Daily Wisdom

“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” 2 Cor 1:24

Paul’s letter to Corinth was for the purpose to build up and not for tearing down; “Therefore I write these things… the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.” (13:10). The question presents itself, are you a “Help or Hindrance” to the Gospel and other’s faith?  We have no ability or power to command faith, nor can we add to another’s faith, but we do have dominion over doctrine, but only to share what is contained in the scriptures.  We see Paul refer to “Joy” (26) times in the epistles, and (5) times in 2 Cor particularly. Joy is the grace which is wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God, of which Christ is the object; it is the by-product of faith, and as one’s faith grows so does one’s joy.  Yet it is often interrupted by corruptions of the heart and temptations of the world leaving the soul feeling unloved, discouraged and hopeless.  Such state of the soul drove Paul’s purpose, as should it ours to edify and build-up another’s spirit in Christ.  Making ourselves instruments and means by which the Spirit of God can be manifested in other’s hearts in a way that through faith they can see the joy of the Lord.  Helping should not be seen simply as a choice, but rather a purpose of joy to others. Again, are you a “Helper or a Hindrance” to the Joy of the Lord?

Never look down on someone else unless you’re helping them up.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“ARISE, SHINE; for thy light is come, and glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Isa 60:1

Isaiah’s reference to the light was a vision of Christ and the gospel (Isa 58:8; 10 & 9:2); that delivers a soul from its darkness. Isaiah’s encouragement is just as called for today and even more so with the fulfillment of Christ. Man was not made to mourn; he was made to rejoice in the Lord. The worlds view calls one to sit in the midst of life’s joys, looking for the coming sorrow; Christianity empowers the believer to arise and shine in the midst of the world’s sorrows, foreseeing the coming joy.  Understand that happiness is not found in perfection, but in the ability to look beyond the imperfections. Don’t live in the shadows of yesterday, walk in the light of today and its promised hope of tomorrow; not for the purpose of everyone hearing you say you’re a Christian, but rather for everyone to see Christ SHINE in you.

It’s not happy people who are thankful, its thankful people who are happy!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isa 59:1

It’s not an issue of inability; it’s a matter of severability that hinders God’s blessings (vs 2); by way of our sin. We’ve lost our ability to even blush over our sin, much less to weep over it. One’s inability to separate himself from sin will soon discover that sin will separate him from God, and all that is good. But know this, no one can out-sin the work of Christ on the cross; thus victory can never be separated from him who chooses to stand with humility and righteousness on the promise of the cross.

“Be cautious in thinking little of sin, you may fall little by little.”

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“…for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it.” Isa 57:8

The subtle seduction that leads to spiritual adultery; a man who allows himself to indulge in inquisitive tastes will eventually find a flavor he can’t resist. Yet vs 10 states that whatever perceived greatness was found still leads to weariness and vs 12 declares such works will offer no profit. The bible warns us repeatedly concerning the worlds temptations; Pro 5:3 warns us that the lips of a strange woman are like drops from a honeycomb. In the same light the bed of the world is inviting and can appear comfortable. But, realize satan could never lure you away with bitterness. That which brought you the appealing comforts and caress of your desires will be as vanity which carried away with the winds leaving you with only a cry for the desires lost (vs 13).  

That which leads you away will eventually lead you astray.

HSAY… Todd

“… David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Sam 30:6

Faced with the tragedy of losing their families, David's soldiers began to turn against him and even talked about killing him. Instead of looking to God for an answer, they looked for someone to blame. But David found his strength in God and began looking for a solution instead of a scapegoat. Often the problem is not the problem, but rather your attitude towards it. The greatest purpose of blame is the avoidance of accountability. Blaming others only robs you of the opportunity for great change; and eventually leads to the problem of running out of people to blame. You are not defeated because you lose, you’re defeated because you quit on God. Remember the guy who gave up? Neither does anyone else. Your greatest test of faith is when you’re able to find your encouragement in God and in doing so encourage others while going through your own storm.  

Don’t blame others to make yourself better; the only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.

HSAY … Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“… knowing that the goodness of God leadeth to repentance?” Rom 2:4

A confrontational/judgmental approach to one’s sin leads only to an argumentative response.  The same sin when approached in the goodness/love of God allows one’s spirit to weigh its actions.  In other words, the more attractive we find God, the less our hearts desire ungodliness. Finding Him as our pleasure changes our hearts/minds (repentance), turning our affections from sin and onto God.  And the more we pursue after Him in love the more our love is perfected through Him (1 Jn 4:18), the greater victory we have over our sin and our hearts change; Repentance.  In fact, how can we keep the greatest commandment unless we are being spurred on by God’s love?  Yes, we love because He first loved us (i.e. a response – a change of heart).  Therefore, a change of heart is what is required to follow after God in love – with all your heart, soul and mind (Mt. 22:37-38).  The greatest destruction permeating our society today is man’s inability to see God’s love; as a Christian that alone is your greatest responsibility, to show a love that leads one to repentance.

HSAY … Todd

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

Chaos creates confusion, which satan is the author of. We have mass shootings, political agendas, cultural collapse, moral decay, wars and rumors of, societal division, technological treason of privacy and self proclaimed elitist and their narcissistic thoughts of ultimate truth.  In all of this man has grown confused, hopeless and lost in his direction. And yet in spite of what’s occurring around us, the answer is and has always been and always will be, Christ! Don’t allow the temporal life around you persuade you from the only truth in all situations. Like satan, man’s persuasion begins with a bias towards his own will; and upon that bias he uses every circumstance to build upon it. It occurs by a lack of foundation on God’s truth allowing erosion to take place by outside influence.  Don’t let man’s opinion be weighed in consideration with the truth in Christ; one is factual while the other is motivated by self desire.

The greatest enemy of truth is often not the lie, but rather a persistent and persuasive myth.

HSAY … Todd

Daily Wisdom

“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Psa 34:18-19

Life is usually defined and revealed by either prosperity or affliction.  But, often affliction leads you to prayer; prosperity seldom. The furnace of affliction can be a good place; your endurance makes you more like Christ, preparing you for heaven.  When it comes, don’t let it sadden you know it brings with it assurance through the promise of God... 2Co 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” One’s first thought is the desirable release from affliction, but on second thought nothing should be more frightening than to be without such a need of dependence on God. Without affliction we may be prone, in our narcissistic thoughts to think we’ve already achieved paradise. It’s said the testimony of one’s life can never pen a more encouraging, hopeful and promised assurance than when it’s dipped in affliction. Often we are better in affliction than in prosperity, in prosperity we often forget God.

Rejoice in your hope, patient in your affliction and be instant in prayer. Rom 12:12

HSAY … Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.” Isa 10:33

The humble win! We know pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Pro 16:18). The problem with pride is its blindness to weakness and the inability to anticipate stumbling blocks; as it did the angels who sinned, and through pride fell into condemnation. Adam and Eve who were not content in their lot and desiring to be more and in need of more fell in their desired prosperity; as with many after them. Pride is like an unfulfilled appetite, always consuming contentment, wisdom and sacrifice. It leads one far away from God’s judgments, and yet they’re never closer to it; pride should be a great fear for one and all. Pride is the great separator between God and man; we can’t let go of self to grasp what we need.

Humility may hurt, but not as bad as a fall!

HSAY …Todd

Daily Wisdom

“And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this? For he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him?” Lk 8:25

Tell a man there are over 300 billion stars in the universe and he’ll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint on it and he’ll have to touch it to be sure. God understands our doubts and fears in responding to His truth, but He does require our faith in order to work in us and through us. Never be fearful to trust an unknown future to a knowing Father; He’ll either calm the storm or He’ll calm you. Faith and fear are formable opponents, feed our faith and fear will starve to death. To do so you have to see it as a mountain, focus on the summit and you’ll never get there. Focus on one step of faith in that direction at a time and you’ll be there before you know it. Like the disciples who set forth on the calm of the sea at Christ’s word, must be prepared to face peril the sea brings forth with faith in the same word. Hold your course in Christ; don’t let the fear of the circumstances before you cause you to choose an alternate route.

Fear can keep you up all night, but faith makes a fine pillow.

HSAY …Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.  Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Cor 7:22-23

The principles of Christianity reach every condition; and in every state a man should live so as to be a credit to it. It’s the duty of every Christian to be content with his lot, and to conduct himself as becomes a Christian, Christ likeness. Our joy and peace depends on what we are in Christ, not what we are in the world. It matters not where society ranks us, we’re all servants to the One who saved us. Therefore as God has called every one so let him walk and abide in the Father’s will (vs 17). Otherwise it would be as foolish as being employed by Google and showing up at IBM for work. As Christians we should quietly and contently abide in and where the Father’s Divine Providence has placed us and labor in our faith for the One who saved us. “For one to abide in the morality of man/society without abiding in Christ through the indwelling and transforming power of the Holy Spirit, will do nothing more than provide a morale heathen.”

The adherence of one’s faith is achieved in one’s abidance in Christ.

HSAY … Todd

Daily Wisdom

“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of man, but in the poser of God.” 1 Cor 2:5

Impoverished Faith … Man is quick to acknowledge acts of courage or stories of overcoming life obstacles as means of defining faithfulness and character.  Biblical stories such as David/Goliath, Daniel/Lions, Gideon/Jericho; and you have testimonies that fill multi-media sources today of individuals that triumph over life, drawing the applause and inspiration of others.  But what about faith that appears impoverished, offering no worldly rewards or even the acknowledgment of man? Often such faith provides the opposite in ways of ridicule and abandonment. Think of Mary, the mother of Jesus; though chosen by God to deliver the Saviour of man by way of the virgin birth, and yet lived her life in ridicule and attacks of man; seen as unclean and labeled a whore, and yet her faith was monumental, but without merit of man. Faith without worldly reward is so often seen as futile by man. But, faith’s value lies not in the acknowledgment of man, but rather hangs on the power of the One who truly defines it. Faith starts with a backwards look at the cross, but lives looking forward to the promises that lie ahead. Don’t let man measure your faith by the results; faith can only be measured by God who calls you to walk in it.

Faith is not about everything turning out ok; it’s about everything being ok no matter how it turns out.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisodm

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” 1 Cor 3:13

It’s not what you do or the size of it that’s important, but the why. The fire in which God uses to measure our work will either purify or reveal your motive and its true worth in the eternal kingdom. We’re blinded in this world when it comes to defining worth; it’s measured by size, monetary value, appearance and popularity. Man measures success, God measures motive. Don’t make life decisions based on the advice or measure of people you will not have to answer to in the eternal. We come about a proper motive like building a ship. You don’t drum up men, divide the work and bark out orders. Instead, teach them to desire the vastness of the sea. Likewise we come to a right motive when we encourage others along with ourselves to desire the vast richness of Christ and His righteousness.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“…he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Pro 11:25

It’s been illustrated many times, but there are two bodies of water in Israel; Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. One is flowing and alive with an abundance of resources while the other is dead, hence its name offering little to no resources. The reason for the vast difference is simple and very applicable to us as well. While both are feed by the same resource, the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee passes on that which it receives to other bodies. Yet the Dead Sea has no outlet; it never passes that which it was gifted by the Jordan River and becomes dormant, and its one time abundance becomes useless; simply stated one gives and one hoards (Psa 41:1-3).  Both received the same blessings, one lives in giving and the other dies in taking. Your abundance is not in what you have, but what you’ve been given and like the Sea of Galilee you benefit from it, but the biggest blessing is in paying it forward. The highest appreciation and greatest form of gratitude towards what we’ve been giving is not in the words we utter, but in simply sharing it with others. Jm 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father…” it’s not ours to hoard, but to give; its stewardship verses ownership! Jesus paid it all (Isa 53:5), and gifted you to share it with others.

Your blessings are a gift from God; what you do with them is your gift too God.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“And the Lord said unto Joshua, get thee up, wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?” Joshua 7:10

Joshua laid in mourning, anguishing in fear over his men being defeated by their enemy Ai; Joshua would rather leave the Promise Land God gave them and retreat. But Israel’s problem wasn’t their enemy, it was their own heart and the sin they let permeate within that was their obstacle, not their enemies.  God’s response was one of encouragement not consoling; “get thee up” address the problem, don’t dwell in it. Often we pray for our situation to change and God is waiting for our heart to change first. We all make mistakes (sin); have struggles, and even regret. But that’s not who you are; don’t let it define you by living life prostrate in the dust of such problems. Live in the promise of God’s love. The greatest victory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising in Christ every time you fall. Every day may not be a good day, but there’s good in every day; but you have to “get thee up” to find it! Look up, get up and never give up, because Christ got up, and never gives up on you!

I CAN is far more important than IQ

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know then, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” 1 Cor 2:14-15

Don’t expect most people to approve of or understand your decision to follow Christ. It all seems foolish to them. Just as a tone-deaf person cannot appreciate fine music, the person who rejects Christ cannot understand truths from the Spirit of God. Therefore we must make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit as a line of communication and a light between God and a lost world. We must be alert to opportunities; a person’s question may be evidence that God is drawing them to a point of decision. How would you respond if someone asked you about your faith?  1 Pt. 3:15 “…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

True hope is when you have nothing else but God, and realize you have everything.”

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.” 1 Tim 1:18

Paul renews his charge to Timothy to not only disciple others in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but to do so himself by holding strong to his faith (vs 19). Paul himself stood beholding his faith with a good conscience as he addressed the courts in (Acts 23:1). In order to fight a spiritual war it requires courage, integrity and most of all a beholding faith.  One beyond a profession of faith, but rather an unwavering faith in opposition to concealing it or laying aside as often done in times of fear and doubt; which Paul experienced through Alexander and Hymenaeus (vs 19). A beholding faith stands in contiguity to righteousness, never separating itself one from the other; as if never leaving the shadow of Christ. A faith that wavers from truth is not faith because truth never wavers. Faith doesn’t stand in consideration of outcomes, but strictly on the premise of what is right. “Faith doesn’t always make sense, but that’s why it makes miracles.”

The purpose of God’s word is not for a knowledgeable life, but for a changed life!

HSAY…Todd  

Daily Wisdom

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, if ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” Lk 17:5-6

The disciples request poses a good question, more faith or more obedience?  The prayer for more faith is justified, but is it the answer they really need. The disciples felt over-whelmed by Jesus teachings in vss 1-4 and felt desperately they needed a greater faith to do His will. But Jesus’ answer indicates that more faith is not the issue. Faith is not measured by quantity, but rather by its presence. Jesus isn’t looking for how many times we are faithful, but when we are faithful. He says a mustard seed size of faith will do great things. Jesus gives the disciples, and us the answer in vss 7-10; indicating Jesus is looking for obedience and humility. Notice Jesus offers an answer, not an accommodation; he tells them how to gain greater faith, not hand it to them.  You want a faith that moves through obstacles in your life, live a life that moves in obedience to His word. When faced with difficulty in life don’t simply seek more faith, but instead act in more humility and obedience. True faith is the ability and willingness to be humbly obedient.

HSAY…Todd   

Daily Wisdom

“And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after.” Heb 3:5

How you live will speak louder and longer than what you say.  Moses was not only faithful to deliver Israel but also to prepare the way for Christ; are you living in a way to prepare others for the return of Christ? The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be faithful, to be compassionate, to have it make a difference in others ability to see Christ. Christ not only saved your life… He made it worth living so others can see His purpose. Your story is what can unlock someone else’s prison. By allowing them to see your scars they see the hurt is over, the wound is closed, you endured the pain and God has healed you. He is preparing others to hear your story, He requires you faith to share fearlessly what should be the most precious thing to you. Don’t live ordinary, life is too short, the cost is too real and God’s love is too great. No matter what’s happening around you, live purposefully knowing who’s inside you.

Remember: The real church doesn’t start until the service is over.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Psa 103:2

God’s years and man’s days; such is the comparison of the eternal verses the temporal. A thousand years is as a day unto to God. During times of trouble and heartache we can see life like our shadow, passing by with the time of day. While a man deals in the moment, God deals in years by comparison. That’s our challenge; because man looks at life in the temporal it magnifies the need for the immediate. Even though man flourishes like a flower in the field, the wind passes over and it’s gone (Psa 103:15) in a temporal moment. But, the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear (reverence) the Lord. Don’t dwell on a temporal passing of a shadow; rather focus on the Sun/Son that cast the shadow.

If you’ve trusted God with your eternal soul, why would you not trust him with your temporal life?   

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 Jn 1:5

Darkness in itself does not exist; only by the absence of light do you find darkness.  In a comparative manner doubt is the absence of hope; anger is the absence of joy; jealously is the absence of contentment; selfishness is the absence of love; hate is the absence of peace and fear is the absence of faith. The absence which is missing is fellowship with God (vss 6 & 7). The word fellowship means participation, without such we are left with self reliance when it comes to light, hope, joy, love, peace and faith.  Darkness encroaches when we are left without the light we need to see His righteousness; yet in the darkest moments in life you can still have great vision if you’re participating in it with Christ. Darkness will always try to cast its shadow over you; its ability to hinder your strength will depend on your fellowship/participation with Christ… “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Jn 8:12 

Darkness has never prevailed over light, only our lack of participation has allowed darkness to prevail over us!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“My Soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.” Lam 3:20

Humility is the gateway into God’s favor. It’s the giant of character traits; in the valley one sees great things and small things from the mountain tops. In the midst of Jerusalem’s pain from its destruction, they were able bring into remembrance their humility and recall the Lord is their portion (vs 24).  In doing so it opened the spiritual flood gates of God’s promises in their time of need. In humility we find our HOPE (vs 21). With hope we recall God’s MERCIES (vs 22).  In His mercy we discover His COMPASSION fails not (vs 22); and we see they’re new every morning by way of His FAITHFULNESS (vs 23).  God’s hope, mercy, compassion and faithfulness are all triggered by our humility and its proper spiritual order “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Mat 23:12  

Humility should lead you to work for a cause not applause; live to express not impress; and not try to make your presence noticed, but rather your absence felt.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“The Lord hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he commanded in the days of old…” Lam 2:17

Not only by the mouth of Jeremiah, but in the days of Isaiah and Samuel and even Moses; were they all commanded to prophesy that if God’s children would not keep His words vexation and rebuke would come in all they apply their hand to (Deut 28:20). God says what He means and means what He says.  But this is a GREAT promise for us to hold, not in fear but in hope; knowing He which can bring forth wrath can and will bring forth His deliverance for those same who choose to follow His word and call upon His name (Joel 2:32).  God’s promises may be delayed in our desired timing, but He will never deny them to those who diligently seek His will and walk accordingly. “God’s will is what we would choose if we knew what God knows.”  Psalm 62:5 “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.”

He who puts everything in God’s hand will come to see God’s hand in everything.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things; for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.” Lam 1:10

Chapter one of lamentations is one of the most burdensome passages from God’s children as they mourn, thus lament from their rebellion against God. And verse ten illustrates the choice of rebellion was not necessarily willful as much as it was negligence.  They allowed within their realm of influence that which God had warned them about.  That, outside of God which looks to enter offering light will eventually leave you in darkness. Seldom does one intentionally sin or rebel against God, they are influenced by that which has been allowed to have access to their thoughts; control your influencers, control your impulse. You’ve been called to change the world, not chase after it; but you can never change that which you live like. That which influences you will eventually instruct you.

“Laughter of the world is merely loneliness trying to reassure itself.”

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“…And all the people shouted with a great shout, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many priests and Levites, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice…” Ezra 3:12-13 (excerpts)

The cares of comparison… the flower doesn’t think to compare itself to the flower beside it, it just blooms where it’s planted. For the older Jewish leaders, they were more focused on Solomon’s original temple than they were the re-built temple; causing them to weep, comparison robs you of your joy, amongst the shouts of praise (vs 11). Comparison will consistently cloud the clarity of God’s purpose and puts you in a constant state of change in trying to keep up with the crowd; though you change a thousand times, HE has not changed once. Comparing oneself to what lies behind or to who lies before are meaningless compared to what lies within you.  Rather be consumed with the creator of all things instead of comparing yourself to the things HE created. Your worth is not valued in comparison, but in your worth to God; that makes you priceless in comparison!

Before you compare understand the character of that in which you are looking at; if less than Christ, why compare?

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“…the people gathered themselves together as one man; and builded the altar of God...” Ezra 3:1 & 2

As a Christian one should be more concerned about getting right before worrying about looking right!  The King of Persia allowed Ezra and the Jews to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. But, first things first; (vs 5) says they restored all the set feasts that were consecrated by the Lord. The people began worshiping God even before the Temple foundation was laid (2 yrs. later). They had become more concerned about serving God than serving themselves. After years in captivity, they had learned their lesson - they knew that God doesn’t offer special protection to those who ignore him. They had been carried off by the Babylonians when they were relatively strong; here they were few, weak, and surrounded by enemies. If ever they needed to rely on God's power, it was at this time. They realized the importance of obeying God from the heart, and not merely out of habit. Let God establish you in humility before you worry about elevating yourself through pride! It’s easy to say you’re a Christian, the hard part is being one.

Pride screams, look what I am; Humility whispers, but is that what I should be?

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage.” Gal 4:9

To simply desire a solution to your problem without interest in the answer to your problem, is like continuing to fill a tire with air and wonder why it’s always going flat. You cannot solve your problems with the same level of thinking that created them.  It’s your personal thinking that leads you into sin which requires a solution for redemption, which is in Christ. Yet, while your sin leads you to Jesus as a solution, why would you then not depend on Him for your answer to sin and avoid the bondage that hinders you from living in your inheritance (vs 7)? Too many Christians approach Christ as a problem fixer, not a problem solver. Not desiring to change their thinking; only to get their spiritual tire filled that’s constantly leaking. Sometimes God allows us to get into a situation, like a tire that finally blows from continual neglect, and that now requires a permanent answer not a temporal fix; so we’ll discover He is the only one who has the answer to our problem.  

True Christianity contradicts sense, it requires you to give up the visible (temporal) for the invisible (eternal) truth in Jesus (2 Cor 4:18).

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Gal 1:10

Don’t get caught up in the social and cultural mind-set of today that allows the opinions and thoughts of the masses persuade your thoughts and efforts; where your motive is fueled by fearing the frowns of men while in hopes of finding their favour. Even as Christians many often focus more on who has rejected them rather than who has selected them. Don’t be so mindful of opinions of others, God never called you to impress people only to love them. Your approval and acceptance is woven into life through the cross, not the opinion of man. Remember, your efforts are futile in finding worth and acceptance in a world in which opinion hangs on its narcissistic desires at the moment. Better to find your approval in God than in the applause of men; one is conditional while the other is unconditional. You are at your most powerful for God when you don’t need external approval.

Because of the Gospel you no longer have to live for approval, rather in approval!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Whom shall I teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.” Isa 28:9

One’s growth, maturity or knowledge in the Lord is illustrated by three stages; Infancy, Adolescence and Adult-hood.  And just as a new-born infant starts with the their mother’s breast milk before they advance physically to foods with more substance, Isaiah states, how can God grow you spiritually if God can’t get you past infancy and your mother’s milk? In ch. 29 these verses characterize the people's reaction to Isaiah. In effect, they were saying, "He's speaking to us like a schoolteacher speaks to small children. We don't need to be taught. We'll make up our own minds." For this attitude, Isaiah prophesied the lesson will still occur, and that the Assyrians would teach them in a way they would like even less. Paul spoke to the same issue in Rom 1 by stating “they knew God but glorified him not, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” (Rom 1:21-22). Foolish is one who claims their own maturity or wisdom (Pro 22:4), and yet they are still living on milk. Self relied/determined wisdom is idolatry; it makes God in our image, instead of the reverse. A fool can know; but knowledge is understanding wisdom is in God.

Don’t boast in counting the seeds in an apple when only God can count the apples in a seed!

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.” 2 Chro 2:5

What are you building in life; is what you’re building providing others access to and favour of Jesus or self?  In 2 Chronicles 2, Solomon had great purpose in wanting to build a temple for God, not to house him (vs 6), but to worship and sacrifice to Him. Yet, Solomon needed help in resources to do so. He called upon his father’s (King David) old contact the King of Tyre whose nation served and worshipped many gods.  In doing so Solomon, unlike many Christians today, chooses not to hide or conceal his purpose in what he desired to build.  Solomon makes God the central purpose as to why he did what he did (vs 4). By Israel keeping close to the commandments and worship of God, the neighboring nations were willing to be taught by them, as the Israelites had been willing in the days of their apostasy, to be infected with the idolatries and superstitions of their neighbors.  It’s easy to confuse a lot of activity with a purposeful life, but if they don’t see Jesus in it they’ll only see you. Expecting others to respond to Jesus based on what you do rather than “why” you do it, is like expecting a criminal to walk into a jail because he was impressed with a police officer.

The greatest way to deal with your past is to make it the opening story towards your promised future.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Neh 8:10

If you expect the world to be fair with you because you are fair, you’re fooling yourself.  That’s like expecting a lion not to eat you because you didn’t eat him.  Your joy and peace in life will never accurately be determined by what’s happening around you, but rather what’s happening inside of you.  Unfortunately too many depend on happenings in life for their joy, but the truth is joy originates from within the soul and manifest itself on life around them.  Don’t let your focus be on how good or bad you feel life is; wake up each day thankful for the blessing of life itself, knowing someone else is desperately fighting for theirs.  Life becomes joyful for those who find their joy in the strength of the God, no matter what’s happening around them. Billy Sunday said: If you have no joy, there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere.”  It’s not found in the absence of suffering, but in the presence of God.  Don’t sit and what for joy to arrive; you must choose joy and keep choosing it everyday, that’s where your strength is.

One who has a heart full of thankfulness will have a soul full of joy!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances.” Col 2:20

To the Colossians, the discipline demanded by the false teachers seemed good, and legalism still attracts many people today. Following a long list of religious rules requires strong self-discipline and can make a person appear and feel moral, but religious rules cannot do what only the Holy Spirit can, change a person's heart. Nor can we cannot reach up to God by following rules of pious self-denial, by observing rituals, or by practicing religion.  Man-made religions focus on human effort; Christianity focuses on Christ's work. Believers must put aside sinful desires, but doing so is the by-product of our new life in Christ, not the reason for our new life.  Rather choosing to deny and humble ourselves in order to serve someone else is the greatest act of growing in Christ. As Christians we are called to be selfless rather than self-centered.  Verse 18 says: “Let no man beguile you of your reward” don’t let religion cause you play the hate card rather confessing you’re your own hate; if you want to arrogantly lecture, rather than humbly learn; if you don’t want to feel guilt in your soul when you are guilty of sin; if you want to be enabled rather than confronted, there are religions that will feed your wants, but none of which is Christ-like! Christ is more interested in you practicing personal forgiveness than religious judgment; reconciliation rather than conflict. Church/Religion should not be a “safe-zone” to hide from your convictions, but rather to learn that life is not about you, but Christ and others around you. And while you may have to deal with guilt when listening to a sermon, be thankful the Holy Spirit cares enough to convict you.  And the way to address it is to repent, not relocate to a more comfortable word.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb 13:5

It’s said “You get what you get and don’t pitch a fit!” I remember a friend showing me a new car he had recently purchased, to which he stated it was the car he had always dreamed of.  Interesting enough I ran into him less than a year later and you guessed it; he was driving a new car again.  Is that not life today, I got to have it until I find something better!  Lack of contentment in one’s life fuels impulsive, emotional and temporal thinking.  It is said, contentment is a natural and healthy wealth; luxury is artificial poverty. Contentment does not mean or require one to be without prayers, but it does mean that one’s joy and peace is not based one’s prayers being answered.  God often may answer NO! It’s then one will be able to determine their own level of contentment in their soul.  Many claims are made concerning the lives one would live and the deeds they would do, if only they were better circumstances.  Moses was called to deliver and birth a nation with only a rod and he opened parted a sea with it.  David had only five pebbles and yet with God brought down Goliath. The widowed woman was able to pay all her debts with just a minuscule amount of oil and God. The most glorious and powerful deeds don’t require the wealth of men, but only the abundance God.  Where is your “Contentment”, is it found in the resources of this world or in the promises and strength of the Lord?  “…The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear”; “…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Heb 13:6; Phil 4:11)

You’ll never know what enough is until you know what’s more than enough.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.” Exo 14:21

Like the children of Israel, we too have found ourselves stuck between what appears to be a dead end; caught between boundaries that seem to prevent us from moving forward while being pursued by a fast approaching enemy from behind.  This is where we find Nahshon; he was counted in the census following the Exodus to represent the tribe of Judah.  Though he obviously survived the Pharaoh’s assault, he was now challenged in his faith to move forward in the will of the Father.  God had led them to what appeared to be an ultimate death. But, God was about to birth a nation using the parting of the Red Sea as His tool of choice.  This is where the faith of Nahshon and the Israelites would be challenged.  Jewish tradition claims Nahshon was the first Israelite to step into the Red Sea. However, as he waded in his faith the waters continued to rise over his body, starting from his ankles and slowly rising as it proceeded towards his head. Then the miracle was delivered and the waters parted for their deliverance.

Nahshon teaches us a powerful lesson.  For many Christians we fail to walk a new path God has set before us, instead choosing to stick with something old and familiar.  Many times the only way through a trial is to walk forward in our faith no matter what the obstacle before us appears to be, even if an ocean lay’s ahead.  Don’t challenge God by demanding the miracle first, that’s a poor definition of faith.  Instead, be a Nahshon, walk boldly in your faith and leave the timing of the miracle up to God!

Faith requires an action on our part before we get a re-action on God’s part.

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom

Daily Wisdom

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, o Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psa 5:3

CHRIST is alive; with each and every new day His love and blessings fall as the morning dew!  The flower called Morning Glory blooms every morning prepared to receive that day’s dew;  likewise so should our hearts be open each new day to God’s grace, goodness and mercy, not closed causing His dew to simply run off.  A state of mind that sees God’s hand in every new day is evidence of growth in grace and thankfulness.  Be cautious looking around you’ll become impressed, don’t look down you’ll become depressed; just look at Him and count your blessings and pray not because of need, but because you have a lot to be thankful for. Knowing each morning’s horizon brings with it our promised hope of God’s grace.

Your greatest testimony is how you act and treat others after church is over.

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“…our craft is in danger to be set at nought;” Acts 19:27

The people of Ephesus and the craftsmen were more worried about their loss of money from making false idols than they were the truth Paul was preaching. The love of money and wealth in general encouraged them to hide their greed behind the mask of loyalty; not seeing their selfish motives.  Men are jealous for that by which they get their wealth/pleasure; and many stubbornly and unreasonably set themselves against the gospel of Christ for such idols made by human hands. Riches can’t buy day, but righteousness provides eternity (Pro 11:4). He is rich who is content in Christ; for contentment is the wealth of God.  There is no greater wealth than wisdom in God and no greater poverty than ignorance; the Gospel is a call to self-denial, not self-fulfillment.

Some people are so poor, all they have is money.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Acts 19:15

Power does not exist in what you claim, but in whom you claim it. Certain Jews, sons of Sceva the high priest travelled town to town making a living claiming to drive out demons; proclaiming power by using Jesus’ name in effort to match Paul’s power. By the response of the evil spirit you can see they were misinformed as to whom controls such power that Paul possessed. Even as Christians we don’t possess the power of God, it possess’ us. To proclaim Jesus and to know Jesus are two greatly different things; like ones salvation it’s not what you know, but whom you know that provides all that you need.  The power of God, which resonates by our faith, does not operate in the realm of the possible; there is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Power and faith begin where man’s ability ends.

God’s power is made perfect in our weakness, not our boasting.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“He hath shown thee, O man, what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God.” Micah 6:8

Concerning God being pleased with us, our acts must be an investment in the atonement of Christ, and that the sin by which we displease Him may be taken away. What will be a satisfaction to God's justice? In what righteousness shall we appear before him? Our proposals often betray ignorance, though they may show zeal. We become spiritually arrogant, offering that which is rich and costly, as if it will appease the God that owns it all (vs 6-7). The Lord wants a living sacrifice not a material or monetary substitution. One cannot bribe God spiritually with rituals and religious acts, “the Lord requires of thee” changed lives a living sacrifice (Rom 12: 1-2). Our walk is not about finding ways to please God, but simply to serve Him. God has made His wishes clear: He requires thee “to do justly, love mercy and to walk humbly” with Him; as an offering to others, not simply for your own consumption.

For the man who gets all he can and saves all he can, but doesn't give all he can, better devise another plan!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isa 43:2

James Taylor hit song “Fire and Rain” alludes to life’s storms one faces; claiming “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain.”  Sometimes God calms the storms raging around us and other times He lets the storm rage and calms His child.  You can find His calming peace knowing the fire within you burns brighter than the fire around you…Heb 12:29 “For our God is a consuming fire.”  Don’t fear your storms, fear being a part of something that can be explained by your own power and ability. Rather be a part of something, even a storm where its result can only be explained by the power of God.  Remember faith doesn’t wait on understanding or proof; in that case it wouldn’t be faith. Question is: Would you rather go through a storm with Jesus or sail in calm waters alone?

PRAYER: “Spirit lead me where my trust is without boarders; Let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander; and my faith be made stronger in the presence of my saviour.”

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Thus saith the Lord; Deceive not yourselves…” Jere 37:9

Deception often gives you what you want in the beginning, but will always fail you in the end. “The greatest deception man suffers from is their own opinion.” This comes about when you see the truth, know the truth, but still act on your own desire. Avoid reasoning as your source of guidance; knowing it opens the door to deception and confusion. Rather seek the truth “Sow to yourself in righteousness, reap in mercy...” (Hosea 10:12). Notice you reap in proportion to His mercy, not what proportion you have sown. The capacity and fullness of the mercy of God; which is boundless overlooks man’s failings, and gives an infinite reward for imperfect labor.

The allure that comes by deception is like an iceberg, there’s more to it than what you see.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“O’ give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the People.” Psa 50:1

Interesting and yet sad how Easter has gone the way of the world; the celebration of Jesus death and resurrection has become as artificial as the plastic eggs we use today.  In not to condemn any family traditions that create good memories, Easter has become all about us: new clothing for appearance, baskets of goodies and family fun.  Honestly it’s all about you and for you but, it has nothing to do with your outward being. It all has to do with your inner ugliness that’s as rotten as a traditional egg three days later (Rom 3:23). Yet, Jesus personally did what he did for you…He lived in your challenging, abusive, hate-filled world, for you. He died a brutal death at the hands of hateful people, for you. He defeated an eternal death you deserved, for you.  Remember, Easter is about the “good news” not good traditions.

The Gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.

HASY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“He is not here: for he has risen…” Mat 28:6

Only a week had passed since the triumphant Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem – but what a difference in the procession that set out now!  No cheering crowds, not waving branches; just a few silent women setting out in a gray dawn to visit the tomb.  The day that changed human history was not a public spectacle but a personal one, interestingly just like our salvation.  The day when everlasting life entered into earthly time, it began not with celebration but with a personal experience.  Still today eternal life breaks forth when we least expect it, when all seems lost stones are rolled away that separate us from the resurrected life where “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor 15).  Not only was he not there, but the stone was rolled away; not for him, but for us to see that the tomb was empty; knowing the stone would not be a hindrance to Christ, but to our faith.  In the same way satan uses the stones of doubt to hinder our faith.  Yet, Jesus called them out personally to fear not, I have risen!  Like Mary we often respond in the confusion of fear; can it be true and joy; knowing the promise.  Live in the knowledge and promised hope that Christ is alive, the tomb is still empty!  And like the two women who personally experienced the living Christ and brought the “good news” to those who were grieving, that’s our role once we experience Easter in our own life to go tell someone else He is Risen!

Don’t doubt your worth; He thought you were worth dying for!

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.” Psa 57:10

Mercy and Truth is a strange pair, yet they are linked together 47 times in the bible. Mercy is emotional and truth is practical. Mercy is flexible and truth is absolute. As Moses was told to build the ark, he was instructed to place the tablets of stone with the law written on them—cold, hard, and unchangeable. Truth was in the ark, and mercy was right there, too, above it. The mercy seat with the cherubim’s’ wings spread above the ark covered the law.  What is higher than the clouds? What covers the clouds like a canopy? The heavens. Truth reaches to the clouds, but mercy reaches unto the heavens. Mercy is the canopy that covers truth. Matthew 1, lineage of Christ contains some important illustrations of truth and mercy.  Truth says…Tamar was a harlot; Mercy says, she’s a survivor and worth saving. Truth says…Rahab was a harlot, liar; Mercy says, she’s a believer and I have a place for her. Truth says…Ruth is an idol worshiper; Mercy says, I’ll show her the way. Truth says…Bathsheba was a has been; Mercy says, she’ll be a can be.  We are well acquainted with truth. We stand on truth, we live by truth, we glorify truth, and so we should. Truth must be faced and dealt with. Truth cannot be changed, hidden, ran from, or ignored. For some truth is . . . “I’ve had an abortion.” “I was unfaithful to my spouse.” “I’ve been on drugs.” “I’ve embezzled from my employer.” “I’ve practiced homosexuality.” “I’ve ignored God.” Oh yes, we know the truth . But we are not as well acquainted with mercy as we should be. Read the words of the Savior. “…I will have mercy and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners [the Tamars, the Rahabs, the Ruths, the Bathshebas] to repentance” (Mat 9:13). Truth points out the prostitutes, the adulteresses, the idol worshipers, the drug addicts, the lesbians. Mercy calls them to repentance… “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged” (Pro 16:6).

No Truth no freedom; no Mercy no hope.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“…this poor widow hast cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury.” Mk 12:43

Are you able and do give beyond your need? The widow lady’s willingness to give, when she herself was in need, shows us a true devotion to Jesus and those around her. Often you’ll never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. The widow lady grabs her moment to give at a cost, while in need herself, and it was recorded by God. The greatest reward and value in life resides in what you can give, not what you can obtain. Don’t become blinded by your needs and miss an opportunity like the widow to meet another’s.  A lock is never made without a key. You’ll never face a need that God doesn’t have a solution; so don’t miss your opportunity to give fearing you want be able to buy your own key.

Giving is not about making a donation; it’s about making a difference.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“…that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.” Col 1:18; 19

We must keep in mind that choices, not circumstances define our success. The Father desires and provided the preeminent choice, Christ! Within that choice dwells all that we need and desire; 1 Pt 1:4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding and great precious promises…”  Sadly we selfishly make whatever choices we desire, but are not willing to be accountable to the consequences; calling upon God’s mercy to intercede.  Man’s heart devises many a plans, but only Gods’ will prevail (Pro 19:21). If you don’t like your circumstances, change your choices. If it’s important enough to you you’ll find away or you’ll find an excuse, but either one is a choice! God’s word is like a menu with two choices; take it or leave it. One offers fullness and the other emptiness.

Choice and Accountability, you can’t have one without the other.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.” Col 1:5

Throughout this letter, Paul combats a heresy similar to Gnosticism (vss 9-14; 15-23; 2:4). Who believed that it took special knowledge to be accepted by God; Christ alone was not the way of salvation (vs 20). In his opening Paul commended the Colossians for their faith, love, and hope as they looked forward to heaven (1 Cor 13:13). He omits the word knowledge because of the "special knowledge" aspect of the heresy. It is not what we know that brings salvation but whom we know. Know this; we know nothing of our salvation outside of Jesus! Christianity is not defined by your strength to overcome, but in your humility to admit you need a saviour! There’s hope for anyone and anything that put their hope in Christ alone.

The greatest hope in knowledge you need is to know you have no hope without Christ.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isa 41:13

For those willing to leave or put everything in God’s hand, will eventually see God’s hand in everything!  God has engraved your name on the palms of His hands (Isa 49:16), thus no matter what you face in life, don’t let go of the hand that is scarred and pierced with and by your name. Don’t look at God’s hands concerning what he can give you, but rather what He can take from you and allowing you to what He’s called you to.  When life gives you more than you can hold, let go and simply hold the one who gives you life.

FSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.” Psa 145:8

Claiming to have compassion, then being confused between empathy and pity is common. One moves you to action while the other is selfish and indifferent.  Likewise there is a difference between having Christ and being a Christian; one is a gift, the later is a desire to make a difference in others. Jude 22 “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” The key words are “some” and “difference.”  Paul greatly embodied this example of compassion in Rom 9 stating he would be willing to give up his own salvation, if possible, for others to receive it. If we were as motivated by compassion as we are condemnation, we’d all be better off. Compassion is the antidote to the soul: where even the most poisonous attacks can remain harmless. For many, compassion is self-serving/reflecting leaving only pity for others.  Through compassion God gives you an amazing opportunity to make a difference, a change without limits in someone’s life; that brings a joy and peace for both souls.

Compassion requires action or it’s just a thought of pity.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For men shall be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” 2 Tim 3:4

C.S. Lewis states, man is endless in his attempts to fulfill pleasures this world cannot satisfy, the probable explanation is that man was made for another world. God does not call us into His presence to keep us from pleasure; He calls us to experience the fullness of pleasure in His presence that this world cannot offer. Sadly Christ went more willingly to the cross than man does the throne of grace. Today man knows more about the lives of personalities, athletes and entertainers than they do the life and ministry of Christ. The worldly things we covet, and zealously try to retain, never seems to bring an end to our desires? These desires escalate into a vicious spiral as we seek greater pleasure, but find less and less contentment. When “All I ever wanted” is grounded in temporal desire, it’ll never be enough. Solomon sought after and obtained every pleasure the world had to offer to only surmise his life as “all is vanity” (Ecc 1:2) as in chasing the wind.

A life devoted to seeking pleasure is life devoted to discontent!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Psa 29:2

Worship is a challenge for many because it requires that you attribute to another what your flesh desires to receive. Thus left to yourself you lapse into a state of spiritual entropy and acquiesce to the thought that things are getting worse and there is nothing you can do about it.  So wrong, your life is to be lived in worship as one who has been resurrected between Easter and our Lord’s return. Your worship is the heart pouring out its gratitude and awe, expressing your appreciation of who He is and the grace He poured out through Christ Jesus. Satan is like enemies trying to prevent you from reaching Christ, the closer you get the stronger they attack by creating a selfish doubt in the selfless cost required to achieve your destiny. It’s a sad thing to see Christians whose lives are so parallel to unbelievers that it’s difficult to tell whether they are in the flesh or the spirit. Consider, if you’re not interested in worship, then you want have much interest in heaven.

“Worship is simply giving God His breath back.”

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Be ye not as your fathers… (6) But, my words and my statues, which I commanded, did they not take hold of your fathers?...”  Zech 1:4; 6

God’s children held on or possessed everything but the truth and refused to turn towards God. Causing Zechariah to remind them in vs 6, all that God prophesied took hold of their fathers. Be cautious to never hold on to anything stronger than you do Jesus. Life can be compared to going grocery shopping while hungry, enticed to grab what looks good rather than what we need. Know that what you hold to holds you; be it temporal relationships, careers, money or even a ministry can hold you back from what you need to posses the most, Jesus. For the rich young ruler he chose to hold to the wrong possessions (Mt 19) and missed eternal wealth.  The nails did not hold Jesus to the cross, His love for you did.  In the same manner don’t allow the world to hold you, but rather His love for you; it’s your greatest possession.

It takes a lot more effort to hold than it does to be held!

HSAY…Todd