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