The God Who Hears

Today's verse is Psalm 66:16
     Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
      And I will declare what he hath done for my soul

In the following verses we read of the author’s relationship with God including its ups and downs, but even so God remains faithful. In these verses the author focuses on his verbal conversations. First, how he cried unto God, then declared God unto others. He makes known his prayer life, how when he was consumed with sin God appeared afar off, but even so God hears him and lifts him back up. We can be comforted by this, for this same God is willing to do the same for us if we but place our trust in him, he will lift us up out of the mess we have made for ourselves, and put us on to a firm foundation. Amen.  Selah [Think about this.]

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 17, Psalm 66, 1 Corinthians 7
Monday’s reading will be: 2 Chronicles 29-31, I Corinthians 8

No Longer Are We. . .

Today's verse is I Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

There is not a one of us who has not transgressed, who has not earned the wrath of God upon their lives, but God has made a way, and for all that will receive it, can be washed of their old sins, set apart from their old ways, and made right before an Holy God: not by any thing we have done, but by the one that Died for us, Jesus Christ, who took our place, that we as we rely upon him, and through his strength, and by his power, are we enabled to forsake the things we have done before, to walk in his Righteousness. Selah [think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 33-35, I Corinthians 6
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 17, Psalm 66, 1 Corinthians 7

A Wrong Type of Glorying

Today's verse is I Corinthians 5:6-7
     Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
     Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Herein is a thing that we do: We glory in those things that we ought not, even our own sin, sometimes even in the sin of others, and in the name of tolerance we condone that which ought to be condemned, both in our own lives and in the lives of our neighbor. (Remember Love) Daily we need to examine ourselves and come before our Savior confessing our sins to him, remembering that he has purged all of our sins when we came to him for forgiveness through his death upon the cross, then trusting in Christ forsake such to his Honor and Glory. Only then can we in the spirit of love and compassion rebuke those that have gone astray, in the hopes that such will be restored to fellowship. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 30-32, 1 Corinthians 5
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 33-35, I Corinthians 6

The Real Safe Place

Today's verse is Isaiah 28:15-16
     Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death,
      And with hell are we at agreement;
      When the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us:
      For we have made lies our refuge,
      And under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
     Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD,
      Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone,
      A tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation:
      He that believeth shall not make haste.

In the world about us, if we but look, we can easily see those that are described by this first verse. Just yesterday on a famous talk show I heard a caller blaming everyone for the pollution in the seas. When confronted with who truly was guilty, he ignored the information given him, and tried to continue his rant. However, the facts the host presented where incomplete, for the fear of all the fish in the sea dying, is a true fear, It will happen as God said in Revelation. So while we need to be good stewards of the Earth, the real answer is found here in the second verse. This foundation is none other than Jesus Christ, while those that lie to themselves thinking they have made themselves safe, only to find destruction, only those who rest in Jesus Christ will be delivered. Selah [Think abut this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 26-29, Psalm 65, I Corinthians 4
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 30-32, 1 Corinthians 5

No More Suffering

Today's verse is Isaiah 25:8
     He will swallow up death in victory;
      And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces;
      And the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth:
      For the LORD hath spoken it.

Herein do we have a glimpse of what we look for. . . and what a glorious day that will be. Today we suffer, we suffer because we have sinned. We suffer because others have sinned, and suffer because we serve the one that suffered for us all, who men hate, contrary to themselves, and make manifest their hate upon us, who bear the name of Christ. But then, on that day, all suffering will cease, and the curse will be removed, and we will have no more cause to weep, for on that day, we shall see him, and all that know him will serve him, and those that refuse will have been sent away. Therefore, let us boldly proclaim Jesus Christ today, that we might have even more cause to rejoice on that day. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 23-25, I Corinthians 3
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 26-29, Psalm 65, I Corinthians 4

The Better Focus

Today's verse is I Corinthians 2:2
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 

In another place Paul says that he was separated unto the gospel. What are the things that are important unto you? What are the things that you hold dear? Here is Paul’s challenge by example, for what are these other things compared to  what Jesus Christ has done for you, and what he has done for those about you? If you have Jesus Christ and one next to you does not, but such a one has great wealth, who has the greater possession? After all, would that wealth have any value in Hell? And here is the thing, if that other gives away what he has, in part or the whole, he has less, but if we that have Christ share him with others our treasure is increased! So is there ought that we should focus on, but what Paul does here? Selah [think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 20-22, I Corinthians 2
Monday’s reading will be: Isaiah 23-25, I Corinthians 3 

We Have a God We Can Trust

Today's verse is Psalm 62:8
     Trust in him at all times; ye people,
      Pour out your heart before him:
      God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Are you facing a major setback? Does all about you seem grim? or maybe you just are experiencing an unexplainable emotional low? Whatever it may be, whatever the trouble: Trust in him at all times. When you do this your God will show up, he will be your safe place, and whatever the trouble is he will at the minimum carry you through, if not deliver you outright. But don’t just trust, but cry out and declare to him all of your problems, whether they be real or just perceived, for our God is a God that cares for each and every one of his creatures, and nothing is too trivial for his attention, he will hear and he will act, and he will not be late. So once again Trust in him at all times. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott 

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 17-19: Psalm 62: I Corinthians 1
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 20-22, I Corinthians 2

To Whom the Power Belongs

Today's verse is Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

Consider this: Jesus Christ, having defeated death, and handed Satan his ultimate defeat (though such a one has not yet accepted that defeat) now, as always, has all power, and by this he gives us a command: To tell others what he has done for us, that they might learn what he is willing to do for them. So if our God has the power, and it is our God that we should fear above all, what can there be, that we should not have the courage to tell others what he has done for them? For this is the sole reason that he has left us here, that others might learn and know of his great work. Selah [think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 14-16, Matthew 28
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 17-19: Psalm 62: I Corinthians 1

As Promised, God Delivers

Today's verse is Psalm 118:5
     I called upon the LORD in distress:
      The LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

Naught, but five years ago in reading this verse or Psalm 107, I would despair and cry unto the Lord and wonder if he would ever deliver me. Yet since then, he has not only delivered me once, but many times over, and in ways and means that I would not, nor could not imagine. So, today, when I am in distress again, should I wonder if he would, once again, deliver me? I think not, but having now the experience born of patience, I know that as he has delivered me before, so too will he not leave me to my own devices, but will according to his own Wisdom and purpose deliver me once again to his Glory. So whenever you are looking at a straight (such as being between a rock and a hard place) cry out to God and look to him, and as he has done for me, and many others, so will he do for you as well. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 11-13. Psalm 118, Matthew 27
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 14-16, Matthew 28

The Paradox of Fearing God

Today's verse is Isaiah 8:13-14
     Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself;
      And let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
     And he shall be for a sanctuary;
      But for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel,
      For a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

And here is the choice: Fear God, yea even dread his wrath, and he shall put you into a place of safety, but if you do not at best you will be confused and confounded, tripped up by your own doings, and by your own desires which will set you against the God that loves you even still. Between what I read Friday, and then again today, we see God promising the coming Savior from two different Prophets, most likely during the reign of King Ahaz, a king whose heart followed after his people and was not right with the Lord. This one thing still amazes me, that God should take our rejection of him, and make that the basis for his acceptance of us, but so much the more, if we still refuse his gift, will we have cause to dread him. Selah [think of this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 7-10, Psalm 22, Mathew 26
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 11-13. Psalm 118, Matthew 27

When We are at Our Lowest. . .

Today's verse is Micah 7:9
     I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him,
    Until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me:
    He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.

For all this week, in reading my God’s Word, for the most part all I saw, was God’s judgment on a people who paid some sort of lip- service, but refused to know God. But today I read about how God himself would come to redeem his people, and this verse sums up what I was thinking when I read of Bethlehem. We have sinned against the most Holy God, yet those of us who turn to him shall have him, and him alone plead for us, based not upon anything we have done, but based upon what he has done for us. Imagine this, me a sinner, will be brought before the Righteous God, and because of Jesus Christ, I will have the pleasure of standing in his presence! And not me alone, but what of you? Oh, What a glorious thought of a glorious day! Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Micah 5-7, Matthew 25
Monday’s reading will be: Isaiah 7-10, Psalm 22, Mathew 26

Is This Of God?

Today's verse is Micah 2:7
     O thou that art named the house of Jacob,
    Is the spirit of the LORD straitened?
    Are these his doings?
    Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

Today, while most of us who are called by the Name of Christ, and known of him are not of the house of Jacob, we can ask ourselves the same question: “Is God unable to affect this world?” I have found when I least expected it that my God has been working his will in my life that he might be honored in ways that I could not even imagine!  Have we trusted in Christ? Do we know that he took our place, when he died upon the Cross? Did he rise again from the dead? If so we can be confident that he has not forgotten us, and that whatsoever may be happening, he has for one reason or another approved of it and in the end, as we were faithful, we shall be rewarded accordingly. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Micah 1-4, Psalm 10, Matthew 24
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Micah 5-7, Matthew 25

Judgment Coming. . .

Today's verse is Isaiah 5:24
     Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble,
      And the flame consumeth the chaff,
      So their root shall be as rottenness,
      And their blossom shall go up as dust:
      Because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts,
      And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

Is there anywhere today, where the Word of God is truly held in awe? Is there any Nation today that holds the values contained in the law of God? I know by God’s grace that there are pockets here and there of individuals who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ, because of the promises of his Word; therefore, God has his remnant. As a whole though, this world has turned its back on God and judgment is coming. But consider this, we still have some time, and we have a message. In this passage we are told why judgment is coming, and thus the means to escape it: A returning to observance of God’s Word. And what is God’s law all about? Pointing us to the work of Jesus Christ. First of his dying in our place, then for those that receive him, working in them that they will be truly made into his image. So as Paul said, knowing the terror of the Lord, let us persuade men of the Grace of God on their behalf. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan:  Isaiah 4-6, Matthew 23
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Micah 1-4, Psalm 10, Matthew 24

The Dangers of Lip Service

Today's verse is Isaiah 1:15
     And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you:
      Yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear:
      Your hands are full of blood.

Here we see what Jesus said in another way, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Those that only give lip service to God, in God’s eyes are more despicable than those that forget him altogether. Both end up in the pit, but the later because of their ignorance will not suffer as greatly as those that knowing of God, try to make themselves presentable, while in truth remaining corrupt not only in God’s eyes, but there own as well, though they try to deny it. But yet God has provided a way, for consider, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: /For thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” The first group discussed, knowing of God did not seek him, only tried to appease him, but those that know him, know that it is in Him that we must trust, that it is by him, we might be made clean. For when we seek him, we are trusting that he will clean us from the inside, that we might be made presentable to him. For he has provided his own appeasement in Jesus Christ. Selah. [Think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 1-3, Psalm 9, Matthew 22
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 4-6, Matthew 23

Broken or Ground

Today's verse is Matthew 21:44
And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 

What a choice! But one we must make, for we all have transgressed, and we have all turned against the King of Heaven, the God which created all that is for his Glory. And as the smith purifies the ore that the metal he wants might be usable, so must we be broken that we might be remade in his image. But if not, then we must come and face that one that cannot be defeated, no matter how we may try to fight, all that would be left is enough to be tormented for eternity. So whatever you may choose, I will fall upon the one who died for me, allowing him to break me that I might be remade into his likeness. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Kings 15-16, Matthew 21
Monday’s reading will be: Isaiah 1-3, Psalm 9, Matthew 22

OverWhelmed!

Today's verse is Psalm 61:2
     From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed:
      Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

No matter where you are, when all about you is more than you can handle, do not just cry to the God in heaven, but look to have him take you by the hand, and lead you to the one that will sustain; To the one that is the Firm Foundation and the one that will hold you up when you are unable to stand on your own. As we are reminded by Paul, that Jesus Christ took our place, and if he would do that for us, is there anything else that he would withhold from us? Trust in him, even seek his help to trust in him, and he will hear, and he will answer and in due time he will deliver! Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Hosea 14, 2 Chronicles 26-27, Psalm 61, Matthew 20
Monday’s reading will be: 2 Kings 15-16, Matthew 21

Nothing Is Impossible With God

Today's verse is Matthew 19:25-26
     When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
     But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

In the scriptures we have such admonishments as “neither cast ye your pearls before swine,” yet even as we are not to make any further attempt ourselves to persuade an soul to come to Christ, we are not to give up hope, but to continue to pray for them, for it is not us, but God that determines when one as passed the point when the Holy Spirit will no longer contend with them. Consider Paul, he was not only hardened against the Gospel, but was actively seeking to destroy those that have accepted the message, yet when Jesus Christ himself challenged him, he repented to become one of the Greatest Missionaries for Christ known. So fear not to tell anyone of Christ and his promise of Salvation (being wise as serpents, but harmless as doves) at least once, and forget not to pray for those that appear not to be receptive. For God’s Word will not return to him void, but will accomplish that which he pleases. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Hosea 11-13, Matthew 19
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Hosea 14, 2 Chronicles 26-27, Psalm 61, Matthew 20

Destruction Embraced

Today's verse is Hosea 7:13
     Woe unto them! for they have fled from me:
      Destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me:
      Though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.

As I read the headlines of the news, after having heard a portion of the truth, then I read this verse, I can then see what is happening. Is there any where in the world today that is known for seeking and following God? America has been known in the past for this, and Israel is God’s chosen people, but neither today has a testimony for being a people for God. But even though God and his ways are evil spoken of, His redemption is still available to all and for all that seek it. Jesus Christ as already died upon the cross, and he has risen from the dead, so that any that would, can rest in him for the salvation from their sins. So turn from the lies that seek to enslave you, and find the truth in Jesus Christ and the freedom found in him. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Hosea 7-10, Matthew 18
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Hosea 11-13, Matthew 19

The Proper Knowledge

Today's verse is Hosea 4:6
     My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:
      Because thou hast rejected knowledge,
      I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me:
      Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God,
      I will also forget thy children.

Those that deny God, cry out in despair for the troubles and turmoils that come upon them, and one of the tools they try to rely upon is to educate. However, even then as this very verse indicates they still reject true knowledge. Solomon has taught us that the beginning of knowledge is to fear the Lord, and Jeremiah teaches us, that if we should glory in anything, It is that we know the Lord. Yet Paul declares that those who refuse to retain God in their knowledge that God would give them over to those things that are not convenient. So if we see destruction on every side, stop for a moment, and seek the One that is not only able, but also willing to deliver, and Learn of him, and seek his ways and do them, and he will bring us to a place where we shall shine forth as the sun. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Hosea 4-6, Psalm 58, Matthew 17
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Hosea 7-10, Matthew 18

To Save or To Lose

Today's verse is Matthew 16:25
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

A great paradox, and one not easily accepted, except the testimony of those that have gone before us and found it true. As the passage which follows declares, there are many who for the love of things material and temporal, give up all that has value for a pile of nothing for its glitter.  Yet others, seeking the face of God give up all that the world counts as valuable that they might obtain an eternity with the one who created them, and found that He fulfills all of their desires. This is the same decision we face, will we become mired in all that which is vanity, or will we seek (and therefore find) the treasure that the Great God in Heaven as prepared for us. Selah [think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Hosea 1-3, Matthew 16
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Hosea 4-6, Psalm 58, Matthew 17

Common Knowledge or God's Word

Today's verse is Matthew 15:2-3
     Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
     But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 

Herein lies one of our greatest flaws. Today, we would say that we are Modern, and such things as found in the Bible are old fashioned, so we need not to heed them, nevertheless obey them. Yet God never changes, and he cannot lie, and his Word comes from him, and is settled forever in Heaven, and there is nothing in this Earth that is more sure. So, when we have a conflict between God’s Word, and what everybody thinks they know, it is God’s Word that is true, and therefore all else will collapse under its own weight of falsehood. So, let us test all that we believe to be true, by the truth and authority of God’s Word, and keep that which agrees with God, and cast out all that is in conflict with it, and by this will we be able to stand in the day of judgment, Holy by the blood of the Lamb. Amen

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Amos 7-9, Matthew 15
Monday’s reading will be: Hosea 1-3, Matthew 16