31st July 2026

Three Kinds of Pleasure

"The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 13:52

Today's Bible Reading: Acts 13:42-52.

First, there is sinful pleasure—the passing pleasures of sin and the lusts of the flesh. These may seem attractive for a season, but they leave guilt, emptiness, and ultimately lead us away from God.

Second, there is legitimate pleasure. God has given us many good gifts to enjoy—family, friendship, work, rest, and countless blessings. These are not wrong in themselves, but they become dangerous when they occupy our hearts more than God and take His rightful place.

Thirdly: Then there is a third kind of pleasure—lasting pleasure. This is the deep joy that comes from knowing Christ and walking with Him. It does not depend on favourable circumstances or changing emotions. It remains when trials come, when disappointments arise, and when earthly pleasures fade. It is the joy produced by the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer.

Do you possess that kind of joy? The disciples in Acts were not free from opposition or hardship, yet they were “filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (v 52). The world cannot give this joy, and the world cannot take it away. It is found in Christ alone.

Prayer: Almighty God, may my pleasure always come from being filled with the joy of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

30th July 2026

Do Not Be Anxious

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Colossians 3:16

Today's Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-17.

The more Christ’s Word dwells within us, the more our lives will be marked by praise, prayer, and godly thinking. Here are three ways this is demonstrated.

First: Christians are to rejoice. As God's Word fills our hearts, it reminds us of His grace, His promises, and His faithfulness. To do that, you need only to think of the great things God has done for you. A heart occupied with Christ will be a heart filled with praise (Colossians 3:16).

Second: Then we are told not to be anxious, but in our prayers to make our requests known to God. In your biggest problems you have One to whom you can go; and before Him you can pour out your heart with the assurance that He will not leave you without an answer to that great problem.

Third: Then we are to fill our minds with those things that are good. They are mentioned in the Scriptures as being things that are true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, of good report, and of virtue. It is upon these things that we are to think. Live positively, not negatively. Once you learn that secret, God will have given you the victory.

Prayer: You know what troubles me today, my Heavenly Father. In faith, I give it all over to You and now praise You, knowing Your love will not fail. In the Redeemer's name I pray. Amen.

29th July 2026

Counting Your Blessimgs

“. . . For the things which are seen are temporary,

but the things which are not seen are eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:18

Today's Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

Psalm 33, is an anonymous psalm that praises God and calls listeners to join in the praise (v 1-3). The psalm encourages us to celebrate God’s faithfulness with joyful praises (v 1-3) because “the word of the Lord is right and true” (v 4). Using the world God created as tangible proof of His power and dependability (v 5-7), the psalmist calls on the people of the world to worship Him: “Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him” (v 8).

When plans fail or people let us down, we can be tempted to be disappointed in God. However, we can rely on God’s trustworthiness because His plans “stand firm forever” (v 11) We can praise God, even when things go wrong because our loving Creator sustains everything and everyone. God is forever faithful.

Take a few moments and reflect on how you have experienced God’s character, creation, and love, and give Him praise for all His unfailing love. As the old gospel song says, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!”

Prayer: Thank You, Lord God, for the life you have blessed me with. Thank You for the opportunities that I have been given and for the strength to make the most of them. In Jesus precious name. Amen.