Daily Wisdom

Mat 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

That’s it, the #11^th parable of Jesus, just two verses. But loaded with a challenging question for us, “Are we willing to lose all that we have to gain all that Christ has for us?”  Actually, two questions must be answered: First, is there something worth losing everything for? And then are we willing to lose everything to gain it?  But it’s not something, it’s Someone who is worth losing everything for. This question can almost appear as entrapment when we answer yes to losing everything for Jesus, and then consider if we are truly sold-out for Jesus! What is being sold-out in Christ Jesus? Are you giving Jesus everything, losing all things to Him: our mind, heart, lives, actions, relationships, and our will?  We can add money/finances, tomorrow, wishes and dreams? It’s literally like investing, you only gain a return on what you’re willing to invest. Remember, Jesus was and is all in on His side by way of the cross and losing His life for our gain; are we withholding on our investment? Let’s be honest, would you sale everything you had to purchase a lotto ticket that guaranteed a multi-million dollar return, enough said!

By losing everything to get Jesus, you lose nothing because Jesus is everything… HSAY

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

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Rom 8:35 (vss 36-39) 

Don’t let life make you forget why you started in Christ in the first place.

Stay connected and true to your faith long after the emotion has left; knowing that which got you well is what keeps you well. Allowing you to testify to His goodness.

Some people don’t need you to preach of hope; they need you to deliver it, by living it.

Life’s circumstances change, don’t let your choice in Christ!

HSAY… Todd

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them…” Mt 7:12

Forgiveness doesn’t excuse another’s behavior; Forgiveness prevents their behavior from damaging your own heart.

David found himself, while already in betrayal by Absalom his own son, caught again in betrayal by either Mephibosheth (Saul’s grandson) or Ziba (Saul’s servant). 2 Sam 16; 19

But David’s reaction shows he’s come a long, long way since the glory days of ten chapters ago -  he’s better and wiser, and recognizing that this is partly his fault.

In one of his more Christ-like moments, David at the end of his civil war with Absalom takes upon himself all the sorrows of his people, and all their guilt as well, and discharges the conflict in himself.  He is the peacemaker now, at his own expense. He’s now a covenant mediator.

One who doesn’t know the value of loyalty can never appreciate the cost of loyalty.

And sadly, betrayal never comes from your enemies.

The knives of betrayal cut deep and hurt… but they also trim away the nonsense and reveals the most valuable truth of all.

When you’ve been cast out alone into a sea of betrayal, there is only One who is able to be out on the water with you.

David’s story shows us that betrayal brings forth either bitterment or betterment?

But before we choose our course against those who betrayed us remember it was our own betrayal that put Christ on the Cross and yet He isn’t bitter with us, only the better!

Before bitterness sets in, remember Jesus couldn’t get to the cross without Judas’s betrayal!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” Pro 19:21

If we’re honest with ourselves, we often feel insecure. Those who hide it best often feel it most.

But our insecurity is an invitation of choice in Christ to escape the danger of false beliefs about who we are and find true peace and purpose in who He is.

We cannot experience anything greater than the fullness of union with Christ. Nothing reaches higher or is more theologically comprehensive.

This fullness is bound to our choices. Yet, while we have a choice, we cannot choose our consequences.

One great choice we make daily is the lust for life today verses the promises of tomorrow.

If you choose to live like the chickens don’t be surprised when you catch yourself clucking!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Col 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

 If you’ve been around young children, you quickly realize how much they live in the present.

They have difficulty realizing the future consequences of their actions. Yet, as a follower of Jesus I can be just like a young child who gets focused on the here and now, focused on living in the tangible present and forget the spiritual promise of tomorrow.  

Paul encourages the church of Colosse of this, don’t get hyper-focused on the problems of today but rather focused on the promises of tomorrow.  

Such a truth requires a different perspective on our temporal lives. To “set our affections on things above” requires me to look at every situation in my life from God’s perspective and not through my personal feelings.

This provides the antidote for life’s situations; allowing me to take a proper view from God’s perspective and helping me not to act or re-act in the present but in the spiritual.

This isn’t easy but can have an immediate impact on the here and now.

(vs   5-10) … I get out of the flesh and into the spiritual

(vs 12-13) … I can learn humility, meekness, forgiveness

(vs 14-15) … I can learn to respond in love and peace

(vs 16-17) … I can learn to be grateful during life’s challenges

I’ll never learn to help change the world if I’m living like the world, be a world changer not chaser.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

1 Sam 24:17 “And he (Saul) said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.”

It’s surprising how much patience Saul had towards David’s plea in ch. 24, considering how outrageous Saul was against him. But, God restrained Saul’s heart which had to have been struck with amazement when Saul found how much he had lain at David’s mercy. Leading Saul to weep at the sound of David’s voice and kindness (vs 16). David’s love for the Lord, righteousness and Saul showed forth in two ways: 1.) David knew Saul was anointed and placed as king by the Lord, and thus only the Lord would remove him in his time (vs 6). 2.) David understood that his purpose was to act righteously and let the Lord be the judge between him and Saul (vs 15 “The Lord therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee…”).  It should not be surprising that the Lord used David’s humility to shine forth the needed light on Saul’s heart, and allowing him to find humility in the Lord as well. God made good such hope through David’s righteousness, Psa 37:6 “And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” Always be quick to offer up good towards evil, often it’s the only light available and desperately needed to shine in a dark situation (Rom 12:21), and then let the Lord do the judging between thee.

Man’s ability to do good lies in his humility and God’s righteousness.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things; for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.” Lam 1:10

Chapter one of lamentations is one of the most burdensome passages from God’s children as they mourn, thus lament from their rebellion against God. And verse ten illustrates the choice of rebellion was not necessarily willful as much as it was negligence.  They allowed within their realm of influence that which God had warned them about.  That, outside of God which looks to enter offering light will eventually leave you in darkness. Seldom does one intentionally sin or rebel against God, they are influenced by that which has been allowed to have access to their thoughts; control your influencers, control your impulse. You’ve been called to change the world, not chase after it; but you can never change that which you live like. That which influences you will eventually instruct you.

“Laughter of the world is merely loneliness trying to reassure itself.”

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“…that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.” Col 1:18; 19

We must keep in mind that choices, not circumstances define our success. The Father desires and provided the preeminent choice, Christ! Within that choice dwells all that we need and desire; 1 Pt 1:4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding and great precious promises…”  Sadly we selfishly make whatever choices we desire, but are not willing to be accountable to the consequences; calling upon God’s mercy to intercede.  Man’s heart devises many a plans, but only Gods’ will prevail (Pro 19:21). If you don’t like your circumstances, change your choices. If it’s important enough to you you’ll find away or you’ll find an excuse, but either one is a choice! God’s word is like a menu with two choices; take it or leave it. One offers fullness and the other emptiness.

Choice and Accountability, you can’t have one without the other.

HSAY…Todd