What Are You Willing to Risk?

Today's Verses are Acts 20:22-24
     And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
     Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
     But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

We have seen Ester, Job, and now Paul willing to risk all for the sake of Christ. For as Job said, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him."  Since Christ died for us, should we not be willing to do the same for him? Is not what Jesus has done for us, worthy of anything that we can offer him? Issac Watts testified in song that Christ is worth his soul, his life, his all. Can we say any less? Let us consider the cross of Jesus Christ, consider what we gain through it, then be willing to let him have anything he should ask of us, no matter the cost.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Job 10–18 and Acts 20:1–21:16
Monday's reading will be:  Job 19–26 and Acts 21:17–23:11

All Our Suffering has Purpose

Today's Verse is Job 3:25
     For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me,
      And that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

Like Job, this too am I experiencing. But unlike Job, I have his example, for we which have read the first two chapters of the book, we know why he is suffering the things that have befallen him. Also unlike Job, I entered into this season willingly, having a hope for an outcome. And if that thing should come to pass, all will be worth it. Paul tells us that if we suffer with Christ, we will be made not only heirs, but joint heirs with him in our Father's Kingdom. In the same place he tells us that the suffering that we experience now, however harsh, is light and will not compare to the Glory that will follow. So if we are suffering today, first let us examine ourselves and make sure it is not for unrepentant sin, but if not, or even if so, let us trust in our God, and his wisdom, and know that his purpose of the season will cause Rejoicing in the end. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Job 3–9
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  Job 10–18 and Acts 20:1–21:16

God Protects His Servants

Today's Verse is Job 1:10
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

When we accept the work Jesus Christ has done on the cross and receive by that forgiveness of our sins, we also enter into the protection God gives to his own, which we see here of Job. Nothing happened to Job that God did not first approve, and signed off on, as we see again in Chapter 2: "although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause." We also see this protection with the apostle Paul: "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city." So we need not to fear for our safety, if we are seeking to do God's bidding, and what we risk, we do not risk in vain, for as he as promised to never leave nor forsake us, so too are we never far from his loving protection, nor from his guiding hand. Amen.
    
To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Esther 10:1–3, Job 1–2 and Acts 18–19
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  Job 3–9

What is God Asking You to Risk

Today's Verse is Esther 4:14
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

This verse is undoubtedly the key verse of Esther for it explains the whole book. We see that Esther was raised to her position that she might have a voice to speak for God's people, but not without apparent risk. And while Esther was not confident of the outcome, she acted. But if she had not, still God's purpose would not have been thwarted, but she herself would not have been saved. So consider, what is it that you are not willing to risk for God's sake: Esther risked it all, her very life, when it could be said that she appeared to be safe. But not according to this verse. Let us do likewise, for Jesus said, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."  The choice is yours. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Esther 3–9
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  Esther 10:1–3, Job 1–2 and Acts 18–19

What Does God's Word Say

Today's verse is Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

 From this passage there are a few things that can be gleaned: First God's word is lifted up and made to be paramount, and it is by it, not other men that we gain our direction. Then also we see that each of us is responsible to God, not other men, to determine his way for us. Before we accept something another says is truth, we need to see it for ourselves in scripture, for again, it is to God that we are responsible, and if we are his, his Spirit will show us all truth. I will say this though, as we know, none of us fully understand all of God's Word, but some here, and a bit there. There are two reasons for this: First, we must have a willingness to know what the truth is, or, we can be blinded by our own preconceptions. Second, It is the Spirit of God that determines what we need to know and when we need to know it. So if you see whatever you are taught in the bible, be quick to receive it, and keep it. But if not, at best put it on a back burner till you are able by God's Word to determine what is so.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Neh 12:27–13:31, Esther 1–2 and  Acts 16:11–17:34
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  Esther 3–9

Consider The Works Of God

Today's verse is Nehemiah 9:6

Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

We need from time to time to take stock, to inventory, to consider all the things that our God has done, both in our lives, and if we cannot see that, or even adding to that, throughout history. We need to recognize all that the Lord God of Heaven and Earth has done, all of his works, and remember too his motives, for when we examine his works, we also need to examine our own. For when we do this, we see that we did not deserve all of the mercies and grace that God has done, but he did them anyway. Those that are angry at God, try to appease themselves, even saying that God could not be all powerful and Good, because all they see is the evil in the world, which we, as they have created. But though God is all powerful, he is Good, and because he is Good, we have the opportunity to repent, and follow him. So see what God has done, and know that he will keep all of his promises to us. Amen

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Neh 8:13–12:26 and Acts 15:1–16:10
Monday’s reading will be:  Neh 12:27–13:31, Esther 1–2 and  Acts 16:11–17:34

Why Is There "Fake News"

Today's verse is Nehemiah 6:8
Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.

 "Fake News" this is not a new thing, even Nehemiah had to deal with it. This is tool that those that follow the Adversary employ, as they refuse to acknowledge the God of Heaven and Earth. So they lie, against any that hold to doing the righteousness of God, as found in his word. And as we see today, so too Nehemiah described of those accusing him, that they accuse others that which they themselves are guilty. But remember, these are not the enemy, but the one that has them deceived, It is he that is the enemy, for our fight is not here in this realm, but it is spiritual, and it is for the hearts and minds of all, both them that already know Jesus Christ and his righteousness, and for those that still have their eyes blinded by their own lusts. Let us not fear therefore, to do that which is right, and proclaim Jesus Christ, and his finished work. Amen

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Neh 4:15–8:12
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  Neh 8:13–12:26 and Acts 15:1–16:10

But You Have Done That

Today's verse is Nehemiah 1:7-9
     We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.
     Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
     But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

We see the Great works of God, and believing that we had a part in them, we stumble, we fall, and in falling we sin, we then see the place we are in, and sin some more. But God is faithful, and he is constantly showing us the way we ought to go. John tells us, " If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." And again, "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." Paul tells us that we are saved by hope, but hope that is seen is not hope, for if we see it, why do we need to hope for it. And what is that hope, again in John, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Our God knows our weaknesses, and he has prepared for them, and as the last of our passage says, has given us a way home. Let us quickly take it. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ezra 10:18–44, Neh 1:1–4:14 and Acts 13–14
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  Neh 4:15–8:12

We Did Not Do That

Today's verse is Ezra 8:31
Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.

Having discovered the answer to a question I have been asking myself: Why do those who have seen God work mightily through them, have a tendency to stumble afterwards? I find examples of it throughout today's reading. It is because we fail to remember that it was God that worked through us. It is God that does the work, we are but his instruments and tools that he uses, and privileged to be so. As the Psalmist says, "It is God that made us, and not we ourselves, we are the work of his hands, and the sheep of his pasture." If you find your way too difficult, and not able to accomplish the task before you, examine yourself to see who it is that is doing it, you or God, if you are stumbling it is because you are not able to bear the load you were not intended to bear, so let us give it back to God and let us see what he does with it. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ezra 8:1–10:17
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  Ezra 10:18–44, Neh 1:1–4:14 and Acts 13–14

Reason to Weep, or Reason to Rejoice

Today's verse is Ezra 3:12-13
     But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
     So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

For seventy years the place that Israel knew to worship laid waste because of Israel's sin, then finally after so long the evidence that it would be built again, the foundation laid was before them. Those that had been alive to see the first Temple built by Solomon wept, for joy, for sorrow, even a mix of the two, for they knew that their sin had caused this thing, but regardless God is once again working. But for the younger men, who had never been to Jerusalem before see that the House of God will once again be a real thing, for them the first time. A reason to rejoice. Whether you are seeing God's work for the first time, or returning to him we do always have a reason to rejoice, for our God is good, and as he has done here, so will he always do--to always watch over those that are his, and to restore that which is his. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ezra 3:8–7:28 and  Acts 11–12
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  Ezra 8:1–10:17

God is Able to Declare The End from the Beginning

Today's Verse is II Chronicles 36:22-23
     Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,    
      Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.

 Jeremiah declared how long it would be that Israel was to be exiled from the Land, but it was Isaiah that had called out Cyrus by name. Just as God had named Josiah to clean up the mess that the first King of divided Israel had made with his false Idols. Our God is able to declare the end from the beginning, even giving the names of those that will play a part in his design. When he has said that something would happen, we can be sure, that that is what will occur. Let us rejoice, for our God has already shown us how he will deliver  and cleanse this world from sin and evil, starting with the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus, through his Death and Resurrection. Look to him, and he will do it. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chron 35:20–36:23, Ezra 1:1–3:7 and Acts 9:20–10:48
Monday’s reading will be:  Ezra 3:8–7:28 and  Acts 11–12

The Right Response to Guilt

Today's verse is II Chronicles 33:13
And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. 

Paul says in Romans: "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." And here around 700 years before we see one of the effects of that. The most desirable effect, that when one recognizes his guilt, that he should humble himself before God, and seek his face, and the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. All too often, instead we harden ourselves, and double down in our sin, bringing down upon ourselves destruction that cannot be undone. In Manasseh's life we see both, and the Grace of God, lifting Manasseh up out of that destruction to life eternal. Which path will you take?

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chron 33:10–35:19
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  2 Chron 35:20–36:23, Ezra 1:1–3:7 and Acts 9:20–10:48

What Happens When We Responded to a Call of Repentance

Today's verse is II Chronicles 30:9
For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him. 

Here is the call we receive, to all that have turned from the one true God, that we should turn back to him, and if we do that, he will turn around our troubles, lift us up and place us in a secure place. If we read on, this is exactly what God did for Hezekiah, and the people of Judah. While Hezekiah reigned, with a couple of trials, Judah prospered.  This we can also see if we turn to the one who took our place, when he died upon the cross, then rose again on the third day. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chron 29:3–33:9 and Acts 8:1–9:19
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  2 Chron 33:10–35:19

Why is Church Important?

Today's Verse is II Chronicles 27:2
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly. 

Jotham did not enter into the temple of the Lord, most likely because his father had sinned while doing so. So he was trying to avoid his father's mistake, making a bigger one. He first lost his influence with his people. He also lost his influence with his son, who was of the first of the worst kings Israel had. All of this because the king "entered not into the temple of the Lord." What can we take from this? Today we do not have a temple. Instead we have a place where we assemble with other believers, so that we can encourage one another, and strengthen each other, and lift each other when we stumble. Sure Jotham prospered, and all of Judah as well "because he prepared his way before the Lord," but he did not pass it on to his son, because he "entered not into the temple. "  David said, "I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord." Let us do the same. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chron 26:16-29:2
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  2 Chron 29:3–33:9 and Acts 8:1–9:19

Helped, or Cast Down?

Today's verse is II Chronicles 25:8
But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down. 

Amaziah had hired soldiers from Israel to help in a fight, God disapproved and so he warned Amaziah. Notice, however, the final statement: "[our] God has the power to help, and the power to cast down." This we have seen, and will see through out all of scripture. But just look at II Chronicles, we have thus far seen God help is some marvelous ways, yet we have seen him cast down even more. We need to take heed of this council, and even remember Peter after he had declared Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God, was he not rebuked, for allowing Satan to speak through him. So let us take heed, examine ourselves, and remember, that we did not do these great things, But God did them, and will continue to do them, if we remain faithful. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chron 24:23–26:15 and Acts 7
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  2 Chron 26:16–29:2

Not Ashamed

Today's verse is Acts 5:41-42
     And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
     And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Here in America, where we have the freedom to proclaim Jesus Christ and his work, and see very little of the obstacles presented here, often fail to do so, because we are afraid of what our neighbor would think of us. Yet elsewhere in the world, we have brethren who are not ashamed to proclaim the name of Christ, and by doing so risk all that was done to the apostles and more. The Psalmist said, "I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:" We need to care more for what our God thinks of us, than that of the opinion of those about us. If we accept and surrender to the Spirit our God has given us, he will supply us both with the boldness to speak, and the wisdom of what to say, and the grace to endure the reaction of those who do not wish to hear. If we do this, not only will we see others receive Jesus Christ, but we will be made by God to be joint heirs with his Son. Amen

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chron 20:24–24:22 and Acts 5–6
Monday’s reading will be:  2 Chron 24:23–26:15 and Acts 7

Wonders or Wars?

Today's verse is II Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. 

Today, I had much I could choose from, but this passage does seem to sum it all up. As always we have a choice, to seek God's blessing or to embrace his curses. King Asa began his reign seeking God, and therefore, receiving God's blessings in abundance. But here we see a turning point, and a description of the Great God. Here we see that our God, the God of Heaven and Earth seeks those to whom he can do great wonders for, but we often as not choose to have his wrath upon us instead. Let us not therefore, be the fool that King Asa was, but rather seek to follow after God, fear him, and receive as much of his blessings as we can through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chron 14:1–20:23
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Chron 20:24–24:22 and Acts 5–6

Blessed After Discipline

Today's Verse is II Chronicles 11:16-17
     And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.
     So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.

At the beginning of chapter 11, Rehoboam and all of Judah listened to the man of God when he told them to let Israel go, for it was of God. And so as long as they and the King, Rehoboam, walked after God and his ways God blessed them as we see here. Many of the rest of Israel left their lands to serve their God in Judah, strengthening Judah, while Judah followed God. What can we take of this? When we need to be disciplined by God, and we receive it with repentance, He will bless us for it, but if we forsake it, God's blessing shall forsake us as well, as we see in the following verses. Let us therefore, walk with God, and so we will find him also walking with us. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chron 9–13 and Acts 2:42–4:37
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Chron 14:1–20:23

Our Duty As Priests And Saints

Today's verse is II Chronicles 6:41
Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. 

Since Moses and Aaron until Christ the priests of God were the sons of Aaron. Today Peter tells us: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people." We who have received Jesus Christ as Savior are his Priests, not just a few but all of us. So then also we that are the Priests of God are also his saints as Paul declares: "[T]o them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord." So we that have called upon the name of Jesus Christ for redemption are his Priests and his saints, so as Solomon has prayed, let us wear our Salvation so that others can see Jesus Christ through us as we rejoice in the goodness our God has shown us. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chron 6–8
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Chron 9–13 and Acts 2:42–4:37

The Most High God

Today's verse is I Chronicles 29:11
Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

Whether we be in the valley, or on the mountain top; deep in despair, or have every reason to rejoice, this is what we need to remember: that our God is truly Lord over all, and all is his. It is by his hand we have what we have, and if we have not, we need to trust in him and his purpose for us. Do his will still, for in due time, whether in this life and/or the next he will reward us for our faithfulness, or lack thereof. He is truly Great, and as Terrible as he is, he still loves us all, and if we turn our faces to him, he is able and willing to redeem. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 1 Chron 29:10–30, 2 Chron 1–5 and Acts 1:1–2:41
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Chron 6–8

God Has Choosen You For a Purpose

Today's verse is I Chronicles 28:4
Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel: 

Fate or Destiny? Do we have a destiny, or are things fated to be? Better question: Does God have a purpose for me? I will not try to answer the first two questions, but the answer to the third is, most definitely! And as God had chosen David to be king over Israel, and Solomon to be his successor, and Jesus Christ to be of his linage, so too has he chosen you for a purpose. And this purpose you will accomplish. The real question is, will you do so willingly as God's servant, and receive the reward, or will you do it as God enemy, and be cursed for it. This is your choice, choose wisely. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 1 Chron 26:1–29:9 and John 19:17–21:25
Monday’s reading will be: 1 Chron 29:10–30, 2 Chron 1–5 and Acts 1:1–2:41
 

The Place of the Temple Reveled

Today's verse is I Chronicles 22:1
Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel. 

From the sin of Israel, which is not identified, and the sin of David in numbering Israel, after the judgment of the Lord, the place of the temple is determined.  Our God is always making those things that displease him and turning them around and making them or rather the outcome of them something Glorious.  The best of these, is when we rejected him and his son and killed him on the cross. This he used, that our sin, including that one, might be paid for and we have access to the God of Gods, King of Kings, not as servants or subjects, but as family even as sons and daughters. Let us Rejoice, and proclaim the goodness of the Most Holy God, that others may also be redeemed. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan:  1 Chron 21:18–25:31
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  1 Chron 26:1–29:9 and John 19:17–21:25

Jesus Has Prayed For Us

Today's verse is John 17:20
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 

A great comfort this thing is: That our Lord Jesus has prayed for each and every one of us, who have received the gift of live he has given us.  This one verse, makes the whole prayer found in John 17 about each and every one that has received Jesus Christ as Savior through the death of the cross and his resurrection the third day. And of this we can be confident: What Jesus Christ as prayed for, will be granted of the Father. So let us rejoice, and fear not to do his will, for where he is, by his request of the Father, so too will we be. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 1 Chron 16:37–21:17 and John 17:1–19:16
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  1 Chron 21:18–25:31