January 1

Today’s Reading

Genesis 1-2

(Gen 1:16 KJV) And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

As we begin a new year, I want us to look at this verse, which has always intrigued me. I want to focus in on the last five words: he made the stars also. Do you see the import of these 5 simple words? When one looks at the vastness of the universe, we can stand in awe. Especially looking at the many formations in outer space such as the Horse Head Nebula in the Constellation Orion or the Spiral Nebula. Since the Hubble telescope went into orbit, the pictures which have been taken of the universe are astounding. The following is the address for many pictures: http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/pictures.html As you view the pictures on this site, keep in mind those five simple words. As you begin this year and problems start to come into your life, keep in mind the greatness of God in that He created the vast universe but describes that creation in the humblest of terms, “he made the stars also.” Whenever tough times come this year, we can always count on God. What problems could you and I face in this world, which could match the expansiveness of the universe? The next time tough times start rolling in and you wonder if you can count on God, remember to do one thing. Go outside on a clear night, for he made the stars also.

January 2

Today’s Reading - Genesis 3-5

(Gen 5:3 KJV) And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:

In today’s reading we come across this verse. It states that Adam had a son named Seth. If you notice the wording in this verse, it shows that this son of Adam was made in the image of Adam and not in the image of God. This is because of the fall into sin. Sin could never mirror the image of God and as a result, mankind now has a new image and that was the image of the Adamic nature. Sin would now be handed down to all generations by means of birth, not volition. But how was man going to regain the image of God? There is only one way that a person can be born in the image of God and that is to be born again. Unregenerate sinners can never mirror the holy image of God. Something must take place first and that is the resurrection of the soul. A person who is unsaved, is spiritually dead. When God saves someone, they become spiritually alive and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, resulting in becoming born in the image of God. Only God can re-create His people in His image and that is through the second birth. Where are you today? Spiritually alive or dead?

January 3

Today’s Reading - Genesis 6-9

(Gen 7:19 KJV) And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.

In today’s reading we read this verse which was the fulfillment of the promise God gave of a world wide flood. The world in Noah’s day laughed at this prediction, especially while he built an Ark on dry land. The laughter suddenly turned to dread when the rain drops started falling. This flood was in response to the sinful state man fell into and how quickly the evil multiplied on the face of the earth. God said He was going to destroy man and He did. However, Noah found grace in God’s sight. Was it something that Noah did? No, for Noah was born with the same Adamic nature you and I were born with. Yet, he and his family were spared. He was spared because God saved him through Grace. He did not do any special works to achieve favor with God, in fact, as soon as the Ark landed on dry ground, Noah got drunk. God promised that a flood would come and it did. God also promised that there would come another day, when the earth and universe would be burnt up with fire. The day is fast approaching when the Lord shall return and only those who have found grace in the eyes of the Lord shall escape the final consequences, which will be the second death or Hell. God’s first promise of a worldly destruction came to pass and you can be guaranteed that the second one will come to pass also.

January 4

Today’s Reading - Genesis 10-11

(Gen 10:5 KJV) By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.

In today’s reading we come across this verse which teaches us where the sons of Noah will be residing after they left the Ark. In this passage we are seeing where the sons of Japheth will dwell. It is also interesting to note that in Genesis 9:27 we read this prophecy: (Gen 9:27 KJV) God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. In Luke 3, the genealogy teaches us that the Lord Jesus Christ came through the line of Shem. Since Japheth is going to dwell in the tents of Shem, we see a fulfillment of Isaiah 42:4: (Isa 42:4 KJV) He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Here the isles will be waiting for his law. (Gen 49:10 KJV) The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Here we have an answer to who the law giver is. Genesis 49:10 is a prophecy of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Are we on the right path? Let us look at the following verse: (Isa 33:22 KJV) For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. This verse confirms that the Lord Himself is the law giver but He is also the Savior. Genesis 10:5 linked with other pertinent verses is a prophecy of the Gentiles who are going to be recipients of the Gospel of God. Hence, Japheth dwelling in the tents of Shem. It is proverbial language which tells us that many Gentiles will become saved through the descendant of Shem, who is the Lord Jesus Christ. What’s in a genealogy? A lot of truth, don’t avoid them.

January 5

Today's Reading - Genesis 12-15

(Gen 13:12 KJV) Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

In today's reading, we come across this passage which gives a very interesting but deadly principle. I am sure Lot would not have dreamed that he would wind up in Sodom. But this is the deceit of sin. The Scripture tells us that he pitched his tent toward Sodom. How many of us, and be honest, have tried to see how close we can get to the world, but not be a part of it? Whenever we pitch our tent toward Sodom, we are asking for trouble. It may be an innocent move at first, but as God told Cain, "sin is crouching at the door." Sin seeks to envelop the believer and whenever we place ourselves in a position where sin is in sight, we set ourselves up for danger. Our adversary, Satan, will help believers sin in a step process. In other words, slowly and incrementally. This is why we must be very discerning and we must ask God each day to let us see the big picture in every situation. Any time we flirt with sin, we are asking for disaster. This is especially true in small sins, since if we believe we can get away with them, they won't hurt us, but this is akin to pitching our tent toward Sodom, incrementally. Finally, God delivered Lot but whenever we go into the camp of the enemy, we always lose. Lot lost his wife and his two daughters picked up the wicked ways of Sodom, resulting in the formation of two wicked races of people. Never think that sinning alone has no effect on others, because believe it or not, our personal sins always affect others.

(Num 32:23 KJV) But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

January 6

Today’s Reading - Genesis 16-19

(Gen 19:22 KJV) Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

In today’s reading we come across this passage in which God is commanding Lot and his family to quickly leave Sodom for the destruction has already been determined for their wickedness. We see this as a grave picture of the end of the world when the Lord is going to remove all the believers and then rain final destruction on the world. Then will come Judgment Day and right after that, God will create the new Heaven and the new Earth. However, there is a principle in this verse I would like to focus upon. It is found in the first two words of the verse, “Haste thee.” When the Israelites were freed from bondage in Egypt, they went out in haste. When Manoah was seeking wisdom about his child, Samson, the Angel of the Lord came to his wife and she “made haste” to tell her husband these things, since he had entreated the Lord. When Nabal insulted David, Abigail made haste and came to David to make amends for her foolish husband (Nabal means foolish or churlish). What does the principle of making haste say to us? It means when God opens a door of opportunity for us, we are to make haste and go through that door, for if we wait for our timing, we may lose it forever. If someone is playing with sin and God chastises them, make haste and forsake the pleasures of sin and come unto the Lord who is ready to restore. Does your church need help in an area where you are gifted? Make haste and fill the need. Is there a ministry which God has opened unto you? Make haste and pursue it. Are we ordering our life according to God’s ways or our ways? We must make haste to discern between the two. The Bible teaches that our lives are but a vapor which means in light of eternity, it is but a morsel of sand on the beach. Do you know what this is “-” ? It is how your family will display your life to the world on your tombstone. Oh you have seen it. “1900 -1985.”

How will the people you know, display your life? How do you see your life, fulfilling or empty? Make haste, for the time is fleeting!!!!

January 7

Today’s Reading - Genesis 20-22

(Gen 22:1 KJV) And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

In today’s reading we come across the above verse and we see that God tempted Abraham. The word for “tempt” is the Hebrew word “nasah” which means “to prove or test.” Probably there is no greater mystery in the body of Christ than the testing of the believer. As Christians we are constantly being tested by God. Why are we tested? Is it because God is waiting to see how the events turn out or perhaps He doesn’t know how we will react? The fact is God already knows the beginning from the end and the reason for being tested is because WE do not know how it will turn out. There are many examples of believers being tested in Scripture. Some of them are David, Paul, Job, and even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself went through many testings. In the Lord’s life we mainly think of the forty days in the wilderness, but there were other times of testing also, such as when He stood before Herod and Pilate. When He was on the cross, He still had the authority to call down legions of Angels to come to His aid. Yet, He did not do this but chose to endure the tests. Was it for His benefit or was it for ours? It was for both as we read in the following Scripture. (Heb 12:2 KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus knew what the benefit was for enduring and passing the tests. The word “despising” means He set aside the shame of the moment in exchange for what He knew His sacrifice would accomplish. He has successfully redeemed millions of Christians because of Calvary. It is the same for us. Whenever we are faced with a test in our life, it is better to endure that test and to leave the results to God. We may never see the results of passing a divine test. In fact, the test may be God just allowing the principalities of evil to see how faithful His children are. God’s grace gives His children the undergirding strength to endure all testings which come our way. So the next time a test comes your way, you can stand with Abraham who said to the Lord, “Behold, here I am” and to just trust God with the results.

January 8

Today’s Reading - Genesis 23-26

(Gen 25:5 KJV) And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.

In today’s reading, we come across this short verse which is packed with a great principle. God gave all He had to His children too. When the Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross for the elect, God the Father was giving His all. It doesn’t stop there either. Look at the following verse. (Eph 1:3 KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing possible. Pity the poor charismatic who feels they must have more from God. How can you possibly have more than “ALL? God is not stingy, as we saw how liberal He was with many of the Old Testament Saints such as Abraham, Isaac, Job, and Solomon, whom He blessed mightily with physical blessings. Our Heavenly Father is not going to be closefisted with any of His children. Remember, in this world we are just passing through but the true riches of our inheritance will be in Glory. (Psa 84:11 KJV) For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. The Lord is going to give His children glory, not in a sin cursed world, with sin cursed material goods, but in pure holiness in Heaven, in Paradise as the Lord Jesus Christ described it. Abraham gave all his material wealth to Isaac but he also gave him the great heritage of his faith, which is what will endure throughout eternity. Parents, don’t forget to pass on the real riches, and that is your faith.

January 9

Today’s Reading - Genesis 27-29

(Gen 29:7-8 KJV) And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. {8} And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.

In today’s reading, we come across these verses which are dripping with meaning in dealing with the responsibility of the true believer. If you recall, the last verse in the book of Jonah deals with cattle. (Jonah 4:11 KJV) And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? Why would God concern Himself with mentioning cattle? Everything in Scripture is there for a reason. Cattle were used for sacrifice and represents the believer. In verse 7, we read that it is high day and the cattle should not be gathered. This verse teaches us that there is going to come a time when it will not be the day of salvation and it will have ended with the gathering of the cattle. This is a spiritual reference to the gathering of the Saints on the last day. The same verse teaches us that we are to water the sheep until the time of gathering, which is a picture of sending forth the Gospel until the last day. The sheep will be the true elect of God who will receive that Gospel. In verse 8 we read that the watering of the sheep cannot take place until the stone is rolled away from the well’s mouth. This is a great picture of Resurrection Sunday when the stone was moved away and the Lord Jesus rose victoriously. The Lord Jesus Christ then ascended into Heaven and sent the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then the sheep was able to be watered. So today it is still high day and the Gospel still goes forth until that awesome last day. Then the flock of believers will be watered at the well in Glory. Until then, we must get busy and send forth that Gospel.

January 10

Today’s Reading - Genesis 30-32

(Gen 30:1 KJV) And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.