Blessed Are The Canceled

 

Today's verse is Luke 6:22

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 

    Do you see it? Do you see how easy it is to offend those that have turned against God? But who should you please? Should you please them, whose way is an affront to the God that made them and you? or should you seek to please the God that made you, declaring his Righteousness, and his Mercy, and his Grace to all. You see what they do to those that accept not their ways, Who art thou, that should fear a man that shall die? Yea, fear God! And at the very least he shall be with you as they try to take all that you have away from you, even as they put the Lord Jesus upon the Cross. If he did this for us, how can we not be willing to suffer the same for his sake? Let us not be ashamed of the Christ that Died, and arose from the Grave, and when we see him, he shall not be ashamed of us, when he introduces us to his Father. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Exodus 3, Luke 6, Job 20, 1 Corinthians 7

Tomorrow’s reading will be Exodus 4, Luke 7, Job 21, 1 Corinthians 8

Will God Have Respect Unto You?

 

Today's verse is Exodus 2:24-25

     And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 

     And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

    Why did God have respect upon the children of Israel? Is it not because he had made a covenant [promise] with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob? Have we not been told that God is not a respecter of persons? Is there any covenant or promise God has made that we can have any hope that he will have respect unto us? What of this one? “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” or what of this one? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Can you calm either, or actually both of these promises? If so, you can be sure that that same God shall have respect unto you. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Exodus 2, Luke 5, Job 19, 1 Corinthians 6

Monday’s reading will be Exodus 3, Luke 6, Job 20, 1 Corinthians 7

Purging The Old Leaven

 

Today's verse is 1 Corinthians 5:8

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

    Do you truly think that a Righteous and Holy God can be pleased in any way, if those that are called by his name continue in those things for which his Son died? Every year, before the Passover, the Israelites cleaned their houses seeking out any leaven that might be in the house to remove it. This is a picture and a lesson to us. For on a continual basis, we must examine ourselves, and seek out for any of those things that might be displeasing to our God, and root them out of our lives, that our God might be pleased with us, and that the Name of God might not be slandered by those that know him not, because we clung to those things that are not of the Spirit, but of the flesh. And if we do this, as we draw nigh to our God, has he not promised to draw nigh to us? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Exodus 1, Luke 4, Job 18, 1 Corinthians 5

Tomorrow’s reading will be Exodus 2, Luke 5, Job 19, 1 Corinthians 6

Sober Humility

 

Today's verse is 1 Corinthians 4:4

     For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 

    Three statements all full of meaning. First, “For I know nothing by myself” a number of things can be gleaned. First in context, Paul does not even know himself well enough to judge himself; therefore, he surrenders himself to the judgment of the Lord God, hoping for his timely correction as he places himself under the guiding hand of the Holy Ghost who dwells within him. Also, but not in the direct context, all the knowledge we have, we can only credit to the Lord’s mercy, for we know that it is only by the Fear of the Lord, that we can obtain knowledge. “Yet am I not hereby justified” with this we must take care and realize that Paul had been speaking of being a faithful steward, and as important as this is, it is not by our faithfulness that we are justified, but by His, even by Jesus Christ, who took our place, and paid our debt, this and only this will we be Justified by the Holy and Righteous Judge. Which brings us to “. . . but he that judgeth me is the Lord.” And this we must remember in fear and trembling, for just a little above this passage Paul told us what shall happen to all that we build upon the foundation that God has given us, which will be determined by who supplies the building materials, ourselves, or the God that saved us. Selah [How does all this apply to you?] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 50, Luke 3, Job 16-17, 1 Corinthians 4

Tomorrow’s reading will be Exodus 1, Luke 4, Job 18, 1 Corinthians 5

Seeing God's Work In The World

 

Today's verse is Luke 2:1

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

    God has said thorough Solomon, that the heart of the King is in the Lord’s Hand, turning it wherever he will, and such a thing is displayed here. For by this decree from Caesar Augustus, God sent Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, so that Jesus would be born there just as he said he would be. Marvel at how God can do whatsoever he pleases, that whatever he has determined will come to pass. So, as he has done then, even now we can be sure that he is doing now, working often behind the scenes, at other times openly that no man can deny (though they still do,) bringing about those things he said would come to pass. Therefore, open your eyes, and see if you can see, what work God is doing in your life, in the neighborhood you live in, in the City you live in, in the Province or State you live in, or in the Nation you live in and rejoice for the day of his promised return is nearer than it was yesterday, and Watch, for as he promised, he will return. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 49, Luke 2, Job 15, 1 Corinthians 3

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 50, Luke 3, Job 16-17, 1 Corinthians 4

Giving Credit Where It Is Due!

 

Today's verse is Genesis 48:15

And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, 

    Do you know, as Israel does, where his blessings and sustenance comes from? God has decreed, as a best-case scenario, that we should provide for ourselves by the work of our own hands, yet even then, it is God that our provision comes from. It is by his providence that the work that we do is productive, and is able to bear fruit, and if you have had the benefit to realize, that it is only by his grace that we are even able to work at all. Therefore, even as Israel, praised and blessed God even as he blessed his grandchildren, we must also give all our praise to the same God that created all that is, in Heaven, and in Earth, even all that is under the Earth, for it is by Him that we have our being, and it is through Him and his Son, Jesus Christ, by which our Redemption is made possible. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 49, Luke 1:39-80, Job 14, 1 Corinthians 2

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 49, Luke 2, Job 15, 1 Corinthians 3

Something To Look Forward To

 

Today's verse is Luke 1:33

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 

    Know for a certainty, that at the time of this writing, this has not yet been fulfilled. Some may say that it has, substituting the church for Jacob [Israel.] Has not Paul said, “God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.” But we are looking forward to this fulfillment, for Christ will surly return, and set up his Kingdom as he has promised, and as he has promised, when he returns, he will return in Judgment, to judge the nations, even as he fully restores Israel to his most favored people. Will you be ready? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 47, Luke 1:1-38, Job 13, 1 Corinthians 1

Monday’s reading will be Genesis 49, Luke 1:39-80, Job 14, 1 Corinthians 2

Knowing How To Be Humble

 

Today's verse is Job 12:2-3

     No doubt but ye are the people,

      And wisdom shall die with you.

     But I have understanding as well as you;

      I am not inferior to you:

      Yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

    In these statements, where is humility? Is it in Job’s counselors? What of Job, by this statement, is he possessed of humility? In Job’s last defense, he showed that he knew what he needed to know, but when it was time to face God himself, still he had not understood, and as another observed, he displayed a false repentance, so still knowing but not truly changing. Yet, God, in his mercy, as well as his righteousness and holiness, did not accept that false repentance, but continued on till Job, with a whole heart, Repented. So, here is humility, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart” that same heart that is deceitful above all things, “And lean not unto thine own understanding.” Even as you value understanding highly, and continuously seek it out with patience (not longsuffering) “In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.” God directed Job’s path and brought him into a closer relationship with himself, and as he did this with/for Job, he will also do it with you. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 46, Mark 16, Job 13, Romans 16

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 47, Luke 1:1-38, Job 13, 1 Corinthians 1

Not Getting What You Deserve

 

Today's verse is Job 11:6

     And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom,

      That they are double to that which is!

      Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

    Just what one that is suffering does not want to hear, yet a truth that we all must not forget, that whatever we may suffer here on earth, is nothing compared to what our sin deserves, and that there will be a place made for us full of torments that never end, if we fail to find that forgiveness freely offered to all that come to God through the suffering that his Son Jesus Christ did, as he took our place, when he died upon the Cross. Yet, to prove that he could do such a thing, he rose up on the third day, so that all that will can have their iniquities forgiven, and their sin paid for in full. Will you neglect so Great Salvation, or will you accept all that God has provided for you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 45, Mark 15, Job 11, Romans 15

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 46, Mark 16, Job 13, Romans 16

To Judge, Or Not?

 

Today's verse is Romans 14:11

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. 

    Consider also; “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” And know that these two concepts are not contradictory! For when we see one that is walking contrary to love: dishonoring authority, murder, impurity, theft, speaking not the truth, wanting what belongs to a neighbor; these things we are to warn against, even to hinder physically our neighbor that seeks to do such things. But if our neighbor has convictions that differ from ours that are not covered clearly in God’s Word, what of if? Paul uses the regarding of a day over another, or not, and the eating or not of certain things, and here he cautions us to take care of our neighbor’s convictions that we offend them not, lest in their offense they stumble, and in stumbling they sin against their own conscience, for which they must then give an account unto God, and we will not be held guiltless. So let us do all to the Glory of God, walking worthy of Him, taking care to not cause our neighbor to stumble for Christ’s sake. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 44, Mark 14, Job 10, Romans 14

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 45, Mark 15, Job 11, Romans 15

Do You Have One To Defend You Before God?

 

Today's verse is Job 9:20

     If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me:

      If I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.

    This is an interesting confession of Job’s, for it is the very basis of how he was rebuked, for he in the end tried to justify himself, and as he so confessed here, he was found speechless, and without an answer. But God heard his request, and know we do have a daysman, Yea, even an advocate, that will stand before them and God, even that same, that took our place when he died upon the Cross, and having risen from the dead, is now seated at the right hand of God, making intercession for all that have trusted in him. Do you know his name? Have you believed from the heart that is truly is Risen, and do you without reservation Confess him to others, that they too, might believe? Selah [Know without a doubt your answer.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 43, Mark 13, Job 9, Romans 13

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 44, Mark 14, Job 10, Romans 14

Indicted, But Not Repentant!

 

Today's verse is Mark 12:12

And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

    They feared the people, but they did not fear God: for they knew he spoke against them, but still they rejected the one God had sent. And in rejecting him, they rejected the God they professed to follow. Let us so examine ourselves! Do we follow God with a whole heart, or have we feigned Repentance? Have we falsely claimed that God lives? (Why would one do such a thing? Yet, did Jeremiah accuse some in his day of such.) And finally, do we do the work of God deceitfully, that is, have we falsely accepted the one God has sent [Jesus Christ?] Let us not be found wanting in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 42, Mark 12, Job 8, Romans 12

Monday’s reading will be Genesis 43, Mark 13, Job 9, Romans 13

Giving God The Glory For His Gifts

 

Today's verse is Genesis 41:16

And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. 

    Joseph recognized from where he had his ability. He knew how the blessings that had come to him, from wince they were. What of you? Do you take the full credit of what you believe are your talents? Or do you recognize that if if where not God had given them to you, you would have nothing? So, humble yourself before the Creator, and rejoice in the gifts he has given you. And seek to glorify him in all you do and say. For is he not Worthy? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 41, Mark 11, Job 7, Romans 11

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 42, Mark 12, Job 8, Romans 12

Forgotten? Really?

 

Today's verse is Genesis 40:23

Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

    Is this to say that God had forgotten Joseph? Or was it that the time was not yet ripe for Joseph’s release from prison? What of Mordecai’s reward for saving the Kings life (delayed 12 years,) it is for these reasons, and others, we must be willing to be patient (wait on the Lord,) for he sets up these appointments to be resolved, and to bring about his purpose at the proper time. Consider, if the butler had petitioned the King immediately, would the King have been able to find Joseph when he needed the interpretation of his dream? Or if Mordecai had received his reward immediately, would it have been Mordecai and not Haman hanged upon Haman’s gallows? Therefore, “Wait upon the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say upon the Lord.” Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 40, Mark 10, Job 6, Romans 10

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 41, Mark 11, Job 7, Romans 11

Will You Seek God's Mercy?

 

Today's verse is Romans 9:16

So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 

    I have read, and I have seen, how God blessed Joseph, as he served his master Potiphar, and later the same as he was captive in prison, we are told that God blessed all that he did. Then I read and saw how the children of Israel failed their quota in the making of bricks, because they had no straw. God did not bless them has he had Joseph because he had other plans, but he did bless them, did not the Egyptians freely give them of their riches when they asked? Thus, Israel spoiled and plundered Egypt, just before they left. So here is the promise: “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 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.” and again we are promised, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” We have seen this in Joseph, and we have seen the mercy of God given to the Children of Israel. Will you put your trust and hope in God? Will you delight in God’s way, rather than the way of those about you? If you will, these promises will be yours. Amen

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 39, Mark 9, Job 5, Romans 9

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 40, Mark 10, Job 6, Romans 10

Have You Forgotten Something?

 

Today's verse is Mark 8:4

And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? 

    Have you ever seen God do something, then when you once again are in a similar circumstance, you have forgotten that God is not only able, but that he has already done something like it already? Fret not, for such is the nature of man. We see that the disciples did it. Throughout Exodus, and Numbers, the children of Israel did it. But Repent of this Sin, and remember those things that God has done, even as God has set aside times for Israel to commemorate (that is to remember) the things God has done such as the Passover, which Jesus changes for his followers to remember what he did on the Cross, and that he is coming again. So, Today, and times you set in the future, Remember, and recount what God has done, either in your own life, in the life of another that you have witnessed, or understood of the Wonderful Works God has done recorded for us in Scripture. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 38, Mark 8, Job 4, Romans 8

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 39, Mark 9, Job 5, Romans 9

Choosing God's Word Above All

 

Today's verse is Mark 7:13

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

    What holds the ultimate authority in your life? For some, it is their purpose, whether it be for fame or power, or even an Idea, whether true or false, that they hold up as an Idol, and as we learn from scripture, all Idols hold falsehoods at their core. But what we need to hold above all, even above any spirit that might tell us otherwise, is God’s written Word, for God has promised us through it that it will never fail, that it is forever settled in heaven, and not a Jot, or a Tittle will ever pass away from it. Also, we can be sure that God’s Spirit will never contradict it, and if we will abide by it, all of its promises will be for us Yea, and Amen. But if we abandon it, we shall only see the curses it pronounces upon all that reject God, and the Great Salvation he offers. So, which choice will you make? Will you accept God and his Word which gives life, or will you seek out the counterfeits, which will only led to loss, death and destruction? Selah [Do not make this choice lightly.] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 37, Mark 7, Job 3, Romans 7

Monday’s reading will be Genesis 38, Mark 8, Job 4, Romans 8

A Hidden Sacrifice

 

Today's verse is Mark 6:31

And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

    Jesus and his disciples left to a desert place to rest and supposedly to eat, yet when they arrived the people were already waiting for them, so when Jesus fed the people (The five thousand) as the disciples served them, I can imagine they were quite hungry themselves. Consider also, an illustration, or parable, Jesus gave when teaching his disciples to pray; “But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?” I imagine the disciples where not the first to eat. But who do you imagine was the last to eat? Was it not even Jesus, the Master? For Jesus’ sake, are you willing, even when your need is great, to put others first, as we are given example here? Selah [Will you serve him even when you are hungry?] Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 35-36, Mark 6, Job 2, Romans 6

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 37, Mark 7, Job 3, Romans 7

Looking For, And Rejoicing In, The Glory Of God

 

Today's verse is Romans 5:2

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

    As you read, “By whom . . .” you must ask the question, who? The answer comes from the verse before, even by him by which we have peace with God, Jesus Christ. And just as we have been Justified by faith; (Have we not believed that Jesus died once for sin, and having died, rose up, and is now at the right hand of God, making intercession for us?) It is by this faith that God gives us access to his grace, by which, we know that we shall be able to stand, when we behold the Glory of God. And it is by this Hope that as we see, and not only see, but experience, the troubles and trials that sin brings upon the Earth, that we can rejoice, for it will be in them, through them, that our God will shew himself to us, as he delivers us from them time and again, until he calls us home, before he brings his second to the final Judgment upon the Earth (When sin shall have its reign upon the Earth (It does not yet)) before Christ’s return to set up his Kingdom. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 34, Mark 5, Job 1, Romans 5

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 35-36, Mark 6, Job 2, Romans 6

The Times To Celebrate!

 

Today's verse is Esther 9:28

And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. 

    Today, in my Country, we celebrate the day we declared our Independence from England, and we count that day the day of our Nation’s birth; a day of freedom and liberty. Much the same as the Jews celebrated the day God delivered them from the hands of those that would slay them. In Scripture, we see the principal of Remembering the days, in which, we have encounters with God. To remember those days which God took a direct hand in our lives. It is for such reasons that the Jews celebrate Passover, Purim and Hanukkah. It is for this purpose also that the Christian observes the Lord’s Supper, to Remember that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and will without doubt return again to reign on Earth, as he has promised. So what of you? Do you remember the day you where released from the penalty of your sin? Are there other times when you know God interacted with you to accomplish his purpose in you? Set aside a time to remember these things and rejoice in the Lord your God always. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 33, Mark 4, Esther 9-10, Romans 4

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 34, Mark 5, Job 1, Romans 5

Meeting With God

 

Today's verse is Genesis 32:30-31

     And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. 

     And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. 

    As I read the verses above, I was struck by how Jacob’s outlook was affected by his meeting with God, but then as I read on with what I was to read today, the theme for at least two of the other chapters followed the same pattern: God saw the plight man was in, God worked in man’s life, and man had reason to Hope. What of you? Have you seen how God has worked in your life? If not, ask him to open your eyes, and he will show you, and when he does: Repent, and accept the grace he has given you, and you will find that same reason to Hope that Jacob, Yea, Israel did. That same reason to Hope that the Jews in Esther’s day did. Even that same Hope that Paul described in Romans as he declared: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Therefore, we have Hope, for we have seen that God has seen our need, and has already made provision for us. Let us therefore, rejoice, and seek his way, accepting his Grace with Hope for tomorrow. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Genesis 32, Mark 3, Esther 8, Romans 3

Tomorrow’s reading will be Genesis 33, Mark 4, Esther 9-10, Romans 4