St Barnabas Daily Devotions

Psalm 115 - Daily Devotion - 16 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park As you read, keep in mind our two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us,but to Your name be the glory,because of Your loving devotion,because of Your faithfulness.2 Why should the nations say,“Where is their God?”3 Our God is in heaven;He does as He pleases.4 Their idols are silver and gold,made by the hands of men.5 They have mouths, but cannot speak;they have eyes, but cannot see;6 they have ears, but cannot hear;they have noses, but cannot smell;7 they have hands, but cannot feel;they have feet, but cannot walk;they cannot even clear their throats.8 Those who make them become like them,as do all who trust in them.9 O Israel, trust in the LORD!He is their help and shield.10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD!He is their help and shield.11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!He is their help and shield.12 The LORD is mindful of us;He will bless us.He will bless the house of Israel;He will bless the house of Aaron;13 He will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike.14 May the LORD give you increase,both you and your children.15 May you be blessed by the LORD,the Maker of heaven and earth.16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD,but the earth He has given to mankind.17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD,nor any who descend into silence.18 But it is we who will bless the LORD,both now and forevermore.Hallelujah!REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 114 - Daily Devotion - 15 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park As you read, keep in mind our two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?1 When Israel departed from Egypt,the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,2 Judah became God’s sanctuary,and Israel His dominion.3 The sea observed and fled;the Jordan turned back;4 the mountains skipped like rams,the hills like lambs.5 Why was it, O sea, that you fled,O Jordan, that you turned back,6 O mountains, that you skipped like rams,O hills, like lambs?7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,at the presence of the God of Jacob,8 who turned the rock into a pool,the flint into a fountain of water!REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 113 - Daily Devotion - 14 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park A reminder: This month, we are using our do-it-yourself method for reading the Psalms. Each day, after the reading, I’ll ask you to reflect on two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus? It could be something about his ministry, his character, his suffering and death, his resurrection, his kingdom, or what God has done for us through Jesus.But don’t worry if you can’t always think of something – just read, reflect and pray.1 Hallelujah!Give praise, O servants of the LORD;praise the name of the LORD.2 Blessed be the name of the LORDboth now and forevermore.3 From where the sun rises to where it sets,the name of the LORD is praised.4 The LORD is exalted over all the nations,His glory above the heavens.5 Who is like the LORD our God,the One enthroned on high?6 He humbles Himself to beholdthe heavens and the earth.7 He raises the poor from the dustand lifts the needy from the dump8 to seat them with nobles,with the princes of His people.9 He settles the barren woman in her homeas a joyful mother to her children.Hallelujah!REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 112 - Daily Devotion - 12 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park As you read, keep in mind our two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?1 Hallelujah!Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,who greatly delights in His commandments.2 His descendants will be mighty in the land;the generation of the upright will be blessed.3 Wealth and riches are in his house,and his righteousness endures forever.4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright—for the gracious, compassionate, and righteous.5 It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely,whose affairs are guided by justice.6 Surely he will never be shaken;the righteous man will be remembered forever.7 He does not fear bad news;his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.8 His heart is assured; he does not fear,until he looks in triumph on his foes.9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;his righteousness endures forever;his horn will be lifted high in honor.10 The wicked man will see and be grieved;he will gnash his teeth and waste away;the desires of the wicked will perish.REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 111 - Daily Devotion - 11 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park As you read, keep in mind our two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?1 Hallelujah!I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heartin the council of the upright and in the assembly.2 Great are the works of the LORD;they are pondered by all who delight in them.3 Splendid and majestic is His work;His righteousness endures forever.4 He has caused His wonders to be remembered;the LORD is gracious and compassionate.5 He provides food for those who fear Him;He remembers His covenant forever.6 He has shown His people the power of His worksby giving them the inheritance of the nations.7 The works of His hands are truth and justice;all His precepts are trustworthy.8 They are upheld forever and ever,enacted in truth and uprightness.9 He has sent redemption to His people;He has ordained His covenant forever;holy and awesome is His name.10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding.His praise endures forever!REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 110 - Daily Devotion - 10 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park As you read, keep in mind our two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?A Psalm of David.1 The LORD said to my Lord:“Sit at My right handuntil I make Your enemiesa footstool for Your feet.”2 The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion:“Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”3 Your people shall be willingon Your day of battle.Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn,to You belongs the dew of Your youth.4 The LORD has swornand will not change His mind:“You are a priest foreverin the order of Melchizedek.”5 The Lord is at Your right hand;He will crush kings in the day of His wrath.6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead;He will crush the leaders far and wide.7 He will drink from the brook by the road;therefore He will lift up His head.REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 109 - Daily Devotion - 9 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park Instead of our normal Psalms method, Stephen has written some reflections for today’s psalm.For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.1 O God of my praise,be not silent.2 For wicked and deceitful mouths open against me;they speak against me with lying tongues.3 They surround me with hateful wordsand attack me without cause.4 In return for my love they accuse me,but I am a man of prayer.5 They repay me evil for good,and hatred for my love.6 Set over him a wicked man;let an accuser stand at his right hand.7 When he is tried, let him be found guilty,and may his prayer be regarded as sin.8 May his days be few;may another take his position.9 May his children be fatherlessand his wife a widow.10 May his children wander as beggars,seeking sustenance far from their ruined homes.11 May the creditor seize all he owns,and strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.12 May there be no one to extend kindness to him,and no one to favor his fatherless children.13 May his descendants be cut off;may their name be blotted out from the next generation.14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD,and the sin of his mother never be blotted out.15 May their sins always remain before the LORD,that He may cut off their memory from the earth.16 For he never thought to show kindness,but pursued the poor and needy and brokenhearted,even to their death.17 The cursing that he loved,may it fall on him;the blessing in which he refused to delight,may it be far from him.18 The cursing that he wore like a coat,may it soak into his body like water,and into his bones like oil.19 May it be like a robe wrapped about him,like a belt tied forever around him.20 May this be the LORD’s reward to my accusers,to those who speak evil against me.21 But You, O GOD, the Lord,deal kindly with me for the sake of Your name;deliver me by the goodness of Your loving devotion.22 For I am poor and needy;my heart is wounded within me.23 I am fading away like a lengthening shadow;I am shaken off like a locust.24 My knees are weak from fasting,and my body grows lean and gaunt.25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers;when they see me, they shake their heads.26 Help me, O LORD my God;save me according to Your loving devotion.27 Let them know that this is Your hand,that You, O LORD, have done it.28 Though they curse, You will bless.When they rise up, they will be put to shame,but Your servant will rejoice.29 May my accusers be clothed with disgrace;may they wear their shame like a robe.30 With my mouth I will thank the LORD profusely;I will praise Him in the presence of many.31 For He stands at the right hand of the needy one,to save him from the condemners of his soul.REFLECTIONSThis is a Psalm in which King David asks God to judge justly and condemn the person or people who have falsely accused him and repaid his love with evil. It’s quite confronting to read, but there are a few things that help us to understand why it’s in the Bible.This is a Psalm of King David, who was the forerunner of Jesus the Messiah, and in this case it’s especially important to understand that this psalm is about Jesus, it’s not directly about us. The “wicked man” in this psalm was not attacking a random person, he was committing treason against God’s anointed king and opposing God’s purposes. The New Testament sees this psalm fulfilled in Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus and then killed himself (verse 8 is quoted about Judas in Acts 1:20).There may be situations in which it is right to feel the things this psalm expresses and bring your pain to God, but Jesus is the only one who could pray this prayer with a completely pure heart and pure motives. Jesus is also the one who prayed, from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Only Jesus knows when rejection is hardened blasphemy that will never be softened. Only he knows when to pray Psalm 109, and when to pray, “Father, forgive them.”Only Jesus can lead us in praying this prayer – and we must never pray it against specific people who are our enemies. We are taught to pray for our enemies and bless our persecutors (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:14). But we also know that in the end, Satan and all those who refuse to submit to Jesus must be stopped and brought to justice, so that all things will be brought under Christ’s lordship.In the end, as Jesus taught us, we pray, “Your kingdom come” – where possible, by unbelievers being brought from death to life, and where not, by Jesus returning and putting “all enemies under his feet” (1 Corinthians 15:25).

Psalm 108 - Daily Devotion - 8 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park As you read, keep in mind our two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?A song. A Psalm of David.1 My heart is steadfast, O God;I will sing and make music with all my being.2 Awake, O harp and lyre!I will awaken the dawn.3 I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations;I will sing Your praises among the peoples.4 For Your loving devotion extends beyond the heavens,and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;may Your glory cover all the earth.6 Respond and save us with Your right hand,that Your beloved may be delivered.7 God has spoken from His sanctuary:“I will triumph!I will parcel out Shechemand apportion the Valley of Succoth.8 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine;Ephraim is My helmet, Judah is My scepter.9 Moab is My washbasin;upon Edom I toss My sandal;over Philistia I shout in triumph.”10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?Who will lead me to Edom?11 Have You not rejected us, O God?Will You no longer march out, O God, with our armies?12 Give us aid against the enemy,for the help of man is worthless.13 With God we will perform with valor,and He will trample our enemies.REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 107:23-43 - Daily Devotion - 7 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park A reminder: This month, we are using our do-it-yourself method for reading the Psalms. Each day, after the reading, I’ll ask you to reflect on two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus? It could be something about his ministry, his suffering and death, his resurrection, his kingdom, or what God has done for us through Jesus.But don’t worry if you can’t always think of something – just read, reflect and pray.Introduction: Psalm 106 ended with the Israelites in exile because of their constant unfaithfulness to the Lord, and the psalmist cried out to the Lord to save them and gather them back from the nations. Psalm 107 is a great song of thanks to the Lord, after he answered their prayer and rescued them. So far, it has described different situations of despair and mortal danger that people had been in because of their rebellion. In each case, the Psalm has two refrains: “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress,” and “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.” 23 Others went out to sea in ships,conducting trade on the mighty waters.24 They saw the works of the LORD,and His wonders in the deep.25 For He spoke and raised a tempestthat lifted the waves of the sea.26 They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths;their courage melted in their anguish.27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards,and all their skill was useless.28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,and He brought them out of their distress.29 He calmed the storm to a whisper,and the waves of the sea were hushed.30 They rejoiced in the silence,and He guided them to the harbor they desired.31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotionand His wonders to the sons of men.32 Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the peopleand praise Him in the council of the elders.33 He turns rivers into deserts,springs of water into thirsty ground,34 and fruitful land into fields of salt,because of the wickedness of its dwellers.35 He turns a desert into pools of waterand a dry land into flowing springs.36 He causes the hungry to settle there,that they may establish a city in which to dwell.37 They sow fields and plant vineyardsthat yield a fruitful harvest.38 He blesses them, and they multiply greatly;He does not let their herds diminish.39 When they are decreased and humbledby oppression, evil, and sorrow,40 He pours out contempt on the noblesand makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.41 But He lifts the needy from afflictionand increases their families like flocks.42 The upright see and rejoice,and all iniquity shuts its mouth.43 Let him who is wise pay heed to these thingsand consider the loving devotion of the LORD.REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 107:1-22 - Daily Devotion - 5 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park As you read, keep in mind our two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;His loving devotion endures forever.2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy3 and gathered from the lands,from east and west, from north and south.4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,finding no path to a city in which to dwell.5 They were hungry and thirsty;their soul fainted within them.6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,and He delivered them from their distress.7 He led them on a straight pathto reach a city where they could live.8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotionand His wonders to the sons of men.9 For He satisfies the thirstyand fills the hungry with good things.10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,prisoners in affliction and chains,11 because they rebelled against the words of Godand despised the counsel of the Most High.12 He humbled their hearts with hard labor;they stumbled, and there was no one to help.13 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,and He saved them from their distress.14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of deathand broke away their chains.15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotionand His wonders to the sons of men.16 For He has broken down the gates of bronzeand cut through the bars of iron.17 Fools, in their rebellious ways,and through their iniquities, suffered affliction.18 They loathed all foodand drew near to the gates of death.19 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,and He saved them from their distress.20 He sent forth His word and healed them;He rescued them from the Pit.21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotionand His wonders to the sons of men.22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgivingand declare His works with rejoicing.REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 106:24-48 - Daily Devotion - 4 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park Psalm 105 recounted the story of God’s faithfulness to his promise to Abraham, when he rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt. Psalm 106 has also been recounting Israel’s history – but this time, it is remembering Israel’s constant unfaithfulness to God when he was leading them through the wilderness to the land he had promised them.As you read, keep in mind our two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?~~~ 24 They despised the pleasant land;they did not believe His promise.25 They grumbled in their tentsand did not listen to the voice of the LORD.26 So He raised His hand and sworeto cast them down in the wilderness,27 to disperse their offspring among the nationsand scatter them throughout the lands.28 They yoked themselves to Baal of Peorand ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods.29 So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds,and a plague broke out among them.30 But Phinehas stood and intervened,and the plague was restrained.31 It was credited to him as righteousnessfor endless generations to come.32 At the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD,and trouble came to Moses because of them.33 For they rebelled against His Spirit,and Moses spoke rashly with his lips.34 They did not destroy the peoplesas the LORD had commanded them,35 but they mingled with the nationsand adopted their customs.36 They worshiped their idols,which became a snare to them.37 They sacrificed their sonsand their daughters to demons.38 They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters,whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,and the land was polluted with blood.39 They defiled themselves by their actionsand prostituted themselves by their deeds.40 So the anger of the LORD burned against His people,and He abhorred His own inheritance.41 He delivered them into the hand of the nations,and those who hated them ruled over them.42 Their enemies oppressed them,and subdued them under their hand.43 Many times He rescued them,but they were bent on rebellionand sank down in their iniquity.44 Nevertheless He heard their cry;He took note of their distress.45 And He remembered His covenant with them,and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.46 He made them objects of compassionto all who held them captive.47 Save us, O LORD our God,and gather us from the nations,that we may give thanks to Your holy name,that we may glory in Your praise.48 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,from everlasting to everlasting.Let all the people say, “Amen!”Hallelujah!REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 106:1-23 - Daily Devotion - 3 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park As you read, keep in mind our two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?~~~1 Hallelujah!Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;His loving devotion endures forever.2 Who can describe the mighty acts of the LORDor fully proclaim His praise?3 Blessed are those who uphold justice,who practice righteousness at all times.4 Remember me, O LORD, in Your favor to Your people;visit me with Your salvation,5 that I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones,and rejoice in the gladness of Your nation,and give glory with Your inheritance.6 We have sinned like our fathers;we have done wrong and acted wickedly.7 Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wondersor remember Your abundant kindness;but they rebelled by the sea,there at the Red Sea.8 Yet He saved them for the sake of His name,to make His power known.9 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up;He led them through the depths as through a desert.10 He saved them from the hand that hated them;He redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.11 The waters covered their foes;not one of them remained.12 Then they believed His promisesand sang His praise.13 Yet they soon forgot His worksand failed to wait for His counsel.14 They craved intensely in the wildernessand tested God in the desert.15 So He granted their request,but sent a wasting disease upon them.16 In the camp they envied Moses,as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD.17 The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan;it covered the assembly of Abiram.18 Then fire blazed through their company;flames consumed the wicked.19 At Horeb they made a calfand worshiped a molten image.20 They exchanged their Gloryfor the image of a grass-eating ox.21 They forgot God their Savior,who did great things in Egypt,22 wondrous works in the land of Ham,and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.23 So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen onestood before Him in the breachto divert His wrath from destroying them.REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 105:24-45 - Daily Devotion - 2 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park In the first half, the Psalmist reminded Israel of the promise God made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give the land of Canaan to their descendants, and he recounted the story of how Jacob and his sons ended up living in Egypt.As you read, keep in mind our two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?~~~24 And the LORD made His people very fruitful,more numerous than their foes,25 whose hearts He turned to hate His people,to conspire against His servants.26 He sent Moses His servant,and Aaron, whom He had chosen.27 They performed His miraculous signs among them,and wonders in the land of Ham.28 He sent darkness, and it became dark—yet they defied His words.29 He turned their waters to bloodand caused their fish to die.30 Their land teemed with frogs,even in their royal chambers.31 He spoke, and insects swarmed—gnats throughout their country.32 He gave them hail for rain,with lightning throughout their land.33 He struck their vines and fig treesand shattered the trees of their country.34 He spoke, and the locusts came—young locusts without number.35 They devoured every plant in their landand consumed the produce of their soil.36 Then He struck all the firstborn in their land,the firstfruits of all their vigor.37 He brought Israel out with silver and gold,and none among His tribes stumbled.38 Egypt was glad when they departed,for the dread of Israel had fallen on them.39 He spread a cloud as a coveringand a fire to light up the night.40 They asked, and He brought quailand satisfied them with the bread of heaven.41 He opened a rock, and water gushed out;it flowed like a river in the desert.42 For He remembered His holy promiseto Abraham His servant.43 He brought forth His people with rejoicing,His chosen with shouts of joy.44 He gave them the lands of the nations,that they might inherit the fruit of others’ labor,45 that they might keep His statutesand obey His laws.Hallelujah!REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 105:1-23 - Daily Devotion - 1 September 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park This month, we are returning to our devotions through the book of Psalms. For these devotions, instead of hearing someone else’s reflections, each day I’ll ask you to reflect on the Psalm yourself using two simple questions:What things in the Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus? It could be something about his ministry, his suffering and death, his resurrection, his kingdom, or what God has done for us through Jesus.But don’t worry if you can’t always think of something – just read, reflect and pray.~~~1 Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;make known His deeds among the nations.2 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;tell of all His wonders.3 Glory in His holy name;let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.4 Seek out the LORD and His strength;seek His face always.5 Remember the wonders He has done,His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced,6 O offspring of His servant Abraham,O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones.7 He is the LORD our God;His judgments carry throughout the earth.8 He remembers His covenant forever,the word He ordained for a thousand generations—9 the covenant He made with Abraham,and the oath He swore to Isaac.10 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,to Israel as an everlasting covenant:11 “I will give you the land of Canaanas the portion of your inheritance.”12 When they were few in number,few indeed, and strangers in the land,13 they wandered from nation to nation,from one kingdom to another.14 He let no man oppress them;He rebuked kings on their behalf:15 “Do not touch My anointed ones!Do no harm to My prophets!”16 He called down famine on the landand cut off all their supplies of food.17 He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.18 They bruised his feet with shacklesand placed his neck in irons,19 until his prediction came trueand the word of the LORD proved him right.20 The king sent and released him;the ruler of peoples set him free.21 He made him master of his household,ruler over all his substance,22 to instruct his princes as he pleasedand teach his elders wisdom.23 Then Israel entered Egypt;Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham.REFLECTIONSNow think about the two questions:What things in this Psalm can I relate to?Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

John 13:36-38 - Daily Devotion - 31 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 36 “Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked.Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”37 “Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”38 “Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.REFLECTIONSWritten by Annie DaviesThis passage makes me reflect on sin and my own experience of the Christian life. There have been times in my life when I have been so keen for Christ, so certain I will go and be a missionary overseas, and open to embrace every kind of challenge and suffering for Christ, to make him known. Like Peter, I can say to Jesus, “I will lay down my life for you”.Then I have kids, and suddenly I am not so bold. I am not as willing to make sacrifices for Christ when it may be hard for my family, and I can slide into wanting a comfortable life. Struggles with sleeplessness and busyness with kids take over, and doubts about God creep in. How do I go from such certainty and zeal for Christ to wavering in my willingness? It makes me wonder how easily, in my changed circumstances, I might slip into denying Christ entirely. The power of sin is shocking and scary to think about!This reminds me of what Paul writes in Romans 7:21, which describes a similar struggle with sin: “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me”. We know and love Christ and want to follow him, yet evil and sin are right there and we need to keep fighting them. This continual struggle seems to be part of the Christian life.I am so thankful Jesus was glorified like he said he would be. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus has defeated sin and death. Despite the struggles, I am encouraged to keep struggling and fighting sin. We can trust God and hold onto his promises that Christ’s death has paid the penalty for sin and we will go to be with Christ later. ABOUT THE AUTHORAnnie is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

John 13:31-35 - Daily Devotion - 29 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 31 When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify the Son in Himself—and will glorify Him at once.33 Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’34 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Queenie FavelleAs I read this passage, the question that came to my mind was: Why is it a ‘new’ commandment that Jesus is giving to the disciples? Loving each other is basically the summary of the law of Moses (see Leviticus 19:18).But I quickly realised that Jesus is referring to his example of loving each other, which is laying down his life for them. Even though Jesus knew that he would soon die on the cross, his preoccupation is not his own suffering, but what will happen to his disciples. He tenderly calls them his ‘little children’ and he spends the next 2 chapters comforting them before he heads to the cross.Jesus’ love for us is to the point of death, and we are to love each other in the same way. This really is a big challenge, because we so often want to put ourselves in front of others and think about the ‘sacrifices’ we make for church. But Jesus’ love is a high calling. It is love that is willing and sacrificial, not counting the cost.And when we love like Jesus does, it has an evangelistic edge. It is a gospel witness to others. As they see what kind of love we show each other, they get a glimpse of the love that Jesus has shown us. Our love for each other will be attractive to many non-Christians, especially in our individualistic and self-centred society. How we love will have a bearing on how others perceive Jesus.Reflect now on how we are going with showing real love for each other. Is our love stingy, or is it the kind of willing, sacrificial love that Jesus has shown us on the cross? ABOUT THE AUTHORQueenie is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

John 13:21-30 - Daily Devotion - 28 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 21 After Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”22 The disciples looked at one another, perplexed as to which of them He meant. 23 One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at His side. 24 So Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus which one He was talking about. 25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked, “Lord, who is it?”26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this morsel after I have dipped it.” Then He dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27 And when Judas had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him.Then Jesus said to Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the table knew why Jesus had said this to him. 29 Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as he had received the morsel, Judas went out into the night.REFLECTIONSWritten by Stephen SheadI found the whole bread-dipping thing confusing at first. How did the disciples not understand it was Judas? I think it’s that, when Jesus actually handed him the bread and spoke to him, he did it subtly so the others wouldn’t pick it up. He wanted them to know that his betrayal was part of God’s sovereign plan, but he didn’t want them to know who the betrayer was – not yet.Why not? Because they would have jumped on Judas and tied him to a chair to stop him! Jesus wouldn’t allow that. Even as his death drew closer – as the enormity of what he would suffer (God’s wrath on the whole world!) bore down on his truly-human mind and emotions – still Jesus resolutely directed events to take him to the cross. “What you are about to do, do quickly” (v. 27): he virtually pushed Judas “out into the night” (v. 30).Into the night. That isn’t a random detail. It symbolises what had happened to Judas’s heart. Judas had walked away from the Light of the world and into the darkness. It symbolises what verse 27 tells us: “when Judas had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him.”I wonder if you read that and thought, “It wasn’t Judas’s fault – Satan took control of him, so how could he resist?” It’s true that, at this point, Judas was not in control of his own steps. And yet the fault was entirely his. It wasn’t like he went from “eager disciple” to “slave of Satan” in a single moment. Long before this, he had taken to stealing from their communal funds (John 12:6). Before this night arrived, Satan had suggested to him the path of greed and betrayal (John 13:2), and he hadn’t resisted. No one walks away from Jesus innocently and against the grain of their own choices. Satan’s control is built on a hundred moments of deciding for the world instead of for Jesus.I’ve wrestled many times with the question: What will stop me from walking away from Jesus? And the Bible always brings me back to the same two answers. From my side, God calls me to strive against sin, the world, and the devil with all the energy he gives me. And at the same time, I know that ultimately, I will only continue in Christ because of God’s grace and sustaining power in me. So I trust him with my future, even while I strive.Pray now for his strength, and place your future in his hands. ABOUT THE AUTHORStephen is our Senior Minister.

John 13:12-20 - Daily Devotion - 27 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His outer garments, He reclined with them again and asked, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Truly, truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.18 I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it comes to pass, you will believe that I am He. 20 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever receives the one I send receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Paul BoggThe other day, after my 5-year-old’s bath, I told her how hard I had to scrub her feet to get them clean. She had been walking around outside barefoot, and come bathtime, her feet were filthy. She understood that it can be hard to clean your own feet (it’s hard to get to them properly!), and that your feet often get dirtier than any other part of you.Yesterday we heard how Jesus’ washed his disciples’ filthy feet. Today he explains that he has set an example for them to follow. He commands them to do the same for each other. He then says something that the world doesn’t understand: no servant is greater than the master. In other words, if Jesus the master is prepared to do the lowliest acts of service, then so should his followers.I reminded my daughter of Jesus’ words. He died for us to wash us clean – and we live in light of what he has done. She immediately knew what he meant, I didn’t even have to explain it. The example that he set was enough that she wanted to have a go at doing some things herself for others. This morning, she got breakfast for her older sister (I'm not crying, I promise).If Jesus’ example is enough for my 5-year-old to understand and put into action, it’s enough for all of us. What lowly act of service will you take on in response to Jesus’ example? Perhaps taking on an unseen, unrecognised work or support for someone or for the church?  Perhaps reaching out to a brother or sister who you haven’t seen recently, to pray over them or encourage them in some way?  Pray about it and serve like the great king has served us. ABOUT THE AUTHORPaul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

John 13:1-11 - Daily Devotion - 26 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 1 It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end. 2 The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.3 Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God. 4 So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him.6 He came to Simon Peter, who asked Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?”7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”8 “Never shall You wash my feet!” Peter told Him.Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.”9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!”10 Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him. That is why He said, “Not all of you are clean.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Yuan VongsavanhI remember reading these verses years ago during my early exploration of Christianity and they left an uncomfortable lasting image in my mind. It is unfathomable that the Son of God would get up from the dinner table, lower himself to a servant’s role and posture, and wash his disciples’ feet. In Jesus’s time, when people walked in sandals on dusty roads, feet were gross, caked in dirt, mud, and street waste. Yet Jesus, stripping away his robes and his status, used his bare hands to clean that filth. Even before I accepted Christ, this image made me uneasy because I recognised it as an act of deep humility. Today, viewing this scene through the lens of the cross, that discomfort is still there, but also a profound gratitude. Jesus knew every sin and shortcoming I had and would ever commit, yet he still chose the path of the ultimate self-sacrificing servant, giving his life to redeem me and cleanse me. How undeserving we are of a love that unfathomable! This passage remains a powerful reminder of his ultimate sacrifice, freeing us from sin and offering eternal life. What a beautiful reason to praise Him for that now in prayer. ABOUT THE AUTHORYuan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

John 12:44-50 - Daily Devotion - 25 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me alone, but in the One who sent Me. 45 And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.47 As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.49 I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Paul BoggToday’s passage marks the last words that Jesus proclaims in his public ministry in the gospel of John.  Although Jesus had performed many signs in full public view, many still did not believe him. So when he cries out in verse 44, my first reflection is that you can really get the sense that he is making one last concerted effort to anyone who is still listening: “Believe in me! Believe in my words. I have come, from the Father, to save and to be a light for all, so that no one who believes remains in darkness.”In a world that continues to live in great darkness, Jesus is that light. His words have the power to save. The time of judgment is not yet – but there will be a time when God will hand down judgment, on that last day. But for today: salvation is available for anyone who receives the words of Jesus.So as a follower of Jesus, what should my response be to today’s passage? I think it is to continue to do exactly what Jesus did: speak what the Father has told Jesus to say. For me, that means to go and proclaim the news the Jesus is the Christ, the saviour of the world, the light that you can come into out of the darkness. Whisper it or cry it out, but share the hope that this brings with someone you know, that they too might believe in Jesus as Lord. ABOUT THE AUTHORPaul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

John 12:37-43 - Daily Devotion - 24 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 37 Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:“Lord, who has believed our message?And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”39 For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:40 “He has blinded their eyesand hardened their hearts,so that they cannot see with their eyes,and understand with their hearts,and turn,and I would heal them.”41 Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him. 42 Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. 43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.REFLECTIONSWritten by Adam Davies This passage immediately makes me think of that classic thing people say: “If Jesus/God came and spoke to me or showed himself to me, then I would believe.”That feels like it should be obvious – if Jesus was standing right in front of me now, performing miracles, healing the sick, even raising the dead, well of course all my doubts would disappear and I would leave everything to follow him… wouldn’t I?The trouble with this age-old objection to following Jesus is that he did come, and he did perform many signs, but people still didn’t believe him! We entertain thoughts like, wouldn’t it be better if Jesus came now, because we could make a video documentary, and then the evidence would be so clear to everyone, but really… would it?In an age of “AI slop” where “Shrimp Jesus” gets as much attention as anything real (yes, that’s a thing on the internet now!), it still wouldn’t help! It’s not an evidence problem, it’s a heart issue. If I simply don’t want to give up living for myself, I will find any excuse not to trust in Jesus, even if his work is clear before me. Isaiah spoke many years before Jesus came about this exact problem – our eyes are blinded, our hearts are hardened, so we cannot turn and be healed.But I thank God that he chose to reveal himself to me, that he worked in me by his Spirit so I can believe his message, and has promised to keep me for the day of salvation. Otherwise there would be zero hope for me, a sinner.What about you? Have you believed his message that has been revealed, or are you harbouring doubts that long for a direct revelation that would give you the certainty you desire? Christ has already come in the flesh, what more could we want? ABOUT THE AUTHORAdam is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

John 12:27-36 - Daily Devotion - 22 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 27 Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name!”Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him.30 In response, Jesus said, “This voice was not for My benefit, but yours. 31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.34 The crowd replied, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever. So how can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”35 Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.”After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them.REFLECTIONSWritten by Matt RadloffWhy did Jesus come into the world? Why did he enter the world that he made? Why face rejection, humiliation and death? Jesus tells us that this is the very reason that he came. He came to die. But not a pointless, meaningless death. Jesus came to die a death that would be the most significant death in the history of the world. He knew that this was the reason for him to come, and he knew what it would accomplish. It would bring glory to his Father's name. Even while Jesus' soul was troubled, fearful of what stood before him, he called for his Father to glorify his name. Jesus knew that his death on the cross would bring glory to God. And that's exactly what it did. Jesus was lifted up, nailed to the cross in pain and suffering. And from there, he shone as light for all people, radiating God's glory. He gathered us to himself, people from all tribes and nations. He brought us to see the Father's love for us, so that we might give glory to the Father.Jesus shows us how important the Father's glory is to him. And I think this passage challenges us to seek the Father's glory as well. We don't do that by making ourselves look good. Instead, we give glory to the Father by listening to him. Jesus listened to his Father and obeyed him to the cross; he glorified his Father's name. And so, for us, we also bring glory to God when we listen to and obey him. As God calls us to step out in faith each and every day, we bring him glory when we listen to his voice. Most of all, we glorify God when we obey his word by coming to Jesus. ABOUT THE AUTHORMatt is one of our Student Ministers.

John 12:20-26 - Daily Devotion - 21 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip relayed this appeal to Andrew, and both of them went and told Jesus.23 But Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.REFLECTIONSWritten by George MIhasWe see in verse 20 some religious Greeks go to Jerusalem to worship before Passover. Whether they were Gentiles following the Jewish religion or converts is not clear. Nevertheless they have heard of a famous miracle worker and they want to see him. We’re not told why – do they want to be entertained or could they really believe he is the promised Messiah? (What does that even mean, seeing as no one truly understood what the Messiah came to do?)One thing stands out to me: Jesus is not distracted. He is determined to continue his path to the cross, and he starts to preach a cryptic sermon about why he is going to die. He doesn't run to them. He isn't interested in man's approval. He isn't chasing money or fame, he is determined to finish his Father’s work.This part of Scripture makes me think of those television evangelists who have swayed from the truth and who preach a gospel of health, wealth and prosperity, like “Just give me more money and you can get back to the Garden of Eden.”Isn’t it funny that I’m criticising that, as a former charismatic Christian? I believe these people start off in ministry with a heart to serve, but man is corruptible. Not everyone can handle the wealth and fame and all the temptations. And I’m no expert in this - Lord have mercy on us and help us!Praise God that Jesus is not like that. Let us look to Jesus so that we learn to serve God in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in. Let us push on and walk with Christ when life is hard and learn to praise God when everything is going wrong.The other thing that stands out to me is what Jesus says about his death. He explains that his time to be glorified is approaching because he is going to the cross. He does this symbolically by saying that when a seed falls to the ground and dies, it produces a great crop (v 24). In the same way, Jesus’ death for the sin of the world is producing much fruit of sinners rescued from hell to eternal life.But then Jesus connects his death to us, by saying that every true Christian will follow his example of giving up our lives of worldliness to serve him. Use his words as you pray today:“Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” (v 25-26) ABOUT THE AUTHORGeorge is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

John 12:12-19 - Daily Devotion - 20 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting:“Hosanna!”"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Blessed is the King of Israel!”14 Finding a young donkey, Jesus sat on it, as it is written:15 “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion.See, your King is coming,seated on the colt of a donkey.”16 At first His disciples did not understand these things, but after Jesus was glorified they remembered what had been done to Him, and they realized that these very things had also been written about Him.17 Meanwhile, many people continued to testify that they had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead. 18 That is also why the crowd went out to meet Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign.19 Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You can see that this is doing you no good. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!”REFLECTIONSWritten by Grace IpHave you ever looked back on a season of your life and thought, "Now it makes sense"? At the time, you couldn't understand why God allowed things to unfold the way they did. Yet, with the benefit of hindsight, you can often see His wisdom and faithfulness more clearly.I think back to a time when I started a new job and, not long after, wanted to quit. I questioned whether I'd made the right decision and kept asking God for a sign. Looking back now, I'm so glad I stayed. Among the many things God was doing, He brought a beautiful friendship into my life that I would never have known otherwise. At the time, I couldn't understand why God had me there. Now I can see that He was doing far more than I realised, working in ways I never expected.The disciples experienced something similar. They had just witnessed one of Jesus' greatest miracles—raising Lazarus from the dead! Crowds gathered because of it, welcoming Jesus with palm branches and cries of "Hosanna!" and "Blessed is the King of Israel!" As Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He rode on a young donkey, just as Zechariah had foretold. You might expect that, by now, the disciples finally understood what kind of King Jesus had come to be.But John records something surprising in verse 16: "At first His disciples did not understand these things." Only after Jesus was glorified did they look back and realise it had all unfolded according to God's Word, making sense in light of the cross and resurrection.Perhaps you can relate. Maybe it's an unanswered prayer, a hurting relationship, or a season that feels directionless. Like the disciples, our perspective is often limited; we may not see clearly what God is doing in the present.John reminds us that understanding doesn't always come immediately. Sometimes God calls us to trust Him before we fully understand what He is doing. In Christ's life, death and resurrection, God showed that He always keeps His promises. Because of that, His faithfulness gives us every reason to trust Him in the present. So when the path ahead seems uncertain, we can hold onto the hope that God is always at work, even when we cannot yet see the bigger picture. ABOUT THE AUTHORGrace is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

John 12:9-11 - Daily Devotion - 19 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there. And they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.REFLECTIONSWritten by Rodney ClarkeThis passage recalls what we read about in chapter 11 – the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus from the dead.To me, it's the different reactions to this event that I find striking. It’s clear that what Jesus did was unparalleled. It defies logic and makes you wonder about the nature of Jesus. A teacher who can perform miraculous signs – in fact, who can raise the dead!But the Pharisees don’t respond with wonder or even curiosity. They feel that Jesus is a threat to their power, which means their position in the social hierarchy is being threatened. In fact, they were so determined to hang onto their power that they plotted to kill not just Jesus, but Lazarus as well! Clearly they valued their social position more than what God might have been saying about Jesus.Then there was the crowd of people who had personally witnessed Lazarus being raised. They flocked to him, and many put their faith in him. Jesus clearly transcended their culture and limited beliefs. What does this amazing sign mean? What does it say about God? What does it say about hope? And what does it say about this humble carpenter from Nazareth? The resurrection of Lazarus clearly proved Jesus’ power and majesty.We know far more about the meaning of the sign now, because of Jesus’ own death and glorious resurrection. We are dead in our sins and under God’s judgment, but Jesus brings us back to life again by his atoning sacrifice on the cross. Like Lazarus, we are given a second chance – not just to be resuscitated for a while, but to be raised forever.Jesus did this sign because he wanted people to understand the nature of his ministry and what he came to do. In the Gospel of John we see the capacity for light and darkness. We see the hope of the crowds in seeing Lazarus’s resurrection, as well as the stubborn resistance of the Pharisees. We know deep down we have the potential for both these responses in our own hearts. Let's look to the hope that Jesus offers, because he has the power to call us out of the darkness and into his wonderful light. ABOUT THE AUTHORRodney is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

John 12:1-8 - Daily Devotion - 18 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it.7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial. 8 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Rebecca MihasWhen I read this passage, I was really encouraged by Mary's love for Jesus. She poured expensive perfume on His feet and wiped them with her hair. She wasn't worried about how much it cost or what other people thought. She just wanted to honour Jesus and show Him how much she loved Him.This passage made me stop and think about my own relationship with Jesus. Life can become so busy with work, family, church, and everyday responsibilities that it is easy to focus on everything that needs to be done. Sometimes I can become so busy doing things that I forget to just spend time with Jesus. Mary's example reminds me that nothing is more important than sitting at His feet and making Him my first priority.Judas saw Mary's gift as a waste, but Jesus saw it as an act of love. This reminds me that God looks at our hearts. He knows why we do the things we do, even when others don't understand. It challenges me to ask myself if I am giving Jesus my best, or only what is left over after everything else.This passage reminds me that every day is an opportunity to spend time with Jesus, trust Him, and grow closer to Him. I don't want to let the busyness of life distract me from what matters most.My prayer is that I will have a heart like Mary's that loves Jesus deeply and puts Him first. I want my life to honour Him in the way I speak, the way I treat others, and the choices I make each day. I also pray that, as a church family, we will continue to encourage one another to keep our eyes on Jesus and grow closer to Him every day. ABOUT THE AUTHORRebecca is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

John 11:53-57 - Daily Devotion - 17 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 53 So from that day on they plotted to kill Him. 54 As a result, Jesus no longer went about publicly among the Jews, but He withdrew to a town called Ephraim in an area near the wilderness. And He stayed there with the disciples.55 Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many people went up from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus and asking one another as they stood in the temple courts, “What do you think? Will He come to the feast at all?” 57 But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where He was must report it, so that they could arrest Him.REFLECTIONSWritten by Linda VuThis passage is deeply convicting. After hearing that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, the chief priests and Pharisees still chose to kill Him. Instead of falling down before him, we read, "from that day on they plotted to kill Him" (v. 53). Their hearts had become so hardened that even a miracle that great did not lead them to faith. It reminds me to examine my own heart. Am I willing to let God's Word change me, or do I sometimes resist Him when His ways are different from my own?As the Passover drew near, the people kept asking, "What do you think? Will He come to the feast at all?" (v. 56). While the religious leaders were searching for Jesus to arrest Him (v. 57), Jesus was never anxious or rushed. He lived according to His Father's perfect timing, not the plans of His enemies. This encourages me to trust God's timing even when life feels uncertain or difficult.This passage also speaks into my everyday life. In the midst of the busyness and of raising two young boys, I often find it easier to scroll through Instagram or simply fall into bed exhausted after a shower. Yet I wonder, am I still seeking Jesus with the same eagerness as the crowds who were looking for Him? I want that same longing in my own heart – to seek Him wholeheartedly, spend time in His Word and prayer, and trust that time with Him is never wasted. ABOUT THE AUTHORLinda is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

John 11:45-52 - Daily Devotion - 15 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.47 Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. 48 If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”49 But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”51 Caiaphas did not say this on his own. Instead, as high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not only for the nation, but also for the scattered children of God, to gather them together into one.REFLECTIONSWritten by Andy RowlandsHow could some of the Jews, after seeing Jesus raise Lazarus, go and tell the Pharisees? How could they not believe in him? It flies in the face of people who say, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” because here, seeing isn’t believing! It reminds me of what Jesus said to Thomas after his resurrection: “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).This passage shines a light on how we respond to Jesus, because rejecting him isn’t always about having sufficient knowledge or proof. When friends have told me that they needed more proof or to see Jesus to be able to believe, it’s often that – like the Pharisees here – they really don’t want their lives to change. They’ve become too attached to the life that they have, and they think that Jesus’ authority will only get in the way of them doing the things that they want to do.And yet, this doesn’t get in the way of God doing his work in the world! The Pharisees and the high priest here reject Jesus and his authority, but God uses them to proclaim what he is going to do through Jesus. “It is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish,” says Caiaphas. He thinks that Jesus is a problem, and by getting rid of that problem they will save God’s people. But God planned Jesus as the solution, the perfect sacrifice whose death would save sinners – including us – from eternal death and bring us into the body of Christ.God used this rejection of Jesus to bring about good, and this same God is at work today. Only God can bring good out of evil, and only God can change the hearts of those who reject Jesus. As we pray that God would work in their lives to bring them into the one body of Christ, I am comforted knowing that he is working all things for good, by building his church in this messy world today. ABOUT THE AUTHORAndy is one of our Student Ministers.

John 11:38-44 - Daily Devotion - 14 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 38 Jesus, once again deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” Jesus said.“Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.”40 Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.”43 After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”44 The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth.“Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.REFLECTIONSWritten by Helen MitryGrowing up in a Christian family and attending church and Sunday school, I have read and heard this story many times before, but as I read over it this time, one thing stood out to me that I hadn't fully appreciated before. The first half of verse 44 says, “The man who had been dead came out” – or the NIV translation, which is more succinct: “The dead man came out.” Let that sink in a bit.It reminds me of the title of a movie I watched last year. It’s the third film in the “Knives Out” comedy murder mystery trilogy, and it’s called, “Wake Up Dead Man.” The movie also had biblical references – perhaps the producer did some research in John’s Gospel! Because dead people shouldn't be doing anything. The word “dead” should not be paired with any active verb, but God in his power raised Lazarus up from the dead so that he could walk out of his own tomb.Throughout the chapter, Jesus tells us the purpose of this miracle in a few different ways: so that God the Father would be glorified (v 40), so that the Son of God would be glorified (v 4), and so that people will believe God the Father has sent Jesus his Son (v 42). Ultimately, by this miracle Jesus shows us that if we ask him, he will do the greatest miracle of all for us. We were dead in our sins and couldn’t do anything to save ourselves, but Jesus paid the debt of our sins so that we could glorify him and gain eternal life in him. Jesus only asks for our belief. Do you believe? Take a moment to thank him, and also to pray for people you know who don't believe in him yet. ABOUT THE AUTHORHelen is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

John 11:28-37 - Daily Devotion - 13 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 28 After Martha had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside to tell her, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.” 29 And when Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Him.30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met Him. 31 When the Jews who were in the house consoling Mary saw how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit[D] and troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” He asked.“Come and see, Lord,” they answered.35 Jesus wept.36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”37 But some of them asked, “Could not this man who opened the eyes of the blind also have kept Lazarus from dying?”REFLECTIONSWritten by Mercy SawHow do you respond when things don't work out the way you want? Some of us tend to react with anger. Others retreat inwards in self-pity or apathy to ward off the pain of disappointment. Sometimes this might cause us to question or doubt God’s character.Mary's response is remarkably different – as Martha’s had been also. It would have been natural for Mary to be angry at Jesus for not making it on time, or to continue grieving privately and not see him. Instead, she immediately goes to Him, and brings her grief and sorrow to him. She acknowledges his power and that he could have saved her brother. Yet this does not lead to resentment, blame, or doubt, but faith-filled submission to him.We see also that Jesus is one who is worthy of such trust. This passage comforts me that Jesus was a real human, with real emotions and a real love for those he cares for. Even though he knows he will soon raise Lazarus from the dead, Jesus is moved by the tears of Mary and those around him, and he weeps. This wasn't just a tear trickling down a cheek. Jesus wept to the point that it was evident to all around him how much he loved Lazarus.Whatever heartaches and loss we experience, whatever disappointments or unmet hopes, we know that Jesus is not immune to our pain but feels and cares deeply. Though we may not know as clearly as in Lazarus’ story why Jesus allows our suffering to occur, we can be comforted that he grieves with us. More than this, we have a greater hope because Jesus experienced the ultimate suffering on our behalf by dying on the cross to deal with the source of all suffering, and he rose to bring about a new creation where there will be no more tears or mourning or pain. Let’s continue to draw near to him with all our cares and concerns, knowing he is both sovereign and compassionate to those who trust in him. ABOUT THE AUTHORMercy is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

John 11:17-27 - Daily Devotion - 12 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 17 When Jesus arrived, He found that Lazarus had already spent four days in the tomb. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, a little less than two miles away, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them in the loss of their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him; but Mary stayed at home.21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give You whatever You ask of Him.”23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.24 Martha replied, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. 26 And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”27 “Yes, Lord,” she answered, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Rebecca LinWhen Jesus arrives at Bethany, he is met with scenes of complete hopelessness and despair. We learn immediately that Lazarus had already been dead for four days. Any last glimmer of hope that Jesus might come to heal Lazarus from his sickness had disappeared when Lazarus died. Many Jews had come to see Mary and Martha, but all they could do was console them. There was nothing they could do to change the situation. And Martha, overwhelmed by her grief and the hopelessness of death, greets Jesus by saying, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” To her, Jesus had arrived too late and death had already won. But all of this only makes Jesus’ next words stand out even more. Amidst their mourning and suffering, Jesus declares in verse 25, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.” While physical death and sickness are at the forefront of everyone’s minds, Jesus points them to the only solution to their hopelessness, to a greater comfort and the firmest hope – that he himself is the resurrection and the life. When he took our sins upon himself, died to pay the price for us and rose from the grave to conquer death, Jesus brought us the incredible gift of salvation and everlasting life with him. He brings the certain hope that physical death is not the end for those who believe in Him. It can be easy to be overcome by the brokenness, hopelessness, stress, grief and pressures of this world. But at one of the lowest points in Mary and Martha’s lives, Jesus’ words brought true comfort and meaning, and that reminds me that we can cling to his promise of life with complete assurance. ABOUT THE AUTHORRebecca is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

John 11:11-16 - Daily Devotion - 11 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 11 After He had said this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.”12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.” 13 They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus.14 So Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”16 Then Thomas called Didymus said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Ken IpOne thing that stood out to me in this passage is how differently Jesus viewed death compared to the disciples. When Jesus said Lazarus had "fallen asleep," the disciples naturally thought he meant ordinary sleep. But Jesus was speaking as someone who has complete authority over death. To him, waking Lazarus from the grave was like waking someone from sleeping.I also found verse 15 both surprising and comforting. Jesus says, "for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe." At first, those words seem harsh, like he didn't care about Lazarus’s death. But he wasn't glad that Lazarus had died, he was glad that through this painful situation, the disciples would see something even greater about who he is. What looked like a delay wasn't a lack of love but rather part of God's plan to glorify Jesus and strengthen their faith.Maybe it’s something about living in an age of instant gratification but so often I want God to answer my prayers immediately, and when he doesn't, it's easy to wonder if he's forgotten or doesn't care. This passage reinforces what we saw in yesterday’s devotion, that God's delay does not mean he doesn’t care. Yesterday we were reminded that God’s plans are bigger than my plans. Today we see that his ultimate goal is centred on his Son. It’s that we would trust in and know Jesus more deeply. As Jesus later prays, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).Father, thank you that you have power over death itself and that through Jesus we also have hope of resurrection. Forgive us when we are impatient with you and think we know better than you. Help us to trust you especially when your timing doesn't make sense to us. We ask in Jesus’ name, Amen. ABOUT THE AUTHORKen is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

John 11:1-10 - Daily Devotion - 10 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 1 At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one You love is sick.”4 When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So on hearing that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for two days, 7 and then He said to the disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”8 “Rabbi,” they replied, “the Jews just tried to stone You, and You are going back there?”9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? If anyone walks in the daytime, he will not stumble, because he sees by the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Vinh DangThe passage today really challenged me to think about how I respond when God doesn't answer my prayers in the way or timing that I expect. When Lazarus became sick, Mary and Martha knew that Jesus loved them, so they expected that Jesus' response was going to be quick. Instead, Jesus waited two more days before telling his disciples that they should go back to Judea (verse 6). At first, this was hard to understand, but it reminded me that God's timing may not be the same as mine. Even when I cannot see what He is doing, I can trust that He has a greater purpose.Another thing that stood out to me was that Jesus' delay was not because He didn't care. In fact, John makes a point of saying that Jesus loved Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. This encourages me as there are times when I feel like God is distant or slow to answer my prayers. This passage tells me that His silence does not mean he has ignored me. Instead, He may be working in ways that I cannot yet understand. It is for God’s glory, as Jesus says in verse 4. I was also encouraged by Jesus' determination to return to Judea, even though it was dangerous (verse 7). Jesus was not controlled by His fear but by obedience to His Father. This particular part of the passage challenged me to think about whether I sometimes allow fear to stop me from doing what God wants me to do. I want to trust God more and follow Him faithfully, knowing that He is in control of my life.God's plans are always better than mine, and He is always working for His glory and the good of His people. I pray that we would all become more patient, trust in God's good timing, and continue to follow Him confidently, even when we don't understand what He is doing. ABOUT THE AUTHORVinh is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

John 10:31-42 - Daily Devotion - 8 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 31 At this, the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him. 32 But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?”33 “We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God.”34 Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’ ? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— 36 then what about the One whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world? How then can you accuse Me of blasphemy for stating that I am the Son of God?37 If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. 38 But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.”39 At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp.40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had first been baptizing, and He stayed there. 41 Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true.” 42 And many in that place believed in Jesus.REFLECTIONSWritten by Stephen SheadNot long ago, I had a really frustrating conversation with a guy who seemed to be seeking the truth about Jesus, but as the conversation dragged on, it seemed to me that he just wasn’t listening. He had already decided that Jesus was not God become man. No matter where we went in the Bible, he would be looking for the word or phrase that proved Jesus was not God.That’s what is going on with the Jewish leaders in today’s passage. They have just heard Jesus say, “I and the Father are one.” They didn’t stop to wonder if this might somehow be true, given that Jesus had just opened the eyes of a man born blind, among countless other God-like deeds. They had rejected him, and here was their proof: no one can ever compare themselves with God. Jesus had said a magic phrase they could jump on to prove what they knew all along: “Blasphemy!”So Jesus quotes Psalm 82:6. In its context, the Psalm says: “I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High. But like mortals you will die, and like rulers you will fall.” Jesus isn’t trying to prove to them that he is God the Son – they’re literally about to stone him to death, he doesn’t have time for complex arguments! He’s simply showing that their case against him is much weaker than they thought. According to Scripture, there’s a sense in which even sinful people can be compared with God.Jesus made them pause long enough that he dodged the stones, nothing more. But if they really stopped to look at Jesus’ works and words, they would realise he is so much more than any other god-like person. He is “the one whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world” (v 36).Today was a reminder that sometimes all we can hope for is to show someone that maybe they haven’t read the Bible as carefully as they think.But the last few verses were a reminder that sometimes God uses the simplest testimony about Jesus to bring saving faith. Jesus meets others who had heard John the Baptist speak about him. John never did a single miracle. But when those people encountered Jesus, they simply realised: “What John said about him is true!” And they believed.Pray that over the next month, as we invite people to our church evangelistic events, God might bring many of that second sort of person! ABOUT THE AUTHORStephen is our Senior Minister.

John 10:22-30 - Daily Devotion - 7 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple courts in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”25 “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf. 26 But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe. 27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Alex ChenThis passage reassures me when I have doubts, when I see my sin most clearly, when I worry if I'm doing enough of the right things by God. Knowing Jesus as king means being held securely by God. There's full certainty. No one can snatch me from Jesus. No one can snatch me from God's hand. When I trust in Jesus, eternal life is certain. What happens to me in this life – even beyond this life – is in the hands of the God who is greater than anything in this world.When uncertainty comes into my life – perhaps because of physical pain, or relational hardships, or coming up short at work – I find myself praying earnestly in dependence on God. When I’m experiencing uncertainty, I'm just far more aware of God and his power. As I read this passage, I see all of my life always in God's hand. That leads to two things I want to apply to my own life. When I feel like my life is in a good spot, I would like to give thanks more to God for his provision and for whatever will come. When I'm facing uncertainty, I will practise being dependent. I will ease my anxieties and burdens by speaking to my Father in heaven. I still want to make sure I take responsibility for what is given to me, but know that God is ultimately in control. ABOUT THE AUTHORAlex is one of our Student Ministers.

John 10:17-21 - Daily Devotion - 6 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 17 The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”19 Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”21 But others replied, “These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”REFLECTIONSWritten by Herman TuA fun fact about me is that I am a big hoarder. I love to keep things. I love to keep awards, info sheets, clothes, relics of my high school days, and even sermon outlines. The issue with keeping things is that I also hate giving things up. My coffee machine, my bed, my car. If I am called to give up any of those things, that call provokes fear, anxiety and resistance in me.But in John’s Gospel, we see just how radically Jesus was willing to give things up.In this chapter, we see how Jesus divided the Jews because of what he was testifying about. Some of the Jews accused Jesus of being possessed, while others saw how Jesus could open eyes. They are wildly different opinions on him!So what was Jesus testifying about?From the beginning of his ministry, Jesus spoke about an “hour” that would come (John 2:4). He was speaking about the hour when he would suffer on the cross to drink the cup of God’s wrath against all humanity, and be declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Holy Spirit by his resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4). As Jesus spoke to the Jewish people, he was clearing pointing forward to that “hour.”But the wonderful thing we see in today’s passage is that Jesus carried out this mission of his own accord (v. 18). Even though he knew the horror of what he would endure in his death on the cross, he willingly, voluntarily, and obediently went to the cross to give up his life for us. I can't even give up my coffee machine, but Jesus gave up his life. How great a love is that?Ultimately, what motivated Jesus was the Father's love for humanity. Jesus received this charge from the Father to lay down his life. God, the Father, so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in HIM will not perish but have eternal live (John 3:16). The Son of God died for us so that you and I can be children of God. That is true love.Give thanks to God for his amazing love for humanity and pray that you can share this great love with others. ABOUT THE AUTHORHerman is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

John 10:11-16 - Daily Devotion - 5 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.14 I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, 15 just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.REFLECTIONSWritten by Ian MuAs I was reading this passage I wondered, “What would I actually lay down my life for?” Even just reflecting on the last week, I thought, I couldn't even give the people I love an hour of my time. I didn’t even manage to lay down my time, my comfort and my plans.Jesus really is a good shepherd because he laid down his life for us. A hired hand might look like he cares for his sheep, but the second danger strikes he is out of there! The false shepherds Jesus talked about are definitely not like the Good Shepherd. A false shepherd is not willing to lay down his comfort for God’s sheep.If I look at it from our perspective – we are the sheep, so the kind of person we need to follow is Jesus, because he laid down his life for us sheep.I also really like verse 14 where Jesus says, “I know my sheep.” As I was reflecting on that I thought: Wow, Jesus really does know everything. He knows my struggles and the reason and motivation for those struggles. He knows my thoughts and how I feel. And then I thought: How well do I really know him? When I think about how deeply Jesus knows us, I think how amazing it is that he still chose to lay down his life for us.That makes me ask myself: Who am I really following? Am I following the Good Shepherd who knows me and still chose to lay down his life for me, or am I following the hired hand who doesn't really care? I am challenged here to fully rely on the Jesus, the only one who cared so much that he laid down his life for me and for all God’s sheep. ABOUT THE AUTHORIan is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

John 10:7-10 - Daily Devotion - 4 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 7 So He said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.REFLECTIONSWritten by Paul BoggRecently we had a short discussion in growth group about bucket lists. A bucket list is some list of things you really want to before you die. Stuff like travelling to particular countries, or having certain experiences, or making some kind of accomplishments – at least, typically things that apply to what you can do in the world. I wondered how and why that term came about, and I guess it has something to do with feeling you have led a “full life”. Life is like a bucket, and you want to fill it as full as you can with good experiences. So if you didn’t do these things, you might die feeling like you missed out on something. Jesus drops a real bombshell in today’s passage: He, and he alone, is “the gate”. Anyone who enters through him is saved and will have life. But not just an ordinary life – in verse 10, he says they will have life “in all its fullness”. Pondering what it means to have a “full life”, I reflect on my time before I knew the Lord. As a single man, I had the freedom to go places, to travel, to eat whatever I wanted. But I wasn’t happy, and I knew that these experiences didn’t satisfy. There were temporary joys, momentary and fleeting – but nothing lasted.  Coming to church and hearing Jesus himself speaking from the Bible, it was like I could see the pasture in front of me. I could even talk to the sheep. I wasn’t yet in that pasture myself, but I could see that it was good, and I wanted to be there. So – I listened to the Shepherds voice and entered through the narrow gate. Having been grazing in the pasture for many years now, I can say that now I have a full life. To know the good Shepherd, to come under his guidance, the safety of his protection, fellowship with God himself, fellowship with his flock, I have this deep-seated joy now, an inexplicable satisfaction that my life here on earth is full. I no longer desire the things that I once did – although those things are still good as part of God’s creation, I’m fully content now with all that life has to offer me. The bucket list promises fullness through check lists. Jesus offers fullness through relationship.  Reflect on your time with him today. ABOUT THE AUTHORPaul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

John 10:1-6 - Daily Devotion - 3 August 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 1 “Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will flee from him because they do not recognize his voice.”6 Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them.REFLECTIONSWritten by Stephen SheadBack in April we read chapters 6 to 9 of the Gospel of John, and this month we’re covering the next block. We’re up to one of my favourite passages, about Jesus being the Good Shepherd. He doesn’t call himself that until a bit later in the chapter, but we know that’s where it’s heading.I especially love the personal tone of verse 3, where Jesus says the shepherd of the sheep “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” It’s a beautiful picture of a profound truth: that if you belong to Jesus, you’re not just a nameless, insignificant member of his multitude of followers. He knows YOU – personally, intimately, at the deepest level. And he loves you and leads you to green pastures.But I was also a bit shocked when I realised the context of this passage. Over the last few chapters of John, opposition and hostility to Jesus have been mounting. In the verses just before today’s passage, some of the unbelieving Pharisees were arguing with Jesus again, because he was accusing them of spiritual blindness.That means Jesus said these things not just in front of the humble and soft of heart, but in front of hostile leaders. Part of his message was to condemn them, to their faces, as evil, false shepherds of God’s people. He’s reminding them of Ezekiel 34, where God condemned Israel’s spiritual leaders as greedy, selfish, and abusive shepherds of God’s flock. Jesus is saying, “That is ALL of you” – because, as he’ll go on to insist, he is the only Good Shepherd.That was a good reminder to me that flawed and weak “pastors” or shepherds of the church (like me!) are nothing more than under-shepherds of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus (1 Peter 5:2-4). The flock belongs to him alone, and we pastors are first and foremost exactly the same as the rest of you: sheep who have been called by name to follow the voice of the Good Shepherd.Pray that all of us would never stop listening to his voice and following him as he leads us to obedience and eternal life. ABOUT THE AUTHORStephen is our Senior Minister.

2 Kings 10:12-24 - Daily Devotion - 31 July 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 25 When he had finished making the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guards and officers, “Go in and kill them. Do not let anyone out.”So the guards and officers put them to the sword, threw the bodies out, and went into the inner room of the temple of Baal.26 They brought out the sacred pillar of the temple of Baal and burned it. 27 They also demolished the sacred pillar of Baal. Then they tore down the temple of Baal and made it into a latrine, which it is to this day.28 Thus Jehu eradicated Baal from Israel, 29 but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.30 Nevertheless, the LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My sight and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel.”31 Yet Jehu was not careful to follow the instruction of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.32 In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory 33 from the Jordan eastward through all the land of Gilead (the region of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh), and from Aroer by the Arnon Valley through Gilead to Bashan.34 As for the rest of the acts of Jehu, along with all his accomplishments and all his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?35 And Jehu rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria, and his son Jehoahaz reigned in his place. 36 So the duration of Jehu’s reign over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.REFLECTIONSWritten by Stephen SheadThere’s an amazing little connection between today’s passage and the opening verses of Matthew’s Gospel. It’s a detail I only learned when I was preparing to preach on Matthew earlier this year, and it blew my mind, so I want to share it with you.Matthew famously arranges Jesus’ genealogy in three groups of 14 generations each: 14 generations from Abraham to King David, who was a preview of the Messiah; 14 generations from King David to the exile in Babylon; and 14 generations from the exile to Jesus.But many people say that Matthew has fudged the generations to make Jesus’ line look like a neat, God-ordained pattern. The reason is that it looks like Matthew skips 3 generations. In Matthew 1:8, in the middle of the second group, Matthew says, “Joram was the father of Uzziah.” Joram – or Jehoram, as he is also known – was the king of Judah we met briefly in 2 King 8. But he wasn’t directly the father of Uzziah, he was actually his great-great grandfather. There were three generations of kings in between them: Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah.So was Matthew fudging? Not at all! The key detail is in verse 30 of today’s passage, where God tells Jehu that because of his faithfulness in eradicating the wicked house of Ahab, “four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel.” That phrase “the throne of Israel” is a very special phrase. In the whole Old Testament, there are only two other kings who said to sit on “the throne of Israel”: King David and his son Solomon. They both ruled over the whole, united kingdom of Israel. After Solomon’s death, the kingdom was divided in two, so from then on, there were parallel kings over Israel in the north and Judah in the south.But in 1 Kings 9, Jehu assassinates the kings of both Israel and Judah, to end the threat of Baal-worship. And from God’s point of view, that meant that the dynasty of Jehu – this northern usurper – had temporarily replaced the line of King David in Jerusalem. For four generations (which is how long Jehu’s dynasty would last), there would again be a king on the throne of all Israel – so during that time, from God’s point of view, there was a gap in the line of David’s heirs.Guess how long Jehu’s four generations lasted? They lasted through the reigns of Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah in Judah – the three kings Matthew leaves out of his genealogy of Jesus. Matthew leaves them out because God left them out of his reckoning of Jesus’ royal line.“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him” (Psalm 18:30). Pray today that God might grow us all in our conviction that his word is flawless, and that it might lead us to marvel at Jesus and take refuge in him. ABOUT THE AUTHORStephen is our Senior Minister.

2 Kings 10:12-24 - Daily Devotion - 31 July 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 12 Then Jehu set out toward Samaria. At Beth-eked of the Shepherds, 13 Jehu met some relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah and asked, “Who are you?”“We are relatives of Ahaziah,” they answered, “and we have come down to greet the sons of the king and of the queen mother.”14 Then Jehu ordered, “Take them alive.” So his men took them alive, then slaughtered them at the well of Beth-eked—forty-two men. He spared none of them.15 When he left there, he found Jehonadab son of Rechab, who was coming to meet him. Jehu greeted him and asked, “Is your heart as true to mine as my heart is to yours?”“It is!” Jehonadab replied.“If it is,” said Jehu, “give me your hand.”So he gave him his hand, and Jehu helped him into his chariot, 16 saying, “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD!” So he had him ride in his chariot.17 When Jehu came to Samaria, he struck down everyone belonging to Ahab who remained there, until he had destroyed them, according to the word that the LORD had spoken to Elijah.18 Then Jehu brought all the people together and said, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him a lot. 19 Now, therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests. See that no one is missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.”But Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the servants of Baal.20 And Jehu commanded, “Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal.” So they announced it.21 Then Jehu sent word throughout Israel, and all the servants of Baal came; there was not a man who failed to show. They entered the temple of Baal, and it was filled from end to end.22 And Jehu said to the keeper of the wardrobe, “Bring out garments for all the servants of Baal.” So he brought out garments for them.23 Next, Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab entered the temple of Baal, and Jehu said to the servants of Baal, “Look around to see that there are no servants of the LORD here among you—only servants of Baal.”24 And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and warned them, “If anyone allows one of the men I am delivering into your hands to escape, he will forfeit his life for theirs.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Stephen SheadI struggle to know what to make of Jehu – and I’m sick of all the killing! I suspect we’re supposed to be sickened by it … and yet, we’re told again and again that this was “according to the word that the LORD had spoken to Elijah”.The dynasty of Ahab in the northern kingdom of Israel had almost eliminated worship of the Lord, and had made it virtually compulsory to worship the Canaanite storm god Baal instead. Earlier this month, I mentioned that in Deuteronomy 13, God had warned his people that any Israelite city that abandoned him to worship other gods would be wiped out. The land of Israel, during the time of the old covenant, was set apart for God’s holy presence, and profaning God’s holiness with idols must bring death.But it was even worse. King Ahab’s dynasty had even infiltrated the line of King David in the southern kingdom of Judah. King Jehoram – Ahaziah’s father – had married Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab. That marriage alliance was like a poison in David’s line which threatened to derail God’s promises. So maybe Jehu was right to wipe out Ahaziah’s family too … was he?Yet in Hosea 1:4, after Jehu’s death, God announced that he would judge Jehu’s house “for the massacre at Jezreel,” which is a solid clue that Jehu went beyond God’s command. Maybe he used God’s word as an excuse to kill whoever he wanted, or simply enjoyed the terrible task he was given.Today’s passage reminded me of a truth that I’m so glad Paul clarifies for us, as Christ’s people: That unlike Israel’s kings, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against … the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” and we fight those spiritual enemies by standing firm in the righteousness of Christ and preaching the gospel so the lost will find life (Ephesians 6:10-17). Pray that we might see the ugliness and evil of worshiping anything other than the true God, and that we might be zealous for the Lord Jesus and his gospel. ABOUT THE AUTHORStephen is our senior minister.

2 Kings 10:1-11 - Daily Devotion - 30 July 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 1 Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria to the officials of Jezreel, to the elders, and to the guardians of the sons of Ahab, saying: 2 “When this letter arrives, since your master’s sons are with you and you have chariots and horses, a fortified city and weaponry, 3 select the best and most worthy son of your master, set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.”4 But they were terrified and reasoned, “If two kings could not stand against him, how can we?”5 So the palace administrator, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you say. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever is good in your sight.”6 Then Jehu wrote them a second letter and said: “If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, then bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.”Now the sons of the king, seventy in all, were being brought up by the leading men of the city. 7 And when the letter arrived, they took the sons of the king and slaughtered all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.8 When the messenger arrived, he told Jehu, “They have brought the heads of the sons of the king.”And Jehu ordered, “Pile them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until morning.”9 The next morning, Jehu went out and stood before all the people and said, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these? 10 Know, then, that not a word the LORD has spoken against the house of Ahab will fail, for the LORD has done what He promised through His servant Elijah.”11 So Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab, as well as all his great men and close friends and priests, leaving him without a single survivor.REFLECTIONSWritten by Andy RowlandsThis isn’t particularly pleasant reading. On the one hand, Jehu rightly recognises that the word of God has not failed, and the Lord has done what he promised. God first announced his judgment against Ahab’s house to Elijah in 1 Kings 19, and he proclaimed it to Ahab himself in 1 Kings 21. Now it has been fully carried out, because God’s word never fails.On the other hand, God brings it about by the hand of a manipulative and bloodthirsty usurper, Jehu. When God vindicates himself against the idolatry and rebelliousness of the house of Ahab, shouldn’t it be a glorious event, and cause for celebration? The wrath of Jehu leaves me thinking: “Not like this, Lord…” It seems like one wicked king and dynasty is being replaced by a king who is maybe slightly less wicked, but still brutal. In the rest of the chapter, more of Jehu’s true character will be revealed.When I look out at our world, it’s easy to see similar dynamics at play, just without a clear word from God to commission these deeds. We see those who are strong meting out ‘justice’ against those who are rightly seen as evil; but how much better are their replacements? I think it’s right to have mixed emotions when we see justice being done in our world by those who are flawed and cannot execute perfect justice. On one hand, it is good that people seek and attempt to implement justice. However, so often those executing that justice have mixed motives, meting out imperfect punishments that are too harsh or too lenient.But I look forward, with great longing, to the day when Jesus will return. He is not a king who delivered justice for his own benefit; instead, he bore the penalty due to us that he might be righteous and a merciful saviour. And when he returns, he will display his perfect justice in the world. On that day, he will make everything right again! And for those of us who call him Saviour, that judgement will be one that we will rejoice in wholeheartedly, as it displays the glory and splendour of our good God. ABOUT THE AUTHORAndy is one of our student ministers.

2 Kings 9:27-37 - Daily Devotion - 29 July 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 27 When King Ahaziah of Judah saw this, he fled up the road toward Beth-haggan.And Jehu pursued him, shouting, “Shoot him too!”So they shot Ahaziah in his chariot on the Ascent of Gur, near Ibleam, and he fled to Megiddo and died there. 28 Then his servants carried him by chariot to Jerusalem and buried him with his fathers in his tomb in the City of David.29 (In the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab, Ahaziah had become king over Judah.)30 Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. 31 And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?”32 He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?”And two or three eunuchs looked down at him.33 “Throw her down!” yelled Jehu.So they threw her down, and her blood splattered on the wall and on the horses as they trampled her underfoot.34 Then Jehu went in and ate and drank. “Take care of this cursed woman,” he said, “and bury her, for she was the daughter of a king.”35 But when they went out to bury her, they found nothing but her skull, her feet, and the palms of her hands.36 So they went back and told Jehu, who replied, “This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour the flesh of Jezebel. 37 And Jezebel’s body will lie like dung in the field on the plot of ground at Jezreel, so that no one can say: This is Jezebel.’ ”REFLECTIONSWritten by Susan DucIn the lists of popular girls’ names across the world, ‘Jezebel’ has never done well. It’s probably because Jezebel is a name associated in the Bible with idolatry, wickedness and sexual immorality. We have seen why this is so throughout 1 and 2 Kings. With her husband King Ahab of Israel, Jezebel promoted the worship of Baal amongst God’s people, persecuted God’s prophets and orchestrated the murder of Naboth. We see even as Jezebel’s end draws near in today’s passage, that she remains unrepentant and defiantly anti-God. When Jehu, God’s appointed instrument for judgment, passes through the city gates, Jezebel flaunts herself and taunts him at her window (v 30-32). Jehu gives the order and the eunuchs by her side throw her down (v 33). Her death is a gruesome and just response for her sin (v 36-37).Jezebel’s infamy spread so far and wide that in Revelation 2:20, Jesus applies her name to the woman who led the church at Thyatira into sexual immorality and the worship of false gods. Like her predecessor, this New Testament ‘Jezebel’ was unwilling to repent and so Jesus “cast her onto a bed of sickness” (Rev 2:22).Have you been caught up in sins you are too ashamed to admit? Do you think your sins make you unworthy of love or acceptance? Look at Jezebel – even she was given time to repent. But don’t be like her – trust in God’s goodness, confess your sins and give them to Jesus. “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21). ABOUT THE AUTHORSusan is one of our assistant ministers.

2 Kings 9:14-26 - Daily Devotion - 28 July 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 14 Thus Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram.(Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Aram, 15 but King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he had suffered at the hands of the Arameans in the battle against Hazael their king.)So Jehu said, “If you commanders wish to make me king, then do not let anyone escape from the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.”16 Then Jehu got into his chariot and went to Jezreel, because Joram was laid up there and Ahaziah king of Judah had gone down to see him.17 Now the watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, and he called out, “I see a company of troops!”“Choose a rider,” Joram commanded. “Send him out to meet them and ask, ‘Have you come in peace?’”18 So a horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’”“What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.”And the watchman reported, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.”19 So the king sent out a second horseman, who went to them and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’”“What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.”20 Again the watchman reported, “He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the charioteer is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi —he is driving like a madman!”21 “Harness!” Joram shouted, and they harnessed his chariot.Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah set out, each in his own chariot, and met Jehu on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite.22 When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?”“How can there be peace,” he replied, “as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?”23 Joram turned around and fled, calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!”24 Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot.25 And Jehu said to Bidkar his officer, “Pick him up and throw him into the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember that when you and I were riding together behind his father Ahab, the LORD lifted up this burden against him: 26 ‘As surely as I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons yesterday, declares the LORD, so will I repay you on this plot of ground, declares the LORD.’ Now then, according to the word of the LORD, pick him up and throw him on the plot of ground.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Susan DucIn today’s passage, Jehu, who is God’s chosen instrument for judgment, rolls out a clever scheme which leads to the downfall of not one, but two wicked kings: Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah. Jehu draws Joram and Ahaziah out to meet him, and they only realise too late his plan to kill them. (Tomorrow we will read about Ahaziah’s death.)God judged Joram and Ahaziah for they did evil in the eyes of the LORD and for failing to lead their people in worship of Him (2 Kgs 3:1-3 and 8:25-27). Joram’s death marks the end of Ahab’s house, and he is buried in Naboth’s field. Joram’s burial location is fitting, because his father Ahab had coveted Naboth’s field and murdered him for it, along with his sons (v 26).Through Jehu, God pours out his wrath on Ahab and his family for their sins. Rightly, we praise God who gave them what they deserve. And yet, we have these words from Ezekiel 18:23: “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?”We should rejoice when evil is defeated, even when that involves the death of the wicked. But as God longs for all to repent, we should pray that evildoers might turn to Jesus and throw themselves at the foot of the cross. “Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon” (Isa 55:7). ABOUT THE AUTHORSusan is one of our assistant ministers.

2 Kings 9:1-13 - Daily Devotion - 27 July 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 1 Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak under your belt, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead. 2 When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in, get him away from his companions, and take him to an inner room. 3 Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!”4 So the young prophet went to Ramoth-gilead, 5 and when he arrived, the army commanders were sitting there. “I have a message for you, commander,” he said.“For which of us?” asked Jehu.“For you, commander,” he replied.6 So Jehu got up and went into the house, where the young prophet poured the oil on his head and declared, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king over the LORD’s people Israel. 7 And you are to strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the LORD shed by the hand of Jezebel. 8 The whole house of Ahab will perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male, both slave and free, in Israel. 9 I will make the house of Ahab like the houses of Jeroboam son of Nebat and Baasha son of Ahijah. 10 And on the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour Jezebel, and there will be no one to bury her.’”Then the young prophet opened the door and ran.11 When Jehu went out to the servants of his master, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?”“You know his kind and their babble,” he replied.12 “That is a lie!” they said. “Tell us now!”So Jehu answered, “He talked to me about this and that, and he said, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’”13 Quickly, each man took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. Then they blew the ram’s horn and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”REFLECTIONSWritten by Susan DucHave you tasted the bitterness of injustice? Have you seen too many evil-doers succeed in their schemes? These experiences may make us feel powerless, resentful and even vengeful.In the final chapters of 1 Kings, we met King Ahab and Jezebel, his idolatrous and immoral queen. We saw how they abused their royal power – leading Israel in the worship of Baal, persecuting God’s prophets and even killing an innocent man to steal his land.God had promised the prophet Elijah that he would end Ahab’s house (1 Kgs 19:15-17). At the end of 1 Kings, King Ahab and his son, Ahaziah, are killed. But there is still another son, Joram, and of course, Jezebel, who continue to rule in Israel. So the anointing of Jehu as king in today’s passage is significant. God is keeping his promise to enact judgment on Ahab and Jezebel for their murder of God’s prophets and servants (v 7-8). Jehu has been appointed as the instrument of God’s work. We are reminded that “the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth” (Psalm 34:16). It means that even if we face of the gravest injustices, we can rejoice in the God who loves justice, and we can worship Him knowing He will one day make good his promise to restore justice to the whole earth.  ABOUT THE AUTHORSusan is one of our assistant ministers.

2 Kings 8:16-29 - Daily Devotion - 25 July 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 16 In the fifth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab over Israel, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat succeeded his father as king of Judah. 17 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.18 And Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done. For he married a daughter of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD.19 Yet for the sake of His servant David, the LORD was unwilling to destroy Judah, since He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.20 In the days of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah and appointed their own king. 21 So Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night. His troops, however, fled to their homes.22 So to this day Edom has been in rebellion against the hand of Judah. Likewise, Libnah rebelled at the same time.23 As for the rest of the acts of Jehoram, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?24 And Jehoram rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David. And his son Ahaziah reigned in his place.25 In the twelfth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab over Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram became king of Judah. 26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri king of Israel.27 And Ahaziah walked in the ways of the house of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab, for he was a son-in-law of the house of Ahab.28 Then Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to fight against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-gilead, and the Arameans wounded Joram. 29 So King Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted on him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded.REFLECTIONSWritten by Alex ChenIt’s shocking but not surprising that Jehoram and his son Ahaziah, two kings of God’s people in Judah, did evil. They had terrible influences to lead them astray. Even though they were descendants of King David, they became close friends with king Joram of the northern kingdom of Israel, who was part of the evil dynasty of King Ahab. Jehoram even married the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel.It’s a bit too close to home when we remember how easily the secular culture we live in can drag us away from God and trusting in Jesus – sometimes we don’t even notice it. It might be accepting bits of extra work which mean sacrificing good time with God, or the latest fad we chase too hard.But we’re also reminded of God’s faithfulness. God relents from destroying Judah because of his promises to David and his descendants. We can know God will be faithful to all his promises through Christ, including the assurance of forgiveness when we turn back to him. It’s also comforting to know we have the Holy Spirit now, so we can swim against the culture and live a life that rightly serves God. Pray about the pressures and influences you feel, and ask for God’s help in saying “no” to ungodliness and “yes” to living joyfully for him. ABOUT THE AUTHORAlex is one of our student ministers..

2 Kings 8:7-15 - Daily Devotion - 24 July 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 7 Then Elisha came to Damascus while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God has come here.”8 So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”9 So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”10 Elisha answered, “Go and tell him, ‘You will surely recover.’ But the LORD has shown me that in fact he will die.”11 Elisha fixed his gaze steadily on him until Hazael became uncomfortable. Then the man of God began to weep.12 “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael.“Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”13 “But how could your servant, a mere dog, do such a monstrous thing?” said Hazael.And Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”14 So Hazael left Elisha and went to his master, who asked him, “What did Elisha say to you?”And he replied, “He told me that you would surely recover.” 15 But the next day Hazael took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the king’s face.So Ben-hadad died, and Hazael reigned in his place.REFLECTIONSWritten by Matt RadloffWhen we see evil in the world, how should we respond? When we hear of horrific actions and atrocities committed against the innocent, how does God want us to react? Elisha came face-to-face with a terrible man, Hazael. God showed Elisha who this man would become. He showed him what this man would go on to do, actions which can only be described as pure evil. Hazael was to become the future king of Aram. But he would only achieve it by murder and treason. And then with his new power, Hazael would bring terror onto God’s people, committing unspeakable acts of evil. Seeing this man standing before him, Elisha weeps. Elisha knows that God is in control, but that doesn’t stop the tears. Rightly, Elisha weeps over the evil in this world.Many years later, another man wept. As Jesus looked at the tomb which held his friend Lazarus, tears rolled down his cheeks. Facing the evil of this world, facing the wrongness of death, Jesus responded rightly. Even knowing that he was about to raise Lazarus from the grave, knowing that he would conquer death forever, Jesus wept.As we see evil and hear about the great injustices of the world, it's right for us to weep. It’s right for us to be moved to grief over the wrongness of death, pain and suffering. We long for the day when God will wipe every tear from our eyes, when all things will be made right and all evil destroyed forever. In the meantime, while we wait, it's right to cry out to God through the tears, “Come Lord Jesus”. ABOUT THE AUTHORMatt is one of our student ministers.

2 Kings 8:1-6 - Daily Devotion - 23 July 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 1 Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed a seven-year famine, and it has already come to the land.”2 So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines.3 At the end of seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to the king to appeal for her house and her land.4 Now the king had been speaking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, “Please relate to me all the great things Elisha has done.”5 And Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had brought the dead back to life. Just then the woman whose son Elisha had revived came to appeal to the king for her house and her land. So Gehazi said, “My lord the king, this is the woman, and this is the son Elisha restored to life.”6 When the king asked the woman, she confirmed it. So the king appointed for her an officer, saying, “Restore all that was hers, along with all the proceeds of the field from the day that she left the country until now.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Susan EverettWhen have you seen God miraculously intervene in your own ordinary life?A few years ago, I needed to move suburb quite quickly. I remember praying to God, asking for his help. I had no idea how I could manage the move as a broke Uni student with very few connections outside my home town. To my astonishment, I was contacted by a family from the church I had just started attending – they offered for me to come live with them at a rate even a broke Uni student could afford. A week later, a job landed in my lap. It was so clear that God saw me, and was miraculously providing for me, even though I was just an ordinary Uni student.We see something similar in 2 Kings 8. After all these grand tales concerning kings and nations, we zoom in to the ordinary life of one woman – the Shunammite woman we met back in 2 Kings 4. She has returned to Israel after 7 years, as Elisha had instructed her, but it seems someone has taken her house and land. Yet God sees her, this unnamed woman, and has already set plans in motion to provide for her. When she goes to the King, he’s already mid-conversation with Elisha’s old servant Gehazi, who is telling him all about how Elisha raised her son back to life. Coincidence? I think not. And despite the terrible reputation of the Israelite kings, all the woman’s property is restored.It’s clear that God is at work here. Our God intervenes in all our lives – no matter how ordinary we seem. And if we obey the word of the LORD – like the Shunammite woman did – we can trust that God will provide what we need. As Jesus says, “Seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt 6:33). Spend some time now thanking God for the ways he’s intervened in your life, and ask him to keep providing what you need. ABOUT THE AUTHORSusan is one of our student ministers.

2 Kings 7:12-20 - Daily Devotion - 22 July 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 12 So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive and enter the city.’”13 But one of his servants replied, “Please, have scouts take five of the horses that remain in the city. Their plight will be no worse than all the Israelites who are left here. You can see that all the Israelites here are doomed. So let us send them and find out.”14 Then the scouts took two chariots with horses, and the king sent them after the Aramean army, saying, “Go and see.” 15 And they tracked them as far as the Jordan, and indeed, the whole way was littered with the clothing and equipment the Arameans had thrown off in haste. So the scouts returned and told the king.16 Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.17 Now the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king had come to him. 18 It happened just as the man of God had told the king: “About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel.”19 And the officer had answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?”So Elisha had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!”20 And that is just what happened to him. The people trampled him in the gateway, and he died.REFLECTIONSWritten by Stephen Shead“According to the word of the LORD” (v 16). That’s the key to today’s passage. The word from the Lord that Elijah announced back in verse 1 seemed utterly far-fetched and ludicrous. There was no food left, people were starving even to the point of cannibalism – yet Elijah had said that the very next day there would be such an oversupply of food in the city that prices for groceries would plummet to record low levels. The king’s officer had declared this to be impossible, even if the Lord were to “make windows in heaven.” And yet everything happened “according to the word of the LORD”. The narrator goes out of his way to underscore that God’s word was precisely fulfilled down to the last detail.The best part is that God’s promise was – for everyone except for the unbelieving officer – a promise of restoration, life, abundance, and overflowing fullness.Jesus promised something similar, but a far more significant type of restoration and life. He said, “I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. … I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness” (John 10:9-10). The fullness of life Jesus promises begins as inner transformation now, like a spring of water which will “well up to eternal life” when he returns (John 4:14).Do you sometimes struggle to believe that the fullness of life Jesus offers really will live up to his promise? Use today’s passage to confirm your trust that it will all be exactly according to his word. ABOUT THE AUTHORStephen is our Senior Minister.

2 Kings 7:3-11 - Daily Devotion - 21 July 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 3 Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate, and they said to one another, “Why just sit here until we die? 4 If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.”5 So they arose at twilight and went to the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the outskirts of the camp, there was not a man to be found. 6 For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.”7 Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives.8 When the lepers reached the edge of the camp, they went into a tent to eat and drink. Then they carried off the silver, gold, and clothing, and went and hid them. On returning, they entered another tent, carried off some items from there, and hid them.9 Finally, they said to one another, “We are not doing what is right. Today is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until morning light, our sin will overtake us. Now, therefore, let us go and tell the king’s household.”10 So they went and called out to the gatekeepers of the city, saying, “We went to the Aramean camp and no one was there—not a trace—only tethered horses and donkeys, and the tents were intact.”11 The gatekeepers shouted the news, and it was reported to the king’s household.REFLECTIONSWritten by Stephen SheadToday’s passage reminded me of two things about God which I never want to forget. First, God doesn’t need our help to carry out his plans and purposes. I’ve sometimes heard people say things like, “Me and God, together we can do anything” … that makes me cringe. Everything God does ultimately depends on his power alone – and we need to remember that so we give God all the glory and praise.But the passage also reminded me that God loves to use the weak, the despised, and the nobodies as his instruments. As Paul told the Corinthians, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor. 1:27). These lepers didn’t do anything to send the Arameans packing – God did that. But he let them find out the good news – “Today is a day of good news”, they said (v. 9). And he chose these nobodies to be the bearers of the good news that would save their whole city.Isn’t that a beautiful picture of evangelism? We didn’t do anything to defeat sin and death – Jesus did that on his own. But God uses people to bear that good news to the world. And he doesn’t just use the experts and “professionals” for that. Jesus chose simple, unschooled fishermen to kick off the whole process. So do you think he wouldn’t use you?Today is a day of good news! Ask God to make you like these lepers with the treasure of the gospel. ABOUT THE AUTHORStephen is our Senior Minister.