30th May 2026

Parting Words

“The Lord is not . . . willing that any should perish

but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 

Today's Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 12:1, 19–24.

An old minister, who was about to die had a message for the people he would leave behind. Known for advocating reconciliation, said, “Repentance is the only way back to God. Unless you repent, you will all perish.”

These words mirror the language of the Lord Jesus and many other people in the Bible. Christ said, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). The apostle Peter said, “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).

Much earlier in Scripture, we read the words of yet another person who desired that his people would turn to God. In his farewell address “to all Israel” (1 Samuel 12:1), the prophet, priest and judge Samuel said, “Do not be afraid. You have done . . . evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart” (v 20). This was his message of repentance—to turn from evil and follow God wholeheartedly.

We all sin and miss the mark of God's standard. So we need to repent, which means to turn away from sin and turn to Jesus Christ, who forgives us and empowers us to follow Him. Let us each heed the words of Samuel, who recognised how God can use the power of repentance to change us into people He can use for His honour.

Prayer: Dear God, guide me to true repentance. Please help me to recognise my sin and put my total trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.

29th May 2026

Prayer

“Whatever things you ask in prayer,

believing, you will receive."

Matthew 21:22 

Today's Bible Reading: Matthew 21:18-22.

Prayer is a two-way conversation; it is our talking to God, and His talking to us. As a Christian, you have a heavenly Father who hears and answers prayer. The Lord Jesus said, “whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Every man or woman whose life has counted for the church and the Kingdom of God has been a person of prayer. You cannot afford to be too busy to pray. A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian. The Saviour, Jesus Christ spent many hours in prayer. Sometimes He spent the night on a mountaintop in solitary communion with God the Father. If He felt that He had to pray, how much more do we need to pray!

Prayer: There is inexpressible joy as I come to You in prayer, my heavenly Father. In Jesus name. Amen.

28th May 2026

The Hands of Christ

“I was hungry and you gave Me food;

I was thirsty and you gave Me drink;

I was a stranger and you took Me in.

   Matthew 25:35”

Today's Bible Reading: Matthew 25:31-46.

During the war a church in Strasburg, Germany, was totally destroyed; but a statue of Christ stood almost unharmed. Only the hands of the statue were missing. When the church was rebuilt, a famous sculptor offered to make new hands; but, after considering the matter, the members decided to let it stand as it was—without hands. “For,” they said, “Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work on earth. If we don’t feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, entertain the stranger, visit the imprisoned, and clothe the naked, who will?” Christ is depending on us to do the very things which He did while upon earth. My friend, if the gospel we preach does not have a social application, if it will not work effectively in the work-a-day world, then it is not the Gospel of Christ.

Prayer:  I look at my hands, Lord Jesus, and ask You to use them this day. Make me conscious of the needs of those who hurt. I pray. Amen.