Old things New Podcast

On his quest to search out the meaning of life, here is where Solomon starts: I set my heart to search out by wisdom all that was done under the sun. And here is his conclusion, his summary based on everything he has seen in life (v14): “ I have seen everything that is done under the sun, ” says the preacher, “ and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. ” All is hevel, all is temporary a...

What is the meaning of life? Why are we here? It’s a question that has perplexed and troubled people throughout history. Philosophers have spent lifetimes searching for the answer, scientists have searched under microscopes and probed the heavens. World religions are full of seekers, all searching or thinking themselves to have found the answer. Some say there is no answer. But let me begin by ask...

The door in front of you is ancient oak and black metal. The stonework of the walls towers above, worn smooth by time, and half consumed by the deep green ivy splashed across the grey colourscape. A pale mist moves slowly in the air, hanging before these portals. The forest behind you is quiet in the early morning chill, and the distant birdsong hails a sunrise yet to come. The dull yellow light o...

For many Christians, the book of Ecclesiastes has been an enigma. Maybe you’ve noticed that for yourself when you’ve read it. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes says all sorts of things, many of which are troubling, perplexing, and even seem heretical on the surface. The main refrain of the book itself is a classic example: “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.” The NIV translates it: “Meaningless, meaningles...

Prayer Almighty God, Lord of Glory, O Light of Heaven, please chase away the shadows of my heart and open my eyes to your truth. I am so quick to wander, so prone to settle for shallow thoughts—teach me to think your thoughts after you. Let your Word burn with clarity in my mind and settle with weight in my soul. Make me hungry for what is good, wise, and eternal; keep me from being dulled by less...

Prayer Heavenly Father, My soul looks up to you this day. Without you, Lord, I am nothing and can do nothing. Without you all hope is gone. I look to you on this new day, my hope is in you, Lord. Give me strength, according to your word. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Please give me today the daily bread of your word that my soul may live and not die. Please give...

Prayer Lord God, our loving Heavenly Father, your ways are altogether wise. Please open our eyes to see the beauty of your designs and purposes. Please help us to see and walk in your design for men and women. May we be freed from the false divisions of our age, please give us a heart of understanding. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Reading Genesis 2:18-25. “ Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that th...

Prayer Heavenly Father, There is nothing I can gain that is more precious than wisdom, and I thank you that you have provided me with the means of getting wisdom through your Holy Word. As I turn again to you today, please meet with me and I ask that you would give me wisdom. I lack the needed wisdom to honour and obey you as I ought, and I stand in great need – please hear my request and bless me...

Prayer Heavenly Father, I praise and thank you for this new day, I have done nothing to deserve it. For all of your manifold mercies, I confess that I have rendered a poor return unto you. How can I repay you, Lord, for all of your goodness to me? Help me, O Lord. I seek you this day, I want to walk before you and be blameless, I want to worship you in spirit and in truth. And yet my flesh constan...

Prayer Heavenly Father, I give all glory and thanks to you this new day. I praise you, for you are holy and exalted over all the earth. No shadow has touched you, nor is there any darkness in you at all. Glory be to you, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Lord, in this vale of tears, where sin so easily entangles me, and where I so readily set my eyes on the things of this world, help me to lift up my e...

Prayer O Lord, giver of truth and wisdom, help me to understand your word as I study your purposes in creation. Teach me to grasp the beauty of your design, that you made the woman not as an afterthought, but as a strong and vital helper in the great task of ruling and cultivating your world. Open my eyes to the dignity of this work and the partnership you ordained for men and women from the begin...

Prayer Heavenly Father, I come before you this morning with a confession upon my lips. I am desperately weak, desperately sinful. My sinful nature wages war within me, seeking to destroy me and to have sway over my heart. I am poor and needy, turn not your face from me. Deliver my soul, O Lord. Please forgive me for my many sins. Have mercy upon me for Jesus’ sake. I am yours, a slave of Christ. D...

Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name this day. May your kingdom come, may you reign supreme in the hearts of your people today. May your gracious rule extend mightily in my heart today. May your will be done in the lives and homes of your people, and may you guide me in your ways. Please give to your saints today refreshment, strength, and nourishment from your word. As I read your w...

Prayer O Lord Most High, fountain of all wisdom and grace, I praise you for sending your Son, the Lord Jesus, to lift the lowly and giving grace to the contrite in heart. Teach me to see myself as I truly am—needy, dependent, and upheld only by your mercy. Crush every proud thought that rises against your truth, and clothe me instead with the beauty of Christlike meekness. Let me delight in servin...

Prayer Dear Lord, I thank you and praise you for this new day. In this world with devils filled, which threatens to undo me, I cast myself upon you O Lord. You are my rock, my salvation, my only hope. You are my strength, and you are my Saviour. Rescue me, O Lord, from the mighty waters. Please forgive me for my many sins, and lead me in the way everlasting. Please make me to walk in the way of yo...

Prayer All praise to you this day, O Lord my God. I praise you for preserving me through the night, and I praise you for new life and mercies this morning. Please be merciful to me, Lord. Without your word, my soul will perish. Even this morning, I feel my soul is famished and needy. Have mercy on me, O Lord, and give me life according to your word. Please unite my heart to fear your name, please...

Prayer Our Father in Heaven, as we praise you for a new day of life, and thank you for your word which gives life to our souls, we ask you that you would plant your word deep in our hearts as we read and study now. Please make it to take root within us, and bear fruit in our lives. Please make our feet walk in your commands, and turn our eyes from worthless things. Let your truth be our delight, m...

Prayer Almighty God, my loving Heavenly Father, all praise be to you this day. I call upon your name this morning, I seek your face. Send out your light and your truth let them lead me. Thank you, Lord, that although I was once hostile toward you and alienated from you, you have reconciled me through the death of your dear Son, the Lord Jesus. Please sanctify me now in your word of truth, in order...

Prayer Heavenly Father, I thank you for this new day of life. Lord, I confess that as I rise this morning and begin this day, my heart leaves much to be desired as I come to seek you. There remain powerful currents of sin in my heart, and at times I even feel as though I am being swept away by them. Lord, please meet me now in your mercy and help me, speak your word to me that I may live. Please m...

Prayer Lord of all wisdom and grace, our Loving Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of women—made by your hand, in your own image. That you that you have created men and women to be equal in dignity and purpose. Please illumine the eyes of our hearts, that we may more clearly see your design and purpose for women. We pray for the women in our local churches, that you may build them up, and shi...

Prayer O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. How wonderful you are! I give thanks to you, O Lord, on this new day, in the morning I call upon your name. Speak, O Lord, and renew my mind as I meditate upon your word. Help me to make known your deeds to all people that I meet. I seek your face, I need your strength, my hope is in you. Thank you for the great salvation that yo...

Prayer Heavenly Father, I praise and worship you, for you are good and upright, and without injustice. Lord, in my own heart I find such sin, such a devious bent toward sin. I am not worthy of the least of your mercies. O Lord, at the beginning of this day, as I open your word, O Lord be merciful to me. Speak, O Lord, cast me not away from your presence, take not your Holy Spirit from me. For the...

Prayer O Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, You have fashioned man from dust and breathed into him the breath of life; teach us now to understand your purposes. Give us wisdom to discern your design, humility to submit to it, and courage to walk in it. Let the image of Christ—the true Man—be ever before our eyes, shaping our thoughts, correcting our errors, and guiding our steps. May our learning to...

Prayer Merciful God, I praise and thank you for this new day of life that you have given to me. Please help me today to extol your praises in every way. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I trust you, my Lord and my King. In every thing, I trust your all-sufficient wisdom. As I turn my eyes to you, as I listen to your voice again now, Lord Jesus, please pardon my ini...

Note: Today’s picture is not a representation of Christ, it’s a picture of King David!! Prayer O Lord, we praise you for the light of Christ, through whom you have revealed yourself to us. Thank you for lifting the veil from our hearts and showing us the glory of your grace in his face. Though we once wandered in darkness, you have called us into the kingdom of your beloved Son. Teach our hearts t...