5th-11th October 2026
I was recently reminded of a story often associated with Charles Spurgeon. He was apparently asked which was more important: reading God’s Word or praying. Spurgeon responded with a question of his own: “Which is more important, breathing in or breathing out?” The point is simple: we need both.
Through his Word, God speaks to us. In prayer, we respond to him. Reading the Bible without responding can become little more than gathering information. Prayer without allowing Scripture to shape us can easily become centred upon our own thoughts and desires. We need to listen to God and speak honestly with him about what he is saying and how that is impacting us.
This is one of the reasons we have a prayer diary. Each day we open God’s Word, pause to consider what he may be saying and then turn what we have heard into prayer. It is intended to help us develop that regular rhythm of listening and responding … breathing in and breathing out.
That rhythm is particularly important as we consider Jesus’ words to the church in Pergamum. These believers lived in a city where emperor worship and devotion to other gods shaped everyday life. Refusing to take part could lead to rejection and exclusion. Jesus knew the pressures they faced and commended them for remaining true to his name.
Yet there was another danger. Although they had resisted pressure from outside the church, they had allowed false teaching and compromise to remain unchallenged within it.
Jesus introduces himself as the one with the sharp, double-edged sword. This is not a physical weapon, nor is it permission to attack people. It is the sword of his Word and truth, which exposes the lies we have begun to believe and reveals what is happening within us. If we do not spend time in God’s word how will we be able to discern what is true?!
Compromise often begins with the question, “Where is the harm in this?” What once troubled us gradually becomes acceptable. We adjust to the values around us, and our lives begin to look less like Jesus.
The challenge is not only personal. Jesus speaks to the whole church and, in particular, at this time to Glenabbey church through our current series. We share a responsibility to know his Word, recognise what is false and refuse to allow teaching that draws people away from Jesus to go unchallenged. We need to be breathing in and breathing out!
This week invites us to listen honestly. Where have the values of our culture begun to shape us? What lies have we accepted? Where do we need to repent and return to the truth?
Jesus’ final word is one of promise. He offers hidden manna, a white stone and a new name. He promises to sustain his people and give them a new identity marked by freedom, belonging and intimacy with him … what an encouragement for us to consider as we enter into another week.
Written by David Mairs
MONDAY
The Sword of Truth
To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.
Revelation 2:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:12–13
Jesus introduces himself as the one with the sharp, double-edged sword. His sword is his Word, truth powerful enough to uncover lies and reveal what is happening in our hearts.
It is tempting to use truth mainly to identify what is wrong in other people. But Jesus speaks first to his church. Before his Word can be used through us, we must allow it to examine us.
This can feel uncomfortable, but it is also an expression of his love. Jesus exposes what is false so that it does not continue to control or damage us.
Pause and Reflect
Where might you need to allow God’s Word to challenge your thinking or behaviour?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the truth of your Word. Forgive me when I apply it to others but resist its challenge in my own life. Expose the lies I have believed and give me a heart that is willing to listen, repent and allow you to change me by the renewing of my mind. Amen.
TUESDAY
Jesus Knows Where We Live
I know where you live, where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city where Satan lives.
Revelation 2:13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:10–12
Jesus knew the pressures faced by the church in Pergamum. They lived in a place where values opposed to God had become normal and powerful.
Jesus also knows where we live. He understands the messages that shape our culture and the pressures that make faithfulness difficult. The battle is not against people, but against the lies and spiritual forces that draw people away from God.
Satan may appear to hold sway, but he has already been defeated through Jesus. We therefore face the pressures around us with awareness and the challenge to be alert, but not fearful.
Pause and Reflect
Which values or messages in our culture most challenge your faithfulness to Jesus?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that you understand the world in which I live. Help me to recognise the lies that can quietly shape my thinking. Keep me alert, grounded in your truth and confident in the victory that Jesus has accomplished for me on the cross. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
True to His Name
I know where you live where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city where Satan lives.
Revelation 2:13
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
2 Timothy 3:10–12
Jesus commended the believers in Pergamum for remaining true to his name. Even when Antipas was killed for his faith, they did not deny Jesus.
Most of us may never face that kind of persecution, but following Jesus can still carry a cost. We may feel out of step with others or face misunderstanding because of the choices we make. Faithfulness is often shown through ordinary decisions: speaking truthfully, resisting pressure to conform and continuing to identify openly as a follower of Jesus.
Pause and Reflect
Where might you need courage to remain true to the name of Jesus?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for those who have remained faithful to you at great personal cost. Give me courage when following Jesus makes me different or uncomfortable. Help me to live in a way that honours his name. Amen.
THURSDAY
Where is the Harm?
Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Revelation 2:14–15
While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the Lord’s anger burned against them.
Numbers 25:1–3
The church had stood firm under persecution, yet some within it were teaching that compromise did not really matter. Compromise rarely begins with a deliberate decision to turn away from Jesus. It begins when we ask, “Where is the harm in a little of this?” Boundaries gradually move, and what once troubled us becomes normal and our conscience is no longer pricked!
If we are honest, all of us can justify attitudes and choices that draw us away from Jesus. His warning invites us to notice these small movements before they take us further than we intended to go.
Pause and Reflect
Is there an area in which you have begun to excuse something you once recognised as harmful?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, show me where compromise has entered my life. Forgive me for excusing choices that draw me away from you. Give me wisdom to recognise what is harmful and courage to choose what honours Jesus. Amen.
FRIDAY
Truth Must Not Go Unchallenged
Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 2:14–16
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Acts 20:28–31
Jesus’ concern was not only that false teaching existed, but that the church had allowed it to remain unchallenged. Love does not mean ignoring everything that is wrong. Sometimes love requires us to speak truth, protect others and deal decisively with teaching that leads people away from Jesus.
We must do this humbly. People are not our enemy, and truth must never become an excuse for aggression or being uncaring. Our calling is to guard the gospel while speaking and acting in a way that shows the true character of Jesus and how his children follow his example.
Pause and Reflect
How can we become better at recognising and lovingly challenging teaching that draws people away from Jesus?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to know your Word and recognise what is false. Give wisdom and courage to all those in leadership roles within Glenabbey, especially our elders. Teach us to speak truth with humility, grace and love, always seeking to lead people towards Jesus. Amen.
SATURDAY
Repent and Be Alert
Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 2:16
Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:13–17
Jesus calls his church to repent. Repentance means more than feeling sorry. It means acknowledging what is wrong and taking decisive steps to move forward in a different direction.
We need to know God’s Word to help us recognise what is true and use the truth against the lies that enter our thinking. This requires ongoing attention. We do not drift towards truth; we must intentionally continue returning to it.
Perhaps there is a habit to leave behind, a lie to reject or a neglected practice to begin again. Jesus’ call to repent is also an invitation to return to him.
Pause and Reflect
What practical step could you take today to turn from compromise and return to God and walk in his truth?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the ways I have compromised or believed what is false. Help me not simply to recognise what is wrong, but to respond positively. Guard my mind and lead me back to the freedom that is only found in Jesus. Amen.
SUNDAY
Hidden Manna and a New Name
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
Revelation 2:17
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:32–35
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
Jesus ends his letter with a promise. He offers hidden manna, a white stone and a new name. The precise significance of every detail may not be clear, but the heart of the promise is: Jesus will sustain those who remain faithful. He gives us a new identity, welcomes us into true intimacy with him and leads us into eternal life.
Compromise promises freedom and satisfaction but cannot provide either. True freedom is found in Jesus. He knows us completely, provides what we need and gives us a name that no accusation or rejection can take away.
Pause and Reflect
Where are you looking for something that only Jesus can provide?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that Jesus gives true freedom, lasting satisfaction and a new identity. Keep me from looking elsewhere for what can be found only in him. Help me to hear what your Spirit is saying and remain faithful to Jesus. Amen.