Faith That Counts

At the age of five, I had some pretty big aspirations. I was going to build a bridge from California to Australia and ride my motorcycle across it, and I was going to count all of the stars. One night, I went out and looked to the night sky. It was harder than I thought.

“’Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” This was going to be a blessing from God that was too big to be counted.

Abraham had the kind of faith that counts. The next verse states, “And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”

If you want righteousness and blessings too big to count, have faith. Trust God even when the odds seem bleak. Your faith will be counted to you as righteousness.

Remember: with God, nothing is impossible.

Today This Scripture Has Been Fulfilled

Today’s reading is Isaiah 61-65. “Today’s is a special guest post by Josh Webber.”

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.”
Isaiah 61:1-2a (ESV)

There will be gladness for the poor, healing for the broken, freedom for the enslaved and release to those in chains. God promises to change His anger into favor. Then Jesus read these very words. “And Jesus rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to tell them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing'” (Luke 4:18-21, ESV). These chapters about restoration and blessings detail the coming of the Messiah. We now experience the promises they proclaim in Christ!

Tomorrow’s reading is Isaiah 66, Jeremiah 1-4.

P.S.: Thanks, Josh, for taking up my slack today.

Life’s Tough, Then You See God

Today’s reading is Psalm 146-150.

It is pretty impossible to actually give a definite description of the order of the Psalms, though that hasn’t stopped people from trying. The best explanation I’ve ever heard is that the order of the Psalms mirror life. In one moment, our satisfaction in the Lord is so deep we can’t help but sing His praises. In the next, some news or struggle has us wondering what on earth God is doing; but then a clear path is before us, and we are back to praising Him. One thing is certain, our lives will end with a powerpack of profound praise. For all the ups and downs of life, we are on our way to being in the presence of God where the praises will be never ending just like the final sections of the Psalms. Spend some times in those final poem/prayers and be amazed at the praise. Sure, life is tough, but then you go see God. Won’t it be wonderful? Praise the LORD!!!

Monday’s reading is Proverbs 1-5.

Don’t Procrastinate on God’s Promises

Today’s reading is Joshua 16-20.

Time for another confession. I’m a world class procrastinator. So Joshua 18:3 was right up my alley. Joshua rebuked seven tribes saying, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?” (ESV). Why would anyone wait to enjoy the promises of God? I can’t help but connect this with Ananias’s words to Paul, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16, ESV). Why wait to grab hold of and enjoy the promise of cleansed sins? If you haven’t been baptized for the remission of your sins, do so today.

We’d love to know what you got out of today’s reading or if another part of the reading stuck out to you. Let us know in the comments section.

Tomorrow’s reading is Joshua 21-24.