11th May 2026

Are You Ready ?

“Here am I! Send me.”

Isaiah 6:8.

Today's Bible Reading: Genesis 22:1, & 31:11. Exodus 3:4. 1 Samuel 3:4. Isaiah 6:8. Acts 9:10.

Many people start their working day at a time clock machine, sometimes known as a clock card machine or time recorder. A “time clock machine” is a device that records the start and end times for employees at a place of business. When an employee punches their card into the machine, they are saying “Here I am.” This thought got me thinking of six prominent men in the Bible who “punched in” and made themselves available to God.

First: There was Abraham. Genesis 22:1 God’s next words were that Abraham should sacrifice Isaac. When Abraham stepped into his roll to be the father of the nation of Israel and the father of all who would inherit eternal life, he followed through on his response to God in this verse and story. Abraham says it again in Genesis 22:11 when the Angel of the Lord stops him from slaying Isaac.

Second: There was Jacob. Genesis 31:11 When God appeared to Jacob in a dream, Jacob said, “Here I am.” He went on to leave Laban and begin the nation that would be named after him, Israel. In the later part of Jacob’s life, when God told him to move to Egypt in Genesis 46:2, Jacob said it again. God saved the nation through Joseph when Jacob moved his entire family to Egypt to survive the famine.

Third: Moses. Exodus 3:4 When Moses heard God call to him from the burning bush, he responded, “Here I am.” This action begins the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt.

Fourth: Samuel. 1 Samuel 3:4 The Lord called to Samuel as a child, while he was living with Eli the priest. Samuel said (several times that night God called ), “Here I am.” Samuel was called while very young and was used by God in many ways, including to anoint both Saul and David, the first kings of Israel.

Fifth: Isaiah. Isaiah 6:8 This is the beginning of God’s commission to Isaiah. He went on to become a great prophet, telling in advance many of the things that were true of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, when He came to earth to save us. Isaiah was used greatly by God, and the book of Isaiah is often called “The Gospel in the Old Testament.”

Sixth: Ananias. Acts 9:10 This is the only occurrence of someone responding to God with “Here I am” recorded using this language in the New Testament. God used Ananias to help Paul after his conversion. At the time of Paul’s salvation, he had been terrorising the Jewish converts because of their faith in the Lord Jesus. Ananias needed great courage to present himself to Saul and lay hands on him to make him a part of the body of Christ.

Each of these men made themselves ready for the Lord's service when they said, “Here I am, Lord.” I wonder today, as believers, are we each ready to serve the Lord?

Prayer: Father God, Help me to start each day with “Here I am, Lord.” Use me in Your service, I pray. In Christ's name. Amen.

10th May 2026

He Is Matchless

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth,

the Gospel of your salvation . . ."

Ephesians 1:13

Today's Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:11-14.

More and more I am becoming aware of the truth that people change people as much as ideas change people. The power of personality is strong. One could find many illustrations to prove that often personality is greater than the idea. Such is the case with Christianity. The secret of the power of Christianity is not in its ethics. It is not in Christian ideas or philosophy, although Christianity has a philosophical set of ideas. The secret of Christianity is found in a Person, and that Person is the Lord Jesus Christ. Men have discovered other philosophical and ethical systems, but they have not found another Jesus Christ. No one in history can match Him.

In the end, it is not merely what Christ taught that saves us, but who Christ is—so the great question is this: have you come, not just to admire His words, but to trust in His Person?

Prayer: When I tell others of Your love, help me to hide my personality in Yours, Lord Jesus. Amen.

9th May 2026

Looking Forward

“No longer will there be any curse."

Revelation 22:3 

Today's Bible Reading: Revelation 22:1-5.

You and I have something in common. We live in a mixed-up, tarnished world, and we have never known anything different. Adam and Eve, however, could remember what life was like before the curse. They could recall the world as God intended it to be—free of death, hardship, pain and suffering (Gen 3:16-19). In pre-fall Eden, hunger, unemployment, and illness did not exist. No one questioned God’s creative power or His plan for human relationships.

The world we have inherited resembles God’s perfect garden only slightly. To quote C. S. Lewis, “This is a good world gone wrong, but [it] still retains the memory of what ought to have been.” Fortunately, the cloudy memory of what the earth should have been is also a prophetic glimpse into eternity. There, just as Adam and Eve walked and talked with God, believers will see His face and serve Him directly. There will be nothing between God and us. “No longer will there be any curse” (Rev 22:3). There will be no sin, no fear, and no shame.

The past and its consequences may cast a shadow on today, but a believer’s destiny carries the promise of something better—life in a place as perfect as Eden - Heaven.

Prayer: Merciful Father, help me to remember that even though this world is imperfect, and tainted by sin, still there is much to enjoy and much to do. Thank You for the promise of life with You in a perfect setting. In Christ I pray. Amen.