10th October 2026

Souce of Spiritual Life

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Philippians 1:21

Reading: Acts 9:1-9.

When the apostle Paul says, “For to me, to live is Christ,” he is declaring that Jesus Christ is the source of his spiritual life. By nature, we are all dead in sin. There is no true spiritual life within us. Ephesians 2:1 says, “You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

Paul himself experienced this miracle. He passed from death to life when the Lord Jesus confronted him on the road to Damascus. Paul was not searching for Christ; he was determined to destroy Christ's church. Yet, in sovereign grace, Jesus sought him, stopped him, saved him, and came to dwell in him by His Spirit. In that life-changing encounter, Christ became Paul's life. From that day forward, Paul lived in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, and everything changed.

The Bible makes it clear that without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, there is no true spiritual life. Jesus alone is the source of life. 1 John 5:12 declares, “He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.” Jesus Himself said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of true spiritual life.

Prayer: My God and my Father, It is indeed, a wonderful truth, that You have made it possible for me to have a personal relationship with You, through Your own dear Son, the Lord Jesus. I bless You, and praise You, In the lovely name of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

9th October 2026

You Can Trust God

"Those who know Your name will put their trust in You . . .."

Psalm 9:10

Bible Reading: Psalm 9:7–10.

When our cat Momo had an eye infection, I put eye drops in her eyes daily. As soon as I placed her on the kitchen counter, she sat there, looking at me with frightened eyes and braced herself for the spurt of liquid. Even though she did not understand what I was doing, she never jumped off, hissed or scratched me. Instead, she pressed herself closer against me—the person putting her through the ordeal. She knew she could trust me.  

When David wrote Psalm 9, he had probably already experienced much of God’s love and faithfulness. He had turned to Him for protection from his enemies, and God had acted on his behalf (v 3-6). During David’s times of need, God had not failed him. As a result, David came to know what He was like—He was powerful and righteous, loving and faithful. And so, David trusted Him. He knew God was trustworthy.

I have cared for Momo through several illnesses since the day I found her as a tiny, starving kitten in a farmyard. She knows she can trust me—even when I do things to her that she does not understand. In a similar way, remembering God’s faithfulness to us and His character helps us trust Him when we cannot understand what He is doing. May we continue to trust God through the difficult times in life.

Prayer: Father, You are always faithful. Help me trust You. Let difficult times draw me closer to You. In Jesus name. Amen.

8th October 2026

Tress of Rightiousness

"They may be called trees of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."

Isaiah 61:3

Bible Reading: Isaiah 61:1–4.

Overnight on 15 October 1987, one hundred mile-per-hour (160 kilometres) winds ravaged the south of England. Around 15 million trees were uprooted or blown down, including six of the seven oaks that gave the toen of Sevenoaks its name. But later the magnificent trees were replanted to honour the name of the town.

The “Oak tree” was one way that Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet, described the Israelites. God’s people were called to uphold His name among neighbouring nations by yielding to His ways. But they rebelled, becoming instead like a fading oak (Is 1:30) and were uprooted by the Babylonian invasion.

How tender Isaiah’s words must have seemed in their exile, as he promised they would once again “be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord” (61:3). God would heal their broken hearts (v 1) and bring them comfort (v 2-3). He would replant them “for the display of his splendour” (v 3). They received this promise when God restored them to Israel; we can receive the gift of this prophecy as fulfilled through the Lord Jesus.

When we feel displaced from secure circumstances or robbed of treasured relationships, we can know restoration and reassurance through Christ. He gives us “joy instead of mourning” and “praise instead of . . . despair” (Is 1:3). And He plants us where we live and work as spiritual oaks of righteousness, to influence others with His goodness, love and truth.

Prayer: Dear God, help me deepen my roots in Your word through Your Spirit within me, so that I may help others to know You and to flourish in the goodness of Your presence. In Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.