Matthew 1:18-25

'Immanuel... God with us' (23). Think of what this means! Here are some words to help you. 'He walked where I walked, He stood where I stand, He felt what I feel, He understands. He know my frailty, shared my humanity, tempted in every way ,yet without sin. God with us, so close to us. …

Advertisement

Stop protesting against the Lord! Start listening to the Lord!

Ezra 2:68-4:5; Revelation 9:13-10:11; Proverbs 30:24-33 At the heart of the rebuilding of the Temple, there was worship -"With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: 'He is good; His love to Israel endures for ever" (Ezra 3:11). Those who worship the Lord are set within the context of a world that refuses to …

Gold

Ezra 1:1-2:67; Revelation8:1-9:12; Psalm144:9-15 We read of "gold" in both Ezra and Revelation (Ezra 1:4,6,9-11; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 9:7). In Ezra 1:6, "gold" is set alongside "valuable gifts" and "all the freewill offerings." "Gold" is a valuable thing. The "gold" of our lives is truly valuable when it is given freely, as a "freewill offering." In Revelation 8:3, "gold" is …

How are we to come to the Lord?

Malachi 1:1-2:16; Revelation 6:1-17; Psalm 143:1-2 "Come!... Come!... Come!... Come!" (Revelation 6:1,3,5,7). The invitation is clear. We are to come to the Lord. How are we to come to Him? If we are to learn how we are to come to Him, we should learn also how we are not to come to Him. Malachi …

Towards the final victory and the glorious celebration

Esther 6:1-8:17; Revelation 4:1-11; Psalm 142:1-7 In the book of Esther, we see the people of God in conflict. There were enemies against whom they had to contend. In this battle, there are victories which lead to "joyous celebration" (Esther 8:15). Such times of victory are times of "happiness and joy, gladness and honour" (Esther 8:16). …

Zechariah 9:1-11:17; Revelation 1:1-20; Psalm 140:1-5

"Rejoice greatly... your King comes to you... having salvation... because of the blood of My covenant with you" (Zechariah 9:9,11). "The Ruler of the kings of the earth... who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood" (Revelation 1:5). The King of love is revealed in both Zechariah and Revelation. We …

Be strong!

Haggai 1:1-2:23; 2 John 1-13; Proverbs 29:19-27 God calls His people - "Be strong" (Haggai 2:4). This call comes to the "governor", "the high priest" and "all you people of the land" (Haggai 2:2). We need spiritual strength in government, in the Church and throughout the land. This strength is needed if we are to …

The strength we receive from the Lord

Daniel 9:20-11:1; 1 John 3:11-4:6; Psalm 137:1-9 "When He spoke to me, I was strengthened" (Daniel 10:19). The strength we receive from the Lord is a greater strength than the temptations we face - "the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). To know …

Numbers 33:1-49

In the history of Israel - set free by the power of God, failure to learn, wandering, the promised land, there is a picture of the Christian life - conversion and growth to spiritual maturity by way of learning from our mistakes. We are not to remain in the past. That would be nostalgia. It …

Numbers 32:1-42

Some look for an easy life. They know that there will be conflict on the other side of the Jordan. They opt out - 'do not take us across the Jordan' (5). They think they've travelled far enough. God says, 'Let us go on to maturity' (Hebrews 6:1). 'My happiness' - This is what concerns …