Wednesday 9th July 2025

King James Version Mark 11:24

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. “

New English Translation NET Mark 11:24

“ For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

"Humble Confidence"

When we become children of our Heavenly Father, we’re granted the privilege of approaching the King of all kings with our requests. Mark said it this way:

"Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24 NIV

God loves to give His children what they ask for—when asked with the right heart. Think about it this way...

Is a child concerned about approaching their loving parent for a snack, for a hug, for advice, or for help? When we come to God with similar childlike confidence—in sincerity, humility, trust, and even desperation—we can be confident that He hears us. When we submit our request, we might get a ‘yes,’ a ‘no,’ or a ‘not yet,' but no matter what the answer is, we can know that God hears us as we trust Him with our prayers.

Whether you need wisdom, direction, or practical help, you can come boldly before the throne of God (Hebrews 4:16). So today, go to Him with your praises and doubts, thoughts and concerns, thankfulness and disappointments. It gives God great pleasure to provide you with all you need (Luke 12:31-32).

Thursday 10th July 2025

King James Version James 1:19

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: “

New English Translation NET James 1:19

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. ”

"Your Response Matters"

When we’re in difficult situations, it isn’t always easy to stay calm or hold our tongues for very long.

But in James 1:19, we hear how we should respond…

Be quick to listen. Be slow to speak. Be slow to anger. 

The world is the opposite:

Be slow to hear what others have to say. Be quick to voice your own opinions. Be quick to accuse, argue, and fight.

Why is it so important to James that Christ's followers don’t behave like this? Because “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:20)

So what does produce the right kind of living that God desires? 

The Word of God. 

James told his friends to “get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21)

He said that if they have the Word of God in them, and if they are obeying it, they will be blessed. (James 1:25)

James is clear that if we are to be followers of God, we must know God’s word and obey it. That means we need to take time to listen to others, pace ourselves when we speak, and keep our anger at bay.  

So next time you’re faced with something that makes you angry, take James’ words to heart. Take time to temper your emotions, think through your feelings and arguments, and humbly pray for God to help you respond with kindness and grace.

Friday 11th July 2025

King James Version Amos 5:24

"But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. “

New English Translation NET Amos 5:24

“Justice must flow like torrents of water, righteous actions like a stream that never dries up. ”

"Reordering Our Priorities"

The northern tribes of Israel in Amos' time seemed like they were doing all the right things. They offered sacrifices to God and were exact in their religious observations. And yet, the book of Amos is written to them as a warning—a warning that destruction that would befall them if they refused to change?

Why?

Because they had neglected the true heart of loving and worshiping God.

While they were doing many of the "right" things, it's what they weren't doing that God wanted to address. They failed to take care of the poor and needy. They turned their eyes away from injustice. Many had turned to idols for help and prayer.

Through Amos, God told the people of Israel that it is just as important to be righteous inwardly as it is outwardly. We cannot say we love God and others when we fail to help people who are within our power to help.

Just as James 1:27 tells us, true religion includes helping orphans, widows, and those who are in distress. James goes on to write that faith without works is a dead faith (James 2:26). In short, faith is both believing in the Lord and doing the things He has told us to do.

Take some time to think about your own life: how much time do you prioritise on your own spirituality versus serving others?

What ways can you begin to take steps toward serving in your church, your neighbourhood, or your school in order to help those in need. All of these are ways that our faith becomes complete in Christ as we follow after Him.

Saturday 12th July 2025

King James Version Psalm 105:1

"O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: Make known his deeds among the people. “

New English Translation NET Psalm 105:1

“Give thanks to the Lord! Call on his name! Make known his accomplishments among the nations!. ”

"Let the world know!"

The Old Testament recounts many moments where God provided for His people. But one powerful retelling of God’s greatness is found in Psalm 105.

Psalm 105 focuses on events found in the book of Exodus—when worshipers were encouraged to remember God’s faithfulness and show gratitude for what He's done. And while all 45 verses are worth studying, let’s take a closer look at the verse that sets the tone for this Psalm, and the four ways it invites us into worship… 

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done.”  Psalm 105:1 ESV 

REFLECT ON GOD'S GOODNESS  Gratitude comes from recognising what God has done for us. So in order to show gratitude, we have to recognise how God was at work in our past circumstances. When we do that, we can acknowledge God’s faithfulness and genuinely worship Him.  

THANK GOD  In Psalm 105:1, the term “giving thanks” stems from the Hebrew word "yadah" which means, “to revere or worship.” To revere someone, you have to respect who they are. Giving thanks is an ongoing act of worship that involves recognising who God is and offering up gratitude to Him for all that He’s done. 

PRAISE GOD  The expression that’s often translated as “call upon His name” was often used in corporate worship to encourage people to seek the Lord. 

God’s name carries authority and power and is above all other names, and we proclaim God’s greatness when we call on His great name. When we call on God’s name, we gain a greater understanding of who He is—and this can encourage us to praise Him even more. 

TELL EVERYONE  God wants everyone to know Him personally, and we get to help people find Him when we proclaim His greatness. As people discover what God has done for us, it can inspire them to seek God for themselves and discover His love for them.

We were made to worship God, and one of the ways we do that is by recounting His wonderful works. So today, intentionally set aside time to reflect on God’s faithfulness. And then—tell other people about His great works. Who knows? Your praise just might inspire others to worship God as well.

Sunday 13th July 2025

King James Version Genesis 1:3

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. “

New English Translation NET Genesis 1:3

“God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light! ”

"Let There Be Light!"

The word “light” appears hundreds of times in the Bible. It first appears just three verses into the first book, Genesis, during the Creation story:

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:3-4 NIV   Later, when the prophet Isaiah foretold Jesus’ coming, he framed the Messiah as a “great light” that would dawn on those who were “walking in darkness” (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in John 8:12 when He declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Darkness cannot exist where there is light. Genesis 1 says that God “separated” the light from the darkness that covered a formless, empty earth. The two things cannot coexist. The same is true of sin and perfection. The world fell into darkness when sin entered it. 

But the world wasn’t completely consumed by darkness–we were only separated from God. That’s why He sent Jesus, the Great Light, to guide us back to Him.

Just as a flame burns brightly, its fire also spreads. When He returned to Heaven, Jesus gave His Spirit to us, so that we might also be light to others! The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:8, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” 

As a child of light, you can be a light in our dark world by the way you live, speak, and act. Today, ask yourself: how will I continue to walk in step with Jesus as my guiding light? What will I do to be a light in my world? Who will I share His light with?

Monday 14th July 2025

King James Version Romans 10:13

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. “

New English Translation NET Romans 10:13

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. ”

"The Simple Gospel"

When it comes to understanding the gospel message of Jesus, Romans 10:13 is one of the most important verses…

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13 NIV

The gospel of Jesus is the message that Jesus lived a perfect life and died for our sins on the cross, and through His death and resurrection we can experience true and everlasting life. We are given the opportunity to believe in Jesus, and through faith experience Jesus’ undeserved gift of forgiveness and love.

The most controversial part of this message is that we don’t have to work for it or earn it. Salvation is given to us freely as a gift of God through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Paul, the author of Romans, makes it very clear that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Salvation is not reserved for the rich, famous, or popular. It is given to anyone who recognises their own insufficiency and their need for Jesus.

This means that we do not need to overcomplicate trusting in Jesus. Paul’s statement is a promise to us all–if we believe in Jesus, then we will be saved.

If you’ve ever questioned whether or not you’re saved, then this promise can encourage you. The way to Jesus is simple. If you trust in Jesus then you are truly saved and don’t need to question it. All that is left is to continue to believe in and follow Jesus every day.

Tuesday 15h July 2025

King James Version John 20:21

"Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. “

New English Translation NET John 20:21

“So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

"Peace Be with You"

When Jesus appears to His disciples after the resurrection, He doesn’t waste time. His first words are, “Peace be with you,” and then, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” This moment is the starting line of the Christian mission.

Jesus doesn’t just bring a message of peace—He brings the presence and purpose of God. Just as the Father sent Him into the world to bring light, love, and truth, He now sends us to do the same.

You may feel unqualified, unsure, or like you don’t fit the mould of what a “witness” should be. But this verse remind us that Jesus doesn’t ask for perfection. He asks for participation.

Wherever you are, whatever your background, your story matters. Your voice, your culture, your language—God wants to use it. Jesus sends you not alone, but with His peace and His Spirit.

So go. In your own way. With your own words. Into your own neighbourhood. You’ve been sent.