Photo by...Photo by Rémi Walle on Unsplash
Paul’s in prison when he writes to Timothy, his young friend and co-worker. Acts 28 tells us Paul was in Rome at the time, under house-arrest guarded by a soldier. It wasn’t two weeks of quarantine in a hotel to wait for any signs of a virus but two years under house arrest.
During this time and close to the end of his life, Paul writes and describes some disappointment in those he considered friends.
16 When I was first put on trial, no one helped me. In fact, everyone deserted me. I hope it won’t be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood beside me. He gave me the strength to tell his full message, so that all Gentiles would hear it. And I was kept safe from hungry lions. 18 The Lord will always keep me from being harmed by evil, and he will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. Praise him forever and ever! Amen. 2 Timothy 4:16-18
I’ve highlighted the beautiful words of good news for Paul and for us. Jesus stood beside him.
Jesus’ disciples had a very interesting experience of the Lord standing beside them on the first Easter day. Jesus surprised them. Jesus came to bring peace and comfort to them in their fear.
But Thomas was missing and when they told him he wouldn’t believe it. Perhaps he thought it was too good to be true.
Many a sermon has been preached about Thomas and his doubting - with strong encouragement not to doubt like him. I wonder how many sceptic’s lives have been changed by those sermons.
It hit me this year (maybe it’s the isolation), Thomas isn’t the main character in this story, Jesus is. It’s about Jesus and his unending desire and determination to come alongside and help. He came and stood beside the group of disciples and they got it, he was alive. He came again, just for Thomas, and he got it.. Jesus didn’t want Thomas to be left in the dark of uncertainty. Jesus loved Thomas and wanted him to know the good news of his resurrection.
Jesus comes and stands beside us. He’s not satisfied till he knows that we know he’s alive, and that he loves us and is with us.
This is the good news of Easter!
A light that changes things
by Anita Foster
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Read Matthew 5:13–20
Light changes things. It can change a mood and help us and others to see things more clearly, especially those things that are hard to find or see in the dark. We talk about ‘shedding light’ on situations. In fact, we need light for our eyes to function properly.
On 22 January 2026, Australians were encouraged to light a candle on doorsteps or windows as a message of hope, unity and remembrance in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack. An action that provides a hopeful glimmer of light after a distressing time.
When Jesus discusses light in this passage, it comes from the famous Sermon on the Mount. Jesus teaches that we are light in this world. Light to help others see God more clearly. To bring the hope and light of Christ into every situation we find ourselves in.
When Jesus speaks of letting our light shine, it emphasises the purpose of God’s word and the Holy Spirit’s work of faith in us as not just for our own benefit, but for those around us.
Jesus was very familiar with the Jewish rituals involving the lighting of candlesticks and lamps. The simplicity of these everyday items often mirrored the spiritual lives of people. People lit lamps to illuminate their homes, guide their paths and keep darkness away. Lighting a lamp was a sacred act in many households – especially before Sabbath or during worship. The light served as a reminder of God guiding the wilderness journey of his people with a pillar of fire and that God had promised to send a light – the Light – into a world darkened by sin. It wasn’t just about seeing, but welcoming in the peace, safety and presence of God.
In the same way, Jesus calls us to be a presence in the world that offers a guiding light to him, welcoming the peace and presence of God into our surroundings.
Lord Jesus, let your light shine through us today, so that others may see hope and give glory to you. Amen.
Anita Foster lives in Melbourne’s outer east with her husband and three teen and tween daughters. She is the Director of Faith and Formation at Luther College in Croydon, and she loves teaching, theatre, being in nature and finding new ways to express her creativity.
God is at work through us
by Josh Hauser
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
They have distributed freely; they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever (Psalm 112:9a).
Read Psalm 112:1–9(10)
This week, we have been asking: Where is God at work?
God is at work in the waiting. God is at work in the giving. God is at work in the truth. God is at work in faithfulness. God is at work in hope.
And today, we see where all this leads. That God is at work through us.
Psalm 112 sits alongside Psalm 111 in the Scriptures. Psalm 111 describes who God is: gracious, compassionate, righteous, faithful. Psalm 112 describes the person who fears God. And the words are almost identical.
God is gracious and compassionate (Psalm 111:4). The one who fears God is gracious and compassionate (Psalm 112:4).
God’s righteousness endures forever (Psalm 111:3). The righteousness of the one who fears God endures forever (Psalm 112:3,9).
Do you see what is happening? The person who walks with God begins to look like God. What God is, we become. What God does, we do.
‘Good will come to the one who is generous and lends freely, who conducts their affairs with justice’ (Psalm 112:5).
‘They have distributed freely; they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever’ (Psalm 112:9).
God gives freely to those with empty hands (Isaiah 55). And those who receive from God become people who give freely to others. God’s work flows through us.
This is where the week has been leading. God is at work in the waiting, and we learn to wait with others. God is at work in the giving, and we become God’s givers. God is at work in the truth, and we speak God’s truth. God is at work in faithfulness, and we stand with God alongside those who are struggling. God is at work in hope, and we hold out God’s hope to those in despair.
God is at work. And God is at work through us.
We are not the source. We are the overflow. What we have received, we pass on. What has been given to us, we give to others.
Therefore, let us be gracious, because God has been gracious to us. Let us be compassionate, because God has shown us compassion. Let us give freely, because we have received freely.
God is at work. Through us.
Dear God, thank you for all the ways you are at work. Thank you for meeting us in the waiting, the giving, the truth, the faithfulness and the hope. Now work through us. Make us generous, compassionate, and just. Use us to bring your love to others. Amen.
God is at work in faithfulness
by Josh Hauser
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13).
Read 1 Peter 4:12–16
Reading the world news can be overwhelming, can’t it? We see a world that is hurting. War, invasions, persecution and racism invade our news feeds continuously.
1 Peter is a great way to answer where God is in these moments. It was written to Christians living across Asia Minor who were experiencing the same things we are seeing in the world today – persecution, rejection and suffering because of their faith. These believers were a small minority in a wider Roman culture that did not understand or accept their way of life. They faced social exclusion, public criticism and, in some cases, legal trouble.
In verses 12–16, Peter tells believers not to be surprised when they face hardships because of their faith. ‘But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed’ (verse 13). This persecution should be met with joy because we are suffering with Christ. Peter’s message is clear: keep going. Stay faithful because God is faithful to us.
God is at work in faithfulness. God’s faithfulness to us.
This is the promise that runs through all of Scripture. In Deuteronomy, Moses tells Israel: ‘He will not fail you or forsake you.’ In Joshua, God repeats it: ‘I will not fail you or forsake you.’ Isaiah declares: ‘Do not fear, for I am with you.’ Jesus echoes it: ‘I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ And Hebrews reminds the Early Church: ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’
Peter’s readers were suffering. They were isolated. They may have even wondered if God had forgotten them. Maybe you can relate. Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed, forgotten or alone. If that is the case, then remember God is faithful and at work in that. This faithfulness means God’s promises are kept. It means God does not abandon people. It means that when we have nothing left, God is there, still holding us and always present.
God is faithful, God is at work, and God loves you.
Dear God, thank you for your faithfulness; help us to trust that you are with us, especially when we feel alone. Amen.
Josh lives in the western suburbs of Melbourne with his wife, Alice, and their two children. Josh enjoys time with his family, the beach and sports of any kind. Josh works at a school, where he feels it is a privilege to share the gospel with the next generation.