Isaiah 65-66; Psalm 62; John 3

In the prophetic writings of Isaiah, Christ appears like a mirage. He is there but he isn't.  In his time among us he was treated much the same as God was all those years Israel occupied the land. Jesus amplified God's heart and intentions towards his people. He told us, “... anyone who has seen me has seen the Father…” (John 14:9) and we are free to choose how we see the Lord. But I hope to see him through the eyes of the Holy Spirit who lives in me. I want to live in his truth and to encourage others to do likewise.

Isaiah 63-64; Psalm 107; John 2

When Jesus cleared the temple he established himself as the complete authority on the worship of God. He did it with such determination that even though he was challenged no one could rebuke him. When Christ acts in anger nothing stands in his way. Isaiah speaks of a day when he will tread the wine press in anger and the whole world will witness him establish righteousness. We come to know this time, as it is foretold, to be the “Day of the Lord”(Joel 2:31). A fearful time when Christ will single-handedly and by the might of his power defeat evil and govern in righteousness. If we live for Jesus now we will have nothing to fear when he returns.

Isaiah 60-62; John 1

The believer has always lived with the hope that when his life is over he will enter an eternal joy and peace with God in glory. The whole of his life is focused on pleasing his Saviour and measuring his life according to this hope. But God has greater plans. He wants to come and live amongst his people. As he once wept over Jerusalem (Lk 19:41-44), his heart's desire has always been to rule and reign with a righteous nation. Whether this will happen in my time is irrelevant. His final plan is etched in the history of his Word and is waiting to be revealed - all in good time.

Isaiah 57-57; Ps 103; 2 Peter 3

In our world today there is a strong undercurrent of anxiety and fear. Man's version of righteousness is a confusing array of ‘political correctness’ which often conflicts with the Word of God. To know God and to be at peace with him is of insurmountable importance and keeps us focused on what is important, right and of true value. Therefore our peace cements our hope that we have in the risen Saviour, Jesus. Refuse deceit and confusion and hold on to that which will endure the ages to come.

Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2

There are those who teach that when Christ died and the veil of the temple was torn in two that God had finished with the nation of Israel. I don't believe this. God does not break his promises. In fact God has not broken the covenant he made with Abraham and to the nation of Israel. Israel today is gathered together according to scripture and waits on God at the Western Wall. They just haven't read Isaiah Ch 52 yet or understood who their messiah is. Our task is to keep proclaiming the Gospel of Christ until God is satisfied that enough is enough. Then his full focus will be on Israel and we will see Christ return in full majesty and power. Now, more than ever, we need to stand strong in faith and not give up our hope to a lost and dying world.

Isaiah 50-52; 2 Peter 1

Some 700 years before Christ was born, Isaiah made the announcement that Christ was coming. Israel had to endure pain and suffering through all the intervening years until Christ was revealed,  only to reject the one who ultimately came to save the nation. For the next 2000 years Christians have lived under the promises of the Word of God, waiting for Jesus to come and reign on the earth as king (and if the signs are correct, this should be pretty soon). God has established all that he plans to do in the Bible. In my readings, although I find some parts of Isaiah difficult to understand and yet greater clarity is found in the New Testament writings, one thought prevails; having a righteous, godly faith is a quality that will endure beyond the ages of men.

Isaiah 46-49; 1 Peter 5

In the midst of brazen egotism God calls his people to be humble, gentle and kind-hearted. We can forget this in our ‘dog-eat-dog’ world. We are not to be like that. Instead, we are called to draw on the supernatural grace of God and are able to display unusual acts of love which testify to the power and forgiveness of Christ. And all this in the midst of persecution and oppression. God is, indeed, great in the way he encourages us and empowers us with his love.

Isaiah 43-45; 1 Peter 4

Ever since Christ walked on the earth 2000 years ago, suffering has been the hallmark of his true church. But oddly, this has not defeated the church but strengthened it and shown Christ to be triumphant in all things. Finding joy in suffering is a unique Christian quality. John Wesley once remarked that if he wasn't being persecuted on a daily basis he feared he had fallen out of the will of God! This was the tenacity of his faith. I often wonder if I have the same tenacity when confronted with persecution. When the spirit of God acknowledges your faith and you know your righteousness is true, you can literally do anything for God and remain mentally and morally unscathed.

Isiah 40-42; 1Peter 3

Having a good, clean conscience before God is important for healthy life. To keep a clean conscience it must be washed regularly in the word of God. As areas of life are highlighted or exposed as sin we can confess these and know the forgiveness we have in Christ. As hope strengthens we become more determined in our walk with Christ and are surrounded by the gentleness of his spirit.

2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Ps 75; 1 Peter 2

There are many things that happen and we cannot fathom why. Things happen which are unjust or just happen because they do. Does God cause these things to happen, we may ask? I suggest that this is the wrong question. We should never question God's motives. A better question is to ask yourself ‘.. do I have the faith to take this problem to the Lord?’ If the answer is a resounding yes then you're in a good place and whatever the outcome God will understand your predicament and he will bring about a solution in his own time and way. Bless the Lord!

Isaiah 36-37; Ps 76; 1 Peter 1

In the spirit of David and Goliath, Hezekiah resisted the might and power of the army of Sennacherib. You cannot insult God and get away with it! Hezekiah was shaken to his core but he still sought the Lord. The first thing the Lord told him was not to fear. In a similar vein, Peter tells us not to fear when confronted by persecution and trials because when we hold fast to our faith God is glorified. This is David and Goliath courage. Standing strong in the face of an insurmountable enemy and clinging faithfully to the word of God witnesses to the strength and power of something greater than the oppressive force. Let us not forget the strength of our calling in these last days.

2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chron 32; James 5

A word from the Lord: “Take your inspiration from Hezekiah when he was confronted by the army of Sennacherib. He came to me in humility and drew his strength from me. I answered his prayer and cut down 180,000 of the enemy of God. I surrounded his city with my army who can never be defeated. I am the same Lord today. The same army stands at the ready to do my will. In your times of trouble and difficulty, persevere and hold fast to my Word. Trust me to deliver you and strengthen you, then you will have nothing to fear from me.”

2 Chron 29-31; James 4

Poor Decisions are made in life when we do not consult the Lord. When we cannot take that decision to the Lord it may mean that it is an appropriate action and we should not be doing it in the first place. Putting the Lord first in all areas of life is important if we want to attract his blessing. The more we do this the more we will pull down “high places” (2Chr31:1) of activity and involvement and destroy the altars of wasted time and effort.

2 Ki 17; 2 Chr 28; Ps 46; James 3

I have been thinking about the prophecies in Isaiah, the teachings in James, and the general state of the world as I looked around and I believe Jesus is saying , “I am coming soon to establish my kingdom on the earth. In times past I made my presence felt through the disputes of men and over thrown their wicked practices. I finally focused my judgement on the world onto one man, Jesus. Hold fast in him and do not waver for there is a great day coming when I will deal again with the nations that will not worship me. If you take your refuge in me you will not fear but rejoice because you see me coming.”

Isaiah 32-35; James 2

It is interesting to note that when Jesus tells us not to judge, (Mat 7:1) James defines it further by telling us that favoritism or showing our preferences is another form of judging. He illustrates this by giving the example of a rich man being shown the good seat in a church while the poor person is neglected. This breaks the royal law of “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). It's not good enough just to please ourselves, we must be attentive to all that God requires for “mercy triumphs over judgement”. Our Faith must also be productive. Without the deeds evidencing our faith our faith comes to nothing. Faith must be put into action as ... “the body without spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead”. (James 2:26)

Isaiah 29-31; James 1

I have nothing to add to the advice James gives, in chapter 1, in applying the scriptures to my daily life. Take trials and tribulation in the spirit of joy and build perseverance. God gives wisdom to all who ask but don't doubt. Being poor and humble is higher than a rich person. A person who perseveres under trial is blessed by God with the crown of life. Temptation comes as a result of our own desire. Good and perfect gifts come from God. We should train ourselves to listen and not speak, live righteously and not in anger. Do what the Word says and not just think about it. Keep a tight reign on the tongue. Look after orphans and widows and don't be polluted by the world.

Isaiah 25-28; Heb 13

The thing that impresses me most about Christianity is that Jesus never birthed an organisational structure for believers to operate in. In the Old Testament the temple with it's priests, sacrifices and law was a structure where people could go through the motions of honoring God without meaning it. And it's possible to do this in churches today. We can get so caught up in the form and predictability of worship that we can leave out God's heart and soul. When God calls on his people to separate themselves from the world he wants more of us than church attendance. He wants us to encounter him in every sense of the Word.

Isaiah 22-24; Heb 12

“Dear child of my father, dearly beloved. I only want the very best for you so there will be times when you will feel alone and troubled. But do not pull back in fear. I am standing with you. I need you to find your confidence, not in yourself, but in me. It is in those times of need when you truly need me that you will discover that I am but a breath away. This is how I discipline those that I love. Persevere, hold on to what is faithful and true. Soon you will be with me forever and your rest from trouble and strife will be your rightful inheritance.”

Isaiah 19-21; Heb 11

It seems to me that faith is the engine that transports us into the future with God. My hope knows that there is a future and my faith helps me to realise it. Those without faith cannot understand how or why God would require man to act this way. But we know that it is good, right and safe to trust God and to believe what he says. When we trust him on the basis of his word and hold our ground on it we will surely experience his blessing. Here's one, God promises; “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy31:6) Hang on to that in your darkest hour and see what happens.

Isaiah 15-18; Heb 10

Paul points out that the repetitious sacrifices made under the law would never fully satisfy God. They were an annual reminder of sins, the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin. Christ understood that it was his own sacrifice that would supplant the ritualistic covering of sin. Buy one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. On the basis of this we can now draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, cleansed from a guilty conscience and bodies washed with pure water. But if we continue to sin deliberately, then there is no more sacrifice. God is not to be trifled with. Don't discard your confidence. Persevere. If we shrink back we will be destroyed. It's not a game.

Isaiah 11-14; Heb 9

The Christian understands that death is not the end. Our hope is in Christ who will give us everlasting life in him. This life is free, meaning you can't purchase it, you can't debate your way into heaven. The only way is via the grace of God. We have to do it his way, not our way. That is why it is so important to implement biblical truth in our lives. Read and meditate on scripture and the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth and you will see the type of life God wants us to live. In eternity we will then see the scriptures in their full context. By living out scripture now is a wonderful preparation for the life to come.

Isaiah 8-10; Heb 8

When Jesus was talking with his disciples about going to heaven and preparing a place for them, they didn't know how to get there. In replying he described the parameters of the new covenant he would establish; “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” (John 14:6) In our world today where everyone makes up their own mind what to believe Jesus' words are decisive. You can face the consequences of living out your life in any way you want but if you walk with Jesus you will be eternally grateful.

Micah 5-7; Heb 7

Tithing is a most misunderstood Christian practice today. When Jesus was in the desert and Satan tempted him Jesus told him; “Do not put the Lord God to the test.” (Luke 4:12). This is true, however there is one exception. In Malachi chapter 3 the Israelites were accused of robbing God by not bringing in the tithes and offerings into the storehouse of God. In verse 10 God says, “... test me in this … and see if I will not throw open the floodgates … and pour out a blessing.” Tithing is not a law, it is an act of faith. Sometimes it's not easy to do but it quietly and simply puts our faith into perspective and allows God to move abundantly in our lives. Sure, money is important but it should not dominate our lives. God does not need our money and neither should we if we live faithful, productive lives before God.

Micah 1-4; Heb 6

At the time of Micah the prophet Israel and Judah had lost their anchor and had drifted away from God. The tragedy was that when they finally realised, it was too late. God had put into action events that could not be stopped. When Christ came he solved the problem of sin and made a way so that man could go boldly into the presence of God, even having the Temple of God live in our hearts. What more can God do? Mankind, therefore, have no more excuses. If we shun Christ after accepting him what would you expect God to do? Organise Christ to die again for you? No, once is enough! We must grow up and focus our lives on being productive in Christ.

Hos 13-14; Heb 5

If I willfully sin will Christ forgive me? Say, for example, I consume too much alcohol and I get into a car and accidentally kill someone, I believe Christ will forgive me but I am still faced with the consequences of that sin. If I am critically injured in that instance it's not God punishing me for my sin but a consequence of a silly act. This is why we should approach life wisely and not provoke God's grace. Even though we fail, he does not give up on us. Sometimes growing up is a painful process and some need our encouraging and non-judgement to make it to maturity.

Hos 10-12; Heb 4

To me, the message of the gospel is clear; believe in Jesus, except his completed work on the cross and live it out by faith. Yet this wonderful, life-giving message cannot find a home in the callus, hardened hearts of today. I must develop a hope and conviction in my heart that God will bring about a revolution against sin and that there will be a strong move of the Holy Spirit to convict men and women of their need of a savior. I pray God will strengthen this resolve in me.

Hos 6-9; Heb 3

When our Christian life finds itself among the thorns (Matthew 13) and we become influenced by it's worldly importance, Christ is choked out of our lives. Trouble comes, and we don't even realise it. When I am faced with a calamity or trial I must prayerfully consider, “Am I being strangled by the cares and worries of this life or is this an opportunity for me to see the deliverance of God?”  When I am in doubt I find it ultimately rewarding to give God the benefit of the doubt. When I am in two minds about something I go to the mind of Christ. I am learning that the victory in Christ has a much better outcome than a temporary victory in the world.

Hos 2-5; Heb 2

When Christ cried out, “It is finished”, and God rent the veil of the temple in two he removed the institutional disposition between man and himself. Man is not saved by belonging to an institution or a church but by belonging to Christ. Man has a habit of wanting to control the mechanics of faith but remember, we must all eventually stand individually before God to account for our lives. No institution will be there to speak on our behalf. Christ alone will be the judge. I love my church because it's full of Christ loving people and we have great fellowship but Christ must be Lord even in the places where God is most present. It may appear contradictory but Christ must be heard above all the voices of his people.

2 Ki 15-16; Hos 1; Heb 1

God uses typologies and examples to help us understand what he wants to say to us. Sometimes in reading these we may find them difficult to interpret or understand. This is where we need to pause, seek the peace of the Holy Spirit and listen. It takes practice but by perseverance it is possible to hear clearly from God. Remember, he loves you and loves speaking into your life. He's not an angry, vengeful God waiting for you to fail. He loves you and encourages you to walk in a higher place with him. Your faith is very precious to him, more so than the wealth of the world. Do not give up! Persevere until you find him - and you will.

Is 6-7; 2 Chr 26-27; Philemon

When is Uzziah became rich and powerful and his heart before the Lord had changed, he arrogantly tried to worship God in an unbiblical way. He stopped living God's way and did his own thing. Onesimus was on the run when confronted by God and his heart was changed to the glory of God. There are those of us who have grown up in Christian homes, who have always been taught to know the Lord and has never been a time of dramatic conversion like that of Onesimus. We need to be very careful that the cares and worries of this life do not rob us of the joy of living for Christ everyday. I speak to myself when I say this; “Do not take the Lord for granted. Find him a fresh everyday.”

Is 4-5; Ps 115-116; Jude

I believe the signs are all around us. If I wore a large sign saying “the end is nigh” I would get laughed at and mocked. But using the biblical plumb-line I can clearly see our nation, as well as other nations, do not love God or appreciate his provision of a Savior. That is why I am training myself to trust God in every circumstance and to keep my heart open to his discipline and love. Join me and live!