Finding Grace

 

Today's verse is Genesis 6:8

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

In reading further, one might conclude that Noah found grace because Noah was Just, perfect and walked with God. However, this is not the case. These things were so because “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Grace came first. We later learn that no one seeks after God of their own volition. It is God that seeks us out, and draws us to him. So are you as Noah, seeing wickedness all around you? Do you as Noah see that the Judgment of God is imminent? Know this, as you seek Christ, he always has a way for his own to escape the the coming judgment. So trust him, obey his Word, be faithful to him whatever may come, and you will find that he has never left you, as you stand with him on the other side. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 6:1-7:24, Matthew 6:1-7:11, Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 8:1- 9:28, Matthew 7:12-8:34, Ecclesiastes 2:12-17

. . . And He Died

 

Today's verse is Genesis 5:5

And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

The serpent had said, “Ye shall not surely die: . . .” Yet, here we see that Adam, and all those that came from him died, except two: Enoch and Elijah, both having a testimony of pleasing God, and for both God has a purpose. But, here we see that death came because of Adam’s sin, and so because God knew what would happen, he formed a plan, even a plan of redemption. Jesus Christ, described by Paul as the second Adam, came that as many as would, could, even will have eternal life, if we believe, and trust him for the gift he provides; Even redemption and forgiveness from the sin we all possess. So choose ye this day, do you choose death, or do you choose life? Your sin, or Jesus Christ? This is our choice, and today is the day to make it. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 5:1-32, Matthew 5:1-48, Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 6:1-7:24, Matthew 6:1-7:11, Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

God's Word

 

Today's verse is Matthew 4:4

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

In Genesis today, I read the serpent ask the question, “Hath God said?” And ever since the children of Adam and Eve have been questioning the Word of God. When I say that by definition God . . . That definition comes from the Idea of the First Cause. That is the cause that was not itself caused. This being must have certain attributes in order for this world to be as it is. The fact that we even recognize that there may be a right and a wrong on any issue points to God being Moral and Just, by definition. So by definition, and by his own testimony, God cannot lie, for he is Truth.

Now we all know, that if we wish to live, we must eat. We have observed time and again, that if we do not eat, we starve, and then we die. This is not a pleasant way to die, but in the passage above, we are reminded that there is something more important than food, that is nothing less then God’s Word, even every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. As we will die, unpleasantly, if we do not eat, we can be sure that if we do not read and obey God’s Word the consequences will be equally unpleasant. But, and if, we acknowledge and obey God’s Word we are promised good success. Selah [Think on this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 3:1-4:26, Matthew 3:1-4:25, Ecclesiastes 1:6-11

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 5:1-32, Matthew 5:1-48, Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

It Was Good

 

Today's verse is Genesis 1:10

And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

As God was making (or giving shape) to the Earth, at several stages he surveyed what he had done, and was pleased with his work seeing that it was good. He did not make any mistakes, all that was created, all that was made had a purpose, and was fit for that purpose. Nothing conflicted with the purpose of another as it performed its function. It was not till sin entered the world that conflict began. But, God, being God knew what would happen, and determined before he ever began what he would do about it. Conflict is a part of the curse brought about because of sin, and until the curse is removed (and it will be) conflict will be a part of our lives. However, if we Trust God, and seek his guidance, as he has given to us a Savior from sin, he has also given us council for resolving conflict in his Word. So as we Trust him, and acknowledge him in all that we do, he will guide us in all that we do, day by day, even moment by moment. Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 1:1-2:25, Matthew 1:1-2:23, Ecclesiastes 1:1-5

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 3:1-4:26, Matthew 3:1-4:25, Ecclesiastes 1:6-11

Restoration!

 

Today's verse is Job 42:10

And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Today, many of us observe and celebrate the birth of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He came to die, that we might have life ever lasting, and today we look at some endings. Job was used of God, showing that God has faithful servants, those that will serve their God no matter the hardships that God may ask of them. Yet we see here, that whatever God asks of us, whatever price we are asked to pay, that he always pays back with interest, Yea, so that what we paid, is little compared to what he has for us. So if you are truly his, bought by the blood of the Lamb, and you are suffering today (for many are) endure with patience, and if need be longsuffering, and at the time appointed as he turned the captivity of Job, he will also lift you up, and set you on a firm foundation, and will restore to you more than you have ever lost. Such is our God, one worthy of our Praise, worthy of our Worship, Yea, worthy of our All. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Job 40-42, Psalm 150, Revelation 22

This concludes this year’s reading

Monday will begin a new Reading plan.

As Far As The East Is From The West

 Today's verse is Psalm 103:12

     As far as the east is from the west,

      So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

We have sinned, yet God has provided a way for our redemption. Tomorrow we will celebrate and commemorate the birth of God’s promised Savior, Jesus Christ, who came to die upon the Cross, to pay for the sins of all who will receive him. Because he has nailed each and every one of our sins to the Cross, as we come to him, he will remember them no more, and as is mentioned here in this verse, he will cast them as far as the East is from the West. That distance is unmeasurable, for if you head North you must eventually, if you keep going, go South, and the same for heading South, but if you go East, or if you go West, never stopping you will always beheading that Direction. By God’s promise, through his mercy, your sins, my sins will bother us no more. Such is God’s redemption for those that love him. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Job 37-39, Psalm 103, Revelation 21

Tomorrow’s Reading will be Job 40-42, Psalm 150, Revelation 22

Looking Forward

 

Today's verse is Revelation 20:6

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The fulfilling of the blessed Hope, the beginning of all that which follow Christ have been looking for is found here, summed up for us. What will be the final days this Earth sees will be the beginning of living with our Savior forever and ever. Our place will be determined by our faithfulness to Christ here and now. Those things that make up any unfaithfulness on our part will have be burned up, and forgotten, leaving us nothing, but all that was done by God’s Spirit will determine the role we have before the Throne of the Lamb, and by God’s grace, even our worst days will have God’s mark upon them. So my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let us even in our Darkest hour Rejoice in our Savior, looking forward to this day when we shall be found worthy to reign with him. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Job 34-36, Revelation 20

Tomorrow’s Reading will be Job 37-39, Psalm 103, Revelation 21

Justifying God, Or Yourself?

 

Today's verse is Job 32:2

Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

Compare Elihu’s reasons with what Paul had said in Romans, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” These two passages not being quite the same are parallel, and point to the same problem. God is greater than us, and by definition, He is Just. He is always Right. If we have an issue with God, it is never him that is wrong. Now, as Job, I have found that we may also not be wrong, but not seeing the entire picture, as God does. So when you do not understand what God is doing, be patient, giving God the Glory, knowing that he deserves the glory, even while you present to him your cause, for he cares for you, and in due time, as you trust in him above all, he may revel his purpose, but if not, know him and his character and that nothing he asks of you will be in vain. Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Job 31-33, Psalm 102, Revelation 19

Tomorrow’s Reading will be Job 34-36, Revelation 20

Finding Wisdom

 

Today's verse is Job 28:28

     And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;

      And to depart from evil is understanding.

After Job first appraises Wisdom, and Understanding, describing to us how hard it is to find, and what its worth is, in this one little verse he tells us how to find it. Wisdom is fearing God, and because we fear God, that is to say, we know that if we transgress, doing that which is displeasing to him, we shall have to face his wrath. But if we forsake evil (anything that displeases God) we shall have our eyes opened, and we shall then understand. I confess, I still have a way to go, to understanding this second part of the verse, but from my experience, as I conform to God’s Word and Will, doing that which he leads me in, the more in time, I understand. So Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Job 28-30, Revelation 18

Tomorrow’s Reading will be Job 31-33, Psalm 102, Revelation 19

A Look At The Lamb

 Today's verse is Revelation 17:14

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

In this passage, I want not to look at those that oppose God, but at the lamb, Jesus Christ, and those that are his. God’s Spirit is such that words such as power, or might, have no place before him, that is to say they do not exist, for there is no power, nor might that can stand against him. God is able, and always does, to use the best day of his worst enemy against him. Look at the Cross! And we that have received him, are kept by his Spirit, He has called us, Yea! even he has chosen us, and it by his Spirit that we are kept faithful. So whatever the circumstances we may find ourselves, Whoever may seem to be in power today, Trust Christ, and by his Spirit follow him faithfully even unto death, and we shall see him Victorious in all of his Glory. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Job 24-27, Revelation 17

Monday’s Reading will be Job 28-30, Revelation 18

What Profit In Knowing God

 

Today's verse is Job 21:14-15

     Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us;

      For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

     What is the Almighty, that we should serve him?

      And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

As Christians, or even better, as Followers of Christ, we that have received Christ, have some taste, to one degree or another, the profit, these described here despise. Some of us know the comfort he has given to us in the darkest of times. Some of us know the heights he has enabled us to obtain. Some of us have seen him do great wonders, causing us to be in Awe of his Majesty. Paul said, “. . . despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” to the question, “Will you escape judgment?” In the things that I mentioned above, Jesus told us not to glory, but if we are to glory, glory in this, that our name is written in the book of life. What profit is there to serve God? What profit is there to praying to the Lord most High? That by his mercy we might escape that which we deserve, eternal damnation, and instead, gain everlasting life, in the presence of the Good God of Love and Justice. Selah [Think on This.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Job 21-23, Psalm 101, Revelation 16

Tomorrow’s Reading will be Job 24-27, Revelation 17

Judgment Is Coming

 

Today's verse is Revelation 15:4

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

This refrain was brought about by seeing the last seven plagues that God was preparing to send upon the Earth. They had not happened just yet, but they were ready. On Earth, having already been devastated, Evil still prevailed, Evil still reigned, and by all appearances will continue to reign, not realizing, probably refusing to realize that their days were numbered. So though we may see Evil reign today, we can be confident that its days are numbered, that it will be overthrown, and as God’s will is done in Heaven, it will also be done on Earth. Surrender now to your Savior, keep his commandments, Love your neighbor, and Proclaim the Majesty of God, and when the time is right, righteousness will prevail. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Job 18-20, Psalm 141, Revelation 15

Tomorrow’s Reading will be Job 21-23, Psalm 101, Revelation 16

A Unique Song

 

Today's verse is Revelation 14:3

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

Consider also, “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.” When we accept Christ as our Savior, we have a new outlook, and and new reason to sing. However, we discover here, that these have a song that is unique to their experience. Now as much as we are similar, and none of our experiences are unique to us, the composition, and order of them are. We are each unique before God, no one else has the exact same set of experiences that we have, or shall have, and thus we each have our own song to sing before the Great God. So Sing your song, to not be afraid to tell others how your God has shown himself strong in your life. Let your life be as God intended it to be, a testament to his Greatness and Majesty. Selah [Think on This.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Job 15-17, Revelation 14

Tomorrow’s Reading will be Job 18-20, Psalm 141, Revelation 15

Just With God!

 

Today's verse is Job 13:18

     Behold now, I have ordered my cause;

      I know that I shall be justified.

Paul said, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” And in another place he said, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” Have you heard the promise that is found in Jesus Christ, and what he has done for you? Can you examine yourself and know that because of what Jesus did for you on the Cross you will see heaven. Do you Know of a certainty, that if you are found in Hell, God lied? And not only lied, but broke a promise? This is how certain we can be of the Salvation we have from God, for as we have seen above, God promised it to all that would receive it. That is to say that the One that cannot lie, sealed redemption with an Oath. Job could and did! Selah [Think on This!] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Job 12-14, Psalm 100, Revelation 13

Tomorrow’s Reading will be Job 15-17, Revelation 14

Just With God?

 

Today's verse is Job 9:2

     I know it is so of a truth:

      But how should man be just with God?

Bildad has summed up his argument with, “Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, Neither will he help the evil doers: . . .” With this Job agrees, then brings up an hurdle to overcome, “How should man be just with God?” If this is not the most important question that can be asked, it deserves a place in the top four. In another place we are told that there is none righteous, no not one. and shortly thereafter, that there is none that seeketh after God. Job had already expressed his faith in the redemption that is provided by God, as we now know is through Jesus Christ, and his death upon the Cross, which he suffered in our place. But we do not like to hear such things, and we have a tendency seek our own way to God, ignoring the Gift he has set before us. So which are you? Will you accept the Gift God has offered, or will you seek your own path, which will led to destruction? Selah [Think on this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Job 8-11, Revelation 12

Monday’s Reading will be Job 12-14, Psalm 100, Revelation 13

Exalt God!

 

Today's verse is Psalm 99:9

     Exalt the LORD our God,

      And worship at his holy hill;

      For the LORD our God is holy.

In another place, we are told that those that know God, glorify him not as God. This we must remember, that whatever we may behold, whatever we may experience, God is God; God is Holy; God is Righteous; Whatever God does is by definition, Right. So in our limited understanding, never blame God, for even though he takes Credit for all that is happening, he is never, as it were, at fault. It would be better to blame ourselves, but even that could be wrong, Consider Job. So, whatever, the issue, Good or Bad, Lift God up as Holy; Give him the Glory. Trust him, leaning not to your own understanding, even as you seek to understand; And he will lift you up in the end. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Job 4-7, Psalm 99, Revelation 11

Tomorrow’s Reading will be Job 8-11, Revelation 12