St Barnabas Daily Devotions

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield and Bossley Park
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Daily Devotions written by members of St Barnabas to help us grow in our personal relationships with God by reading God's Word. From February 2025, the Scriptures quoted are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB). https://berean.bible Prior to February 2025, the Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® https://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

  1. 14h ago

    Romans 10:11-15

    Romans 10:11-15 - Daily Devotion - 30 October 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 11 It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” REFLECTIONSWritten by Tim Mitry This section of Romans 10 is a great call to action. I’m on board with more people believing in Jesus and following him – and so is Paul. But Paul makes it clear that to reach that end goal of people believing and following Christ, Christians must be sent out. This is a good reminder to me that as I pray for God to save people, I need to be willing to be one of those ‘sent’ people to go and tell others. I don’t think this necessarily has to involve packing a suitcase and heading to some far-away place, but it does mean being missional in my every-day interactions with people. I can have the ‘beautiful feet’ of someone coming with good news, by sharing the good news about Jesus with friends or visitors. I could tell someone about how the good news of Jesus changes me and the world, and encourage them to go to the Jesus course. I’m going to pray for courage. As Paul says, “How can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard?” Let’s pray that we all will have courage to be the tellers of God’s Good News about his Son to everyone. ABOUT THE AUTHORTim is one of our Ministry Trainees.

  2. 1d ago

    Romans 10:5-10

    Romans 10:5-10 - Daily Devotion - 29 October 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 5 For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 or, ‘Who will descend into the Abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved. REFLECTIONSWritten by Stephen Shead This is one of my favourite passages in all Paul’s letters. At first, it sounds like Paul is doing bizarre things with the Old Testament. But actually, what he’s doing shows how deeply he understands the way the Old Testament law pointed to Jesus. (It’s pretty complex, but I’ll have a crack at explaining it!) Paul knew that God’s grace had exploded into the world in the coming of Jesus, Israel’s Messiah. Now finally, salvation was available, as a gift through trusting in Jesus, the Lord whom God had raised from the dead (v 9). But Paul’s anguish is that his own people Israel had rejected Jesus. They thought they were already righteous because God had given them the law of Moses, so why would they need this Jesus? So Paul quotes two passages from the law of Moses, to show that the law itself pointed to their need for Jesus. The law of Moses is the first 5 books of the Old Testament (Genesis to Deuteronomy). Those books present two possible ways to seek salvation and life – but one was a dead end. The first way, which is through the law itself, is in Leviticus 18:5: “The man who does these things will live by them.” Paul’s point is: Having the law does nothing. You need to obey all its commands. And that was always the problem. The people of Israel had stubborn and rebellious hearts. They always ended up turning away from God – and the law didn’t just give commands, it also told the story of Israel’s incurable disobedience. By the end of the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is tearing his hair out (Deuteronomy 31:27). It was clear that the law couldn’t solve the problem. But at the same time, in Deuteronomy 30:1-10, God made an amazing promise: one day, he would do a great new work of forgiveness and heart-transformation, which would finally bring life. The details of that promise were still shrouded in mystery – but the law ended by showing that the way to righteousness lay in a new, future work of God’s grace. The second passage Paul quotes comes straight after that promise, in Deuteronomy 30:11-14 – though Paul doesn’t just quote it. He removes the shroud of mystery. He fills in the blanks with the fulfilment of the promise: the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Lord. That was the second way of righteousness that law pointed to as the only hope for Israel and the world. I love the Bible so much – and the more I study it, the more I marvel at Jesus. I guess the only question left is: Have you confessed “Yes, Jesus is Lord” (you could say it out loud now), and do you believe God raised him from the dead? If so, you are saved. End of story! ABOUT THE AUTHORStephen is our Senior Minister.

  3. 2d ago

    Romans 9:30-10:4

    Romans 9:30-10:4 - Daily Devotion - 28 October 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 30 What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32 Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumblingand a rock of offense;and the one who believes in Himwill never be put to shame.” Chapter 101 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. 3 Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes. REFLECTIONSWritten by Laura Lie Earlier in this chapter we read Paul’s anguish over Israel’s continued unbelief, and his reminder that God is sovereign, as He calls his people to Him. Which is where we come in at verse 30: “What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.” Israel did not attain their goal of salvation, because they did not pursue it through faith, but saw it as something to be gained by works (v 32). They thought the old covenant meant they could earn their salvation through obedience to the law, but the old covenant pointed forward to Jesus. Paul saw that, in his day, the Gentiles were the ones entering the new covenant in Christ. They were putting their faith in Christ, believing in him and being saved. Israel’s mistake was not only a danger for Jews in Paul’s day. How easily can we fall into the same trap? I was raised in a Christian household and was saved at a young age, praise God! And I know that the good works I do in obedience to God are the fruits of the Spirit’s work in my life. They can never earn me salvation, because I am saved through God’s mercy (Ephesians 2:8-10). But so quickly, in my mind they can become something to cling to “just in case” – a little ego, a little salvation backup plan. If I do enough works, if I serve enough, if I keep up the right appearance, then that should help. Right? No. How would God, the creator of the universe, require my help? How would Jesus’ death on the cross serve any purpose, if my works are still required as part of the plan? Thankfully, He does not, and Christ’s sacrifice was complete. God is sovereign and His plan is good. Paul continues to remind us of this in chapter 10: “For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes” (v 4). What joy and relief for those of us who have already received the Lord’s salvation, and what a wonderful message for those who have not yet. ABOUT THE AUTHORLaura is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

  4. 3d ago

    Romans 9:25-29

    Romans 9:25-29 - Daily Devotion - 27 October 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 25 As He says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people,and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,” 26 and,“It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them,‘You are not My people,’they will be called‘sons of the living God.’” 27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:“Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea,only the remnant will be saved.28 For the Lord will carry out His sentence on the earththoroughly and decisively.” 29 It is just as Isaiah foretold:“Unless the Lord of Hosts had left us descendants,we would have become like Sodom,we would have resembled Gomorrah.” REFLECTIONSWritten by Susan Everett I’ve always found Romans 9 a difficult chapter. I think most of us like to imagine that we are in charge of our own destinies. Yet Paul says that what actually determines our future is God’s sovereign mercy, not our efforts. It feels unfair. And in a real way, it is. But verses 25-26 remind me what is actually unfair. It’s unfair that God shows mercy to a sinful outsider like me. I’m not a part of God’s original covenant people, Israel. I’m not a naturally good or godly person. I don’t deserve God’s compassion. None of us do. And yet, because God delights in showing mercy, he calls us ungodly, underserving Gentiles, “My people.” He calls us “beloved.” He even calls us “sons” – his children. Just let that sink in. If you trust in Jesus, you belong to God. You are his beloved. You are a child of his. That’s who you are now. And because that rests entirely on God’s choice to be merciful, you can’t stuff it up. You can’t earn it, or un-earn it. You are just as much God’s beloved on your bad days as your good days. That’s the kind of salvation Jesus has purchased for us. God’s sovereign choice can be a tricky thing to wrestle with. But it’s also the only reason any of us can be called children of God. Let’s thank him for his mercy. Heavenly Father, we know that we do not deserve your mercy. You have every right to judge us for our sin. Thank you so much for choosing to show us mercy instead. Thank you for calling us your people, your beloved, your sons. Help us remember today that we are your people not because of our efforts or desires, but because you decided to show us mercy through Jesus. In his name we pray, Amen. ABOUT THE AUTHORSusan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

  5. 4d ago

    Romans 9:14-24

    Romans 9:14-24 - Daily Devotion - 26 October 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden. 19 One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use? 22 What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction? 23 What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory— 24 including us, whom He has called not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles? REFLECTIONSWritten by Gus Cameron This passage helps us reflect on one of the most confronting aspects of our faith. It’s a question that has been asked at every Jesus Course and it is something you have probably asked as well: “Is God unjust to choose to save some people and not others?” Here’s some comfort: This passage shows us that it is a question that was being asked at the very beginning of Christianity, and it’s a question that the Bible is not afraid to ask. It’s an important question that takes us to the very heart of God and our relationship with him. In today’s section, Paul helps us to think about God’s mercy in two ways. First, he shows that it makes no sense to say that God is “unfair” in showing mercy. God has mercy on people who do not deserve mercy. That is the definition of mercy. If we deserved God’s mercy, it would not be mercy! God is not, and cannot, be unfair in showing mercy to anyone. What’s “fair” for every single person is to be condemned by God. The book of Exodus shows that even when God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, Pharaoh had already hardened his own heart against God. So Paul reminds us that we are like clay in the hands of a potter. God is the creator, so he full authority to make and act and plan whatever he chooses. We are his creations; we cannot turn back and call him unjust. As creator God is right to do whatever he chooses. Secondly, Paul reminds us that God’s mercy shows us his glory. God’s mercy should make us stop in amazement. The best response to our questions about God’s justice is to reflect on Jesus and his death for us on the cross, because there we see God’s mercy and justice come together. There God’s character shines so brightly, his good, righteous, merciful character. The infinite, holy, awesome creator of the universe chose to suffer hell for us, in the person of his Son on the cross, out of love for a sinful world. Even if we can’t fully understand his ways, it’s not that God doesn’t care. I think I forget just how incredible God’s mercy is. I deserve nothing from God. More than that, I deserve his wrath. But he is merciful. We will find both mercy and justice nowhere else but in Jesus. Give thanks to God for his mercy poured out on the world, and poured out on us. ABOUT THE AUTHORGus is our Senior Assistant Minister with our Fairfield congregations.

  6. 6d ago

    Romans 9:6-13

    Romans 9:6-13 - Daily Devotion - 24 October 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 6 It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” 10 Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. 11 Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, 12 not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” REFLECTIONSWritten by Ken Wong Playground soccer games were always a nerve-racking affair for me. The two best players were usually the captains of each team (which was never me). They had the task of picking their teammates one by one. I had the task of nervously waiting to be picked. It was always a great relief when I was picked by the captain that day. Today we encounter another type of selection, or perhaps non-selection. In yesterday’s passage, Paul lamented that despite the advantages that his fellow Jews enjoyed, very few were being saved. Now Paul says in verse 6, “not all descended from Israel are Israel”. In other words, not every physical descendent of Israel belongs to the true Israel. Not all Israelites will receive the blessing that God promised to Israel. That raises a very important question: Has God’s promise failed? Paul uses two examples from the book of Genesis to show that, no, God’s promise has not failed. It was always intended to work that way. God promised that a “seed” or descendant of Abraham would bless the world, but not all “seeds” of Abraham would belong to God. First, Abraham’s sons Ishmael and Isaac. Both were born to Abraham, but Ishmael is described as a child born of the flesh and human effort. Isaac was born to Sarah in her old age, as the child of God’s promise, by God’s sovereign power. Only Isaac was the seed of God’s promise to bless the world. Secondly, Isaac’s twin sons Esau and Jacob. Even before they were born, Jacob was destined for blessing, but God had rejected Esau as part of the line of Abraham’s seed. That was not because Jacob was good and Esau was bad, even though later Esau despised God’s promise. But salvation is always by God’s grace and sovereignty and not by human family line or works. The truth of God’s election to salvation is in the Bible is meant to give great assurance to believers. We might struggle with it (we’ll think more about it tomorrow). But God’s election is like being picked by Lionel Messi for his team, only infinitely better, because when Jesus picks us for his team, victory is assured. And his choice doesn’t depend on our worth or our feeble efforts, only on his death and resurrection for us. He always carries his team. On the flip side, I am also reminded not to fall into the trap of the Pharisees. Being born to a Christian family, or being in church for a long time, are both great blessings. But neither our family line nor belonging to church save us. I need to recommit myself to Christ each day and rely on him alone for my salvation. ABOUT THE AUTHORKen is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

  7. Oct 22

    Romans 9:1-5

    Romans 9:1-5 - Daily Devotion - 23 October 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 1 I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit. 2 I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen. REFLECTIONSWritten by Jess Chow Yesterday’s passage from the end of Romans 8 gave us the assurance that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. That is such a comforting and uplifting truth, particularly in times of hardship. But in today’s passage, Paul’s tone shifts to one of sorrow as he thinks about his fellow Jews, the people of Israel, who have rejected Christ Jesus as Lord and do not share in that truth with Paul. He’s so filled with anguish he even goes as far as to say he wishes he could sacrifice himself and endure separation from Christ for their sake – if it would lead to their salvation. This is quite extreme! I take it that Paul is speaking hypothetically, since he has just reminded us in the previous chapter that nothing can separate us from Christ. But what is clear is the depth of Paul’s love and longing for the Jews to know and believe in Jesus, their own Messiah. In the rest of Romans 9 Paul will go on to discuss God’s sovereignty in election, something Christians often refer to as ‘predestination’. Sometimes predestination can seem like a bit of a cold theological idea. You might be tempted to think that, because God is sovereign and chooses whomever He chooses, there’s no point in making the effort to evangelise. I can’t do anything about God’s choice, so I can just go about my own life concerned with my own salvation, not anybody else’s. But that is completely the wrong way to think. For Paul, knowing that God predestines some to salvation doesn’t lead him to indifference about the Jewish people. He doesn’t wipe his own hands clean since it’s in God’s hands. Instead, knowing God’s sovereignty actually pushes him towards a deep compassion for his people and a self-sacrificial desire that they would know the Christ who proceeds from their bloodline. Is there anyone I would say that I could wish to sacrifice my own salvation for, that I would do whatever is humanly possible to help them know Jesus? This is certainly a challenge. I pray that God would grant me a deep heart to see the lost saved! ABOUT THE AUTHORJess is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

  8. Oct 21

    Romans 8:35-39

    Romans 8:35-39 - Daily Devotion - 22 October 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:“For Your sake we face death all day long;we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. REFLECTIONSWritten by Keith Hengpoonthana We have all experienced love of one sort or another in our life, whether from family members, friends, or even strangers who you have only just met. If you ask people at random to define what love is, you will probably get many different answers. Some will define it as a feeling, while others see it as about your actions. Either way, worldly love is temporary and unstable. We fall in and out of love, we sometimes fail even those we love most, and eventually we will be separated from those we love in this world. What if someone was to love you for who you are, despite all of your flaws and external features? What if that love was forever and nothing could separate you from it? What if that love also builds you up, protects and nurtures you, overcomes all hardship and troubles, and even brings you back to life from death? The love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord is that love. When you are feeling lonely and unloved, when you are experiencing grief and distress, and when you feel like something is missing in your life, take the time to reflect on this passage. This is real and true love, something only God can give, because “God is love” (1 John 4:8). This love can only come from the creator God, and you simply cannot get it from things or people in this world. Also remember that whenever you feel like your sin is too big to be forgiven and you feel distant from God, then as long as you have put your trust in Christ, nothing can ever separate you from His love for you, all because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. When you are going through hard times and struggling in life, maybe you feel like God is not with you. Nothing could be further from the truth! God is always with you, and it is impossible for anything to separate you from his love. It’s a good thing to know that someone loves you. What Paul shows us is that, however much anyone in this world loves you, their love is only a tiny speck compared to how wide and long and high and deep is the love of God in Christ for you (Ephesians 3:14-19). Keep these verses in your heart, a love letter like no other. ABOUT THE AUTHORKeith is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

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Daily Devotions written by members of St Barnabas to help us grow in our personal relationships with God by reading God's Word. From February 2025, the Scriptures quoted are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB). https://berean.bible Prior to February 2025, the Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® https://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

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  • Creator
    St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield and Bossley Park
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    108
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © Copyright St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield and Bossley Park.
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    St Barnabas Daily Devotions