Listening to the Word

Isaiah 63,64; Psalms 107; John 2   “…’Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best until now.’” John 2:10 God’s best is always now. When we live remembering the “good old days” of the past, or we live anticipating the good things to come, we can miss God’s best now. Jesus revealed his glory at a family wedding when the host (father of the bride) was in the position of disappointing his guests by running out of wine. We, too, will disappoint each other as disciples of Christ. However, living in radical surrender and dependency on Jesus means he will give us his best now. It might not always be what we want, but Christ’s presence now through the new wine of the Holy Spirit is what we need. Will we turn our needs, our wants, and our longings to Jesus today? He has saved his best for now. “Lord Jesus, you are my sufficiency and my greatest gift. Thank you...for your glory.”

  Isaiah 60-62; John 1   “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God…They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord…” Isaiah 61:1-3 The equipping and anointing of the Holy Spirit on the servants of the Lord is a difference-maker. We are privileged to participate in the salvation, healing, freedom, and empowerment of people so their lives are never the same. Like planting “oaks of righteousness” which grow into towering, strong trees, the salvation of people affects their environment, their family, friendships, and workplace. Experiencing the life of Christ in salvation transforms the cultural ecosystem around us. Those filled with the Spirit of God and are anointed to live and share the gospel...

Isaiah 57-59; Psalms 103; 2 Peter 3   “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…” 2 Peter 3:13-15 Our expectation of Christ’s return is in proportion to our faith in his promise that he would come again to usher in a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. Those who live with this expectation are preparing themselves like a bride for her wedding day. We, too, are to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him. What would prevent us from being at peace with Christ now? Christ’s patience in returning means salvation for the nations as they respond to the Gospel and rewards for those who give themselves to his kingdom mission. “Lord Jesus, come. I await your return, for your glory.”

Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2   “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed…’yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’…All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace…You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace…” Isaiah 53:5; 54:10, 13; 55:12 Peace with God cost Jesus his life. Our restored relationship with God required atonement for our sins. The death of Jesus is the only sacrifice needed for every blood feud on earth. The endless cycle of revenge killing can stop because Jesus paid the debt. He offers us peace with God in a New Covenant, and peace with our neighbor in a new Golden Rule. The fruit of this peace will transform our children and our homes. Our testimony as those living in this covenant of peace is joy. We live with God’s Word in our hearts and the fruit of living by God’s ...

Isaiah 50-52; Psalms 92; 2 Peter 1   “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion.’ Your God reigns!’ Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.” Isaiah 52:7, 8 The mountain kingdoms of this world are receiving the good news of the Gospel, proclaiming the peace and reign of Jesus from the mountain of the Lord. This Gospel of the kingdom of heaven includes salvation from sin and its consequences, peace with God and our neighbor, and the restoration of all things in Christ. To be a watchman in prayer and proclamation is to live with expectation of Christ’s kingdom coming and his will being done, ultimately fulfilled in Christ’s second coming.   Do the return of Jesus and the fullness of his kingdom fill us with joy and expectation? It is that kind of joy which makes our...

Isaiah 46-49; 1 Peter 5 “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10, 11 Our spiritual warfare in resisting the attacks and schemes of the devil is supported by the ever-present grace and powerful presence of the Lord. We do not stand in the battle alone. Our experience now, and our eternal inheritance are to share in the glory of Christ. Christ’s glorious presence is with us in suffering, and suffering brings Christ’s glory into focus. It is Jesus who restores us when we are beaten and bruised in battle. It is Jesus who makes us strong, firm, and steadfast, even when we feel weak, unsure, and fearful. In the battle, it is through surrendering to Jesus that we find new resources to resist the enemy and stand firm in the promises of God. ‘Where is Jesus in our current struggles? Are we looking to...

Isaiah 43-45; 1 Peter 4 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7, 8 The inhabitants of Jerusalem in the generation after Christ’s death and resurrection increasingly became a threat to the Roman Empire. With Jewish rebellions came Roman army campaigns eventually leading to the complete destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. In the years leading up to that fateful end, the population of Jerusalem adopted the “eat, drink…for tomorrow we die” mentality. Peter countered this self-indulgent, fatalistic approach to life with a call to self-control, alertness to temptation and sin, prayer, and above all love for one another. Not just the reciprocal love of good friends, but the costly love of warriors who sometimes wound one another in the spiritual battle. Deep love requires deep repentance and deep humility. Deep love covers a multitude of sins...

Isaiah 40-42; 1 Peter 3   “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 Those who hope in the Lord are those who wait expectantly, patiently, with their eyes on the Lord. This kind of full dependence on the Lord renews our strength because we are filled with the inner peace and joy of the Holy Spirit. Like an eagle that learns to ride thermal updrafts and wind currents, we learn to spread our wings of faith and full dependency on an unseen power that is greater than the downward pull of sin and temptation. Our strength is in the Lord and not in ourselves. That is why we wait and fully hope in him. The longer or more challenging our ministry journey, the more our discipline of waiting on the Lord must grow. We will faint and grow weary if we are not living with daily hope-filled, expectant waiting on the Lord for his power, guidance, peace, joy, love, and p...

2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38,39; Psalms 75; 1 Peter 2   “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind…Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul…To this you were called , because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:1, 11, 21 Our transformation, or sanctification, as Christ-followers is a process of actively ridding ourselves of heart attitudes, speech patterns, and unforgiveness which defile us. We are to avoid, or abstain, from sinful desires and influences in this world which war against our soul. This spiritual battle is experienced by every Christ-follower and sometimes even escalates to the level of physical suffering for the sake of Jesus and his Gospel. Jesus is our example of costly discipleship. Are we becoming more or less like Jesus in this world? In what ways do we experience the “war...

Isaiah 36,37; Psalms 76; 1 Peter 1   “Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord…Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.” Isaiah 37:14, 20 Where do we go with bad news? It’s tempting to worry or tell a friend. Hezekiah took the threatening letter from Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and brought it to the temple of the Lord. As he spread the letter before the Lord, Hezekiah prayed for God’s deliverance, salvation and glory through this test of faith. What “bad news” should we be spreading before the Lord rather than spreading through social media? This life and death story of spiritual warfare, intercession, faith, and deliverance is one of few biblical stories that is repeated three times in the scriptures! God wants us to remember and learn from this story of faith. Our stories of faith often come out of painful...

2 Kings 18,19; 2 Chronicles 32; James 5   “Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James’ word of patience and perseverance in the face of suffering encouraged the church following the destruction of Jerusalem and scattering of the Jewish followers of Christ. The prophets who chose God’s word over their own comfort and safety remind us that the word of the Lord will last forever, all else will fade away. Job’s story of testing reminds us that God allows tests of his children who honor and obey him so that he might be glorified through our faith-filled response. Perseverance through the testing is evidence of God’s blessing on our lives, not the absence of tests! The world around us is watching our life and ch...

  2 Chronicles 29-31; James 4   “The couriers went from town to town in Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun, but the people scorned and ridiculed them. Nevertheless, some men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. Also, in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 30:10-12 The couriers of Hezekiah carried a message of repentance. Most scorned the message despite living under the yoke of Assyrian occupation, but some humbled themselves. Who is carrying the word of the Lord? Are we listening and humbling ourselves when we hear the word of the Lord, or do we, too, scorn in our hearts? When we hear of revivals, do we scorn or humble ourselves asking the Lord to revive our hearts to our first love for Jesus? As living sacrifices, our lives are our offering to the Lord, and our first place of worship. Our bodies are th...

2 Kings 17; 2 Chronicles 28; Psalms 46; James 3   “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” James 3:1, 2 In the church, presumptuous leadership based on natural gifting is a dangerous situation. Presuming we have something to teach others when the character of our lives and relationships does not yet line up with the ways of God’s kingdom puts both ourselves and those we are leading at risk of falling. The grace of God is given in our humility and weakness when our full dependence is on the Lord. God’s ‘School of the Spirit’ for Jesus required many years in a wood shop learning obedience. Paul’s journey included many years of preparation and discipleship, out of the public ministry. Our gifts and calling must be discerned by the Church; the timing is as important as t...

  Isaiah 32-35; James 2   “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Isaiah 35:3, 4 This call to strengthen feeble hands and weak knees is quoted in Hebrews 12:12 in the context of God’s discipline in the lives of those he loves. God does not always come in the way we expect. Israel’s hope of a Messiah to deliver them from their enemies was fulfilled in Jesus Christ who taught them to forgive and love their enemies. Fear robs us of our capacity to love well and live with faith. Fear causes us to protect and guard rather than sacrifice and serve. God’s discipling work within us is to deliver us from fear and other sin-strongholds so we fully live into our kingdom inheritance. What is holding us back today from being fully for the kingdom of God? “Lord Jesus, you are my deliverer and Savior. Deliver me f...

Isaiah 29-31; James 1   “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 Perseverance under pressure is a sign of maturity. The tests of our faith in relationships, health, ministry challenges, and finances, transform our hearts through our increased humility and dependency on the Lord, and also, strengthen our capacity to endure.   If God tested his own Son in the wilderness, led by the Spirit, why would he not also test us for our sanctification and growth in maturity? What circumstances are we currently in that represent a test from the Lord? How are we responding to the test? The reward for persevering is the crown of life. Life is not found in avoiding tests to our faith, but rather, in persevering through them! God tests and disciplines those he loves, and those who love him. Tests are not punishment; they are opportunities for greater reward. “Lo...

  Isaiah 25-28; Hebrews 13   “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you…Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.” Isaiah 26:3, 12 “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will…” Hebrews 13:20, 21 Peace within comes from God who both established our peace through Christ’s atoning blood sacrifice and keeps us in this peace through his indwelling Holy Spirit in our lives. The foundation of this peace in our lives is our faith or trust in God for our salvation and for our very lives as we place them in the hand of God. We choose to declare the Lord Jesus as our great Shepherd and surrender to him all our cares, concerns, troubles, fears, struggles, and plans. The humility to surrender control of our lives and all our involvements to Jesus al...

Isaiah 22-24; Hebrews 12   “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:14, 15 Right relationship with others and with God requires constant effort and attentiveness. Grace is not opposed to effort when effort is applied as a response to grace. Trying to earn grace is fruitless and without humility we can miss the grace of God to forgive ourselves and others. The evidence of grace received is holiness and peace with God and others. The absence of grace leads to little seeds of wounding, neglect, or temptation rooting in our heart and growing. The fruit of these roots is heard through our speech and seen through our actions. People are defiled by bitter roots as they take up the offenses of others and carry them. When we understand the potential damage caused by unattended seeds of sin in our heart...

  Isaiah 19-21; Hebrews 11 “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39, 40 The costly stories of faith throughout salvation history point us on the narrow path of discipleship in the way of Christ. It was Jesus who suffered in a long journey of obedience and once made perfect, or complete, became the source of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10; 5:8, 9). Our stories of faith are being recorded, and many are told and retold because God wants those stories kept alive for his glory. When our faith-story is part of God’s eternal salvation-story, we, too, will find our completeness, or perfection, together with men and women of faith throughout the ages. Our life’s purpose and meaning will only be discovered and claimed by faith. “Lord Jesus, write your faith-story through me, for your glory.”

Isaiah 15-18; Hebrews 10   “But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy…How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?” Hebrews 10:12-14, 29 As we respond to the gift of forgiveness, by faith, as those who have been set apart (made holy) for God, Christ’s finished sacrifice for all sin has made us complete forever in the sight of God. Christ defeated the principalities and powers on the cross, and as we live in that victory and apply it to our lives, we, too, overcome all the power of the enemy. Deliberately and willfully disobeying the Spirit of grace by indulging in sin mocks the blood ...

  Isaiah 11-14; Hebrews 9   “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:2, 3 There are many dry places in the world like the Sahara Desert where water is seemingly absent. Yet, some of the largest freshwater reservoirs in the world are found under the sand of the Sahara! Where can we find living water for our spiritual thirst? Jesus has opened the wells of salvation to the nations. What are we drinking? Have we found the sweet water of salvation and made it personal? Can we say, “God is my salvation? The Lord is my strength and my song?” We access the wells of salvation through the prayer of faith. Instead of trusting in our capacity and strength, we trust in the Lord, and we turn away from fear. Drink deeply of salvation and invite others to drink with us. When we have a song and his name is Jesus, our joy will be co...

Isaiah 8-10; Hebrews 8   “Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us. The Lord spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said: ‘Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it…’” Isaiah 8:10-12 Our peace comes from the presence of the Lord with us, Emmanuel. In a world that is fearful of disasters, wars, sickness, and death, God speaks to us through Emmanuel. The strong hand of the Lord on our lives changes everything! Isaiah faced the threat of Assyria’s invasion and eventual siege of Jerusalem with the even stronger hand of the Lord on his life. Our peace begins within our heart and mind through the presence of Emmanuel. Then, like Isaiah, we can be a beacon of light and hope, and the reality of God’s presence to those around us! “Lord Jesus, thank you for coming as Emmanuel, with your presence an...

  Micah 5-7; Hebrews 7   “This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High…” First, his name means ‘king of righteousness’; then also, ‘king of Salem’ means ‘king of peace’…’You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.’” Hebrews 7:1, 2, 17; [Psalm 110:4] “…his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace.” Micah 5:4, 5 The writer of Hebrews pointed to Jesus as the permanent high priest, in the order of Melchizedek, in fulfillment of Psalm 110:4. In both ‘king of righteousness’ and ‘king of peace’, Jesus demonstrated that there is no peace without righteousness. Through Christ Jesus’ sinless sacrifice for our sin, we receive Christ’s righteousness as a gift by faith, and we experience peace with God. Christ is our peace. Righteousness or right standing before God is the first place we must experience peace. From this place of peace with God, we become his ambassadors of reconciliation and peace in our world. Are we living in r...

Micah 1-4; Hebrews 6 “’Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for I the Lord Almighty has spoken. All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.’” Micah 4:4, 5 In times of transition, change, and conflict, what matters is the Word God has spoken over our lives. Listening to the voices of fear and conflict trouble our spirit; listening to the Word of the Lord brings peace when we submit to the Lord of the Word. Micah’s call is to both listen to the Word of the Lord and walk in his paths. Walking in the name of the Lord means our identity and perspective on life are shaped by our relationship with God. We participate in God’s mission for the reconciliation of all things, in Christ, as we experience inner peace with God. Are we living in peace under our own fig tree and vine, or still making a name for ourselves in this world? What has the Lord spoken over our l...