Isaiah begins this prophecy stating that amid spiritual darkness, the blackness that plagued Israel and plagues us today, is pierced by the light of God’s salvation.
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan –
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and for ever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this
Isaiah 9:1-7 [New International Version]
Follow the link to John Dickson's teaching on Psalm 96 shown on 23 November 2025
Psalm 96
1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendour and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns.’ The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
Discover Your Identity. Embrace Unity. Live the New Life.
Join us as we journey through the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians - a powerful reminder that in Christ, we are reconciled, united, and called to live authentically.
Why EPHESIANS?
The Gospel shines through Ephesians from start to finish. Like a tree, the letter starts with strong roots beneath the surface, which allows for fruitful living.
In a broad sense, the first half of Ephesians says: “This is who you are, by-grace"
and the second half says: “This is how you should live, by grace."
Nov 9 - Light and Darkness
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: no immoral, impure or greedy person – such a person is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible – and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
‘Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.’
Ephesians 5:1-14 [NIVUK]
Discover Your Identity. Embrace Unity. Live the New Life.
Join us as we journey through the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians - a powerful reminder that in Christ, we are reconciled, united, and called to live authentically.
Why EPHESIANS?
The Gospel shines through Ephesians from start to finish. Like a tree, the letter starts with strong roots beneath the surface, which allows for fruitful living.
In a broad sense, the first half of Ephesians says: “This is who you are, by-grace"
and the second half says: “This is how you should live, by grace."
Nov 2 - Living the New Life
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body. 26 ‘In your anger do not sin’[d]: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:25-32 [NIVUK]
Discover Your Identity. Embrace Unity. Live the New Life.
Join us as we journey through the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians - a powerful reminder that in Christ, we are reconciled, united, and called to live authentically.
Why EPHESIANS?
The Gospel shines through Ephesians from start to finish. Like a tree, the letter starts with strong roots beneath the surface, which allows for fruitful living.
In a broad sense, the first half of Ephesians says: “This is who you are, by-grace"
and the second half says: “This is how you should live, by grace."
October 26 - Putting Off the Old Life
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:17-24 [NIVUK]
Follow the link to Alf Jonas presentation
Discover Your Identity. Embrace Unity. Live the New Life.
Join us as we journey through the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians - a powerful reminder that in Christ, we are reconciled, united, and called to live authentically.
Why EPHESIANS?
The Gospel shines through Ephesians from start to finish. Like a tree, the letter starts with strong roots beneath the surface, which allows for fruitful living.
In a broad sense, the first half of Ephesians says: “This is who you are, by-grace"
and the second half says: “This is how you should live, by grace."
October 12 - United We Grow
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:1-6 [NIVUK]
Discover Your Identity. Embrace Unity. Live the New Life.
Join us as we journey through the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians - a powerful reminder that in Christ, we are reconciled, united, and called to live authentically.
Why EPHESIANS?
The Gospel shines through Ephesians from start to finish. Like a tree, the letter starts with strong roots beneath the surface, which allows for fruitful living.
In a broad sense, the first half of Ephesians says: “This is who you are, by-grace"
and the second half says: “This is how you should live, by grace."
October 5 - How to Pray with Power
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21 [NIVUK]
Discover Your Identity. Embrace Unity. Live the New Life.
Join us as we journey through the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians - a powerful reminder that in Christ, we are reconciled, united, and called to live authentically.
Why EPHESIANS?
The Gospel shines through Ephesians from start to finish. Like a tree, the letter starts with strong roots beneath the surface, which allows for fruitful living.
In a broad sense, the first half of Ephesians says: “This is who you are, by-grace"
and the second half says: “This is how you should live, by grace."
September 28 - Mystery Revealed
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles –
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory
Ephesians 3:1-13 [NIVUK]