What Is Man?

 

Today's verse is Hebrews 2:6

But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

And in another place, it is said, “Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.” None of us, great or small, can claim by our own merits that God owes us ought. It is truly a mystery, that God works in this world to bring any unto salvation, even to reaching to those that would be considered the worst, being willing to patiently woo one till that one turns to him. Then once he has gained such a one, he tends that one, guiding him [or her] in the path that that one needs best to grow, and using that one in that growth to also affect others, to the best advantage to all involved, except those that have rejected him. All to his Glory. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis Genesis 40:1-41:37, Hebrews 1:1-2:18, Ecclesiastes 9:11-18

Monday’s Reading plan is Genesis 41:38-42:28, Hebrews 3:1-5:10, Ecclesiastes 10:1-9

All Works Together For Good

 

Today's verse is Genesis 38:26

And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

There is no doubt that Judah had sinned, and not just once in the recount of the events leading to this confession. And I know that some have claimed that Tamar has also sinned. Yet, I believe Tamar acted by faith. She having been in the family of Israel, Judah’s father, heard of the promise of the Most High God, and she wanted to be a part of this promise. Whether her actions were right or wrong, They appear wrong, but her motives as Judah testifies, were righteous, God is the judge. But as we later learn, God honors faith, and we are told by Paul, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” I fully believe this is a case in point, for it is by Judah, through Tamar, that the line of Christ proceeds. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 38:1-39:23, Matthew 27:32-28:20, Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 40:1-41:37, Hebrews 1:1-2:18, Ecclesiastes 9:11-18

Jesus' Response To Our Sin

 

Today's verse is Matthew 26:75

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Even those of us who have accepted the gift of God through Jesus Christ sin--This is not license for consider what John wrote: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: . . .” We are ever to strive against sin, even unto blood, but when we sin, even such as Peter did as he denied his Savior, who I am sure he would count this among the greatest of his sins, we still have an advocate with the father. Jesus knew Peter, just as he knows us, telling Peter what he would do, he knows you, and what you shall do tomorrow, and he loves you just the same, and died for you just the same. So confess your sin, and he is faithful and just to forgive your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness, just as John also said. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 37:1-36, Matthew 26:57-27:31, Ecclesiastes 9:1-6

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 38:1-39:23, Matthew 27:32-28:20, Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

Choosing God's Purpose

 

Today's verse is Matthew 26:54

But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Jesus had the power not to go to the Cross, but so that the story of redemption might be complete, he submitted, not to those about him, though that is how it appeared, but rather to the will of his Father, who desired that we might have a way to come to him. There are two major stories intertwined in scripture. That of redemption, and that of judgment, and that it is your choice, of which, you will partake. If you choose Jesus Christ, your story will be one of Redemption, though from time to time as you forget your Savior you will taste of Chastisement, that is corrective Judgment. But, if you reject Christ, your story will be of judgment, though out of the mercy of God, it may be delayed till the end, that you might repent instead. Jesus, as God, chose you, and suffered your punishment. Will you chose him, and receive his inheritance? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 35:16-36:43, Matthew 26:14-56, Ecclesiastes 8:10-17

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 37:1-36, Matthew 26:57-27:31, Ecclesiastes 9:1-6

How To Interact With Others

 

Today's verse is Matthew 25:40,45

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

. . .

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Consider also, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Our God has made us to worship him, and him alone, but he has also made us to interact one with another, and we are to do so, as if they are God’s emissaries. What we do, or don’t do, God sees, and God rewards, (he also sees our motives, so don’t go about seeking “brownie points.”) When another wrongs us, have we not also wronged God? Seek God’s wisdom, and search his Word, has he not told us how to respond in such cases? Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 34:1-35:15, Matthew 25:14-26, Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 35:16-36:43, Matthew 26:14-56, Ecclesiastes 8:10-17

None Of God's Word Shall Fail

 

Today's verse is Genesis 32:12

And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. 

When faced with circumstances that seemed contrary to the promises God had made him, Jacob repeated those promises back to the God he choose to trust. And as he trusted in his God, God worked, and what Jacob feared most did not happen. Consider what Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” And consider also its context, even some of the things that have happened this last year, and know that what God had promised, none of it shall fail to come true, even if some of it may seem to be contrary one to another. So watch, be faithful, and keep his commandments, tell others of his wonderful works, and we shall see, as all of his Word is fulfilled. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 32:1-33:20, Matthew 24:29-25:13, Ecclesiastes 7:22-29

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 34:1-35:15, Matthew 25:14-26, Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

In Prosperity, Or Adversity, Remain Faithful.

 

Today's verse is Ecclesiastes 7:14

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

We indeed have reason to rejoice when all is well, but what ought we to do when trouble arises? Consider and know, that God is still God. The one that gave blessings before has not changed, and he never forsakes those that are his. So whatever the trouble may be, seek his face, trust him whatever may be, and whether you be as Job, or Lazarus you will be rewarded for your faithfulness. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 31:1-55, Matthew 23:37-24:28, Ecclesiastes 7:13-21

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 32:1-33:20, Matthew 24:29-25:13, Ecclesiastes 7:22-29

The Greatest Commandment

 

Today's verse is Matthew 22:37-38

     Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

     This is the first and great commandment. 

First a trick question: Which of the ten commandment is this commandment? The answer, none of them, it is upon this commandment, and the second greatest commandment that all of the ten commandments are derived from. But, let us look at this commandment, What is Jesus saying here? What does it mean to love the Lord thy God will all of thy heart? or with all of thy soul? and with all of thy mind? From the heart comes all of our desires, so we are to desire God above all. The soul, represents our volition or will, we are to choose to love God above all else. And, finally, the mind, representing our ability to reason, We are to seek to understand, we are to seek truth, God does not expect nor desire us to have some blind faith, but to trust him based upon his character, knowing he cannot lie, and has given us many precious promises that he will not break, we are to seek the evidence of his Word, and the natural world about us, seeing his working hand in these things. To sum up we are to love God with all of our being, whatever the cost, with nothing in reserve. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 30:1-43, Matthew 22:23-23:36, Ecclesiastes 7:6-12

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 30:1-43, Matthew 22:23-23:36, Ecclesiastes 7:6-12

The Real Source Of Contentment

 

Today's verse is Genesis 29:35

And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

The truth found here is subtle, Leah had been seeking fulfillment from her husband Jacob, (not an unreasonable expectation.) Yet here, not having found it, instead of accusing God, asking God why he had not made her husband love her, even as she had given him many sons, she now turns her focus on the Creator of all, and gives him his due. God honors her for this, for it is through Judah, that David is born, and as most of us all know, It is through David that Jesus came. Let us remember, that while God gives us relationships here on Earth, and often provides much fulfillment through them, it is our relationship with him that enables us, for he is our sufficiency, and those that he brings into our lives is so that he can show them his love through us. Selah [Think on this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 28:1-29:35, Matthew 21:23-22:22, Ecclesiastes 7:1-5

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 30:1-43, Matthew 22:23-23:36, Ecclesiastes 7:6-12

Why Jesus Came The First Time

 

Today's verse is Matthew 20:28

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

When Jesus came the first time, he did not come as the Master of all, that he is. Instead, he came to minister to mankind’s greatest need. Many have complained asking, “Why doesn’t God do something about all the evil in the world?” In this verse we see that he has, he has provided an escape to the final judgment to all that will receive it. When he died upon the Cross, he took all of our sins, and he paid the price God demands for each and every one of them, so that none of us need to pay any more for the wickedness that we do. All we need do, is accept this gift, and he will enable us to live a victorious life for him. But if we reject this gift, the evil that we currently see about us, is but the first installment of the judgment God will bring upon this God rejecting world. So chose ye today, which path you will follow, your own lusts, unto destruction, or will you follow your Savior, unto everlasting life? Selah [think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 27:1-46, Matthew 20:17-21:22, Ecclesiastes 6:5-12

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 28:1-29:35, Matthew 21:23-22:22, Ecclesiastes 7:1-5

God Reimburses

 

Today's verse is Matthew 19:29

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

David had said, “Is there not a cause?” As we follow our Savior, this cause may require of us to forsake various things, even things that by our customs may even be anathema for one to forsake, some of which may even have some biblical foundation, yet God requires that we must put him first above all, even to the putting everything else aside if need be. Nothing, absolutely nothing is to be counted more important than him. Yet, if we do this, He is faithful, none have given to God, that God has not repaid, and here we have a promise, that whatever it has cost us, whatever we have forsaken for him, shall be repaid us, by him, whether in this life or the next. So let us not waver, let us determine to follow him no matter the cost. He has died for us, and risen again, can we not live for him, even if it costs us our lives? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 26:1-35, Matthew 19:1-20:16, Ecclesiastes 6:1-4

Monday’s Reading plan is Genesis 27:1-46, Matthew 20:17-21:22, Ecclesiastes 6:5-12

What God Does Not Want For You.

 

Todays verse is Matthew 18:14

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

A man (or a woman) that thinks that they do not deserve God’s grace, nor God’s mercy is actually just realizing the truth. There is not a one of us that can say, “I am righteous, therefore I deserve to enter Heaven, into the very presence of God.” All of us come short, that is, before the eyes of God, all of us are guilty. But God loves his creation, and, has he knew we would rebel, even before we did, he prepared a plan to redeem all that would accept his gift, and came himself, and took our guilt upon himself, and paid with his own blood for our sins. So if we enter into Hell, it is not solely because we deserved it, but because we refused the gift he has offered. What is your choice? The gift, or what you deserve? As for me I choose Jesus Christ, The Gift. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 25:1-34, Matthew 18:1-35, Ecclesiastes 5:12-20

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 26:1-35, Matthew 19:1-20:16, Ecclesiastes 6:1-4

Blessed In All Things

Today's verse is Genesis 24:1

And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

“. . . and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.” Many would read this, and would only focus on the fact that Abraham was rich. While this is true, confirmed later in the text, one must consider, this was written immediately after Abraham buried Sarah. What good is it to those who have lost a loved one to have great riches? Consider the words of the Preacher, “When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?” Material wealth is empty, or only a vanity, they do not satisfy. But God had blessed Abraham in all things, such that we can be confident that Abraham was somehow comforted by God concerning the death of his beloved wife, Sarah. Have you suffered a loss, even a great loss? Turn to the one that proved his love for you when he died upon the Cross, even to the saving of your soul, and in him you will find sufficient for your need. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 24:1-67, Matthew 16:1-17:27, Ecclesiastes 5:8-11

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 25:1-34, Matthew 18:1-35, Ecclesiastes 5:12-20

What Are You Worshiping?

 

Today's verse is Genesis 22:16

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

As children of Adam and Eve, we have a tendency to focus on, even worship anything other than God himself, even if we have purposed in our hearts to be his devoted followers. God had made Abraham a promise, which is reconfirmed after this verse, yet, when God commanded of him to sacrifice his son, his beloved son, the son that was to be the fulfillment of God’s promise, Abraham did not hesitate through he probably did not understand, he did not hesitate to obey God. The one that created heaven and earth was more important to him then what God had promised, yet he counted God as faithful to his promise, even as he prepared to sacrifice his son the object of the promise. He showed himself, as well as us, that he worshiped and followed God his creator over everything else. Who or what do you worship? Who or what is your focus? Is it what God has you doing? Something else entirely? Or is it God, the one that made you, the one that offers you Salvation from your sin? Selah [Think on this] and choose to Worship and Follow God alone. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 21:33-23:20, Matthew 15:1-39, Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 24:1-67, Matthew 16:1-17:27, Ecclesiastes 5:8-11

What Is Your Focus?

 

Today's verse is Matthew 14:30

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

What are you focusing on? Are you looking to God, who is the author and finisher of your Salvation? Or are you focused upon the events around you? Peter, stepped out of the boat, focused upon Jesus, his mentor, and Savior, Yea his God, and he walked on the water. Then seeing the turmoil around him, he lost sight of Jesus, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and was caught up in the impossibility of what he was doing, and sank. It has been written, we walk not by sight, but by faith, and in this account we see the result of each. Let us learn from this, and fret not on the things that seem contrary to the promises of God about us, and focus instead upon the God of the promise, who has ever kept every promise he has made, and know that he will continue to keep all of his promises. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s Reading is Genesis 19:30-21:21, Matthew 13:44-14:36, Ecclesiastes 4:8-16

Tomorrow’s Reading plan is Genesis 21:33-23:20, Matthew 15:1-39, Ecclesiastes 5:1-7