St Barnabas Daily Devotions

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.”

REFLECTIONS

Written 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 AUTHOR

Ken is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

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.

REFLECTIONS

Written 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 AUTHOR

Jess is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

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.

REFLECTIONS

Written 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 AUTHOR

Keith is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Romans 8:31-34 - Daily Devotion - 21 October 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Ashel Singh

How often do I live as though everything depends on me? I often find myself striving to get things perfectly right, worry about what others think, and carry the weight of my failures. When I fall short, it can be easy to question where I stand with God.

Romans 8:31–34 invites us to pause and consider a wonderful truth: God is for us.

The God who created the heavens and the earth has demonstrated his love for us by giving his own son. At the cross, we see just how far God was willing to go to bring us to himself. We do not have to spend our lives trying to convince God to love us. He has already shown us his love through Jesus.

I wonder if there are things from your past that still weigh heavily on your heart. Perhaps you are disappointed in yourself, or you find yourself comparing your faith to the faith of others. When these thoughts arise, where do you turn to for reassurance? Do you look at your own performance, or do you look to Christ?

Paul assures us that Jesus died, rose again, and now intercedes for us. What a comfort it is to know that our hope does not rest on our ability to get everything right, but on the Saviour who has done everything necessary to bring us to God.

Reflecting on this passage, it brings me comfort to rest in that truth. I do not need to carry the burden of proving my worth to God. Instead, I need to remember the love he has already demonstrated and the grace he continues to extend.

I’m usually calculated. I like to be very particular with how things pan out in my life. But that means sometimes I feel as if I need to do things to a certain standard to live for God. This passage brings me reassurance – it has been done, God is for us. It takes away the pressure to get it right. Instead, I can go to God with thankfulness and praise instead of guilt and pressure.

Pray with me. Heavenly Father, help me to rest in your love rather than striving to prove myself. When I am burdened by guilt, fear, or doubt, turn my eyes back to Jesus. Thank you that my confidence rests in what Christ has done, not in what I can achieve. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashel is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

Romans 8:28-30 - Daily Devotion - 20 October 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Keng Lio

When I read Romans 8:28-30, what strikes me most is the security and assurance in these verses.

Paul says that those God foreknew, He predestined. Those He predestined, He called. Those He called, He justified. And those He justified, He also glorified.

As I read those words, I can’t help but feel thankful that God has chosen me to be one of His children.

When I look honestly at myself, I know I haven’t earned that privilege. I’m a sinner... and left to myself, I deserve judgement and death, not forgiveness, acceptance and a place in God’s family. And yet, because of Jesus, that is exactly what God has given me.

I find it amazing that verse 29 says, God’s purpose is for us to be conformed to the image of His Son, and that Jesus would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Because of what Jesus has done, I don’t just stand before God as someone whose sins have been forgiven. I have been brought into His family. I can call God my Father, and Jesus my brother.

That is incredibly humbling.

These verses also remind me that my salvation doesn’t ultimately rest on how well I am doing as a Christian. There are times when I feel strong in my faith, and other times when I’m very aware of my weakness and sin. But this passage reminds me that God is the one who called me, justified me, and is bringing His work in me to completion.

Even the word “glorified” gives me hope. Paul speaks about it with such certainty. God’s purpose for His people will not fail.

So when I read this passage, my response is simply gratitude. I deserve none of this. Yet in Christ, I have been forgiven, justified, adopted into God’s family, and given the certain hope of glory.

What an incredible gift it is to belong to Him!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Keng is a one of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Romans 8:24-27 - Daily Devotion - 19 October 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

24 For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. 27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Sometimes when I get my daughters to pray, they know what to pray for, but other times they don’t have the words. So I’ll try help them out, talk through what they are thinking about praying, and once in a while they’ll just turn and ask me to pray for them. I’m more than happy to oblige: I count it a real privilege to bring the concerns of my kids before the almighty God and creator of the universe.

I’m not so different to them. There have been times when I have struggled to find the right words to pray – especially when there are crises with no obvious solution, or when people we know have suffered tragedies. In those times, I feel a bit lost. I know I desperately want God to work through the circumstances, but I don’t know what to ask him for.

As Romans has been teaching us, God calls us into a loving relationship with himself as our Father, by adopting us as his children through faith in his Son Jesus. We are weak – we often struggle to find words, we struggle to know how to pray. And as our loving Father, God doesn’t leave us alone in our weakness. He gives us help: his Holy Spirit.

As I reflect on this, there are two ways I realise the Spirit helps me with intercession. First, he reminds me of Scripture and puts Scripture in my mouth as I pray. Sometimes I’ll find myself praying through verses I read earlier, and somehow they fit the types of things I should be praying for at that moment, according to God’s will. One time, after reading James 1:5 on a Thursday morning, I prayed for our senior minister Stephen, that God would give him wisdom to prepare well for Saturday. After I finished praying, I had no idea why I had prayed that – I didn’t even know what Stephen was doing on Saturday. But as I found out later, he was officiating a wedding that day!

Secondly, there have been times I have said to God, “Father, I have no idea what to pray for. But please work in this situation.”

In both cases, today’s passage makes me so thankful that I can trust that the Spirit intercedes, and I can trust that he turns a fumbling, confused set of words into something that brings God glory and benefits his church and his kingdom. All I need to do is make the time and … pray. Let’s do that now.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Romans 8:18-23 - Daily Devotion - 17 October 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Diana Joseph

We ask ourselves many questions, but perhaps rarely these: Is my present suffering really for a greater good? How do we, humans, groan with creation?

When something small goes wrong, or when we or someone else experiences suffering or injustice, our first thought can be, “That’s not fair.” It becomes me, me, me, I, I, I. Then I think of Paul. He was flogged, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned and in constant peril. His suffering was inevitable in the height of religious oppression and persecution. I picture Paul writing on two sides of a page: on one side, he lists everything he is suffering now, on the other, he lists everything he will inherit later. He adds it all up and considers - there is no comparison. That should challenge us. We often talk ourselves into being victims. I see how easily temporary suffering can become bigger than it is and rob me of joy, yet Paul belittled his sufferings. Imagine if Paul saw himself as a victim. We wouldn’t have these verses.

Then Paul’s canvas becomes bigger. It is not only us who groan. Trees die, flowers fade and our bodies weaken. Creation bears the marks of decay and waits alongside us humans for God to make things right. It was made good, yet, because of sin, it now waits for freedom from its bondage to decay.  What profound and poetic language.

That makes me think differently about sickness, fatigue, ageing, disappointment, suffering and brokenness all around us. These marks of decay are real, but they are not permanent. Paul compares this groaning to childbirth, which reminds me of Jesus’ words that a woman in labour has sorrow, but once the child is born, the anguish gives way to joy. The pain is real, but it is leading somewhere. It is moving towards something greater. 

This should be our end goal. Decay is not the end. Christ will make all things new. Until then, we wait, groan, hope, comfort and encourage each other as Paul did, and remind each other that what we see now is not all there is. This world is not our final home and creation is waiting with us to be set free. This is the hope we have as children of God, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Diana is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Romans 8:12-17 - Daily Devotion - 16 October 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

We recently went through the process of putting together a will, setting out the terms of how and where our possessions would go when I and/or my wife die. It was quite the task to go through, listing all the things that we needed to account for and to whom we would like them to be distributed. And not that it’s much of a spoiler alert: but our kids will inherit most of our things. Although they are too young to really understand what it all means, the principle is simple: an inheritance will come their way, and they didn’t do a single thing to earn it. They will receive it simply because they are our children.

Today’s passage brings news which is similar, but so much better. At the start of the chapter, Paul told us that those who are in Christ Jesus have the Spirit of life that sets them free from the law of sin and death (v 1-2). Today it gets even more amazing: All who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. If you put your trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, you receive the Spirit who brings sonship, and this sonship means that you can call God “Father”. God sees you just like his son Jesus.

When I reflect on this, it seems unbelievable: the God of the universe – the all-powerful, all knowing, eternal King who brought creation into being with just his word – would count me as a son, and want me to call him Father.  But it gets even more mind-blowing: just by being a son of the living God, I am heir to an eternal inheritance, which includes sharing in God’s glory! Of course, there is no possible way I could have worked for or earned that. I simply receive it because I am counted as a son. It seems unbelievable – but it is to be believed, because God said it, the Spirit testified to it by raising Jesus from the dead, and the Spirit testifies to our spirits that it is true.

Rest in this truth today: God has made us his own heirs with Jesus his son.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Romans 8:5-11 - Daily Devotion - 15 October 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

5 Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tina Bogg

As I read this passage, I thought about what a blessing it is to be living by the Spirit, and I am so thankful to God that it is Christ who gave us the Spirit to dwell in us.

I thought about what it might look like for me to set my mind on the things of the flesh, and what first came to mind was a long list of worries. Worry about the future, money, not making the best choices for my family, worrying about what to eat or wear or what to buy or where to go in the next holidays. I can definitely see how the mind of the flesh is hostile to God, doesn’t submit to God’s law, and actually cannot please God. The things of the flesh often stem from not trusting God, from coveting or comparing ourselves to others, which is so all-consuming that it can crowd out the things that are important to God: loving God, loving others and serving God with our time, energy and gifts. 

When all these thoughts come into my mind, I’m so thankful that the Spirit is also there to counter them with the reminder that none of these things are all that important in the big scheme of life. It’s ok to think about them sometimes, but it’s also important to keep these things in an eternal perspective. We’re to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and Jesus promises that “all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Pray with me that we will keep listening to God’s Spirit in us as he prompts us to focus our mind on godly things so that we can have life and peace. As Jesus says: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tina is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Romans 8:1-4 - Daily Devotion - 14 October 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Vivian Abdala

What a great start to this passage: there is now no condemnation! The opening words are such a joyful start to what is to come for those who have put their trust in Jesus. It calls for celebration. What a joy it is to know that we do not have to live under condemnation or judgment, because we are in Christ. To me, it is a great relief.

When I read through all the Old Testament laws, I am constantly reminded of how sinful humans are and, more personally, how sinful I am. It is terribly hard to follow the Law. The sacrifices, the number of animals, and the sheer number of laws to follow for all the sins that were committed—I feel exhausted just thinking about it.

How wonderful is it to live on this side of the cross. I am so thankful that Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death by dying for our sins.

But this does not mean our lives are all celebration. We are still called to live by the Spirit and not be governed by the flesh. Easier said than done. I know how easily I can be led by my own desires, attitudes and sinful nature.

I have found, though, that being part of a church, Bible study and God’s people has helped me to be more accountable. The Christians around me spur me on to keep going, to work hard at living according to God’s Word, and to resist following a world that is governed by the flesh.

This passage reminds me that I am no longer living under condemnation, but I have been set free in Christ, and now I am called to live by the Spirit. What a privilege it is to live in that freedom.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vivian is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.