Daily Wisdom

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Col 2:8

Being legal doesn’t make it right!

The battles taking place today over abortion and homosexuality “rights” brings to mind an earlier battle that took place in our society.  Many of us, being from the South, as well as a nation remember a mind-set among racial bigots in the 50’s and 60’s.  It was a mind-set of intensely, and sometimes violently, demanding the laws of segregation stay in place. Why was that?  Well deep-seated in the sinful nature of every man is a sense of fear that he might be wrong in God’s eyes.  There is no doubt discrimination and segregation where a great evil.  It contaminated our culture and poisoned our society.  Yet there was an impassioned plea to maintain the laws, because of the belief, “If it’s legal it’s right.” The law “legitimized” evil.   

We are seeing this same mind-set again rear its ugly head in our society; many secularist of influence today are trying to codify their beliefs in such issues as abortion and homosexuality.  They feel that if they can institute the right public policy or institute the right law, it will make their beliefs legitimate.  They have confused their legal rights with righteousness!  They have failed to learn a very important principle; just because you have or create a right to do something doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do (1 Cor 10:23).  Don't let legality blind you when it comes to the reality of God's righteousness.

Better a hard truth, than a comfortable delusion!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness…” Acts 17:31

Interesting how much importance some people will put on their schedule.  When it comes to weddings, vacations, moves, big purchases they can go to great lengths and detail to plan for tomorrow.  On the other hand there are others who will begin to plan the morning of such event!  In either case, being one of great detail or one to procrastinate, who is planning for the greatest event forthcoming; the day of the second coming of Christ and the marriage supper?  In Luke 17:27, he references that “like in the days of Noah” they continued in their lives marrying and carrying on until Noah entered into the Ark (picture of salvation).  Unfortunately people are planning for every possible event except the coming of Christ!  While we know not the date, we know of the promise.  We also know according to the scripture, “in the which he will judge” on the bases of how we have been preparing for that greatest of days.  It’s wise to plan for tomorrow, just don’t plan on being there (Pro 27:1). But, know the greatest of wedding days is forth coming, make sure you’ve marked your calendar and have prepared as if it’s your own wedding…because it is!

Plan as if He’s coming tomorrow, but live as if He’s coming today!

HSAY…Todd 

Today's Daily Wisdom

“Brethern, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.” Phil 3:17

A Sunday school teacher noticed a young boy sitting on a wall barking out orders to his classmates.  The teacher inquired what he was doing. “I’m being a pastor,” he said. She said in what way?  The little boy said, “I’m doing nothing, and telling everyone else what to do.”  We never know where our shadow falls and who it affects.  Martin Luther cast a long shadow over Germany and Europe that had a great effect on the world. About 500 years later, Adolph Hitler cast a shadow over Germany and Europe that was devastating and evil. Paul encouraged the Philippians to observe and follow his walk in Christ; does your walk cast a shadow worth standing in or to be followed by others?  We all project a shadow that influences others…parent, teacher, coach, co-worker, neighbor or friend.  It is said, imitation is the greatest form of flattery, when you see yourself in others is it a good thing.

There is a strong shadow, where there is much light from the Son!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

Mat 15:11 “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”

It’s what a man does that defiles him, not what others do to him.  The Pharisees were more concerned about the rituals and laws of man and his doctrines than they were the law of God.  It’s a character flaw for Christians who place their feelings above the word of God (Psa 119:165).  What proceeds from a man’s mouth does not outweigh his heart; “This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, but their heart is far from me.” (vs 8)  Unfortunately religion can be the strongest source of blindness that defiles man (vs 14); it’s not a ritual thing, but a heart thing when it comes to spiritual character of a man. 

Don’t let your mouth reflect your religion; let your heart reflect your relationship!

HSAY…Todd  

Daily Wisdom

“Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail…” Isa 34:16

Unfortunately we, as a society, have become inundated with self-help.  According to the Dept. of Labor Statistics, there are 160,000 psychologists and 28,000 psychiatrists in the U.S. alone that comprise 54 different areas of study.  The books alone are endless; according to Amazon there are 417,000 books available for self-help that generates a 2.5 billion dollar industry.  Given such a staggering array of choices how would one begin to decide which of those publications are best for them? The wrong book could actually set one back further.  According to publication laws and industry ethics, psychiatrist and psychologist cannot claim specific treatment will provide assurance of help for an individual; only general application and direction.  And even such limited assistance is only achieved by an individual being able to change by their own determined self-will.  But, God has a plan, specific and directly applicable to your individual needs, and goes beyond your limited abilities for it to occur. For those who truly desire help to change for their better, it comes through a personal, not occasional visit/s, relationship with the One who can truly offer change, Jesus Christ!  The greatest self-help book, even though it’s not self based, but Holy Spirit empowered, is the Bible. God’s words, as here in Isaiah’s prophecies, have “Never” failed those who have adhered to it. The power it holds is the same power that will offer change in your life. Do you want 417,000 opinions, or ONE source of truth?

Ones greatest change will occur we they are willing to change their source of wisdom.

HSAY…Todd

Today's daily Wisdom

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Mt 6:21

While this often falls underneath a new Christian’s first few memory verses, consider for a moment Christ as your Master CPA.  What if He was to put together a spreadsheet or balance sheet of our life, he begins asking for your pay-stubs, checkbook, tithes/offerings, investments and your time (time is money, meaning it has value and worth).  What would it show, would it show a life that is investing in the eternal or would it show temporal goals.  While ones checkbook shows a lot, you couple it with ones time and it begins to show a true balance sheet for their life. Ones money coupled with their time depicts an accurate image of their heart. Our desires are self designed and thus pursued by our hearts and supported by our money and time, where one goes the other follows.  Just as one who desires to support and love their family, it’s illustrated by their investment to labor, and without their labor/works it would be difficult to show otherwise.  The same is true for our Christian life, James 2:17 “Even so faith if it has not works, is dead, being alone.”  Our works are our investments; spiritual balance sheet in the Lord.

Words don’t clearly illustrate ones desire for the eternal, but more so those who put their money and time where their mouth is.

HSAY…Todd     

Today's Daily Wisdom

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”  2 Cor 11:3

It was not the outer grandeur of the Roman’s, but the inner simplicity of the gospel in Christ that has lived through the ages.  The essence of life is not defined by great victories or grand failures, but in the simple joys of the Lord. We must learn from Eve not to let our minds be beguiled (seduced wholly) thus corrupted from the simplicity of Christ.  Paul himself, educated, was determined not to know anything, save Jesus Christ and His crucifixion (1 Cor 2:1-2).  Paul did not mean that they we're in danger of being corrupted in the same way as Eve, but that similar efforts would be made to entrap and complicate our minds. Satan adapts his temptations to the character and circumstances of the tempted. The word subtlety implies that shrewdness, cunning, craft was employed.  Mastery of the simple things in Christ keeps the mind from wondering into tiring corruption in the world.  Simplicity is about subtracting the meaningless and adding the meaningful.

Life is amazingly good when it’s simple and amazingly simple when it’s good.

HSAY…Todd

Today's Daily Wisdom

“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” Psa 73:26

Where is your strength?  A question that many fear they want find an answer to in times of need.  Many times our strength is hidden in the trial before us, like a gift that is wrapped, we have to get into it in order to see its value.  The challenge is the source of our strength; it’s not the strength of your faith that delivers you, but the strength of Him upon whom you rely upon to deliver you. In the south many rely upon storm shelters and its strength for their hope in storms.  Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge (shelter) and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The flesh and the heart fails us over and over again, have trust in your refuge (shelter) of God knowing His strength is your portion and deliverance.  Those who have shelters don’t flea storms; they take shelter in what they trust. Likewise face the storms in life knowing God is your refuge and strength in the midst of the storm.

Strength does not come from physical capacity, but from an indomitable faith in God.

HSAY…Todd 

Today's Daily Wisdom

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” Rom 8:28

We must be honest with ourselves and fair in our request and expectations with God; His goodness comes forth in our life when we are called to his purpose and respond to it.  His purposeful call on our lives deals with our attitude towards His will in our lives. Don’t confuse yourself by struggling with purpose, but rather find a passion and attitude for the love of God and it will lead into His purpose for you and thus His good will.  No matter the setbacks, rejection, suffering or the disappointment and hurt you endure, God can bring good forth good out of any situation, even out evil that’s thrust upon us.  If we chose to trust in God’s will and purpose, His goodness wins out.  Often God’s purpose for the day will not show forth till tomorrow.  Like one sitting in the shade of a tree that was planted long before, no one saw the goodness of it at the time, but they were still willing to plant it, and now its purpose is for the good.

People hear your words, but it’s your attitude that illustrates your purpose.

HSAY…Todd  

Today's Daily Wisdom

“I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have not I hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord: and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” Psa 32:5

David simplified the whole situation…”my bad Lord.”  Unfortunately Adam & Eve, as well as we today, fail when it comes to our accountability in the Lord.  Adam blamed his wife, Eve blamed the serpent and we blame anyone other than ourselves.  The excuses are just as rampant today as it was in the Garden, societies blame governments, ethnic groups blame each other, individuals blame authorities; our own government can’t get along amongst the parties.  We have a massive social media entity that seems focused on one agenda, to attack, blame and discredit individuals for the problems in our society.  We even have criminals who get a voice justifying their crimes at the victims’ expense.  Our culture features this out-of-control blame game mindset.  We’re trying to define our saint-hood by counting others sins. Our culture is not interested in truth or accountability because they don’t want their illusions destroyed.  David’s prayer was during a time of great distress, and while seeking God’s wisdom and deliverance he starts with his own iniquity. If one wants change for the better, they better start changing themselves by acknowledging their own iniquity to the Lord before testifying of others. 

Your life will only change to the degree you claim responsibility to it!

HSAY…Todd 

Today's Daily Wisdom

“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” Heb 11:25

Choose to live…by choice , not by chance; to make changes, not excuses; to be motivating, not manipulating; to be useful, not used; to achieve, not simply compete; in self-esteem, not self-pity; to listen to the voice of God, not the voice of man. But, the greatest choice you can make is accepting the fact – the Eternal, self-existing God who created and sustains everything that exists, dearly loves you. Its life’s choices not circumstances which determines your success; if you are able to make a choice, to take a chance with God, you’ll see changes.  

Your greatest fear should not be failure, but succeeding at things in life that do not matter.

HSAY…Todd