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28
September 28, 2026
●(1 event)
An authentic picture of Jesus
_Read: Isaiah 53,54; Psalm 89; Galatians 4_
*Scripture:* Isaiah 53: 4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
*Observation:* We live in the selfie era; people love to take many selfies and share them with others and on social media. However, only the images that please them or match their heart's desire will be shown/shared with others. In Isaiah 52:13-53:12, we read the fourth and final song of the suffering servant. Isaiah 53 gives us a portrait of Jesus, in which there is "no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (v.2). Yet, we Christians like this chapter so much and love to read it very often. However, Jews who refuse to accept Jesus as the Messiah do not read it. Jewish Rabbis would not encourage Jews to read Isaiah 53. What is unique in the description of the suffering servant?
Isaiah 53:4-6 is the crucial passage of the servant songs that says of the coming Messiah. Here, we read what the Messiah did for us and its results in our lives. Notice how many times the word "our" comes in the above two verses. Jesus the Messiah has borne all of "our pain," "our suffering," "our transgressions," and "our iniquities." He endured all of them to bring peace, forgiveness, and healing to our lives. Jesus takes our ugly and painful things and gives us his incredible love. It is hard to explain the pain of his sufferings and describe all the punishments he endured for us (Is.52:14). It was not accidental or coincidental. As the Bible says, it manifests God's great love for humanity (Jn.3:16). When we accept God's love and confess that Jesus gave himself to carry our pain and suffering, to receive the punishment for our sins and iniquities, we have peace with God and receive spiritual and physical healing. God forgives our sins and purifies us. Just reread Is.53:4-5 by putting your name in the place where the word "our" comes, and meditate on it.
*Application:* The greatest truth of the Bible is, as renowned theologian Karl Barth once said, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." I may not fully comprehend God's love for me. When I read this prophecy and its fulfillment in Jesus' life, I understand that God's love is true! All I can do is accept God's love and receive all that Jesus has for me. "What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?" (Ps.116:12).
*Prayer:* Father God, thank you for your love that surpasses knowledge. Jesus, thank you for your great and saving love. Holy Spirit, thank you for pouring God's love into my heart. Lord, help me to remain in your love forever. Amen.
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 271
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29
September 29, 2026
●(1 event)
God's word is powerful
_Read: Isaiah 55,56; Psalm 90; Galatians 5_
 *Scripture:* Isaiah 55: 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
*Observation:* The book of Isaiah reminds us of God's many promises to his people. Most of the verses we read and hear during special occasions, new beginnings (of a day, month, or year), and many encouraging daily devotions are from the book of Isaiah. Even today, the words God spoke through his prophet Isaiah continue to strengthen his people and give them hope. Isaiah 55:10-11 explains how God's word works. Here, we see an easy-to-understand and powerful picture that illustrates that the Word of God will never fail to achieve its purpose.
First, we must know that the Word of God comes from God. As apostle Peter says, "No prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things" (2 Pet.1:20). Second, God's words are not empty; they have purpose and power in them. It never returns empty. We may wonder why God sends his words to us. The primary purpose of God's word is to communicate with us (Heb.1:1-2). Furthermore, it provides us healing and deliverance (Ps.107:20). As Paul wrote to Timothy, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim.3:16-17). God's words are "full of the Spirit and life" (Jn.6:63). It never fails to accomplish its purpose (Is.46:9-11). Psalm 33:9 says, "For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm." In Is.55:10-11, we see the purpose of rain; we see a list of things that it does when it comes down from heaven. When a land receives water from the rain and allows it to do its work, the land will yield more fruits. Likewise, God's word will achieve its purpose. As the Bible says, "the word of God is alive and active" (Heb.4:12). We can trust God's word in all situations (Is.40:8).
*Application:* My God is the living God who speaks with me. Jeremiah says, "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight" (Jer.15:16). When I hear God's word, I should not hesitate to apply it to my life. God has a purpose for my life. His every word has a purpose of accomplishing things in my life. As I listen to God's words and obey him, I experience all the blessings of God's word.
*Prayer:* Father God, thank you for speaking with me even today. Open my ears to be attentive to your words, and help me to allow your words to do what you want in me. Holy Spirit, lead me to walk in the light of the word of God. Amen.
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 272
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30
September 30, 2026
●(1 event)
Law of Christ compels us to love
_Read: Isaiah 57,58; Psalm 91; Galatians 6_
 *Scripture:* Galatians 6: 1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
*Observation:* "Would a Christian sin?" is a frequently asked question among Christians. Sometimes, we hear and see the fall of Christians who were once very passionate about serving the Lord. Even in our local churches, we may see such Christians who failed to safeguard themselves against sins. How do we handle such Christians? In general, when a person is caught in a sin, people will be ready to destroy his/her life, as the Pharisees did in Jesus' time (John 8:4-5). That is what legalism tells people. In Gal.6:1, Apostle Paul does not talk about a habitual sinner who deliberately/willingly sins against the Lord. Here, he gives some practical suggestions to the Galatians who were misguided by the Judaizers or legalists who emphasized following the law of Moses. It is an important area that every Christian and church should be aware of to help Christians who struggle with sinful thoughts and traps.
People may ask how shall we tolerate a person caught in a sin, or some will try to save the person from any severe punishment. Instead of making any biased decisions, it is our responsibility to restore such sinner(s) and help them come back to Christ. In Gal.5, Paul tells Galatians to "walk by the Spirit"; He contrasts the acts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. In Gal.6, he calls those who "live by the spirit" to show the fruit of the Spirit to restore the person who is caught in a sin. Some may think it is the responsibility of church leaders or powerful persons in the church to handle that person. As Christians, we are all members of one body in Christ. The Christian life is against selfish life; it is a self-denying life. We are called to serve one another (Gal.5:13). We are to "carry each other's burdens." At the same time, we need to be watchful in our walk with the Lord to protect us from any sinful temptations. Those who are standing firm should be careful not to fall (1 Cor.10:12).
By helping fellow Christian and caring for one another's burdens, Paul says we fulfill the law of Christ. Old Testament Law prescribes punishment to those who violate it. The law of Christ commands us to show love to rebuild and restore a person. It is easy to blame a person for his/her sin and punish them. Let us consider this: What would be our response if Jesus asks us the same thing that he told the teachers of the law and the Pharisees? (Jn.8:4). Let us remember what Jesus did and said to Peter when he predicted his denial: Jesus prayed for Peter that his "faith may not fail" and told him, "when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers" (Luke.22:31, 32). It is interesting to read that in the preceding verses of Jesus' prediction, Jesus says about his new command of loving one another (Jn.13:34-35). As Jesus' disciples, let us love one another and build a community of love.
*Application:* When I come to know about a Christian friend's or believer's sin, I should not put up with it but should show him/her Christ's love that would help to come back to the Lord. My priority should be fulfilling the law of Christ than condemning or punishing them. As a Christian, I should not gratify the desires of the flesh. I should live by the Spirit.
*Prayer:* Father God, thank you for your word that leads me to your love and light. Jesus, help me to love others just as you love me. Lord, help me to keep in step with the Spirit and to live by the Spirit. Amen.
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 273
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1October 1, 2026
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2October 2, 2026
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3October 3, 2026
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4October 4, 2026
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