Daily Wisdom..."Joyful Living"

“…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge.”  II Pt 1:5

God would give unto you what you would ask if you knew what He knows. Joy in one’s life flourishes, when their individual purpose and effort facilitates God’s guidance and inspiration in their daily living. Being alive only to appetite, pleasure, pride, money-making prosperity and not to goodness, love, patience, generosity and faith in God’s eternal hope is what deprives one’s self of joyful living.  Choosing to live by Godly virtue is to acknowledge what God knows and leads to life that is pleasing to God. Know that one’s eternal destiny and rewards are the results of choice, not chance. Charles Spurgeon stated: “The more objects you set your mind on, other than God, the more the thorns there are to shred the joy and peace from the heart.”  Virtuous living fuels a love for God that is so intoxicating, it’s like a moth being drawn to a flame.

Go ahead; ask of God as you would ask if you knew what He knows. I promise He will answer!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."An Assuring Faith"

“That in everything ye are enriched by him in all utterance…who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Cor 1:5; 8

By these two truths the greatness and worth of man consists, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to impart in us the character of Christ, and the joy of recognizing His presence that encourages us to share it with others.  One is our salvation: the other is our assurance. A soul that longs for assurance needs to look no further than the word of God, there is no greater assurance. Many look at the assurance of sense to be their comfort, yet the assurance of faith is the surest of assurance; for what man holds in himself he can lose the benefit and comfort of; but what man has in bond upon the promise of God, is the greatest of security and assurance.  When you are unable to find the joy in the assurance of your faith, then chose to live by faith in adherence; the latter will bring back your joy of assurance. With the cost of the Cross, God has invested too much for you to be less than what He desires for you; don’t seek assurance by looking elsewhere for insurance.

The benefit of assurance is the privilege of knowing you are saved.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Light in the Dark"

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of the light. Eph 5:8

Consider… a single candle can be used to light thousands of others without sacrificing any more of its life.  As Christians, we are called to be a light in a darkened world; sharing the love of Christ with others is the greatest gift one can give and it cost you nothing.  Thus the greatest gift does not reside in possessions nor in gold, but in Christ when he is shared and allowed to enter the soul. Like a harvest, don’t judge your life by what you are reaping; focus on the seeds you are sowing in others. In doing so you encourage others not to look at their current circumstances as determining where they can go, but rather determining a starting point with God.

Does the love of God shine in you in such a way that those in darkness see you as a source to light their candle?

HSAY…Todd    

Daily Wisdom..."A Sustaining Strength"

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”  Isa 41:10

If what lies ahead scares you and what lies behind hurts you, simply look above to the one who never fails you.  Corrie ten Boom states: “worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strength.” Most often one’s fears motivate prayers of protection instead of prayers for strength. We must realize that strength doesn’t derive from winning; it’s the struggles in life and your ability to press on without surrender that strength is obtained.  The word rendered here, dismayed, is derived from the Hebrew word meaning, “to see, to look” towards God who gives strength to the weary and power to the weak (Isa 40:29).  The strength of a tree is not in what is seen, but what is underneath; it’s the depth of its roots that allows it to withstand the storms.  Being faithful to the little things and looking towards God, the author and finisher of your faith, will deepen your roots and allow you to gain strength and courage to face the storms.

Strength does not always roar, quite often it’s simply the courage to take another step toward God.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."A Prevailing Faith"

“They shook off the dust of their feet against them and came unto Iconium.” Acts 13:51

The custom of shaking ones feet was to symbolize the separation of one-self from that which was in opposition to God.  While one must live in the world, one must also be cautious not be of the world.  The responsibility as Christians to be a light in a dark world often requires a boldness to stand in truth.  This simple act can bring about a collision with the world (Rom 10:33). Know that while such persecution is directed through you, it is not directed at you (Jn 15:20). Paul and Barnabas were persecuted and expelled from Antioch for declaring the good news of Jesus. They simply shook the dust of opposition from them and continued in God’s will. God has great expectations for those who desire His will for their life, but it requires you to shake off that which is in opposition to God’s will in your life and move in faith.

 The first step to getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."A Collision of Faith"

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearance of Jesus Christ.”  1 Pt 1:7

Faith is a path that is journeyed challenging one to hold a course and direction without wavering until it intersects and collides with God’s Faithfulness. One must understand that faith is not a step of completion or achievement they check on a spiritual list of accomplishment; quite the contrary, faith is to be endured, journeyed and tested through trials for purification (vs 7). Faith is not fully achieved and/or received until the promised return of Christ (vs 9). Yet, the value of faith in one’s walk with God is priceless.  Through the trials of life one who holds their course and holds to God’s promises will encounter collisions with God faithfulness towards them; that while they may be in heaviness of manifold temptations, God’s grace delivers a love and peace that sustains the soul. The endurance of one’s faith in God is fueled by the peace and joy of His grace and promises. While life at times may look barren and hopeless, stay the course and look for a collision with God’s faithfulness.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."A Christian Name"

“…And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”  Acts 11:26

Ever considered what’s in a name? Simply answered, it’s the grouping of several letters of an alphabet representing the identification of a person or an object. But, the power of a name and its value has long been immortalized in prose, poetry and religious ceremony. Everyone is recognized by a name. The real question is, how does a name influence a person’s character?  Looking to our heavenly Father, He puts more emphasis on His word than He does His name (Psa 138:2); knowing that the strength of His word, actions defines His character.  Yet as a believer in Christ when we utilized the name Christian, we are taking on the name of our Savior; are we as concerned about our word and actions mirroring and lifting the character of Christ?  How entrusting would you be to allow someone to represent your name and allow their actions and words define your character.  Being a Christian denotes one who by thought and actions embodies a Christ-like character and shapes their life by Christ precepts and example.   

“While every Christian is a believer, not every believer is a Christian.”

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Blessed Assurance"

“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”  Heb12:28

Assurance of an eternal kingdom never comes from looking at ourselves.  It comes only as a consequence of looking to Christ and His grace that we can find our eternal assurance; becoming an anchor unto our soul expressed in the glorious exchange of our sin for His righteousness. Assurance blooms forth like a fruit that grows from the root of faith; not out of arrogance, but in faith; it’s not presumption, but the promise of God. Don’t allow the persistence of sin to labor in the destruction of your assurance, live in repentance and acknowledgment of grace that sustains you in the faithfulness of God (1 Cor 1:1-9).

I times that you can’t seem to find God, call out and rest in assurance that He knows how to find you.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Prayerful Devotion"

“…thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.” Acts 10:4

We often tend to use prayer as the last resort, but God desires for it to be our first step of defense. Don’t let prayer be your last course of action, but instead pray before you do anything at all.  In this verse Cornelius, a Roman officer and devout man, prayers come up before God who directs him to Peter for a truth to be heard.  Through Cornelius’ prayers God reveals to Peter that God is not a respecter of person (Acts 10:34). Using a non-Jews man, Cornelius had not offered sacrifice according to the Jewish laws, had not been circumcised; yet having acted in faith, his prayers were heard and his alms were accepted.  This was done in accordance with the general principle of divine administration, that God prefers the offering of a devout heart (prayer and obedience) to the external forms and acts of worship. Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except that which lies beyond the will of God. Corrie Ten Boom…”is prayer your steering wheel or is it your spare tire.”

“Some people count sheep, others talk to the shepherd.”

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."A Walk with God"

“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”  Acts 9:31

The peace/comfort one encounters in their walk with God is not determined by the path they are on, but in manner in which they are walking.  The joy and peace of God is in the purpose of the walk itself; we are betrayed and burdened by focusing on the destinations instead.  The ability of the church to find rest was accomplished in their purpose to edify (buildup) the cause of Christ.  One is more likely to walk cheerfully, when they walk vigilantly.  When we enter into our walk with God, we must look for trials; but the Lord will deliver the Godly and make a way for a peace that allows you to walk through such trials and temptations without losing your enthusiasm in Christ.  If you are willing to walk a life that edifies Christ, God is willing to pick you up from your stumbles and there you will find His rest.

“It’s useless to walk anywhere to preach, if your walking does not preach.”

HSAY…Todd   

Daily Wisdom..."Healing of the Soul"

“Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened…” Psa 40:6

Sometimes what we think is an emotionally opened wound needing to heal – is God opening you up like an ear to hear Him and obey.  We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior.  What's to be desired more than His love and what more is needed than His will; when we are our own master, don't we have a fool as a master?  the soundtrack for misery always is "I did it My Way."  The tearing and wounds of the soul may be the breaking of emotional chains that bind the heart to selfishness and allows you to wrestle free and abandon your soul to God's will.  You may wrestle, but in Him you have won.  You may regret, but in Him you will rise.  You may suffer, but in Him you are secure.

"Random acts of greatness pale in comparison to habitual acts of surrender and faithfulness."

HSAY...Todd

Daily Wisdom..."A Faith that can see"

“For we walk by faith, not by sight” 2 Cor 5:7

Sometimes our greatest vision does not occur until we can’t see at all; Paul experienced this himself during his salvation. Losing his sight, on the way to Damascus, Paul was left with nothing but God’s word and prayer (Acts 9:11).  Through Ananias, God used both to transform Paul for good and for God.  Saul, prior to his salvation, illustrates that the only thing worse than being blind is having sight, but no vision.  Often man’s vision is so limited he can hardly see a love that does not render its protection from suffering…the love of God did not protect His own Son from the cross…He will not necessarily protect us, not from anything it takes to make us like His Son.  Don’t fear in your inability to see the unknown; Paul found God at His greatest in the dark, instead realize that our faith is often like a star; it can only be seen at its brightest when there is darkness about.

“Too many Christians envision the thrill and joy of feeling right, but not willing to endure the inconvenience of being right.”

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom..."Path for Knowledge"

“In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.” Pro 3:6

The ability to find proper direction and success in life is like one’s salvation…”it’s not based what you know, but who you know.”  Jesus uttered the words: “I never knew you, depart from me…” (Mt 7:23); verifying that while knowledge is beneficial, it does not compare to knowing the subject matter personally.  From childhood to adulthood man is instructed and obtains vast knowledge and information for this life’s application and yet the majority never comes to know personally the One who created it.  The success of a Christian life is not laid out through an intricate labyrinth of dogma; it’s a belief in the person of Christ, the sacrificial cross, and a personal relationship with the One who loves you unconditionally.   The cruelest act we impose upon ourselves is trying to live in this world without personally knowing the One who created it.

"Your relationship will not fail while God sustains it; you are not strong enough to fall away while God is resolved to hold you."

HSAY...Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Restoration in Repentance"

"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated, between you and your God and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."  Isa 59:1-2

O' what a wicked web we weave when we practice to deceive...familiar quote maybe?  No man's effort nor their skill of craft, in devising schemes, as the spider weaves its web, will deliver or save them.  Sin separates man from God, just as a dam separates the water; it isolates God from the children that He loves.  Unfortunately for many, there is nothing more deceitful than the appearance of humility; it is often only carelessness in self-acknowledgement and accountability to sin and renders itself as indirect boast.  Such thought of self-deception becomes exhaustible in their efforts towards a healthy relationship with God. God's love for us is un-damageable, but He desires to bless us and to protect us; we must be willing and able to acknowledge and confess our iniquities and God will tear down the walls that separate us from Him.

HSAY...Todd

Daily Wisdom..."The Temple of the Heart"

"Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things?"  Acts 7:49-50

The Christian does not go to the temple to worship. The Christian takes the temple with him or her.  Jesus lifts us beyond the building and pays the human body the highest compliment by making it His desirable dwelling place, the place He longs to meet with us.  Even today He is willing to overturn the tables in our hearts that make themselves a market place for lust, greed and a desire for wealth.  Ones limitations and success in God will be fueled by the expectations and longings of their own heart and soul; what the heart dwells on, the body acts upon.  Man must be aware of his limitations, but know that where they end God's strength begins (1 Cor 4:10). You don't need to know how to build something for God, He has already built the dwelling; He's just waiting for you to invite Him in.

HSAY...Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Perception vs Perfection"

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”  Joshua 1:8

The greatest difference between successful people and others is not strength, wealth or wisdom; it’s the amount of God’s will in their life. Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it’s about finding the joy and peace to dance in the rain.  That’s the joy and peace God has for each of us and it has nothing to do with perfection rather perception; the awareness that living in God’s will is greater than any storm you encounter. The greatest impact your faith will make on others is not in your perfection, instead it will be your ability to deal with your imperfections with the joy and peace God provides; that will inspire others to succeed in God.  

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget if they met God through you.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Verses not Voices"

“I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”  Jere 29:11

Peace occurs when one finds the eternal direction for life; thus greatest thing/s in life is not where one stands, but rather in the direction they are moving. Be cautious in seeking voices for direction they often set you on their own course; there are verses that offer the greatest path.  God delights to plan for His children.  No earthly father ever experienced such joy in planning for his own child; God does not want you to miss any part of His beautiful direction and purpose for your life.  Directions offer no purpose or success if one is not willing to follow.  Do you know what direction you are heading, God does.

Change your direction if need be, if not, you may end up where you are going!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Godly Resistance"

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Mt 10:28

Choosing the path of least resistance can often be the path of surrender.  Consider a plane, bird or most winged objects; they achieve greater lift when going against the resistance of wind.  Stephen in Acts 6 faced such resistance; they could not resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spoke so they persecuted him with slander. Standing against such resistance is to stand in truth with God; otherwise we are like the numbers who having eyes see not and, having ears hear not (Mt 8) the things that concern their salvation and peace through Christ. Whatever resistance must be faced chose to stand in truth and liberty in Christ knowing that while man can kill the body, the Lord determines both the body and the soul (Mt 10).

HSAY…Todd