The God Who Enables

 

Today's verse is Jeremiah 17:8

For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit

First of all, let us discover who “he” is, who is it that “shall be as a tree planted by the waters?” This is none other than the one whose “trust is in the Lord.” It is none other then the one “whose hope the Lord is.” If these things are true of you, then you know the truth of this verse. You will have seen even in the time that we are now in, that the Lord God sustains, even when we are in times of drought, as we are today. He gives the ability to produce, even when all about is desolation. He enables, and you become a testimony to those about you, of the greatness of Your God. Let us, therefore, take heart, and rejoice, for the Lord God loves his own, and keeps them safe in his sheltering arms, even as the world burns from his slightest displeasure. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Jeremiah 17-20, James 1

Tomorrow's Reading will be Jeremiah 22, 23, 26, Psalm 77, James 2

How Will You Know That God's Name Is "The Lord"

 

Today's verse is Jeremiah 16:21

Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD.

Mankind, knowing that there must be a God, for God himself has said that he has shown us the evidence that he is there, have rejected God, for one vain reason or another, and has set up other gods (which are no gods,) that allow them to fulfill their lusts as if it were worship to God. In the past, God has shown mercy, and he has shown judgment, yet we reject him. He has sent his Son, and by our rejection of Him, God has provided us a way to come to him, forgiven and accepted, and yet we reject him. There is coming a day, when God shall make himself fully known in his Wrath and Anger, and his Power will be unmatched. Which side will you be on, on that day? Will you be found with him? Or will you be found with the wicked, acknowledging him as God, but only to recognize that his judgment is truly just, and you being wicked still, deserve what you are receiving? This is always our choice, to choose him and forgiveness, or to get what we deserve. Selah [Think on this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Jeremiah 14-16, Psalm 76, 2 Corinthians 13

Tomorrow's Reading will be Jeremiah 17-20, James 1

What God Hopes To Do

 

Today's verse is Jeremiah 11:5

That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD. 

When all about is chaos, and righteousness is hard to find, still here is God’s desire, here is what God is pleading for anyone that will hear to do: To seek God, to obey his voice, to willingly to his will, and if we will repent, if we will turn to him, if we will strive by his Spirit to do his commandments, he will make our land fruitful and we shall see prosperity. But, if we do not all these things, as God’s favored People were removed from their land, as they lost all, so also will we. For God is not a respecter of persons as we are, he does not care for skin color or political preference, for all have sinned, and come short of his glory, and this nation which once stood for his name, as Israel did, will come to end unlike Israel, and will be found no more. The choice is ours, a blessing or a curse, Which will be yours. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Jeremiah 11-13, 2 Corinthians 12

Tomorrow's Reading will be Jeremiah 14-16, Psalm 76, 2 Corinthians 13

What Is Worthy Of Glory

 

Today's verse is Jeremiah 9:24

     But let him that glorieth glory in this,

      That he understandeth and knoweth me,

      That I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth:

      For in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Solomon, the wisest man to have ever lived, declared, “Vanities of vanities, all is vanity,” that is to say, if you know not the meaning of vanity: All is nothing, or empty. Of all the thing that this world has to offer, of all that can be acquired, which a man might lose himself to, none of it will last, all of it will vanish as a vapor. Yet, truly, there is One, even the One that created you, and all else that is, who truly is worthy of all that you might invest in him. He needs nothing from you, yet all that you give him, will return again to you, pressed down and added upon, even to overflowing. But, even more important than that, is to just know him, who he is, what he is capable of, and why he would do it. For example, How can such a terrifying God, whom none can stand in his presence, be considered Good, even All Good? It is in this: In him we can be forgiven. Selah [Think on this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Jeremiah 8-10, 2 Corinthians 11

Monday's Reading will be Jeremiah 11-13, 2 Corinthians 12

Please The One That Promotes

 

Today's verse is Psalm 75:6-7

     For promotion cometh neither from the east,

      Nor from the west, nor from the south.

     But God is the judge:

      He putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Whose approval above all others do you seek? Is it your spouse, your boss, your friends, or what of any or all of the people about you, whether you like them or not? What of the God in heaven, from which all that is good you have, and takes credit for all the evil you experience? Compared to God, what power hath any other, yea, God is able to use or move each of them to contribute to his purpose as he pleases. So, when it comes to whom we shall please, let us do all to please him who has the power to set up, or to tear down. After all it is the same one who took our place upon the cross that we need not suffer for our own sins. If we do this, he will exalt us, and set us up, and our desires will be satisfied. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Jeremiah 5-7, Psalm 75, 2 Corinthians 10

Tomorrow's Reading will be Jeremiah 8-10, 2 Corinthians 11

Being Rebuilt

 

Today's verse is Jeremiah 1:10

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

 This is the commission that God gave to Jeremiah, but what I want to focus on is that commission; the way that God works with his wayward children. God does not forsake those that have come to him, once you have accepted his gift, you are his, but we live in frail bodies of flesh, have ever our desire (not ours, but the corrupt flesh we live in) to leave the God we love. When we do so, God has set forth his design to bring us back. It is painful to be rooted out. It hurts, to be pulled down, not to mention being destroyed, and once again thrown down. But, as a new recruit in the army must face boot camp, to be remade into what the army needs, so also must the child of God, be remade into the image of his Son, so what a Joy it is when God having cleared the ground, builds and plants something Glorious, in his image. So, let us endure, and look forward for the Joy he has set before us, when we come shining forth in His Glory. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Jeremiah 1-4, Psalm 130, 2 Corinthians 9

Tomorrow's Reading will be Jeremiah 5-7, Psalm 75, 2 Corinthians 10

Proper Motivation For Giving

 

Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 8:5

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Some, when they give not because they love they Lord their God, but in an attempt to appease him, so that they can go about their own business having attempted, unsuccessfully, to clear their guilty conscience. But, here we see the proper motivation of giving, It is but an extension of one that has already fully given himself to the God that loves him, so he loves God in return. One who has done this holds nothing back, all that he has, is already counted as a resource for the purpose of fulfilling the purpose God has set for him. His focus is on God alone, and that which God has set before him, always remembering the God that gave his all, when he took his place upon the cross. Therefore all that he has, is God’s to use as God sees fit. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is Zephaniah 1-3, Psalm 74, 2 Corinthians 8
Tomorrow's Reading will be Jeremiah 1-4, Psalm 130, 2 Corinthians 9

What To Do With Troubling Questions

 

Today's verse is Habakkuk 2:1

     I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower,

    And will watch to see what he will say unto me,

    And what I shall answer †when I am reproved.

Here we see a man with a question that is troubling him greatly. Yet, here also we see a man that is confident that his God will answer his question, but does not know when the answer will come. Also, though he knows when the answer does come, he will be found in error, and repentance will be needed. Now, we know that he received his answer, it is recorded here, in the rest of the book by his name. Let us, therefore, learn from his example, do you also have a question that is troubling you? Know that God is willing to answer, so place your question to him, then as Habakkuk did, so do you; settle yourself, and watch, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, lean not unto thine own understanding. In all of thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.” Habakkuk, found strength and joy when he received his answer, by God’s promises you can too. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Habakkuk 1-3, 2 Corinthians 7

Tomorrow's Reading will be Zephaniah 1-3, Psalm 74, 2 Corinthians 8

Children Of God

 

Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 2:18

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

When it comes to a relationship with those that would believe in him, The Most High God, does not settle for a Master- Servant, relationship, nor does he settle for simple friendship, but by accepting his gift of salvation through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, and that he rose again from the dead, this same God of the Universe, adopts you as one of his own children, even make you an heir to all that he has, and if we are patient, and we display that same willingness to suffer for others as Christ did, we shall even be counted as Joint Heirs with him. So let us not despair, nor be discouraged, when trouble comes, but look to the same one who died for us, seek his will, be patient, for our God does not forget his own, and has he has exalted his Son, so also will he Exalt all who bares his Name. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is 2 Chronicles 34-35, 2 Corinthians 6

Monday's Reading will be Habakkuk 1-3, 2 Corinthians 7

Walking By Faith

 

Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 5:7

   (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

As we walk with our God, as We walk with Jesus Christ, we will often find ourselves hoping for things that have no evidence that they shall come to pass, yet as we keep our focus on the God who loves us, we find that we are secure in him, the promises we have received from him, he reminds us that they are still valid, and that if we remain faithful to him we shall have ample reward to bring before him on judgment day, acceptable and pleasing to his sight. Selah [Think on this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is 2 Kings 22-23, Psalm 73, 2 Corinthians 5

Tomorrow's Reading will be 2 Chronicles 34-35, 2 Corinthians 6

A Refuge In The Storm

 Today's verse is Nahum 1:7

     The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble;

    And he knoweth them that trust in him.

 Amidst turmoil, wrath, judgment by destruction and darkness, lies this oasis of light and hope, now we can say, because of this that God cannot be all good, and all powerful, but again that is not the contrast. God is Terrible, yet he is Good, and in the midst of destruction, which he has caused for righteousness sake, He calls out for any that will hear, for any that will respond, for them to seek refuge in him, and all that will come and trust in him, he will grant safety in the storm that rages about them. So how do you wish to experience God’’s power? Will you stand against him and be destroyed, and utterly? Or, will you trust him with all, finding him a very safe place in the midst of destruction and turmoil. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Nahum 1-3, Psalm 149, 2 Corinthians 4

Tomorrow's Reading will be 2 Kings 22-23, Psalm 73, 2 Corinthians 5

Not Confused

 

Today's verse is Psalm 71:1

     In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust:

      Let me never be put to confusion.

In one place we are told, “lean not unto thine own understanding,” but in another, just a few verses away, we are admonished to seek understanding even more than any great riches. The author here in psalms is not asking never to be confused, but that the end result does not leave him in confusion, we can see this in the rest of the psalm. If we know that we are where God wants us, we can be confident that, even if we do not understand today, as we continue to seek him that is Holy, and place our trust and confidence in him, knowing that he is Good, and that he knows what he is doing, we shall come forth as gold, and we shall not be confused as before, but will understand all in due time. Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Today’s Reading is 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33, Psalm 71, 2 Corinthians 3
Tomorrow's Reading will be Nahum 1, Psalm 149, 2 Corinthians 4

The Future Contrasted by The Present

 

Today's verse is Isaiah 65:17

     For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth:

      And the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Today, I read two things which are a contrast, and seemly even possibly a contradiction, yet I fully trust both are true. The first, I have already shared above, speaks of the future, and all that we know and suffer today, shall be forgotten as a bad dream, yea, even a nightmare, our God shall cause us to forget it, for all that He is preparing for us even now. Yet, this other speaks of the present and what is possible today, whatever situation we may find ourselves in. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” In the last four years whatever else may have been happening, I have found this verse to be true, for by a large, even though I have stumbled, my focus has been upon my God and Savior, and at every turn I have seen one amazing thing after another. Yet all of this shall be forgotten, because of what God has for us on the other side. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 64-66, 2 Corinthians 2

Tomorrow's Reading will be 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33, Psalm 71, 2 Corinthians 3

Standing By Faith

 

Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 1:24

Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

I do not understand this first phrase, for only truth, and that found in God’s Word should have any control of or over your faith. Now, there is no greater Joy than faith that as been fulfilled. So what is this faith by which we stand? First of all it is not blind, It is based on the reliability of God’s Word, tested in the crucible of our trials. We know that the only thing equal to Faith is Hope, and that Charity, or Love is greater. Hope and Faith being different, are hard to distinguish one from the other, being so intertwined, and without faith, Love is impossible, for it is impossible to please God without faith. So, we stand, by knowing the Character of God, and acting upon it, that is choosing our path based upon what we know of God. Selah [Think on This.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 60-63, 2 Corinthians 1

Monday's Reading will be Isaiah 64-66, 2 Corinthians 2

Remember His Promises

 

Today's verse is Isaiah 56:3

     Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying,

      The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people:

      Neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

Here is a thing we do: Having heard of the wonderful promises of God, and for them we chose to follow him, yet once we are in his way, going about his business, or so we think, we forget those promises, and instead focus on our own lack. We get caught up in the current problem, in the current distress, and we forget just who it is that we serve. He is not limited by our meager abilities, he is not constrained by our handicaps. So care not for the problem before you, but instead, continue to seek the one who loves you, and do that which he has set before you, and as you daily seek his face, seeing him, not the difficulties before you, you will find yourself on the other side, and God shall be Glorified in your eyes and by all those around you. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 56-59,Psalm 70, 1 Corinthians 16

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 60-63, 2 Corinthians 1

No Vain Effort

 

Today's verse is I Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Here is a thing of Great Comfort: That what we do by the power of the Holy Spirit will always bare fruit. As God’s Word shall never return to him void, so also our labor in him. Yet, this is not the only promise, but if we fail him, and walk after our own lusts for a time, we know that all things work together for good. . . according to his purpose. Once we are made a child of God, through the blood of Christ, we can be confident that, that which we do for him will prosper, and will accomplish that which he has purposed, he will let Not One of our labors fall to the ground. Let us therefore, rejoice in the things he has set before us, whether it cause Joy or Sorrow, for we know by this promise that we shall reap Joy everlasting in due time. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 53-55, Psalm 128, 1 Corinthians 15

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 56-59,Psalm 70, 1 Corinthians 16

In The Dark

 

Today's verse is Isaiah 50:10

     Who is among you that feareth the LORD,

      That obeyeth the voice of his servant,

      That walketh in darkness, and hath no light?

      Let him trust in the name of the LORD,

      And stay upon his God.

To some, yea even many, probably even most, looking form the outside, and having only a passing knowledge of God and his promises, would think that what is described here cannot happen, God would not let such happen to one of his own. After all did not John say, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth[.]” I do not say, that I understand this, but I know it can happen because I have been there. Now that I think on it, having been there, there is no contradiction. But if you are there, or if you ever find yourself in such a place, pay close attention to that latter part of the verse. Do not despair, do not lose hope, but rather as it says, “Trust in the name of the Lord’, trust, trust, TRUST. “And stay upon his God.” Good word, “Stay.” Stay still. Stay linked to God. Stay connected. Stay patient. Stay or Wait. Stay hopeful. Just Stay. For your God will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Second person singular, on purpose to make very personal.) Selah [Think on this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 49-52, Psalm 69, 1 Corinthians 14

Tomorrow's Reading will be Isaiah 53-55, Psalm 128, 1 Corinthians 15