Daily Wisdom

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:10

Humility can appear as a risky proposition. The thought can create images of discomfort, sacrifice and unfairness if we don’t speak up or assert ourselves, causing us to miss opportunity.  Maybe James was thinking of his brother Jesus, there was never anyone humbler as he submitted himself to God’s plan to be crucified with the worst of criminals, and seeing him lifted up on the third day.  But, many fear the cost associated with humility. The choice comes when we have to decide who’s going to do the lifting up, us or God. What if God’s degree of lifting is not our desire or he doesn’t lift timely and we miss an opportunity we long for?  This verse provides not only a command, but a promise as well. If we do our part, God will do his often beyond our expectation. (Mt 23:12)  Humility is like helium -vs- air, there’s less of itself thus allowing it to reach greater heights.  Learn to humble yourself or the world will be more than willing to do it for you.

Humility allows you to focus on what is right, not who is right.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Love never faileth…” 1 Cor 13:8

I wish I could brag about my great love for God, but I can’t because I fail him daily. But, I can brag about his great love for me because it never fails. His love is so extravagant and inexplicable that he loved you before you.  Our failure comes from depending on something foreign to satisfy or heart besides he who created it. We avoid artificial products for our health, but utilize them for our love! He loved you yesterday, and he’ll love you tomorrow, and no matter where you are today… He loves you now!

He loves you because of who he is, not who you are.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Cor 12:10

It’s been an argument and belief in humanity that the stronger dominate the weaker and in some warped justification even determine who lives and who dies, and yet they can’t make their own heartbeat; arrogance.  The power they desire and claim, they possess none of it, it’s the mercy of God that sustains man even when God is hated. The proclaimed weakest among us have a story, that when told through the mercy and power of God gives hope to the so called strong. Though it appears foolish to many, it’s still empowering “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Cor 1:25)  Man often gets confused in his efforts by mistaking them as his success, and becomes obsessed with his own glory, rather than obsessed with the glory of God. Paul realized that in both his physical and spiritual weakness, he found the power and glory of God that sustained him better than life itself.  Your only real strength comes from what you stand upon, and that will define the story you tell. So, is it about what you built or is it “Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.” Eph 2:20

Strength can’t come from you and God, it’s either you or God!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” Exo 4:12

Ever gone and felt pretty sure you left Jesus behind by knowing what came out of your mouth was not being taught in Christian Speech 101!   Here we see Moses struggling in his service for which God had called him, even to a fault; we can no longer impute it to his humility, now it’s grown to cowardice, slothfulness, and unbelief in it.  This single obstacle, fear of not knowing when or how to speak, is likewise a cowardice response for Christians to speak for God, and endeavour to excuse themselves.  Even Paul’s speech was contemptible (2 Cor 10:10). Nor can one blame it on being ignorant and unlearned, Jesus used unlearned and ignorant men to turn the world upside down (Acts 4:13). Jesus told the disciples “take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.” (Mt 10; Mk 13)  The answer is the same giving to Moses and the disciples, I’ll be with you: Acts 4:13b “...they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”  God told Moses, go I’ll be with thy mouth.  It’s interesting Christians claim they don’t know what to say to others, but they have a lot to say about others.  You don’t have to speak a doctrine, just let your words be that “one may edify another.” (Rom 14:19)

The results of our mouth would be a lot better if we spent more time talking to others instead about others!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For he is our peace…” Eph 2:14

Peace, like grace is a gift which is given to us through Jesus: (Jn 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you…”) how simpler can Jesus make it! Jesus illustrates it with two views, “I leave you peace” and “not as the world gives”... you have two choices, satan has a dog in the hunt as well, and he’ll promise you the world to go along with his peace.  Here’s crux of the matter, the peace of God only exist within the presence of God, can’t obtain true peace with proximity. When you choose to enter the presence of God, God is then able to enter your circumstances with his power which brings with it his peace.

Peace is not the absence of circumstances, but the presence of Christ.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For this cause i bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (16) That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man.” Eph 3:14; 16

The perfection of the “Inner Man” (Eph 3:16) will only occur when the fire within you burns brighter than the fire around you. Just like a fire that is fanned its heat intensifies, but the question is which flames are you fanning. Remind yourself, God has not called you to do or worry about what everyone else is doing, if you desire to be used by God you can’t spend all your time with others. The perfection  of the “Inner-Man” requires daily strengthening (2 Cor 4:16), empowering yourself in the riches of Christ and his armour, and taking of the word in all faith and prayer. (Eph 3:8-9; 16; 6:10-20).

Focus on the “inner-man” and the outside blessings will manifest.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.” 1 Cor 8:9

Paul illustrates his point by responding to the Corinthians concerning the consumption of meat that was sacrificed to false gods as being neither morally better or worse for them (1 Cor 6:12).  But, if their consumption causes another to stumble and/or morally, spiritually injure themselves it must be avoided. Your liberty ends where another's begins concerning their benefit. You may have a right abstractly to such actions, but God warns it will not be prudent or wise on your part to exercise it (Lev 19:14). Don’t be a stumblingblock to the weak for an occasion for sin (Rom 4:13) it’s too costly for all involved: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones (spiritually weak) which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Mt 18:6). The majority of Christians are “little ones” in some area of their lives, of which you don’t know and thus must be a cause for caution “Giving no offence in anything, that the (your) ministry be not blamed.” (2 Cor 6:3)  Let your actions and ministry be as a stepping stone towards Christ, not a stumblingblock of hindrance. If rejection to the truth and accountability to your siblings in Christ is a stumblingblock for you, then pride becomes your problem.

“Inconsistent professors of Christ are the greatest stumbingblocks to the spread of Christ!”

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?”  Lk 13:18

To quickly clarify the question in this verse it’s not like you, but Christ! So in order for another to gather a glimpse of Heaven from you, they have to see Christ in you.  Your life is a billboard displaying what you want attention drawn too, so what are your advertising? If Christ, then don’t give people the opportunity to label you a hypocrite by comparing what is advertised verses what is lived.  This can be avoided by paying more attention to your creator than your critics. Those who shine from the light within don’t need the spotlight, which draws attention from Christ who we’re called to draw attention too. You do this by: rebuking your self, reflecting his goodness, revealing his love, and resembling his likeness.

Be careful, what you win people with is what you win them to.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Pro 4:23

God references the heart 833 times in scripture, thus drawing great attention to its importance in our spiritual success.  In one case God warns us to the “forwardness” of the heart (Pro 6:14), meaning the perversity or fraud it devises. We are further warned towards our careless or naive guardianship of our heart: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it.” (Jere 17:10).  The foolishness inside our hearts is much more dangerous than the foolish temptations outside of the heart; it’s the foolishness within the heart that latches onto the the temptations before it. Thus we don’t protect the heart by avoiding the world, but rather by humbling the heart to seek God: “The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.” (Psa 69:32; Psa 10:17). Humility is our responsibility, not God’s. Know this, forced humility is humiliation, self humility is dependence on God.  We are called to humble ourselves (Mt 18:4) in order for our hearts to see God, and not the foolishness of this life.

True humility allows you to grow no matter how much you already know.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not:... (39) For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.” Psa 78:38-39

God acknowledges our frame and that we are but dust blown in the wind (Psa 103:14), what a striking description is this of man! How true of an individual! How true of a generation! And thus God judges with compassion in our weakness and fallen nature. If God acted on the principle and in the manner according to which we act, we could hope for no mercy at his hand. It is well for us that there is not one like ourselves on the throne. But, verse 36 & 37 identifies the depth and fullness of his compassion: (vs 36-37) “Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.”  They were full of flattery, he was full of mercy.  He allows his mercy to work, not because of pitiful and hypocritical pretensions to penitence, but because of his own real compassion for them he overlooked the provocations.  God himself allows his mercy to flow seventy times seven (Mt 18:22).  How deep does your compassion flow from you, allowing mercy to drown your anger against those who hurt you?  Compassion is not weakness, but rather a great strength when offered as forgiveness.

Compassion will cure and heal more sins than condemnation.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isa 53:5

The suffering that brings us healing and peace was achieved through his wounds; “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (Psa 147:3).  To heal a wound you have to stop touching it. There may be a ugly scab, but the healing occurs from the inside out. Don’t fear or be ashamed of the scars life has left you with. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed, you endured the pain and God has healed you. In doing so others will find healing in your wounds as well.  Your greatest message and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest wounds. Don’t be shameful in how you think you appear, it’s the cross that makes you flawless.

The deeper the wound the deeper the light of God can enter.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” Eph 2:1

The word “dead” in the original Greek means, dead/corpse! The love of Christ has quickened (brought to life) that which is dead, us!  Proclaiming such love of Christ is the overflow of sharing in the life of Christ.  Don’t be confused or be apart of confusing the gospel of Jesus Christ with modern/social evangelism. From the very beginning discipleship was the DNA of Christ ministry, Mt 4. But It’s hard to disciple others in following Christ if you are not being discipled yourself in the gospel. Sadly many in the church are missing the life and purpose of Christ, and are disillusioned in their purpose with the gospel. If we’re not careful we’ll take the life blood out of the gospel and replace it with kool-aide to make it more palatable for our consumption; minimizing the gospel while maximizing the gathering. The church  body is prone to focuses on the temporal, emotional and social healing of God, while avoiding the next life and the judgment of God. Instead focusing on how we can seek Christ to heal the struggles of sin while never addressing sin.

A diluted and disillusioned gospel is not discipleship.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (15)  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”  Phl 2:14-15

The problem is not the problem. The problem is our attitude towards the problem. If one changes they way they look at things, the things they look at will change. One can’t have a positive life with a negative mind. And the result is like your faith, it’s a choice. You can choose to focus on the person and the problem around you or you can focus on the promises of the provider within you. There is nothing so sour that it can’t be sweetened by a positive attitude in Christ. Remember the result of your attitude is determined by choice, not circumstance.

Your attitude towards God will determine your attitude towards man!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. (7a) That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God…”  Psa 78:1; 7a

This psalm is encouraged not to be hidden but rather shared from generation to generation, purposeful to sing praises towards God’s strength and wonderful works to fulfill their hope in his promises (vs 4).  So the question is, have you heard and if so, where is your hope founded? Is knowing the promise in his word enough when you wake up each morning? Hope is the anchor of the soul (Heb 6:19) because it provides stability in your life. But, it’s not a wish for such-and-such to take place; rather, it latches onto the certainty of the promises and future God has made. “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”  The hope you have in God is nourished by your consistency of faith and love (1 Cor 13:13) in he who delivers. Hold on to his promises, it’s always the darkest before the new morning.

The greatest view comes after the hardest climb.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“... by the words of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psa 17:4

The reference in David’s prayer is doubtless to the promises which God had spoken, finding encouragement he submitted his hope and faith to them. God had preserved and guarded David from even his own conduct, preventing him from falling into sins common to men and by directing his paths led him from his potential destroyers. That which must be guarded and directed is one’s heart (Pro 4:23), it is accomplished when you allow your heart to work as a compass and God’s word as a magnet pointing you in the right direction. And if you’re willing to acknowledge and follow his direction, he’ll make your paths straight (Pro 3:6).  Finding yourself lost and life out of control should offer clarity that you’re not the one in control anyway.  You may have to travel dirt roads for God to get you where he wants you, but keep traveling them and I promise you they’ll eventually lead to golden ones.

God’s timing to get you where you belong depends on when you’re willing take the first step.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psa 16:8

By night as well as by day; be it private meditation and public profession I set myself in the presence of the Lord, he is my right hand causing me not to move. Unfortunately many opt for proximity Christianity, keeping God in spiritual eye shot not necessarily in their presence. Knowing God has benefits they don’t want to eradicate any vestige of religion, even at times offering a positive anecdote to God’s goodness.  But, their presence and position is often void of God, and are prone to move their belief in truth when ever it’s conveniently necessary. Man rejects the presence of God and his word not because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them.  But, when man enters God’s presence with praise, God is then able to enter man’s circumstances with power. He doesn’t call us to his presence to keep us from pleasure, it’s a call to allow us to experience the fullness of pleasure in his presence. By walking in the presence of Jesus and you’ll bring his presence to everyone around you.

Peace is not the absence of worry, but the presence of Christ.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.” Pro 12:23

They say people don’t want to hear the truth because they don’t want their illusions destroyed. Thus making it so easy to believe anyone when being told exactly what they want to hear. The fool who understands such foolishness, is wise at least so far.  Know that the foolishness and weakness of God is stronger and wiser than man (1 Cor 1:25). Proverbs tells us not to be wise in our own eyes (3:7), your life may be a mess and foolishness of self may have put you there, but Jesus can do the whatever it is that is immeasurably more in your life.  A fool isn’t absent of knowledge, just absent of wisdom: “Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?” (Pro 17:16)  Knowledge can be purchased in books and education, but wisdom comes from the heart of a man that seek after God.

“Wisdom is the right use of Godly knowledge.”

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” 1 Jn 3:19-20

Failure is not defined by the act, but in one’s response to the act. It’s an event not a person, and like yesterday it ended last night. Yet, unlike the day,  what remains is one’s response to it. Without a response failure persist and does begin to define one, and becomes finale when they refuse to respond. It’s ultimate definition comes when one becomes content with it.  But, success comes in the response and the ability to move through and from failure to failure without the loss of enthusiasm and belief in what is right. By responding in the righteousness of God and taking your very next step, in spite of the last one, towards God is the right response for success. Failure can even be hidden in success when it goes to your head, never let success go to your head or failure to

your heart. Rather let both your head and your heart rest in the assurance that God doesn’t judge you by your last decision, instead by your last response, or salvation would not be possible. True success comes to him who knowingly and willingly turns to the Grace and Mercy of God which flows freely to the humble.

The grace of God allows you to wake up trying to remember what you were trying to forget last night!

HSAY…

Daily Wisdom

Satan uses shame for the purpose of robbing man of his worth. God uses Grace meaning all your mistakes serve a purpose instead of serving shame. Don't search for something or someone to complete you, you're already accepted completely by Jesus. (Acts 11:23)