11th June 2025

No Lose

The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field . . .  

 Matthew 13:44

Today's Bible Reading:  Matthew 13:44–46.

In Matthew 13, we have two short, brief parables which appear amid the telling of seven parables on the kingdom of Heaven (v 1-52). After the Lord Jesus told the first parable (the farmer scattering seed (v 3-9), His disciples asked why He always spoke in parables (v 10). His answer was telling: “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of Heaven has been given to you, but not to them” (v 11). He told the disciples, “Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear” (v 16). Then He explained the parable (v 18-23). The disciples desired to know the true meaning of the Lord's words, and their desire was rewarded. They had left everything to follow Him. In essence, they were living out the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl (v 44-46) because they were receptive to the message of the Gospel. They had found the treasure. Everything in this world has infinitely less worth than all we gain by following God.

Our life, when placed in His hands, can bear eternal fruit.

Prayer: Father, let each day of my life be a celebration of the treasure I have found in You. In Jesus precious name, I pray. Amen.

10th June 2025

The Mission Field

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . .  

 Matthew 28:19

Today's Bible Reading:  Acts 13:42-48.

Christian missions are unique in the aggressive movements of history. Christianity in its pure form has no “axe to grind,” no system to foster, and no profit motivation. Its job is simply to “seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10). Nothing more, nothing less. The words “apostle” and “missionary” mean the same thing: “One who is sent.” The word apostle is from the Greek; and the word missionary is from the Latin.

The New Testament is a book of missions. The Gospel accounts tell us about the Lord Jesus and of His missionary accomplishments, and the Acts tell of the missionary endeavours of the apostles. The disciples were sent into the world by the power of the resurrection of the Lord, and the Gospel made its impact upon the world’s people. Peter went to Lydda, Joppa, Antioch, Babylon, and Asia Minor. John went to Samaria, Ephesus, and to the cities on the Mediterranean. Thomas journeyed to far away India. Paul, the peer of all early missionaries, used the roads Rome had built to take the Gospel through the Empire. Today, the need for missions and missionaries is greater than ever before! The world is shrinking in size but expanding in population. We live in a world of conflicting, confusing beliefs! We live in a world of complex problems! But, more important, we live in a world of dire spiritual need. Every Christian should be a missionary sharing their faith with their friends, neighbours and family members, and we can a pray for those serving the Lord on the mission field and give to support the Lord's work. Are you doing your bit?

Prayer: Father, help me to be a light in this world of darkness, ready for each opportunity to share Your love with those whose spiritual needs are great. In Christ's name. Amen.

9th June 2025

The Quiet Revival

Behold, I will do a new thing . . . 

Isaiah 43:19

Today's Bible Reading:  Isaiah 40:28-31.

For decades, many in Western Europe assumed that church decline was irreversible—that belief in God was fading into history. But recent research tells a different story.

In the UK, a movement dubbed The Quiet Revival by the Bible Society has shown that regular church attendance is rising. From 2018 to 2024, adult church attendance in England and Wales grew from 8% to 12%, adding more than two million people. Among 18–24-year-olds, attendance quadrupled—from 4% to 16%. These changes have been highlighted not only by Christian organizations but also by secular media, including The Guardian and The Telegraph newspapers, signalling a significant cultural shift.

And this movement isn’t isolated. Across Europe, similar patterns are emerging. In Germany, France, Poland, Ukraine and the Nordic countries, churches are reporting increased interest in spiritual matters—particularly among young adults. Bible engagement, prayer, and community gatherings are on the rise, even in places traditionally viewed as secular strongholds. Reports from Christian research groups and European news outlets show that curiosity about God, the Bible, and the meaning of life is growing, often quietly and unexpectedly.

Isaiah 43:19 is especially poignant in this moment: "Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

God is doing something new—not only in churches, but in the hearts of individual across Europe. Where many saw only spiritual deserts, fresh life is beginning to bloom. This revival is not defined by mass rallies or dramatic headlines, but by quiet, consistent transformation: people returning to prayer, rediscovering the Bible, and finding hope in the Gospel.

And because God is moving, now is the time to share the Gospel. The soil is being prepared—hearts are opening, questions are being asked, and people are more spiritually curious than many realise. In this moment of quiet revival, every conversation, every act of love, every shared testimony becomes part of God's new thing. Do not wait for perfect timing—this is the moment. As the Spirit moves, let’s be ready to speak truth with grace, and to invite others into the life-giving hope of Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the new thing You are doing in across Europe. Open our eyes to see the signs of Your work. Revive our hearts. Use me to share Your love with a world that’s hungrier for You than it knows. In Christ's name, I pray. Amen.