Dec2019
What’s in a name?
A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called ‘Wonderful Counsellor’, ‘Mighty God’, ‘Eternal Father’, ‘Prince of Peace’. His royal power will continue to grow; his kingdom will always be at peace. (verses 6,7a) Read Isaiah 9:2-7 Choosing a name for… Read more
Dec2019
When God hides his face
You, my disciples, are to guard and protect the messages that God has given me. The Lord has hidden himself from his people, but I trust him and place my hope in him. Here I am with the children the Lord has given me. The Lord Almighty, whose throne is on Mount Zion, has sent… Read more
Dec2019
Dec2019
Facing the challenge
Then one of the creatures flew down to me, carrying a burning coal that he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with the burning coal and said, ‘This has touched your lips, and now your guilt is gone, and your sins are forgiven.’ Then I heard the… Read more
Dec2019
Two sides of God
The world of the dead is hungry for them, and it opens its mouth wide. It gulps down the nobles of Jerusalem along with the noisy crowd of common people. Everyone will be disgraced, and all who are proud will be humbled. But the Lord Almighty shows his greatness by doing what is right, and… Read more
Dec2019
Getting ready
‘I baptise you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals. He has his winnowing shovel with him to… Read more
Dec2019
Rain on parched ground
May the land enjoy prosperity; may it experience righteousness. May the king judge the poor fairly; may he help the needy and defeat their oppressors. May your people worship you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon gives light, for ages to come. (verses 3-5) Read Psalm 72:1-7, 18, 19 Parts… Read more
Dec2019
Bitter fruit
So now my friend says, ‘You people who live in Jerusalem and Judah, judge between my vineyard and me. Is there anything I failed to do for it? Why then did it produce sour grapes and not good grapes I expected? ‘This is what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take… Read more
Dec2019
Mighty achievements?
On that day the Lord Almighty will humble everyone who is powerful, everyone who is proud and conceited. He will destroy the tall cedars of Lebanon and all the oaks in the land of Bashan. He will level the high mountains and hills, every high tower and the walls of every fortress. He will sink… Read more
Dec2019
In the line
Many nations will come streaming to it, and their people will say, “Let us go up the hill of the Lord, to the Temple of Israel’s God. He will teach us what he wants us to do; we will walk in the paths he has chosen. For the Lord’s teaching comes from Jerusalem; from Zion… Read more
