Prospering

 

Today's verse is 2 Chronicles 31:21

And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

As Hezekiah did, so also should we, and if we do, as Hezekiah prospered so also will we. Now consider, David prospered, but he had many troubles, yet he prospered in them, and around them. Our God is able to lift up one in a day, yea even in a moment. However, normally he takes the long view. For consider also Joseph; he was faithful to God throughout, and God was faithful to him, yet he spent thirteen years as a slave and most of them in prison and until (and beyond) the day Pharoah lifted him up, God was with him, and he prospered. So serve the Lord your God and be patient (wait on God) and as he had with Joseph, David and Hezekiah (and many others) he will do with you and you shall prosper. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is 2 Chronicles 29-31, 1 Corinthians 8

Tomorrow's Reading will be 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, Psalm 67, 1 Corinthians 9

The Faithful End Of God's People

 
Today's verse is Psalm 66:12

     Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads;

      We went through fire and through water:

      But thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

As Servants of the Most High God, we shall often find ourselves in trials and tribulations, often because of our own disobedience, but not always, but always so that God’s Name might be known. For we live in a world of evil, and sinful men and women, who know not God, nor care for his ways, but they see the blessings God gives to his people and they become envious and try and take that which is not theirs. Yet God watches over those that are faithful to him, and though he may allow for a time troubles, he always delivers his own, and sets them up once again to the place of blessings. Indeed, “into a wealthy place.” Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is 2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 17, Psalm 66, 1 Corinthians 7

Monday's Reading will be 2 Chronicles 29-31, 1 Corinthians 8

Defrauded!

 

Today's verse is 1 Corinthians 6:7

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

Who is there that relishes being defrauded? I dare say, not a one of us. Yet the very end of this verse dares to suggest, yea, rather, commands that when dealing with our brother or sister in Christ, that we allow them to defraud us, than to allow the Name of Christ suffer. In another place we are asked, “What do you have that you have not received?” All that we may think is ours is not, but it has been given into our care by God, and if one steals from us, it is not from us he steals, but from God! Can we not then, follow his direction, yea his command, knowing that both that he can restore us, and them. Even if needs be he needs to chasten them for a time? Yea, do not we know that he always chastens his own? So, have you been defrauded by a brother, think nothing of it, for you know God knows your suffering, and has given you what you ought to do. Do that, and pray for those that have transgressed, and watch with amazement and fear as God deals with his own. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 33-35, 1 Corinthians 6

Tomorrow's Reading will be 2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 17, Psalm 66, 1 Corinthians 7

Blessings Rejected

Today's verse is Isaiah 30:1

     Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD,

      That take counsel, but not of me;

      And that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit,

      That they may add sin to sin:

In this verse we see judgment that will come because the blessings were rejected. Consider for a moment, a fictional character that is representative of many, and a true testimony of One. The fictional character is Lex Luther in the Movie “Batman vs. Superman” for he complains that because God did not save him from his father’s abuse that God could not be both all powerful and all Good. Yet Bart Milliard truly having the same testimony, but because he took counsel of God, and found a covering of God’s Spirit gave us a powerful song “I Can Only Imagine.” So, are you blaming something on God? Which way will you go? Will you give God the Glory, or will you be unthankful? The choice truly is yours, but for me I will choose Life through Jesus, and see what he will do, rather than death, judgment and turmoil. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 30-32, 1 Corinthians 5

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 33-35, 1 Corinthians 6

To Desire God

Today's verse is Isaiah 26:9

     With my soul have I desired thee in the night;

      Yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early:

      For when thy judgments are in the earth,

      The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Here we have an example and a motive. The example is one that is consumed with his God, such that he starts each day, as he had ended the one before, seeking the Most High God, and having apparently finding him, is filled with the desire to have others respond to God as he had. Since our God is worthy of all that we are, let us also start our day seeking his influence upon us, and as he is found in us, others will be forced to decide whether they will also seek him, or that they will reject him, but regardless, as God’s judgment is made known, righteousness will prevail. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 26-29, Psalm 65, 1 Corinthians 4

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 30-32, 1 Corinthians 5

Labouring Together

 

Today's verse is 1 Corinthians 3:7-8

     So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 

    Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 

Some very important things to understand here. First, You and I are as NOTHING, all that we have and are, are of God. All that we do of any worth, is of God. I am not greater than you, nor are you greater than me, whatever respective positions we may each have, (though we must honor such positions.) Now having said all of that. All that we allow God to do through us, we will not be unrewarded, as we are faithful to him, he will be faithful to us, and as we submit to him, he will lift us up. Let us, therefore, not be jealous one for another, for we each have our place, we each have our own gifts, according to God’s purpose for each of us. And we each have the same potential for reward, and we are all just as prone to lose it. So let us give him the Glory, for it is already his. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 23-25, 1 Corinthians 3

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 26-29, Psalm 65, 1 Corinthians 4

The Only Way To Understanding

 

Today's verse is 1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

It is by God’s Spirit that we are able to understand that Jesus Christ died upon the Cross for us. It is by God’s Spirit that understanding this we accept what Jesus Christ has done for us bringing us into the Family of God. Once this has happened we receive this same Spirit, and it is by him that we understand what God says in his Word. He opens our understanding to this verse here, and that verse there; to that passage over there, or to the whole book. What he revels to one, he may hide from others, and have that one teach it. He hides some till the time is right for understanding. And he hides some because we are not currently willing to know that truth. So, first, let us determine that we want to know the truth, whatever it may be, and be open for its teaching; having done this then, let us not fret over the things we do not understand, but rather, quickly surrender and apply those things that we do. And doing this, he will revel more to us as we read and study his Word, all according to his purpose. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 20-22, 1 Corinthians 2
Monday's Reading will be Isaiah 23-25, 1 Corinthians 3

The Foolishness Of Preaching

 

Today's verse is 1 Corinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

If I understood right, late last month I heard another Christian claim that preaching was a Greek convention. Yet, here preaching is as foolishness to the Greek. What is preaching? It is the proclaiming the Word of God, “This is what God says, What are you going to do about it?” I have heard others complain, and state that they did not like going to church to listen to another yell at them [and tell them they are wrong.] That last was not openly stated. Yet, to the Christian striving to follow his Savior, he knows he needs the correction on a regular basis, and the best sermon is the one that “Gets up in his kitchen,” or “Steps on his toes.” That is to say, “This is where you are wrong. . . Correct it!” So, because of this verse, I will relish preaching, and count it as my “bread and butter.” What of you? Selah. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 17-19, Psalm 62, 1 Corinthians 1

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 20-22, 1 Corinthians 2

The Enemies

 Today's verse is Isaiah 14:14,15

     I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

     Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Of those that follow the Most High, there are three enemies, the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. In this passage we see his pride and eventual fall. Some would say that he is our Greatest Enemy, thus the order already mentioned, but we are to resist him, but the flesh, that we are to flee from, or not give place to. That is, not to provide it with whatever would make it easier to succumb to its temptations. This above all is where we all stumble. The Devil, whispers in our ear, “You really want to do it,” and “Its not your fault.” While the World shouts, “Everybody does it!” But it is the Flesh, our own bodies which draws us away, by our own lust. The answer to all of this is to reckon our own bodies crucified with Christ, that is dead to sin, but alive unto God, for when we accepted Jesus as our Savior, sin no longer as the power over us as it once did, through him we now have to power to say no, as we surrender, not to the world, but unto God and his Word, and he will destroy the Devil. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 14-16, Matthew 28

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 17-19, Psalm 62, 1 Corinthians 1

Pie In The Sky!

 

Today's verse is Isaiah 11:9 

     They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain:

      For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD,

      As the waters cover the sea

As we walk with God amidst all the troubles and trails of this life we need to keep our eyes fixed upon the promises that he has given us, of the place he is preparing for all them that follow him. While we do not know of it all (the half has not been told) we know enough, and we know the one that is preparing it for us. We know what he as already done for us, we know that he walks with us today, and we know a portion of the plans he has for us tomorrow. So let us seek that city, and look forward to the reward that we have in him, and let these things enable us to endure the dangers we face today. All to his Honor and Glory. Amen

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 7-10, Psalm 22, Matthew 26

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 11-13, Psalm 118, Matthew 27

Which Judgment Do You Choose?

Today's verse is Isaiah 9:13

     For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them,

      Neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.

Paul had said in Romans, “[T]he goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance[.]” So, today as you look to the left and you see pestilence, and on the right you see strife, all of which God takes credit, though it may come by our own hand, for today we truly are smitten of God. Yet there was another that was smitten of God for us, even this Jesus, who suffered the cross for us, that we need not suffer God’s wrath. Even today, if we look diligently we can see some of this goodness that can lead us to repentance. Find it, and see the Jesus, Yea even the God that loves you, and look to him to deliver you. Trust him, and follow whatever path he has for you, whatever the cost, for it will not be in vain. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 7-10, Psalm 22, Matthew 26

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 11-13, Psalm 118, Matthew 27

Who Is Jesus Christ?

 

Today's verse is Micah 5:2

But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

We see here the prophecy which tells us where Jesus Christ is to be born, and in it, it tells us something about him that no man, nor angel can claim. There is none created that can claim that they have always been. For all of creation has a point in which they have had their beginning, but not this one, not the one that died for us, for we have testimony here from God himself that this King of Judah has always been, not just from the beginning but from before. This in none other than God himself, God the Son, The Word, the way by which God discovers himself to man. So after we humble ourselves before him, let us learn of him, know him, and even emulate him by letting him live through us to his Honor and Glory. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Micah 5-7, Matthew 25

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 7-10, Psalm 22, Matthew 26

The Beginning of Sorrows?

 

Today's verse is Matthew 24:7
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Ever since I heard this verse for the first time and had any semblance of understanding, I had looked for a day such as is happening right now, in which, the whole world has been affected by the threat of infection, equating infection with sure death. Yet for this time, this is not so, but as this has happened, whether out of time, or as a part of this verse, whether sooner or later there will be a disease or diseases that will cause a full quarter of the Earth to die, to make plain 1 of 4 people. But whether now, or even then, all hope is not lost, because we have a God that loves his creation, and as Isaiah has been known to say, “His hand is stretched out still.” And as Obadiah said, “The kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” So look up as you see these things, and know that the God of Creation Loves you and has paid the price for your redemption, Trust in him, rest in his love for you, even unto death, and he will bring you through to stand before him. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Micah 1-4, Psalm 10, Matthew 24

Tomorrow's Reading will be Micah 5-7, Matthew 25

Do As I Say. . .

Today's verse is Matthew 23:3
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

You I am fairly sure have heard, “Do as I say, and not as I do.” As we can see here in this passage, that Jesus testifies that this is actually wise counsel, for there is not a one of us that is truly capable of living so that the Most Righteous God is pleased with us by our own merits. So as you seek to live for God, do all that they demand, save for those things that are contrary to God’s commands (being willing to suffer the consequences for such,) but throughout all of such, keep your eyes, and your trust on the one who loves you, saved you, and be not dismayed when he brings his judgment down upon them. Rejoice not in their destruction, but Rejoice in him who has redeemed you from their fate. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 4-6, Matthew 23

Tomorrow's Reading will be Micah 1-4, Psalm 10, Matthew 24

The Enduring God

Today's verse is Psalm 9:7-8

     But the LORD shall endure for ever:

      He hath prepared his throne for judgment.

     And he shall judge the world in righteousness,

      He shall minister judgment to the people min uprightness.

Who, being honest with themselves, cannot admit that they world today is full of wickedness? Because of this, How often is it said, “There is no God!” Or, “God is dead!” Yet, in this passage we are told the truth. God is God and he will endure for ever. The wickedness we see shall be dwelt with, (in fact it is in part judgment upon us for our sins, the natural outcome or our denial of God,) but there is coming a day (it is always darkest before the dawn) which the God that created the Heaven and the Earth and all that in them is, where God himself will rule openly over the affairs of men, and righteousness will prevail in that day, and all will display and see the love of God with their neighbor. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 1-3, Psalm 9, Matthew 22

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 4-6, Matthew 23

The Wrong Fear

Today's verse is Matthew 21:44, 45
And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Such is the plight of those that know not God, that when they hear, yea, and even understand that they will be judged, they fear not the one that will judge them, but those that only have power of the mob. Here is the choice, Fear God, learn to trust him in all things, starting with the forgiveness of your sin, Indeed you will be broken, but you will survive to stand before him, as one of his own. Or, you can fear having your sin made known in this world, never considering the consequence for the next, only to find that you have no recourse when you face the judge, and are found wanting. I know my choice, what is yours? Selah [Think on this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is 2 Kings 15-16, Matthew 21

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 1-3, Psalm 9, Matthew 22

Knowing Our Place

Today's verse is 2 Chronicles 26:16

But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” And so king Uzziah followed his heart instead of the Word of the Lord and transgressed greatly. We can learn from this, from this we can learn to examine ourselves, and our motives. We can learn that when we are lifted up in our own eyes, as well as the eyes of others, that there is still someone that has authority over us. In this case, Uzziah had no authority over the instruments and manner of worship, yet in his pride, he transgressed. Paul tells us in Romans “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” So let us take heed, examine ourselves, know the place which our God has assigned us, and act according to his purpose for us. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Hosea 14, 2 Chronicles 26-27, Psalm 61, Matthew 20

Monday's Reading will be 2 Kings 15-16, Matthew 21

The Unseen Healing Hand of God

Today's verse is Hosea 11:3

     I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms;

      But they knew not that I healed them.

As we go about doing this thing or that, often we have no concept of what God is doing in our lives, and many of us are blind even to those events and how they molded us to glorify him, as others seeing similar things in their own lives, see how God intervened, and showed them his Majesty and Care for them. What should we do, that we might see what God has done for us? Hosea in the very next chapter gives the answer: “Therefore turn thou to thy God:/ Keep mercy and judgment,/ And wait on thy God continually.” Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Hosea 11-13, Matthew 19

Tomorrow's Reading will be Hosea 14, 2 Chronicles 26-27, Psalm 61, Matthew 20