16th December 2025

Seeking God's Will  

For I know the plans I have for you . . .”  

Jeremiah 29:11

Today's Bible Reading: Psalm 37:1-5.

The most important thing I can urge each of us to do is to seek God's will for your future. God made us, and He knows all about each of us. He knows our strengths and weaknesses; He also knows our feelings and desires. Most of all, He loves us, and He knows exactly what is best for us — both in the coming months, and for the rest of our life. Why not seek His will? The Bible says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” (Jeremiah 29:11).

How can you discover God's will? The first step is to turn to Jesus Christ and invite Him to come into your life as your Saviour and Lord. When you do, you will become a member of His family forever, and you can look to Him each day for the help you need.

Then, prayerfully ask God to guide you. Consider all your alternatives; do not just focus on what others might want you to do. Seek wisdom from people you trust. Finally, trust God to open the door He has for you, and to give you peace as you make your decision.

Prayer: Father God, I put my trust in Your Son, Jesus Christ, and ask Your leading, guidance and directing in my life each day. In the Redeemer's name, I pray. Amen.

15th December 2025

Singing Through Tears  

. . . Hope in God . . .

Psalm 43:5

Today's Bible Reading: Psalm 43.

In the song, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” based on a poem from 1863 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, is a truly unusual Christmas song. Instead of the expected Christmas joy and mirth, the lyric forms a lament, crying out, “And in despair I bowed my head / There is no peace on earth I said / For hate is strong and mocks the song / Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

This lament, however, moves forward into hope, reassuring us that “God is not dead, nor does He sleep / The wrong shall fail, the right prevail / With peace on earth goodwill towards men.”

The pattern of hope rising out of lament is also found in the lament psalms of the Bible. As such, Psalm 43 begins with the psalmist crying out about his enemies who attack him (v 1) and his God who seems to have forgotten him (v 2). But the writer does not stay in lament, he looks up to the God he does not fully understand but still trusts, singing, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God” (v 5).

Life is filled with reasons for lament, and sadness, and we all experience them on a regular basis. But, if we allow that lament, that sorrow, that sadness to point us to the God of hope, we can sing joyfully, even if we sing through our tears.

Prayer: I cry to You, Father, as I struggle under the burdens of life. Remind me that my help comes from above, from the Maker of heaven and earth. In my Redeemer's name I prayer. Amen.

14th December 2025

Idolatry  

 Choose you this day

Joshua 24:15

Today's Bible Reading: Joshua 24:1-15.

What is idolatry? Idolatry is anything that comes between us and God. Joshua told his people that their nation would be destroyed if they persisted in idolatry, and their souls would suffer eternal death. He said, “You must make your decision today. You must decide whether you want to serve the idols of this life, or the living God.” Then in Joshua 24:15, he said “Choose you this day, . . . as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

What about you? Are you taking your stand with Joshua? No matter what the cost? I am asking you to choose this day whom you will serve. Our families cannot choose Christ for us. Our friends cannot do it. Each of us must choose for ourselves. God is a great God, but even God cannot make the decision for us. He can help, but only we can decide. We have to make our own choice.

Prayer: Father God, take away the idols in my life so that, completely undivided, I may serve You, and my Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.