An Answer Will Be Forthcoming

Today's verse is Amos 3:7
     Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing,
      But he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets

What God does, he does not do in secret. For here we have his promise that he will let someone know what it is he plans to do. Now we do have the example of Job, which God did not reveal what he was doing until the end, but still the book stands testimony of the truth of this passage. So whether God forewarns us, or explanation comes after, we can be sure and can trust that our God will reveal his purpose in what we must endure. So, whether it be sunshine or rain we know we can trust in the one that made us, and if an explanation cannot be found in his Word, we can trust he will revel his plans for us in due course. [Which will conform to his Word.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Amos 1-3, Matthew 13
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Amos 4-6, Psalm 55, Matthew 14

To Whom Does The Honor Belong?

Today's verse is 2 Chronicles 25:9
And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this. 

“The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.” And he did, but because Amaziah then trusted in the Gods of Edom, instead of the God of Heaven and Earth who gave Edom into his hand, he lost even more when Israel came and took all from the city of Jerusalem. Here is our warning, take care when you see God work in your life, and say not in your heart, “Look at me, and see what God has done,” but rather “Look at God, and see what he is doing,” and maybe, “What he has done for me, he will do for any that seek him.” There is nothing special about any of us, except that all of us where created for God’s pleasure, and for his Glory. Therefore, when he works for, or through us, it is not unto us, but unto His glory that it is done. Let us remember this and give him all of the Honor due to his Name. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

PS. After I had written and posted this, I remembered Luke 10:20, which applies here as well.
Why should we rejoice

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 25, Psalm 53, Matthew 12
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Amos 1-3, Matthew 13

What To Do When Doubt Overpowers

Today's verse is Matthew 11:3
And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 

There will be times as we follow Christ, that all about us cause us to doubt the things we know, first from God word, second from any personal promises he may have given us. Jesus in answering John’s question here gives us the formula for the resolving that doubt. The thing to do when doubt hits, is to reflect upon the works God has done, and what he is doing, and upon doing this, doubt will be at the minimum weakened, if not altogether destroyed. But then again, what is faith when there is no cause to doubt. Faith is after all, belief in something which one has no evidence but the promise of the one who cannot lie. So as Christians, remember our faith is not blind, but is based upon the absolute reliability of God’s Word. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Jonah, Matthew 11
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 25, Psalm 53, Matthew 12

Is Reprive Possible

Today's verse is Joel 2:14
     Who knoweth if he will return and repent,
      And leave a blessing behind him;
      Even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

Today, this world is set for judgment. Some in denying God, manufacturer their  own crisis, and in seeking to avoid that crisis, will see that same result, because they seek not God. Yet God is merciful, and if we should seek him today, he may just give this place a bit more time, with blessings to abound. This is the promise of this verse. So let us that follow Christ, fear not to spread the Good News of his love through Jesus Christ, and when we do, maybe that person will hear, and receive life eternal and escape the judgment to come. as we have. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Joel, Matthew 10
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Jonah, Matthew 11

The Wrong Influence

Today's verse is 2 Chronicles 24:2
And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 

This really is a sad commentary. For the King Joash was ever to be influenced by the people surrounding him. So long as there was a positive example for him he did right. But once he lost that example, he had not learned to rely upon the Lord his God as his mentor had, so peer pressure exacted its price. Because this King relied not upon God, but upon those he revered he had no root in himself, but was led about wheresoever others lead, and in the end seeking to please all, the people rose up and killed him. What should we learn from this? Seek to please God, and in pleasing God we have David’s testimony that even his enemies where at peace with him. Selah [think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chronicles 24, 2 Kings 12, Psalm 50, Matthew 9
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Joel, Matthew 10

The Cost to Follow Christ

Today's verse is Matthew 8:19-20
     And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
     And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 

A couple of days ago, we saw God’s promise to provide for those that seek his Kingdom, and his righteousness, but here we see that to follow Christ does not come without cost. For the servant is not greater than the Master, and those that hate the Master will also hate the servant. But consider and compare this: When we follow Christ, do we gain more or less than what we lose. What is a house, or home compared to the splendors of Heaven, or God’s coming kingdom on Earth. Here is but the first challenge to first count the cost of following the one who would die in our place (and has done just that.) So for what he has done for you, what price are you willing to pay to do as he wants of you? Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chronicles 22-23, 2 Kings 11, Psalm 131, Matthew 8 Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Chronicles 24, 2 Kings 12, Psalm 50, Matthew 9

Precious Redemption

Today's verse is Psalm 49:7-8
     None of them can by any means redeem his brother,
      Nor give to God a ransom for him:
     (For the redemption of their soul is precious,
      And it ceaseth for ever:)

Here we begin to see the value of a soul, and the cost of sin. None of us has the ability to redeem another, for all of us have need of redemption. Here also the psalmist declares that once a soul is redeemed it will stay redeemed. So is there one that can redeem even one soul. Happily, the answer to that question is yes, a resounding YES! Not only can this one redeem one, or even just one Nation, for this is a thing too light for him, so he does greater: This one can redeem all that come to him, not a one will be turned away. Who is this one, you ask? None other then the LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS: Jesus Christ. Let us rejoice in the one who took our place, that we might stand in the presence of the Father as if in his. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Kings 9-10, Psalm 49, Matthew 7
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Chronicles 22-23, 2 Kings 11, Psalm 131, Matthew 8

Basic Needs Promised

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. 

All these things is specifically speaking of food and raiment, and in this post I will focus on food. I have been saved for more than 33 years (26 Mar 86) and in all of that time, I have not once gone hungry for a full day, unless I had chosen to do so. (Only a few of those a true scriptural fast.) Only two days did I not know where my next meal was coming from. Once I contrived to buy some food, only to find out that God had moved someone else to also buy me a bag of groceries. Talk about being ashamed. Finally there have been longer times when I did not know how I would get tomorrow’s meal, but the means always came. Now before you think I am some special case, from Oct of ‘86, I counted myself backslidden, and from Oct of ‘94, I was fully running from God until 30 Nov ‘16 when I fully surrendered to that One thing I was running from. Now we have God’s Word that there may be exceptions to this promise (II Corinthians 6, Revelation 13) but this promise is the norm for those that “seek first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (through Jesus Christ.) Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Kings 7-8, 2 Chronicles 21, Matthew 6
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Kings 9-10, Psalm 49, Matthew 7

Whould God Allow. . .?

Today's verse is 2 Kings 5:2
And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. 

Considering this, and considering what his brothers did to Joseph, and knowing that human trafficking is happening today; Would God allow one of his saved daughters to be so enslaved? With Joseph we know that it was not his own sin, but that of his brothers that he was sold into slavery, and with this little maid, all we know of her, was that she knew of Elisha, and trusted that God could work through him. From this we can be fairly confident that she trusted God. So look to the end result: With Joseph, all of Egypt, as well as Jacob’s family where delivered from a great famine. With this little maid, Naaman was delivered of his leprosy, and was converted to follow the Most High God. So again the question, would God allow this? And more importantly, What would you be willing to suffer that another might learn to trust in God? Selah [think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Kings 4-6, Matthew 5
Monday’s reading will be: 2 Kings 7-8, 2 Chronicles 21, Matthew 6

One Problem Too Little for God, So He Does Greater

Today's verse is 2 Kings 3:18
And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand. 

Three Kings and their armies, find themselves in a straight, for there was no water where they were, and no way to obtain more, and only one of them thought to seek God’s help and he currently in disobedience to God’s Word, for he had made league with the King of Israel, after having been rebuked for dealing with King Ahab. Yet God is merciful, and gracious and not only provides the needed water, but by doings so also gives the means by which to defeat Moab. Is there a problem facing you today? Seek God’s direction, and as he delivered these three Kings out of their troubles, so too will he show you the way you ought to go and what you ought to do to overcome the problems facing you. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Kings 2-3, Psalm 48, Matthew 4
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Kings 4-6, Matthew 5

Whose Resources Do You Trust?

Today's verse is Psalm 20:6-7
     Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed;
      He will hear him from his holy heaven
      With the saving strength of his right hand.
     Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:
      But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Chariots and horses represent the means by which we have or wish to have to deliver ourselves out of whatever trouble we may be facing. However, if we are facing trouble, of whatever nature it might be, whether we have the “Chariots” or not, we need to seek the Face of the God that loves us, and remember that he has a purpose for the trouble, and when we seek his face, he will show us the way to deal with it. So “Remember the name of the Lord our God” and do as he directs, and if direction does not seem forthcoming, go to the Word of God, and respond according to the principles recorded therein. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chronicles 19-20, 2 Kings 1, Psalm 20, Matthew 3
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Kings 2-3, Psalm 48, Matthew 4

How Can God Allow That?

Today's verse is Matthew 2:16
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. 

A question on the lips of those that hate God is, “How can a God that is good allow such things as this happen?” I do not have all the answers to this question, but this I do know, that this all led to Jesus Dying on the Cross for the sins of all of mankind, and all that look to that cross can escape the eternal damnation, that their sins demand. Each of these children, we can be fairly confident is with the Savior today, but if he had not come, none of them, none of us would ever have that hope. Look at the big picture, knowing we cannot see all of it, and that none of us are innocent, but that still God is working to bring as many as possible into his kingdom. And for that, no cost is too great. Selah [Think about that] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18, Matthew 2
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Chronicles 19-20, 2 Kings 1, Psalm 20, Matthew 3

Delayed Judgment

Today's verse is I kings 21:29
Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.

We see here, that God honors repentance, even apparently, based upon what comes later, incomplete repentance. Here there is no sign that Ahab’s repentance is a full turning unto God, but yet he did indeed fear the pronouncement of God’s judgment, and for this God delays the fulfillment of the pronounced judgment. Let us take care of how we repent, for Ahab’s repentance here was not full, therefore God only delayed the judgment, not cleared him altogether. We have God’ Word that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is not what we see in Ahab’s case, but it was possible even for him. Have you sinned, God is waiting for you to confess, and turn to him through Jesus Christ who took your place and suffered your punishment, that you might fully escape God’s judgment, not just have it delayed. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Kings 19-21, 2 Chronicles 17, Psalm 129, Matthew 1
Tomorrow’s reading will be: I Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18, Matthew 2

Promises Made

Today's verse is Psalm 119:49
      Remember the word unto thy servant,
      Upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

We see here that the Psalmist has declared that he has received a personal promise from God: the same may or may not be true for you or I, but if so some things to remember. Such a promise will never, ever violate the Word given us in the scriptures (the Bible,) for if it does, it was not given by the God that created Heaven and Earth, for there is nothing more sure than God’s written Word. But if so, remember also that God cannot lie, and he cannot break a promise, so seek his face, do not fail to abide by the Word of God recorded in the Bible, (in which we all have personal promises) and seek to see his fulfillment of his promise to you. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Kings 17-18, Psalm 119, Jude
Monday’s reading will be: I Kings 19-21, 2 Chronicles 17, Psalm 129, Matthew 1

To Seek God's Help, or Not?

Today's verse is 2 Chronicles 16:7-8
     And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
     Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.

Herein lies a problem with us who are children of Adam: that even when we have seen God work in our lives, even in a way that no one can deny that it was God, we then, when trouble comes again, forget what God has done, and turn to devise our own way out, this time. Maybe, instead of thinking, because God delivered me last time, so I should go to him again; we think instead, God delivered me last time, I don’t dare go to him this time. (I am not worthy) After all, none of us are worthy of anything God has done for us, except any curses we have received of him. But, we have an invite, here, from God to go to him anytime we see trouble on the horizon, in fact, if we do not go to him first, he takes offense, and rightly so. So, whether we deserve the trouble or not, before even considering whether we can handle it ourselves or not, whether we are worthy of God’s help or not, seek him and his counsel and help first and just see what he does. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan:  2 Chronicles 15-16, I Kings 16, Philemon
Tomorrow’s reading will be: I Kings 17-18, Psalm 119, Jude

Where is Your Heart?

Today's verse is I Kings 15:14
But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the LORD all his days. 

“Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.” Yet we will read later, that he was diseased in his feet in his old age, which was a stumbling block for him, because he did not seek to the Lord on the issue, but only to physicians. Yet his heart was considered to be “perfect with the Lord all his days.” Yet his father, Abijam who, according to today’s reading in Chronicles, had a great victory over Israel by relying upon God, and we are told that his heart was not perfect with the Lord. This shows us how outward actions cannot be relied upon to determine the full nature of the heart, and that only God knows where the heart is set. So fully set your trust in the Lord your God, and seek him always, but if you stumble, know that God truly knows your heart, and will judge you accordingly. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 13-14, Titus 3
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Chronicles 15-16, I Kings 16, Philemon

Sound Doctrine

Today's verse is Titus 2:1
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 

Doctrine is a principle which is believed, such as Salvation by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, or Salvation by obeying God’s commandments without fail. One is true, the other a stumbling block, which causes most to fall and fail. All must be measured and judged by the Word of God. Once a belief is found to be in accordance to God’s Word, we are not only free to teach it to others, but commanded to do so, showing all about us the mercy and grace of the God who loves us. Let us conform ourselves to God’s Word which is the source of sound doctrine, and the author of all that is good will reward us according to his grace. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 12, Psalm 47, Titus 2
Tomorrow’s reading will be: I Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 13-14, Titus 3

A God That Cannot Lie

Today's verse is Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 

The author of Hebrews states that these two things are immutable. They cannot be changed by any circumstance, thus the eternal life that we who have trusted in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ have assurance that there is no circumstance in which we can lose it. For if we lose it, the promise has been broken, and the God which cannot lie has lied. This we know from the Word of God is impossible! Peter also tells us the we have many great and precious promises, by which we are able to live and partake in God’s divine nature that God might be glorified in us. Let us therefore, rest in these promises, and strive to work out that nature, which God has given us that others might see it. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10-11, Titus 1
Tomorrow’s reading will be: I Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 12, Psalm 47, Titus 2

Every Day Dangers

Today's verse is Ecclesiastes 10;8-9
     He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
     Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. 

We face dangers every day, every thing listed here is a chore that would need to be done, for one reason or another. Yet if we do them not, for example, there would be no wood to burn in the stove. (Not something many of us need worry about today, but the principle applies.) Notwithstanding, we have precious promises from God, that if we seek him, and do his will, he will protect us from unnecessary harm. So go about and do that which needs to be done, remembering also to give to your Creator his due, and if so we shall be satisfied in the end. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan:  Ecclesiastes 10-12, 2 Timothy 4
Monday’s reading will be: I Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10-11, Titus 1

A Time to be Still

Today's verse is Psalm 46:10
     Be still, and know that I am God:
      I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth

There are indeed times in which we must act; however, for each of us, there will be at least one time in our lives which we must stop, and look to the God that made Heaven and Earth, and see him act.  Do not strive, do not try to force, but just allow God to work and do the thing that he promised to do. When he does, all that see and understand will be amazed, and those that do not understand will be dumbfounded. So at such time, focus your attention on the God that loves you, and just be still, and know that he is God. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ecclesiastes 7-9, Psalm 46, 2 Timothy 3
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Ecclesiastes 10-12, 2 Timothy 4