Daily Wisdom..."Purposeful Direction"

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”  Pro 3:6

The only time one should look back is to thank God and then look forward and trust God. Because in life you will find a mess, but within lays a message; test, which will present a testimony; trials to turn into triumph and though you may be a victim, you can find victory. There are pains in life that are inevitable, the suffering is optional; set your course in Christ and when the wind changes don’t be a pessimist and complain, nor an optimist and simply hope they change, but instead be of faith and adjust your sails and be willing to go where God leads.   Knowing your faith in God requires faith in His timing and direction; while you may not end up where you were going, you will end up where you need to be.  It’s the direction of God’s will not the magnitude which is to be taken into consideration. 

Don’t judge others; you never know what storm God may be asking them to walk through.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Timely Beauty"

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while make you perfect, stablish, settle you.”  1 Pt 5:10

The excuses that derive from ones sense of worthlessness are used by Satan to build a house of failure. God restores and He uses the process of life itself for our transformation; using both time and pressure to bring forth some of life’s greatest beauty. A Caterpillar becomes a butterfly, coal becomes diamonds and sand is turned into pearls.  What may appear to the world as worthlessness at the moment, God is timely restoring what He sees as a priceless masterpiece?   “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Restoring Comforts"

“I have seen his ways and will heal him: I will lead him also and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.” Isa 57:18

We lose our worth to make money; lose our money to find our worth. While seeking both we lose sight of God.  Our only true worth lies in God and will be reached through the power of His restoration.  What appear as mountains might have to be faced; know that climb will strengthen you.  Nothing is beyond God’s redemption and restoration, he that is restored is healed and those who are healed He will lead. You have three choices: give up in your efforts, give in to the world or give it over to God. The first one will discourage you, the other will defeat you and One will restore you. 

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Godly Worth"

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well.”  Psa 139:14

Your value in life does not decrease based on someone else inability to see your worth.  God uses the broken things to bring forth great things; it takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to produce bread and it’s the breaking of bread that gives us strength and it was a broken Saviour that gave us eternal life.  Don’t give your heart back to the hands that broke it, expecting them to repair it. Only God can restore and bring forth the worth of your soul.  Know the call of Christ is not about being easy, but about being of worth and rest assured His plans are greater than your dreams.  Start living in Christ knowing you were worth dying for!

Remember Christ death for you was a public spectacle; don’t make your life for Him a hidden mystery!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Morality of God"

“Be ye 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.”  Rom 12:2

Sin in and of itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil man for evil purposes or selfish gain, but the goodness of God is greater, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by worldly propaganda or the flesh, it can certainly be conquered by those who act in the moral absolutes of God’s righteousness. Absolute truth is as universally true as that which established it (God); not the relative whim or acceptance of that which it was provided for (man).  “What God does is always consistent with who God is, He always acts according to His Holy character.  His internal righteousness is the moral excellence of His character, thus God is moral absolute.” The transforming of our minds goes beyond our refusal to conform to the world’s behavior and customs.  One can avoid customs and still be proud, arrogant or simply evil.  Transformation is the process of the Holy Spirit renewing, reeducating and redirecting your mind towards the moral standards and absolutes of God’s truth for your life, not a refocus based on the feelings or sincerity of your thoughts; this is objective morality verses absolute morality.

Becoming who God intended starts with absolutely acknowledging who God is and allowing your mind to be transformed to His likeness! 

Daily Wisdom..."God's Love"

“…as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.”  Isa 62:5

It is quoted: “love hurts”, but that’s not true. Loneliness hurts, rejection hurts, losing someone hurts.  Reality is the love of God is the only thing that covers such pain and comforts our soul.  As His bride we must be careful not to warp the love He has for us by twisting God to somehow fit our image and our definition of love. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we try to project in Him and miss the fullness of His love for us.  The only way love can be eternal it has to be unconditional; thus love is not determined by the one being loved, but rather by the one choosing to love.  God has made His choice when He gave His life for yours; question, have you chose to give yours to Him?  The old adage, dance with the one who “bought” you (Hosea 2:1…must read) because no one loves you greater!

What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Joy of the Heart"

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Pro 4:23

When one is willing to turn to the scriptures as a mirror (2 Cor 3:18) they often find that the heart of the problem is a problem with the heart. And while one is only a repentant prayer away from a changed heart, often they are simply looking for relief and avoidance of hurt and never address the problem.  Managing ones environment can remove the tension of sin, but only the Lord can cure it.  Remove oneself from a bar does not remove ones desire to drink.  The truth of the matter is there is no human remedy for sin.  And while you would think everyone would leap at the chance to rid themselves of sin, not so and this brings us back to the heart, most just want relief not a cure! One must understand and acknowledge that sin management is not repentance. Jesus wants to address the heart, because out of it flow the issues of life (Pro 4:23).  A heart that is a reflection of Christ is a life God answers in the joy of his heart (Ecc 5:20)

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom..."Restore"

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit.”  Psa 51:12

Sin often brings with it both physical and spiritual scars on the human life. If we chose to learn from such experiences, it will also bring forth restoration and a greater intimacy with God. Our restoration does not depend on us changing what we do, but in turning to God and depending on Him for the things we ordinarily do for ourselves. The weakness in the Christian life is not taking the time to believe that God’s love delights in us; He has “called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee…” (Isa 45:6)  Restoration exist because of His great love; the greatest test for man is not “what I thought?” but instead “how I loved” its religiosity verses relationship.  The restoration of the soul that “opens blind eyes, brings forth prisoners and them that sit in darkness out of their house” (vs 7) comes not by quoted scripture, but to those who chose intimacy with the love of God.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."It Is Finished"

“It is finished:” John 19:30

It is Friday, April 3^rd, A.D. 33; the start of the darkest period in human history unfolds over the next three days, culminating with the most gruesome of deaths perpetrated by man.  But, what lies ahead is not only the worst it’s also the best of all human deaths,   leaving a brilliant brushstroke on the canvas of human history.  In Jerusalem, God the Son, the creator of all (Jn 1:3), will be crucified.  Four of the greatest events in human history took place in the span of three days against Jesus that fulfilled the future of mankind.  In the Garden…”It Is Contrived” Judas, as prophesied by a kiss (Lk 22:48), delivers Jesus into the hands of the soldiers. Yet, in the midst of His arrest a miracle is performed for a soldier named Malchus and judgment is not allowed to be asserted by Peter.   In the Court…”It Is Condemned”  At Caiaphas’s  house, the High Priest, the trial progresses quickly to charged Jesus with blasphemy. Growing irritated and impatient during the early morning uprising, Caiaphas demands Jesus to declare Himself as the Son of God (Mt 26:63). Jesus, holding His peace, responds “Thos hast said…” the high priest proclaims blasphemy and declares: “He is guilty of death.” (Mt 26:66).  In the Government…”It Is Confirmed”  In spite of Pilate’s and Herod’s efforts to appease the court with other options to quench their thirst for blood, it was of no avail the court was willing to let a thief and murderer go free to ensure the death of Jesus. The Triune God grants authority (Jn 19:11) allowing the powers to be the ability to execute unwittingly the only innocent death to redeem man.  At the Cross…”It Is Finished”   In the early morning hours Jesus is paraded before man.  Beaten and bloodied from the Roman soldier’s creative cruelty, Jesus labors to carry the cross, on which He will eventually die, to the hill of Golgotha. By (9:00 A.M.) Jesus, flanked by two thieves on either side, hangs on what is the most gruesome and agonizing deaths man has devised.  Labeled by a sign hanging over His head that reads “King of the Jews” is short of truth, He is the “King of Kings.” As chants bellow out of the mouths of His condemners for Him to save Himself (Lk 23:35), they understand not that such an act would end the hopes of man.   Now as noon (12:00) approaches, darkness falls on mid-day, bringing confusion to those who watch. But, worse is the darkness that approaches Jesus. With it a pain looms that is felt beyond the clanging of nails that pierced His body or lashes that shredded His back.   At this hour, the Fathers wrath falls upon Jesus, at this moment He is no longer the blessed, but the Cursed (Gal 3:13). Jesus has become sin (2 Cor 5:21).  And for the first time in eternity past, Jesus is separated from the Father and the Holy Spirit creating complete isolation and loneliness for our Saviour. In this moment Jesus, God in flesh, screams in human emotions: “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani” (My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me) Mt. 27:46.  No greater love has ever been displayed or fulfilled by man (Jn 15:13)! At 3:00 P.M. Jesus, knowing that all things were accomplished…” supped His last drink and said: “IT IS FINISHED” (Jn 19:30).

Interesting that through man’s pride and arrogance he boastfully proclaims…”It Is…” to no avail.  Only Christ has the power and ability to proclaim “It Is Finished.” It’s those words that ensure man of his eternal promise in Christ Jesus!

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom..."Spiritual Warfare"

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  Eph 6:11-12

Our generation has had no great war, no great depression; our war is spiritual. It is well stated: “Two conflicting forces cannot exist in one human heart. When doubt reigns, faith cannot abide. Where hatred rules, love is crowded out. Where selfishness rules, there love cannot dwell. Where worry is present, trust cannot flourish.” (Billy Graham)   Satan, like a fisherman, baits his hook according to the appetite of the fish.  He dupes his victims, dabbing the pleasure of sin with a delusive sweetness and soon his victims become intoxicated in the deceitfulness and lose all consciousness towards the danger they’re in.  To the point they are entrapped in a prison cell and even though the door remains open, they never escape and eventually it slams shut.  The strength of all sin is the lie that God cannot do what it can.  There are two essential elements to obtain victory in warfare, knowing your enemy and knowing your resources.  So, if Satan comes knocking at your door, allow Christ to answer it.

HSAY…Todd      

Daily Wisdom..."Understanding"

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.”  Pro 3:5-6

While the bible instructs not to lean on our own understanding, it does not encourage us to be irrational in understanding.  In Proverbs, “Understanding” is referenced (53 times) thus putting no separation between our intellect and faith.  Meaning we are not to be lack of understanding, but lack in our own perceptions and reliance.  The Garden of Eden illustrates the insanity of man and trusting of ourselves and leaning on our own understanding.  This simple attempt of self-knowledge and wisdom lead to the fall of man and the introduction of sin. So many of the struggles in life that causes us the most difficulties and headaches, the source of so much of our anger, anxiety, fear, doubt with others and God, is the results of leaning on our own understanding.  In exercising our faith – trusting fully in God’s way and wisdom – we are not setting aside our own intellect. On the contrary, we are resting our intellect on the intellect of God and His understanding.  Nothing is wiser or more sane, than to allow Him to direct our  paths, which not only leads us to great joy, but also makes the journey itself, even laden with sorrow, joyful (2 Cor 6:10).  It preserves for us all the pleasures God has for us in this fallen world. To not do this is the height of foolishness and a path to misery.  Adam and Eve walked a path of their own understanding that lead them right out of the Garden.

Maturity is not the ability to talk about big things, but the understanding of the little things.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Rose Up"

“But there rose up…” Acts 15:5

Spring is laboring to sprout forth and overcome the grip of winter and bring with it a new growth of life.  Gardens are being cultivated, plowed and planted flower beds are prepped and mulched both waiting with good intentions to spring forth a harvest.  But without fail emerging right beside the growth of spring life pops-up weeds/tares; fighting for their own resources for life.  In Acts 15 Paul and Barnabas faced the same challenge within their ministry.  Having declared the victory of salvations in Phenice and Samaria; (vs 3) states “the conversion of the Gentiles, caused great joy unto all the brethren.” Yet among the harvest of salvations that brought great joy, weeds/tares “rose up” among the sect (vs 5).  Why it is some Christians will labor long and hard to eliminate and remove the weeds/tares from their own garden and yet allow them to flourish within the church; even so much as to plant them themselves? Unfortunately in nature the weeds/tares travel with ease within the wind landing without respect in fertile soil looking to take root without our control.  But as Christians it’s shameful when we allow our actions, which bring about weeds/tares, to flow as effortlessly as if nature is in control.  Just like a garden, weeds/tares rob the garden of its beauty and if left unattended will eventually choke out any hopes of new life.  As foolish as it sounds why would one plant, along with their seeds of life, seeds of discord, gossip, hatred, bitterness, deceit, dishonesty or self-intentions and yet desire new life? What’s “Rising-Up” in your garden, is it all new life or do you see signs of weeds/tares sprouting forth?  (Pro 6:16-19)  If anything is to “Rise-Up” let it be according to Rom 14:19 “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace and things wherewith one may edify another.”

Faith no more tolerates a moderate love amongst fellow man than it tolerates a moderate love between God and man! 

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Drink the Good Stuff"

“Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink…”  Mt 20:22

In Matthew 20:20-28, the mother of James and John, in a typical motherly fashion, seeks prominence for her sons by asking Jesus if they could sit on His right hand in the eternal kingdom.  Jesus, in His own typical fashion, responds with His own question: “…are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink…?” (vs 22)  This is not a rebuke from Jesus, but a direct question to which the brothers reply: “we are able.”   Such the response from James and John exemplifies many Christians approach towards Christianity, we know not what we ask, assuming we can obtain any type of greatness, position or preeminence.  Jesus Himself was not about a position or preeminence, but instead love and servitude.  This is God’s economy, after all.  Having more isn't winning; being served isn't best; being honored isn't greatness.  We are called to be Christ-like who “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.” (vs 28)   Jesus imagery of the cup has more meaning than we often consider. The bible connects key verses with God’s wrath and the imagery of the cup.  Jeremiah 25:15 “…take this wine cup of this fury at my hand”; Isaiah 51:17 “…O Jerusalem which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury.”  Jesus confirms this connection in the garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, the cross looming just ahead, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me…” (Mt 26:39)  Like the disciples, we know not what we often seek to drink.  The cup Jesus was consuming was the cup of God’s wrath a cup that had accumulated the fury of God against sin of all types.  At Golgotha, Jesus consumed God’s cup of wrath, full strength, undiluted. Paul summarizes the meaning, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor 5:21)  By way of Jesus consuming God’s cup of wrath, allows us to consume God’s cup of fellowship. While it will involve suffering (Mt 20:23), it will not involve God’ wrath.   Don’t long for preeminence, position or power; be willing instead to “serve” the cup that offers God’s love and the gift of eternal life and fellowship through Jesus and the Cross!    

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom..."Is Jesus Enough"

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”  Mt 18:20

What’s your greatest hindrance to worshiping God as you gather with the church for corporate worship?  Some of the following may be possible answers…the song leader, the worship team, the liturgy may be too stifling, the preacher is uninspiring, and the church is too small or even too big.  While one or all of the above should not be minimized as part of corporate worship, our greatest problem when it comes to worshiping God doesn't lie outside of us, but within our own hearts. John closes his first letter by stating: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 Jn 5:21). In other words, don’t let your eyes and heart wonder from the glory of Christ Jesus as your greatest source of joy, satisfaction and spiritual authority.  Idolatry creeps into a heart when one thinks that if (X) is not present then worship is unattainable. The issue is simple, if (X) is not Jesus and that in and of itself is not sufficient, you have an idol issue when it comes to corporate worship.  Jesus reveals himself in many ways; the word read and preached, Lord Supper, fellowship with brethren, songs and prayers. But when we make those means – or more specifically the execution of those means – the basis for determining our connection with God, then we've added an unnecessary barrier between us and Jesus. When we attend the gathering of the saints as idolatrous consumers and judges rather than grateful receivers and servants we brought idols before Christ; let’s not let idols keep us from reveling in the inexpressible joy that our sins are forgiving and we are reconciled to God through Christ Jesus!

As Christians you would pray that Jesus would be enough! Are you looking for more? (Heb 12:28-29)

HSAY…Todd  

Daily Wisdom..."Prevailing Goodness of God"

“O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”  Psalm 34:8

When one is engulfed in the midst of intense suffering, it’s easy to lose their bearings.  Questions arise reflexively: Is God Really in control? How can a good God allow so much pain? Is God good?  Such emotions and thoughts require an anchor that keeps us tethered to the truth so we don't drift when we encounter suffering.  God Controls All Things, Including Evil…don’t make the mistake of separating God’s sovereignty from suffering in your life. Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God…declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done…” the scriptures are clear concerning God’s sovereignty over evil (Amos 3:6; Isaiah 45:7). Christianity is not a dualistic yin and yang in which God and Satan are fighting it out in an evenly match, uncertain who will win.  Satan is a created creature like us in that God’s sovereignty works within our created free will.  Even though evil may appear random and out-of-control, God does not remove Himself from the events of evil nor lose His sovereignty over it.  Consider the analogy like that of an author: “God is the author, The world is his story, We are the characters.”  Since God is sovereign over evil, does that mean God is not good?  Deut. 32:4 says, “He is the rock., his work is perfect…just and right is he.”  The scriptures affirm God’s goodness in a fallen and broken world.  At the same time He does not turn a blind eye to evil. It’s not strange to view the problem of evil as a mystery…Paul states in Romans 11:33 “O the depth of the riches both of wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out.”  Even so, evil does not have the final authority or word, in fact evil digs its own grave.  Evil, like a Judoist, can only take advantage of the power of good and renders it for his own.  Yet, God uses it to redeem His people for His glory who love Him.  The greatest example of God’s goodness and sovereignty prevailing over evil is our greatest gift.  God makes the supreme crime, the murder of the only Righteous Man the most evil act in history an act of Holy Redemption for His creation, a purchase of hope and eternal salvation. At the Cross, God turned evil against itself, making atonement for our own acts of evil by conquering death and triumphing over evil! The Cross clearly shows God’s sovereignty of over evil.  If you doubt His sovereignty over evil, look at the Cross (Acts 4:27-28); doubt His goodness, look to the Cross (Rom 8:32); overwhelmed by pain and sorrow, look to the Cross (Rom 8:37)…Our greatest rebuttal to evil is our Hope of the Cross!

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom..."A Humble Warrior"

“And the Lord said unto Gideon, the people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.”  Judges 7:2

The next time someone says God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, point them to Judges chapter seven.  God instructing Gideon to take on an army of more than 100,000 enemy soldiers with just 300 of his own fits in the “more than you can handle” category.  Imagine for a moment how Gideon and his servant, Purah, must have felt while coming to grips with a humanly impossible assignment? That morning God had judged Israel’s army of 32,000 as too big to face the Midian’s. So Gideon sends home those who were too afraid and after 22,000 hit the road, Gideon had to come to grips with his own fear of being outnumbered ten-to-one. Yet, the Lord still felt the odds were still too much in Israel’s favor resulting in only 300 hundred men remaining who were not afraid or cupped the water to drink rather than lapping it as a dog.  With such odds seeming insurmountable, you can hear Gideon bringing to light for Purah; during the Exodus, how many mighty men did it take to destroy Egypt and its army or part the Red Sea? How many did it take to bring down Jericho’s walls? How many did it take to feed two-million in the wilderness every-day for forty years? During some of the greatest events in Israel’s history the mightiest have not been the strongest warriors, the mightiest have been those who trusted in the strength of God.  Clearly, God was removing the human factor from Gideon’s hopes and requiring him to place it in faith before Him.  This is our truth, when we’re confronted with an impossible situation or trial; Gideon’s men of 300 should preach to us “salvation…is from the Lord” (Psa 37:39) and “…if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31)  Such truth is not domesticated platitudes.  God truly expects us to cast all our on these massive truths and for them to make us “more than conquerors through him that loves us.” (Rom 8:37)  It is not hyperbole to say the defeat of our sin that Jesus accomplished on the cross dwarfs Gideon’s victory in comparison; thus if God who “…spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Rom 8:32)   So, God DOES give us more than we can handle…just not more than He can handle! For the sake of maturing us so that “…we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.” (2 Cor 1:9)

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Insanity of Sin"

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy the was set before him endured the cross…” Hebrews 12:2

Lesbian Sex, HIV, Esau and Christ…Now that I have your attention, there’s a N.Y. times article from the “CDC” (Center for Disease Control) concerning lesbian life-style and their sexual promiscuity. But, I would like to address it by going somewhat backwards starting with Esau.  In (Heb 12:16) we see Esau sold his birth-right for a single meal. This act alone was insanity; his desire for food was greater than his ability to be rational “I am at the point to die: what profit shall this birthright do to me?”  Beyond the spiritual aspects of primogeniture, Esau was to receive a double portion of inheritance over his brothers.  By comparison it would as if Bill Gates asked you for a meal and you demanded his majority stock-ownership in Microsoft…such is the Insanity of sin!  Yet, the author of Hebrews makes this an example of sexual craving, not gluttony! “Lest there be any fornicator or profane person, as Esau…” (vs 16)  How many, from Presidents to Pastors, have sacrificed their influence and position for momentary sexual pleasure? Now for the “CDC” article titled “In a Rare Case, Woman with HIV Infects Female Sex Partner.” What type of strange force is at work when two lesbian women engage in reckless sexual acts knowing one is infected? Answer; Esau Insanity! Who has the ability to feed a temporal passion at the cost of being as irrational in their decision as to forego their blessings? Thus, the Insanity of Sin; which thankfully brings us to Christ? In Hebrews 12, Christ is contrasted to Esau. Esau could not endure the passion of missing one meal for the joy of his inheritance. But, Jesus “…for the joy set before him endured the cross…” (Heb 12:2)  One sold out, Esau; the other was all in, Jesus! One was temporally driven, the other was eternally invested.  We are all cursed with the madness and ability to act in the insanity of sin.  The remedy to such insanity is to see the cost associated with it.  Understand that Christ was more than an example of sinlessness; He was the purchaser of your Esau-Insane debt of sin that you owe.  Christ’s death purchased a new heart, seeing heart, rational heart that would not be willing to give up an eternal inheritance for temporal passion fueled meal.  Esau-Insanity, sacrificing an eternal blessing for a temporal passion!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Merciful Lord"

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”  Lam 3:22-23

Do you have a view of God and His extreme mercies, which is enriched and biblical enough to flourish with continued joy and peace, under heartbreaking losses, even while ordained as punishment?  As we say in Texas, chew on that a while! Consider what if God took your child or he removed from you a forty year dream you had planned on?  Such was the case with Aaron’s sons and Moses entering the promise land.  Yet they both committed the same act of sin, desecrating God before Israel, and yet God had two different responses towards their sin.  Moses explained to Aaron why his two sons, Nadab and Abihu, were punished to death for their unwillingness to “sanctify God” (Lev 10:3).  But realize that Moses committed the same sin, he struck the rock twice rather than speaking to it to bring forth water (Num 20:8-11).  Both acts between Moses and Aaron’s sons went against what God commanded before the people and neither act ‘sanctify God” and yet one was punishable by death while the other was not?  Aaron’s sons, like Ananias and Sapphira (Act 5), their act of sin was with disobedience towards great light that had been imparted to them (Lev 9:6); whereas Moses acted with ignorance in his faith concerning such truth. Paul states in (Acts 3:17 & 1 Tim 1:13) even though the act of sin may be mitigated, it is not taken away entirely.  Moses himself did not get to enter into the promise land, but his sin was not punishable to death.  God’s mercy worked in everyone’s life without respecter of person (Lev 19:15), but within the fullness of His grace.  God never does anyone wrong by taking their life; life is a gift of God not a right before God. And we all have forfeited the gift we’ve been given by our own sins, we’ve added demerit to lack of merit. We must understand losses in life, in spite of the severity, are not immune to God’s mercy. James was able to see God’s mercy work in the life of Job and “…that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy.”  We are to have an undaunted strength in the mercy of God in our lives, knowing he does not want us to come undone in the calamities of life. In all things he is merciful to His children.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom..."Bitter Sweet Saviour"

 “And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar and put it on a reed and gave him drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.”  Mk 15:36

It was an act of cruelty, not comfort that we see recorded by Mark in the last minutes of Jesus life. In Mk 15:33 he records some of the final words Jesus spoke: Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?  Mark records Jesus words in the Aramaic, because that is exactly what Jesus spoke and translated for us, “My God, My God, why hast thou forshaken me?  Jesus was quoting from Psalms 22:1, when David uttered the same words.  This was a theologically rich moment, those knowing the Hebrew Scriptures should have been putting the pieces together and exposing truth. But, the most misunderstood man in the history of the world was once again misunderstood.  The bystander thought he was calling out to Elijah; so what does he do in response?  Here, have some sour wine.  The bystander rushes to soak a sponge in sour wine place it on a reed as if an offering of concern.  What was the motive?  The wine was bitter and of no help and yet he had no idea scripture was being fulfilled; Psalm 69:21 “…they gave me vinegar to drink.”   There was no kindness or concern involved here, it’s was mockery of Jesus.  The righteous sufferer, during His moment of agony, was given sour wine. Besides the mockery and ridicule there is a more rationale motive for why the bystander offered the sour wine.  It’s quoted in Mk 15:36 “…Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.” Even though Jesus was breathing His last breath, the bystander wanted to wait, but why? For one more opportunity for Jesus to offer some glitz or new miracle by seeing if Elijah would really show up.  The bystander was not hoping for a rescue, he was waiting for more dazzle. He was not interested in a suffering saviour, he was interested in spectacular stunt. He really was not interested in what Jesus offered, but simply in what He could do!

Are you a Christian “bystander?”…Are you more interested in the gifts, than the giver; wanting the stuff of salvation, not the One to whom you are saved. If so, only a miracle can change that – Which is what Jesus does.  Jesus can make us see past the gifts, the goods, the glitz and even the sour wine so we can truly see the SAVIOUR!

HSAY…Todd