Grace Sufficent For Your Need

Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

“My grace is sufficient for thee.” It is with out a doubt, that we will face trials, hardships, difficulties as we walk with our Savior Jesus Christ, but as we do, his grace will be with us according to his purpose, according to our need. His grace can be such that it is hard to see, hard to recognize, that we might learn some most needed lesson, but still sufficient, or it can take the darkest, most troublesome, hardest to handle times, and because of God’s Grace, that same period can be the most joyful and happiest, even the best of times. So whatever you are facing, if you are one of God’s children, though Jesus Christ, find that grace whatever form it has taken, and hold on to it, as the evidence of God’s love for you. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Jeremiah 11-13, 2 Corinthians 12
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Jeremiah 14-16, Psalm 76, 2 Corinthians 13

God's Incomparable Mercy

Today's verse is Jeremiah 8:3
And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.

Here, I believe, we see the beginning of what is called the time of the Gentiles. Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel were contemporaries, for there was a period in which their ministries overlapped. Jeremiah and Ezekiel, both were sent to the children of Israel, and we have little if any record of those that they preached to listened, nevertheless responded by repentance. However, Daniel was sent to the Courts of the Gentiles, even to the rulers of the mightest Kingdoms in his day, and with him we shall see many of them in Glory. Paul, in the book of Romans speaks of what God is doing here. For the sake of us Gentiles, that we might partake of God’s mercy, and to provoke his own to Jealousy, the Children of Israel, the Jews are temporarily blinded, but what a glorious day that will be when they shall be returned to the fold. Let us therefore, remember to thank God for his mercy to us, and pray for the restoration of his people, for which without, we would not have our Saviour. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Jeremiah 8-10, 2 Corinthians 11
Monday’s reading will be: Jeremiah 11-13, 2 Corinthians 12

Judgment Denied: Yet Proclaimed

Today's verse is Jeremiah 5:22
Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? 

Here is a thing of wonder, the world about us deny and refuse to consider that they must face the judgment of a Righteous and Holy God, yet they proclaim that we are destroying the world about us, some even saying that we have less then 11 or 12 years, often by things God promised he would not do again. But he has declared how he will judge this world, and send it into tribulation, and it is interesting to note that the things these that deny him claim to be important, by these same things will God deliver his judgment to them. The trees shall indeed be destroyed, as well as the green herb, the oceans and the rivers will turn to blood, killing all that are in them. The Sun will burn them, then they will have darkness. Yet for all of this, God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott


Taken from my daily reading plan: Jeremiah 5-7, Psalm 75, 2 Corinthians 10
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Jeremiah 8-10, 2 Corinthians 11

Nothing for Something

Today's verse is Jeremiah 2:10-11
     For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.
     Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. 

Here is a great mystery, those that follow false gods are faithful to those gods, but those of us who have chosen to accept and follow the true God, have a tendency to forget all that he has done for us, and when we see his good, and his great works, we turn away and seek out those things that are empty. Let us, therefore, be wary, and continually turn back to the God that loves us. Yea, even the One that took our place, and paid our price. And let us remember that our sins which indeed make us unworthy has been washed away by His Blood, and that as we confess them he shall cleanse us from all unrighteousness that we might boldly come into his presence. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Jeremiah 1-4, Psalm 130, 2 Corinthians 9
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Jeremiah 5-7, Psalm 75, 2 Corinthians 10

The Hidden Work of God

Today's verse is Psalm 74:9
     We see not our signs:
      There is no more any prophet:
      Neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.

Here are some things to consider: This verse goes well with the overall context of Zephaniah, who prophesied during the reign of Josiah, the last Good King of Judah, and who seemed to have a great revival through out all of the coasts of not just Judah, but of all of Israel. However, as today, so then we can see an undercurrent of rebellion against the Most Holy God, and this rebellion is pervasive. However, as in Zephaniah, so also in this psalm, we see that God has determined his course of action, while giving the people what they think they want, He will destroy them, while preserving most of his own. So as then, so too today, He works, and will work till he comes again to set up his Kingdom. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Zephaniah, Psalm 74, 2 Corinthians 8
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Jeremiah 1-4, Psalm 130, 2 Corinthians 9

The Just and His Faith

Today's verse is Habakkuk 2:3-4
     For the vision is yet for an appointed time,
    But at the end it shall speak, and not lie:
    Though it tarry, wait for it;
    Because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
     Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him:
    But the just shall live by his faith.

We live in a world where sin abounds and judgment is on every side; evil appears to triumph over good and such rejoice in their debauchery. Yet God works and he tells his people of what he is doing, and what he will do, and he has set a time when it will be obvious to all, and his Glory will shine forth for what he done. So as we are commanded here, wait and watch, for whether the time is long, what God said he would do will be done at the appointed time, for our God knows what is the best time. And thus we have the seed of this famous principle: “The just shall live by his faith.” Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Habakkuk, 2 Corinthians 7
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Zephaniah, Psalm 74, 2 Corinthians 8

The Acceptable Time

Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 6:2
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 

This verse is in the same context of the passage I shared yesterday. When taken by itself, it speaks to when the reader ought to seek the salvation provided by God, that is, one must not delay, and accept that gift with all haste, letting no time pass before one is covered by the blood of the righteous one. However, in the context that it is given, for those that have already been redeemed, thus have been made ambassadors to a world that do not know, nor has a care for what God has done for them. That today is the day, today, not tomorrow, but today is the day we need to proclaim the news to all that we can reach. So whether by Word or deed, all need to know today, that Jesus Christ has died for them, and has risen from the dead that all might have life through him. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chronicles 34-35, 2 Corinthians 6
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Habakkuk, 2 Corinthians 7

The Day To Fear

Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
     For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
     Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 

There is coming a day, in which, we must all give account of all that we have done, for good or for bad. And this is a day to be, not just feared, but terrified of. For all things done by our own strength, even those things that one would think good, are all as filthy rags and odorous in the sight of an Holy God. But this same God as prepared for us an Hope for this day, not that we might not fear this day, for this fear is good, but that we might be found in and of him Righteous though Jesus Christ, who took our place, that he might be seen in us, and by our own testimony of, yea, in him, might also bring others to the place of safety for that day.  Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Kings 22-23, Psalm 73, 2 Corinthians 5
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Chronicles 34-35, 2 Corinthians 6

The Complusion To Speak

Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 

Here we see a truth, of all of us, who have accepted the gift given by and through Jesus Christ: though at times we would prefer to remain silent, the Spirit given us by God causes us to speak up, and tell others about what Jesus has done for us, and whether we do so proactively, and receive reward, or as the Spirit compels us to; what is implied here in the surrounding passage, and immediately after the quoted portion, “I was greatly afflicted.” Because of the possible affliction we are afraid to speak, but look not on the possible affliction which is temporary, but look to the Glory that may and will come which is eternal. Amen

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Nahum, Psalm 149, 2 Corinthians 4
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Kings 22-23, Psalm 73, 2 Corinthians 5

It is God That is Sufficient!

Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 3:4-5
     And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
     Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 

When things go wrong, many of us, but not all, turn and trust in the Lord God for deliverance, but we need also to trust in him not only when we need help, but when all things appear to be going well. Our God, who died in our place, truly desires to give us all that he has, but we after receiving but a exceedingly small fraction thereof, tend to lose sight of the giver, and focus solely upon the empty wealth that we have somehow obtained. Therefore, we then receive more troubles that we might once again turn to the God that loves us, troubles that we could have avoided if we had remembered him that is sufficient. Now remember, that Christ himself, endured hardship for our sakes, that we might learn of God, so too will we do, that those around us might also see the power of God in us. So remember, whether in good times or bad, your God is sufficient. So continue to trust in him. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33, Psalm 71, 2 Corinthians 3
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Nahum, Psalm 149, 2 Corinthians 4

Unfinished Work?

Today's verse is Isaiah 66:9
     Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD:
      Shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

Or simply put, Would God begin a thing and not finish it? The answer will always be the same, No, Never, and Not a chance. Our God, the creator of all that is, is not like many a man, that may start a project, but leave it unfinished, this is not who God is. So if he has begun some work in you, or even through you, he will bring it to full completion, but sometimes, even often, we must exercise patience, for he knows when it would be the best time, for the thing to be done, that the most benefit might be had. He is never late, and he is never early. So look to him, and continue in the path he has set for you, honor him in all you do, and you shall see his Glory shine forth as the sun. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 64-66, 2 Corinthians 2
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33, Psalm 71, 2 Corinthians 3

Is Not The Cross Greater?

Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 1:8-10
     For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
     But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
     Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 

What trouble looms over you? What trial do you face? Do you face even possible death? Or some sort of shame? Is any of this greater than the Cross? Who is your hope? By whom do you trust? Does he not have the right to ask it of you? Did He not himself die for you? Has he not raised others, Himself included, from the dead? If we truly consider the Cross and Resurrection and what Jesus Christ did for us, what is there that is too much for him to ask of us? And of what is there, if it fits his purpose, that he cannot deliver us from. But remember those three men that faced the fiery furnace, whether or not God delivered them, they were willing to enter in, rather than to deny the True God, creator of all. Selah [Think about that.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 60-63, 2 Corinthians 1
Monday’s reading will be: Isaiah 64-66, 2 Corinthians 2

How is God Hidden From Us

Today's verse is Isaiah 59:1-2
     Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;
      Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
     But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,
      And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

It is not that God has separated himself from you, when for all appearances you cannot find him; That you cannot find any evidence that he is active in your life. Nor is it because he does not hear you when you call, but it is because you are consumed by your sin, you are looking the wrong way. He is there, waiting patiently for you to repent (think of it as simply turning around.) I know, truly how hard that can seem to be, for all of our ways are consumed with those vain things that we treasure. You may say that I don’t treasure those things, I want to be rid of them, yet you hold on to them, and allow them to separate you from the God that loves you. The God that created you is right behind you, waiting patiently for you to hear him and turn around, yea, even to shift your focus off of those thing that trouble you, and to seek him, and when you do, he will be there, supporting and strengthening you to accomplish all he has for you. Selah [think about this.] Amen.


To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 56-59, Psalm 70, I Corinthians 16
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 60-63, 2 Corinthians 1

Never in Vain

Today's verse is Isaiah 55:11
     So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
      It shall not return unto me void,
      But it shall accomplish that which I please,
      And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it

Herein lies a mystery, a comfort and a warning. For by God’s Word we have the story of redemption, but redemption is not needed without judgment, and the judgment and condemnation of sinners is severe, of which we are all guilty. Now to avoid the judgment all we need do is accept the message of redemption through Jesus Christ, promised in this same Word. We can also boldly share this same Word with others, knowing that as we publish it the more, that none of it will fail to accomplish that which the God of all creation has purposed for it, Indeed condemning those that reject it, but so much more lifting up those that receive it unto Eternal Life. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 53-55, Psalm 128, I Corinthians 15
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 56-59, Psalm 70, I Corinthians 16

Has the Lord Forgotten You?

Today's verse is Isaiah 49:14-15
     But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me,
      And my Lord hath forgotten me.
     Can a woman forget her sucking child,
      That she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?
      Yea, they may forget,
      Yet will I not forget thee.

Have you accepted the gift God has given through Jesus Christ? Even so, since then has there been times you felt as if God has forgotten you? Such is the nature of emotions, they not not always based upon fact. We here are given a picture of something in most places is a unthinkable, and totally foreign concept, that a mother would forget her newborn baby. Yet it happens, more than we even care to admit. But as we see in this passage the God that created Heaven and Earth will never forget Israel, and as he has promised never to forget Israel here, so too as receivers of the gift of Salvation we also know that he will not ever forget us, whatever we may “feel.” So trust not in what you may or may not be feeling, but trust in the one that cannot lie, and in his Word has made us a promise. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 49-52, Psalm 69, I Corinthians 14
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 53-55, Psalm 128, I Corinthians 15

Righteousness And Strength

Today's verse is Isaiah 45:24
     Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I †righteousness and strength:
      Even to him shall men come;
      And all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed

This verse is speaking of none other than Jesus Christ, for it was by the Father, that Jesus Christ had, yea even has, righteousness, and it is by the Spirit that he has strength, and if he was lifted up all men should be drawn to him, and those that lifted him up, without a doubt, are today ashamed, as well will be any that are offended of him today. As for me, and any that will join me, I have righteousness because of His suffering when he died upon the Cross, and as by the Spirit of God he rose from the dead, I also have strength through that same Spirit, which now dwells in me, To do whatsoever he leads me to do, according to his Word. Amen. Selah [Think about this.]

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 45-48, I Corinthians 13
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 49-52, Psalm 69, I Corinthians 14

The Way God Works

Today's verse is Isaiah 41:20
     That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together,
      That the hand of the LORD hath done this,
      And the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

Before this verse, God creates out of a barren, desolate wasteland an oasis, a place of refreshing, and after this verse the Creator of all that is, offers a challenge to any takers to do what only he can. From all of this, we can conclude that when God works, when God, himself, decides to take a matter into his own Hand, he does so in a fashion that no one who sees it can have any doubt that it was God that had done the thing. So have you received a promise, and nothing seems to be working according to the expected outcome? Think nothing of it, hold to the promise, Hold to God's Word, for all that is happening is God setting the stage so that all that behold the outcome, cannot say that God did not do the thing. Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott


Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 41-44, I Corinthians 12
Monday’s reading will be: Isaiah 45-48, I Corinthians 13

The One Thing That Will Remain

Today's verse is Isaiah 40:8
     The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:
      But the word of our God shall stand for ever.

In the world about us, all that we see, all that we can hold, everything that we can possess, will all fade away, wither and come to naught. But there is one thing that will endure, that will remain steadfast, upon which we can trust and rest upon. That is none other than God’s Word. There is nothing else like it. All that have opposed it have or will be destroyed. All that trust in it have been or will be rewarded. It contains the greatest promises, and the most dire of consequences. It has been attacked, many have sought to destroy it, yet it remains, and will remain, as Christ has said till all be fulfilled. Let us, therefore, let it form all of our hopes, and once formed, and confirmed in it pages, let us rest all of our hopes upon it.  Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott


Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Kings 20, Isaiah 38-40, Psalm 68, I Corinthians 11
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 41-44, I Corinthians 12

What is Truly Important

Today's verse is I Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 

We in our lives have many things that vie for our attention and energy, such as pleasing our neighbors, or pleasing ourselves then again, other things seek to captivate our focus. All of which, turn us from the one, and only one important thing, the God which made us. All of those other things demand for us to expend all our energy upon them, demanding with little if any return. But not so with the Creator of Heaven and Earth. His demand is that we give him all the Glory, and he will supply the power to do his bidding, and if we do this we shall find Success. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Isaiah 36-37, Psalm 123, I Corinthians 10
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Kings 20, Isaiah 38-40, Psalm 68, I Corinthians 11

There Is No Other God. . .

Today's verse is 2 Kings 19:19
Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.

The King of Assyria has come up against Judah, after having already carried Israel away captive. Now, in Israel, when Ahab was King, just because Ahab’s enemies blasphemed God, God delivered Ahab not once, but time and again. How much more,  when the king and Judah are currently, and finally obeying fully God Word. Now rightly so, Hezekiah does not approach God has if God owes him anything, but humbly, and the God of Heaven and Earth, and all that are therein answers, and not only promises deliverance, but delivers just has he as promised. So knowing how our God will protect his Name, Yea even his Word above his Name, let us even Trust the same, even unto death. For by whatever means would give him the greatest Glory, He will do! Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, Psalm 67, I Corinthians 9
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Isaiah 36-37, Psalm 123, I Corinthians 10

The Most Important Aspect of Repentance

Today's verse is 2 Chronicles 30: 18-20
     For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one
     That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.
     And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. 

The people following the invitation of the King, but having forgotten the way of God, as recording in his Word, did not approach God has he has commanded in his Word. This can be a dangerous thing, but we see here that some things are more important than others. Such as seeking the one true God over the ceremonial cleansing. The passover is a picture of what Jesus Christ was to do on the Cross for all that would come to him, so in observing the passover, even though unclean, they where looking to the one that would cleanse them from all unrighteousness. So for those that have not known the power of the Cross come an see what Christ has done for you, and for those that for one reason or another turned aside, as well as those that have been stedfast, remember, and rest in the one that loves you, and he will set you, once again, in a right path. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: 2 Chronicles 29-31, I Corinthians 8
Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, Psalm 67, I Corinthians 9