13th June 2026

Words You Can Count On

"Not by might nor by power,

but by My Spirit,’Says the Lord of hosts."

Proverbs 28:13

Today's Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:18–20.

After the crucifixion the beleaguered disciples despaired and said, “We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel ” (Luke 24:21). There was anguish, despair, and tragedy in their midst. Life had lost its meaning and purpose. But when the resurrection became apparent, life took on a new meaning. It had purpose and reason.

The British doctor, and Protestant missionary David Livingstone once addressed a group of students at Glasgow University. When he rose to speak, he bore on his body the marks of his African struggles. Several illnesses on nearly 30 occasions had left him gaunt and haggard. His left arm, crushed by a lion, hung limp by his side. After describing his trials and tribulations, he said, “Would you like to have me tell you what supported me through all the years of exile among people whose language I could not understand, and whose attitude toward me was always uncertain and often hostile? It was this, ‘Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ On these words I staked everything, and they never failed.”

Prayer: Father, I am never alone because of Your love. Thank You, in the name of my Lord and Saviour. Amen.

12th June 2026

Slow-Walking

" He who covers his sins will not prosper,

But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy."

Proverbs 28:13

Today's Bible Reading: Proverbs 28:13–18.

Our dog Tobias knows he is not supposed to chew them. So he has adopted a sly strategy. We call it slow-walking. If Tobias sees a discarded, unguarded shoe or slipper, he will casually wander over in that direction, grab it and just keep walking. Slowly. Nothing to see here. Right out the door if no one notices, and has a jolly good chew if not stopped.

Like Tobias, sometimes we think we can ‘slow-walk’ our sin past God. We are tempted to think that He will not notice. It’s no big deal . . . , we rationalise—whatever ‘it’ is. But, like Tobias, we should know better. We know those choices do not please God.

Like Adam and Eve in the garden, we may try to hide due to the shame of our sin (Genesis 3:10) or pretend it did not happen. But Scripture invites us to do something very different: to run to God’s mercy and forgiveness. Proverbs 28:13 tells us, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

We do not have to try to slow-walk our sin and hope no one notices. When we tell the truth about our choices—to ourselves, to God, we can find freedom from the guilt and shame of carrying secret sin (1 John 1:9).

Prayer: Father, thank You that my sin does not have the last word. Help me to remember, that I can be confident of Your mercy and forgiveness. In Jesus name. Amen.

11th June 2026

Trees

" He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, . ."

 2 Peter 2:24

Today's Bible Reading:  Psalm 1:1-3.

It is no accident that the Bible speaks of trees, even urging us to grow spiritual roots that are deep and strong. God placed the Tree of Life in the garden of Eden in the beginning of time, but other trees grow from a small seed. Spiritual life also begins with a seed—the seed of God’s Word planted in the soil of our souls that eventually sprouts and becomes a new seedling when we are born again [come to know Christ]. 

We are not meant to remain spiritual seedlings, weak and vulnerable to every temptation, doubt, falsehood, or fear. God's will is for us to grow strong in our faith and become mature, grounded in the truth of His Word and firmly committed to doing His will (1 Peter 2:2).

When we give our life to Christ, we are taking the essential first step—but it is only the first step. God's will is for us to become spiritually mature, growing stronger in our relationship to Christ and our service for Him. Conversion is the work of an instant; spiritual maturity is the work of a lifetime.

Word studies from the Bible will teach us many things about ourselves, others and most certainly the Lord Jesus [trees are mentioned approximately 300 times in Scripture]. In Psalm 1:3, the Bible says: “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season.”

Prayer: Almighty, and Eternal God, it is a wonderful thing, that all creation speaks, and teaches us about You. Thank You, for the beauty of Your handy-work. In Jesus name. Amen.