Good Works Cannot Be Hid

Today's verse is I Timothy 5:25
Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

First, a good work, is anything you do by the power and strength of the Holy Spirit, anything else at best is wood which will be burned up when it is tried by fire. However, as stated here, while some of our good works are done where all can see, even those that cannot be seen, or even noticed at all by those around us, God notices each and every one of them, and as stated here, even they cannot be hid, thus, they also will be made manifest as the others. Our God will be glorified by all that we do, and those things that we do by, through and for him, we shall not only in due time see the fruit, but we also will be rewarded richly for them. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, I Timothy 5
Monday’s reading will be: I Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9, I Timothy 6

An Help That Does Not Sleep

Today's verse is Psalm 121:2,3
     My help cometh from the LORD,
      Which made heaven and earth.
     He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
      He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Consider the invitation that we have here: we all know, if we are honest with ourselves, that we need help. That we cannot face all that this life throws at us, by our own strength; even those things that are considered good, we cannot do truly on our own. But here, we have the one who created all that there is (himself being eternal) inviting us to seek help from him, and if we should do this, and look to him, nothing but nothing will be done by happenstance. All will be done with purpose toward the end that we shall be able to stand before him in righteousness. Our God does not slumber, he does not sleep, he is always available to hear our call. So seek him early, do not delay, and in due time we shall see his deliverance. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chronicles 5-7, Psalm 121, I Timothy 4
Tomorrow’s reading will be: I Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, I Timothy 5

God Keeps His Promises

Today's verse is I Kings 8:56
Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie,” and the other is that he promised. The most sure thing in all of the world, are the promises found in the Word of God. The next is the record God’s Word gives. Then based upon these, if God has given you a personal promise that is confirmed and consistent with the above, it is just as reliable, and it will be done as God has said. So keep your eyes upon him, do as he as set forth for you today, and at the fullness of time, all things will be done as he has said. Amen

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan:  I Kings 8, Psalm 30, I Timothy 3
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Chronicles 5-7, Psalm 121, I Timothy 4

Apparrent Undeserved Hardtimes

Today's verse is Psalm 44:8-9
     In God we boast all the day long,
      And praise thy name for ever. Selah.
     But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame;
      And goest not forth with our armies.

In this psalm the writer starts out remembering the works God has done with Israel in times past. Then here between these two verses makes a transition from the blessing God has given in the past with unaccounted for hardships or curses. So too should we not be surprised at such times. In this psalm the writer does not come to any conclusion but this: He continues to believe in the goodness of God; he continues to seek for God’s deliverance. He refuses to stop trusting in God. If--when--we face such times we need to do the same. God cannot stop being Good, and we can trust in his purpose, and we can trust that “all things will work together for good.” Selah [think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4, Psalm 44, I Timothy 2
Tomorrow’s reading will be: I Kings 8, Psalm 30, I Timothy 3

Where Has God Put You?

Today's verse is I Timothy 1:12
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 

For each of us, who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, has he ordained a position, a responsibility to somehow minister to others. Each according to our current state of growth in Jesus Christ, and according to our current spiritual maturity. While we are all to seek a place of service, none of us should be seeking out the chief places, but allow our God to set us into such positions as he deems us ready, as it says in another place, “That the ministry be not blamed.” Be patient, and seek his face, and you will be surprised at what he has you doing in due time. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Kings 6, 2 Chronicles 3, I Timothy 1
Tomorrow’s reading will be: I Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4, Psalm 44, I Timothy 2

A True Understanding of God

Today's verse is 2 Chronicles 2:6
But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him? 

A true understanding of God, amongst other things realizes that God cannot be contained; he cannot be confided to any one location, no matter how big, nor how small that place should be. There is no place that is behind him; there is no place which is hidden from his notice, at any time. However, there can, and should be places which are to be set aside as a place to meet with him and his people; a place to hear his Word, and understand its meaning.  A place where we give to God the glory he is due, and worship him there. This place currently is the local church, and if you don’t have your own, and you are in my area, hope to see you at mine. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Kings 5, 2 Chronicles 2, 2 Thessalonians 3
Monday’s reading will be: I Kings 6, 2 Chronicles 3, I Timothy 1

Is God In It?

Today's verse is Psalm 127:1
     Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
      Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

First, this does not say, do not build the house, nor does it say, do not set a watch. What it says is that, whatever you do, if it is at cross purposes from what God is doing, that all of it will be in vain. Seek to find out what God is doing, what purpose he has for you, and then labour to bring about that purpose. But take care of those times when it is God that must do the thing.  Consider Abraham and Hagar, or Moses and the Egyptian. Consider also Noah, and the disciples as they labored to cross the sea in the storm. In other words, there is a time to let God work, and there is a time to do your work, know which is which and do accordingly. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Song of Solomon 7-8, Psalm 127, 2 Thessalonians 2
Tomorrow’s reading will be: I Kings 5, 2 Chronicles 2, 2 Thessalonians 3

An End to All Troubles

Today's verse is 2 Thessalonians 1:7
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 

We currently live in a world which is cursed, and among a people that do not know, nor for the lack of knowing, love God. But instead, often, they hate him and all that he represents, or that represent him. For this, they hate us who follow him and seek to silence our message. Therefore, we look to the day, in which, he will return, and deliver this world from sin and those that embrace it. Therefore, let us rejoice, knowing that the Righteous God knows our turmoils, and will not let those that refuse the gospel to go unpunished. But will also use our troubles to bring to him a remnant who will believe. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Song of Solomon 4-6, 2 Thessalonians 1
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Song of Solomon 7-8, Psalm 127, 2 Thessalonians 2

Awake or Asleep

Today's verse is I Thessalonians 5:10
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 

“Wake or sleep,” often interpreted as alive or dead, thus we will live always with Jesus Christ and death of this body will not hider that, this is a correct understanding. However, the immediate context says something else about that word sleep, and it is not good. But it speaks to the grace of our God. To be asleep is to be unaware of the things going on around us, to be unaware of what God is doing, and in the context we have been commanded not to sleep, not to be drunk (out of control,)  but to be awake and sober. Yet, if we be in Christ awake or asleep, we shall live together with him. Last thing I must say, if you are asleep, still you will suffer disappointment though your salvation is secure. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan:  Song of Solomon 1-3, Psalm 72, I Thessalonians 5
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Song of Solomon 4-6, 2 Thessalonians 1

What is Expected of Us

Today's verse is I Thessalonians 4:11-12
     And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
     That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Normally I speak of God’s promises to us, His goodness and kindnesses to us, but today we need to remember our duties and responsibilities. Our God created us to work, and by the curse of our fall, work by its nature is hard, but it is not without its reward. For it is by our work that God primarily provides for our needs as well as provides the abundance for which we can give to others.  And so God blesses us with all blessings. However, if we work not, but seek to steal from the labours of others God himself will give us just recompense. Let us, therefore, rejoice in our labour, and not to seek to avoid it, for we shall reap according to how we have sown. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Proverbs 29-31, I Thessalonians 4
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Song of Solomon 1-3, Psalm 72, I Thessalonians 5

To Be Fat

Today's verse is Proverbs 28:25
     He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife:
      But he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

I believe based upon this scripture, that one that is proud cannot be trusting in God, but in himself. However, let us look at the promise here to those that trust in God, that they might be made fat. As I heard from a sermon a couple of months ago, as servants of the most high God, we may not ever be rich or wealth, but that we can expect to have abundance. That is to say, more than we need. This comes about by being faithful stewards of the resources that our God gives us, normally through our labor, but at other times through other means. Remember, God is sufficient, at all times, and will according to his Word meet all of our needs. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Proverbs 26-28, I Thessalonians 3
Monday’s reading will be: Proverbs 29-31, I Thessalonians 4

The Things to Treasure

Today's verse is I Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 

Jesus told us: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal[.]” And we know that the greatest treasure is fellowship with God himself, and here we are told of another: all of those that we have the joy and pleasure of leading to Jesus Christ. Let us, therefore, boldly proclaim the Lord Jesus, and the works that he did, and maybe, just maybe we will be rich when we enter into his presence. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Proverbs 24-25, Psalm 41, 1 Thessalonians 2
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Proverbs 26-28, I Thessalonians 3

The Great Hope

Today's verse is I Thessalonians 1:10
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

The great hope, not the second coming as a whole, but the first part: When Jesus shall come and gather all of his saints (those that belong to him through his death of the cross) before he floods the world with his wrath, not by flood this time, as he promised, but his wrath just the same. Which will be the next stage of the final answer to “Why does not God do something about all the evil in the world?” All of us that are Christians, though we face trials and tribulations on a regular basis, will not have to face that day, for we trusted Christ before the day spoken here. Let us rejoice, therefore, for on that day we shall see him as he is. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Proverbs 22-23, Psalm 117, I Thessalonians 1
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Proverbs 24-25, Psalm 41, 1 Thessalonians 2

Time to Sing

Today's verse is Psalm 40:3
     And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:
      Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Whether or not we can carry a tune in a bucket, when we receive the gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ, whatever may come our way, we have reason to sing. As is described here, often that song will indeed be song out loud, but also, in the second part of the verse, it is something we will live. Others will see its effect upon us, and will learn to fear God, driving them to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. So do not be afraid to sing, for God will use this to his Glory. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Proverbs 19-21, Psalm 40, Romans 16
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Proverbs 22-23, Psalm 117, I Thessalonians 1

To Trust in God

Today's verse is Proverbs a6:20
     He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good:
      And whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he

I currently cannot speak much for the beginning of this verse, except to say that the beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord. However, a part of fearing the Lord is learning to trust him. At first, most of us choose to trust God because we see verses like this, and we test them out, but as we have tested them through much trouble and tribulation, we have seen that God has brought us out whole and filled, or happy as is promised here. So as we have seen the fruit of trusting in our God, we gain and we find that we have valid reasons to trust him whatever we may face. Therefore, whether we are in sunshine, or in the midst of a storm, trust God, and do as he leads, and happy will we be. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Proverbs 16-18, Romans 15
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Proverbs 19-21, Psalm 40, Romans 16

When and How to Judge

Today's verse is Romans 14:4
Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Consider also: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: /And he delighteth in his way. /Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: /For the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” How should we interpret, and put into practice such commands. For on the other side we have: “Open rebuke is better than secret love.” So how do we combine these principles? Consider this, only God can see the heart, so only God knows each of our motives. Sometimes even better than we ourselves do.  So let us refrain from judging the motives of our brethren, but when such a brother transgresses a clear scriptural command, or principle, we rebuke that, and leave the motives to God. Amen.

To God Be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Proverbs 14-15, Romans 14
Monday’s reading will be: Proverbs 16-18, Romans 15

The Fate of the Wicked

Today's verse is Proverbs 11: 21
     Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished:
      But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Our God is a God of Justice, and we live in a world which by its nature despises justice while playing lip service to it. This verse I do not believe is stated as a promise, but a statement of fact. While the wicked appear to thrive, and to have their own way, joining forces to stave off their day of judgment; they shall fail, and judgment will come, for some, not till after this live, but for most, it will come for all living can see. For a few, as it comes in this life, escaping the eternal damnation, while facing only the temporal. Let us therefore, take heart, and follow after Christ and his righteousness, allowing him to live through us, even if we need to lay down our lives, for in the end, he will overcome. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Proverbs 11-13, Psalm 8, Romans 13
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Proverbs 14-15, Romans 14

Do You Fear and Hate?

Today's verse is Proverbs 8:13
     The fear of the LORD is to hate evil:
      Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way,
      And the froward mouth, do I hate.

Today, those with the loudest voice call those that disagree with them, “Haters” and “___phobes” with the blank being whatever the person is supposedly afraid of. Oh, if only such were Theophobes, as much as they were haters of all that is good. These have set themselves against God and all that follow him, and have made us their enemy. But, we know that God loves them, for as he did for us, so too has he died for them. So that they are not the enemy, but the one they follow is. So let us not fear them, but fear God, and let them call us haters, for so we have been commanded to hate the evil way as God does, and proclaim the way to righteousness, so that they too might learn of Jesus Christ. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Proverbs 8-10, Psalm 144, Romans 12
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Proverbs 11-13, Psalm 8, Romans 13

God's Accounting

Today's verse is Romans 11:35
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 

What have you given to God, that he has not already first provided to you? In this passage it would appear that you give God would possibly not be returned to you, but let us compare scripture with scripture. Note what Jesus said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” So, have you given to God, whether in wealth, or toil or even in pain? So we can expect God to return our investment with interest, or so much more. Now God does not return pain for pain, but rather the pain you have suffered for others, will be returned as joy, and much more abundant. So be patient, and you will see all that God has stored up for you. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott 

Taken from my daily reading plan: Proverbs 6-7, Psalm 7, Romans 11
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Proverbs 8-10, Psalm 144, Romans 12

The True Way to Righteouseness

Today's verse is Romans 10:3-4
     For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
     For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 

Herein lies the greatest mystery of all time! This whole world and everybody in it seeks to please God by doing what they think would please him. . . do this, don’t do that, and comparing themselves with others just as evil, never once comparing themselves with the righteous one Jesus Christ. For if they would, they would find themselves wanting, not knowing that when they look to Christ, they find the way to please God. For the one that was perfect by doing this, and not doing that, also took the place of all of those that could not quite get it right, as well as those that barely even tried. So that all that look to him, and accept his gift, find that it is by his righteousness that pleases God. And once you receive it, He takes up residence, and works in you to make you into his image. So stop trying, and just follow him. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Proverbs 3-5, Romans 10
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Proverbs 6-7, Psalm 7, Romans 11