23rd August 2026

The Cheerful Giver

"God loves a cheerful giver."

2 Corinthians 9:7

Today's Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-14.

The greatest blessing of giving is not on the financial side of the gift but on the spiritual side. You receive a sense of being honest with God. You receive a consciousness that you are in partnership with God—that you are doing something constructive—that you are working with Him to reach the world for Jesus Christ. You are also enabled to hold on to this world’s goods, and wealth loosely because the eternal values are always in view. How do you give? Is it liberally and cheerfully? Or is it sparingly and grudgingly? When writing to the believers in Corinth, the apostle Paul said: “So let each one give” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Giving is for “each one,” each believer. Every Christian should be a giver. Because of small resources some cannot give much but it is still important that they give, and that they give with the right kind of heart—cheerful!

If you have been giving God the leftovers of your money and your life, you have been missing the true joy and blessing of Christian giving and living.

Prayer: Forgive me, almighty God, for so often giving You the leftovers. In my heart I know I can never out give You. In Christ I pray. Amen.

22nd August 2026

The Eternal Abode

" I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."

Psalm 23:6

Today's Bible Reading: Psalm 23.

What will Heaven be like? Just as there is a mystery to hell, so there is a mystery to Heaven. Yet I believe the Bible teaches that Heaven is a literal place. Where is it? I do not know, I cannot even begin to speculate, because the Bible does not inform us. However, I am not worried or concerned about where it is. But this I know; Heaven will be where the Lord Jesus is. Christians do not have to go around discouraged and despondent, leaning forward with their shoulders bent. Think of it—the joy, the peace, the sense of forgiveness that He gives you, and then Heaven, too. David was able to say “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:26). I might not know where Heaven is, but I do know that Jesus Christ is the way.

Prayer: Whatever I face, Lord, God my heart rejoices in the knowledge of my ultimate destination—heaven—where I will live with You for eternity! I thank you, and praise you in the Saviour's name. Amen.

21st August 2026

The Local Assemble of Believers

"The body is not one member but many.”

1 Corinthians 12:14

Today's Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12–26.

Football is Europe’s most popular sport. For many, it is an exciting game to play, watch and support. A football team has 11 players, each player is interdependent, yet they work together as a team; As one body. We have a similar picture in the New Testament church as seen in 1 Corinthians 12. If the local church wants to be an instrument of the Lord, then it needs to function as a team, the way the Lord designed it to be—as a body. The Apostle Paul brings some important things to our attention about participating in a church.

First, we ought to realize that we need each other in order to accomplish what we are called to do (1 Corinthians 12:12–19). When teams take to the pitch, there will be 11 men lining up together. If only two or three go out to play while the rest sit on the sideline, they would have to forfeit the game. If half the team stand with their hands on their hips, the entire team is going to be badly beaten. Similarly, the people in the church—parts of one body—need each other. In the church of Corinth, some of the members thought that they were too insignificant to be used within the congregation. Paul argues that it is God who has arranged each of the members for His purpose and given each one their talents. Every member, therefore, is important and needed because God Himself has equipped that believer for some type of service within the body.

Second, we need to realise the interdependence of each member (1 Corinthians 12:20–25). Though every member of the church body is independent, they are dependent on each other as they seek to work together effectively.

Third, we should sympathise with each other, because when one member suffers, the whole body suffers (1 Corinthians 12:26). Those who watch football regularly are familiar with the sad scene that takes place when an injury occurs; players kneeling nearby, showing concern. When their teammates are in pain, they are all in pain.

Christ’s body, the church, is far more important than football—and your role as a part of that body—is eternally more significant in a world that desperately needs the Saviour.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help each local assembly of your people, to build each other up in the truth of Your Word, in unity with each other, and a burning desire to share the Good-News with the lost. nI Christ's name I this. Amen.