Delights and Foundations

Today's verse is Psalm 119:92
     Unless thy law had been my delights,
      I should then have perished in mine affliction.

This is something that I can testify to: that when I delighted in God' Word, God direction, and the path he has set before me, the afflictions that beset be are as nothing, but when I turn aside from these things they overwhelm and become unbearable. Paul says "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." It is in this foundation that we must rest. He then says: "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;" So then we that have trusted Jesus Christ have a choice in what we use to build upon the foundation that God has provided for us; do we do it according to our own strength, by our own devises? If we do this, we will have nothing but the foundation, which is secure. But if we rest in our God, allow him to be our strength and allow his Spirit to work through us, all that is done will last, and we shall receive an eternal reward to present to our Lord. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 119:41–96 and 1 Cor 3–5
Monday's reading will be: Ps 119:97–160 and 1 Cor 6–8

Empty Idols

Today's verse is Psalm 115:8
     They that make them are like unto them;
      So is every one that trusteth in them

In our Culture, our idols are not often recognized as such, but if one pays attention they can be identified. Idols are empty, but those that worship them expect every thing from them, they place all of their hopes and dreams upon them. For some, they place all of their hopes upon an idea. An idea that at first glance might seem virtuous, but when examined closely is full of dead men's bones, empty and lifeless. Because of this, any that can bring a reason they attack and destroy with out mercy, so that they do not have to open their eyes and see their empty ways. Others, follow after some famous figure, taking note of all that they do, and emulating them in every way, never considering that those that they follow are just as much in need of comforting as they are. Idols come in all shapes and sizes, and all of them are empty and vain, with none of them leading one to find the one who loves them, died for them, and rose again from the dead that they might all have life eternal, if they but open their eyes and see.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 115:1–119:40
Tomorrow's reading will be: Ps 119:41–96 and 1 Cor 3–5

Of the Same Mind

Today's Verse is I Corinthians 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Of the same mind, and of the same judgment, how is this to be achieved?  Are you to agree with me? Am I to drop all my opinions and agree with you? NO! Neither you nor I am the meter stick by which to judge what is right. We are not to measure ourselves by each other but by God's Word. We are to gauge what we do by comparing ourselves by Jesus Christ. If we do this then when we are both in agreement with Christ, we also will be of the same mind, and be able to come to the same conclusions (same judgment.) Let us therefore, study God Word, and do it. Challenge each other with what we find, and as we do that, we all will grow into the image of the Son. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 108–114 and  1 Cor 1–2
Tomorrow's reading will be: Ps 115:1–119:40

God is All Powerful, and He is Good

Today's verse is Psalm 103:8
     The LORD is merciful and gracious,
      Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

 It has been said, "That if God is all powerful, he cannot be good, and if he is good, he cannot be all powerful." This verse speaks to why that saying is wrong. Those that say such a thing forget to consider what good is, and part of God's definition of good is longsuffering, bearing the undesirable, that something greater might be obtained. As to all powerful, he is able to take his enemies best day and turn it on it head. The day that we rejected God, and killed him, when we put Jesus Christ on the cross, Satan rejoiced, but three days later, when Jesus rose again from the dead, he took that rejection, our rejection of him, and made it the basis for which he will receive us, if we will accept that as our payment for our sins, he will mark us paid in full. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 102–107
Tomorrow's reading will be: Ps 108–114 and  1 Cor 1–2

God hears, and Answers

Today's verse is Psalm 99:6
     Moses and Aaron among his priests,
      And Samuel among them that call upon his name;
      They called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

Is it that Moses, Aaron and Samuel are special, that God answered them? We do see that Moses and Samuel were set apart at birth. But James tells of Elijah, that he was a man of like passions that we have. The thing is, is that the only reason these men are special is that they trusted in the Lord God. When they heard God's Word, they responded with belief, and they acted upon it. We can see that each of them have stumbled, but even so they trusted in the Lord their God, and so God answered them. Let us therefore, take them as our example, for as God has done for them, so too is he willing to do for us. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 92–101 and Rom 14–16
Tomorrow's reading will be: Ps 102–107

Lost Sheep

Today's verse is Romans 11:12
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 



 Here is a great mystery. As we see in the story of the 99 sheep left, for the one that was lost, so also we see a glimpse of God doing the same here. That he would seemly forsake that which he already has, that he might have the chance to gain back those that have left him. We see this with his Son, whom he forsook on the cross, that he might gain all that would come to him. We see as is described here, that he has allowed his people Israel to fall, that the gentiles, of which I am one, might find life eternal. And I have heard stories, of how his own has come upon great difficulties, that one person might be reached for the gospel.  If we should find ourselves, as one of the forsaken (seemly, for he has promised to never leave nor forsake us,) count it all joy and rejoice for he has not forgotten you, but we as we see a hint of here: "how much more their fulness?"  When we examine the scriptures we see great things God has for the future of the Jew. So too does he have for all of us who have been given the privilege of so suffering for our God. Something about "Joint heirs with Christ." Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan:  Ps 85–91 and Rom 11–13
Monday's reading will be: Ps 92–101 and Rom 14–16

A Place of Refreshment

Today's Verse is Psalm 84:5-6
     Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee;
      In whose heart are the ways of them.
     Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well;
      The rain also filleth the pools

Until today, I always thought that Baca was a dry place or a desert. But today I learn (looked it up in a dictionary) that it means a place of tears. I have seen, I have experienced this joy. We have a God that watches over every one of our steps with loving care, and if we but look to him when we stumble, he is there to pick us up again, to place our feet in a firm place, and give us refreshing water, even if it comes from our own tears. Rest in him, rely not upon your own strength, which is as warm wax, but seek him out, for he has a plan that will make both him and even us shine if we but trust in him. Amen

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan:  Ps 79–84
Tomorrow's reading will be: Ps 85–91 and Rom 11–13

God Will Deliver

Today's verse is Psalm 71:20
     Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles,
      Shalt quicken me again,
      And shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

 Whensoever we are in trouble, if trouble is overwhelming us, here is our hope. Our God promises to deliver all of his children from their troubles. As we see in Hebrews 11, some are delivered out of the trouble to shine forth as a testament of the power of God, others are delivered through the trouble, even by death, to be found in the presence of God. In each we can trust that he will direct us, to give some hint to what we should expect. Remember  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they gave answer to the King, whether God delivered them or no, they where willing to face the fire, for they feared God, more than the King. God delivered them, but others he did not. We find in Hebrews that the greater was not those that where delivered here, but those that endured even unto death. Our God will deliver us, he will raise us up again, always according to his purpose. Let us therefore, trust in the direction he has given us, do as he has commanded, rest in his redemption, and bring Glory to his name. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 70–78 and Rom 9–10
Tomorrow's reading will be:  Ps 79–84

God is Terrible!

Today's verse is Psalm 66:3
     Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works!
      Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

The carrot and the stick: This website is devoted to presenting the carrot, how God helps his own, strengthens them in the mist of trouble, and delivers them again and again out of the troubles that come their way, (often even of their own making), but today a glimpse of the stick. Our God, The God that made all that is, is not one to be crossed. What could have been a blessing he can make a curse, or turn it back around again. There is nothing that he cannot turn against you. Likewise, there is nothing he can't work together for good, to them that love him. Let us therefore, fear, for God is a God to be feared and he is out to get us, if we do not repent! (Back to the carrot.) He himself has provided the way to himself, by taking our place on the Cross. All of our sins are paid for in full, if we but receive him. If so he will lift us out of the pit we made for ourselves and place us on a firm foundation. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 64–69
Tomorrow's reading will be:  Ps 70–78 and Rom 9–10

What is the Source of Your Expectation

Today's verse is Psalm 62:5
     My soul, wait thou only upon God;
      For my expectation is from him.

We know that David a a youth was anointed to be King of Israel. However, David did not do anything for the sole purpose of obtaining this position. He did not try to overthrow the present King. We can even see that it was not by his design to gain an position in the court of the present King, nor was it by his design to gain a small army of followers. But these things happened. David kept his God, our God as the source of his expectations. He did not create his own. He did not look to others to fill the expectation that God as given him. While there are times we need to strive to make or do God's will for us, there a few that we are to let God do for us, and God alone, ourselves taking an almost spectator position. Paul puts it this way, "But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." So what has God promised you? Do you have a role to accomplish it? If so do it, but if not (and even if so, still ) look to him for its fulfilment. Do not try to make it happen on your own.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 58–63 and Rom 7–8
Tomorrow's reading will be:  Ps 64–69

God Delivers

Today's Verse is Psalm 50:15
     And call upon me in the day of trouble:
      I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Our God, even the one that made all of Heaven and Earth, even that one, cares about each and every one of his creatures, and if any of them should recognize their need, and that they cannot solve it themselves, (not to say they should be able to. . .) if they should call upon him, he will hear and in due time deliver them out of their distress, often in ways that we could not even imagine. Let us therefore, take our troubles to the one that cares for us, never ceasing to cry unto him, and when we see his deliverance, Glorify him for what he has done. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 48–57 and Rom 4–6
Monday’s reading will be:  Ps 58–63 and Rom 7–8

Waiting on God

Today's Verse is Psalm 40:1
     I awaited patiently for the LORD;
      And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Waited patiently, comes from one word in the Hebrew text. This construction is showing the emphasis on the need to wait on the Lord our God. For the new testament word for wait is patience. For which, my definition is: The act of waiting on God to take care of the problem or situation at the proper, or due time. Our God is never late, just as he is never early (as we would wish him to be,) but alway perfectly on time. Let us therefore, if need be exercise longsuffering as we wait upon our God, for we will not wait in vain, but his purpose, both declared and hidden will be accomplished in due time. And if we rebel not, we shall be rewarded for our Labor. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 40–47
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  Ps 48–57 and Rom 4–6

God is Present, Even When We Do Not See Him

Today's Verse is Ps 31:22
     For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes:
      Nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

There will be times when we cannot see what our God is doing, but as David here confessed, He found that God had heard his cries. So do as David counsels and be of good courage, for he shall strengthen your heart, /All ye that hope in the LORD. Our God at times may not be seen to work, but he will not leave nor forsake us but will always do as he has promised, and in the end his people will not be ashamed. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 31–39 and Rom 1–3
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  Ps 40–47

God Helps us in Making the Right Choices

Today's Verse is Psalm 25:12
     What man is he that feareth the LORD?
      Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

We make choices everyday. What to wear; what to eat? Which route to go to work, and a thousand other small choices, and even on a regular basis we make momentous decisions that last us a life time. We see here the key to making the right choice in all of these is to fear God.  As we see in Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of Wisdom, but of Knowledge as well. So if we fear God, and trust in him, he will guide us in all of these choices we have to make, starting with what we find in his Word, and as we obey that, his Spirit will guide in other ways. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 25–30
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  Ps 31–39 and Rom 1–3

God Preserves His Own

Today's Verse is Psalm 16:1
Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

Here is a prayer request that we can expect to be answered, but not always the way we might expect or desire. First and foremost is God's purpose which we may or may not know. Also the greatest thing that needs preservation is our faith, or trust in him. So if we are in distress, we must consider the reasons our God my allow distress in our lives. First, discipline: correcting us for some known/ or even unknown sin. If this be the case, we can trust the reason will be painfully obvious. Next, is our God's desire that all men might be saved, and our suffering is to be a testimony to those that see us, or might even be an opportunity to share in the suffering for another's salvation. And lastly tied to the previous that the Name of God might be magnified. So let us continue to trust in our God, our Father, and our Saviour, for we that trust in him will be preserved in him, even unto death, to see him again on the other side. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 15–24 and Acts 27:13–28:31
Tomorrow’s reading will be:  Ps 25–30

God is Mindful of Man

Today's verses are Psalm 8:3-4
     When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,
      The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
     What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
      And the son of man, that thou visitest him?

For six or so years this is the thought that kept me from truly accepting God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ--Why would he do such a thing for me? Why is the God of Heaven and Earth mindful of us? Who reject him more often then not? I don't know, but his Word is clear, He Does! And he desires for each and every one of us to have a rich and deeply personal relationship with him. To this end, he has made a way for us to come to him as he calls us. Jesus Christ--God in flesh--took all of our sins upon himself and offers to us in its place his righteousness. Selah. [think on that] What will you do with that?

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 8–14 and Acts 26:1–27:12
Monday's reading will be: Ps 15–24 and Acts 27:13–28:31

Prayer

Today's Verse is Psalm 5:3
     My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD;
      In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

We have a God that invites us to talk to him. This is all that prayer is: Talking to our God that loves us. Just a couple of verses after this one, we find that God hates the workers of iniquity. If we truly examine ourselves, we shall find that this includes every one of us. But God, not willing that any should parish provided a way through his Son, that while we were his enemies he died for us, that we might have a way to him. So this morning, and tomorrow morning, and the morning after that, talk to God. Have nothing to say? Tell him your hopes. Tell him your fears. Thank him for the Gift he is offering you through Jesus his Son.  But talk to the one who has made you. He will hear you, if you come humbly. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ps 2–7
Tomorrow's reading will be: Ps 8–14 and Acts 26:1–27:12

How to Succeed

Today's verses are Psalm 1:1-3
     Blessed is the man
      That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
      Nor standeth in the way of sinners,
      Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
     But his delight is in the law of the LORD;
      And in his law doth he meditate day and night.
     And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
      That bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
      His leaf also shall not wither;
      And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Here we have the ingredients required for success. Though we may need to wait as we may see with Job, if we take care of the counsel we receive of men, but instead make the Word of God our delight, considering and doing it, we have God's declaration of how he shall prosper us. Let us therefore, rejoice in God and his Word, and take heed of the truth we find therein, for in them do we find life everlasting. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Job 35–42, Ps 1 and Acts 23:12–25:27
Tomorrow's reading will be: Ps 2–7

The Path to Righteousness

Today's verses are Job 33:27-28
     He looketh upon men, and if any say,
      I have sinned, and perverted that which was right,
      And it profited me not;
     He will deliver his soul from going into the pit,
      And his life shall see the light.

 Or as John wrote: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." One statement from the beginning,  confessed before Moses delivered the Law, the other after the promised one had paid the price. Here we see the path to righteousness with God. It starts with recognizing that we are not, indeed even can not be righteous before him. But looking to him to both redeem us, by blotting out our sins, and to enable us, not of our ability, but by his. Jesus Christ the righteous one, took upon himself our punishment, and when we accept that, He indwells us, working in us to do his good will, and as he had risen from the dead, so too will we rise from dead works to life everlasting, through the one that loves us. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Job 27–34
Tomorrow's reading will be: Job 35–42, Ps 1 and Acts 23:12–25:27

God Still Works, Though We Do Not See Him

Today's Verses are Job 23:8 - 10
     Behold, I go forward, but he is not there;
      And backward, but I cannot perceive him:
     On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him:
      He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
     But he knoweth the way that I take:
      When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

For all that have received the gift of Life through Jesus Christ, there will be times when we do not see God working, for all that we look, we see nothing of what he is doing, but despite that, He is still there working where we cannot see, and moreover, He Still Sees Us, working in us to do his will. Purifying us through the fire, refining us, that in the end, as Job here testifies, that we might "come forth as gold." Therefore, trust God in his Word, keep doing those things you know to be right (based upon the Word of God,) and in due time (not before, and definitely not after) we shall see the purpose of God.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Job 19–26 and Acts 21:17–23:11
Tomorrow's reading will be:  Job 27–34