Daily Wisdom

Act 18:26  “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”

Apollos was a gifted man mighty in scripture and eloquent the bible says ((Acts 18:24). But he had heard only what John the Baptist taught (repentance) concerning Jesus (Lk 3:1-18), so his message was not the complete story.

Apollos didn’t know about Jesus' life, crucifixion, and resurrection or the Holy Spirit.

Simply put, Apollos taught the things that tended to make way for Jesus. (Mt 3:3)

Point being: Apollos had a lot to offer, but he had need of more.

When it comes to truth, we all have something to give, but we also have much to gain!

Aquilla and Priscilla where disciples of Paul, who was teaching truth far beyond John the Baptist and what Apollos was able to garner.

A Christian no matter how mighty in scripture, has the opportunity to learn and grow.

One is either green and growing or ripe and rotten.

Apollos knew what he preached, but he didn’t know all that he needed to preach!

As a Christian we should be discipling one while we ourselves are being discipled…

 He that walks with wise men shall be wise. (Pro 13:20)

HSAY… Todd

Acts 18:21b “…if God will…”

As Paul prepares to leave Ephesus the Jews asked him to tarry longer. But Paul told them he must keep the Passover feast in Jerusalem.

However, Paul stated he would return, “if God will.”

Man can accomplish great things. He can build a great reputation amongst his peers. He can even change cultural vision and ways.

But if God’s not in it what’ to be gained from it?

In (gen 11:4) The tower of Babel had a great objective, but despite man’s greatest of effort they would’ve accomplished everything except what they started out to accomplish… find God!

God knows man’s heart, and when we succeed in the best of intentions, we’re prone to put our name right up there with God’s when we succeed without God being in it. (Eph 2:8-9)

One must wonder how many ministries or churches with good intentions fall into this trap. We might think that a big building with our name on it will give God the fame, but bigger isn’t always better in God’s eyes.

Throughout the Bible God used men who had little experience or leadership qualities and guided them to be the Godly men their situation required.

The truth is that we all struggle with the temptation to rely on our works, or those of our congregation, instead of relying on God.

Paul simplified the key to the success of his ministry in Jesus when he told the people in Ephesus, I will return, “if God will.”

Our life ministry will accomplish one of two things, “our fame” or “God’s name”

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Rom 15:13  “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

In a multitude of conversations, I partake in throughout a day, I’m taking back how often I here the words “I hope.”  Two simple words spoken with the biggest of desire.

In John Newton’s lyrics to “Amazing Grace,” he wrote in the fourth stanza: “The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.”

My hope can’t be placed in temporal situations, but only in the eternal promises of the Father.

Life is filled with disappointment. However, my hope isn’t meant to be placed in imperfect temporal things, but in that which cannot be shaken, the character of the loving Father (Rom 8:15-16)

Succumbing to disappointment occurs when I mistakenly placed my emotional hope in the care of something that can’t promise to deliver no matter it’s best intentions.

But I have this promised hope in my Father who can never fail in meeting ever need I have and ministers a hope that strengthens me to abound in the joy and peace He’s promised me.

Does your hope help or hurt others find theirs?

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Isa 42:13  “The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.” 

I don’t know where you are this morning as you awoke? I pray your heart is a peace because it should be!

Yet, this time of year can bring anxiety, depression, doubt, worry and maybe even fear.

But this passage shows us such emotions are nothing but strongholds that come by way of our flesh, world or satan. And the only thing they accomplish is hindering you form God’s promises.

We serve The God who defeats His enemies!

There is something that brings about confidence in a country’s people when they see their military might a work protecting them. Bringing about an assurance that right will prevail.

As Christians, we must possess an even greater confidence in The Father.

If such worries are upon you, remember that we must possess a confidence in the promise that our God shows Himself even mightier to our foes and will prevail against them.

In every weakness we have is an opportunity for God to show His strength in our life.

A testimony is evidence of God’s promises prevailing in our life, don’t let strongholds strangle it

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Mt 20:27-28 “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

A true leader doesn’t stand on top of the mountain and point the way, he leads by walking through the valley showing the way.

Dominion and authority are great things man often pursue and pride themselves in having others bow authority to them.

Yet, Christ makes it clear concerning true leadership as defined by the constitution of the spiritual kingdom. We are to teach those of this kingdom, instruct them, counsel them and comfort them carrying their burdens (Gal 6).

It’s hard for vain men, even good men, to have such authority and not to be puffed up in it, and often do more hurt than good with it.

Jesus saw fit to banish it out of the church, Paul himself disowns dominion over the faith of any (2 Cor 1:24).

Christ eliminated this by clarifying the greater your authority and dominion given in Christ, the greater you serve one another, for mutual edification by way of humility and usefulness!

Paul made himself everyone’s servant: (1 Cor 9:19 “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself a servant unto all, that I may gain the more.”)

The way to be great in God’s eyes and amongst the church is to be humble and serviceable. Those are to be best accounted of, and most respected.

True leadership must be for the benefit of the follower, not the leader.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Mar 10:27  “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

The disciples had just seen the encounter between Jesus and the rich man desiring heaven.

The rich man he had everything except heaven and was faced with understanding that with man alone many things are impossible… especially eternal life!

We love stories about the victorious underdog, about the person who is told he or she can’t do something, then works harder than everyone else around him or her and accomplishes it.

Movies and novels about events like these are often heartfelt, wonderful and uplifting. But what do they really tell us about ourselves?

Jesus clearly stated that there is such a thing as “impossibility” for man “but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

What this means is that ultimately, God is the Hero.

We, as His creation, have a part to play in His story, as little “h” heroes. We are the supporting cast that may have a brave scene or a series of profound lines, but in the real story, the real big “H” Hero is God.

The great thing about not being the hero is that we never have to worry about not being good or big enough to play the role.

God graciously brings us into His wonderful story and gives us far more than a supporting role, He gave us His Son and His shed blood, and ultimately fulfilling a role we could not pull off!

God’s miracles are birthed out of man’s impossibilities!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Php 4:7  “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Peace might be the most sought-after aspect of life.  So much so we will literally fight for it, that’s an oxymoron… fight for peace.

We desire it personally, within families, amongst loved ones and even life as a whole.

But we can be misguided in seeking it by looking around us instead of what’s in us. 

We’re prone to look at others and measure ourselves as being happier with what we have or less happy because of what they have. Causing us to strive to obtain something we can’t!

Peace can only come from the Father (Jn 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”)

The peace of God doesn’t come from our surroundings, but only through the Spirit and dwells within the soul.

We can’t be guided to it by self-help books or with a few office visits, it comes from the Father above and dwells in our hearts below.

Ironically, peace was brought to us through an act that was not peaceful at all, death and the cross (Rom 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”)

Thus, peace does not dwell in the absence of problems, but only in the presence of Jesus.

The Father has not left peace for us to do, but to walk in it.

Those who are in the best of circumstances but without God can never find peace, but those in worst of circumstances but with God need never lack peace.

Psa 34:14 “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” (in Christ!)

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Rev 21:4  “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” 

The Christian group Hillsong, records a song titled “Cornerstone.”  The chorus reads:

“Christ alone; cornerstone

Weak made strong; in the Saviour’s love

Through the storm, He is Lord

Lord of all.”

There’s a book written that is titled “Charlie’s Victory.” A true story of a high school coach who lost his life to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) at the age of 34, just 4 yrs. after his diagnosis.

Charlie continued to coach even after he could no longer move, breathe, or speak on his own. He lived on a respirator and communicated by blinking, winking and moving his lips. Everyone who knew him talked about his courage and inspirational attitude. One stated, “What we learn through him is that REAL strength is spiritual.”

Charlie’s strength was indeed spiritual. He walked a close walk with God. He and Lucy attributed their strength to God and God alone.

Life is riddled with like stories of individuals who suffer immensely through physical and emotional afflictions. This life isn’t fair, but this life isn’t eternal either. (1 Pt 5:10)

Paul made it clear that when he was his weakest that he was the strongest in the Lord. (2 Cor 12:10)

Within the book is a quote that sums up the promises and strength we need to cling to when facing such a fight in this life. That even though we are wounded at times we can still be “Wounded Healers” who can inspire others through their storms, knowing He is Lord, Lord of all.

Suffering is inevitable, Misery is optional!

Oh, my! What a difference can be made in our lives and the ability to influence others spiritually if we adopt this motto!

Misery is optional. What does this mean? It means that we all will eventually go through some kind of suffering as we live in this fallen world; however, when trouble does arrive, how we weather it depends on our outlook. It consumes us only if we allow it! Only if we choose it!

Find comfort in the storm/s knowing, He is Lord, Lord of all… and misery only masks that promise!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Amo 4:13  “For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.”

I can have a tendency to be so loud that I can’t hear God.

God speaks to us in many ways. Through his Word (2 Tim. 3:16), through wise counsel (Proverbs), through circumstances (Jonah and Job), through dreams and visions (Acts 2:17), through peace (Col. 3:15), and many more.

Yet, my mind can be so busy and loud I miss the still small soft voice of the Spirit. (I Kg 19:12)

This day and time social media can be incarcerating when it comes to one searching for worth by the number of “likes” received. A dangerous path one can travel for “reassurance” that they are funny, pretty, smart.

God sees our heart in those moments, he hears our cries for assurance and the whole time God’s telling us how great our worth is, our beauty in and to Him.  But, do I hear Him?

It is scary how loud the world gets, how loud our minds get when we try and drown out the pain with more activity and less stillness.

Emotional addiction comes in many forms. Take the time to see the countless hours of just phone use on social media.

Don’t settle for a false moment based on your latest post to define your worth. Look to Him whose definition of you is beyond measure, it’s priceless concerning your beauty!  Time to put down the media and pick-up the Master and see what He likes about us.

He’s speaking to us now through His Word and the world around us.  If you’re willing to listen, He will make it clear how much you’re worth and how deeply He loves you!

In the loudness of the world, find the quietness and you’ll find the voice of God defining His love for you. (Psa 46:10)

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Exo 15:2  “The LORD is my strength and song…”

Eph 6:10  “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

It’s no secret that in this day and age, life is fast-paced and demanding. It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed with all we have to do and the little time in which we have to do it.

To make matters worse, we all carry guilt from our sins, feel stressed by the demands of life around us, and may even be struggling physically or emotionally.

Yet when we struggle, we shouldn’t focus on our feelings and problems but on the faithfulness and power of God.

Some of the most comforting words in the Bible come from Mt 11:28. Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Notice, Jesus offers us His yoke. This means that work is still required of us, but it’s much easier with His help than it is all alone. Often, we labor in life utilizing the wrong resources to address life and our burdens. Like trying to carry a load of bricks with a one-handle wheelbarrow.

So, we get frustrated and just pray for the Lord to move the load for us and all the while He wants us to carry the load but with His strength and power.  

God promises us the strength to overcome anything (Phl 4:13). In Psa 23, David says, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul…”

If God can turn darkness into day, He can turn a burden into a blessing.

In the most ragging storms there is still peace in the soul for those who harness the right yoke!

HSAY… Todd