Daily Wisdom

Joh 1:38a “Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye...”

If you find what you’re looking for then you don’t have to look any longer. Notice that Jesus asked Andrew “what seek ye?”  That question, while the simplest, is deeply profound! In Andrew’s first encounter he was challenged in deciding if he was looking for the answer or an answer? For Andrew he found the answer and was quick to tell his brother Peter as well (vs 41). Answering such a question, “Why follow me?” in our own life is just as profound in determining our relationship with Jesus. Is Jesus an option for our life challenges or the answer? If we turn away from His will when life gets difficult, Jesus is just an option and not your final answer!

Following Jesus because it feels good will lead to one falling away when life feels bad… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Luk 15:17 “And when he came to himself … (18) I will arise and go to my father …”

These two excerpts from (Lk 15:17-18) some up the whole matter when it comes to man’s separation from the Father.

I’m not a runner.  I liked cardio training but couldn’t endure just running, I was prone to run too far out, meaning if I ran say 5 miles out I realized I had to run 5 miles to get back. There were times when I felt I was doing well, and I ran too far, and thought I’d never make it back.

Point being: Fortunately, with God you can never run so far that you can’t make it back!

The prodigal son makes this clear. Yet we must notice the son’s first step in returning to the Father. The son didn’t increase his work/s to get in better shape. He simply “came to himself.” The son had become mentally deranged from the Father’s will. The Greek phrase “came to himself” implies a kindred mind-set, unity in thought. We change our thinking to the Father’s.

The beauty is the Father who is always prepared, ran to the son upon seeing his return! There’s a beautiful song titled “When God Ran” by Phillips, Craig & Dean:

He ran to me,

He took me in His arms,

Held my head to His chest,

Said "My son's come home again!"

Lifted my face,

Wiped the tears from my eyes,

With forgiveness in His voice He said

"Son, do you know I still love You?"

Running can be great for us if we’re running in the right direction with the right mind. Maybe your mind-set is deranged from the Father’s, that’s not fatal and is easily fixable. Just “come to yourself” change your thinking and bring into unity, kindred to the Father’s, and He’ll be prepared to run to you and meet you where you are!

Stop believing the lies of the enemy that there’s no way back! The Father’s ears and eyes are on you, just “come to yourself” and He’ll come to you!

It’s not about the distance you’ve run that matters, it’s the direction you’ve running in!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Rom 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

The word use for “transformed” is the Greek word (metamorphoō) were we get the word metamorphosis.  This word is used two other times in the N.T. once to describe Jesus transfiguration before Peter, James and John, and the other use Paul illustrates our coming glorification when we are transfigured into the image of Jesus eternally. Paul’s warning is to be transformed, not conformed. But more than the avoidance of worldly conformity, Paul calls us to let the Holy Spirit transform our mind: “Let God transform what you think.” Transformation goes far beyond how we appear and what we do; it’s deals with the essence of one’s spiritual change. It’s possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn and arrogant. It’s only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates and redirects our mind are we truly transformed. Give God your mind, and He’ll give your life meaning concerning the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.  God’s word was not given for information, but transformation. You can allow it to change you or look for loop-holes, so you don’t have to.

Change starts in your thoughts; your actions will catch up… You don’t get healthy then change your eating!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” Ecc 9:11

It isn't difficult to think of cases where the fastest and the strongest don't win, the wise are poor, and the skillful are unrewarded with wealth or honor. Some people see such examples and call life unfair, and they are right.  Men's success seldom equals their expectations.  We must keep God’s perspective; What if the trials in this life are mercies in disguise? Knowing the pain we experience and see reminds us not to struggle getting comfortable in this life, it’s not our home.  Don't let the inequities of life keep you from earnest, dedicated work to God: “a living dog is better than a dead lion.” (Ecc 9:4).  The time God gives us is precious, don’t waste it evaluating the fairness; instead create its worth in God, because that which we often ache for is actually a thirst this world can’t satisfy.  Fairness is not about getting what you want; it’s getting what you need to bring you closer to God. “For all this I consider in my heart and declare it’s in the hand of God…” Ecc 9:1

Life is fair, because it’s unfair to everybody; God is just.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“And I will give her her vinyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope…” Hosea 2:15

Only God can make a valley of trouble a door of hope.  In Heb 6:19, we are told Hope is the anchor of the soul that gives stability in the midst of storms. But, hope is not simply a wish or optimism, nor is determined by circumstances; rather it’s that which attaches itself and is anchored in the trust we have in God’s promises, knowing we can overcome because He has an expected end that is for our good. God offers the words “fear not” 365 times, a daily reminder for you to trust in Him.  Hope is not wishing something to happen, but trusting God will handle it.  

“The presence of hope in the invincible sovereignty of God drives out fear.”

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Howbeit the most High dwellest not in temples made with hands…”  Acts 7:48

Next to the human nature of Christ, the broken and spiritual heart is the most valued temple.  It is God’s will that the earthly temples we build would give way to the spiritual one.  Man is prone to build great big things for God and yet offer no room in their own heart for His Spirit to dwell.  We have nothing to offer, it’s all His footstool (vs 49), and yet He ask not of a thing besides our heart. Solomon knew this when he prayed at the temple dedication: “But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!” (2 Chro 6:18).  God’s desire is to rest in the heart of man, which He built, not in what man has built!  It’s not what you offer God that’s of value, but what He offers you; His dwelling presence.  How is God allowed to dwell in your life, permanent resident or an occasional guest? 

God wants a spiritual heart for His dwelling, and a priestly body for His service.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For we cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard…for all men glorified God for that which was done.” Acts 4:20; 21b

Every Christian has a piece of good news in them to share with others regarding Jesus. It cost you nothing, but your willingness, to encourage others by testifying of His greatness and exhorting one another daily…lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Heb 3:13)  By illustrating before others the love of Christ we reaffirm our own blessing and hope.  Before you put someone in their place, be willing to put yourself in theirs. There is no greater exercise for ones heart than their effort to reach down and lift another up in Christ. A humble and thankful spirit does not put others down, but lifts them up by speaking of Christ and glorifying Him for what He has done.

“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” Dan 1:8

It’s the predisposition to truth that empowers one to stand against evil. Daniel “purposed” in his heart, Hebrew word meaning to dispose (arrange/order) ones thoughts.  Daniel had his heart prepared for temptation by predisposing it to truth. Like a fire escape plan we too should be prepared before a fire arises, not planning an escape route in the process.  Daniel exposed his heart to truth before it was exposed to the temptation of the world.  One can fight temptation if they have been in training prior to the assault.  When he was faced with a choice Daniel had already weighted it, came to a resolution about it, and repented (change to God’s direction) his mind towards truth.  In doing so his victory was already accomplished before the battle.

What man proposes, God disposes in the hearts of those who seek Him.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart; that I may discern between good and bad…” 1 Kg 3:9

Solomon knew what to pray for over riches and fame, do we? Discernment dilutes the wiles of the devil; consider Eve, Satan destroyed her with deception.  Satan did not show her the bad, but instead confused her with the good (Gen 3). Just because it appears good does not mean it’s of God!   The saying all that glitters isn’t gold, is true today; Satan shows himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14) not darkness. Satan works through the appearance of what seems good and moral.  The external acts of man that may appear good are not always guided by God. Confirm all acts with spiritual discernment: does it confirm scripture (Acts 17:11), does it glorify Christ as God and Savior (1 Jn 4:1-3) and is the individual consistent with biblical morality (Mt 12:33-37).

Discernment is the ability to see things as they are, not as you want them to be.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” Isa 2:11

Pride by nature is the most destructive aspect of man’s character; leading him to avoid humility, accountability and responsibility to God.  It creates entitlement in one’s spirit that leads to selfishness and their own means of sufficiency and dependence in efforts to seek personal wants and desires.  “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.” Psa 146:3   Men’s haughtiness will be brought down by either the grace of God revealing the evil of their pride or by the providence of God depriving them of all that they were prideful of. It’s folly for man to think he can hide or shelter himself from accountability to God or in his continual denial the wrath of God.  The shaking of man’s heart will be felt by those who set their affections on the things of this earth.  He that cannot be reasoned by grace from out of their haughtiness and sin will soon be humbled and brought before God’s account. Israel’s continual sin was their choice to rely upon their neighbor/man instead of their God.  We’re all prone to self reliance and dependence that turns us from faith in God to self-faith in that around us. Let not man be your fear, nor your hope; instead hope in the Lord who alone will be exalted above all.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” Psa 111:10

Haughtiness is a high heel shoe for the low man.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“He that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Cor 9:6

God will allow the most amazing truths to come from the most unlikely situations.  I recall a conversation with an individual who was not accepting of the church and his need for a savior, but was able to ask a poignant question which had a lot of merit.  He referred to an article he saw in which it stated that a small percentage of Christians actually supported their local church with tithes or offerings. He stated he was surprised; he thought if we believed the bible and stuff about God Christians would be willing to support it and invest in it!  His statement was not arguable in truth, but what was amazing to me was the fact he was able to “get it” and yet many believers don’t.  Jesus in this instance sided with the individual I spoke with stating, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mt 6:21)  Our investment in Christ is to go far and beyond tithes and includes our time and talents we use to invest in God as well.  Unfortunately my encounter was correct, too many Christians often sow a handful of seeds and pray for a bountiful harvest.  Are we as Christians investing in what we believe or what we desire, when it comes to our time, talents and tithes?

God does not want your money, He wants your heart and everything else will follow.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Peter, lovest thou me?” John 21 15-17

Three times consecutively, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him.  Consider the thoughts going through Peter’s mind; one question offers a quick and simple yes, a second question provides a more direct and reconfirming assurance, but a third question requires a self reflection of love and rather or not you have truly offered it. Peter’s encounter with Jesus occurred after his denial of Jesus at His arrest in Jerusalem. Jesus was offering Peter an experience that would remove a cloud of regret and hurt that obviously engulfed his heart and mind.  But, Jesus made it clear, its one thing to say you love Jesus, but the real measure of love is your willingness to serve Him in any situation.  The first two questions concerning “love” Jesus used the Greek word Agape (unconditional) when seeking Peter’s heart, the third time Jesus used the Greek word Phileo (affection, brotherly love).  Jesus does not settle for quick, superficial answers. Jesus has a way of getting to the heart of the matter. Peter had to face his true feelings and motives when confronted by Jesus.  How would you answer the One, who truly knows your heart, when he asked “Do you love me? Do you really love me? Are you even my friend?”  

A love un-shown is a love un-grown; a love un-grown is a love that goes un-known!

HSAY…Todd    

Daily Wisdom

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive your trespasses.” Mt 6:14

Consider the depth and power that can be projected when one is able to speak with a masterful and eloquent use of words.  Yet, within the vast array of words that can be used to paint a picture some of the most powerful are a simple two letter word.  Most of us have read, heard or spoken the Lord’s Prayer. Consider what Jesus says here in Matthew when instructing the disciples in prayer “For if ye forgive men of their sins the Father will forgive you.” The “if” implies we should not be asking for forgiveness until we ourselves are willing and able to forgive others.  Jesus makes it explicitly clear in the next verse that if we are not willing to forgive, neither will the Father be on His part.  Forgiveness is a commandment many are quick to gloss over in their Christian life.  We play a spiritual game of verbal forgiveness, yet our hearts are still hardened towards those individuals who have hurt us.  Some of us have been deeply wounded by others, but the depth does not compare to the wounds Jesus endured for our on sins.  We must be as quick to offer forgiveness as we are to ask for it.  Jesus would never ask us to do something He has not already offered and given us the ability to do.  Unforgiveness is the symptom that leads to bitterness which will eventually kill the soul.

Bitterness is the poison we swallow, hoping the other person dies.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

Mat 15:11 “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”

It’s what a man does that defiles him, not what others do to him.  The Pharisees were more concerned about the rituals and laws of man and his doctrines than they were the law of God.  It’s a character flaw for Christians who place their feelings above the word of God (Psa 119:165).  What proceeds from a man’s mouth does not outweigh his heart; “This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, but their heart is far from me.” (vs 8)  Unfortunately religion can be the strongest source of blindness that defiles man (vs 14); it’s not a ritual thing, but a heart thing when it comes to spiritual character of a man. 

Don’t let your mouth reflect your religion; let your heart reflect your relationship!

HSAY…Todd  

Today's daily Wisdom

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Mt 6:21

While this often falls underneath a new Christian’s first few memory verses, consider for a moment Christ as your Master CPA.  What if He was to put together a spreadsheet or balance sheet of our life, he begins asking for your pay-stubs, checkbook, tithes/offerings, investments and your time (time is money, meaning it has value and worth).  What would it show, would it show a life that is investing in the eternal or would it show temporal goals.  While ones checkbook shows a lot, you couple it with ones time and it begins to show a true balance sheet for their life. Ones money coupled with their time depicts an accurate image of their heart. Our desires are self designed and thus pursued by our hearts and supported by our money and time, where one goes the other follows.  Just as one who desires to support and love their family, it’s illustrated by their investment to labor, and without their labor/works it would be difficult to show otherwise.  The same is true for our Christian life, James 2:17 “Even so faith if it has not works, is dead, being alone.”  Our works are our investments; spiritual balance sheet in the Lord.

Words don’t clearly illustrate ones desire for the eternal, but more so those who put their money and time where their mouth is.

HSAY…Todd     

Today's Daily Wisdom

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” Rom 8:28

We must be honest with ourselves and fair in our request and expectations with God; His goodness comes forth in our life when we are called to his purpose and respond to it.  His purposeful call on our lives deals with our attitude towards His will in our lives. Don’t confuse yourself by struggling with purpose, but rather find a passion and attitude for the love of God and it will lead into His purpose for you and thus His good will.  No matter the setbacks, rejection, suffering or the disappointment and hurt you endure, God can bring good forth good out of any situation, even out evil that’s thrust upon us.  If we chose to trust in God’s will and purpose, His goodness wins out.  Often God’s purpose for the day will not show forth till tomorrow.  Like one sitting in the shade of a tree that was planted long before, no one saw the goodness of it at the time, but they were still willing to plant it, and now its purpose is for the good.

People hear your words, but it’s your attitude that illustrates your purpose.

HSAY…Todd  

Daily Wisdom

“Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.” Pro 25:16

Gluttony, the permeating sin within the church; no I’m talking about an excess weight or binge-full meals at Sunday lunches.  Gluttony is not merely an addiction to food, if you look at the original definition and context, gluttony lands closer to home/church than we prefer.  Simply stated, gluttony is consumption of excess, occurring when desire overrules need. In America there has always been a desire to upgrade, yet over the last 10-20 yrs. it appears consumption is the driving force in society. The problem is desire for excess stems from a lack of satisfaction. Not content with my portion in life – be it the diner plate, marriage bed or bank accounts. And because every portion is only a finite of the whole, it’s constantly chasing an unquenchable thirst. Picture the Grand Canyon as your soul, if you try filling it with houses, cars, money, relationships, trips, etc. good luck.  In Genesis 3 we see the onset of excess in the Garden of Eden.  What was provided and offered was not enough.  God provided beauty, health, relationship and the absence of shame, guilt and sin, and it was not enough.  So they break their relationship, charge their health and encounter shame, guilt and sin, nice trade. The desire for more is not inherently bad, it’s just misdirected today.  We are losing our desire for a ravenous, relentless appetite for the Divine. Our souls (Grand Canyon) only chance is found in the goodness and presence of an all-glorious God.  There is a great and powerful effect that takes place when we taste and consume the goodness of God, the more we consume the more we acquire the desire for it.  Psa 34: 8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good…”  Unfortunately too many Christians today are more interested in quenching their thirst at a church coffee bar rather than a church pew.  God has ordained that His goodness can be tasted and seen; meaning every finite satisfaction and pleasure should point us to the infinite satisfaction and joy of God.

Is desire for excess sinful? It depends if the soul is addicted to a finite excess or an infinite excess!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“…and he (Christ) shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears. But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth…” Isa 11:3-4

Our Lord is not persuaded by what He sees or what He hears.  Man’s intention can be misleading and destructive in its course; shaped and motivated by desire, lust and greed.  Often the motives are disguised as though the right intention is seen or is heard as being sincere in nature, yet administered with alterative motives.  God will judge with righteousness with moral clarity of the heart. How we long for fair treatment from others, but do we give it? We hate those who base their judgments on appearance, false evidence, or hearsay, but are we quick to judge others using those standards? Only Christ can be the perfectly fair judge. Only as he governs our hearts can we learn to be as fair in our treatment of others as we expect others to be toward us.  We must desire what is right when it comes to others, be it in our favour or not.  Don’t let your desire for righteousness be marred by what is convenient, profitable or desiring, but simply what is morally right before God.

“The moral law of God is the tune we are to play; our actions are simply the keys.”

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Tim 6:6

According to God’s word, true richness lies in true Godliness.  Yet, Godliness does not occur through religion, good deeds or man’s efforts.  Godliness is a byproduct of a personal relationship with Christ and matures as we grow closer to Him; so that the Holy Spirit becomes our guide and conviction, which through His word allows us to live a life that is pleasing to Him and rewarding to us.  Godliness is to be our primary goal when we ponder the riches of life. Theirs is no lasting significance in anything else the world has to offer.  Paraphrasing…”When you live a life of Godliness, this is a life of great gain.”  Theirs is no ultimate meaning or reward in worldly riches, only in our personal relationship with Christ. Man is prone to ponder wastefully the advantages and pleasures of temporal wealth and exasperate their efforts to obtain it with hopeful thought it will bring a life of rewards and contentment. But, instead they see such gained riches come and go, and eventually depart for ever leaving in its place only that which offers true riches, that which they bestowed in Christ.  True richness is a heart that finds contentment and its greatest gain in its investment in Christ.

There is no Godly gain one can purchase by the wealth of money.

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God…” Joel 2:13

Deep remorse was often shown by tearing one's clothes. But God didn't want an outward display of penitence without true inward repentance.  It is the heart that God wants changed not one’s appearance.  In 1 Sam 16:7, God illustrated this concerning his call on David when he told Samuel “look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature…man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”  It’s the attitude of the heart, not the appearance of the body that God looks upon.  A truly penitent heart is called a “broken and a contrite heart.” (Psa 51:17)  Such a penitent rends and rips the recesses of the heart, to discover the abominations thereof, and pours out before God the diseased and perilous stuff that is pent up and festering within, and expels the evil lodged within it, and opens it to forgiveness by way of God’s divine grace and mercy.

Heaven finds a forgiving ear, when man finds a repentant tongue.

HSAY…Todd