Calvary Baptist Church

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

Here is today's devotional from Our Daily Bread:

Daily Devotional for Wednesday, June 3, 2026

The Power of Music

David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul.
1 Samuel 16:23

Today's Scripture
1 Samuel 16:14-23

Today's Insights

In the ancient Near East, it was common for court musicians to be hired for reasons such as entertainment or religious ceremonies. In the case of King Saul in 1 Samuel 16, his attendants believed his mental torment would be eased by lyre music (v. 16). Since David was a skilled lyre player as well as a warrior (v. 18), he became both a musician and armor-bearer—carrying Saul’s shield and weapons (vv. 21-23). David’s father, Jesse, sent gifts of food and wine with David (vv. 19-20), perhaps showing gratitude for the honor of having his son chosen to serve the king. Today, we can remember that God can use music to renew our hope and bring us joy.

Today's Devotion

On November 21, 1915, the hope of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his twenty-seven crew members sank, along with their ship Endurance, into the darkness below the Antarctic ice. They were stranded thousands of miles from home. Later, the crew shared several things that aided their survival, including a banjo. Embarking on their brutal trek, Leonard Hussey (the expedition’s meteorologist) was the only person allowed more than two pounds of personal gear. He was allowed to bring his twelve-pound Windsor banjo. “It’s vital mental medicine,” Shackleton told Hussey, “and we shall need it.” The crew’s journals explained the power of Hussey’s music. “The banjo does . . . supply brain food,” wrote one sailor. Another reflected on “Hussey’s indispensable banjo.”

The Bible presents music as one of God’s immense gifts, a way His healing and comfort enter the human heart. In the tragic story of King Saul, we hear how (due to his disobedience) he was oppressed by an “evil spirit” (1 Samuel 16:14). And what did Saul’s attendants believe the king needed to provide relief? Music. So they found young David with his harp: “David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him” (v. 23).

Music offers more than mere entertainment. It can bring joy, renew hope, and comfort weary souls. It’s truly one of God’s powerful gifts.

Reflect & Pray

What encouragement has music offered you? How has it deepened your relationship with God?

Dear God, thank You for the gift of music!

06/02/2026

Here is today's devotional from Our Daily Bread:

Daily Devotional for Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Our Part, God’s Part

It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:13

Today's Scripture
Philippians 2:12-13, 3:12-16

Today's Insights

In today’s text, the apostle Paul encourages us by his example to “press on toward the goal to win the prize” (Philippians 3:14). Elsewhere he writes, “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24). Paul’s goal is to be more like Christ and to spread the gospel, and the ultimate “prize” (Philippians 3:14) he refers to is eternal life with Jesus (vv. 10-11, 20-21). The reward isn’t based on our deeds. In Ephesians 2, he states, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (v. 8). Good works are evidence of God’s Spirit working in and through us. As God enables us, we can strive to live holy and faithful lives.

Today's Devotion

In Singapore, the government encourages people to support good causes by donation-matching. It “tops up” donations to specific charities by contributing an equal amount or more. By effectively multiplying people’s contributions, it hopes to encourage them to become more involved in charitable giving.

This two-pronged approach reminds me of how believers in Jesus are called to God’s standards of holiness in our discipleship journey. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul urges them “to work out [their] salvation” (2:12) and “press on” (3:12, 14). At the same time, he stresses that “it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (2:13).

Believers in Jesus aren’t made right with God by good works or performance. But there is an idea of partnership in our spiritual growth. It requires heart and effort on our part, yet we do not do it by human strength. Having saved us by grace, God calls us to be holy—set apart for Him—and we respond in sincerity and gratitude. As we seek to obey and please Him, He enables and helps us to do so. He shows us when we go wrong (Philippians 3:15), gives us strength to resist temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), and empowers us to do what’s right in His eyes (Ephesians 2:10).

Reflect & Pray

What are your biggest challenges in seeking to be faithful and pleasing to God? How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit’s strength?

Holy God, please help me to be holy and faithful in my journey, for I know that You desire me to be like Your Son Jesus.

06/01/2026

Here is today's devotional from Our Daily Bread:

Daily Devotional for Monday, June 1, 2026

Generous Giving

Bring all the tithes . . . so that . . . the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows . . . may come and eat and be satisfied.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29

Today's Scripture
Deuteronomy 14:23-29

Today's Insights

Scripture reveals that God has been generous to us and calls us to be generous to others (Deuteronomy 14:29). The ultimate way that He’s demonstrated His generosity is in the giving of His Son. In Philippians 2, Paul says that Jesus “gave up his divine privileges; . . . he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (v. 7 nlt). Then “he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (v. 8 nlt). All that we have comes from God, our generous creator. In response, He’ll help us give freely to others.

Today's Devotion

When Oswald and Biddy Chambers ran a Bible college in London from 1911 to 1915, they continued with their life principle of not turning away those in need. Astute Londoners were aghast at this practice, thinking the college would be taken advantage of. In response, Oswald observed, without inviting others to follow in the practice, “My responsibility is to give. God will look after who asks.”

The couple followed the example of our generous Creator. Through His instructions to Moses, God laid out gracious ways for His people to live and serve others, including the giving of their food and possessions. Moses told the Israelites at the end of every three years to “bring all the tithes” so the Levites, “foreigners, the fatherless and the widows,” could come and “eat and be satisfied” (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Through the generosity of His people, God cares for the vulnerable.

The Chambers’ trust in God was so strong that they gave willingly and without question. They’d learned to “revere . . . God always” (v. 23) and receive His blessing “in all the work of [their] hands” (v. 29).

We may also feel inspired to give freely while we lean on God for wisdom and discernment. We know that God will generously lead and guide as He provides for the foreigners, the fatherless, and the widows.

Reflect & Pray

What’s your view and practice of giving? How has God provided for your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs?

Generous God, I look to You for all I need. I know that You’re the source of all good things. I worship You.

05/31/2026

Here is today's devotional from Our Daily Bread:

Daily Devotional for Sunday, May 31, 2026

Extending God’s Care

If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria!
2 Kings 5:3

Today's Scripture
2 Kings 5:1-3, 9-11, 13-14

Today's Insights

At the time of Elisha, Naaman was the only l***r who’d been healed (2 Kings 5:1-14; see Luke 4:27). A young girl from Israel had been forcefully taken to a foreign country and was enslaved to serve Naaman’s household (2 Kings 5:2). It would’ve been understandable for her to rejoice that her enemy had leprosy. Yet, she told him that the God of Israel—through the prophet Elisha—had the power to heal him (v. 3). This is an example of “[overcoming] evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Galatians reminds us to “do good to all people” (6:10). Today, we can ask God to show us how we can show His love to others.

Today's Devotion

As a teenager, I had a strained relationship with my churchmate Lisa, so I was dismayed to learn we’d be roommates at our youth summer camp. The week at camp passed smoothly, though, with both of us being civil.

The most anticipated event was a bonfire gathering at the end of the week. On that evening, however, I had a fever. I went to bed early, but I could hear the laughter and music outside. An hour later, I was startled by Lisa, who was taking my temperature. “I’m not joining them at the bonfire,” she said. “You’re sick. I need to stay with you.” Lisa could’ve stayed uninvolved, but she chose to care for me, which lifted my spirits.

We see another example of someone who cared in the story of Naaman. The commander of the Syrian army, Naaman had an Israelite servant girl who’d been taken captive and now “served Naaman’s wife” (2 Kings 5:2). Separated from family and forced to servitude, the girl could’ve chosen to not help her master, who had leprosy. But her faith moved her to help: “She said to her mistress, ‘If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him’ ” (v. 3). And God did, in fact, use the prophet Elisha to heal Naaman (vv. 8-14).

Lisa and the Israelite girl chose to help, and God worked through them. Let’s ask God to show us who we can extend His care to and give us the wisdom how.

Reflect & Pray

Why might you resist helping others? How can helping others allow them to see God’s care for them?

Dear God, I’ve experienced so much help from You. Please use me to help others.