God's Perfect Economy

Today's verse is I Kings 4:25
And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon. 

As we look at Cain and Abel, we see that when it comes to a relationship with God, we do not come to him with the fruit of our own labors, for we are to come to him based not on what we did for him, but what he has done for us. However, here we see that when it comes to prosperity of God’s people, it is based upon the labor of each to supply their own need, by the gifts God has given them. We do not see, one laboring, and another reaping of the other’s labor, (which is rampant today.) It is not, "let us all have one purse," which is a lie, for the one saying such, just wants the right to take from you without actually providing to the common fund. So even today, take responsibility for your own welfare, knowing that your Father in heaven cares for you, and has given you the means to provide for your own table, and rejoice in him, and the gifts he has given you. Selah [think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is 1 Kings 4, Proverbs 1-2, Psalm 43, Romans 9
Tomorrow's Reading will be Proverbs 3-5, Romans 10

What God Thinks Of You

Today's verse is Romans 8:32
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Consider the Cross, Consider the price Jesus Christ paid when he laid down his life for you, not your neighbor (for he did that too) but you. Now, knowing the price he paid for you, what is there that could be greater than that, and as Paul asks here, what would he not be willing to do for you. As I was seeking to receive my savior this question was central to my thinking, never was God able, but always is God willing, to do this or that, especially in regards to Salvation. Here, However, is the answer: if it will help you or someone else to come to him or grow closer to him, he is willing. So seek him diligently, and ask what ye will and if it fits his purpose he will give it to you willingly. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is 1 Kings 3, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 42, Romans 8
Tomorrow's Reading will be 1 Kings 4, Proverbs 1-2, Psalm 43, Romans 9

The True Way of Success

Today's verse is 1 Kings 2:3
And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: 


One of the most basic truths of the bible is this: that if we obey God in all things, we will prosper. This story is told over and over again in scripture, how that those that trust in the Lord their God, time and again are delivered out of their troubles, and those that have sought the Lord have been promoted above their own wildest imaginations. Others, rejecting this truth, in promoting themselves, while seeming to have a short time of success, have come to very poor ends. Again, the Choice is yours, What will you choose: To seek God and his way and find true success, or your own, only to find yourself paying dearly for all you have obtained? Selah [Think about This.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is 1 Kings 2, 1 Chronicles 29, Romans 7
Tomorrow's Reading will be 1 Kings 3, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 42, Romans 8

The Most Important Choice

Today's verse is 1 Chronicles 28:9
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

A Great Promise, and a Dire Warning, serving as the basis for the most important decision one can make. To choose God, or to reject him. If you choose him, he will work in you, mold you, and make you into an image of Jesus Christ, righteous and holy in his Sight, but if you reject him, he will reject you, and allow you to wallow in your sin, cursed forever, and in confusion thinking you have a good thing even as it destroys you. The choice is fully yours and no one can make it for you, so what will you choose? Do not delay, even make your choice today, for refusing to choose is a choice, and one for the worse. Selah [Think on this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is I Kings 1, 1 Chronicles 26-28, Romans 6
Tomorrow's Reading will be 1 Kings 2, 1 Chronicles 29, Romans 7

God's "Invisible" Hand

Today's verse is Psalm 78:22
     Because they believed not in God,
      And trusted not in his salvation:

While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, leaving Egypt to go to the promise land, they had a problem; for all of the great wonders and works that God did in their sight, they still did not believe. The problem is, is that we are much like them, I know that in my life the last three years I have seen some marvelous and amazing things happen, yet not just in the last three years, for I can see that he had and has been working with and in me since and before the day I received Jesus Christ as my Savior. Are you able to say the same, and if not is it truly because he has done nothing for you? Or is it because you have refused to see what he has been doing? On this day of Memorial, consider not just those that gave their lives for the freedom we have in this country, but consider all that God has done for you, starting with his Son that took your place, when he died upon the Cross. Selah [think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is I Chronicles 22-25, Psalm 78, Romans 5
Tomorrow's Reading will be I Kings 1, 1 Chronicles 26-28, Romans 6

A Way Of Escape

Today's verse is 2 Samuel 24:3
And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing? 

Just before this, we see David, being moved, as the text explains, by God that cause might be had to judge Israel. Yet, caution comes from an unlikely source, Joab. We are told in Psalms that one is blessed that does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Yet, we see here that it is not the character of the person, but the context of the counsel, that we are to consider. Here, Joab gave godly counsel, were as in other places, without a doubt, his counsel had been ungodly. If David, had listened here, David, and thus Israel would have been saved from the trouble about to come upon them. So, whenever one gives you counsel, consider not the person that counsels, but the counsel given, and compare it with scripture, and if in agreement with it, take heed, for God is giving you an opportunity to escape his wrath to come. Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is 2 Samuel 24, I Chronicles 21, Romans 4
Monday's Reading will be I Chronicles 22-25, Psalm 78, Romans 5

From Patience, Experience

Today's verse is Psalm 18:2
     The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
      My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
      My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

In this verse we see the faith of a man near the end of his life. We see that he has seen God deliver him time and again, even from part of the consequences from his own sin, yea, later we see that God even used a part of the fruit of his sin to bring us all redemption. In Romans, Paul says that faith comes from the Word of God, and that patience begets experience. This is what we see in David here. So, let us learn from David, and follow the example his set for us as he trusted God, whatever life may have brought him. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott 

Today’s Reading is  2 Samuel 21-23, Psalm 18, Romans 3
Tomorrow's Reading will be 2 Samuel 24, I Chronicles 21, Romans 4

Trust God

Today's verse is Psalm 34:22
     The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants:
      And none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Whether all is going well with thee, or nothing seems to be going right, Trust him that made all things, and took your place when he received upon himself the judgment of God upon you. Knowing this, whatever may transpire, you can trust God, and in trusting him, you may know that whatever he may demand of you, He will not leave you empty, though he demand even your life. So, as David did, Trust in the Lord God, and see what he will do. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is  2 Samuel 18-20, Psalm 34, Romans 2
Tomorrow's Reading will be 2 Samuel 21-23, Psalm 18, Romans 3

What To Do When You Are On The Run

Today's verse is Psalm 63:1
     O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee:
      My soul thirsteth for thee,
      My flesh longeth for thee
      In a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

When all appears to be out of order, and nothing seems to be going right, do as David did here, whether it was Saul or Absalom, that was chasing him here. David sought God’s face, and he sought for God’s direction. Let us do the same, knowing that God loves all of those that he created, whether we love him back, but all that come to him, seeking to do his will, God will receive, and will bless according first to his purpose, then according to his goodness, and all that seek him will receive the best reward as they stand before him on the day of judgment. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is  2 Samuel 15-17, Psalm 3, 63, Romans 1
Tomorrow's Reading will be 2 Samuel 18-20, Psalm 34, Romans 2

The Purpose of Chance Evils Upon God's Children

Today's verse is Acts 28:3
And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 

A chance event, even an evil thing, to happen to Paul. Why do such things happen to God’s children? This thing happened for no other reason than that Paul should have a testimony among people that did not know him, that by his reaction, and the fact that he survived, might  have authority to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people of this Island. So as such things happens to you, think nothing of them, but Glorify God, and allow others to See Jesus Christ in you that they might have opportunity to see and hear the gospel, and having received it gain everlasting life such as we have. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is 2 Samuel 13-14, Acts 28
Tomorrow's Reading will be 2 Samuel 15-17, Psalm 3, 63, Romans 1

Disiplined, Not Punished

Today's verse is 2 Samuel 12:13
And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

David was confronted, judgment was passed, and David repented, therefore he was forgiven, but the consequences were mitigated only in that his life was spared. Now just like David if we sin, the God that loves us will chasten us, but the wondrous thing is, is that even all after all of this, it was through Bathsheba that God sent us his Son. So strive, by the power of the Spirit of God to sin not, but when you do sin (for our salvation is not yet complete, we will sin) quickly come to him, before he must rebuke you as he did David, that you do not compound sin upon sin. But know after all of the heartache that your God still loves you and will still accept you into Heaven spotless and clean through the Blood of the Lamb. Amen.

To God be the glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is 2 Samuel 11-12, I Chronicles 20, Psalm 51, 32, Acts 27
Monday's Reading will be 2 Samuel 13-14, Acts 28

A Time To Reflect

Today's verse is 2 Samuel 10:5
When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

It should be noted here, that at the time of David, Jericho was a ruin, it was a place in which God had displayed his wrath upon an ungodly people through his people, Israel. It was here that men that were misused and abused David had them tarry. And by having them tarry there Ammon’s Children could see and understand what David intended for them. David was telling these men that as God destroyed Jericho, so David by God’s Strength would also destroy Ammon. And as we read after, so he did. And God showed himself strong not only to these men, but to Israel, Ammon, and Syria. Have you as a child of God, been abused, or misused of the world? Know that God has not forgotten you, but will as promised avenge you, but, just perhaps, he might find a way, to bring those that did you wrong, just as he allowed us that did him wrong to repent, even using the abuse done to him to be the way we can come unto him. Selah [Think on this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is 2 Samuel 9-10, I Chronicles 18-19, Psalm 89, Acts 26
Tomorrow's Reading will be 2 Samuel 11-12, I Chronicles 20, Psalm 51, 32, Acts 27

God Has Great Things For His Servants

Today's verse is 2 Samuel 7:16
And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

Today we see David receiving from God concerning David’s house and that the Throne of David, that is to say that there will always be a descendant of David to rule Israel. This is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We also read today of the beginning of the final phase of Paul’s ministry, that Paul would testify of Jesus Christ before kings, even before Caesar. The thing is, God has not made such Grand promises just to David, nor just to Paul, but to all that name the name of Jesus Christ and that suffer with him for the sake of the lost. Consider; “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” This promise is made to each of us, if we but seek to follow him no matter the cost he might ask of us, considering only the price he paid for each of us, knowing that whatever he asks of us, we will not suffer in vain. So Today, will you choose Christ, and the task he has set before you? Even if he has not yet shown it to you? Selah [Think of this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is 2 Samuel 7-8, I Chronicles 17, Psalm 132, Acts 25
Tomorrow's Reading will be 2 Samuel 9-10, I Chronicles 18-19, Psalm 89, Acts 26

The Right Response To Judgment

Today's verse is I Chronicles 16:33
     Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD,
      Because he cometh to judge the earth

There are some that would not be willing to admit, that what we have seen in the last few months, is a judgment of the God that made the Heaven and Earth and all that is in them. Yet, as dire the consequences of the last few months may be, and still yet come upon us from it, nothing that has happened, or is yet to happen, in the coming days, can be compared to the judgments that God has brought upon Egypt just before the Exodus, or upon Israel before the Exile, nor upon the whole Earth as described in Revelation. So let us do as David here suggests, and follow the example  of the sea, the fields and the trees, and Give Glory to the God that made us, and is willing to receive us through the Judgment he placed upon his Son, instead of us. Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is I Chronicles 14-16, Acts 24
Tomorrow's Reading will be 2 Samuel 7-8, I Chronicles 17, Psalm 132, Acts 25

Doing It God's Way

Today's verse is 1 Chronicles 13:10 
 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

I took note of this verse and context from 2nd Samuel about two years ago, but the warning is the same, though you may know that God wants a thing done, be careful that you do it the way, he in his Word as commanded that it be done. Uzza, being the driver of the cart which the Ark was on, as we would do if we suddenly have to brake, put his hand out to steady it. But God had commanded that no one should touch the Ark, least the die, and Uzza touched the Ark and died. Many, are about to reenter life, or the marketplace, which has been denied us for awhile,  but as you do, remember the God of Heaven and Earth, and do not as before, but reenter with him as your focus,  and his Word as your guidebook. Selah, [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Always Ask God For Direction

Today's verse is 2 Samuel 5:19
And David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

This is a habit of David, to ask the Lord his God what he should do when a problem presented itself to him. We ought to do the same. We can be sure that many troubles will come our way, but if we start and continue this same habit that David had,  we would be sure that the greatest good, not only for ourselves,  but also for all those that we have influence, would prevail. The choice as always is yours, but the consequences, intended or not are God's. Selah [Think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Ways a Ministry Can Begin

Today's verse is Acts 21:27

And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, 

And so begins the last part of God's mission for Paul. When Paul first received his commission, it was said to him that he would deliver the gospel to the rulers of his day. Until this moment he had not accomplish this beyond local leaders such as the chief of a synagogue.  But, now he would be delivered before king's, and finally before Ceaser for judgment,  and for this purpose he would testify of Christ before them. So as with Paul,  you can be sure that whatever purpose God has for you, God will accomplish in you. However, as with Paul, the way may not be pleasant. If so, first and foremost,  trust your God, for he always knows the best way to accomplish his goals with the greatest outcome. 

To God be the Glory

Scott

Seeking God's Counsel?

Today's verse is I Samuel 30:8
And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. 

Finally, David seeks guidance from the God of Heaven. From being delivered from Saul, to serving the leader of the enemy of God’s people, to having all that he and his men had (including their families taken,) David did not seek counsel of God, but now, that all these things have transpired, he does, and God answers and blesses him. This is a contrast, for before the battle with the Philistines, Saul also sought God’s counsel, but God refused Saul, as Saul had often refused to obey the counsel God had already given. Saul, working according to the flesh, found Judgment, David, seeking God’s grace found Grace. Both had a battle before them, Saul lost, David Gained. Which are you? Are you seeking to please God out of your own resources? Or are you leaning upon God, knowing it is impossible to please him unless to come to him on God’s terms and not your own? The choice is yours, What will you do? Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 30-31, I Chronicles 10, Acts 20
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: 2 Samuel 1-2, I Chronicles 11, Psalm 96, 106, Acts 21

The Power of Knowing Christ

Today's verse is Acts 19:17
And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 

Men, Thinking that without knowing Jesus Christ, themselves, could in Christ’s name have influence over fallen angels found that such cared not for their commands, and such prevailed over them and sent them fleeing. There truly is power in the Name of Jesus Christ, yet what good does it do those that have not received him, nor his gift. It is not enough to know of Jesus, but one must embrace him, accept that precious gift provided for all that accept him, and if this is done, we will learn of God, but even better, God himself will declare that he knows us, and his protection will be upon us, so that nothing that he does not allow can touch us. Selah [Think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 28-29, I Chronicles 9, Acts 19
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 30-31, I Chronicles 10, Acts 20

God's Word, or Doubt

Today's verse is I Samuel 27:1
And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand. 

God had just delivered David out of Saul’s hand, yet David did not perceive this action as such, but rather, he focused not upon God, but Saul’s character. Was he right in this, would Saul have repented yet again and sought the life of David?  I do not know, but what I do know is that David acted upon his doubt, and because of that reaped even more trouble--even to his men wanting to  slay him, or before that, the possibility, that David and his men would have to fight against Israel themselves. Do you doubt the promise God has given you? forget not what he had already done. Consider David, God had delivered him out of Saul’s hand not twice, but at least five times. So Remember what God has promised, and what his purpose for you is (if you know it, if not remember that we are all called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ) and act not upon the doubt, but upon God’s Word, for the season you are in. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 26-27, I Chronicles 8, Acts 18
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 28-29, I Chronicles 9, Acts 19