Planning for the right season of life

Do you have any plans for today, the next few days, weeks, months or later on in the year? What are you looking forward to most? Do you have a special birthday coming up? Do you have an engagement party or a wedding to look forward to, maybe? Do you have a holiday planned? 

Where does God fit in to any plans that you have made for a future date? I once heard this excellent advice a few years ago: “Plan as if Christ’s return were years away but live as if it were today.” Can I ask how do you respond to that advice? 

It was Benjamin Franklin who said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” He also said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” These are wise words and reinforce the quote I have already shared with you. 

Nothing lasts for ever - or does it?

Life is indeed a journey marked by constant change and the inevitability of loss. We all grapple with the reality that we will age, that loved ones will one day leave us, and that children will grow up and forge their own paths. These truths can weigh heavily on our hearts, but there is profound hope found within the pages of the Bible.

At the core of this hope is the belief that we possess an eternal soul, a fundamental aspect of our being that transcends physical death. This idea, however, is becoming increasingly dismissed in modern thinking. Renowned physicist Stephen Hawking famously articulated his view of human existence by likening our brains to computers, which cease to function once their components fail. He stated unequivocally, "There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers. That is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark." While Hawking's statement may resonate with some, it fails to consider the complexities of human consciousness and the spiritual dimension that is integral to our existence.

Through the Bible in 66 Days - Mark

 

The Gospel of Mark is the shortest, sharpest and most fast‑moving account of the life of the Lord Jesus. It doesn't ease the reader in gently. It launches straight into action. From the opening paragraphs, Mark bounces from scene to scene, miracle to miracle, showing that Jesus has complete authority over sickness, evil spirits, nature, and even death itself. Nothing is wasted. Every episode is chosen to reveal that Jesus acts with the power of God.

Many believe Mark drew heavily on Peter's firsthand memories — the fisherman with the big personality and the bold voice. You can feel that energy in the writing. It is vivid, urgent, and full of movement. Mark is a master storyteller, stitching one event to the next so that you barely catch your breath. His aim is clear: to show that Jesus is God's promised one, full of divine authority, yet also the humblest Servant who ever lived.

A Gospel for Busy Romans — and for Us

Mark's main audience was Roman readers — people who admired strength, decisiveness, and leadership. But they also knew that the greatest leaders were those who served others. So Mark presents the Lord Jesus as the perfect Servant‑King. He has all authority, yet He stoops to help the weak, touch the untouchable, and teach the crowds with compassion.

Through the Bible in 66 Days - Obadiah

 

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. The name Obadiah means "servant or worshiper of the Lord," and was the name of thirteen men in the Old Testament.

Edom was a nation whose ancestry traced back to Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (sons of Isaac and grandsons of Abraham). They should have been friendly nations, but over time, they became sworn enemies. The Edomites were a thorn in Israel's side, even though they enjoyed special protection under the Law. Herod the Great, who lived in New Testament times, was an Idumaean (a descendant of the Edomites). After Jerusalem's fall in a.d 70, the Edomites vanished from history. Some, however, suggest that there will be a future resurgence of the Edomites.

This one-chapter book records Edom's antagonism toward its neighbour, Judah. Edom not only disliked Israel, but their hatred ran so deep that they were thrilled to see them in trouble. Instead of helping them, they stood and watched as their capital city, Jerusalem, was ransacked and destroyed by the invading enemy.

 

Key Lessons from the Prophecy of Obadiah

1. God Judges Pride

Obadiah exposes Edom's arrogance—its trust in its strength, position, and alliances. Pride is the root of their downfall.

Pride is a universal human problem; to enjoy the blessings of the gospel, every human being has to humble themselves before God.

New Testament Verses

• "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)

• "Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled." (Luke 14:11)

Through the Bible in 66 Days - Daniel

 

The book of Daniel is one of those remarkable portions of Scripture that lifts our eyes above the chaos of earthly kingdoms and reminds us—firmly, repeatedly, gloriously—that God is in control. Whether in the courts of Babylon or in a den of lions, whether interpreting dreams or standing before kings, Daniel’s life is a living testimony to the sovereignty of God and the faithfulness of His people.

As the book of Daniel opens, the nation of Judah is in a dark place. The nation has been carried away into exile, just as the prophets had warned (2 Chronicles 36:15–21). Jerusalem lies in ruins. The temple is destroyed. The people of God are scattered. Yet even here, in the ashes of judgment, God is at work. He has not abandoned His promises.

Among the exiles are four young men from the aristocracy of Judah—Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—who are selected for training at the Babylonian court (Daniel 1:3–4). They are far from home, surrounded by pagan culture, pressured to conform, and stripped of their identity. Yet they resolve that they will not defile themselves (Daniel 1:8). Their faithfulness in small things becomes the foundation for God to use them in great things.

And isn’t that the Bible pattern? God takes people in weakness, in exile, in difficulty, and He works through them so that His glory shines brighter than their circumstances. As Paul reminds us, ‘God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise,’ 1 Corinthians 1:27.

God Reveals Mysteries

Much of Daniel’s story revolves around dreams and visions—Nebuchadnezzar’s troubling dream in chapter 2, the handwriting on the wall in chapter 5, and the great prophetic visions in chapters 7–12. Kings tremble, wise men fail, and empires shift, but Daniel stands calm because his confidence is not in Babylon’s wisdom but in the God who ‘reveals deep and hidden things,’ Daniel 2:22.

When Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great statue, he declares a truth that echoes through the whole book: ‘The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed,’ Daniel 2:44. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall—Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome—but God’s kingdom stands forever. This is the heartbeat of the gospel: the king has come, His kingdom is advancing, and His victory is certain. Christ Himself proclaimed, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand,’ Mark 1:15.

Faithfulness Under Pressure

Daniel’s life is not easy. He serves under multiple kings and two empires. He is promoted to high office—second in command in Babylon (Daniel 2:48) and later honoured under the Persian administration (Daniel 6:3). Yet with every promotion comes new pressure.

In Daniel 6, jealous officials manipulate King Darius into signing a decree forbidding prayer to anyone but the king. Daniel knows the cost, but he continues to pray three times a day, just as he had always done (Daniel 6:10). His faithfulness leads him straight into the lions’ den.

But the God who rules kingdoms also shuts the mouths of lions. Darius declares, ‘He is the living God… His kingdom shall never be destroyed,' Daniel 6:26. Once again, the gospel shines through: God rescues, God reigns, and God vindicates His people. As Paul writes, ‘The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom,’ 2 Timothy 4:18.

A Greater Son of Man

Daniel’s visions point forward to Christ in breathtaking ways. In chapter 7, Daniel sees ‘one like a son of man’ coming with the clouds of heaven, receiving everlasting dominion (Daniel 7:13–14). Jesus takes this title—the Son of Man—as His own, declaring that He is the fulfilment of Daniel’s prophecy, Matthew 26:64. 

The kingdoms of this world may wax and wane but the Son of Man will one day reign for ever.

Living as Exiles Today

Daniel teaches us how to live faithfully in a world that does not share our values. Like Daniel, believers today are ‘exiles’ (1 Peter 1:1), citizens of heaven living in foreign territory. We face pressures to conform, temptations to compromise, and challenges that test our loyalty to Christ.

But Daniel’s story assures us that:

• God is sovereign over history.

• God is present in our trials.

• God honours those who honour Him.

• God’s kingdom will triumph.

And ultimately, Daniel points us to the gospel—the good news that Christ has conquered sin, death, and every earthly power, and that His kingdom is unshakeable.

May we, like Daniel, live with courage, conviction, and confidence in the God who rules over all.

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

Through the Bible in 66 Days - Lamentations

Lamentations: A Gospel-Shaped Invitation to Honest Sorrow and Hope

The Weight of a Broken Heart

The book of Lamentations opens a window into the soul of Jeremiah, often called the weeping prophet (Jeremiah 9:1). The word lamentations is not one we commonly use today. Still, it simply means deep sorrow—a grief that shakes the heart. This short biblical book was written soon after the destruction of Jerusalem, when God’s people were taken into exile. Their city lay in ruins, their temple burned, and their identity was shattered.

In these pages, Jeremiah does not hide behind a brave face. He does not pretend. Instead, he pours out raw, devastated, and confused emotions. His honesty gives us permission to acknowledge our own sadness rather than bury it.

When We Want to Hide

It is tempting to hide away when we feel upset. Many of us put on a brave face, especially in public or in church. But Lamentations shows us that God is not honoured by pretence. He invites honesty. 

The people of Judah were overwhelmed by grief, guilt, fear, and shame. Jeremiah captures this with painful clarity:

• “How lonely sits the city that was full of people!” (Lamentations 1:1)
• “My eyes fail with tears… my heart is poured out on the ground” (Lamentations 2:11)

This is not polite sorrow. It is the kind of lament many of us feel but rarely express. Yet Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). The New Testament reminds us that believers “groan inwardly” as we wait for redemption (Romans 8:23). Scripture never asks us to pretend.

What Breaks God’s Heart

As Jeremiah surveys the devastation, he recognises the deeper issue: the tragedy is not only the broken city but the broken relationship with God. Lamentations repeatedly returns to this truth:

• “The LORD is righteous, for I rebelled against His command” (Lamentations 1:18).
• “Our fathers sinned… we have borne their iniquities” (Lamentations 5:7).

Sin breaks God’s heart because it breaks His people. In love, He brought judgment—not to destroy them, but to bring them back. Hebrews 12:6 reminds us, “The Lord disciplines the one He loves.” 

Judgment was not God’s final word. Mercy was.

Hope in the Middle of the Ruins

At the centre of the book, like a beam of light through storm clouds, Jeremiah lifts his eyes:

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” —Lamentations 3:21–23

This is the gospel in seed form. Even in judgment, God’s love has not failed. Even in sorrow, His mercy is fresh. Even in exile, He remains faithful.

The New Testament completes this picture:

• “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
• “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7).

Lamentations points forward to the cross, where judgment and mercy meet.

Why Lament Leads to Life

Lamentations teaches that lament is not the end—it is the doorway to repentance and restoration. When we stop pretending, when we allow ourselves to feel the weight of sin and sorrow, something beautiful happens:

• We turn back to God.
• We confess honestly.
• We discover His forgiveness afresh.

“Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Lamentations is not a book of despair but a book of hope. It shows that God meets us in the ashes, not after we have cleaned ourselves up.

A Gospel-Shaped Invitation

For believers today, Lamentations offers three gospel lessons:

• You don’t need to hide your sorrow. God welcomes honesty.
• Sin is serious because God’s love is deep. His discipline flows from His heart.
• Repentance leads to salvation. Through Jesus Christ, forgiveness is full and free.

Lamentations is not simply Jeremiah’s grief—it is God’s invitation. An invitation to bring our tears, failures, fears, and sins to the One whose mercies are new every morning.

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

Through the Bible in 66 Days - Deuteronomy

 

After 40 years in the desert, God's people are on the very edge of the Promised Land. It took a long time to get here; it should have taken 11 days to cross the desert, but due to their lack of faith, they ended up wandering as nomads for 40 years. Often, we take the hard road by not listening to God, not trusting Him and making life much more difficult for ourselves.

Eventually, they are finally ready for life to get better and to enjoy the amazing life that God has for them but they must adhere to His promises. In Deuteronomy, Moses repeats God's laws for Israel. The name of the book itself reminds us that this is the second time the law has been presented to the people.

How many times has God had to tell you the truth and you refuse to listen? Thankfully, He comes back time and again so that we can eventually understand. The Bible states that God speaks once and then twice, but that man often fails to grasp it.

Through Moses' words, God reveals His heart. He loves the nation of Israel and wishes them to love and trust Him in return. However, God doesn't want people who are simply robotic; He wants a genuine relationship with us. In fact, Deuteronomy feels almost like a wedding, where God binds Himself to this nation with promises of love and faithfulness. They responded with a dramatic mountain experience, pledging to be faithful to Him and to keep His law. While this was a promising start to their new life, their history shows it was not ultimately followed through.