When We Are Helpless

Today's Verse is Jeremiah 38:4
Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.

There will be times when some of us will be put in a place where we are helpless. Jeremiah found himself in such a place. Because He spoke God's word when many did not want to hear it. He was cast into the pit (dungeon). There was nothing He could do to remove Himself from His situation, but there was someone already working in his favour. There was someone already speaking in the ear of the King for him and while the text does not say how long he was in the miry dungeon. It gives the impression that it was not long, at most days if not hours. Therefore, rejoice! For your God whom you serve has not forgotten you, and at the appointed time will bring you out to serve Him once more, for His Glory. Amen.

To God Be The Glory
Scott

Not by Us

Today's Verse is Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Here we find a principle that the 12 step programs use (though, I do not condone their use. Why use a counterfeit when the real thing is available?) Our Salvation is based upon our recognition that we are in need of saving. We must recognize that we are ungodly, having in us no desire to do that which pleases The Most High God. Even to do this we must have His help. Once we have been justified (saved) this nature is muted, but will not be eradicated until our salvation is completed by the first resurrection. Therefore, we must confess it and surrender to the working of the Holy Spriit in our life allowing us to reckon it dead by the blood of Jesus Christ. Rejoice, therefore, and be glad, for He will enable us to stand before Him in the judgment. Amen

To God Be The Glory
Scott

How to be Free

Today's Verse is Romans 6:16
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Last night I watched a movie, in which, the premise of the bad guys was that to be free one had to commit a crime, in this case a murder. We see here that God through Paul has already destroyed the logic of this arugement. We can either be servants of sin, which is our natural state; or we can through Jesus Christ and by Him we can be free from sin and servants of righteousness. The premise that to be free one has to be evil is in error, for it assumes that we are basically good, but "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags," and that is in our best state. However, though Christ we have been freed and now we have the ability to choose whom we shall serve. Amen.

To God Be The Glory
Scott

P.S. I will be away from my computer until the 11th, I will post as I am able.

Rejoice, God has a Plan

Today's Verse is I Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

This can be one of the most difficult commands to follow. However, if we consider who our God is and what He has promised us, we should have no problem giving thanks to Him whatever the circumstances, no matter how dire it may be. Consider just this: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." If this is true (and it is) whatever it is that we are facing, our God and Saviour has already set in motion His plan that will bring the most rejoicing to us His servants by displaying His Glory in the outcome. Let us, therefore, endure the pain, grieve if we need to, but Give Thanks to our God, and in the end, We shall see His Glory. Amen.

To God Be The Glory
Scott

The Times for Evil is Limited

Today's Verse is Psalm 37:9
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

When the ways of unrighteousness seem to have the throne, it is only for a time, sometimes long, sometimes short, but never will it endure. Our God, though we may not always be able to determine His purpose, He always has one, He is always working, and what He has determined will come to pass. And as He has promised here, so shall those who rule in unrighteousness come to an end. Therefore, let us Wait upon the Lord, do that which He has called us to do according to His Word, that we might be found spotless in His presence. Amen

To God Be The Glory
Scott

The True Aliens

Today's Verse is Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

There is a question today, speculating whether or not there is life on other planets. It has been said that it is arrogant to believe that there is not. However, the truth is even more arrogant. Jesus Christ died ONLY here on earth for sin, and those of us who follow Him have been made strangers here on earth. While we are still here, what we are looking for is the City of God where righteousness dwells. We are only passing through. It could be said that we are the ETs (whatever the stretch). Therefore, as our examples have done, let us look for the promise, be convinced of it and not faint, for we shall receive it when Abraham does. Amen.

To God Be The Glory
Scott

The Purpose of Suffering

Today's Verse is Philippians 1:29

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

As Christians we are called upon to suffer. It is a normal condition for us, nor is it something that is unreasonable for our God to demand of us. It is not something that we should seek, for we have enough trouble with out adding more, but we are not to complain nor murmur of our Fate. Whenever we suffer, we do it knowing that our God has a plan: 1) to instruct us further in righteousness; 2) That in our suffering we bear witness of God's Glory. Therefore, let us rejoice knowing "that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

To God Be The Glory
Scott

An Anwsered Prayer

Today's Verse is Psalm 56:13

For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

A question that I know I have asked. The Apostle Paul himself asked, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" We can rejoice, however, because once we have requested the Salvation provided through Jesus Christ, He will not let us go, but rather, will deliver us spotless before His Father. Therefore, let us surrender ourselves to Him, and allow the Spirit to work in us that righteous work, and we shall say as the Psalmist did later:

8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10 ¶ I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:

To God Be The Glory
Scott

God Finishes What He Begins

Today's Verse is Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:


When we first come to our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and receive His forgiveness, He begins to work in us so that we might have the ability to live for Him and do the righteousness that He demands of all that live in His presence. Since, he has chosen to do this as a process, rather than a point action, there are times that we will stumble, but we need not fear, for He will not give up on us, but will continue to work until we are complete in His righteousness when we shall stand before His throne. Let us, therefore, rejoice and "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

To God Be The Glory
Scott

The Protection of God's Word

Today's Verse is II Peter 3:1-2

1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

There has been a period, when I questioned, "why is the Word of God important?" As I learned this passage and its context, I understood one of many answers to this question. II Peter is a comparsion and contrast. Peter is teaching us that we must know (not just read) God's Word, so that we might be protected from the lies of those that wish to deceive us. For there are many who would gladly trap us in our own vices that they may have power over us, to do their bidding. (Blackmail being only a secondary tool.) Therefore, let us remember what Jesus Christ has done for us. When He died upon the cross, and rose again, He provided for us first forgiveness, and then power. For once we come to Him, He forgives us of all that we have done, and all that we will do, Then He begins to work in us enabling us to follow Him in both word and deed. To Him be the Glory both now and for ever. Amen.

To God Be The Glory
Scott

The Purpose of God's Promises

Today's Verse is II Peter 1:4

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Our Salvation is not just redeeming us from the penalty from sin, but, even while it does that our God begins to work in us, so that we no longer are slaved to our drives and selfish desires, but have the power to follow him in righteousness. Let us, therefore, rejoice and surrender ourselves to His guidance, walking with Him through the troubles about us, knowing that He loves us and is seeking to conform us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

To God Be the Glory
Scott

With God, All is Possible

Today's verses is Genesis 18:14

Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

A question I have needed an answer to myself. "Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" The obvious answer from the question is NO, there is nothing to hard for our God. Even though all things may look impossible today, we must continue to look not to the problems around us, but, rather to the ONE that we serve, Looking to Him, both for the direction we should take, and the ultimate resolutions to the problems that surround us.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Sharing The Word Of God

Today's Verse is Psalm 19:10

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

"They" here refers to "the law of the God" found in verse 7, so it is that the word of God is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. How can we partake of this sweetness? Let us consider how honey is made: The bee eats pollen, then digests it, but instead of using it now, it regurgitates it where it can be stored (the honeycomb) to be used later when it will be needed. We are not now considering the storage, but the regurgitation. How do we regurgitate the word of God? Consider this: After having read God's word, we then digest it by meditating on it. Then having learned some of what the passage is saying, we share with someone else what we have learned from the word of God. Each of these steps allows us to learn more of what our Heavenly Father has for us. Selah [stop, and consider this]

To God be the Glory
Scott

Ungodly Communional Living

Today's Verse is Proverbs 1:10-11a,14

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
If they say, ...
Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

I first encountered verse 14 in England while a news program was reporting on how a con artist had used it to give his message a religious tone, misleading many, who like many -- if not most of us -- never checked the context of the quote. Nevertheless, compare verse 14 with, "To all according to their need, from all according to their ability." There are many who would think that Communism or Socialism have a Biblical defense, at least when considering its altruistic ideas. However, this one passage warns us that THIS IS NOT THE WAY. So, let us take heed, pay attention, and not be deluded by those who, "with feigned words make merchandise of you."

To God Be the Glory
Scott

Promise of Supply

Today's verse is Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

This command with promise comes after our Lord Jesus tells us what not to worry about: clothing and food. In this time of trial where work is hard to be found let us remember who we serve and seek to fullfill His ends first, and by this promise we will have our needs met out of His riches

To God be the Glory
Scott