The Lord our Helper

Today's verse is Hebrews 13:6
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 

Take note of the first two words of this verse, “So that . . .” Indeed, we have a promise that the Lord our God shall help us, to the end that we need not fear what any others may try, or even do to us. Yet, this promise is based upon our acceptance that Jesus will never leave nor forsake us, and for this reason we ought to be able to be content with whatever state we find ourselves. Whether in plenty, or in need. Whether, we are in a place of safety, or we are distressed, we can truly be content, for our Lord is with us. We can know that whatever may be happening around us, he is with us, and he is working his will, and as we rely upon him, we can know that, “He has got this.” Selah. [Think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Numbers 6-7, Hebrews 13
Monday’s reading will be: Numbers 8-11, Colossians 1

When The Fight Is Too Hard

Today's verse is Hebrews 12:3-4
     For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
     Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

As we that have chosen to walk with God do so, we shall find at times that the fight seems too hard, yet the author here knowing the weakness of our flesh gives us counsel, and a measuring stick. At such times we are to compare ourselves to none other than Jesus Christ, as he suffered for us on the Cross, for if we do this, we shall see that we have not even done for him as he has done for us, nor have we yet resisted the sin in our lives, as we have him for an example. For even as he had considered the Cross, upon which he died for us, he bled. None of us has so fought against sin. So are you weary of the fight, then chin up, knowing that Jesus has already won the fight for you, and rest in him, as you take the next step, but take that next step. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Numbers 3-5, Hebrews 12
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Numbers 6-7, Hebrews 13

One Fate Of The Wicked

Today's verse is Psalm 64:9
     And all men shall fear,
      And shall declare the work of God;
      For they shall wisely consider of his doing.

This verse declares the result of the fate of those that rejoice in their iniquities. All appears to go well with them, as they speak great words, lying to themselves and all about them, searching diligently for the faults of their enemies. Yet God shall destroy them suddenly, even by their own words that all can see, causing all to fear, bringing many to redemption, having considered the end of these wicked. Oh, might we so see this thing, and might God be truly magnified, and may such cause many to repent, turning to the one true God, from the path such deceivers had set for them. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Numbers 1-2, Psalm 64, Hebrews 11
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Numbers 3-5, Hebrews 12

The Promise Of Plenty

Today's verse is Leviticus 26:5
And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. 

We see here a small portion of what God promises those that do his commandments, who seek to please him in all that they do. Or as Solomon put it: “Acknowledge him in all thy ways.” Some will point to passages like this and claim that God will give you everything you want, just because you want it, God will serve you. This is never so. We are to serve God, whether in sunshine or rain, whatever may come. Yet if we do this, knowing that God is worthy, he will do as he has said, and he will bless us, so that we will not know what to do with all of his blessings. Let us, therefore, continue in his Word, putting in practice those things we understand, and seek to understand those things we do not, making him our All in All. Selah. [Think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Leviticus 26-27, Psalm 112, Hebrews 10
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Numbers 1-2, Psalm 64, Hebrews 11

God Will Provide

Today's verse is Psalm 81:15-16
     The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him:
      But their time should have endured for ever.
     He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat:
      And with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

It is very easy for any of us to find fault with God. Yet it is not God that has the faults, but us. Just like Adam blamed both God and Eve for his sin, and Eve blamed the serpent, we follow after their example. Such are they that hate God. Nevertheless, God is good, and all that repent will eventually find the abundance God has for them. As we see in the above verse, God promises eternal life, with the best of foods, and even when all else fails, provision will come from the most unlikely of places. So be not as those that wandered in the wilderness, but look to God, and seek his face, and wonder not from where he will provide, and as he promises here he will take care of you. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Leviticus 24-25, Psalm 81, Hebrews 9
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Leviticus 26-27, Psalm 112, Hebrews 10

God's Guiding Hand

Today's verse is Hebrews 8:9
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 

From this verse I am not going to speak of the greater context, but of a tidbit found in it. God here says that he took the children of Israel by the hand as he led them out of Egypt. Just as a Mother or a Father would take a child by the hand as they cross a road. This is done so that the child does not stray, but goes the way the parent directs, all for the child’s safety. Now as that child grows and learns to listen to the voice of the parent, the parent starts to let the child’s hand go. Giving the child more and more freedom, but if the child strays from the parent’s voice, he wanders off into danger, and the loving parent once again would take the child’s hand. So as God has done for Israel as they left Egypt, so too will he do for us, when we first accept Christ, and as we learn to follow his voice he will also give us more and more freedom to follow him willingly. Selah [Think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan:  Leviticus 21-23, Hebrews 8
Monday’s reading will be: Leviticus 24-25, Psalm 81, Hebrews 9

Once

Today's verse is Hebrews 7:27
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 

Today, I want to look at that word “once.” Consider the number of sacrifices made by Israel, just from the celebration of the consecration of the temple, we have no count. Yet, God was not fully appeased. Israel, not to mention all others, still needed a cover for their sin. But with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which he did willingly, he only did once, and will only do once, and once is even more than enough. Because of that, no more sacrifice for sin is needed, Yea, to accept any other sacrifice now is also sin. So because of this, should we not be willing to live for him, even unto death? That is, should we not be willing to live for him, whatever the cost? That is, to be a living sacrifice? Selah [think on this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Leviticus 19-20, Hebrews 7
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Leviticus 21-23, Hebrews 8

What God Says About "When in Rome. . ."

Today's verse is Leviticus 18:3
After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. 

Most of us have heard the adage, “When in Rome. . .” Yet we see here, not just counsel, but a command that where ever we may be, we are not to follow the customs and morals of the people there, but we are to obey the counsel and commands of the Most High God. We find in another place in scripture that we are to be an Ambassador to all that we meet, representing the one that died for us, and being that representative we need to allow him to shine out from us. We simply cannot do that if we follow the customs of those about us. So let us seek to please the one that died for us, conforming not to the world about us, but conforming by his Spirit to the image of Christ, that all about us can see his love for them. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Leviticus 15-18, Psalm 31, Hebrews 6
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Leviticus 19-20, Hebrews 7

Another Example Provided By Jesus

Today's verse is Hebrews 5:7
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 

This passage is speaking of Jesus Christ and in it is some hard things to consider. Some may misunderstand, and say this proves Jesus was not God, but this would take the passage out of context, for this same book clearly paints Christ as very God. I even shared one of them out of the first chapter. Now I am not saying that I fully understand the passage, yet consider the example of the Son of God. The first thing I wish to point out is that God did not save him from dying (for he needed to die for our sake) but he did save him from death, and again partly for our sake. Then for time sake the final thing to consider is that Jesus (God) feared God. Just in today’s reading, I was reminded that “[t]he fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” It would appear that even God is not exempt from this truth; therefore, this being the case, How should you respond?. Selah [think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Leviticus 12-14, Psalm 111, Hebrews 5
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Leviticus 15-18, Psalm 31, Hebrews 6

Faith, A Different Type Of Work

Today's verse is Hebrews 4:2
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 

We are told in another place that Salvation is “not of works, lest any man should boast,” yet here in this context we are admonished to “labour therefore to enter into that rest.” In the above verse we are told what that labour (another word for work) is: Faith, or trust God at his Word, and act upon it. This work, is the hardest easy thing to do, for we often slip away from it at the slightest provocation. So mix your faith with fear, and labour to enter into your rest, that is to cease from your own works and trust in his. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Leviticus 8-11, Psalm 110, Hebrews 4
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Leviticus 12-14, Psalm 11, Hebrews 5

The Need Of Community

Today's verse is Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 

It is without a doubt that the best of us are frail, only Daniel and Joseph, (Rachel’s Son) have no sin recorded of them, yet even Daniel confesses to be a sinner. Even Dwight Moody who purposed in himself to be fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit, confessed that he came short. So first, rely upon God to help you through, but also as he has commanded, surround yourself with other believers that God may use them to hold you up as you stumble through Today. Not a one of us can successfully live a true Christian life walking alone. So be available to another today, and allow others to be there for you as well. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Leviticus 4-7 Hebrews 3
Monday’s reading will be: Leviticus 8-11, Psalm 110, Hebrews 4

The Compassionate Savior

Today's verse is Hebrews 2:18
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Here is a Marvel and a Mystery, our Savior having had been tempted as we are, yet without sin, does not look upon us with contempt, but with compassion. Who of us has not heard stories, if not encountered someone that having experienced and overcome some failing having contempt for those that did not. Such is not our God and Savior. He knows all of our faults, and has experienced all of the temptations that we face, and succumbed to none of them, yet having Mastered the flesh, he gives us succor, even as we fail, and he invites us to come to him as we are tempted, both for forgiveness, and strength to overcome through him. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 38-40, Hebrews 1
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Leviticus 4-7 Hebrews 3

A Look At Jesus Christ

Today's verse is Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

We have here a description of Jesus Christ and this description says five things about our Savior. The first two show the relationship he has to the Father, and that they are inseparable, and almost indistinguishable one from the other. The third tells us that all things that are, are sustained by him, as a continuous work,  of which he does not rest, nor does he grow weary of (learned from other texts.) The Fourth, the Glorious fourth, by him we have redemption, a clearing of our sins, even a full removal of our sins, by him our sins are gone, done away with: eradicated! And finally the fifth, He is now at rest, all of his work is finished (except the third) and he is in his place seated at the Fathers right hand. His work at our redemption is fully finished, there is nothing left for us to do, but to receive it, accept it, and rest in it. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 38-40, Hebrews 1
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Leviticus 1-3, Psalm 27, Hebrews 2

Being Content and Giving

Today's verse is Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 

In the passages I read today, two related themes were present. The first is contentment; being content with where we are at today, resting upon the grace of our Heavenly Father, whether we have all that we need or not. For we always have him, and we know that he always knows what we need. In the past I have found that at times he will magnify one need or another, to show us that it is in him that that need can and should be met. The second theme is that of Giving, giving not of what we do not have, but giving willingly of that which God has provided us. The giving described in the passages read today, was and is a willing offering made of the abundance God has given us (yea even in times of apparent need) knowing that all that we have has been provided by God’s abundant grace. So let us give freely of what God has given us, knowing that any lack we have today, God will provide at the right time according to his wisdom and grace. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 35-37, Psalm 26, Philippians 4
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Exodus 38-40, Hebrews 1

The Jealous God

Today's verse is Exodus 34:14
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

Jealousy, is often thought in and of itself as a sin, yet God cannot sin; therefore, jealousy is not of itself a sin. Yet, when jealousy is present, sin can often be found. Jealousy can be described as a lack of trust, either because infidelity is displayed, or perceived. So as we give that which belongs to God to another, that sin is ours, and we provoke the Wrath of God. Yet, he knows us, He knows our frail will. He knows how easily we can be deceived, and yet he loves us, and provides for us a way to return. So has your focus shifted subtly from God? Turn again to him, focus once again on him, and set all other to their proper place, and as he has promised in other places, he will receive you again unto himself. Amen

To God be the Glory
Scott  

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 32-34, Philippians 3
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Exodus 35-37, Psalm 26, Philippians 4

The Mind of Christ

Today's verse is Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

As one reads Philippians, this verse, I believe, should be central toward understanding what we are reading, as well as what our goal in life ought to be: To think as Christ thinks. What is the mind of Christ one might ask? Consider the context, just before we are advised, commanded even to place the needs of others above our own, and in the following verses we are shown how and to what extend Jesus had done that very thing. Now this is not something we can do of ourselves, but we must trust God, and we must allow him to enable us to do this thing. Consider Jesus, the Son of God, Yea God himself, did not do what he did by his own strength, but by the power of the Spirit that dwells within him, and so he teaches by his own example to wholly rely upon God to work through us as we seek to do his will. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 28-31, Philippians 2
Monday’s reading will be: Exodus 32-34, Philippians 3

Time

Today's verse is Psalm 90:4
     For a thousand years in thy sight
      Are but as yesterday when it is past,
      And as a watch in the night.

In this Psalm is a contrast, How God is Eternal and is not constrained by time in any way, almost as if it had no meaning to him (He did created it, and for a purpose) and us who are finite, and time constrains all that we do and are and the limited amount of it we are allotted. We cannot understand God’s view of time, but he can understand ours, with him all has already happened, while with us we only see our current slice, being able to remember what has happened before. So let us not fret, for we are in the hands of the one who is Eternal, but spend our time wisely, remembering the promises he has made us, knowing that in the process of due time according to God’s plan it shall happen as God has said. Amen.

To God Be The Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 25-27, Psalm 90, Philippians 1
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Exodus 28-31, Philippians 2

A Glimpse of God

Today's verse is Exodus 24:10
And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.

Another verse that I have not noticed before. . . We have here Moses and the leaders of Israel getting a glimpse of God. Now, one would think that once this has happened, that such people would be less likely to stray, yet just forty days after this event, Aaron who participated, having seen God and a portion of his grandeur (consider the description) then made an Idol in the form of a bull which has no part in the description here given to us. Let us, therefore, fear, for as we seek God, he will show himself to us, but that sight is so . . . that we find ourselves looking for a way of turning away. Our God knows this, and has given us his Spirit that we might have his help at such times, so if this is where you find yourself, do not delay, turn back to him that loves you, and as you decide instead to trust Him, he shall give you strength to stand in his presence. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 22-24, Psalm 109, Ephesians 6
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Exodus 25-27, Psalm 90, Philippians 1

The Vanity Of Evil

Today's verse is Psalm 33:10-11
     The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought:
      He maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
     The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever,
      The thoughts of his heart to all generations

In this world, we see wickedness flourish and evil abounds, yet we can be assured that our God shall overcome and as promised here, that all of their machinations will come to nought. Consider what Paul said to the Ephesians, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” This warning is based upon the promises listed above. Whatever conditions may currently persist, The Lord God Of Heaven and Earth that created all that are therein will bring about his will. Again, consider the Cross; Evil fully had its way, for all the world killed God that day, yet three days later, Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and any that come to him is accepted of him and redeemed from that same wickedness. Such is our God, and such is Worthy to be served. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan:  Exodus 19-21, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Exodus 22-24, Psalm 109, Ephesians 6

The Vocation Of Your Calling

Today's verse is Ephesians 4:1
           I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

There are a couple of things in this one verse that could be brought forth to consider, see if you can Identify the other. We all that have received Jesus Christ are a part of the body of Christ, and as a member of the body, we all have a role to play, and that role enables the purpose of the Church to be fulfilled as it resides here upon Earth. Whatever it is that God has called each individual to do works with what his neighbor in the Church does that more and more people might hear of the Name and Work of Jesus Christ, that they might know, and make their choice for redemption or damnation, just as we made ours. So know that what God has called you do to, is of no less value than what God has called me to do, nor vice-a-versa, but know also that you cannot thwart God’s plan for you, but you can lose reward, so do what God has set before you with all of your might. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Exodus 16-18, Ephesians 4
Tomorrow’s reading will be: Exodus 19-21, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5