Daily Wisdom

Col 1:20a-21 “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself… And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.”

God does not discipline us to subdue us but to prepare us for a life of purposefulness and blessedness. In His wisdom, He knows that an uncontrolled life is an unhappy life, so He puts reins on our wayward souls that they may be directed into the paths of righteousness. This is only done by reconciling us to Himself. Resist and retreat to your own paths, only refrains oneself from traversing paths of hope, promise, and protection in exchange for self-provision.

Short cuts often make for long delays… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 1 Jn 2:6 “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

God wants you to be something before He ever expects you to do something! Being rightly related accomplishes that. Meaning you’ll never reach your calling in Jesus without establishing and maintaining a right relationship w/Jesus. Paul stated in (1 Cor 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”) Paul knew that without a right standing in Jesus you have nothing to offer. It’s not what you have to offer God that’s important, but rather what God has for you. 1Pe 2:21 “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” Big difference in what you follow verses who you follow.

Be cautious in what you’re following, you might end up where you’re headed… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Pro 4:12  “When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.”

The Lord never builds a bridge of faith except under the feet of the faith-filled traveler. If the Lord built a bridge across great divides for the eye to see, it wouldn’t require faith; that which is seen isn’t of faith. Country bridges utilized self-opening gates. If the approaching wagon stops at the gate it won’t open. Yet, if the wagon continues to move straight ahead the wheels press the spring-loaded lever and the gate opens; such an illustration for the child of God… “when thou goest.” Meaning obstacles are only illusions that cause the believer to swerve from the path the Lord built, causing them to stumble.

Fix your eyes on God and you’ll be less likely to try and fix things yourself… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Isa 30:21 “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it…”

When in doubt or difficulty you can hear many voices urging you in one path or another. When prudence utters one advice and faith another, be still, hushing every intruder that has a voice, and simply rest in God’s presence. In that time of rest devote yourself to God’s Word and prayer with eagerness for His counsel and direction while remanding stand still in His presence. No matter how quite or void it seems, separate yourself from the intrusion and shadows of the world, then like Elijah the still small voice (1 Kgs 19) is heard, truth is discerned, and direction is provisioned.  

God speaks to those who take the time to be still and listen… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Hag 1:5  “Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.”

Such a simple statement yet loaded with ponderance.  Haggai was encouraging the people to finish rebuilding the Temple (God’s work). God asked His people how they could be more concerned with their comfort (ceiled houses) than God’s Kingdom (i.e., more concerned about their own sacrifice than CHRIST’S sacrifice.) We’re just as accountable to “consider” the same question. Are our ways God’s ways or have we placed our interest over His purpose for us?

Consider, when the world is running towards a cliff – he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Jud 1:5 ‘I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.’ 

While Jude is prophesying about judgement against false teachers, and not threatening believers, he does make a point that believers should consider. What got you right (faith in Christ), is what keeps you right (obedience in Christ). Jude gives three examples of rebellion: (1) the nation of Israel—who, although they were delivered from Egypt, refused to trust/obey God and enter the Promised Land (Num 14:26-39); (2) the angels—although they were once pure, holy, and living in God's presence, some gave in to pride and joined Satan to rebel against God (2Pe 2:4); (3) the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah—the inhabitants were so full of sin that God wiped them off the face of the earth (Gen 19:1-29). As the Lord’s children we must realize that the promises of the Lord dwell in His plan and purpose for us. If we as well choose to plan our own path, it’s that very path that will lead us into our own problems as well.

Don’t choose paths based on the ease of its appearance, but rather on the promise it provides… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

‘Can two walk together, except they be agreed?’ Amos 3:3

It’s like the slap-stick comedy scenario where two guys are handcuffed together and trying to run in different directions.  Only in this scenario, one it’s not funny, and two there won’t be a struggle on the Father’s part. Meaning He’ll move in His direction with no restriction, its whether we’re going to walk with Him or try to walk our own direction.

Trying to move in a direction against the Father’s will for your life will always be a struggle. Yet, when you get where you’re heading without a struggle, you’re probably going in the Father’s direction. But when you don’t seem to get where you’re heading, it’s probably the Father’s protection.  Powerful things happen when we ask the Father for directions instead of telling the Him where we’d like to go. Know the Father has a plan. Pray for direction to follow it, patience to wait on it, and discernment to see it clearly. 

The Father’s direction won’t be without its own obstacles, but He’ll always provide a bridge over it… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 "Blessed is he that watcheth." Rev 16:15

"We die daily," said the apostle Paul. This was the life of the early Christians; they went everywhere with their lives in their hands. We’re not in this day called to pass through the same fearful persecutions. The test of the Christian life is not so much outwardly, as it is of the heart. Today we must overcome the flattery with self, desires of the flesh, hypocrisy of our choices, the diversion from God’s purpose of our lives, the temptation of worldly prosperity and that creates pride and self-sustaining confidence and trust over our dependence and faith in the Lord.

Comparatively, our world is silky smooth. The devil cares not what distracts us or preoccupies us if it takes us away from God’s will for us and His purpose through us, so long as he destroys our fellowship and true longing for the Lord. I fear the Christian church is far more likely to lose her integrity in these soft and silken days than in those rougher times. We must be awake now, for we traverse the enchanted and tempting ground, and are most likely to fall asleep to our own undoing, unless our faith in Jesus be a reality, and our love a vehement flame.

Watch where you’re walking, satan offers endless paths for you to wonder… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1 Thess 1:12 “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

We’re familiar with walk-a-thon’s and their ability to generate interest and resources for the needs of others. How much more should our walk generate hope and illustrate God‘s love for others (Col 1:10)! There are two great mistakes Christians suffer in their walk for the Lord; not ever starting and not going all the way. One prevents others from being able to find the right path, the second prevents them from reaching all that the Lord has for them.   

Don’t fear walking where others haven’t, be willing to leave a trail worth traveling… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Col 2:6 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Christ.”

Paul goes on to say that as a believer we’re called to be rooted, built-up and established in our faith with thanksgiving (vs 7). To ensure such a walk we’ve been gifted with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). But with thanksgiving should compel us to open our mouth and proclaim the good news to those around us. Christ walked in our shoes so we would have a clear path to follow, be cautious in seeking your own paths others may be following you!

Be careful the direction you’re walking, you may end up where you’re headed… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Luk 9:61-62  “And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

The greatest challenge for every Christian is to follow Jesus and pursue His purpose for our lives without looking back.

Jesus illustration of plowing a field would have made perfect sense to His disciples living an agricultural life.  If a farmer didn’t focus on what was ahead but distracted by what was behind or on the periphery, it would be impossible to plow in the right direction.

But, for many of us both negative and positive aspects of our lives have the potential to become distractions:

Past successes, Past failures, Internal insecurities, External circumstances, Comfort & security, Relationships, Career

It’s interesting that the man who wants to follow Jesus is distracted by something that we would consider a positive: his home and family.

Jesus is showing us that even something that’s a huge blessing in our lives can become a distraction if it becomes more important than pursuing Jesus and His purpose for our life.

The only good thing worth looking back on is the goodness and mercy of God’s forgiveness.

Don’t look back, nothing ever changes there.

To many Christian’s are still weeping at the foot of the cross. Focused on the Christ who died, not the Christ who LIVES. Don’t let yesterday rob you of today, which God has given you.

Just because yesterday didn’t turn out like you wanted it to, doesn’t mean your tomorrow can’t be better than you ever imagined.

HSAY… Todd

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

Jdg 17:5 “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

It will matter little what we place in our life if we don’t place the Lord above our life. Micah and his house (and Israel) put their own desire and direction above the Lord’s (vs 6) “right in their own eyes.”)  Putting selfish desires above Godly direction, will often place you in a dysfunctional environment. God has a purpose, pray for patience to wait in it, wisdom to see it, and direction to follow it. The Lord cares not what your trade is, He’s more concerned about what tools you use to succeed in it. Relying on God’s direction verses one’s desires must begin anew every day as if nothing had yet been done.

Nothing lies beyond our reach except that which lies outside His will, rejection can be a clear sign of the wrong direction!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Psa 107:7a “And he led them forth, by the right way…”

The Psalmist records four types of people: Wanderer (vs 4-9); Prisoner (vss 10-16); Distressed (vss 17-20, and Storm-tossed (vss 23-30). Despite how extreme the calamity, God still has a path set forth that leads to His goodness (vs 9 “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.) This promise goes beyond just the physical need, and delivers the soul out of spiritual distress (vs 6). We know Jesus is the way (Jn 14:6); bread of life (Jn 6:35); living water (Jn 4:10-14), and the giver of rest (Mt 11:28-30). The path which leads to the Lord’s goodness is the same one you set-forth on in your salvation. The path hasn’t changed, if you’re wandering, in bondage, distressed or stuck in a storm, it’s because you changed or redirected your path in another direction. Your hope is promised in vs 1 “Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.” He’s already redeemed you from the enemy (vs 2), and is directing you towards an eternal inn, habitation. Just as the Lord led the Israelites (Deu 32:10) for forty years, so will he direct your path in the right way. But we must direct our soul in that path which longs and thirst for His goodness (9). This is applicable to our condition in this world, we are here as in a wilderness, a journey knowing this isn’t our eternal habitation. But, if we hold to his path, the right way, we are under his guidance, provision, mercy and His goodness we can dwell in… “let the redeemed of the Lord say so” the Lord is GOOD!

Over every mountain God has a path, you just may not be able to see it from the valley!

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

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Jn 8:12 

Darkness is disturbing. There is no two ways about it. You could be in your garage that you have been a thousand times, but if someone one turns out the light, suddenly you stumble and fumble around.  Your bedroom could be your safe haven, but even with every door locked in the house your mind will start to play ticks on you when lying in the dark.  The dark can be terrifying.  My mother always said, “Nothing good happens at night.”  How much more doesn’t that apply to this sinful world of darkness today!  It’s scary to look at how dark the world is becoming.  And yet, most terrifying is the darkness of our own heart at times.  The depths of depravity of which we’re capable of or have already achieved is beyond frightening.  In fact, it’s damning.  Isaiah encourages us to: “Arise, Shine! For thy light has come, and the glory of the Lord is upon thee! (Isa 60:1)  This is our spiritual “Epiphany” appearing or making known… “For we were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” (Eph 5:8) Whatever goblins or monsters we fear and allow to hide in our life exist in the darkness we wonder into when we walk outside the presence of Jesus, and don’t follow in His light.  The darkness, we all fear, only exist where there is an absence of light, or for us the absence of Jesus to stand in.

Don’t allow this world to draw you form Jesus, and dim you light just because it’s shinning in their eyes!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Jere 10:23 

God’s ability to direct our lives is far superior to our own.  While most people would like to know the future; decisions would be easier, failures would be avoided, and successes would be assured. The people of Judah wanted to know the future, too, and they tried to discern it through reading the signs in the sky. God made the earth and the heavens, including stars that people consult and worship (vs 12). No one will discover the future in man-made charts of God's stars. But God, who promises to guide you, knows your future and will be with you all the way. He will not reveal your future to you, but he will walk with you as the future unfolds. Don't trust the stars or man’s efforts to determine them and God’s will; trust the one who made the stars. True, you can’t change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction. All it requires is taking “one” step towards God (Jm 4:8).

You can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails to reach God’s destination.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“I speak as to wise men, judge ye what I say.” I Cor 10:15

Paul had in the previous chapter described himself as mortifying his flesh (9:12), and keeping his body under subjection, that he might gain the prize (vs 24). In this chapter, his object is to exhort the Corinthians to the same; and to do this he admonishes them not to be lulled into security by the idea of the many spiritual blessings which had been conferred upon them. The reasons referred to are those in which follow in the remainder of the chapter; idolatry, communion and warns us to take heed lest we fall (vs 12). Paul says: “I speak to the wise men” those with understanding that God’s word, the bible is the best place to find the authoritative words that elevate the mind and spirit.  The bible instills an awe of God’s power and love, as well as reminding us of the beauty that pervades all His creation. Paul challenges the “wise men” to “Judge what I say” and consider and weigh the matters well, and you’ll discern what is true. To discern truth otherwise, outside God’s word, is equal to a man trying to determine and earn his own salvation by standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. His effort will never overcome his dependence and need for God’s grace through Jesus.

A man who tries to determine his own reward by justifying his acts of servitude, will always have the vote and support of those he serves. But not necessarily Jesus’

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“… you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food” Heb 5:11-12

Complacency leads to a lack of enthusiasm, which leads to a lack of effort, which leads to a lack of results and eventual regression. One is either green and growing in their efforts or they become ripe and complacent, and regress into rottenness.  Hebrews warns us that due to a dullness of hearing or lack of interest to do so, resulted in regression and back into spiritual adolescence in need of the simplest of diets. When they should’ve been nurturing, feeding and teaching others. Complacency conspires to choke spiritual growth in you, as well as others.  Like working in a gym, your growth remains measurable until you find yourself staring in the mirror and becoming satisfied with what you see.  The cost of complacency is redundancy… “you need someone to teach you AGAIN the basic principles” it’s hard to move forward for good and for God when you’re having to retrace your steps.  Stare in the mirror too long and what looked ripe, now looks rotten and in need of restoration… again!

Hold to the vision of God, follow the voice of God, and you’ll find the victory in God!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Beware lest any man spoil you through vain philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of man, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Col 2:8

By definition the word “spoil” that is used here in the Greek is not in reference to being over indulged in your desires, but instead means to be robed, plundered or lead away, seduced from your faith and hope by man’s/worldly philosophy.  The Grecian philosophy prevailed strongly in Colossae causing them to rely rather on the deductive reasoning of man rather than the truth of God’s word. In its vain deceit, it was mere fallacy and its doctrines were established on plausible, not factual arguments. In addition to the Grecian thoughts, Colossae was exposed to Jewish opinion and its religious tradition that corrupted the gospel of Christ.  There are two ways for one to be deceived. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to accept what is true. Proverbs 15:4 says a tongue that brings healing is a tree/source of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Don’t let man spoil/rob you of the life Christ has for you by his vain thoughts or traditional efforts. Deception may give you what you want for a season, but will always take away in the end. Let the world be vocal, just labor in the Lord silently, and let the fruit thereof make its own noise.

Don’t be deceived by the appearance of things, show is not substance.

HSAY… Todd