Daily Wisdom

Gen 42:36 "... all these things are against me."

Jacob uttered these words thinking his sons Joseph, Simeon and Benjamin were dead.  Adam and Eve must have been as devastated when Cain murdered Abel (Gen 4:8). Yet when Eve had another son, Seth, and although the Savior was a long way off, we can still see a glimmer of hope here, for as Seth grew up, we read, “At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.” Likewise, Jacob found his sons, and came to realize that what he endured was for his good and the good of his family and the nation of Israel. Such stories echo the promise that God is continually renewing His children. Don't let a lack of faith, fear or seasons of discouragement hinder us from holding to our hope in God's faithfulness. If you got God, you got hope! (Jere 29:11)

"Hope itself is like a star - not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity." - Spurgeon

Daily Wisdom

Psa 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Rex and Jenny blessed me this morning with this picture they sent me as they were rejoicing in God’s creation. At the time I was outside early this morning myself rejoicing in the new day, without the same view! But I immediately noticed that not a leaf or blade of grass was moving and hardly a sound was heard. And I quickly realize that even God’s own creation knows what to do, and that maybe we can learn something ourselves with a little humility. And allow God to be God if we too would learn to be still in Him. One of the hardest things to do in life is to slow down in this extremely fast-paced culture.  One day we will be still as we stand before Him, reverently praising Him and His power and majesty. It would be good for our spirit to get a little practice in every now and then. We might be surprised what we will see and hear, not only form His creation but more important from His Spirit.

When you stop chasing the wrong things, you’ll be surprised how the right things catch up to you… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Mt 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

When a culture removes or negates a foundational source for strength, knowledge, and direction then weakness, ignorance, and confusion (1 Cor 14:33) prevail. And ultimately “man does that which was right in their own eyes.” (Jdg 21:25). Man does not need systems or institutions because such does not change a heart, they only offer to provide answers based on popular opinion or majority rule. The answer starts with The Book and a home. It is more important that we make head-way in our own house. By the time any systemic, institutional or cultural problems come into play the damage is done, our culture isn’t locking up 7 year old’s. Our challenge that is plaguing our culture is the absence of spiritual leadership from the father within the home. Cultural opinion, thoughts, trends, movements and even man will come and go. But only one truth and hope will endure forever! Hold to and stand on the only One who matters.

Only a changed heart can be used to change a heart; it must start with an example of the truth… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Heb 1:3 “Who (Jesus) being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

The word (express image) is the Greek word (χαρακτήρ - charakter) from which we derive our word “character.” The Greek defines it as a tool used for engraving, stamping, or impressing and literally means “to cut into.” CHRIST is the express image (imprint, photocopy) and representation of the essence and nature of God in flesh (Jn 14:7 “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”) The point being: does our character express the image of Christ? Do others see our life and testimony as a tool that is engraved with the image of Jesus, does our character show to be “cut into” with the image of Jesus. Within that question lies another as important, what type of mark are we leaving with others? When another reflects on your presence, are they left with a mark that reflects upon Jesus or self?  These are poignant questions we need to answer if we desire a character that promotes the praise and glory of Jesus Christ. the true expression of Christian character is not in good-doing but in Christ-likeness!

If we fail to let Christ define our character others will define our character for us … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Joe 2:17 “…  Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?”

There is to be special concern of God’s glory in our troubles – “Lord give not thine heritage to reproach.”, meaning the glory of God must not become absent in our struggles, and no longer celebrated. This only lends fodder to the world’s attack to create doubt amongst others by labeling the believer as “poor and beggarly” claiming, “where is their God?” (Deut 32:37). With today’s confusion, doubt, and attacks at a feverish peak we must be a voice of victory to God’s glory, not another voice of violence. Let the Lord do our fighting (Exo 14:14) we need to only follow and live with a testimony that glorifies His goodness; (Psa 115:3) “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”  If the world sees our life as an illustration to question God’s glory, it should cause us to question our faith!

The glory of God should glow in our life in such a way that it confounds the world (1 Cor 1:27) … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Joel 2: 13 “And rend your heart, and not your garments…”

Don’t gamble with God concerning your time and your heart, both are too valuable. Procrastination and Justification can have painful results both spiritually and physically. That’s the power and promise offered in repentance; the Father does not hesitate in His restoration of our spirit. Don’t deceive oneself with religious acts of the heart, deep remorse was often shown by tearing one’s clothes. The Father does not call us to outward displays of penitence without true inward repentance (1 Sa 16:7). Even Assyria was willing and able to respond to Jonah’s warning and got their heart right. Make sure your attitude towards the Father is correct, and not just your appearance. Remember, man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

Failure isn’t final, but lack of repentance keeps the wound from healing… HSAY