Author: Dave

PASSIONAustralia.blog is my personal ministry website. I am also web servant for several church websites.

Keep your focus right in 2026

January 5, 2026

In 2026 I feel in my heart that focussing on the right things will be more important than ever for the follower of Jesus.

Today I want to share three things that we should focus on this year to help us keep on track. I want to give us three passages from the Bible that we can hold on to.

Focus on things that are right

Philippians 4:8 – And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Focus on heavenly things above

Colossians 3:1-2 – Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. [2] Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Focus on Jesus who perfects our faith

Hebrews 12:1b-2 – Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. [2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

In an ever changing world with so much negative news on TV and social media, I think it is important to focus on the good things that God asks. The verses above tells us to focus on things that are worthy of praise.

It is just important for us to focus on the right things if we are to fulfil our God given purposes. Choosing to focus on noble things, on things of heaven, and on Jesus will help keep us on track.

How did the Apostles introduce themselves?

January 4, 2026

In the New Testament the Apostles often describe themselves as slaves of Christ in the introduction to their letters.

I found this an interesting way to describe yourself to others. Here are a few examples.

Apostle Paul – Romans 1:1 NLT – This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.

James – James 1:1 NLT – This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”-Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!

Apostle Peter – 2 Peter 1:1 NLT – This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

Jude – Jude 1:1 NLT – This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James. I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.

The Greek word used for slave in the Bible is doulos. This means “bond-slave”. This Greek word speaks of one who is completely subject to the will of his or her master.

In the New Testament, all the believers are pictured as being Jesus’ bond-slaves because they all accept His Lordship completely. They were under new ownership, their lives were no longer their own.

I find this description really interesting and I wonder what it means for us today? Have you accepted Jesus as both your Saviour and your Lord? Do you think of yourself as a bond-slave to Christ?

I think this is worth pondering today.

People in the last days

January 3, 2026

The Bible tells us in the last days before Jesus comes back many people will turn away from God and live for themselves.

In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 the Apostle Paul lists 19 things people will do. This list gives us a clear picture of what people will be like.

[1] You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. [2] For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. [3] They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. [4] They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. [5] They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

I do not know about you, but to me that sort of behaviour does seem more common than it used to be? People rejecting God and living totally for themselves.

Paul tells Timothy some key things to help him stand firm and stay on track further on in the chapter.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 – But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. [15] You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. [17] God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Paul urges Timothy to remain faithful to God by remembering what he was taught from a child – the Scriptures. He says they have given him wisdom and salvation through Jesus.

Paul reminds Timothy that in a changing world the Scriptures are vital to staying on track with God. They are his true north that keeps him heading in the right direction.

In 2026 I would encourage you to focus on reading the Bible every day. It will help you to keep on track with God and grow in your faith. It will also allow God to speak to you through His Word.

If you would like to read the New Testament of the Bible we have a free plan here. It will allow you to tick off one chapter a day.

A key to spiritual growth

January 2, 2026

Here is a recent devotion from The Word for Today…

Bible reading; the key to spiritual growth (1)

Friday 2nd January 2026

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth.” Joshua 1:8 NKJV

God gave Joshua a big job: conquer the Promised Land and divide it up among the twelve tribes of Israel. He also gave him the key to success: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” God didn’t command Joshua to seek a spiritual experience or a personal revelation. He told him to meditate on the Scriptures.

Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson wrote a book called Move. They wanted to find the key factors for spiritual growth, so they surveyed the congregations of one thousand churches. Here’s what they found: “Nothing has a greater impact on spiritual growth than reflection on Scripture. If churches could only do one thing to help people at all levels of spiritual maturity grow in their relationship with Christ, their choice is clear. They would inspire, encourage, and equip their people to read the Bible.” You don’t grow in Christ simply because you’re busy in church; it happens automatically when you read and trust God’s Word. So engage with your Bible. Meditate on it day and night. Think and rethink on it. Let it be your guide. Make it your go-to book for questions. Let it be the ultimate authority in your life. Peter puts it this way: “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2 NKJV).

S.H.A.P.E. Up Spiritually in 2026

January 1, 2026

At the start of each year a lot of people set goals to get in shape physically. They want to lose some weight and tone up their bodies.

In 2026 why not set the goal to shape up spiritually? 1 Timothy 4:8 NLT tells us that, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

Today I want to use the letters of S.H.A.P.E. to give us some Bible verses to remind us to stay in spiritual shape in 2026.

S – Seek the Lord with all of your heart

Isaiah 55:6 – Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

H – Hold on to the promises of God

Hebrews 10:23 – Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

A – Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you

Galatians 5:16 – So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

P – Present yourself as a living sacrifice

Romans 12:1 – And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

E – Explain your faith to others

1 Peter 3:15 – Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

Remember staying in physical shape is important. But spiritual training has benefits in this life and the life to come.

Let us stay in shape spiritually in 2026.