Daily Wisdom

 Eph 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

The word “edifying” comes from the Greek word (oikodome), meaning architecture, construct, confirmation. God has given His church an enormous responsibility - make disciples (Mat 28:18-20). Just as a building can’t be constructed by one individual, neither can the work of the church. It takes a spiritual crew, a body who is working to build up, construct, and confirm the purpose of the church. It takes maturity, adulthood to faithfully labor in the body of Christ for the Lord. It requires focusing on the structure and not self, can’t edify both!

Our edifying of others in Christ should make them question any lack of hope in Christ goodness for their life…HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 13:20a-21 “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus… 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Do we maintain a spiritual maturity of integrity, pure heart, resolved will to God’s, love? These are great things to be desired by us and for us from the Father. Such traits bring forth the glory of Christ, which is due Him, through our lives, and all good work in us is brought forth by the Father through Jesus for heaven’s sake and heaven’s glory. Be confident, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus return (Phil 1:6).

It's not what you do but what God gets done through you that’s of worth… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

2Co 1:6 “If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.” 

Your greatest impact will come from the opportunities within your greatest struggles. Meaning, God never wastes a hurt. Instead, God uses the pain and struggles we face in life to point us back to Him, to strengthen us, to grow us – and to comfort others. In tough times, I seek those who’ve walked before me… It’s the “been there and survived that” perspective that provides hope. It’s the stories of God’s provision, comfort, and presence at life’s lowest moments that become powerful testimonies in the lives of His children. As believer’s we are to live in the overflow of the Father’s faithfulness in our own lives and as well as others (Rom 12:15-16). In the end, it comes back to the Gospel and what Christ has already done for us. Our opportunities lie in two areas, in the moment and in the Master… don’t miss either one!

It's not what’s happening to you, but what’s already been done for you in Christ Jesus … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 1Ki 2:2 “I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man.”

What a charge from a dying King David to his son Solomon. Knowing his dad was a legend even before becoming the king of Israel  – defeating Goliath, leading the Israelites to victory over the Philistines, conquering Jerusalem, enduring suffering, and threats under King Saul against his life. But now David challenges his son with these final words of wisdom. In essence David’s words can be summed up as: Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the willingness to do the next right thing in the face of fear. Thankfully, we are not given this directive to live out in our own strength, God promises to strengthen us through HIS power (Isa 12:2; Psa 145:18-19; Psa 62:1-2; Isa 43:1-3).

Courage finds its faith not in the assurance of the desired outcome, but the promise of God’s protection and deliverance… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 11:15  “And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.”

We all face great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations. If we let worry and doubt overpower our faith in God’s Word, then we’re eliminating the Word of God to produce truth and promises in our lives. It’s this crucible of our faith that provides the very opportunity we need to empower ourselves in God’s promises. God’s the provider of opportunity are we opportunistic in our faith to obtain Godly results in our life.

Every trial in life is an opportunity to see God’s faithfulness… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

Heb 12:11 ‘Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

Spring is here, and while enjoyable we know it brings with it required maintenance towards the vegetation. If we ignore it then we’re disappointed with the growth and results we desire in the summer. The same is true for us spiritually; our life requires maintenance for proper spiritual growth weeding, pruning, feeding and like our own lawn this isn’t the enjoyable part, yet required to yield what we desire. Be patient when the Lord is applying a little chastening, it’s His loving care that yields what is good for us and His will. (Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.)

Spring shows what God can do with a grab and dirty world, let Him work!… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 10:9 “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.”

While this is the only time recorded in the N.T., it’s a central teaching concerning God’s will and our purpose. God calls us to more than empty compliance within a religious system (Psa 40:6-8). Christs’ sacrifice satisfied/paid for the eternality of sin, thus eliminating the need of the law and freeing us from religiosity/rituals and allowing us to do His will and His kingdom work - (he “Christ” taketh away the first “sin”, that he “man” may do the second “God’s will”). Considering the immeasurable gift he gave us, we should respond by giving him our devotion and sacrifice.

Where there’s a will there’s a way, as long as it’s God’s will and not just our wishes… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 9:22 “… without shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness of sin).

The power of blood was seen in the Old Testament sacrifices, (vs 20 “This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.) Moses spoke these words in (Exo 24:8) as he sprinkled the O.T. covenant law, people, tabernacle, and vessels. Even the N.T. covenant (Jer 31:31) was the blood of Christ shed on the cross, (Heb 9:16 “For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.”) Our “testator” (Christ) was the fulfillment of every sacrifice made by man’s hand. Christ’s death disposes man’s effort for righteousness and establishes it on man’s behalf. Though only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year, by way of blood sacrifice, we now can endlessly enter the presence of God’s Holiness through prayer by the blood of Christ!

There's no atonement in the acts of man, only in the shedding blood of our Saviour… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 6:14-15 “Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee, And so patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”

Be slow in questioning the Father’s love or promises because you don’t see what you want to see or maybe want to feel. Sometimes our challenge can be that we’re not seeing what the Lord wants us to see. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, yet the Lord still loved him, ministered to him, and offered him all he needed for life then as well as eternally. The Father is about what you need, to be more like Christ, not what you want. You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore, or how you want it before you decide to see what the Lord has for you. As it’s said, sometimes you can’t see the forest because of the trees.

Abraham’s patience in the Lord is what unlocked the power of the promise for his life… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him…”

The Word “uttermost” used here by the writer of Hebrews is the Greek word (Panteles), which means “full ended, entire, full completion.” What the author of Hebrews is saying here is that our salvation is “complete” in every respect. Once a person has been truly born again into the family of God, he cannot be unborn (Psa 37:28).  John 5:24 “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath eternal life…”  That’s why the Gospel is called “Good News” and not “good chance” as long as you don’t mess up, AGAIN! Rejoice in the fact that the Lord ensures, holds onto, and protects our salvation (2 Tim 1:12), and not us.

If we could lose our eternal salvation, it wouldn’t be eternal… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 5:11 “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.”

There can be a difficulty in doctrine and the effectiveness of transferring its truths by way of man (ministers) to man. The gospel can be lost in pulpits who can be focused on religion, movements, or attendance rather than the souls of man and the apologetics of the gospel truth.  Yet generally, were shown in the scriptures, the fault is in the hearers. Dull hearers make the preaching of the gospel a difficult thing, and even many who have some faith are but dull hearers, dull of understanding and slow to believe. (Jas 1:22-25 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves…”).

He who is wise listens (Pro 12:15)… be sure to keep your spiritual hearing aids on and tuned in; what you miss may be what you’re missing the most… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 4:13 “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

Nothing can be hidden from God. He knows about everyone, everywhere, and everything about us is wide open to His Omniscience eyes. Even when we are unaware of His presence, He is there. When we try to hide, He is with us.  This should be the greatest of comfort to us. While at times we may wish He didn’t know or see what we thought or did, but it’s best that He does, or we would be hopeless. Yet, we have hope because of His excellency and perfection that by knowing and seeing all, He can put us back together and on the right path… because He knows!

God is never blind to your tears, deaf to your prayers, or silent to your pains. He sees, He hears, and He will faithfully deliver… HSAY!

Daily Wisdom

Heb 4:3 “For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.”

The rest referred to is the promised gift of salvation for all that believe (vs 2). Know that our promised salvation is in a completed work (Titus 1:2), not a contributing work on our part. The only part we play in the gospel is our need for it, not adding to it. It simply requires our repentance (Greek word metanoia, to change one’s mind) and understanding our need for Christ, not turning from our sin. Man must remove himself from any self-efforts (works) in salvation and find his rest in Jesus alone, (Heb 10:22 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…”). In man’s best efforts there’s no assurance, just an aftermath of good intentions.

Salvation is the assurance of Christ, not the assisted efforts of man; one can be co-heirs, but not co-contributors… HSAY