Romans 1:8-13 - Daily Devotion - 2 June 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God’s will I may succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, how often I planned to come to you (but have been prevented from visiting until now), in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Laura Lie

This first chapter of Romans is a strong reminder of how small the early church was, since the great Apostle Paul would write personal letters to individual churches! This was not a well-organised “diocese” with complicated governance structures. These were house churches that directly challenged the Roman Empire. Citizens of Rome were supposed to hail Caesar as Lord, but here was a group of people who preached Jesus Christ as Lord (v 4). They often faced severe pressure or persecution as a result.

With that in mind, the verses that stand out to me in today’s section are 11 and 12: “For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”

In all honesty, I initially scoffed slightly when I read that, because I immediately forgot the previous verses and the context. I thought: Surely Paul is … well, Paul? He is encouraged already, isn’t he? Blessed with great spiritual strength, much wisdom, etc.? How could they encourage his faith?

But then I think of our church and the things I see that bring me encouragement. Mothers with babies who come to church even when they’re tired and distracted, to hear what they can of God’s word and to fellowship. Our men who sit with visitors or play soccer with the teens. Women who check in and care for each other. Our teams who serve quietly each week in music, cleaning, teaching and the kitchen. Our leaders who speak and minister consistently. Families who make it to church each week despite the chaos of Sunday mornings. Children who play together and welcome newcomers.

Paul’s wisdom becomes transparently clear. Faith is hard alone. Encouragement together is important, and it’s always mutual. He writes of it earlier in verse 8 as well: “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world."

Not only is salvation through Christ being proclaimed (praise God!), but knowledge of ordinary Christians living out their faith is an encouragement to Paul, to those existing churches, and to us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation..

Romans 1:1-7 - Daily Devotion - 1 June 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

5 Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

This month, we are beginning a devotional journey through Paul’s majestic letter to the early Christian church in Rome. The letter has some very personal sections, about both Paul’s ministry plans and the situation of the Roman church. But it is also Paul’s most complete explanation of his gospel, the great announcement from God that Jesus had sent him to announce to the Gentiles. And as Paul starts the letter, he wants that gospel to be front and centre.

I’m a big believer in being crystal clear on the gospel. And as I read these verses (for about the millionth time!), the first thing that struck me was Paul’s own gospel clarity: the gospel is about Jesus Christ. In fact, the whole Bible is God’s announcement about his Son – the news promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus’ death, resurrection and exaltation as Lord. As I always used to tell my Bible college students in Chile: If you haven’t said something about what God did in sending Jesus, you haven’t told the gospel.

But I was also struck by the theological depth in this brief gospel summary. Paul hints at truths about the Incarnation, and the fact that in Jesus, the Son of God is both God and a man. Paul explains that God’s Son was a descendent of David in his earthly life, or “according to the flesh” (v 3). That implies that the Son of God also exists, and has always existed, outside the sphere of creation, in eternal relationship with God the Father. And yet even in his earthly life as the man Jesus, he was crowned as “the Son of God” and “the Lord” when he was raised from the dead by the Holy Spirit’s power (v 4).

Crystal clear in its essence; and with divine depths that we will never finish exploring. What a gospel!

But I also love how clearly and simply Paul explains what it means to be a Christian: it means “to belong to Jesus Christ” (v 6). And the way you come to belong to him is through “the obedience that comes from faith” (v 5) – by believing the gospel news about Jesus, which sets you on the path of learning to obey Jesus.

Praise God now for the clarity and the depth of his announcement about the Lord Jesus, and enjoy the assurance of knowing that you belong to Jesus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.

Psalms 104:24-35 - Daily Devotion - 30 May 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

24 How many are Your works, O LORD!
In wisdom You have made them all;
the earth is full of Your creatures.
25 Here is the sea, vast and wide,
teeming with creatures beyond number,
living things both great and small.
26 There the ships pass,
and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there.

27 All creatures look to You
to give them their food in due season.
28 When You give it to them,
they gather it up;
when You open Your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.
29 When You hide Your face,
they are terrified;
when You take away their breath,
they die and return to dust.
30 When You send Your Spirit,
they are created,
and You renew
the face of the earth.

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in His works.
32 He looks on the earth,
and it trembles;
He touches the mountains,
and they smolder.
33 I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to Him,
for I rejoice in the LORD.
35 May sinners vanish from the earth
and the wicked be no more.

Bless the LORD, O my soul.

Hallelujah!

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalms 104:1-23 - Daily Devotion - 29 May 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul!

O LORD my God, You are very great;
You are clothed with splendor and majesty.
2 He wraps Himself in light as with a garment;
He stretches out the heavens like a tent,
3 laying the beams of His chambers
in the waters above,
making the clouds His chariot,
walking on the wings of the wind.
4 He makes the winds His messengers,
flames of fire His servants.

5 He set the earth on its foundations,
never to be moved.
6 You covered it with the deep like a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At Your rebuke the waters fled;
at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away—
8 the mountains rose and the valleys sank
to the place You assigned for them—
9 You set a boundary they cannot cross,
that they may never again cover the earth.

10 He sends forth springs in the valleys;
they flow between the mountains.
11 They give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds of the air nest beside the springs;
they sing among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from His chambers;
the earth is satisfied by the fruit of His works.

14 He makes the grass grow for the livestock
and provides crops for man to cultivate,
bringing forth food from the earth:
15 wine that gladdens the heart of man,
oil that makes his face to shine,
and bread that sustains his heart.
16 The trees of the LORD have their fill,
the cedars of Lebanon that He planted,
17 where the birds build their nests;
the stork makes her home in the cypresses.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats,
the cliffs a refuge for the rock badgers.

19 He made the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows when to set.
20 You bring darkness, and it becomes night,
when all the beasts of the forest prowl.
21 The young lions roar for their prey
and seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises, and they withdraw;
they lie down in their dens.
23 Man goes forth to his work
and to his labor until evening.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalms 103 - Daily Devotion - 28 May 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Of David.

1Bless the LORD, O my soul;
all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and do not forget all His kind deeds—
3 He who forgives all your iniquities
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the Pit
and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion,
5 who satisfies you with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The LORD executes righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.
9 He will not always accuse us,
nor harbor His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins
or repaid us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass—
he blooms like a flower of the field;
16 when the wind passes over, it vanishes,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the loving devotion of the LORD
extends to those who fear Him,
and His righteousness to their children’s children—
18 to those who keep His covenant
and remember to obey His precepts.
19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
and His kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength
who carry out His word,
who hearken to the voice of His command.
21 Bless the LORD, all His hosts,
you servants who do His will.
22 Bless the LORD, all His works
in all places of His dominion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalms 102 - Daily Devotion - 27 May 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

A prayer of one who is afflicted, when he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD.

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
let my cry for help come before You.
2 Do not hide Your face from me
in my day of distress.
Incline Your ear to me;
answer me quickly when I call.

3 For my days vanish like smoke,
and my bones burn like glowing embers.
4 My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass;
I even forget to eat my bread.
5 Through my loud groaning
my flesh clings to my bones.
6 I am like a desert owl,
like an owl among the ruins.
7 I lie awake;
I am like a lone bird on a housetop.

8 All day long my enemies taunt me;
they ridicule me and curse me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread
and mixed my drink with tears
10 because of Your indignation and wrath,
for You have picked me up and cast me aside.
11 My days are like lengthening shadows,
and I wither away like grass.

12 But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever;
Your renown endures to all generations.
13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to show her favor—
the appointed time has come.
14 For Your servants delight in her stones
and take pity on her dust.

15 So the nations will fear the name of the LORD,
and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory.
16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion;
He has appeared in His glory.
17 He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute;
He will not despise their prayer.

18 Let this be written for the generation to come,
so that a people not yet created may praise the LORD.
19 For He looked down from the heights of His sanctuary;
the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth
20 to hear a prisoner’s groaning,
to release those condemned to death,
21 that they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion
and praise Him in Jerusalem,
22 when peoples and kingdoms assemble
to serve the LORD.

23 He has broken my strength on the way;
He has cut short my days.
24 I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days!
Your years go on through all generations.
25 In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
26 They will perish, but You remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing You will change them,
and they will be passed on.
27 But You remain the same,
and Your years will never end.
28 The children of Your servants will dwell securely,
and their descendants will be established before You.”

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalms 100-101 - Daily Devotion - 26 May 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Psalm 100

A Psalm of thanksgiving.

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD,
all the earth.

2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
come into His presence with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is He who made us, and we are His;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and bless His name.

5 For the LORD is good,
and His loving devotion endures forever;
His faithfulness continues to all generations.

psalm 101

A Psalm of David.

1 I will sing of Your loving devotion and justice;
to You, O LORD, I will sing praises.

2 I will ponder the way that is blameless—
when will You come to me?
I will walk in my house
with integrity of heart.
3 I will set no worthless thing
before my eyes.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall depart from me;
I will know nothing of evil.

5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,
I will put to silence;
the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart,
I will not endure.
6 My eyes favor the faithful of the land,
that they may dwell with me;
he who walks in the way of integrity
shall minister to me.

7 No one who practices deceit
shall dwell in my house;
no one who tells lies
shall stand in my presence.
8 Every morning I will remove all the wicked of the land,
that I may cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalms 98-99 - Daily Devotion - 25 May 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

AA 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:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. 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.

Psalm 98

A Psalm.

1 Sing to the LORD a new song,
for He has done wonders;
His right hand and holy arm
have gained Him the victory.
2 The LORD has proclaimed His salvation
and revealed His righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered His love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth
have seen the salvation of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth—let your cry ring out, and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
in melodious song with the harp.
6 With trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn
shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and all that fills it,
the world, and all who dwell in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy
9 before the LORD,
for He comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness
and the peoples with equity.

psalm 99

1 The LORD reigns;
let the nations tremble!
He is enthroned above the cherubim;
let the earth quake!
2 Great is the LORD in Zion;
He is exalted above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name—
He is holy!

4 The mighty King loves justice.
You have established equity;
You have exercised justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the LORD our God,
and worship at His footstool;
He is holy!

6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests;
Samuel was among those who called on His name.
They called to the LORD and He answered.
7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud;
they kept His decrees and the statutes He gave them.
8 O LORD our God, You answered them.
You were a forgiving God to them,
yet an avenger of their misdeeds.

9 Exalt the LORD our God
and worship at His holy mountain,
for the LORD our God is holy.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. 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 97 - Daily Devotion - 23 May 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the distant shores be glad.

2 Clouds and darkness surround Him;
righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
3 Fire goes before Him
and consumes His foes on every side.
4 His lightning illuminates the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax
at the presence of the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim His righteousness;
all the peoples see His glory.

7 All worshipers of images are put to shame—
those who boast in idols.
Worship Him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices,
and the towns of Judah exult
because of Your judgments, O LORD.
9 For You, O LORD, are Most High over all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.

10 Hate evil, O you who love the LORD!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines on the righteous,
gladness on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones,
and praise His holy name.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. 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 96 - Daily Devotion - 22 May 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

1 Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
proclaim His salvation day after day.
3 Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all peoples.

4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but it is the LORD who made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before Him;
strength and beauty fill His sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;
bring an offering and enter His courts.
9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness;
tremble before Him, all the earth.

10 Declare among the nations: “The LORD reigns!”
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved;
He will judge the peoples with equity.

11 Let the heavens be glad
and the earth rejoice;
let the sea resound,
and all that fills it.
12 Let the fields exult,
and all that is in them.
Then all the trees of the forest
will sing for joy

13 before the LORD,
for He is coming—
He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in His faithfulness.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.