1st October 2026

Blessing Others

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this:

to visit orphans and widows in their trouble,

and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

 James 1:27

Today's Bible Reading: James 1:22–27.

The 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, the Victorian reformer and philanthropist, described his father as a “selfish and cold-hearted bully”, and his mother as a “fiend”. But he found love and acceptance through his mother’s maid, Maria, who shared with him the Good-News of Jesus Christ.

He committed to following Jesus at the age of six. And God’s mercy and love would carry him through incredibly tough times. For instance, at seven he was sent to a public school where “the treatment was starvation and cruelty.” Maria died when he was only ten, leaving him heartbroken.

Having endured such a painful childhood, Shaftesbury later used his political and social clout to implement changes in law to protect children from being exploited. His social action was borne out of his love for God and daily Bible reading and prayer. He followed the instruction of James, writing to the Christians scattered about, to “look after orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). He was a keen proponent of both care for the vulnerable and seeking to be pure before God.

God used Shaftesbury greatly, redeeming the heartache of his childhood as he lived out his faith and beliefs. We too can find “blessing in what [we] do” (v 25). We can trust that our merciful God will multiply our efforts as we look out for those in need.

Prayer: Reforming God, You make all things new. You can take the hard things I experience and redeem them. Use me for Your glory. For Christ sake, I pray. Amen.

30th September 2026

Questions

"What do you want Me to do for you?”

Luke 18:41

Today's Bible Reading: Luke 18:35-43.

Questions are important, they stimulate discussion, creative or critical thinking, as well as determine how others are thinking. Questions also help us identify gaps in our understanding and can help in finding solutions. Furthermore, I have found, that asking questions can be away of sharing with others the Good-News of the Lord Jesus.

Asking questions, was also one of the ways the Lord used to tell the Good-News. For a man who was God and knew everything, the Lord Jesus asked a lot of questions. While we do not know His purposes, it is clear His questions prompted others to respond. He asked His disciple Andrew, “What do you want?” (John 1:38). He asked blind Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). He asked the paralysed man, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6). He asked His disciples “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (Mark 8:27). Transformation happened for each of these individuals after Jesus’ initial a question.

Is there someone you want to approach about matters of faith? Ask God to give you the right questions to ask.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, please help me to reach out to others in a way that can lead to transformation, I pray. Amen.

29th September 2026

Experience Christ

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.

The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."    

John 6:63

Today's Bible Reading: John 3:1-17.

To one of the most religious men of His day, The Lord Jesus said, “You must be born again” (John 3:7). Nicodemus could not substitute his profound knowledge of religion for spiritual rebirth, and neither can we. I have read a book on skiing, and it did not take long for me to learn that I could never learn to ski by reading a book—I would have to experience it.

I have read a number of books on teaching children, but none of them seems to improve my teaching skills; I must get into the classroom and teach. You may study theology and religion, but there comes a time when you must experience Christ for yourself.

You may know the facts of the Gospel, understand the doctrines of Scripture, and faithfully attend church, but knowledge alone cannot save. Salvation is found only through a personal work of God's grace in the heart. Have you been born again? (John 3:3) Has Christ changed you from within? Today, come to Him in repentance and faith, for He alone gives new life to all who believe.

Prayer: Lord God, You have given me life and I praise You! In Jesus name. Amen.