Jim Gallagher

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 15-16 & Colossians 1
Old Testament: Isaiah 15- Wrong Number

Isaiah 15:2
“He has gone up to the temple and Dibon, to the high places to weep. Moab will wail over Nebo and over Medeba; On all their heads will be baldness, And every beard cut off.”

Isaiah describes the fall of Moab. He explains that it will be devastating and it will take place very soon. While this is clearly a divine prophecy which will include specific details, including the time in which this fall will take place, it did not come without warning. The Assyria troops were marching throughout the region and conquering all who opposed them. Since Moab… Read More 

Isaiah 16- Count Down

Isaiah 16:14
“But now the Lord has spoken, saying, ‘Within three years, as the years of a hired man, the glory of Moab will be despised with all that great multitude, and the remnant will be very small and feeble.’”

The Moabites were not only Israel’s neighbors, they were also relatives. The Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Their relationship should… Read More 

New Testament: Colossians 1- Seeing The Invisible 

Colossians 1:15
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

The heart of man cries out for God. From the small child, to the individual who has faced a devastating loss, or grueling pain, their hearts cry out to know God. In an attempt to answer the heart’s cry, men create God in their own image. Some have… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 13-14 & Philippians 4
Old Testament: Isaiah 13- Shaky

Isaiah 13:13
“Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth will move out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts and in the day of His fierce anger.”

Recently, I was driving with some friends, some of whom were from California, and others from Florida. It did not take long for the subject of hurricanes to come up. As we described our experiences of boarding… Read More

Isaiah 14- Pride Before A Fall

Isaiah 14:13
“For you have said in your heart:
I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north; . . . ”

Here, in Isaiah, we are given the details behind Satan’s fall. Before his ruin, Scripture describes the devil as the mighty angel Lucifer, who served… Read More

New Testament: Philippians 4- Your Account 

Philippians 4:17
“Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.”

As this letter comes to a close, Paul is careful to thank the Philippian church for their generosity. On numerous occasions they had sent aid to Paul, enabling him to continue in… Read More 

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 11-12 & Philippians 3
Old Testament: Isaiah 11- Peace

Isaiah 11:6-7
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.”
In beautiful, poetic fashion, Isaiah… Read More

Isaiah 12- The Well Of Salvation 

Isaiah 12:3-4
“Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.
And in that day you will say:
“Praise the Lord, call upon His name;
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
Make mention that His name is exalted.”
Isaiah paints a beautiful picture to… Read More

New Testament: Philippians 3- Beware Of Dogs 

Philippians 3:2
“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!”

Warning signs are all around us, cautioning us to beware of potential hazards. These signs warn the floor is slippery, the curve, sharp, the beam is low, or the dog is mean. As I sit here writing, my teacup reads, “Careful, the beverage you are about to enjoy is extremely hot.” Which seems obvious to me, since I did not order an iced drink. On the beaches in our community, there are signs warning of what to do in case of a… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 9-10 & Philippians 2
Old Testament: Isaiah 9- When He Comes

Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder,
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

This is one of the most well known… Read More

Isaiah 10- Improved

Isaiah 10:20-21
“And it shall come to pass in that day, That the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, will never again depend on him who defeated them, but will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God.”… Read More

New Testament: Philippians 2- Others

Philippians 2:17-18
“Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.”

Prior to the death and resurrection… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 7-8 & Philippians 1
Old Testament: Isaiah 7- Great Promises
Isaiah 7:2
‘And it was told to the house of David, saying, “Syria’s forces are deployed in Ephraim.” So his heart and the heart of his people were moved as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind.”‘
… Read More
Isaiah 8- We’re Watching

Isaiah 8:18
“Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion.”

Isaiah understood something about his life, which is often forgotten… Read More

New Testament: Philippians 1- What Happened To Me?

Philippians 1:12-14
“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

As Paul is writing this letter to the church in Philippi, he is chained to a soldier and sitting in a Roman prison. He was incarcerated, not… Read More

Isaiah 7:2
‘And it was told to the house of David, saying, “Syria’s forces are deployed in Ephraim.” So his heart and the heart of his people were moved as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind.”‘

A combined force of Judah’s enemies had gathered with the intent of attacking Jerusalem. When this news reached the palace, Ahaz the king was gripped with fear and worry. Isaiah describes him as having a heart that moved as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind. I wonder has your heart ever felt like that? Have you ever been stuck in the midst of circumstances that unravel you from within? Instead of a cool and gentle breeze giving you peace and rest you feel as though a hurricane is bearing down upon you. That is the way Ahaz felt, but the Lord had a solution

First God promised that the plotting of Judah’s enemies would fail. He went on the explain that God had a plan for the defeat of the enemy which would provide peace for His people. Second God promised the coming of the Messiah. In what is one of the greatest and most telling predictions in the Bible God declared that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” This promise would not only provide peace for Ahaz but would make a way for salvation to be provided for all mankind. It is worth noting that the name given to the Messiah is Emmanuel a word meaning God with us. One of the most comforting truths in our times of difficulty and confusion is that God will be with us.

This was the promise given to Joshua to encourage him in the ministry to which he was called

Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

This was the promise that encouraged David as he walked through He greatest dangers of life

Psalms 23:4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

This was the promise given to the disciples when Jesus commissioned them to stand against all opposition and take the gospel to the world

Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

And this same promise is ours as we face the obstacles, difficulties and tragedies of life.

Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Hebrews 13:5
“…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Whatever you are facing, whatever fear, worry, anxiety or tempest may be raging within you take comfort in knowing that God not only has a plan but will walk with you through the storm.

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 5-6 & Ephesians 6
Old Testament: Isaiah 5- Expanding 

Isaiah 5:14
“Therefore Shoel has enlarged itself
And opened its mouth beyond measure;
Their glory and their multitude and pomp,
And he who is jubilant, shall descend into it.”

Sheol is an Old Testament word for the abode of the wicked in death. The New Testament uses the words “Hades,” “Tartarus,” and… Read More
Isaiah 6- Then He Said Go

Isaiah 6:7-9
“Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.’
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’
And He said, ‘Go…’”

Isaiah 6 is perhaps most well known for what Isaiah saw. He records, in the year… Read More

New Testament: Ephesians 6- Battleground

Ephesians 6:14-18
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of … Read More 

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 3-4 & Ephesians 5
Old Testament: Isaiah 3- Leading The Way

Isaiah 3:12
“…O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.”

Isaiah is warning of coming judgment. The people had left the ways of God; perhaps thinking the… Read More

Isaiah 4- The Branch

Isaiah 4:2
“In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing for those of Israel who have escaped.”

“The Branch of the Lord” is a messianic title, meaning it is a description of Jesus our Savior. This phrase is used often by the prophets to speak of the… Read More

New Testament: Ephesians 5- Love Walks

Ephesians 5:2
“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.

The Christian life is like a journey. It begins when we put our trust in Christ for salvation, and ends as we cross the finish line entering… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 1-2 & Ephesians 4
Old Testament: Isaiah 1- Let’s Make A Deal

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

If it were possible to travel back to the time of Isaiah, I think we would be surprised by… Read More
Isaiah 2- The War Is Over

Isaiah 2:4
“He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

Tragically, God is blamed.. Read More
Ephesians 4- Church

Ephesians 4:11-12
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”

The Church was designed by God, purchased with the blood of Christ, birthed by the work… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Song Of Songs 7-8 & Ephesians 3
Old Testament: Song Of Songs 7- Roses Are Red

Song of Songs 7:1
“How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O prince’s daughter!”

Song of Solomon is like a series of love letters between Solomon and his bride, designed to express the great love they have for one… Read More

Song Of Songs 8- Strong Love

Song of Songs 8:7
“Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised.”

There are a host of strong motivators that drive a person to action. Fear of what may come will often lead a person to behave in an… Read More

New Testament: Ephesians 3- Exceedingly Abundantly 

Ephesians 3:20
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”

Prayer is the great privilege of the Christian. With it, we are given access to the throne of God. Every… Read More