Looking For That Blessed Hope

 

Today's verse is James 5:8

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 

    James has just finished speaking the judgment of God upon those that deal falsely and that defraud their neighbor, but to those that are redeemed, yea to those that love the way of God, he reminds to be patient, even as Peter tells us God is patient, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” But even so has not Paul warned, “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction[.]” So keep watch for that Blessed Hope, and fear not to warn, and remember to not fall in the trap of the wicked, to follow after their ways, for despite the scoffer’s doubts Jesus will return bringing Judgment and Justice, and will set up his Kingdom which will endure even through the final Judgment. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Jeremiah 37, 21,34, Psalm 79, James 5

Tomorrow’s reading will be Jeremiah 30-33, 1 Peter 1

A Faithful Witness

 

Today's verse is Jeremiah 28:7-9

     Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people; 

     The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence. 

     The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him. 

    As in the Days of Jeremiah, so I believe it is today. For as in Jeremiah’s day, there were many false prophets in the land, and among the people of Israel, but God kept himself three faithful witnesses, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. We see in the passage above, Jeremiah reminding those about him of one the qualifications of a true prophet of God, given to us by Moses: Is his testimony True--Is it Reliable? And the other test: Does it command us to serve the One True God, The Maker of Heaven and Earth? Does it paint a faithful picture of the Redeemer, the only Begotten of the Father, who with the Father and his Spirit Created all that is, and who shed his blood for our sins, and by the Spirit rose again from the dead, that we might have life in him. Do we have, as God has promised, such a faithful witness? Selah [Consider this Carefully.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Jeremiah 27, 28, 24, James 4

Tomorrow’s reading will be Jeremiah 37, 21,34, Psalm 79, James 5

Which Wisdom?

 

Today's verse is James 3:15-17

     This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 

     For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 

     But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 

    Let us examine ourselves, do we say of our neighbor, “Pay your fair share!” And what is fair, that he pays all that he has, while we pay none, or worse yet, receive a small portion of what he paid? Thinking it is just what we are due. Is this what defines us? Do we seek to force others to do what we say is right, all the while doing ourselves as we please? Do we seek equity, while forsaking true Judgment and Justice? None of these things is pleasing to God, who made us, and whom we ought to fear. Therefore, let us extend mercy to the repentant, seeking to do ourselves those things which God has commanded, all by his Spirit which he has given to all that have received his mercy through Jesus Christ his Son. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Jeremiah 25, 35, 36, 45, Psalm 133, James 3

Monday’s reading will be Jeremiah 27, 28, 24, James 4

When All Seems Lost

 

Today's verse is Psalm 77:1-3

     I cried unto God with my voice,

      Even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

     In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord:

      My sore ran in the night, and ceased not:

      My soul refused to be comforted.

     I remembered God, and was troubled:

      I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

    There will be times when all seems to go wrong and trouble overwhelms us, and the testimony that we see above is the same that we have, but will we say as the psalmist does here, that God heard him? But still in that moment he despaired. However, later in this same psalm we are given the answer, “I will remember the works of the Lord” Remember what God had done for Adam, then for Enoch, and later Noah, and forget not Abraham, and Moses with the Children of Israel. The list is long, but above all remember what Jesus Christ did for you upon the Cross, and if you have been with him for any amount of time, remember how he has worked in your own life as well, and remember he is faithful, and what he has started, he will finish. Did not Paul proclaim, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ[.]” Therefore Trust in the Lord your God and know that in this too he will see you through. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Jeremiah 22, 23, 26, Psalm 77, James 2

Tomorrow’s reading will be Jeremiah 25, 35, 36, 45, Psalm 133, James 3

How To Avoid God's Judgment

 

Today's verse is Jeremiah 18:7-8

     At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; 

     If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. 

    If you look about you with open eyes, you can see that we have forsaken Justice and Judgment, and the sins we have sown, are ripe unto harvest, bringing in abundance the lusts and desires of the flesh, with the evil intents of our hearts overflowing with the bounty of our evil imaginations, and all such is relished and applauded as good and wholesome. Yet, God who sees all of this (even turned us over to suffer the lusts of our own flesh) has said, that if we truly Repent, He will also repent, and turn again and revive us, lifting us out of the mire, that in our foolishness we have enjoyed. Selah [Consider carefully your choice.] 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

God's Promise To HIs Wayward Own.

 

Today's verse is Jeremiah 16:14-15

     Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; 

     But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. 

    Judgment has just been pronounced against those that are called the people of God, yet God, for his name's sake, does not leave it at that, but he promises a restoration of those that are his own. What of you? Can you truly claim to be redeemed? Have you tasted of that heavenly gift? Are you covered by the Blood of Jesus Christ? Yet, as Israel has been prone to stray time and again from the God that loves them, have you done the same? Take heart, but refuse not the warning, for even as God has now begun to restore Israel, so too will he restore all that belong to him, for his name’s sake. But the road will not be easy, for consider the troubles and trails of Israel as they were in exile, and how they suffered. But still, God is to be feared, for when we repent, he will forgive, and set us up in a high place, and make us clean, and holy and righteous in his sight, for his name’s sake. 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

God Restores His Own!

 

Today's verse is Jeremiah 12:15

And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. 

    As Israel was scattered for their sins, but now, even now we see them replanted, but not yet following their God who has chosen them, but their day is coming, even as God has said. So too, can one that has been redeemed by Jesus Christ, having been set aside, apparently cast down and forsaken, be lifted up once again to serve the God that loves him. Did not David say, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:/ And he delighteth in his way./ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:/ For the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” Therefore, having been chastened, Repent, and rejoice, and turn again to the God that you love, and fear not to give him all that he asks, has he not given you so much more? Selah [Remember all that he has done for you.] 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 Have We Chosen?

 

Today's verse is Jeremiah 8:20

The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. 

    Why? Why are we not saved? Is the Lord’s arm shortened that He cannot save? Or is it, when we repented, we did not repent? We still sought our own path, we still went our own way, saying that the Lord our God, does not care! When Jesus came the first time, he came to seek and to save the lost, but when he comes the second time, he will come with flame and fire, “taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” So, what is your choice? Will you go after this other Jesus, which does not care what you do? Or will you Accept the Jesus that Died for you, shed his blood for you, that by his Spirit, he will purify you even as he is pure, to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, being a peculiar people zealous of good works! 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

Are We Rejecting God's Word?

 

Today's verse is Jeremiah 6:19

Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it. 

    It would appear at the time that Jeremiah spoke this word from God, the book of the law of God was hid, and no man had read it since probably around Hezekiah’s day. Jesus has said, “but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.” They had rejected God’s Word, and he removed it from them. God’s Word is settled forever in heaven, but today the question Satan asked Eve is abundantly present today. (Hath God Said?) Did he promise to direct our paths, or did he promise to make our paths straight? Is presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice a reasonable service, or just a spiritual service? Does the truth make us free, or just set us free? Consider why Jesus spoke in parables to answer that one. These are just what would be considered the minor changes, there are so many others! “The words of the Lord are pure words:/ As silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. / Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, /Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” Does God preserve his word as he has promised here, or doesn’t he? I believe the promise above points to the book I read, can any other translation, in any other language make the same claim? I do not know of any. Will you accept God’s Word, or will you reject it? Selah [Do not make the choice lightly.] 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

Do You Remember, Or Have Ever Known?

 

Today's Verse is Jeremiah 2:6

Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt? 

    Judah, (and Israel) had forgotten what God had done for them in the past. Some even may have said, “But that was a thousand years ago!” But that was not all God had done, nor was he finished. But what of you? Do you know that about two thousand years ago a man, even the Son of Man, Yea , even the Son of God, died upon a tree (the Cross) that you might live. Not that that should not be enough, but only you can truly say what God has done more for you, are you even aware of it? Stop now, and consider all the things The Lord God, that created the Heavens, and the Earth has done for you, if you know not any, consider that Cross, and consider if God was willing to do that for you (and he was, and did,) would he withhold anything else from you? “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Are you willing to find out the truth of this statement? Selah [Meditate on this.] 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

How To Respond When God Judges

 

Today's verse is Zephaniah 2:1-3

     Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;

     Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff,

    Before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you,

    Before the day of the LORD’s anger come upon you.

     Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth,

    Which have wrought his judgment;

    Seek righteousness, seek meekness:

    It may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.

   Consider this, this was written during the days of Josiah, that very same King that oversaw, what has been reported by God himself, to be the greatest revival in Judah’s, yea even Israel’s history. Yet, it was not enough, there were still that undercurrent of wickedness in the Land. There were even as there is today, those that fought against all that is of God, God saw all of this, and Zephaniah, his servant told them the Day of the Lord is near. And even so, as soon as Josiah died, Judgment began. But, we that Fear the Lord have hope, and consider that last line in the passage above, alas, it is not a promise, but a possibility, but with that in mind, consider Daniel, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah, what they suffered, and how God brought them through, and spared them of His wrath, saving them from the plots of the wicked about them. 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

Sin Revealed, Before Judgment

 

Today's verse is Habakkuk 1:4

     Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth:

    For the wicked doth compass about the righteous;

    Therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

    Can you see? That it is today as Habakkuk described in his own day? Habakkuk cried out, and wondered where God was, but we have God’s scripture, and we, therefore, can know that it is even as God had said it would be, and being as it is, means the Day of the Lord may be at hand, that the Blessed Hope, may be near. So, look up, and remember, and forget this not: “But the Lord is in his holy temple:/ Let all the earth keep silence before him.” Selah [Consider what this means.] 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

Are You Only Benefiting From Another's Walk With God?

 

Today's verse is 2 Chronicles 34:33

And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

    Here is the thing to watch for: Are you following and benefiting by the goodness and righteousness of another, (that is another man, not of the Righteousness which is only available through Jesus Christ.) This is what is happening here, and will happen again when that wicked one is locked and kept secure in the bottomless pit. for here is the thing, while you can indeed benefit by the leadership of a righteous man, even by the leadership of Christ, when he returns to reign on Earth , but if you don’t know him yourself, you will eventually be deceived, and as happened to Judah, and will happen when Satan is released for a time, you will turn upon the God that loves you, and you will become another example of his Wrath. He does not want this for you, so examine yourself, and see if you indeed know him, and are known of Him. Did he not say, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” So, are you doing the will of the Father in heaven, are you believing on the one he sent? Selah [Think on this.] 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

Our Response To The End Of The Wicked!

 

Today's verse is Psalm 73:28

     But it is good for me to draw near to God:

      I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,

      That I may declare all thy works.

    This man Asaph looked, and considered as he saw the prosperity of the wicked, and he was troubled, and envious, for as they were prosperous he was not, but as he went into the sanctuary, even the House of God, and he heard the Word of God and found the end of those that know not God, and his final conclusion he made the same one Paul did: Knowing the Terror of the Lord, we persuade men! Know therefore, by God’s Word, that God is Good, but worthy of fear. Did he not allow his Son to die the death of the Cross for our sakes, that we through him might live? Consider the Cross, consider how terrible it is. Yet for your sake Jesus willingly suffered it, that you can escape his Wrath which we so richly deserve. Will you then keep that to yourself? Selah [Should we not speak of the Wonderful works of God?] 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

Our Current Fight

 

Today's verse is 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

     But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 

     In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

    Thus is the world that we live in. Our Battle as we are told in another place is not with flesh and blood, but with spiritual darkness in high places. And for this battle we have been given two weapons: The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and prayer. For we know that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance. So, we preach, and we proclaim the Word of God, allowing the Righteousness of Jesus Christ to shine forth, that others may see, then we also pray, that seeing they might understand, and in understanding, they will be drawn to Repent and accept that most wonderful redemption that is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Nahum, Psalm 149, 2 Corinthians 4

Tomorrow’s reading will be: 2 Kings 22-23, Psalm 73, 2 Corinthians 5

Do You Hear God Speak?

 

Today's verse is 2 Chronicles 33:10

And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. 

    The days we live in are much as were the days of Manasseh, as then, is God speaking today? Did not Abraham tell the rich man that if his brothers would not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they would not listen to one raised from the dead? But now, we not only have Moses and the Prophets, but we have the Apostles also, do we hear them? But some change the word. Tell me, would you rather have God direct your paths when you acknowledge him, or make your paths straight? Do you understand the difference? Selah [Think on 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, Psalm 149, 2 Corinthians 4

The Second Death, A Memorial

 

Today's verse is Isaiah 66:2

     And they shall go forth, and look

      Upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me:

      For their worm shall not die,

      Neither shall their fire be quenched;

      And they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

    Sin is terrible, the consequence of sin is horrendous, and while it is said, promised even, that we will forget the things of this present world. In this passage, however, we are told that we shall have a reminder of the terrible consequence of sin, for there will be a place in Eternity which we can, and I believe shall, look upon the place called the Lake of Fire and see all those that refused the goodness of God, that we might be reminded that sin is terrible, but that God is good, giving us a way to escape its horrendous consequence through Jesus Christ his Son. 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

When We See God's Judgment, Redemption Is Near

 

Today's verse is Isaiah 63:4

     For the day of vengeance is in mine heart,

      And the year of my redeemed is come.

     Can you see it? Can you see God judging the nations? If so, rejoice, for as the vengeance of comes, so too does our redemption draw near! I do not know all about the significance of the “day” of vengeance, or of the “year” of my redeemed, except that as a year is longer than a day, so too will we that are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, see his glory, and his rest, which will be greater than any suffering we may need to endure till he come. So let us watch, let our fear be only of Him, for even as we see His Judgment upon the nations, so too is His promise that he will come for his own. 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

Where To Find Equity!

 

Today's verse is Isaiah 59:14

     And judgment is turned away backward,

      And justice standeth afar off:

      For truth is fallen in the street,

      And equity cannot enter.

    Today, is there not a cry for equity? Yet, those that cry for equity, in the name of equity refuse to exercise judgment, and forgo justice, saying they are for Justice. Yet, God sees this, even has seen this, and he has given to us an answer. For God has given unto us a Savior, even Jesus Christ. Are you tired of seeking peace where there is no peace? Are you tired of all the evil about you? Stop denying the God that made you, turn unto him, seek his righteousness, available through Jesus Christ, and allow him to work that righteousness in you, then you will know to exercise Judgment, and achieve Justice, and mercy from God. 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

Because Jesus Rose From The Dead

 

Today's verse is 1 Corinthians 15:22

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 

    Adam sinned, and from him we have inherited that same nature that displeases God, and we sin, as easily as we breathe. Yet, God still loved us, and found a way that we might live, even a way to not only forgive us, but to make us clean and pleasing unto him. But the price was not cheap, for one must suffer the same penalty for sin, for each that has sinned, and so Jesus Christ did, when he hung upon the Cross, the Righteous One, for the sinner, and when he arose the third day, he made it sure that all will rise again, Some, who have rejected this gift, will be raised up only to receive the sentence from God to die eternally, knowing evermore only torment and pain. But all those that have accepted this most precious gift, will be raised up to reign with him forevermore, to live with him, and to rejoice in his Righteousness and his Rest. 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