Daily Wisdom

Col 3:10 “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”

Encouragement by itself will not sustain one’s spirit. Only a changed spirit will find lasting encouragement. Meaning the good that we do can only be observed, whereas the bad that we do can be absorbed (It shall be unclean – Hagg 2:13; vss 10-19). Point being, transformation is better for the soul than encouragement. Defilement (sin) can be transferred; people with colds don’t catch health, people with health catch colds. Refusing to change (transformation) one’s spirit cannot be overcome by encouragement alone. A disobedient spirit is dangerously contagious, while a transformed spirit can be observed and mirrored.

Is our walk observed or absorbed? Both are contagious, be cautious… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Jas 3:5 “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

How can something so small be so destructive! What we don’t say is equally, if not more, as important than what we do say.  Interesting that (vs 2) tells us, if we can control the tongue, we can control the body. And yet we spend endless energy trying to get the body in shape, and it should be our tongue! Before we exercise our tongues consider, is what we say true, edifying, necessary, and kind? What we say is not to be done to make us feel better, but to encourage and strengthen those who hear.

Sadly, the tongue weighs practically nothing, yet few can hold it… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psa 118:6

On Thursday, the night before Jesus was crucified, he ate a holy meal and sang a holy song with his disciples. It was “the day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb” (Mk 14:12). Jesus and his disciples ate lamb and unleavened bread; they prayed and sang (Mt 26:30). But Jesus wasn’t going through the motions on this Thursday night; he was preparing the last Lamb for slaughter by singing from (Psalm 113-118). Here are four Psalm melodies from the music of Maundy Thursday, as Jesus prepared His soul for desertion, denial, and death. 

Jesus blessed the Lord – 

     Psa 113: ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and  forevermore!”

Jesus looked forward to the cross – 

     Psa 116:8-9 ‘You have delivered my soul from death… I will walk in the land of the living.’

Jesus lifted His cup –

     Psa 116:13-14 ‘I will lift my cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord…’

Jesus embraced the Father’s triumph – 

     Psa 118:6-7 ‘… the Lord is on my side… I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.’

Where words fail, the Psalm’s can speak of the Praise, Power and Promise we have in Jesus… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

Speaking truth in love sounds simple, but often it’s only perceived by the one speaking it and not by him who’s receiving it. Some of us are good at being loving, but we don't have it in us to level with others if the truth is painful, the instruction here is to do both. Don’t let your problems with others in the church family be planted in the ears of another. In (Gal 6:1) we’re told to restore each other in meekness, considering we ourselves could stumble. With humility that is wrapped in love let us encourage each other and help them to correctly carry their as we correctly carry our own.

Don’t look down on another unless you’re extending a hand to lift them up… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Acts 28:11-16… (vs 14 “… we found brethren; (vs 15) “… thanked God and took courage.”)  

Though Paul’s travels to Rome were treacherous and troublesome, there was and can be strength amidst the storm. Paul, like Christ, often found himself standing alone (2 Ti 4:16 “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me…”). Yet, just prior to his arrival in Rome Paul found fellow believers who brought him encouragement. Like Abraham in (Gen 18) you never know when strangers (Heb 13:2) will stroll into your path to strengthen you in a storm. In the seasons of life when storms don’t rage are you a spiritual greeter of encouragement? These strangers contributed to the gospel by strengthening Paul to continue in the Lord’s work.

Mat 25:35-36 “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Mt 25:40 “… Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Christ didn’t die because man was worth dying for, He died to make them worth it. Make sure your heart beats for what Jesus heart beats for – people… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

“… David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Sam 30:6

When David and his men were faced with the tragedy of losing their families they began to turn against David. Instead of looking to God for an answer, they looked for someone to blame. But David sought God for a solution instead of a scapegoat. Often the problem is not as much the problem as it is our attitude towards it. Blaming others robs us of victories when we try to find our encouragement and hope in others instead of God. Encouragement can change the course of another’s life, don’t “dis” on it!

Blame is the result of discouragement by others being bigger than our encouragement in Jesus…        HSAY

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

God will bring everything to completion, don’t let your past pain prevent you from God’s promised provisions and pleasure (Psa 111:2). Don’t be discouraged by what feels like a lack of progress, press on it may the last key on the key chain that opens the door God has for you. Know that you may not be provided the answers you wish, sometimes Jesus simply provides Himself. But, the more we encounter His presence, the more we experience His promises and realize that His presence is all we truly need.

Everyone who gets where he is had to begin where he was… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent form God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.”  Lk 1:26; 31

Ever consider God seems to show up in the interruptions of life more than the plans?

Our brokenness is a great amount of our personality, and broken vessels spill more water!

For many Christians we try to cover up the seeping wounds underneath, hiding the appearance of the interruption they made in our life… and in doing so the appearance Jesus made during them.

If someone is unwilling to show their scars, I’m less likely to want to hear about their trophies.

The scars may be ugly, but the healing that comes from them is beautiful.

The bible is filled with fakes, frauds and failures. If each of them hid the scars and interruption they made in their life how would we see the beauty Jesus in them?

In the cultural setting of her time consider the interruption Mary had in her life as a young child herself, coming to be with child without having known a man.

Yet, it was Mary who silently watched Jesus hang on the cross for her sins as well as ours.

Proving He was God. Because no mother, who knew different, would’ve silently watch such an interruption in their life if they knew it not to be true.

Her silence verified Jesus as Saviour!

Interruptions are inconvenient, but the scars from them reveal Jesus as Saviour… show them faithfully!

HSAY… Todd  

Daily Wisdom

Act 18:26  “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”

Apollos was a gifted man mighty in scripture and eloquent the bible says ((Acts 18:24). But he had heard only what John the Baptist taught (repentance) concerning Jesus (Lk 3:1-18), so his message was not the complete story.

Apollos didn’t know about Jesus' life, crucifixion, and resurrection or the Holy Spirit.

Simply put, Apollos taught the things that tended to make way for Jesus. (Mt 3:3)

Point being: Apollos had a lot to offer, but he had need of more.

When it comes to truth, we all have something to give, but we also have much to gain!

Aquilla and Priscilla where disciples of Paul, who was teaching truth far beyond John the Baptist and what Apollos was able to garner.

A Christian no matter how mighty in scripture, has the opportunity to learn and grow.

One is either green and growing or ripe and rotten.

Apollos knew what he preached, but he didn’t know all that he needed to preach!

As a Christian we should be discipling one while we ourselves are being discipled…

 He that walks with wise men shall be wise. (Pro 13:20)

HSAY… Todd

Zec 4:7 “Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain; and shall bring forth the headstone therefore with shouting’s, crying, Grace, grace unto it.”

Isaiah prophesied the victories of the gospel in similar imagery: “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plain.” (Isa 40:4). Paul spoke of the “pulling down of strongholds, and everything that exalteth itself against God” (2 Cor 10:4-5).  The rebuilding of the temple had been delayed for 15 yrs. by opposition and obstacles. Don’t succumb to such, even of 15 yrs. Satan even warred fiercly against Jesus approaching him while fasting in the wilderness, offering the kingdoms of the world (Mt 4:8-9). Even used one of Jesus own disciples against him. It’s not surprising the “Angel” who appeared is Jesus, speaking from experience that He would encounter. Encouraging Zerubbabel, that the bringing down of such strongholds does not require his (man’s) might, but the Lord’s (vs 6 “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord”). Declaring, “Who art thou, O mountain” where is your authority or the source of your power! Illustrated by making the obstacle itself the very source in which the headstone would be carved from. The foundational cornerstone (Jesus) had already been laid, now the Lord will carve out the finishing headstone (Jesus) from the mountain before them. Expressing Jesus is both the beginning and then end (Alpha/Omega) Rev 1:8. With all favor from the Lord unto it, redoubled favor, grace upon grace; the beginning of the Lord’s continuing work today! No matter what is laid before you as a stumbling block or obstacle to your walk, the Lord sees it as building material for His great work through you!

Stumbling blocks become stepping stones if you’re willing to step where the Lord leads (Psa 37:23)

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Jos 7:10 “And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?”

Often and easily we can find ourselves like Joshua after his men were defeated by Ai, face down ready to give up. But Israel’s problem wasn’t their enemy, it was their own heart and the sin they let permeate within that was their obstacle. Yet, God’s response is one of encouragement not condemnation; (vs 13) “Up, sanctify yourselves” To make things right again, is to simply get things right with your heart before God. It starts with wanting what is right, and humble yourselves spiritually. We can’t pray for our situation to change, and be unwilling to sanctify (set apart) our heart towards God’s will. Like Israel, we all make mistakes (sin), struggle, and even have regret. But don’t allow satan to define you by such and drive us to the ground. God’s Word is a promise of restoration, healing and love. We must be willing to get up, look up, and never give up in that promise. Our ability to overcome our past is not in our power, but His promises and our humility… “I Can” is far more important than “IQ.”  Man is not made to mourn, he was created to rejoice in the Lord’s love. The worlds view calls one to reflect on life’s past performance, and look for the coming sorrow. God’s promises empower the believer to “Arise and Shine” (Isa 60:1) even during sorrow, foreseeing the promise victory coming through Jesus. Don’t live in the shadows of yesterday, walk in the light of today and its promised hope of tomorrow. Don’t dwell on the battles lost in life, nobody is undefeated, focus on the promised victory that no matter what satan wages against you, the war has already been won!

It’s not happy people who are thankful, its thankful people who are happy!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

I Cor 15:51 “Behold, I shew you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,”

All men face limitations. While some may be blind, they see a new way to live. Some deaf, but can still hear the good news. Others lame, but walk can walk in God’s love. But, we have the promised encouragement that our limitations are temporal, we’ll be changed instantly (vs 52) from corruptible to incorruptible, from dishonor to glory, from weakness to power, and from mortal to spiritual bodies. The dead in Christ by resurrection, and the living into immortality by the mystery (rapture) and its sudden power. Point, if such powerful change is coming, and it is, why not start the spiritual metamorphosis now!  Spiritual growth is like a boat going to the ocean. Before it gets there, it’s dragged with much effort, but once it reaches the ocean it is propelled without effort by powerful wind. The distance it travels on the ocean in one day is far greater than it can be dragged by force in a hundred days. Change is inevitable, but growth is optional.  If one chooses to change spiritually, it requires God’s consistency.

Spiritual change comes by continual progression, not instant perfection.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Rom 1:11  "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;"

Paul never used God's people for his purpose or to build his work, but rather used his gifts to encourage and build God's people. In every encounter or relationship you leave something behind, it will either magnify God or yourself. Easy to tell, when you exit they'll either know more about you or God. Christian character chooses thoughts and beliefs based on Godly value not personal gain. If there is any way to turn others off to the value of God is to have a selfish hypocritical character. Professing God and projecting self is problematic.

Take on Christ character, and your reputation will take care of itself.

HSAY... Todd

Daily Wisdom

"I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest." Psa 55:8

Some of the most fierce storms rage with the greatest intensity right up to the brink and clearing to a wonderful new morning. In the same light, you'll never be the same after a storm. As with childbirth or anything new that is birthed, in the last moments of pain and effort comes forth a newness in life that changes everything around you. There is often lingering discomforts to remind you of the great work that God has manifested through you. So often we avoid the labors in life that bring birth and in doing so we miss the gift God had in it. Remember there is never a storm you endured or will that God does not provide the shelter to weather it (Psa 61:3). Also know the storms of life no more indicate the absence of God, than the clouds indicate the absence of the sun. It was the greatest of death that God used to bring forth the greatest promise of life. Don't focus on the storm you went through, rather glory in the anew that burst forth out of it.

Without rain nothing grows.

HSAY... Todd

Daily Wisdom

“O Lord thou hast searched me, and known me. When I awake, I am still with thee” Psa 139:1; 18

Jesus wants you to know what he knows. That while you struggle at times in life, he knows and has known every struggle and plight you’ve faced, and the depths of your needs. And no matter how far away or into something you’ve wondered or have been hurt he knows. Consider the conversation Jesus possibly had with his disciples concerning such, maybe something like this: “When you meet that poor wretch who thrust that spear into my side, tell him there is a better way, to come at my heart, if he will repent and look upon whom has pierced. And I will cherish him in the very heart he wounded; he shall find that the very blood he shed an ample atonement for the sin of shedding it. And tell him he will put me in more pain and displeasure by refusing the offering of my blood, than when he drew it.”  Such a response is the answer when you ask yourself, what do I have going for me when everything's against me? What will not fail you when what you thought was solid and real collapses beneath you? This experience is inevitable. You don’t have to go looking for it, it will find you. God himself has it written into your life (Jm 1:8). But when this happens you’re forced to ask the question: What can I count on, when I can’t count on anything else?  Psalm 139 shows us such an answer. When David found himself in that catastrophic place, he dug to the deepest foundation of his existence, and this is the bedrock he stood upon. (vss 1-6) God, you know me.  (vss 7-12) God, you are with me.  (vss 13-18) God, you have made me. The Psalm hinges on vs 18b ‘when I awake, i am still with thee.” David awoke to his contemplations to realize while they come and go, God has never left him! And while he awoke and returned to the real world where nothing has changed, he had changed with the renewing and knowledge that the Lord is immutable, and never changes from being there for you. In the Psalm the Lord uses the word “know” six-times which is the Hebrew word “Yada” meaning intimacy. The strongest form of knowing someone or something, which is you!  He wants you to know that he is always there, whether you know it or not!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“... by the words of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psa 17:4

The reference in David’s prayer is doubtless to the promises which God had spoken, finding encouragement he submitted his hope and faith to them. God had preserved and guarded David from even his own conduct, preventing him from falling into sins common to men and by directing his paths led him from his potential destroyers. That which must be guarded and directed is one’s heart (Pro 4:23), it is accomplished when you allow your heart to work as a compass and God’s word as a magnet pointing you in the right direction. And if you’re willing to acknowledge and follow his direction, he’ll make your paths straight (Pro 3:6).  Finding yourself lost and life out of control should offer clarity that you’re not the one in control anyway.  You may have to travel dirt roads for God to get you where he wants you, but keep traveling them and I promise you they’ll eventually lead to golden ones.

God’s timing to get you where you belong depends on when you’re willing take the first step.

HSAY… Todd

“… David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Sam 30:6

Faced with the tragedy of losing their families, David's soldiers began to turn against him and even talked about killing him. Instead of looking to God for an answer, they looked for someone to blame. But David found his strength in God and began looking for a solution instead of a scapegoat. Often the problem is not the problem, but rather your attitude towards it. The greatest purpose of blame is the avoidance of accountability. Blaming others only robs you of the opportunity for great change; and eventually leads to the problem of running out of people to blame. You are not defeated because you lose, you’re defeated because you quit on God. Remember the guy who gave up? Neither does anyone else. Your greatest test of faith is when you’re able to find your encouragement in God and in doing so encourage others while going through your own storm.  

Don’t blame others to make yourself better; the only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.

HSAY … Todd