Monday, April 30, 2018

Daily Wisdom


Psa 57 “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.”

We can find multiple Psalms that David peened while running from Saul (1 Sam 22-24). Psalm 57 is simply another instance where David continues to record his songs to God while running from death.

Yet, notice if you will, that while David was hiding in the cave, he doesn’t say the cave has brought him refuge.  He said refuge was found under the strength of God’s wing. David’s strength wasn’t established in the resources around him, but in God above him who offered His favor and protection: (Psa 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.”). 

There are two truths we can glean from David’s song:

1.) God provides mercy and truth, (vs 3) … David finds answer to prayer in receiving God’s intervention, allowing David peace despite his circumstances (vs 4 “my soul is among lions, and I lie even among them…”). Only God’s peace allows you to lie amongst lions!
 2.) God delivers us from our enemies, (vs 6) … David found his deliverance in the hand of God, not man (or even earthly resources). Like Joseph, what man intended for evil, God meant for good (Gen 50:20).

Such hope in God’s mercy and deliverance for our lives ought to stir our hearts to praise in Him. (vss 7-9).

God will send storms… to show us He is the only shelter.

HSAY… Todd

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Daily Wisdom


Psa 116:1-2 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.”

Like the Psalmist who is seeking deliverance from death (Psa 116:3-4), life can be overwhelming at times, even to the point where ‘desired feelings’ appear absent. When facing such times, we need to remember Paul’s admonition in II Tim 2:1, where he uses a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer as examples of encouragement. For example:
·         Like a soldier… we need to endure rigorous discipline (II Tim 2:1-4/Heb 12:11).
·         Like an athlete… we need to train hard and follow the rules spiritually (II Tim 2:5)
·         Like a farmer… we need to labor and be patient (II Tim 2:6/Rom 2:12 & 8:25)
Meaning: We are to disciple ourselves to keep going despite suffering, all the shile staying focused on the victory, the vision of winning our race, and the hope of the harvest.

We must keep going despite suffering, staying focused on the victory, the vision of winning our race, and the hope of the harvest.

Remember: We may be faithless at times, but Jesus is always faithful (II Tim 2:13 “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”)

Life may not be fair, but God is always faithful!

HSAY… Todd  

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Daily Wisdom


Pro 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”

This verse presents a paradox: we become richer by being generous. God encourages and directs to give freely and liberally of one’s time, energy and resources towards the kingdom’s work in others. In doing so God gives us what we need generously. But, the world says hold on to as much as possible. The world stands jeering and baiting, promising acceptance, while Jesus offers the cross. The world offers flesh and flash, Jesus offers faith. The world says, “follow us and fit in,” Jesus promises, “follow me and stand out.” The world promises to please every desire you have, Jesus promises to save. We make daily decisions what we invest our self into, and what we choose directly affects what type of return we receive, worldly or heavenly. C.S. Lewis talks about he abolition of man towards God’s institution, stating the bargain we make with our choices to gain what we desire. In doing so the power conferred by our choices will not belong to us; Noting we shall in fact be slaves of that to which we have given of ourselves, the world or God!

Wealth is not measured by what you have, but how you use it!

HSAY… Todd

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Daily Wisdom


Jdg 18:18 “And they set up Micah’s graven image, which he made all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.”

Here we see idolatry creep into the tribe of Dan. Dan was the second largest tribe of Israel and the last tribe to receive their inheritance from Joshua in the Promise Land. Shiloh was the religious center for Israel and the remaining eleven tribes, all adult males were required to travel there for certain feasts. For Dan, Shiloh was roughly 80 miles away. That may have been their excuse for not fulfilling their requirements? May be unintentional, but still problematic for Dan as it was for the Israelites when delivered from Egypt (Exo 20:1-5). Aaron fell pray to such miss calculation (Exo 32:4-5). Worshipping images of God is not worshipping. Be it buildings, programs or theme formats. Worship is the sacrificial investment in God’s will and purpose (Gen 22) and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit that brings about a character change in Christ-likeness (Phl 2:5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”). The size, sounds and decorations of a building or the creativity of a program should not dictate the measure of sacrifice offered to be Christ-like.  

The comfort in worship (sacrifice) lies in a God who cannot exaggerate His promise!

HSAY… Todd      

Monday, April 16, 2018

Daily Wisodm


Jdg 18:7 “The five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame…”

When it came to the posture of the inhabitants of Laish, never was a place so ill governed and guarded. And yet it’s recorded they lived quiet and secure. There was a gross miscalculation of the two. For the simple fact they placed such confidence on the manners and dependence of man (Zidonians). And yet they were ill governed having no magistrate be it spiritual or legislative for restraint or truths to convict (shame) their actions (Jdg 17:6). There is no peace or security outside of Christ (1 Th 5:3). We’re told in Psa 119:165 “Great peace have they which love the law: and nothing shall offend them.” Peace and security comes not by our conditions and or our control, but only through Christ! Let the pace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts (Col 3:15). Peace dwells in the presence of Christ, not the absence of trials.

Know God know peace; no God no peace.

HSAY… Todd

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Daily Wisdom


Jdg 17:5 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

It will matter little what we place in our life if we don’t place the Lord above our life. Micah and his house (and Israel) put their own desire and direction above the Lord’s (vs 6) “right in their own eyes.”)  Putting selfish desires above Godly direction, will often place you in a dysfunctional environment. God has a purpose, pray for patience to wait in it, wisdom to see it, and direction to follow it. The Lord cares not what your trade is, He’s more concerned about what tools you use to succeed in it. Relying on God’s direction verses one’s desires must begin anew every day as if nothing had yet been done.

Nothing lies beyond our reach except that which lies outside His will, rejection can be a clear sign of the wrong direction!

HSAY… Todd

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Daily Wisdom


Jdg 16:28 And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”

In Samson’s revenge against the Philistines for plucking out his eyes, it appears contradicting to God’s word. Ture, vengeance is only for the Lord and at His hand (Rom 12:19).  But for Samson his revenge did come by way of God’s hand and not his own. Samson accomplished nothing spiritually good in his life when God was absent in his actions. Samson’s ability in bringing down the pillars and killing more Philistines than he slew in his whole life, was in direct correlation to getting God back in his life.  God’s desire for Samson was not reviving his eyes, temporal matter that was a result of his own actions, it was about reviving his heart. Samson accomplished more in one single act then in his twenty-years as a judge for Israel against the Philistines. Simply by placing his heart back where it belonged, in God’s hands and His will! There are three constants in life: Change, Choice and Christ. Prepare for the first one by using the second one to get the one you really want and need.    

Put everything in God’s hands and you’ll see God’s hands in everything.

HSAY… Todd

Monday, April 9, 2018

Daily Wisdom


Jdg 16:16 And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death.”

Tread in the waters of sin and eventually exhaustion and fatigue become fatal.  Samson, for the second time (Jdgs 14:17), gave into sin despite his great strength. Samson enjoyed his sin for a season with Delilah, but her eroding persuasion (Pro 5:3-22) was stronger than the Spirit’s conviction. Sin, like an acquaintance, enters through doors that are often opened towards the simplest pleasures, and once in we rarely conquer it by asking it to leave. Note, when sin enters, the Spirit is ushered out the back door (Jdg 16:20). Sin is not over come by asking the Lord to change our actions, but by trusting Jesus to change our affections (Gal 5:24 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.)  Sin is often disguised in the very things you wished for in the flesh. Sin is bold and urging, were as the Lord comes in a still small voice (1 Kg 19:12).

Delilah wasn’t Samson’s problem, she was just the package sin came wrapped in - beware of man’s gifts!

HSAY… Todd

Friday, April 6, 2018

Daily Wisdom


Eph 4:15 But speaking truth in love may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”

While we adhere to the doctrine of Christ, which is the truth, we should live in love one with another. Love is an excellent thing; but we must be careful to preserve truth together with it. Truth is an excellent thing; yet it is requisite that we speak it in love, and not in contention. These two should go together - truth and love. That we should grow up into Christ in all things, so as to be more deeply rooted in Him. In all things; knowledge, love, faith, and all the parts of the new man (2 Cor 5:17). We should grow up towards maturity, which is opposed to being spiritually immature children. The more we grow into an mature and intimate relationship with Christ, faith in him, love to him, dependence upon him, the more we shall flourish in His grace according to His sovereign will. He is the head (Col 1:18); and we should thus grow, that we may thereby honour our head. If you want to love like Christ, you must speak like Him. If you truly love someone, tell them the truth; in love! Their response defines their maturity, not your hate. Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - choose them carefully! (Pro 18:21)

Truth without love is pride, and love without truth is hypocrisy.

HSAY… Todd

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Daily Wisdom

Jam 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

The word “religion” is quoted five times in scripture, four of which are used in a negative connotation. The word religion from its Latin roots means to “bind together” meaning to cultivate a unity and purpose greater than oneself. That purpose is servitude, we are saved to serve not to be served (Lk 17:1-10). Jesus (God in flesh) clearly illustrated that for us. The church today is falling to the pressure of being culturally appealing rather than Christ compelling. Churches are being driven by commercialism and consumerism, causing more emphasis being placed on external amenities in stead of internal transformation.  Driven by budgets instead of the bible, presentation instead of prayer, displays instead of doctrine.  Don’t get trapped by the distraction of cultural religion. It’s not scriptural and it disenfranchises a believer from their purposeful relationship with Jesus and makes it a superficial emotional relationship, and not a fellowship in unity for servitude. Quick quiz: If one thinks it’s the governments job or programs we can through some towards to care for the needy, one might need to be held back a spiritual grade. Servitude is doing for another who can’t or will never repay you. That’s how Jesus served us, our gain through His giving!

You’re either a fan or a follower; one is looking to get and the other to give!

HSAY… Todd  

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Daily Wisdom


And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;” Phil 1:9

We must keep in remembrance that God is love (1 Jn 4:8), and it’s that love that is the spiritual adhesive for hope in our lives. In the following verses Paul proceeds to enumerate the blessings which he sought for the Philippians, and it’s important to note that he didn’t ask of riches, or worldly prosperity, his supplications were confined to spiritual blessings, and he sought these as the most desirable for them. Paul knew that love was the driving force for man’s overall success, first towards God and then man as well. But we’re not called to a blind love, our love must be bound in knowledge and judgment.  Some Christians are more affectionate, and less knowing; others are more knowing, and less affectionate. Such approach can do more hurt than good. The Jews had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge, and were misguided which lead to violence and rage (Rom 10:2, Jn 16:2). Such a foundation of love allows us to discern that which is excellent (vs 10).  Man is called to a spiritually intelligent affection, not emotionally blind affection. Where the Spirit of God is, there is love, which is a fruit of righteousness in Christ Jesus, and His love brings forth good works. (vs 11).

We love others best when we love God most.

HSAY… Todd

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Daily Wisdom


Jdgs 13:18 “And the Angel of the Lord (Christ) said into him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is a secret?”

Manoah, Samson’s father, was focused on the wrong issue. He was focused more on verifying the source of the promise rather than the promise itself. His wife told him the source was “a man of God, countenance of an angel of God,” (vs 6).  We don’t want to miss on the promises of God because we have a pessimist point of view. A source of truth or promise is only as worthy as the one who gives it, in the Lord’s case it’s priceless (Psa 138:2 “… for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.) To question God’s word is to question His very nature, (Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it is IMPOSSIBLE for God to lie…”; Titus 1:2) God cannot change His character or His word. You find a God who can keep His word, and you’ve found God! You are what you do, not what you say you'll do; and God does what He says. .

God’s never made a promise that was too good to be true!

HSAY… Todd