God Guides Us According To Our Ability To Trust

Today's verse is Genesis 13:17
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

As we follow our God, he knows us, he knows what is too much for us, he knows what we can handle. Here God take Israel through the longer way, that Israel not see war in their first steps. Yet even as they are taken the “easier way” they find reason to complain. For every hardship they face, the first thing they do is mummer, and the second thing they do is complain, and the last thing they do is trust, and often completely forgetting to do that. I know that in me, is the propensity to do the same, to turn from God for the slightest excuse, but our God is truly good, and he is truly worthy of our trust, so as you find yourself turning from him, if you can stop, and decide instead to place your trust in him, and even ask him what he plans to do. If you will do this, he will give you reasons to rejoice, and Magnify his Name. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 13-15, Psalm 114, Ephesians 3
Monday’s reading will be: Exodus 16-18, Ephesians 4

Notice Of God's Work

Today's verse is Genesis 11:1
And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether. 

Here is a truth, what when God Works, he often will reveal to his servants what he is doing, and when they can expect it to happen. We know there are exceptions to this, such as that day when God shall call all of those that are currently his, suddenly home, but even with that we have been warned to watch for it. So watch for what God has told you he would do by his Word, prepare for that day as he enables, and commands. (Notice what he told the Children of Israel to do before the passover.) Now as he delivered Israel, from Egypt, so too will he deliver you as you trust in him. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 10-12, Ephesians 2
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Exodus 13-15, Psalm 114, Ephesians 3

Talk Of What God Has Done

Today's verse is Psalm 105:2
     Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him:
      Talk ye of all his wondrous works.

And so the psalmist follows his own admonishment and declares to all that will listen the work that God did, when he delivered Israel from the land of Egypt. There is a song “Count your many blessings,” this song is an encouragement to do as this verse commands, for when we talk of all of God’s wondrous works, we are to start with what we find in scripture, but then as we start to trust in God ourselves, we will find that he has already been, and continues to work in our lives as well, and as we are to be witnesses for Christ, so must we also proclaim what he has done, and is doing to, through, and even for us. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 7-9, Psalm 105, Ephesians 1
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Exodus 10-12, Ephesians 2

What Does God Say You Can Do?

Today's verse is Genesis 4:10-11
     And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
     And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 

From this passage we can learn a few things: One of them is that God takes credit for our handicaps, and for some this would be all that they learn, for they use such to blame God, and allow them to limit what they do. Yet a greater lesson is that God is greater than our handicaps and when we rely upon him we are able to do so much more then we can think. Think of the things that God commands you to do, and know that if you do them by his strength, you can do them whatever the handicap you have. Yet unmentioned here, if you try to do it by your own power, even if you are more than able to do it by your own strength, ye shall fail without fail. So trust in the Lord your God, and look to him for the strength and the knowledge to do as he directs, be amazed and give him the Glory for what he will do through you. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 4-6, Galatians 6
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Exodus 7-9, Psalm 105, Ephesians 1

The Nature Of The Promise

Today's verse is Genesis 3:19-20
     And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
     And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.

Read the above passage, then consider, How will Pharaoh react, and what provocation will he give God that God would smite Egypt? Why should Israel have been surprised by Pharaoh's immediate reaction, as he denied them straw to make brick, when Moses first asked him to let Israel go? Everything that happened after that fits the pattern of this promise, till Pharoah actually chases Israel away, even as He tries to tighten his grip upon them. So are you facing an hardship? Did Jesus promise his followers an easy time? As we face opposition should we be surprised? The Answer to these questions is no, no, NO! But what God did promise Israel, and us, is that he would deliver them, that he would bring them out of Egypt, and into a land of plenty, but that the trip would be fought with perils that they may learn that God can be trusted, for he truly answered each and every hardship that Israel faced. So trust him today, whatever trouble you may face, you need not, Yea, you must not, face it on your own, but trust God, and follow his direction, and you will be amazed at what he does. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 1-3, Galatians 5
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Exodus 4-6, Galatians 6

Children Of Promise

Today's verse is Galatians 4:28
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 

Our Salvation from sin, does not come by the works of the Law, for the Law is there to show us that we are not able to please God by any of our own abilities. Nay, for our Salvation is by the promise of God, which he fulfilled when he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, and rose again that we might have new life through him. When we turn to Christ for the forgiveness of our Sin, he, his Spirit comes and dwells within us, not only as our Guide, but also enabling us to live holy lives, pleasing to our Heavenly Father, so long as we submit to him. When we fail to submit, he does not leave, but admonishes us till we repent, and once we turn again to him, he restores us, and continues as he had before. This is the core of his promise to us, and such is his love for us. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 49-50, Galatians 4
Monday’s reading will be: Exodus 1-3, Galatians 5

What God Said He Would Do Is Done, Though Not Yet

Today's verse is Genesis 48:22
Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.

Here is an example of faith: Jacob had not taken any land out of any hand at this time, though two of his sons had slain the men of a whole town, to the displeasure of their father. Yet Jacob speaks of what is to come in the past tense, or as if it has already happened. This is because he trusted God to do that which he had already promised, and though it has not happened yet by our counting of time, it has already happened, because God said that it would happen. “Calling those things that be not, as though they were.” What promises do you have from God? Whatever they are, you can count them as already done, even if you have not yet seen the budding of the flower, nevertheless not yet able to pick the ripe fruit from the tree. For what God had said, he will do. Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 47-48, Psalm 25, Galatians 3
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 49-50, Galatians 4

God's Work Recognized

Today's verse is Genesis 39:2
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

In Job, we see that God, himself, takes credit for what he allows Satan to do, and here, after most of God’s purpose is revealed, Joseph having seen what God is doing, declares to his brethren, what a good God has done through their evil actions. While it is obvious, in the context of the surrounding passage that Joseph did not simply forgive his brothers of what they did, he did forgive them, for he saw that it was God that worked through them to bring about the desired end. So whatever circumstance you might find yourself in, place yourself in God’s hand, and trust him. Today may not be in any way desirable, but if you decide to trust God and place your confidence in him, in due time he will reward all those that followed him to his Honor and Glory. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott 

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 45-46, Psalm 108, Galatians 2
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 47-48, Psalm 25, Galatians 3

God's Way, or No Way

Today's verse is Galatians 1:8
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 

We have a book, which has been written by over 40 men, containing 66 different books, having been written over the span of 1500 or so years. Everything that we receive needs to be compared to this book. All that we know, or think we know is to be tested by this book, and everything that is in disagreement with it is to be discarded as untrue. This passage focuses on the Gospel, or the way to please God, and enter a relationship with him. There are two possibilities for this to occur. The way of Cain, bringing our own works hoping that they might please the  most Holy and Righteous God, or by the way of Abel, accepting the way God had set, and following that. God’s way is unique: it is the only way that looks to God for an unholy, and unrighteous, sinful man might find himself standing in the presence of that same Righteous and Holy God. And this way is through his only begotten Son, who shed his blood, in the place of the sinner, that the sinner might boldly come to the Father through the Son. Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 43-44, Psalm 24, Galatians 1
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 45-46, Psalm 108, Galatians 2

With Faithful Service Comes At Due Times: Reward

Today's verse is Genesis 41:52
And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

In a couple of other places we are told that we shall reap if we faint not. This is what is happening here. Joseph has begun his reaping. As we can see from the previous  record that Joseph never fainted from the hardships that was piled upon him. He never lost faith in the God he knew from his father, and now the dream he had some 13 years earlier is starting to bear fruit. He has just received a position which his family would do as the dream indicated. As with Joseph, God has a plan for you, and he is preparing or has prepared you for his purpose, and that purpose will be carried out. Your choice is to work with God; do that which has directed you to do today (such as telling all what Jesus has done for them) or you can attempt to run or pretend God does not exist. Yet God will do with you as he pleases. The first comes with reward, the latter will end in outer darkness, but the choice is yours. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 41-42, Mark 16
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 43-44, Psalm 24, Galatians 1

Preparation For Purpose

Today's verse is Genesis 39:1
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian

Joseph’s time of trouble has just begun. He has now found himself as a slave in (to him) a strange land, and is not his own master. Yet we do not hear him complain, till he speaks to the butler, and then his complaint is with purpose as an appeal to authority. He sets about to make himself, useful to his Master, and here is where we see God’s hand move upon him, and all that he does prospers. Preparing Joseph for the day that God had promised him would come, and the dreams that God had given him would come to pass. I have not seen God make all things I do to prosper, yet I have seen the Hand of God upon me, preparing me for the purpose he has set for me. So if you have trusted God through Jesus Christ, his Son, you can trust that he is preparing you for the purpose he has set for you. Therefore, trust him no matter the conditions you may find yourself in, and do that which is set before you, and at the due time, as Joseph was lifted up, so too shall you be lifted up, and exalted as God’s representative. But what if you are lifted as Jesus was lifted up? Remember to give God the Glory. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 38-40, Mark 15
Monday’s reading will be: Genesis 41-42, Mark 16

Reflecting Upon What God Has Already Done For You

Today's verse is Genesis 35:1
And let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.

As God commanded Jacob (Israel) to go back to Bethel to dwell, and worship God (make an altar), Jacob was reminded how God had met him there. He remembered the distress he was in. He had been sent away from home because his brother sought to kill him, and because the prospects for a wife were unacceptable where Issac and Rebecca lived. He had nothing but the clothes on his back and the staff in his hand. Yet he found that God, this God that his father knew, but he really had little to do with, sought him out, just as God has sought each and every one of us, and made him promises, if he would but serve him.  At this time, many of the promises that God had made Jacob had been fulfilled, and as Jacob testified here, God never forsook Jacob. So also will we find God faithful, and if we are honest that have received his Gift, though his Son, that he has been faithful to us as well. So today, reflect upon what God has done for you since he has sought you out, and rejoice and worship him, for as he has promised in his Word so shall he do. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 35-37, Psalm 12, Mark 14
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 38-40, Mark 15

Easily Missed Evidence Of God's Presence

Today's verse is Genesis 32:1
And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 

I have been reading God’s Word off and on for the the last thirty plus years, and this is the first time seeing this verse. But think of this, this was a great moment for Jacob, and possibly those that where with him, but for me, and possibly others it was completely missed. So let us see the significance, Jacob was heading home, twenty some years ago, his brother, Esau, desired to kill him and Jacob feared this encounter, and this is the context of this verse. God, knowing Jacob’s fears shews Jacob just a little bit of his power, which is more than enough to handle things like his brother, but yet Jacob did not know how God would resolve this problem. When first reading this chapter, my question was how was Jacob’s reaction driven by faith, yet when I was face with the same degree of crisis, I found myself, fully trusting God, making contingencies as Jacob did here. So is God working in your life? Is there something he is asking you to trust him about? When so, look for the evidence that he has already worked in your life. Look for that small example that God is truly greater than the problem he has asked you to trust him with. Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 32-34, Psalm 145, Mark 13
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 35-37, Psalm 12, Mark 14

A Look At The Greatest Commandment

Today's verse is Mark 12:30
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 

A lot could be pulled out from this verse, Chiefly that we are to Love the Lord our God with all that we are. We are to hold nothing back, our heart is his to do with as he pleases, our soul, also. We are not to Love our God with any reservation of the mind, seeking the truth in all matters that come before us, knowing that God cannot lie, thus his Word is true, and can be trusted above all that is cast against it. Therefore, do not compromise its veracity for any man made inventions. Then, finally, do all that you do for God (which should be all of that you do) with every once of strength that you have, holding nothing back. Each of these segments of the command can be expanded much more, and if you should notice I gave greater focus to one of them, but not because it is any greater than the others but some, today, stubble upon this aspect. Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 30-31, Psalm 11, Mark 12
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 32-34, Psalm 145, Mark 13

God Finishes What He Starts

Today's verse is Genesis 28:15
And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

The truth found here, cannot not be thought of, nor mentioned enough. Our God has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us, whether we are in his family or not (better for all if you are in his family) and that purpose will not be, cannot not be altered. Now for those that are in the family, through the Blood of Jesus Christ, often cannot see how God will accomplish that which he had promised, yet we have this promise, and we know that God can be, and should be trusted. So keep your eyes upon him whether in sunshine or storm, for whatever he has started in you he will surely finish at the due time. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 28-29, Mark 11
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 30-31, Psalm 11, Mark 12

Consider Also Never Forsaken Which was also based upon this verse

The Example Of The Creator

Today's verse is Mark 10:45
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many

Here is part of what needs to be considered, as to the question, “Is God Good?” We all know of those that would Lord it over those that they have authority over. Yet this is not the example we have of Jesus Christ. The one who made all, who has the right and is worthy to be called Master, rules not solely by an iron hand, but by example, even serving them that serve him. Again, and again consider the Cross, and what he did for you there. As he was willing to do this for us, for you, is he not worthy of all you have? Based upon this, is there anything that would be too much for him to ask of you? Selah [Think on this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 26-27, Mark 10
Monday’s reading will be: Genesis 28-29, Mark 11

How To Repond To Troublesome Times

Today's verse is Psalm 4:4-5
     Stand in awe, and sin not:
      Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
     Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
      And put your trust in the LORD.

This whole psalm is positive in nature, but it does have a couple of negative elements: for the psalmist recognizes that he had been in distress, and some, even many, about him, spoke evil of his best accomplishments. Yet during that time of distress, God added to him blessings for he had enlarged him. Finally, the Psalmist is confident that God will hear his prayer. The above verses give us the answer to how we should respond in such times. First recognize what God is doing, and avoid stumbling (sin not), We are free to consider what God is doing, but be still, do not act, without clear guidance, Do those things that are right, and most of all, chose to Trust in the Lord your God. If we should do these things, our God will not only give us peace and safety, but will deliver us as he had promised. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 24-25, Psalm 4, Mark 9
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 26-27, Mark 10

God's Finished Work is Never Secret

Today's verse  is Genesis 21:6
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. 

When God works, while much of what God did may have been hidden, or behind the scenes, when the work is done, and the thing is finished, no one that is honest with himself will be able to deny that it truly was a work of God. And the finished product will be available for all to see. What plans does God have for you? Has he revealed any part of them yet? If not, start with what he has said in his Word, receive the gift given through his Son, Jesus Christ, then proclaim to others what he has done for you, and as you do this, as his purpose for you permits, he will reveal more of what he wants of you, that you may like Christ, choose to bear the cross he has set for you, that all might see the Love of God for them through you. Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 21-23, Psalm 107, Mark 8
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 24-25, Psalm 4, Mark 9

Failing In The Best Of Times

Today's verse is Genesis 20:2
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 

We are a perverse lot. I know that within me, as I see the possibility of God’s promise to be fulfilled, or as I ponder the impossibility of said promise, the first more actually than the later, I am prone to stumble. But not only I, for we see with Abraham the same trait. Yet we have a God that Loves his own, and his promise is secure, even though we do not deserve it. As with Abraham, God will intervene, and will deliver us from our own wicked ways. Though as with Abraham, so with us, we shall be diminished in the eyes of those about us. Let us then, turn ourselves over the to the One that is able to keep us from falling, and lean upon him, for he has promised even in such times to hold us up, though we be frail even in the face of good news. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 19-20, Psalm 1, Mark 7
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 21-23, Psalm 107, Mark 8

Hard Requests

Today's verse is Genesis 16:8-9
     And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
     And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

In and around this passage we see some hard things. Hagar knowing she is with child of her master, despises her mistress. Sarai, her mistress, responds in kind, so Hagar runs away. So now here we are, and God steps in and entreats her to return. Many wrongs were done here, and I cannot say any were doing right, but there are times when we need to endure, and as God had promised Hagar blessing for her obedience, so too will be bless all those that must suffer as they follow him. Hagar recognized that God saw her, and her plight. Her response was to ask herself what she had done for him. Should we do any less? For God knows us and our troubles, and he is ever ready to aid all that call upon him. Sometimes, even as he has done for Hagar, stepping in and intervening before we ask. Such is God, and Such should be our response. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 16-18, Mark 6
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 19-20, Psalm 1, Mark 7

The Greatest Reward

Today's verse is Genesis 15:1
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward


Abram (Abraham) had just come from rescuing Lot and the people of Sodom from a set of four Kings, who had defeated five kings, but that is for another day. As a result of this he met Melchizedek, a representative of the Most High God, a received a blessing, then he refuse to take his portion of the spoil he rescued from Sodom, that the King of Sodom would have no claim on him. This is when God says to him, “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” It is true, the half has not been told of what Heaven will be, yet the greatest reward, the best that God has for us, we do not need to wait for, for we have the opportunity to fellowship with him, even today. There may be times he appears to hide from us, yet if we continue to trust in him being patient, He will reveal himself again, often showing us the reason for his apparent absence. So will you seek to gain this best, and Greatest reward today? Selah [Think about this.] Amen.


To God be the Glory
Scott


Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 12-15, Psalm 148, Mark 5
Monday’s reading will be: Genesis 16-18, Mark 6

Have Ye No Faith?

Today's verse is Mark 4:38-40
     And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
     And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
     And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 

What is the Faith that Jesus is speaking of here? Consider the question the disciples asked him, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” The disciples did not at this time recognize with whom they were with, and they did not recognize for what purpose he was here. Considering these two things, there was no way anyone would perish while they were with him in that boat, it just was not going to happen. Faith as we know from scripture is the substance of things hoped for the evidence not seen. The things hoped for must not be based upon our own desires, but upon what God tells us, first by his Word in scripture, then also possibly direct personal revelation, collaborated by scripture. Once we know this, then we can be sure what the effect the storm we are in can have upon us, and what it cannot do to us. So where is your faith, and what is your faith in? Selah [Think about this.] Amen. 

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 9-11, Mark 4
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 12-15, Psalm 148, Mark 5

Promises To Consider In Today's Climate

Today's verse is Genesis 8:22
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Today is the beginning of a New Year, and we celebrate the opportunity for a fresh start. However, truly Noah did have a fresh start, and God himself made him some promises which last unto this new day, and this new year. Contrary to what some would have you believe, for they have denied God, and have rejected that he will once again judge the Earth, claiming that the oceans of the Earth will once again rise to cover, much more then it does now as the climate changes and the ice caps melt. Yet in today’s reading we have two promises which contradict such proclamations. As seen above God has set the seasons, so we need not fear some drastic change in the climate that could destroy what God has made. And consider also this promise: “Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over;/ That they turn not again to cover the earth." Today, any prediction that such fear mongers give seem to include rising waters, completely disregarding God’s promise found here. Truly there is reason to fear, for God is a terrible God, and those that call him a liar have the most to fear. Yet because God does not lie, and because he keeps his promises he can be trusted, and if we turn to him Judgment can be escaped according to his promise. Selah [think about this.] Amen. 

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Genesis 6-8, Psalm 104, Mark 3
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Genesis 9-11, Mark 4