But Zacchaeus was determined that day and finally climbed a tree. That in itself was a step towards humility, but maybe he thought he would be hidden in the tree. Nobody can hide from Jesus, He sees our every hiding place! There was total conviction and an offer to put things right!

Our verse for today is part of a fable. I have quoted it because it spoke to me about being and doing what God has told me personally to do. Finding His purpose for your life, and following His plan is the most important thing a believer can do.

Isaiah is saying to the Israelites that God has heard their boasting and that they are wrong! The people are saying that no matter what the enemy does, they will rebuild everything better than before! But God is telling them what He told them in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Many people today are suffering financially because of a year long pandemic. But more people are suffering emotionally and psychologically because of the loneliness, the fear, the stress, seeing loved ones suffer and often watching them die. The 21st century has not started well. Where is the God of love?

The disciples had been asking Jesus about the end of the age. As Christians are we watching the signs? Are we showing signs of spiritual growth? Do we feel ready for the second coming? Are we ready to face the difficulties that will precede that event?

Much is said in the Bible about repentance, and it has to be an ongoing thing for all of us who want to make it to Heaven. To repent means to change our way of thinking. So changing our thinking to the way Jesus thinks will change us.

The Israelites had become complacent. Are we trusting in our homes, our bank accounts, the people we know, to be our protection or solution in a time of difficulty? Or are we trusting Jesus? We must be sure to be trusting in Him and nothing else.

King Solomon likens looking after a fig tree to protecting the person you work for. What we do for Jesus must be bringing Him a good reputation. A good harvest for the end time harvest coming soon. Jesus says He will repay each of us according to our deeds.

And yet another day on this verse. I feel that this last sentence should be our focus for today. The words of Jesus bring life but also bring death. James talks about the tongue saying no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison.

This episode is recorded so that we learn something. I guess one of the lessons is that in the Kingdom of God there is no "out of season". At any time He expects us to bear fruit for Him, we should be doing what Jesus asks His followers to do.