3rd January 2026

The First Commandment

You shall have no other gods before Me.

Exodus 20:3

Today's Bible Reading: Mark 12:28-34.

The first commandment is more than a rule—it’s a call to wholehearted devotion. God begins His commandments with this bold declaration, inviting us to recognise Him as the only One worthy of first place in our lives.

To have no other gods before Him means giving God the highest seat in our hearts. It’s easy to let other priorities slip into that place—work, family, ambitions, comfort, even good things. But when anything rises above God, it quietly becomes an idol, claiming the affection and trust meant only for Him.

Whenever we elevate something or someone above God, our lives inevitably feel the strain—anxiety grows, peace fades, and fulfilment slips away. Why? Because nothing else can bear the weight of being our god.

But when God is first, everything else falls into its proper place. Joy becomes deeper. Peace becomes steadier. Purpose becomes clearer. His love anchors us, His wisdom guides us, and His presence reshapes us from the inside out.

Thus, today, let’s re-centre our hearts. Let’s honour God with our highest love and deepest loyalty. Let’s choose Him over every competing distraction and trust Him to lead every part of our lives. May we never lose sight of His command—and His invitation:“You shall have no other gods before Me.”

Prayer: Merciful God, Thank You for Your laws. Help me to put You first, and to allow nothing to take Your place in my life and heart. In Jesus' name. Amen.

2nd January 2026

Unconditional Love

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God

Deuteronomy 7:9

Today's Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 7:6-9.

Deuteronomy 7:9 paints a thrilling picture of who God is—mighty, sovereign, and relentlessly faithful. This verse does not whisper; it declares. It calls us to stand firm on a life-changing truth: the Lord your God is the one true God. No substitutes. No rivals. Just the unshakeable reality of His power, presence, and perfection.

Then comes the heartbeat of the passage: “the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations.” God’s faithfulness is not fragile or fleeting. It is fierce, enduring, and guaranteed. Long before we take a step toward Him, His covenant love is already reaching across centuries, anchoring us in promises He refuses to break.

And yet, this divine faithfulness invites a response: to love Him and keep His commandments. Love and obedience aren’t burdens—they’re the natural overflow of hearts captivated by His goodness. When we align our lives with His ways, we don’t earn His favour; we simply open ourselves to experience more of it.

In a world overflowing with uncertainty, this is our steady ground: God does not change. His love does not fade. His covenant does not expire.

May our hearts burn with love for Him, and may our lives shine with the joyful obedience that springs from walking with a God who keeps His word—yesterday, today, and for a thousand generations.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may my heart burn with love for others, specially the lost. I Jesus' name. Amen.

1st January 2026

Unconditional Love

God is love, and he who abides in love

abides in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:16

Today's Bible Reading: John 3:13-17.

At the start of any new year, the most important thing for us to know, is that God love us, each and everyone of us. John 3:16 is a profound declaration of God's unconditional and sacrificial love for humanity. In this single verse, we find the entire Gospel encapsulated—God's love, the gift of His Son, the invitation to believe, and the promise of eternal life. 

First: It begins with the incredible magnitude of God's love. "For God so loved the world..." This is a divine love beyond our comprehension, extending to every corner of the earth, embracing people of all races, backgrounds, and circumstances. It's a love that is not limited by our flaws or failures, a love that pursues us in our brokenness.

Second: The depth of God's love is revealed in the next part: "that He gave His only begotten Son." God's love is not just sentimental or spoken; it is demonstrated through action. The Father willingly gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate expression of His love. Jesus came not as a distant observer but as “Emmanuel, God with us” (Matt 1:23) to walk among us and reconcile us to God.

Thirdly: The purpose of God's love is then presented: "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Salvation is offered freely to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Belief is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment but a heart-transforming trust and surrender to the Saviour. The promise is not only escape from eternal separation and Hell, but the gift of everlasting life—an intimate, eternal relationship with God, the Father.

Each day of this year, let us each respond to this love with gratitude, and as recipients of such boundless love, let us share it with others, becoming channels of God's grace to a world desperately in need.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the incredible love revealed in John 3:16. Empower me to share this love with those around me, that they too may experience the life-transforming grace found in Jesus Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.