wicks of the streetlamps. 

Preacher, author and activist for the poor, Spurgeon was a well-known figure. Yet he was deeply stirred by the influence of the humble, unknown lamplighter. “I do wish,” he wrote, “that my life may be spent igniting one soul after another with the sacred flame of eternal life.” Significantly, he added, he himself should remain, as far as possible, unseen. 

It is natural to want to be noticed for the things that we do. Yet the unseen lamplighter’s influence beautifully illustrates what it means to live as “the light of the world” (v 14). When we are prepared to turn the focus away from ourselves, others “will see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (v 16). What a privilege that our lives have been infused with the self-giving nature of Christ’s love and grace so that others may be drawn to His distinctive beauty through us (v 16).  

We bring Christ’s presence to everyone we meet. May we gently dispel any darkness of fear or unbelief by shining His light into their lives, rather than seeking to focus on ourselves. 

Prayer: Forgive me, Lord Jesus, when I seek praise for myself. Inspire me as Your light-bearer to turn other’s attention to You. In Your wonderful name I pray. Amen.

17th July 2026

The Mind of Christ

“God has not given us a spirit of fear,

but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

2 Timothy 1:7

Today's Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 1:3-7.

Many diseases of both body and mind are self-inflicted. For example, ulcers are often caused by worry and anxiety. Heart attacks are caused many times by overexertion. Unjustified worry, fear, prejudice, hatred, and envy can contribute to mental stress, which could lead to mental illness. So one way to have a healthy mind is to avoid those practices. But the Bible way to a healthy mind is this, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” If you have the mind of Christ, worry will be offset by trust, enmity by love, and fear by faith.

Prayer: Fears sometimes seem as if they would overwhelm me, Lord God, but then I remember Your gift of power, love, and a healthy mind. Thank You for the promise of healing and love, as I keep my mind on You, and my beloved Lord Jesus. Amen. 

16th July 2026

Released From Slavery

“‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians,

I will rescue you . . . I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.”

Exodus 6:6

Today's Bible Reading: Exodus 6:1-8.

The Israelites had been oppressed by the Egyptians for hundreds of years, labouring under harsh conditions. They cried out to God, asking for help (Exodus 2:23). But their workload increased, because the new pharaoh ordered them not only to make bricks but also to gather the straw for making the bricks (5:6-8). When the Israelites continued to cry out against the oppression, God restated His promise to be their God (6:7). No longer would they be slaves, because He would redeem them with “an outstretched arm” (v 6).

Under God’s direction, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt (Ex 14). Today God still delivers us through the outstretched arms of His Son, Jesus, on the cross. We are set free from a far greater enslavement to the sin that once controlled us. We are no longer slaves, but free! Furthermore, just as God heard the cries of Israel in Egypt, He still sees the burdens and struggles of His people today, and He remains faithful to His promises.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for sending Your Son to give me freedom from my sin. In His name I praise You. Amen.