Daily Wisdom

Gen 15:17  “And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. 18  In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram…”

In the dead of night, while Abram slept, God made a promise that changed the course of history. But promise is too light a word… It doesn’t carry the weight that it does in this event.

God made a covenant with Abram that showed him how serious he was about keeping his word.

Catch the imagery.

Just a few verses earlier (vs 9), God asked Abram to bring, “Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”.

Then, all the animals except the birds were cut in half (Gen 15:10) and laid on the ground. There was a path between the bodies and the fire pot and flaming torch floated over it.

Now imagine this scene. Orange light from the flaming torch flickers across the animals split in two on either side. The smoldering pot floats between them.

And in this act, God himself is saying: Abram, if I don’t keep my covenant with you, let what was done to these animals be done to me.

God’s nature is faithful. His word always comes to pass. He is so serious about keeping his promises he would take such bold action in front of Abram and eventually the cross.

In both Covenant’s (O.T. & N.T.) God offered the expense of life fulfill them.

We know how radical God is about keeping his promises, because he did give up his own life on the cross nearly 2,000 years ago, keeping His promise.

We can’t doubt the Lord’s promises, He gave His life for them… He’s a promise keeper!

He’s our Way Maker, Miracle Worker and Promise Keeper!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Jdg 2:10 “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”

How amazing! A whole generation that didn’t “know the Lord or the work that he had done”. How could this happen to God’s chosen people? These were the same people He performed miracle after miracle for.

And yet, this might seem like a familiar story to you if you live in the United States. A generation is currently on the rise that has rarely stepped foot into church, read their Bible, or even learned about Jesus.

It can be easy to place blame on others but, really, the next generation comes down to you and me. We are responsible for the discipleship and upbringing of the next generation.

Rom 10:14 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?”

In Israel’s case each generation failed to teach the next generation about the love of God. Yet this was at the very center of God’s law (Deut 6:4-9).

We’re too apt to leave the teaching of the Christian faith to the Sunday morning church, but God makes it clear it’s the responsibility of the individual Christian to daily share and teach from generation to generation.

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”

Always preach the Gospel , and use words when necessary.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Luk 9:61-62  “And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

The greatest challenge for every Christian is to follow Jesus and pursue His purpose for our lives without looking back.

Jesus illustration of plowing a field would have made perfect sense to His disciples living an agricultural life.  If a farmer didn’t focus on what was ahead but distracted by what was behind or on the periphery, it would be impossible to plow in the right direction.

But, for many of us both negative and positive aspects of our lives have the potential to become distractions:

Past successes, Past failures, Internal insecurities, External circumstances, Comfort & security, Relationships, Career

It’s interesting that the man who wants to follow Jesus is distracted by something that we would consider a positive: his home and family.

Jesus is showing us that even something that’s a huge blessing in our lives can become a distraction if it becomes more important than pursuing Jesus and His purpose for our life.

The only good thing worth looking back on is the goodness and mercy of God’s forgiveness.

Don’t look back, nothing ever changes there.

To many Christian’s are still weeping at the foot of the cross. Focused on the Christ who died, not the Christ who LIVES. Don’t let yesterday rob you of today, which God has given you.

Just because yesterday didn’t turn out like you wanted it to, doesn’t mean your tomorrow can’t be better than you ever imagined.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Ecc 3:11 “He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 

God has "planted eternity in the human heart." This means that we can never be completely satisfied with earthly pleasures and pursuits by fleshly efforts.

When David wrote for us to, “Delight yourself in the Lord” (Psa 37:4), he wasn’t writing to sound religious.

Religion cannot enjoy God, it can only fear him from a distance.

It can be easy for one to find themselves seeing God through the cold eyes of religion. Viewing prayer and worship as labors to earn favor, instead of gifts given to draw near to the Fountain of Life.

The biggest obstacle to enjoying God and learning to delight in him is the merit-based system we often find ourselves in as Christians.  Religion diminishes the gospel and Jesus by subtly conveying that his spilled blood and resurrection aren’t really enough.

Religion can reform a person’s life, but it can never transform him. Only the holy Spirit can transform a heart to find delight in God and the beauty of His Word and its eternal promises.

Religion says, “I obey: therefore, I’m accepted.” Christianity says, “I’m accepted: therefore, I obey.”

Religion is a stereotype, Christianity is Christ like. Don’t confuse the two!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

1Co 2:5 “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 

Have you ever been giving a recipe for a wonderful meal you ate, but despite your best efforts, it didn’t turn out as well when you attempted to make it?  Chances are, you were missing a key ingredient or a vital step in the process needed to bring all the flavors together.

The same can be common when experiencing God’s word in my life.

Often, we can see others relationship with God and how He’s working through them. Longing to have the same experience they seek His word for direction and hope, but never see the spiritual effects.

First, it’s important to understand the Bible is no ordinary book. It’s not simply a history lesson, informative genealogy or just a rule book. The Bible is God’s divinely inspired word designed to be transformative, insightful and profitable for every life. (2 Tim 3:16-17)

The Bible is also God’s living word, meaning it’s relevant and applicable today. As readers today, the Bible can have the same impact in our lives as it has throughout history. (Jn 6:63)

The Bible discerns all truth for life and man, transforms the heart offering direction in our fallen world. Answers every question before man by separating good from evil by offering clarity for the soul. (Heb 4:12)

But how? How do I let the most powerful instrument ever given to man engage me at such a deep level?  And why are the effects of the Bible missed in so many lives at times? God is just and far, not a respecter of persons, but some are transformed, and others miss out?

They are missing the key ingredient, that vital process that brings about all that it offers:

FAITH!  (I can’t expect God’s word to transform me or my situation through osmosis)

Without faith the Bible is just a history book of genealogy and stories that will never allow me to taste and see that God is good (Psa 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good…)

Without faith, I’m taking ingredients out of the process of a recipe and hoping for the same taste.  It’s faith (putting God’s word into action in your life by taking His word over yours) that activates every truth and promise in the Bible.

Dough can’t rise without putting the yeast into the process no matter how much you pray!

And it takes time for a good meal to come together… in the process, faith-it till you make it!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Isa 40:31  “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” 

Waiting often goes against what I naturally and emotionally do. My natural inclination is to step on the gas and beat the yellow light, or partial red sometimes!

Waiting is difficult because we equate it with inactivity. But waiting, the Greek word (kaw-vaw) meaning to twist or bind together, describes a relationship that is inseparable. Meaning that if God is patient in His purpose with us then we are to be patient in Him.

The implication is that we are waiting and watching with expectation towards God’s greater will.

During these periods of waiting, God is often refueling and refining me for His purpose. Everything around me needs to be refueled cars need gas, bodies sleep, cell phone recharged. So, why can’t this be the case with my spiritual life as well?

What may seem like inactivity may be the period in which God is doing the greatest of activity.  From my perspective it may be a difficult time for me but very purposeful from The Father’s.

I must understand, no matter what I’m able to accomplish by moving forward in the flesh it will pale in comparison to what God can do through His Spirit and timing.

Patience is the companion of wisdom.

HSAY… Todd  

Daily Wisdom

2Ki 5:12  “Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.” 

Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Syria, but he was a leper who wanted to be healed of his leprosy. Naaman heard about the prophet Elisha and was told that Elisha would cleanse his leprosy.

Imagine yourself in this situation. You’ve had a crippling disease for your entire life. You’ve finally arrived at the place where you know you can find healing! And what happens next? The prophet is a no-show! The person standing before you: the messenger of Elisha who only offers instructions.

“Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” (vs 10)

Naaman is angry! The Jordan is a dirty river; the waters of his own home are much cleaner. If all Naaman wanted was to be clean, he could have just as easily stayed home and bathed. In a rage, Naaman starts to turn away, unwilling to heed the words of the messenger.

Naaman had certain expectations of how his story was going to begin, continue, and end.

But, often God’s purpose is brought about by a process quite different than what man expects.

I must be careful not to reject God’s process just because I don’t understand His purpose.

The instructions like Naaman got may appear to be a dirtier process. They may require me to be patient, humble or broken, that’s fine I won’t waver from my faith knowing He’s my healer.

God has a purpose for my pain, process for my struggle and a blessing for my faithfulness.

While I may not understand His purpose today, through my faithfulness my spirit will see clearly tomorrow.

Often God will put a problem in my path for me to see the purpose of His power for my life.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

2Th 1:3 “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity (Love) of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 

Ever found yourself by way of a sermon, book or another Christian, challenged to strengthen your faith?

It’s common to focus on our relationship with God, but less apt to focus on our outward expression of our faith, which is love. To grow in faith, we must realize that true faith produces the fruit of love. (Jn 13:35)

Paul understood that the church of Thessalonica was increasing in their faith by evidence that their love one for another was increasing. Paul told Timothy that he is to love from a pure heart, good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Tim 1:5).

Our faith is ultimately grounded in God who showed His great love towards us through the Son and the cross (Rom 5:10). Unfortunately, in this hateful, attacking, slanderous filled world many outside the church see those of proclaimed faith condemning and judgmental… not fruits of the spirit (Gal 6).

Our greatest testimony should be illustrated through our love towards a world who is missing the greatest love that’s available to all. And when that love of God is offered and displayed, it’s the best example of faith, allowing others to see the God who is Love! (1 Jn 4:8)

Love is a gift of God, pay it forward!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Col 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

 If you’ve been around young children, you quickly realize how much they live in the present.

They have difficulty realizing the future consequences of their actions. Yet, as a follower of Jesus I can be just like a young child who gets focused on the here and now, focused on living in the tangible present and forget the spiritual promise of tomorrow.  

Paul encourages the church of Colosse of this, don’t get hyper-focused on the problems of today but rather focused on the promises of tomorrow.  

Such a truth requires a different perspective on our temporal lives. To “set our affections on things above” requires me to look at every situation in my life from God’s perspective and not through my personal feelings.

This provides the antidote for life’s situations; allowing me to take a proper view from God’s perspective and helping me not to act or re-act in the present but in the spiritual.

This isn’t easy but can have an immediate impact on the here and now.

(vs   5-10) … I get out of the flesh and into the spiritual

(vs 12-13) … I can learn humility, meekness, forgiveness

(vs 14-15) … I can learn to respond in love and peace

(vs 16-17) … I can learn to be grateful during life’s challenges

I’ll never learn to help change the world if I’m living like the world, be a world changer not chaser.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

2Co 11:26 “In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” 

IT’s obvious Paul’s life was lived in a perpetual Monday status.

Whether you’re working to build or maintain a ministry, sustain a career, raise a family, build a marriage or simply live life no one is exempt from the perils it brings forth.

You may find yourself questioning God, wondering if He made the right decision in choosing you to do what it is He called your to do. After all, if I was meant to do this, wouldn’t it be easier? Wouldn’t there be more support of my efforts?

When looking at the above scripture, I must remember that what Paul is speaking of occurred not only when he was working in his calling, but also when he was working within the will of God!

 He was doing what God charged him with doing, and still he was met with opposition after opposition and trouble upon trouble.

What this scripture shows us is that doing the will of God does not exempt us from trials.

What He does promise us is that He will be with us and that He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Deut 31:6).  And that our reward will be worth the obstacles we face. (Gal 6:9)

If you find yourself feeling discouraged or defeated in your ministry or any area of life, remember Paul’s sufferings and his impact on our faith despite it all. His words are still inspiring us today.

Focus on the fruits of your labor in the Lord and stop looking at the thorns. Endure their pain, you’re provided great promises!

HSAY… Todd