Daily Wisdom

 Zec 10:1  Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. 

In Zech 10 (vss 1-4), Israel is directed to keep their eyes upon the Lord. They had done the opposite and by removing their eyes wondered away and became lost. But now the redemption of God had found them, and as they cried out in prayer for rain (restoration) the Lord favored them with such so that every man had fields of grass. But the ‘latter rain’ shows the extent of the Father’s mercy, when they needed it the most, when their souls were the most parched and dry. We must keep our eyes on the Lord, remain humble in prayer seeking His mercy and favor continually. Don’t let pride cause your eyes wonder towards supposed greener fields.

The grass over the fence may appear greener, but often it’s lying over a septic tank… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Zech 9:1 “… when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.”

The remaining Ch.’s of Zechariah points to the return of Jesus with His promised deliverance. And those whose eyes are stayed on Him find their hope, strength in such promise. Isaiah 17:7 ‘ At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.’ The darker this world gets the greater our focus must be on the light, knowing our only help comes from the Lord (Psa 121:1). Isaiah goes on to encourage us not to look to the work of our hands or our groves/worldly resources (Isa 17:8).

What you see (focus on) is what you get, be it the strength of the Lord or more of the world… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

Zec 8:23  ‘Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass… men shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.‘

Those days concern the Father’s deliverance and restoration of Jerusalem. A name that was once mocked by the heathen was now a place man was drawn to because she bears fruit, gives increase and has become a blessing; causing other men to take hold of her knowing the Lord’s goodness was upon Jerusalem. As a believer are we living in a way that shows evidence of the Lord’s deliverance and restoration and encourages others to grab hold and walk the same direction as well, knowing the Lord is with us?

You may be the only bible an unbeliever reads; are they encourage enough to keep reading… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Zec 7:7 “Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity…”

Be careful what you wish or even pray for, personal prosperity often brings about personal problems. The Israelites had lost their sincerity in worship. Zechariah told them that they had been fasting without a proper attitude of repentance or worship. When we go to church, pray, fellowship are we doing these things from habit or personal gain? God says that such an attitude of worship will lead to ruin. Verse 12 states Jerusalem’s allowed their hearts to become an “adamant stone.” Any sin seems more natural the second time—as we become hardened, each repetition is easier; ignoring or refusing God's warning hardens our hearts more so each time we do wrong.

Are there parts of our heart  and worship which are hardened? We must acknowledge a hard head and a hard heart are often synonymous… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

 Zech 6:9 ‘… Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD.’

The “Branch” is one of the most significant of Messiah’s Names. A branch bears the fruit and reveals the character of the tree. Christ as Jehovah’s Branch, revealed by His words and deeds the true character of His Father. Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches,” (Jn 15:5) the fruit-bearing part of the vine. All the blessings that hang on this Branch for our present and future life are the outcome of the love of the Eternal Father, who produces such blessings through Jesus! Likewise, we too called to be fruit bearers (Jn 15:8).

Apart from the branch the vine is lifeless. A believer can’t nail himself to the branch but must be attached, the only thing nailed was our sins to the cross… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Zec 6:8 Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country. 

The only thing which quiets the Spirit of the Lord towards us is our sin. In this vision the black horse denotes judgement, and the white horse deliverance. By the Lord executing judgments upon the Chaldeans, in brought about help, favor, and deliverance to His children, the Jews, which were faithful to the will of God, and well pleasing in his sight. Thus, signifying the quieting of the Lord’s anger against unrighteousness, and refreshing his Spirit.

Walk in the will of God, and you will find the work of God favorable in your life… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Zech 4:6 … Not by might, nor by power, but my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

Zerubbabel was given the responsibility of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. As the work was being completed, the prophets encouraged Zerubbabel and told him of a time when spiritual apathy and foreign oppression would be overcome. Many believe that to succeed/survive in this world a person must be tough, strong, unbending, and harsh. But God says, "Not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit." The key words are "by my Spirit." All that man accomplishes or builds by his hands eventually falls. It’s only through God's Spirit that anything of eternal lasting value is accomplished (Hos 1:7).

Real strength isn’t found in a man’s hands, but in the feet of those who steps are led by the Lord’s Spirit… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Zec 3:3  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 

Satan accused Jeshua of his filthiness, and the accusations were accurate - Jeshua stood in "filthy" clothes of sins. Yet God revealed his mercy, stating that he chose to save his people in spite of their sin. Zechariah's vision graphically portrays how we receive God's mercy. We do nothing ourselves. God removes our filthy clothes (sins), then provides us with fine, new clothes (the righteousness of God - 2 Cor 5:21). Notice we put on filth, it’s the Lord’s mercy that puts upon us fine linen.

Don’t let satan shame you in the filth of your appearance, under Christ’s coat of righteousness dwells the richest and cleanest of heart… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Zec 2:5 ‘For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.’

Zechariah was told by the Lord to assure Israel that a line would be stretched forth around Jerusalem of which man could not cross. Man goes to great lengths to build and hide behind what makes them feel safe. David was told in (Psa 75:10 “All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.’). If you keep your eyes stayed on the Lord, and He’ll likewise keep His eye on you,    (vs 8 ‘… for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.’), being the apple of His eye is your greatest protection you must stand behind.

Keep your faith focus on the Lord and fears become faint… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Zec 1:11 'And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.'

The Jews, newly returned out of captivity, are encouraged to learn from their father’s lackadaisical faith. Illustrating that in their “rest” from being free from war, enemies or need, Israel allowed their faith to become lazy as well. All too often God’s people forget God and His Kingdom work whenever things are at rest and at peace in their life (Hag 1:1-9). God’s people are warned not to wait to need God to need God (Amos 8:11-12).

Don’t wait to make God relevant only when you really need something… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2 Kgs 23:25 ‘And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all is soul, and with all his might…’

It’s not what was done before you or after you, but what is being done within you that matters. Josiah, the son of wicked Manasseh, simply returned to what was right and renewed Israel’s covenant with the Lord. No matter what events occur in your life, you can turn it for good if you turn towards the Lord with all your heart, soul and might. In life’s challenges it matters not which way you turn, if you turn to face the Lord.

How satisfying to turn from our worrisome limitations to the God who has none… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

2Ki 21:4 ‘And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.’

Manasseh rebuilt altars of idols in temple that his father Hezekiah had torn down. This poses a question we must ask ourselves, if according to (1 Cor 6:19) that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit, do we have altars built up within the temple of our heart that replace the name of the Lord? Athletes can’t wear competing merchandise when they are provided for by another brand. How often do we wear and/or display an opposing brand to the Lord’s truth in our life?

What price are you willing to pay for the label you choose to wear; nothing is free… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2Ki 20:13 ‘Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things…’

Hezekiah’s faithfulness had been blessed with the Lord’s healing and granting him (15) more years. But Hezekiah fell victim to powerful appeals of the flesh. Rather than using the opportunity to praise the Lord for His goodness, Hezekiah showed forth his accomplishments (vss 12-19). Every day the Lord give us is His investment in us; is our offered return for His glory or our greed?

With every encounter we have one of two things to promote, our Saviour or our self… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2Ki 19:30 ‘And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.’

The greatest of heights obtained in life will only come by the greatest of depths we plant ourselves in the Lord. Isiah assured Hezekiah that their prosperity only comes by taken root in the Lord, and from that fruit will be brought up or forth. Our prosperity simply starts by planting ourselves in the fertile ground of the Lord, the fruit is the Lord’s favor from our faith.

The greater the height of a building, the greater the depth the foundation required… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

 2Ki 18:6 ‘For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments…’

The scriptures tell us (vs 5) that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. The strength of Hezekiah’s testimony was not his acknowledgment or servitude for God but his faithfulness to Him. He not only clave to and departed not, but he ‘kept’ the Lord’s commandments. IT’s not if but when things go wrong, true faithfulness is remaining steadfast in our obedience during the storms. Storms can be life changing, but it shouldn’t change our faith. No matter the storm, when we allow known sin to prevail in any area of our life, it’s always at the expense of our faith. 

Servitude and statements of faith do not sanctify the sins we allow in our life, they only suppress the Lord’s favor for our life… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2Ki 17:28-29 “Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the ORD. Howbeit every nation made gods of their own...”

The new settlers in Israel worshiped God without giving up their pagan customs. They worshiped God to appease Him rather than to please Him, treating Him as a hope for good luck. A similar attitude is common today. Many claim to believe in God while refusing to give up attitudes and actions that God denounces. God cannot be added to the values we already have, He must come first and His Word must shape all our actions and attitudes.

It’s more than a profession, it’s practicing what we profess that provides a worthy testimony… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2Ki 10:16 “And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord.”

Is my heart right? This is a question we should often put to ourselves (vs 15). I can make a fair profession, I can gain a reputation among men, but is my heart, right?  An upright heart approves itself to God, and needs or seeks no more than his acceptance, but if we aim at the approval of man, we stand on a false foundation. Let your zeal for the Lord speak to the hearts of others, not for approval but for a witness.  Make sure idolatry is rooted out of our own hearts and replaced with the zeal for the Lord, and in return it'll create a zealous spirit in others for the Lord.

The effects of Christianity are limited without zeal to know, delight in, live in Christ-likeness… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2Ki 8:15 “And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.”

Elisha had prophesied that Hazael would become king of Israel, but Hazael took matters to the extreme with being impatient. While our actions don’t lead to murder, we ourselves can be extreme with our impatience in the Lord. Patience is a powerful measure of maturity when it comes to your faith. Your patience in the Lord will determine His purpose in you, choose your own timing and you’ll often find yourself alone in your actions; be patient and you’ll find the Lord's timing perfect. Find yourself short on patience, view your own life from God’s perspective.

Patience is like a tree, the root is bitter the fruit is sweet… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2Ki 7:9  “… this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: … now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.”

When we prosper don’t fail to prosper others. Our blessings are not gained but given by the Lord’s favor, (Jms 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…”), thus we’re to keep on giving what has been given to us. In this passage the lepers were in the greatest of need, and yet they understood the importance of paying forward the Lord’s goodness. Realize that like the lepers we’re all dying, some with Christ and others without, if you’ve been blessed with knowing Christ, don’t hold your peace, you must be quick to share Him and bless others!

True prosperity is not in what you possess, but in how you help others possess it as well… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 2Ki 6:17  “And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see…”

If you look long enough, you’ll eventually find what you’re looking for. But often the delay comes from not knowing what we’re truly looking for in life. It’s like looking for a loved one in a crowd, you’re not distracted by others because you clearly know what to look for. For Elisha’s disciple he was out of focus spiritually, he saw worldly fear rather than the heavenly Father in their situation. The more clearly you can discern the truth of Jesus, the more clearly, you’ll see Jesus in the world around you and not be distracted by fear, confusion, or doubt. It’s hard to spot a stranger… focus on your faith and you’ll start seeing Christ clearly in your situation.

It’s hard to see who you’re looking for when you don’t know who you’re looking for... HSAY   

Daily Wisdom

1Ki 22:7-8b ‘And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?  And the king of Israel (Ahab) said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man… but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil.’

If you don’t like the script, you read concerning your life, change the worth of your character don’t look for a new author. Ahab had no interest in the Word of God because it convicted him instead of comforting him. If you find certain aspects of God’s Word too negative in narrative at times, don’t fault the author question your actions instead. The Word of God is not for information but for our transformation. If you don’t like what you hear, trying to live accordingly and I can promise you it’ll start sounding a lot better! 

Follow the script and it’ll sound less squeamish and more soothing to the soul… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Ezra 10:4 ‘… be of good courage, and do it’

“do it” – is Christianity in action… the acknowledgement of a thing and the action in it are two different scenarios. Confession of sin without an act of correction is simply asking God to condone your actions. When you get caught with your hand in the cookie jar, you don’t say sorry and still remove the cookie. Ezra’s prayer of confession in (ch. 9) moved the hearts of the Israelites to action, not just acknowledgement. This is true humility when confession leads to change in action, attitude, and behavior. Acknowledging one’s overweight doesn’t cause them to lose weight. 

The truest confession is a changed behavior, otherwise it’s only asking for acceptance… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

Ezra 9:9 ‘For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us…’

It’s not what we have, but what we’ve been given. Mercy offers love greater than our iniquities, wealth greater than the world, righteousness greater than our trespasses. This is what Ezra states in (vss 10-15). Don’t lose sight of mercy, it matters greatly. We often keep in sight a desire for a little more, but don’t allow it to be at the expense of what you already have been given. It’s the one area of our life we should look back on to keep in sight, allowing us to focus on what really matters, God’s mercy and love upon our life. 

Grace got you right and Mercy allows you to stay right, don’t lose sight of it… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Ezr 8:23 ‘So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.’

Ezra knew God's promises to protect his people, but he didn't take them for granted. He also knew that God's blessings are appropriated through prayer (Lk 11:3), so Ezra and the people humbled themselves by fasting and praying. And their prayers were answered. Before making any physical preparations for the journey, Ezra made spiritual preparations. Know the source of your success and prioritize it and seek after it before taken a step. The hardest part of our faith is not in God’s deliverance but rather in our dependence on it!

Only move forward in prayer and faith like victory depends on it… because it does!… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Ezra 6:22 ‘… for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.’ 

It shouldn’t be surprising that our Father is able and willing to do that which we’re often unwilling to do, change of heart to His will.  The Lord changed the very heart of Assyria, their enemy, to help strengthen their own hands. (Pro 16:7) ‘When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.’ When we learn to joyfully change our own heart to His will, then we don’t have to worry about our enemies/obstacles, because our Father will change the rest. 

Being a Christian doesn’t change what you deal with, it changes how you deal with it… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 12:14 ‘Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.’

While peace is given of the Lord, it must be strived for, pursued by man. Knowing that without peace holiness, the personage of Christ, is missed by man. Where peace is absent, sin is often present (Psa 24:3-4). Holiness is coupled with living in peace. A right relationship with God leads to right relationships with fellow believers, we must pursue peace as we become more Christlike: Heb 3:12 ‘Exhort one another every day… that none of you may be hardened by deceitfulness of sin.’ Peace quickly passes when pride is present.

Peace is evident when the posture is poised; quick to listen, slow to speak and patient in spirt… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Joh 14:27 ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…’

Jesus the night before His suffering makes an amazing statement, 'Peace I leave you.' This is what Jesus is aiming at, again just before His suffers, I want you to have “My” peace. Which brings about ‘Joy’ (vs 28) and an unshakable faith (vs 29); not from what the world gives, but only what Jesus has to offer. Jesus enduring the cross offers to bring you into and share in the very peace that He enjoys with the Father. The gospel of Jesus is peace personified and yours to have. 

Peace is a promise, not a place determined by our circumstance; it's provided only by the cross… HSAY

Dily Wisdom

 Col 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”

Real peace is not won by avoiding trouble. Jesus endured trouble and hardship to achieve peace, thus freeing us to live at peace with God; “For he is our peace” (Eph 2:14). No wonder the angels proclaimed, “on earth peace to men” (Lk 2:14) upon Jesus’ arrival in the manger. Jesus told His disciples that He gives peace of a different quality than the world gives. The world offers absence of trouble through changed circumstances, Jesus offers peace despite the troubles (Jn 16:33) for those who allow it to have rule of their heart. No Jesus, no peace; know Jesus, know peace.

Peace is the measuring stick for the depth of ones dependence upon Christ… HSAY

Daily Wisodm

 Rth 2:22 ‘And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.’

Contempt of courtesy… our blessed Saviour is our ‘Goel’ Hebrew word meaning, "to redeem." (Job 19:25). It’s the Lord only who has the right and ability to redeem us. If we expect to receive blessings by him, let us closely adhere to him, and his fields, and his family; let us not go to the world and its fields for that which is to be had with Him only. Has the Lord dealt bountifully with you? Have we dwelled bountifully in Him only, or do we wonder in other fields in contempt?

We perish for lack of wonder, not for a lack of wonders… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Rth 2:15 “And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:”

The Lord’s favor often exceeds our prayers and hopes, defining our worth in Him. The Lord moved Boaz to go far beyond the intent of the gleaners’ law; not only did he let Ruth glean in his field, but also told his workers to let some of the grain fall in her path (vs 16). Showing the Lord’s immense favor towards Ruth’s faithfulness. The favor of the Lord is always exceeding our faith to Him. Thus, our humility and thankfulness go far in our faith. Ruth labored in her faith, and the Lord loved her with His favor. Glean in humility, Labor in faith and the Lord’s favor will fall in the path He has you on!

Don’t fear, the Lord’s favor will always recompense your faith; ask Ruth!… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

Ruth 2:12 “The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”

Ruth's life exhibited admirable qualities: hardworking, loving, kind, faithful, and brave. By these qualities Ruth gained a good reward from her willingness to work and trust in the Lord’s goodness. In (vs 13) she sought favour in the Lord’s sight, to which the Lord acknowledged her worth and gave her a full reward. Be careful, what you trust in, so your treasures lie in. One day of favor from the Lord is worth a thousand days of labor for the Lord.

Your worth is what you're worth to the Lord; and that’s a wonderfully great deal… HSAY

Daily WIsdom

 Ruth 2:10 “… Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?  

It’s not necessarily what you are, but whose you are that matters. Ruth shows us that what you were born into and what you become, can be two drastically different positions. Ruth was born a Moabite, outsider; yet the Lord had greater purpose and will for her life. One who appeared to be unimportant, was very important to the Father. She may not have mattered to man, but she was a matriarch for the Father and grandmother for King David. 

Man may see you as meaningless, the Master sees you as masterpiece; know your worth … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Jer 2:17 ‘Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?’

What we can’t see can hurt us. How thankful would you be for the rattle of a rattlesnake along a trail! Jeremiah called to attention Israel’s unwillingness to see their wondering from the Lord. Christians can be prone to take the Lord’s blessings and  run off to accomplish more. It’s that “upward” mobility we’re driven by that often drives us away. The strength of our walk in the Lord however is based on our “downward” mobility. Philippians 2 clearly shows us that the path to greatness in God’s eyes is a path of descending, not ascending… (Phl 2:3 ‘Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind esteem one another.”)

Greatness is not a measure of self-will, but rather of self-abandonment; the more we lose of self, the more we gain in Christ… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Pro 13:12  ‘Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.’

Nothing is more grievous than the disappointment of a raised expectation that proves false. Hope that is deferred makes the heart sick, fretful and peevish, and higher the expectation is raised greater the heart sinks. Therefore, it’s wisdom not to promise ourselves any great matters from man or this temporal world, doing so is your own vexation. The hearts only hope can only be in the One who can and does keep His promises, knowing there’s no real hope without a real promise. 

Hope hinges on the One who made the promise; know your source, know your hope… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Jere 1:16 ‘And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.’

While this warning is about Judah and Jerusalem’s eventual fall to Babylon in (586 BC), we too must be cautious in our thoughts of good fortune. Be cautious in looking to your own hands as worthy praise. The only hands worth praising are the nailed scarred hands of Jesus! (Psa 90:17 ‘And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us.’). Our hands are to be lifted in praise and offering to the Lord’s use, not for ours (Psa 134:2).

My hands have possessed many things, of which I’ve lost them all; but whatever I placed in God’s hands, I still possess… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Jer 1:6  ‘Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.’ 

Jeremiah was only a youth 20-21 yrs. old. Yet the Lord encouraged him not to be fearful of his youth or inability to serve the Lord’s will. Don’t succumb to fear of inadequacy, what the Lord calls us to He’ll provide the power and provision to deliver it. The Lord doesn’t need your knowledge, skills, or personality, He just needs your faith and your mouth, and He’ll provide the rest (vs 9 - LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.) Don’t doubt what the Lord can deliver through you if you’re willing to be used.

Boldly open your mouth concerning Jesus, and you’ll be surprised yourself what comes out… HSAY

Daily WIsdom

2 Chron 26:16 ‘But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction…’

After God gave Uzziah great prosperity and power, he became proud and corrupt. Man will always be better served when his strength is fully reliant on God (2 Cor 12:10 ‘…for when I am weak, then am I strong.’), and not in his own hands. In the Father’s favor towards us, we can’t become full of ourselves. The scriptures prove that it’s better to be broken and empty with the Saviour, than it is to be strong and full of one-self; it often leads one to thoughts of selfish entitlement rather than a humble servant.   

Selfishness isn’t living as one wishes, it’s expecting others to live as one wishes… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 2Ch 25:19 ‘You say, ‘See, I have struck down Edom,’ and your heart has lifted you up in boastfulness. But now stay at home. Why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?’

Amaziah’s willingness to become boastful in God’s favor, brought foolishness with it. A man's pride will bring him low (Pro 29:23); it goes before his destruction, and deservedly brings it on. Even Joash, king of Israel, warned him here in (vs 19) “why provoke trouble.” Amaziah refused the prophet and the Word of God for his own counsel (vs 16); what are we when we offer to establish our own righteousness, or presume to justify ourselves before God? Willing to act outside the Word of God is choosing to lead oneself off his own cliff, that sadly often pulls others over with them.

Pride is the sin where one chooses the wisdom of self over the wisdom of the Saviour… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

Chron 25:15 ‘Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?’

How foolish for Amaziah to serve the gods of a defeated enemy. We make the same mistake when we run after and trust in money, power, or recognition. This world is a fallen enemy against the Father’s promises. If the world can’t sustain itself spiritually, morally, and financially why would we look to or depend on it for our hope? If man would duly consider the inability of this world to help him, he wouldn’t be such an enemy to his own self. 

Trust God, not people; depend on God, not the world; live for God, not yourself… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

2Ch 25:2 ‘And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.’

Amaziah did what was right on the outside, but inside he often resented what he had to do. His obedience was at best halfhearted. When promised God's deliverance, Amaziah first complained about the money that had been lost (vs 9), valuing military success more than God's will. We must search our own hearts and root out any resistance in our obedience. Rashness makes work for repentance; Amaziah wasn’t against God, just indifferent towards His will which eventually leads to indifference towards obedience altogether.

The deception of Christianity with indifference is more insidious and less curable than infidelity itself; at least one has a chance for change when presented truth (Rev 3:15)… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2Ch 24:2; 17 ‘And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. (17) Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.’

Men may go far with faithful performances of religion when they humble themselves under proper spiritual leadership. Joash the king of Judah lost his humility and was proven more zealous about the repair of the temple than he was the temple of his own heart. When Joash found the money did not come in to repair the temple as he expected he tried another way, and that answered his intention. Thus, once Jehoiada the priest died, Joash was then led astray and refused to listen to the Lord and served groves and idols of the princes of Judah instead. A faithful life only proves faithful when one stays on the path which lead them to be faithful in the first place. It is easier to build temples than to be temples to God.

Humility seeks proper leadership; pride self-provides its own… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Mat 18:10 ‘Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.’

When the churches’ purpose is meeting the desires of the have rather than serving the have not, its purpose becomes a Christian club and no longer a Spiritual ministry. “Take heed’ is literal caution giving by our Lord to the body of the church. The infant seed (weak believers) of the faithful belong to the family of Christ, and are not to be despised. The church cannot look upon them with contempt, as burdensome or in disdain, doing so is to the peril of the church. Know our Father in heaven has assigned an angel to their care, foolish for the church not to care!

When God’s lesser children are a disruption to your will, you’re not in God’s will… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1Co 3:13 ‘Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.’

Two sure ways to destroy a building, tamper with the foundation and to build with inferior materials. The church must be built on the furtherance of Christ, not on any other person or principle. The Father will evaluate each person's contribution to the life of the church, and judgment day will reveal/manifest the sincerity of each person's work and determine whether a person has been faithful to His will. Either one will be a contributor or a disruptor by their works.

Our greatest privilege is to do the will of God, in the power of God, for the Glory of God… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Why church? Johns letter to Gaius, in 3rd John, answers the question and illustrates three types of believers that attend church

1. Those who desire to submit to the truth in order to live the truth… (vs 3) ‘For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.’

2. Those who desire not to submit to the truth, but to advance their own interest/authority… (vs 9) ‘I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.’

3. Those who desire to submit to death itself, for the sake of the truth… (vs 12) 'Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record ; and ye know that our record is true.’

"Why and What" you go to church for? God knowing your why, is infinitely more important than others knowing your what… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Jud 1:22  ‘And of some have compassion, making a difference:’

There are five different Greek words that are translated “compassion” in the NT. Each of the words has a different strength. Of the five, Jude uses the weakest form to emphasis the truth. The Greek word (eleeo) as in (Mt 18:33 – parable of the unforgiving servant) interestingly enough, is the word Jude used here in (vs 22) to describe the kind of compassion that can make a difference in another’s life. This form is weakest version of  “compassion.” Which means even the weakest form of compassion can make a difference. It’s not that difficult to make a difference in another’s life through Christ, it’s Christ getting the believer to make the littlest of effort to do so. 

To make a difference in another persons life doesn’t require resources, just a “little” bit of compassion to care… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Jud 1:5 ‘I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.’ 

While Jude is prophesying about judgement against false teachers, and not threatening believers, he does make a point that believers should consider. What got you right (faith in Christ), is what keeps you right (obedience in Christ). Jude gives three examples of rebellion: (1) the nation of Israel—who, although they were delivered from Egypt, refused to trust/obey God and enter the Promised Land (Num 14:26-39); (2) the angels—although they were once pure, holy, and living in God's presence, some gave in to pride and joined Satan to rebel against God (2Pe 2:4); (3) the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah—the inhabitants were so full of sin that God wiped them off the face of the earth (Gen 19:1-29). As the Lord’s children we must realize that the promises of the Lord dwell in His plan and purpose for us. If we as well choose to plan our own path, it’s that very path that will lead us into our own problems as well.

Don’t choose paths based on the ease of its appearance, but rather on the promise it provides… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 13:3 ‘Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.’

Hebrews 13 calls us to a real love that produces tangible actions: Hospitality towards strangers (vs 2), respect for marriage vows (vs 4), contentment in what you have (vs 5). But I want to focus on (vs 3); we’re told to remember the breathern who are put in bondage. Have empathy, not just sympathy, for those who are oppressed, imprisoned, tortured, and martyred for their faith. There’s great atrocity taking place currently against the Afghan church, as well as in other countries. We must pray and stand for the body of Christ in need, seek God’s mercy for and around them. We must make sure that our love is again action driven and not in thought only. Oppression we know not in America, as of today. We must use our spiritual freedom and put it into prayer action for those who are truly experiencing Heb 13:3, and for the love of Christ we must spiritually walk with them today and every day.

Sympathy is a self-reflecting thought to a situation, whereas empathy is engaging one’s soul into another’s situation to feel their suffering, not yours. Pray with empathy… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Jude 1:3 ‘Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.’

Jude emphasizes the important relationship between correct doctrine and true faith. The truth of the Bible must not be compromised because it gives us the real facts about Jesus and salvation. The Bible is inspired by God and should never be twisted or manipulated; when it is, we can become confused over right and wrong and lose sight of the only path that leads to the truth of eternal life. The Jews received the truth through Moses and yet once he died, they still, despite the efforts of the Archangel Michael (vs 9), twisted the truth of God’s Word into man’s interpretation being Judaism (Deut 34:6). Only the truth sets one free (Jn 8:32), religion/twisted truth leads to confusion/doubt which is of satan. 

One can’t defend what one does not know, thus they become susceptible to selfish beliefs and interpretations for their own convenience… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

Jdg 20:45  ‘And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.’

The word “gleaned” is the Hebrew word (aw-lal’), meaning to overdo, abuse… is used only two times in the book of judges, here in (vs 45) and in (Jdgs 19:25) referencing the atrocity that started Israel’s poor decisions when a young Israeli woman was raped and killed. This action by Israel that led to them (over doing/abusing) one of its own tribes is so void of mercy that they cry out/lament to God as to why He would allow such atrocity against His own children? What happen to Israel’s mercy toward its own considering the mercy they received from the Lord! This horrible story is of moral anarchy that rises up in man’s heart when they live outside Kingship of the Lord. Mercy matters, we must look in the mirror at our own from the Lord. 

A man who lives merciless in his manners is morally misguided in his might… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

 2Co 10:12 ‘For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.’

The comparison of our conduct cannot be measured or set by man’s standard. Our only comparison should be based on the fruit produced by the Lord in our life and the application of our spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12). It’s not what we do, but what God is able to do through us that’s of worth. Comparing our self to others is an attempt to feel better about ourselves which is pride. But when we measure ourselves to the Lord’s standards, it quickly brings about humility, which is something the Lord can work with!

Don’t compare oneself to others who call themselves Christians, compare oneself to the scriptures which determines a Christian… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Mat 8:10 ‘When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.’

When Jesus spoke these words concerning the centurion officer, they resonated from the simplicity of the officers’ faith in Jesus. Jesus goes on to state (vs 12) that many of the religious Jews who should be in the Kingdom would be excluded because of their lack of faith; being entrenched in their religious traditions, they couldn’t accept Christ and his words alone. 

The strength of our faith lies solely in who and what Jesus is. Don’t weaken your faith with feelings and thoughts of self-wisdom, wishes or pride. Simplicity of faith is the ability to apply the truth of God’s Word over your thoughts and feelings, despite your circumstances or desires.

Success resonates from faith in a hope (Jesus) greater than the world or self, which creates passion and purpose in Jesus Christ… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

 Psa 37:16 ‘A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.’

Wealth isn’t defined by quantity, but rather quality. Meaning little is much when God is in it! The truly rich aren’t those who have the most. The truly rich are those who need the least. Pro 15:16 ‘Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and the trouble therewith.’

Solomon had said in the foregoing verse that he who has not a large estate, or a great income, but a cheerful spirit, has a continual feast; Christian contentment, and joy in God, make the life easy and pleasant. Such wealth cannot be overspent, stolen, or ill-invested and its returns are eternal whose righteousness is in the Lord.

Wealth is worthless on the day of wrath, only righteousness returns a reward… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Jdg 11:30 ‘And Jephthah made a vow unto the LORD, and said, If you will give the Ammonites into my hand.

Jephthah’s vow was foolish. There are two schools of thought when it comes to this passage. One believes that the daughter of Jephthah was pledged to perpetual virginity (vs 37-39), leaving no heir to his throne. The other school of thought believes that Jephthah sacrificed his daughter to keep his vow. Regardless, Jephthah’s sin was trying to make a deal with the Lord! (Mt 5:37 ‘But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.’)

This vow was in part due to the weakness of his faith. Assuming the Father needs some returned sacrificial gift of appreciation from us. The Lord only desires our obedient heart, not our gifts (Isa 1:13-23). Let your yea be yea, and hold to the Father’s promises, don’t try to negotiate or barter for them!

The soul of the diligent, not master negotiator shall be made rich in the Lord… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Ezra10:4 ‘Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.’

Following Ezra's prayer the people repented, then asked for direction in restoring their relationship with God, because sin always separates us from the Father. But true repentance only starts with confession – otherwise that would be mere lip service. It must lead to changed attitudes and behavior. Repentance stops the actions, thoughts and motives that are against the Father’s Word, and corrects our wayward thinking to His way of thinking.

Repent is taken from two Greek words: (meta – meaning “after”) and (noeo - meaning “mind”). The word literally means “after thought.” Repentance simply means “to change your mind to that of the Father’s. (Phl 2:5 ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.’)

If your thinking and the Lord’s don’t agree, one of you need to change your mind… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Gal 1:10 ‘For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.’

Very simple, ‘No man can serve two masters…’ (Mt 6:24). One may defend their actions by stating man is not a master, only God. Why then do we try to please man’s interest or desire his approval, would that not be the due the Master only? Paul was spiritually blunt and straightforward with the Galatians and their dangerous efforts. If you’re right by God’s Word, then you’re right. One doesn’t need the approval or acceptance of man in the matter.

Seek to please God and man and you’ll please neither, serve God’s interest and you’ll be able to serve man’s need and that will be pleasing to both… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 1Th 4:18 ‘Wherefore comfort one another with these words.’

These words of comfort come from the promise of ‘the day of the Lord’ (2nd coming of Christ). Assuring those who ‘believe that Jesus died and rose again’ (vs 14) will not perish but will ‘ever be with the Lord’ (vs 17). We are told to comfort one another with these words, but we can’t comfort another if we’re complaining. If the promises of Jesus doesn’t show comfort in our own lives, why would it appear to offer comfort to another?

Gratitude changes our attitude; you will find more to be grateful for; having a complaining spirit and we’ll find more to complain about. Complaining is a prideful act of a self-deserving spirit.

One can complain because roses have thorns, or be thankful that thorns have roses… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 1Th 4:7 “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”

The word (holiness) is the Greek word (hagiasmos) and is taken from the Greek word for “saint.” Holiness (or, sainthood) is not an attainment, but a predetermined state into which God, in His grace, calls sinful men to a path as Christians (Rom 13:11). Thus, sanctification is a continual process that has a two-fold purpose:

1. We’re to be set apart “positionally” (like Abraham - Gen 17:9-11)

2. We’re to be set apart “continually” (his descendants - Gen 17:12-14)

Holiness is the continual perfection/maturity of man by way of the Father’s grace. As a Christian we must yield to the Holy Spirit within us through His Word. Doing so we begin to pursue His Holiness, which will begin to set us apart from the world and be an object of His glory. When one grasp holiness, one then grasps the depth of their sin.

Holiness, not happiness, is the end purpose for man… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Act 17:2 “And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.”

This word ‘manner’ is found 196 times in scriptures. Here in (Acts 17:2) it’s the Greek word (kata) it’s a preposition meaning it gives direction or emphasis to the noun. It denotes, most frequently, intensity in one’s actions. Point being, Paul’s walk in the Lord had intensity in his passion and purpose.  We can find three scriptures that likewise calls us to consider our intensity in and for the Lord’s purpose in our own ministry/testimony and if it is worthy?

Eph 4:1 ‘Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.’

Phl 1:27 ‘Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.’

Col 1:10 ‘Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.’ 

Paul’s strength, as should be ours, was the fact that his manner of walk was not in his strength or worthiness, Paul nor we have any worthiness. Instead, Paul walked in the worthiness of Christ that afforded him the grace of God, which was is message to all he encountered. 

 Act in such a manner that you are living proof of a loving God… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2Co 3:9 ‘For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.’

That which condemns you will never be greater than that which redeems you! The gift and promise of Christ righteousness works a greater reward than your works of sin. Jesus took the tree of death so we could receive the tree of life. Redemption is life, sin is death; your choice is to get busy living or get busy dying? (1 Jn 1:9)

Being a Christian is not about you changing your life for the better, it’s about the righteousness of Christ within you that works to His glory and your betterment… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2 Tim 2:15 ‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’

The Scriptures equip and empowers us for every good work. It’s the perfect manual to assemble our life as to operate and function properly. Life is like a toy of bike for our child, some assembly required. And the Bible is the source of instructions to accomplish it. And just like the instructions we get with a toy, it starts with step one and proceeds on. Likewise notice what Paul states as the first step to properly assemble of our lives, “Study.”

To get frustrated with assembling a product because we refuse to properly read the instructions first is foolishness on our part. It’s not difficult, we just make it so by refusing to follow the steps, and instead we focus on the picture on the box in hope of the same result. We can greatly simplify the assembling of our life by staying in the instruction manual and follow each step. 

When you faithfully read and follow the directions you don’t worry about the next piece you come across, you already know where it fits and how to use it… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘… Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.’ Mt 8:10b

Interesting to consider, that while the Jews penned the Bible, it was a gentile who was said to have had the greatest faith. This man was a leader, a military officer of many men but he shows us that a little piety goes a great way. He obviously was a Godly man with a humble heart, meaning no man’s calling or place in this world will excuse him from unbelief or humility.

Be cautious not to let the elements of this world imped on your faith. The religious man can get distracted by his religious acts rather than his humble faith. In the preceding part of (vs 10), we’re told Jesus “marvelled” at the centurion’s faith. The word “marvelled’ comes from the Greek meaning “to gaze in wonder.” Do you desire to marvel the Master? Then: 1. Give God’s Word the “authority” it deserves in your life. and 2. Give God’s Word the “respect” it deserves for keeping it’s promise. We don’t obtain God’s blessings by trying to earn them, simply be obedient to His Word and you’ll experience them.

Obedience is the path one follows in faith that leads to the Father’s favor… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Mt 7:21

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  Mt 7:24

The person Jesus is speaking about here in (vs 21) is someone who continues to pray over and over again to the Lord, with no results. Why? Because there is no obedience.  The word “saith” is the Greek word (legon) meaning ‘continually’, thus Jesus is speaking to those who ‘continually’ ask, yet don’t do what God’s ask. Seek His favor but refuse to live in His faith.

It is impossible (vs 24), to serve God without obeying His Word (and doeth them). The man whose life collapses under the weight of circumstances is at fault not because he fails to labor, but because he fails to labor according to the Word.

‘A ton of prayer will not produce what an ounce of obedience will.’ … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘Judge not, that ye be not judged.’ Mt 7:1

Red-Letter truth…

It would be much more beneficial to focus on the good in others, rather than looking for or at the bad in them. One will never make their own character look better pointing out the lack of character in another. Pro 11:27 ‘Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.’ The truth being, anyone can find the dirt in someone, but we should strive to be the ones who find the gold.

It can be easy to focus on the negative in others, that’s something anyone can do. It takes a humble spirit to think of the good in others. It is so much healthier for our spirit and our hearts to be positive. Often, when we focus on the good in others, we find an opportunity to grow our own character in the process.

Don’t be pulled into a pit digging at another’s character, be on top building it up… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts…’ Mt 6:20

Red-Letter truths…

If someone told you that your home was going to burn down in less than an hour, what would you remove? The question answers itself. You would only remove what’s truly valuable. Both Jesus and Peter reminded us that this earth of ours (this present home) isn’t going to last “as is” (Mt 24:35 and II Pet 3:10). Meaning: It’s not the investment you want to be investing in.

Jesus admonishes us to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven instead of treasures here on earth. This isn’t defined by tithing alone, but all purposeful acts in the Father’s will. When we do give tithes/offerings to a gospel focused church, then yes, we are investing eternally by investing in the gospel and the souls of man. The concern for man is defined by Jesus in (vs 21) ‘Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.’ Missing this truth is like a treasure hunter working with a misguiding map, all his efforts will prove to be unprofitable. 

Do your giving while you’re living, then you’ll be knowing where it’s going… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’ Mt 6:4; 6

Red-Letter truth…

It's easier to do what's right when we gain recognition and praise. To ensure that our motives are not selfish, our good deeds should be done quietly or in secret, with no thought of reward. Jesus says we should check our motives in three areas: generosity (Mat 6:4), prayer (Mat 6:6), and fasting (Mat 6:18). These acts of faith should not be self-motivated but God-glorifying, done not to make us look good but to seek the Father and His perfect will.

Be sure in knowing, that the Father sees past our spiritual actions and into our heart, “sees in secret.”  Meaning the Father sees past the accolades, praise, promotion, and applause of man and looks solely on the motive of the heart.  In (Mt 6:2) Jesus tells us there are to be no trumpets involved, just a secret heart that is motivated in Jesus getting all the attention. 

Be sure not to shine so bright that others can’t see Jesus because of you… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;’ Mt 5:43-44

The easiest thing to love is that which reciprocates an equal or measurable amount of love back. But true love doesn’t measure by such standards. Christ like love isn’t self-seeking but serving. In the flesh, often our first line of defense in dealing with a challenging individual is avoidance, and the second is to restrain compassion or affection towards them. But Christ states that for us to only extend compassion/love towards those whom we’re comfortable with, we’re then just like the Pharisees/hypocrites (vss 46-47). 

Instead, we’re called to be perfect, Greek word (teleios) meaning complete, mature, as Christ was mature in assuring His love was experienced by all that He encountered. The easiest and most powerful way to illustrate not only your love for Christ, but His love being present in you, is to love as He loved; without measuring the cost or applying demands and expectations. 

If you truly desire to look more like Jesus, it starts with loving like Jesus… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:’ Mt 5:22

Killing is a terrible sin, but anger is a great sin, too, because it also violates God's command to love. Anger in this case refers to a seething, brooding bitterness against someone. It’s a dangerous emotion that always threatens to leap out of control, leading to emotional hurt, increased mental stress, and spiritual damage. But don’t focus on the words ‘without cause’, that does not justify anger, Jesus gives us a path to reconciliation. Know that any anger keeps us from developing and maintaining a spirit pleasing to God.

Self-control is good, but Christ calls us farther and into mind-control (Phl 2:5). Difficult, yes. But we are held accountable to such. If you have angst/anger against a fellow believer, go to them, before you go to the altar/prayer, and reconcile through the love of Christ. Anger does the deepest and most destructive damage within our own spirit, and never evens any score, it only makes for an ugly game.

 Anger is never a bonding agent to build, only an explosive to destroy… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

‘For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ Mt 5:20

The Pharisees were exacting in their attempts to follow the laws. So how could Jesus reasonably call us to greater righteousness than theirs? The Pharisees' weakness was that they were content to obey the laws outwardly without their heart being changed (or attitudes). They looked pious, but they were far from Christ-likeness. God judges our hearts as well as our deeds, for it's in the heart that our real allegiance lies. Mirror the effort, but change the heart/attitude.

Jesus is calling us to a different kind of righteousness altogether (out of love for God), not just a more intense version of obedience. Our righteousness must (1) come from who God is, not what we do. (2) be God-centered, not self-centered, (3) be based on reverence for God, not approval from man, and (4) go beyond keeping the law to living by the principles behind the law. But be clear, we can’t ‘hide’ behind grace (God loves me unconditionally). True He does, but don’t let it become an excuse in your obedience. (Psa 5:6) God ‘abhors’ unrighteousness in one’s heart.

We must respond to God’s Word for who and what He is, not for what He bestows… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ Mt 5:16

Have you ever sat down and just read the “Red Letters” in the gospels? I encourage you to do so.  It offers a direct connection in hearing from God Himself. Here Jesus encourages us to make sure our light is focused and shinning on the right source. While the lights of the world are intended to shine and illuminate on itself, Jesus directs us to let out light shine on good works that reflect the Father’s glory and His heaven.  

Words alone will not do the job. In most cases less words are more affective when good works are seen. Consider, Jesus didn’t interview the widow lady about her two mites, He simply pointed out her good works for the disciples to see. As a believer we all possess a light. The issue is what is it illuminating, the glory of heaven or self and the world around us?

If you’re doing good you don’t have to say much; often the more one talks, more of them come out and less of Jesus… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

‘… that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.’ 1 Tim 3:15

Behavior of the believer - the local church is the support and foundation of the truth, the behavior of the believer within the local church is of the utmost importance. We’re told in (Gal 2:9) the disciples appeared to be pillars, those who uphold the truth, Word of God, which the church is to illustrate. We must be diligent in our own enquires after truth, buying the truth at any cost and selling it not for any other gain (Pro 23:23). 

Our behavior is a direct reflection of whether we’re a pillar or a pile (one stands strong upholding truth for others to see, the other is swept aside). One’s beliefs alone don’t make them a better person, but one’s behavior that supports their beliefs. This isn’t about behavior modification, but about transformation of truth in one’s life that reflects the love of Jesus Christ. That’s what makes a pillar and upholds the truth of of God's Word. 

Christian character is shown through the behavior of the believer, not where they sit on Sunday… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.’ 1 Tim 1:19

Paul warns Timothy to hold to a good conscience, one that isn’t influenced by others around him. We’re not to be distracted from the good (right) fight, being the gospel. Ministry, even our own, is a continual warfare that requires our attention on the gospel, not gauging other’s.

When those around us make ‘shipwreck’ decisions in their faith walk, don’t let it distract you from your walk and the gospel. Paul simply turned his two disciples (vs 20) over to their own actions. It’s not spiritually healthy to allow our conscience to be distract by another’s actions. Truthfully, when we allow our conscience and thoughts to become judgmental, we’ve no longer kept a good conscience ourselves, thus begun to ‘shipwreck’ our own faith walk in the gospel.

When another’s life has become shipwrecked, finding themselves in a lifeboat, let’s be sure to pray for them lest we become shipwrecked ourselves… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.’ – Pro 16:18

The greatest threat to ourselves and thus the church is not the persecution from the world or the attacks of satan, but from the carnality of our flesh and our compromise of the truth from within our own heart. 

The danger of pride and haughtiness is the subtle deception that occurs before they become recognizable and ugly. They’re seldom realized as the problem, causing us to be naive in our thinking that we’re above such frailties common to man. One, it causes our flesh to be carnal and self-absorbed in our interest and expectations rather than serving the interest of others in Christlikeness. Two, we can be prone to compromise the truth of God’s Word to the degree of accomplishing our own wishes instead of the Father’s will. 

Pride is a sin that takes you farther than you want to go and keeps you there longer than you want to stay… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." - 1 Pt 3:14-15

Ever considered if you "suffer well"? Important to consider. One reason the Lord allows us to suffer is that, unlike anything else, suffering well proves the faith, power and beauty of our hope. Who might find hope in Jesus by watching you suffer well!

The most powerful testimony and witness for Jesus is not a new theological position, but simply living faithfully in His promises despite your current circumstances.

Suffering is nothing by itself, but when endured and shared with the passion of Christ, it shapes the soul in Christ-likeness... HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life…’ 1 Tim 6:11-12

Paul uses active and forceful verbs to describe the Christian life: FLEE, FOLLOW, FIGHT. Some think Christianity is a passive religion that advocates waiting for God to act. On the contrary, we must have an active faith, training, working hard, sacrificing, and doing what we know is right.

We must actively flee that which is spiritually dangerous towards our faith, that causes, or would cause us to stumble in our race. Follow in the steps and personage of Jesus and His likeness, that embodies a true faith for others to see. And fight for the only issue worth fighting about, the gospel. That which we avoid, pursue, and stand for will greatly determine what we achieve and where we end up. Know the battle plan the Lord puts before you, or you may end up fighting battles you were not intended to fight against enemies you were not to engage.

Some believers walk around with chalk on their toes from standing too close to lines they should flee… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 ‘… Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake…’ Ezk 36:22

The Father’s act was to protect and restore what man had profaned. God was concerned about the salvation of not only His people but also the whole world. To allow His people to remain in sin and be destroyed by their enemies would lead other nations to conclude that their pagan gods were more powerful than Israel's God (Isa 48:11). Israel, and believers today, are called to represent the gospel and love of God to the rest of the world. Our sin can often impede and even profane God’s Word at times to a lost world.

This occurs in the spiritual warfare we encounter daily that impedes our ministry in the Father’s Word and His love. In (Dan 10), we see that Daniel had fasted for 21 days, laboring in an oppressed spirit until an angel was sent to minister and strengthen him. The prince of Persia withstood Daniel’s spirit in doing for the Lord. It wasn’t until the Lord sent Michael (archangel) to intercede on Daniel’s behalf was the demonic spirit subdued. In Daniel’s weakness the Lord ministered to him to ensure Daniel could move forward with the truth and not be hindered. All this was for the Lord’s name’s sake to be glorified through Daniel, not just for Daniel.

Darkness can oppress the wishes of man, but it can’t oppose the will of the Father … HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 ‘Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church.’ Col 1:24

Paul’s statement here shows us that suffering is unavoidable in bringing the Gospel about. When we suffer, Christ feels it with us. But this suffering can be endured joyfully because it changes lives and brings people into God's Kingdom (1 Pt 4:1-2; 12-19 & Phl 2:9 ‘For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.')

Our convictions compel our actions and help us complete the course. Allowing us to endure and find encouragement in that which we endorse. But, Paul found himself in non-encouraging moments. But the Lord strengthened him to endure, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12). It was the Lord’s ever-present Grace which provided the power that sustained Paul; being more apparent because of his weakness – not in spite of it. Suffering for the sake of, makes the Gospel more evident when we’re not reliant on our own abilities.

You’ll find that if you focus on the right thing, you won’t be searching for things… HSAY 

Daily Wisdsom

 ‘If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel…’ Col 1:23

Paul was speaking here to the unsaved within the Colossian church. No matter what church Paul addressed, he always had to consider the fact that there would be “tares” amongst the “wheat,” unsaved people among the saved within local churches (Mt 13:24-33).  Today as well we must be steadfast unmovable in the same truth of only one Saviour, Jesus Christ and one source, grace.

We must maintain the clarity of the gospel in Jesus, and ensure others understand the only hope they have is in the promised gospel. When one wavers from that one truth, hope begins to diminish, and confusion and doubt establish a voice. Hope becomes hopelessness for the believer as well when one looks beyond their salvation. The promise of the gospel that established their eternal hope, as well as in this life, only sustains itself by their continual dwelling in what it promises, not the hope which the world offers in exchange.

Hope isn’t the crossing of the finger, it’s simply the Cross itself… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.’ Col 1:10

Colossians was written by Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome. He's warning them concerning philosophic teachings against doctrine. Paul’s writings deal with two issues, doctrine (first two chaps.), then with the practice of it (last two chaps.). Interesting point being that Paul taught doctrine first, proving that what you believe will always determine how you behave. 

Good knowledge without a good life will not profit. Our understanding becomes a spiritual understanding when we exemplify it in our way of living: ‘That you may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.’ We walk in all well-pleasing when we walk in all things according to the will of the Father, ‘Being fruitful in every good work.’ Otherwise words without works is dead (Jms 2:14). We must abound in good works; not in some only, which are more suitable, safe, but in all, showing our faith being worthy in the Lord. It starts with hearing the Word of God, then one must walk in the truth of it.

Our walk counts far more than our talk… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘Can two walk together, except they be agreed?’ Amos 3:3

It’s like the slap-stick comedy scenario where two guys are handcuffed together and trying to run in different directions.  Only in this scenario, one it’s not funny, and two there won’t be a struggle on the Father’s part. Meaning He’ll move in His direction with no restriction, its whether we’re going to walk with Him or try to walk our own direction.

Trying to move in a direction against the Father’s will for your life will always be a struggle. Yet, when you get where you’re heading without a struggle, you’re probably going in the Father’s direction. But when you don’t seem to get where you’re heading, it’s probably the Father’s protection.  Powerful things happen when we ask the Father for directions instead of telling the Him where we’d like to go. Know the Father has a plan. Pray for direction to follow it, patience to wait on it, and discernment to see it clearly. 

The Father’s direction won’t be without its own obstacles, but He’ll always provide a bridge over it… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘… commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.’ Amos 2:12

In Amos (Ch. 2) the Lord states the humility Israel was lacking. How He delivered victory for them against the Amorites, after leading them through the wilderness for forty years to the Promise Land. The Lord anointed them with spiritual privileges and advantages raising up their sons to be prophet’s and Nazarites. And now the Lord has charged them with the abuse of His grace they benefited from, having commanded the 'prophets to prophesy not.'

Israel become more interested in what they wanted and refused to hear the truth, and even went to efforts to extinguish it; ‘you gave wine to the Nazarites to drink.’ It doesn’t take much for man to interrupt the Lord’s will. First and foremost is the avoidance of God’s Word in one’s life. Doing so dulls the spirit against conviction, and repentance. Leaving one’s spirit to stray in self-will and thought. Our culture today is becoming less accountable to God’s truth, thus defining their own. Don’t quieten the Word of God in your life. Allow the Holy Spirit to use your pastor to speak truth directly to your spirit, and humbly receive it as “profitable doctrine for reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Tim 3:16). 

You know you've gone blind to truth when you can ‘see nothing wrong’ with what God calls sin… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘… I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes.’ Amos 2:6

Interesting that while the Lord brought judgement upon nation after nation in (ch. 1), who did wrong to Judah and Israel, the Lord eventually looked upon them as well. Israel and Judah had their own sins. They had become trapped in their religion of self-righteousness and not humble in the righteousness of Jesus. They looked at what they did, and not what the Lord had done for them. Israel observed religious rituals. They gave extra tithes, went to worship, and offered sacrifices. But they were selfish, greedy and unjust. They sold the righteous man and his cause for silver/wealth, and the poor for personal gain.

We must be sure not to neglect the needs of others while we faithfully attend church and fulfill our religious obligations. It doesn’t matter much what we give religiously if you’re given it with the wrong heart and motive, as to buy favor or approval from God. Our religious servitude in rituals and giving don’t mask our selfishness, greed, and ill motives. The Lord warned the church of Laodicea (Rev 3:14) ‘I know thy works…’ They were blinded in their abundance and selfish desires. This is why they’re seen as the (last days church)! Play religious, and you’re playing with spiritual fire. Don’t let what we do be more important than what the Father call us to do.

What we gain is only good for us when it’s given of God, and not gathered by our greed… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 ‘So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God… For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed…’ Joel 3:17a; 21a

Joel began with a prophecy about the destruction of the land and ended with a prophecy about its restoration. He began by stressing the need for repentance and ended with the promise of forgiveness that repentance brings. Joel was warning the people to wake up (Joe 1:5), get rid of their complacency, and realize the danger of living apart from God.  This is Joel’s reference to their blood that has not been cleansed, their blood had become contaminated from their sinful acts as they wondered away from the Father. 

Broken fellowship is a sin that’s caused by man’s willingness to wonder in the world and venture after the visual lust it offers. This broken fellowship causes man to neglect their need for the Lord in their folly. Don’t find yourself waiting to need God until you need God. The Father hasn’t changed His position, He’s exactly where we left Him, we just need to change our priorities. 

Restoration is promised, it’s repentance that’s our problem… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

‘Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.’ Joel 3:28

The Day of the Lord is speaking to the second coming of Christ (Rev 19:11-21). There are 283 verses (155 O.T. / 128 N.T.) that prophesy about the second coming of Christ. The RAPTURE of the Church (to meet the LORD in the air) and the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST are two separate events that are separated by a seven-year period.  Whereas the Rapture of the Church is seen as a time of joy (I Thess 2:19, II Cor 1:14 and Jn 14:1-3), the Second Coming is seen as a time of judgment (Mt 25:31-46, I Thess 5:1-3, II Thess 1:7-10 and Rev 19:11-16) and decision.

They simplest way to state the importance with this context of scripture is by saying, "decide today or the decision will be made for you!" (Isa 13).  Look around you. See your family and friends, have they received God's forgiveness and Christ promise? Have they been warned about sin's consequences? If we understand the severity of God's final judgment, we will want to take God's offer of hope to those we know. Joshua stated the importance over 4,600 years ago, ‘Choose you this day whom you will serve’ (Jos 24:15). We may have chosen to accept the promise of Christ, but are we choosing daily to follow Christ? 

Cautious in waiting till tomorrow to choose, the choice may not be waiting for you… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten… “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD…’ Joel 2:25a; 26a

Don’t you hate making the same mistake twice? It’s better to prepare/prevent than it is to repair/repent. Consider how many ways we apply this, we take steps to ensure cars, homes, finances, health… yet often leave our hearts a drift. Failing to repent/repair our hearts, will often cause us to repeat our actions causing ongoing effects.   

If the Jews would never again experience a disaster like this locust plague ("my people shall never again be put to shame"), how do we explain the captivity in Babylon, their slavery under the Greeks and Romans, and their persecution under Hitler? It is important not to take these verses out of context. This is still part of the "blessings" section of Joel's prophecy. Only if the people truly repented would they avoid a disaster like the one Joel had described. God's blessings are promised to those who sincerely and consistently follow him (2 Chron “IF my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.’)

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! (Psa 112:1)… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘… turn ye even to me with all your heart…’ Joel 2:12

Ever been prone to put-off till tomorrow what you should’ve done today? Joel’s prophetic cry was of the Lord seeking after the hearts of man, while man was putting it off till another time. Often ‘not now’ becomes ‘never’ allowing for life to take root in our hearts and inviting anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, hate and fear to come along. 

There’s a degree of arrogance that comes with spiritual procrastination, assuming God owes us another chance to do tomorrow what He provided today. We must be stronger in our faith than we are with our excuses. Spiritual procrastination is the assassin of our faith and fosters fear and doubt instead.

Never use prayer as an excuse to procrastinate in doing what you already know to be true… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart… rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love…’’ Joel 2:12-13

A single bomb devastates a city, and the world is ushered into the nuclear age. A split atom - power and force such as we had never seen brings about discoveries dreamed of.  Volcanos, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornados unleash uncontrollable and unstoppable force, and we can only avoid them and then pick up the pieces.

Power, strength, might - we stand in awe at the natural and man-made display. But these forces cannot touch the power of omnipotent Father. Creator of galaxies, atoms, and natural laws, the Sovereign Lord rules over all there is. How silly to live without him; how foolish to run and hide from him; how ridiculous to disobey him. But we do. Since the garden of Eden, we have sought independence from his control. The Lord has allowed our rebellion for a season, but as Joel prophesied to Judah so it applies to us today, don’t tarry in a lack of humility because patience still has its point of accountability. 

Don’t mistake the Lord’s patience with your actions as His acceptance or approval… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 ‘… feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.’ Acts 20:28 

We must be cautious not to allow the church’s purpose to become fat on prosperity rather than fat on the gospel. Though Paul was talking to the elders (pastors) of the church, this must be the supporting heartbeat of the body as well to help ensure the believers are being “fed” doctrinally by the Word of God so they can grow in spiritual prosperity, and not just desiring physical prosperity (Heb 5:12-14). All that Father has for you and offers you through His provision is for the preeminence of Christ (Col 1:18) and the furtherance of the gospel. In Jesus’s discourse with Peter in (Jn 21:15-17), Jesus was emphasizing the importance to both “feed & lead” His children in discipleship, not just desires. Christianity is not about catering to our cares, but about abandoning ourselves to a servant to the gospel. 

Don’t come to Jesus to get more for yourself, come to Jesus to get more of Jesus… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘neither count I my life dear…’ (Acts 20:24a)

‘finish my course…’ (Acts 20:24b)

‘ministry in which I have received…’ (Acts 20:24c)

Paul gives us a clear and distinct path for all believers to walk in for their individual ministry. While the Lord will and may lead us down different paths through different seasons, it’s how we walk in those paths that greatly affects the outcome. Paul’s spiritual game plan was simple, purposeful, and affective, 1.) Humility – right motive. 2.) Finish our race – hold to your faith. 3.) Spiritual gifts – utilize the gift/s the Holy Spirit gave you. 

We often feel that life is a failure unless we're getting a lot out of it: recognition, fun, money, success. But Paul considered life worth nothing unless he used it for God's work. What he put into life was far more important than what he got out. Any efforts on our part that disrupt these steps in our faith walk, disrupts the Lord’s will for our walk.

Ministry is not for or about our gain; rather heaven’s glory… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘our craft is in danger to be set at nought…’ Acts 19:27

The silversmiths in Ephesus became fearful by Paul’s preaching that there were no gods made by hand (vs 26), knowing the gospel would diminish their source of money gained from worldly gods. Their personal interest wasn’t devoted to a pagan god, nor to the gospel of Jesus; it was to personal gain and wants. Their façade was hiding behind their religious loyalty and patriotism, but it was truly for self-interest.

How far will we go in true loyalty and love for the gospel truth? Often human sacrifice has a quick end to it once it becomes physically uncomfortable or not personally economical. If one is growing in the truth of the gospel, limiting their investment only limits their return. The scriptures tell us to, ‘buy the truth and sale it not’ (Pro 23:23). According to Solomon, truth should cost us something... because it cost God everything (Jn 3:16 & 14:6). Thus, we’re pressed of God to buy the truth. But at what rate? God does not say. However, we must purchase it at any rate. If you think education is expensive, try biblical ignorance (Hos 4:6).

Be careful putting a price on the gospel, one may find it becomes more about the cost than the gain… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘… and the name of Lord Jesus was magnified.’ Acts 19:17

Most are familiar with the term “scared straight,” often associated with exposing young individuals to the environment and effects of incarceration in hopes to get their attention refocused on what is right. This is not new per-say, in Ephesus this was experienced throughout the city during Paul’s mission stay there. The sons of Sceva, who was a high priest, had ill-motive in their works of ministry, obviously for personal gain, not heaven’s. When performing supposed exorcism’s, the sons were exposed by demonic spirits as being mis-focused on their efforts, are were possessed themselves and fled through the town naked and wounded (vs 16).

No humor intended, but in (vs 18-19) it states many confessed (sacred straight) and divulged their practices, and those who had books of incantations burned them in sight of all. There is a little levity here to say the least.  Point being motive is so important within our heart and own ministry. I don’t believe any of us are practicing incantations, but why we do what we do must be for Jesus’s glory and heaven’s profit, and not our own. Be careful drawing attention in your efforts, you may receive the kind of attention you don’t desire.

The right thing, with the wrong motive, is the wrong thing… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘I beseech thee, O Lord’ 2 Kgs 20:3

We must be cautious in concern to our want.  Desiring more than what the Lord has for us, can often result in being more than we can handle and thus dangerous for us. Hezekiah was blessed by God and wise in his rule (2 Kg 18:3). Yet, when Isiah told him to get his house in order, the Lord was finally calling him home, Hezekiah wanted a little more. Hezekiah knew the Lord was right, he just didn’t want Him to be right, right now. Prompting him to pray for more years which the Lord gave him. Sadly, Hezekiah was unwise with those extra fifteen years (vs 14-15), which brought about the eventual fall of Jerusalem to Babylon and more so brought about the rule of his son Manasseh, the worse king Israel ever had.  

Desire what you will, just make sure it’s not outside of the Lord’s will for you. Hezekiah’s testimony faltered in the end because he desired a little more.  Be content in the Lord’s will, it will always work to His glory and your good. More is not always better; it can sadly be more than you hoped for.

There’s a difference between desiring what is best, and what is best for you!... HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘... made perfect.’ Heb 12:23

Consider the great contrast between Israel’s terrified approach to God at Mt. Sinai and their joyful approach at Mt. Zion! What a difference Jesus made! Showing us there are two kinds of perfection which the Christian needs-the perfection of justification in the person of Jesus, and the perfection of sanctification wrought in him by the Holy Spirit. Our Justification as been made perfect in Jesus and the cross, our Sanctification is on-going through the Holy Spirit. At present, corruption yet remains even in us, the regenerate-experience soon teaches us this. 

But I rejoice to know that the day is coming when God shall finish the work which he has begun; and He shall seal our soul, not only perfect in Christ, but perfect through the Holy Spirit, without spot or blemish, completed for our Glorification. Oh, how we should extol Jesus who perfected our Justification, and the Holy Spirit in preparing us to stand fit before our Lord to receive our finished work, perfected for Heaven. Yet let not the hope of perfection hereafter make us content with imperfection now. If it does this, our hope cannot be genuine; for a good hope is a purifying thing, even now.

The Christian life calls us to a walk of progression, not perfection. Perfection isn’t obtainable, but if we chase it, we’ll catch excellence along the way… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 "Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again." Gen 46:3-4

You’ll seldom find what the Father has for you until you find yourself where He wants you. Jacob must have shuddered at the thought of leaving the land of his father’s and dwelling among heathen strangers. This is nothing new for believers today – called into foreign circumstances or seasons that are untried and fearful. But through Jacob’s testimony we can see by way of his prayers, we’ll find the companion for our walk-in faith, that leads us into His promises.

We cannot hesitate to go where the Father promises His presence; even in the valley of death we can fear no evil, knowing the Lord is with us (Psa 23). Remember the promises of the Lord often dwell in presence of our enemy, not in the comfort of our own dwelling. We must exercise Jacob’s confidence, “Fear not,” in placing ourselves in the Lord’s will, knowing His promise of deliverance awaits us. David passed through his valley of death, Moses through his sea, Daniel through his lion’s den, and Paul his prisons; and each encountered the Lord’s presence and preservation. 

When God calls, it’s always collect… you must be willing to accept the charges… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.’ Mt 19:26

As Jesus spoke with the rich young man concerning his efforts of salvation being as if a camel passed through the eye of a needle, it caused the disciples to question who then could be saved. Jesus was clarifying that no man can come to Father except through Him. Making what is otherwise impossible, possible. The disciples were sure that a rich man had favor; Jesus illustrates that the Father’s favour is upon all men, rich or poor who seek Him. 

Yet, man often stops fully relying on the Father after their salvation and try to manage their own lives going forward. So much of our life is exposed to failures, hardships, regrets, and pain that we never had to endure if we would’ve continued to rely on Him that saved us.  Those impossible moments we faced with our own strength could’ve been made possible with a continued reliance on the Father. Remember, what got you right is what keeps you right. 

As difficult as it is, a camel kneels before his master to remove its burden, so must we… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

'For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.’ Psa 8:5

When we look at the vast expanse of creation, we wonder how God could be concerned for people who constantly disappoint him. Yet, God still sees us as highly valuable, crowning of His creation for His glory and honor. And that’s the truth the scripture… we are for His glory and the supremacy of Christ, and not the supremacy of man. The Father did not create us for our life purpose, but for the purpose of His eternal glory in Jesus Christ.

‘… that in all things he might have the preeminence.’ (Col 1:18). Where is our supremacy needle for our life? Is it tilted toward self (man’s supremacy) and our wants, or is it tilted towards Jesus (Christ supremacy) and His glory in our life having preeminence?

God’s judgment and wrath is not based on what you have in life, but on why what you have in life being preeminent over Christ glory… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

"All the days of my appointed time will I wait."  Job 14:14

Nothing makes rest so sweet as toil; nothing renders security so pleasant as exposure to alarms. Our battered armor and scarred countenances will render a more glorious victory above, when we are welcomed into the presence of those who’ve already overcome the world. Such tarrying is worth the wait, allowing us to appear as worthy heirs with Jesus, for He was baptized with a baptism of suffering (Lk 12:50), and we must be baptized with the same as His heirs. 

Such fellowship with Jesus is so honorable, for our lingering here is for His glory and the good of others. We should not wish to enter heaven till our work is done. Our prolonged stay here is doubtless for God's glory. A tried saint, like a well-cut diamond, glitters the more in the King's crown. Nothing reflects so much honor of a workman as hands that show severe trial of his work, and its triumphant endurance in Jesus. We are God's workmanship, in whom He will be glorified by our afflictions. It’s for the glory of Jesus that we endure the trial of our faith with sacred joy. 

"If my lying in the dust would elevate my Lord by so much as an inch, let me still lie among the pots of earth and be covered with it, so my Lord can stand upon it.” … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 “God, even our own God.” Psa 67:6

 It is strange how little use we make of the spiritual blessings which God gives us, but it’s stranger still how little use we make of God. Though He is "our own God," we apply ourselves but little to Him. How seldom do we ask counsel at His hands! How often do we go about our affairs, without seeking His guidance! In our trials how constantly do we strive to bear our own burdens, instead of casting them upon the Lord, that He may sustain us!

 We’re self-defeating by not seeking the riches of our God. An eternal friend inviting us to draw from Him daily. Promising we’ll never be in want, fearful of a fight, or doubtful in a duty. But we must learn the faith of making God all things to us, and not just a safety net for us. Not only can He supply us with all, or better still, He can BE to us instead of all.  Let me urge us, then, to make use of our God. Make use of Him in prayer. Go to Him, because he is our God, and has good for us.

 Don’t let what you have become more important that what God has for you… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 "Blessed is he that watcheth." Rev 16:15

"We die daily," said the apostle Paul. This was the life of the early Christians; they went everywhere with their lives in their hands. We’re not in this day called to pass through the same fearful persecutions. The test of the Christian life is not so much outwardly, as it is of the heart. Today we must overcome the flattery with self, desires of the flesh, hypocrisy of our choices, the diversion from God’s purpose of our lives, the temptation of worldly prosperity and that creates pride and self-sustaining confidence and trust over our dependence and faith in the Lord.

Comparatively, our world is silky smooth. The devil cares not what distracts us or preoccupies us if it takes us away from God’s will for us and His purpose through us, so long as he destroys our fellowship and true longing for the Lord. I fear the Christian church is far more likely to lose her integrity in these soft and silken days than in those rougher times. We must be awake now, for we traverse the enchanted and tempting ground, and are most likely to fall asleep to our own undoing, unless our faith in Jesus be a reality, and our love a vehement flame.

Watch where you’re walking, satan offers endless paths for you to wonder… HSAY