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

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 3:6 “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”

Whose house we are: each of us personally, as we are the temples of the Holy Ghost, and Christ dwells in us by faith. As believers if we maintain a bold and open profession of the truths of the gospel, we can remain courageous and hopeful to the end. While we are not saved by being steadfast and firm in our faith, our courage and hope do reveal that our faith is real. Without this enduring faithfulness, we could easily be blown away by the winds of temptation, false teaching, or persecution (vs 14). It’s not what we hold, but who holds us that we should hold to.

Remember whose you are and who you are, child of the living King and co-heirs w/Christ… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once…’ 1 Cor 15:6

Despite what the world says, do put all your eggs into One basket!

Luke tells us Jesus gave many infallible proofs, and Paul himself said that five hundred people had seen Him alive, and some of those are still alive, if you want to go talk to them (1 Cor 15:6). He was raised physically. They recognized Him. They could put their hands in His wounds. He ate fish in front of them precisely to say a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones as you see that I have (Lk 24:39). He ascended to the right hand of the Father. He sits on the throne with God. He intercedes for us there, praying for us. He is reigning until He puts all his enemies under His feet. The end of Matthew says He has all authority in heaven and on earth (Mt 28:18).

The resurrection vindicates Good Friday, Jesus’ death; His death which covers our sins. But the power of it all was Easter morning. It establishes His authority over the sting of death (1 Cor 15:55-57), the promise to never leave us (Heb 13:5), and the assurance of the same eternal life for those who accept Him (Jn 5:24). 

Paul put all of his eggs in this basket... (1 Cor 15:17 ‘And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.’). Jesus is not a trinket in the basket, He is the basket in which everything else is to be placed… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself…” Mt 6:34

Our answer to anxiety is to worship until the worry is absorb into the assurances of the Father (vs 33). Worry is paralyzing to the spirit, offering no virtue in our thoughts of hope. Depression resides in the past and anxiety dwells in the future, live in the blessing and gift of today! Every tomorrow has two handles, we can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety or by the handle of faith.

Father help me to prosper in the peace of your promised provisions… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Amo 4:13  “For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.”

I can have a tendency to be so loud that I can’t hear God.

God speaks to us in many ways. Through his Word (2 Tim. 3:16), through wise counsel (Proverbs), through circumstances (Jonah and Job), through dreams and visions (Acts 2:17), through peace (Col. 3:15), and many more.

Yet, my mind can be so busy and loud I miss the still small soft voice of the Spirit. (I Kg 19:12)

This day and time social media can be incarcerating when it comes to one searching for worth by the number of “likes” received. A dangerous path one can travel for “reassurance” that they are funny, pretty, smart.

God sees our heart in those moments, he hears our cries for assurance and the whole time God’s telling us how great our worth is, our beauty in and to Him.  But, do I hear Him?

It is scary how loud the world gets, how loud our minds get when we try and drown out the pain with more activity and less stillness.

Emotional addiction comes in many forms. Take the time to see the countless hours of just phone use on social media.

Don’t settle for a false moment based on your latest post to define your worth. Look to Him whose definition of you is beyond measure, it’s priceless concerning your beauty!  Time to put down the media and pick-up the Master and see what He likes about us.

He’s speaking to us now through His Word and the world around us.  If you’re willing to listen, He will make it clear how much you’re worth and how deeply He loves you!

In the loudness of the world, find the quietness and you’ll find the voice of God defining His love for you. (Psa 46:10)

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Job 19:25 “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.”

Where there is uncertainty there cannot be peace, and certainty is evident by one’s faith. We know this according to (Heb 11:1) – faith is the confidence/assurance that what we hope for will truly happen; giving us evidence about the things we cannot see.

Faith that can only exist in the light of victory and seen certainty is one which really affirms self while pretending to affirm Jesus, for it only follows in the belief that Jesus has conquered death. Yet a faith that can look at the horror of the cross and still say “yes” is one that says “no” to self.

One’s faith towards God through Jesus must be sure and steadfast, that it may bring joy to the conscience, and placing it in peace.  When a man has this certainty, he overcomes the dependence of self and the lies of the serpent; but if he is doubtful or unknowing of the doctrine, it is for him very dangerous to live with “self.”

Faith is the evidential certainty that God is in control of everything, and thus our peace!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” Isa 55:3 

God’s word, like his covenant was with David and us through Jesus, is perpetual; not a one and done promise. God’s covenant is one which promises great favors, it’s not abrogated, but it was perpetual for David and is for us as well. Isaiah instructs us to “Hear and your soul shall live” if you attend to God’s word.  He states it’s “Everlasting” eternal protector, friend, life everlasting. And adds “even the sure mercies of David. Meaning God has confirmed with us, N.T. saints, the same solemn promise he made with David (Psa 89:2-4) which shall be promised and established upon generations. The word “sure” denotes the assuredness, conformation and confidence can be placed in God’s word. This is God’s great invitation for us today through Jesus Christ. That allows us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16) This is what the promised covenant in God’s word affords his children. But, find caution and wisdom in vs 6 “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.” While God is equally near at all times, this figurative language is cautioning in that a time will come when it will be impossible to obtain his favor/s.  Don’t put off till tomorrow the promises God affords to day for those who earnestly seek him, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; thou knowest not what a today brings forth.” Pro 27:1

Words denote what you think, action defines what you believe.

HSAY … Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Psa 103:2

God’s years and man’s days; such is the comparison of the eternal verses the temporal. A thousand years is as a day unto to God. During times of trouble and heartache we can see life like our shadow, passing by with the time of day. While a man deals in the moment, God deals in years by comparison. That’s our challenge; because man looks at life in the temporal it magnifies the need for the immediate. Even though man flourishes like a flower in the field, the wind passes over and it’s gone (Psa 103:15) in a temporal moment. But, the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear (reverence) the Lord. Don’t dwell on a temporal passing of a shadow; rather focus on the Sun/Son that cast the shadow.

If you’ve trusted God with your eternal soul, why would you not trust him with your temporal life?   

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“That no man should be moved by these afflictions…” 1 Thess 3:3

Paul had sent Timothy to comfort the church by helping them understand that troubles/afflictions are not always caused by sin or lack of faith. Trials may be a part of God's plan and purpose for believers. Experiencing afflictions can build character (Jas 1:2-4), perseverance (Rom 5:3-5), and offer reassurance to others who are afflicted (2Co 1:3-7). While problems are unavoidable, they may be a sign of effective and purposeful living in Christ. David’s pen never wrote more purposeful words than when dipped in affliction.  God desires progression not perfection, thus without problems we can’t achieve promotion. Know your temporal problems have eternal answers; at your lowest God offers hope; your weakest, strength and your saddest, comfort.

The strength of your faith is not how you appear to others, but how you adhere to God!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.”  Heb 10:35

The value man sees in you is often based on past performance; God’s plan is not based on your past, but on His promises for your future.  David had no armor, no experience, he wasn’t battle-tested, nor was he trained.  But, what David did possess, as did Goliath, was confidence, but the difference was David relied on God and not his own strength or the opinions of others.  The answer to joy, strength and hope is to make them dependent on that which can never be taking away.  Such comes in knowing that which is behind you as well as that which is before you is little in comparison to who dwells within you. 

“Dusty bibles often lead to dirty lives.”

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“But ye have an unction from the Holy One…” 1 Jn 2:20

The word “unction” (χρίσμα) means, “something rubbed in or anointed; the allusion is to the anointing of kings and priests, or their inauguration or coronation, (1Sa10:1; 1Sa 16:13; Exo 28:41; Exo 40:15). Christians, in the N.T. are described as “kings and priests,” (Rev 1:6; Rev 5:10), and as a “royal priesthood” (1Pe 2:5, 1Pe 2:9); and hence they are represented as “anointed,” in the Holy Spirit. Thus who God has “anointed” He will deliver byway of His covenant, The Father states “Touch not mine anointed…” (Psa 105:15).  The Holy Spirit influences are imparted to the children of God, to enlighten, to sanctify, and to comfort them in their trials…(Psa 23:5) tells us, God has prepared a table for you in the presence of your enemies, you’re anointed, and your cup runneth over.  The anointing of God precedes you, protects you and prepares you. David stated in (1 Sam 26:9), concerning Saul, “…who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?” (Psa 23:5).  God’s anointing assures you of His great love for you, and while you may not be perfect, Jesus thinks you’re to die for!

Someone will pay the price for your sins; will it be you or Jesus?

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Yet man is born unto trouble; and into God would I commit my cause; which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number. Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.”  Job 5:7-9; 27

Trouble comes to one and all without respect or thought, thus don’t hesitate to bring it before God; make known your cause before Him, tell him the whole of it, pour out your soul and then leave it with Him and not wrangle, quarrel or contend with Him, but say, here I am, and let Him do was seemeth good to Him. The works of God are manifold, innumerable and unable to be counted; like the stars of heaven, He is the God of the cattle on a thousand hills (Psa 50:10). Like the grains of sand on the beach, the various things done in providence, blessings of goodness are more than can be reckoned or numbered. Our times are in God’s hands, and it is well to be so. This assurance has been accounted for truth, just as the land was promised to their father’s before Israel possessed it, so were God’s promises established before your needs. Thus take it for yourself to be abundant for your case and make good use of it for your testimony to God’s goodness.

Just count the letters and see, God made your BLESSINGS bigger than your TROUBLES.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation, my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7

There are 7 continents and 7 oceans on the globe. There are 7 colors in the rainbow and 7 notes on a musical scale. This is a pattern of 7 stars, which are guiding stars (Big Dipper) and there are 7 objects in the solar system that are visible to the naked eye. There are 7 metals on antiquity upon which civilization is based and 7 levels in the periodic table of elements. There are numerous aspects of 7 within the universe and the world around us. The bible makes it clear; the number 7 is God’s divine, complete and perfect number. Point: we see in our verse Micah 7:7 the perfect answer; the Lord (Jehovah…7 letters) and God (Elohiym…7 letters) whom we are to look to and wait upon for our salvation and our answers. God has a plan, it’s not good; it’s a perfect plan for those who wait and look upon Him and listen to what you know, not what you fear.

God has perfect timing; never early, never late.  It takes a little patience and a whole lot of faith…but it’s worth the wait.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“When they saw the boldness of Peter and John…they marveled and took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

At some point as a Christian we have to stop relying on a wishbone where our backbone should be. Be willing to let go of the safe havens you build and be willing to live the life God has prepared for you. Approach the throne of God with all boldness and confidence knowing he rewards those who diligently seek Him. Like Peter and John, others will see the size of God by your boldness to stand on Him, causing them to marvel knowing you too have been with Jesus.  Is Christ seen in you?  A tiger does not lose sleep over the opinions of the sheep.

Impossible is an opinion, Boldness is a choice, Deliverance is His promise.

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“…they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, it is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” Zech 13:9

“it is my people:” not only by creation as the rest, but by devotion and worship, by predestination and infusion of grace, by singular Providence, by mutual love. As an infant child cries out for their mother, the human soul that cries for the Lord is heard above and beyond any other.  The ear of a mother can decipher, above a room full of cries, the voice of her own and claim her child as hers. In the same manner a child can be calmed by a touch or a softly spoken word from their mother, which comforts them in the assurance of unconditional love. The promise of the Lord will make us aware that we are His special, peculiar and covenant people; and as He called His people out of Babylon; He will answer your call and deliver you from any bondage by bestowing His favor upon you; and by granting His presence with them, as well as by the witnessing of His Spirit (Rev 18:4 & 19:1), and you will know Him as Savior, and claim Him, and acknowledge His as such; which is the greatest happiness that can be enjoyed (Psa 144:15 & Rev 21:3).

That which brings forth light; must endure burning.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness…” Acts 17:31

Interesting how much importance some people will put on their schedule.  When it comes to weddings, vacations, moves, big purchases they can go to great lengths and detail to plan for tomorrow.  On the other hand there are others who will begin to plan the morning of such event!  In either case, being one of great detail or one to procrastinate, who is planning for the greatest event forthcoming; the day of the second coming of Christ and the marriage supper?  In Luke 17:27, he references that “like in the days of Noah” they continued in their lives marrying and carrying on until Noah entered into the Ark (picture of salvation).  Unfortunately people are planning for every possible event except the coming of Christ!  While we know not the date, we know of the promise.  We also know according to the scripture, “in the which he will judge” on the bases of how we have been preparing for that greatest of days.  It’s wise to plan for tomorrow, just don’t plan on being there (Pro 27:1). But, know the greatest of wedding days is forth coming, make sure you’ve marked your calendar and have prepared as if it’s your own wedding…because it is!

Plan as if He’s coming tomorrow, but live as if He’s coming today!

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail…” Isa 34:16

Unfortunately we, as a society, have become inundated with self-help.  According to the Dept. of Labor Statistics, there are 160,000 psychologists and 28,000 psychiatrists in the U.S. alone that comprise 54 different areas of study.  The books alone are endless; according to Amazon there are 417,000 books available for self-help that generates a 2.5 billion dollar industry.  Given such a staggering array of choices how would one begin to decide which of those publications are best for them? The wrong book could actually set one back further.  According to publication laws and industry ethics, psychiatrist and psychologist cannot claim specific treatment will provide assurance of help for an individual; only general application and direction.  And even such limited assistance is only achieved by an individual being able to change by their own determined self-will.  But, God has a plan, specific and directly applicable to your individual needs, and goes beyond your limited abilities for it to occur. For those who truly desire help to change for their better, it comes through a personal, not occasional visit/s, relationship with the One who can truly offer change, Jesus Christ!  The greatest self-help book, even though it’s not self based, but Holy Spirit empowered, is the Bible. God’s words, as here in Isaiah’s prophecies, have “Never” failed those who have adhered to it. The power it holds is the same power that will offer change in your life. Do you want 417,000 opinions, or ONE source of truth?

Ones greatest change will occur we they are willing to change their source of wisdom.

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  

Today's Daily Wisdom

“Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Phl 1:6

We’ve heard the saying, if it was easy everyone would do it.  There’s truth in such a statement even when it comes to our walk in Christ.  The truth is the easiest thing one can ever do is come to an understanding and knowledge of salvation through Christ, but the hardest thing one will ever endure is a willingness to live for Christ.  The majority of Christians, 9 out of 10 is very accurate (Lk 17:11-19), will accept their salvation and journey on their own from there never seeing the desired completion God has for their lives.  The reason is most Christians are unwilling to be shaped by God’s will.  When Joseph was seventeen he had a dream prophesying that he would rule over his brothers.  But, the fact was he wasn’t ready to rule in that capacity as of yet.  He needed to go through some character-shaping and maturity to do God’s will.  Even though Joseph was forgotten by many during that process, he was never forgotten by God. In his adversity, God shaped and molded his character to great strength, and the ability to lead.  Like Joseph, keep in mind that often times God has to break us before he can shape us in His image.  Like in life when we break a bone or damage a joint, once repaired it is often stronger than it was before the break.  What God begins, with our salvation, He completes’ through our willingness to broken and reshaped in the image of Christ for His good works.  

Don’t fear being broken; like the egg, it’s true worth lies within.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“…we glory in tribulation also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience, and experience hope.” Rom 3-4

Hope is defined as “a wish or desire supported by some confidence of fulfillment.”  In the biblical perspective it is exactly that – a belief grounded in faith, based on the promises of God.  Hope allows us to stretch our efforts towards an eternal tomorrow through God’s assurances.  Ecc 9:4 “For the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.”  No matter your current status if you’re living there is hope, because God offers us three unchangeable hopes:

1.) God is the God of forgiveness and redemption, thus it’s never too late to get tight. He will take what you have to give Him and make usable for the eternal and hopeful for you. Pas 103:10 & 12 “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

2.) God makes all things new. Lam 3:22-23; 25 “…his compassions fail not; they are new every morning; The Lord is good unto them that wait for him.” 

3.) God never withholds His goodness from those who seek Him. Psa 34:10 “…but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” God always has our best interest in mind, he will bring about what He has promised which will satisfy our hopeful desire.

The devils workmanship is bondage and hopelessness; leading to discouragement, fear and depression. But, the Father; “The God of hope, fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope…” Rom 15:13.  It’s for this reason we must abound in the promise of hope in the Lord, knowing by the promise of future glory we can be “more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Rom 8:37

HSAY…Todd