Daily Wisdom

 Job 38:22-23 “… hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, Which I have reserved against the time of trouble…”

It can be difficult in seeing our trials as great opportunities, often appearing as obstacles instead. And yet the Father reveals to Job a chosen and proving way of His great love, and glorious manifestations. God used hail to help Joshua and the Israelites win a battle (Jos 10:11). If we can see such revelation, then clouds become rainbows, and mountains as paths of ascension. God’s blessings often appear as rough packages, and until they are unwrapped and revealed, we fail to see the treasure within. God has all the forces of nature and man at His control and restraint as His resources for our good. If we could see beyond today as God knows, we’d see the light beyond the darkness that would reveal the path which leads to the glory of the Father’s goodness.

For the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Mal 3:3 “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.”

We have nothing to offer of ourselves that’s of worth outside of Jesus and His righteousness. We can’t offer any right performances in religion unless our persons be justified and sanctified by Jesus. Till we ourselves be refined and purified by the grace of God, we cannot do anything that will redound to the glory of God. God had respect to Abel first, and then to his offering; therefore God purges his people, that they may offer their offerings to him in righteousness, (Zep 3:9). A worship that redounds to God’s worth, only abounds in Jesus’ refining work in our life.

Know that the fire’s of life are not to punish you, but refine you to your full worth… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Col 1:27  “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Hope hinges on what we choose trust in. In (Psa 20:7) we’re told “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses” meaning those who put their trust in the physical world around them; the scripture goes on to say, “but we will remember the name of the Lord.” True hope is not what we hold to, but who holds us. This is revealed in the glory of Christ, who manifests Himself in and through our lives, that when we find situations in which Christ is all we have, we experience that Christ is all we need.

Faith climbs the stairs that glory has provided and looks out the window which hope has opened… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 13:20a-21 “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus… 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Do we maintain a spiritual maturity of integrity, pure heart, resolved will to God’s, love? These are great things to be desired by us and for us from the Father. Such traits bring forth the glory of Christ, which is due Him, through our lives, and all good work in us is brought forth by the Father through Jesus for heaven’s sake and heaven’s glory. Be confident, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus return (Phil 1:6).

It's not what you do but what God gets done through you that’s of worth… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

1Co 3:13 ‘Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.’

Two sure ways to destroy a building, tamper with the foundation and to build with inferior materials. The church must be built on the furtherance of Christ, not on any other person or principle. The Father will evaluate each person's contribution to the life of the church, and judgment day will reveal/manifest the sincerity of each person's work and determine whether a person has been faithful to His will. Either one will be a contributor or a disruptor by their works.

Our greatest privilege is to do the will of God, in the power of God, for the Glory of God… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2Co 3:9 ‘For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.’

That which condemns you will never be greater than that which redeems you! The gift and promise of Christ righteousness works a greater reward than your works of sin. Jesus took the tree of death so we could receive the tree of life. Redemption is life, sin is death; your choice is to get busy living or get busy dying? (1 Jn 1:9)

Being a Christian is not about you changing your life for the better, it’s about the righteousness of Christ within you that works to His glory and your betterment… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘… and the name of Lord Jesus was magnified.’ Acts 19:17

Most are familiar with the term “scared straight,” often associated with exposing young individuals to the environment and effects of incarceration in hopes to get their attention refocused on what is right. This is not new per-say, in Ephesus this was experienced throughout the city during Paul’s mission stay there. The sons of Sceva, who was a high priest, had ill-motive in their works of ministry, obviously for personal gain, not heaven’s. When performing supposed exorcism’s, the sons were exposed by demonic spirits as being mis-focused on their efforts, are were possessed themselves and fled through the town naked and wounded (vs 16).

No humor intended, but in (vs 18-19) it states many confessed (sacred straight) and divulged their practices, and those who had books of incantations burned them in sight of all. There is a little levity here to say the least.  Point being motive is so important within our heart and own ministry. I don’t believe any of us are practicing incantations, but why we do what we do must be for Jesus’s glory and heaven’s profit, and not our own. Be careful drawing attention in your efforts, you may receive the kind of attention you don’t desire.

The right thing, with the wrong motive, is the wrong thing… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

'For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.’ Psa 8:5

When we look at the vast expanse of creation, we wonder how God could be concerned for people who constantly disappoint him. Yet, God still sees us as highly valuable, crowning of His creation for His glory and honor. And that’s the truth the scripture… we are for His glory and the supremacy of Christ, and not the supremacy of man. The Father did not create us for our life purpose, but for the purpose of His eternal glory in Jesus Christ.

‘… that in all things he might have the preeminence.’ (Col 1:18). Where is our supremacy needle for our life? Is it tilted toward self (man’s supremacy) and our wants, or is it tilted towards Jesus (Christ supremacy) and His glory in our life having preeminence?

God’s judgment and wrath is not based on what you have in life, but on why what you have in life being preeminent over Christ glory… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

"All the days of my appointed time will I wait."  Job 14:14

Nothing makes rest so sweet as toil; nothing renders security so pleasant as exposure to alarms. Our battered armor and scarred countenances will render a more glorious victory above, when we are welcomed into the presence of those who’ve already overcome the world. Such tarrying is worth the wait, allowing us to appear as worthy heirs with Jesus, for He was baptized with a baptism of suffering (Lk 12:50), and we must be baptized with the same as His heirs. 

Such fellowship with Jesus is so honorable, for our lingering here is for His glory and the good of others. We should not wish to enter heaven till our work is done. Our prolonged stay here is doubtless for God's glory. A tried saint, like a well-cut diamond, glitters the more in the King's crown. Nothing reflects so much honor of a workman as hands that show severe trial of his work, and its triumphant endurance in Jesus. We are God's workmanship, in whom He will be glorified by our afflictions. It’s for the glory of Jesus that we endure the trial of our faith with sacred joy. 

"If my lying in the dust would elevate my Lord by so much as an inch, let me still lie among the pots of earth and be covered with it, so my Lord can stand upon it.” … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 "Lo, in the midst of the throne ... stood a Lamb as it had been slain." Rev 5:6

Why should our exalted Lord appear in His wounds in glory? The wounds of Jesus are His glories, His jewels, His sacred ornaments. To the eye of the believer, Jesus appearance is just because He is "white and ruddy;" white with innocence, and ruddy with His own blood.

The wounds of Jesus are far more glorious than all the splendor of His physical appearance. A soldier’s medals don’t define his honor, it’s the scars and blood that was shed. The thorny crown is more than an imperial diadem. It is true that He doesn’t bear it not now, but there was a glory in it though it that never flashed of gold. Jesus wears the appearance of a slain Lamb as His court dress in which He wooed our souls, and redeemed them by His complete atonement. Nor are these only the ornaments of Christ: they are the trophies He proudly bears showing of His love and of His victory.

The Lion: rest assured we will see the promise of His roar when our Lord returns… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Joe 2:17 “…  Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?”

There is to be special concern of God’s glory in our troubles – “Lord give not thine heritage to reproach.”, meaning the glory of God must not become absent in our struggles, and no longer celebrated. This only lends fodder to the world’s attack to create doubt amongst others by labeling the believer as “poor and beggarly” claiming, “where is their God?” (Deut 32:37). With today’s confusion, doubt, and attacks at a feverish peak we must be a voice of victory to God’s glory, not another voice of violence. Let the Lord do our fighting (Exo 14:14) we need to only follow and live with a testimony that glorifies His goodness; (Psa 115:3) “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”  If the world sees our life as an illustration to question God’s glory, it should cause us to question our faith!

The glory of God should glow in our life in such a way that it confounds the world (1 Cor 1:27) … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1 Cor 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

When deciding between living according to worldly wisdom or the wisdom of God, just know that His wisdom and design for you is higher, grater, and more wonderful than anything you’ve seen, heard or imagined for yourself. But, in context of the passage, it is not referring to the subject of Heaven/eternity, but to the revelation of God’s Word. Thus, “things” here refer to “spiritual truths.” The Word of God contains within its pages “spiritual truths” that are so deep, so profound, so precise, and so eternal that man has not even begun to scratch the surface of what lies beneath, and is only revealed to those whose love and desire for it drives them to desperately seek after it.

If you don’t feel strong desires for the revealing of the glory of God, it’s not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. If so the case, your thirst would only be greater… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

1 Cor 15:57 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There may be a battle ragging within you but know there was a greater battle that was fought and won in the grave for you. While Christ was laid in death and darkness and the weight of ever sin upon Him, there the war on eternal death was waged; so great of a battle that Heaven looked away (Mt 27:46). And the power that death possessed was forever defeated. Showing us that His perfect love could not be overcome. Every battle we face has already been defeated eternally and the power has been given us to face it in the flesh. Our sin and pain may run deep, but God’s grace runs deeper. Not lacking sympathy for one’s pain and thoughts of loneliness, but we must understand no one, except Christ, has ever been truly abandoned (Isa 53:10). But to Christ’s glory He told us in (Jn 19:30) “teleo” meaning: “it is finished.”  He won the battle/s for us!

“And forever He is glorified, forever He is lifted high and forever He is risen” … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

“If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.” 2 Cor 11:30

Catch the perspective Paul testifies to, he glories in what God has done, not on what He will do.

Paul found his strength, testimony and glory in the numerous afflictions God had faithfully brought him through. This fueled his faith and witness for God and kept him encouraged for tomorrow knowing God has the final say in all trials we face. 

Christians are prone to focus on what they fear or the desired outcome they want rather than what they have been given and delivered from. This creates a consumer Christianity mindset that if we are getting from God we find glory in God.

Be cautious in letting your glory in the Lord to be based on what He’s going to do rather than what He has done. Rejoice “of the things” God has done.  This is your testimony that allows others to see God’s favour (Grace) in His children.

In doing so, you’ll find that what concerns you today will tomorrow be one “of the things” He’s done for you… again!

Live (testify) in a way that allows others to see the goodness “OF” God in you!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

Eph 1:18-19 “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.”

The power in the pronoun, the attributive ownership of the Hope, Glory and Power offered to us in Christ Jesus (vs 20).  And it’s Paul’s prayer that we don’t miss any of it.  Praying that our eyes be enlightened; “what the eye is to the body, that is the mind to the soul” compare Mt 6:22 “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” Paul, and Jesus in (Mt 6) and illustrating our spiritual vision to see clearly what God, the attributed owner of what we need, has for us. Calling us to a knowledge and understanding of the Hope in HIS calling in our life, the promised eternal inheritance in His glory for the saved, and the exceeding greatness of HIS power we can possess. Again, Paul is saying, and praying, don’t miss HIS Hope, Glory and Power; let God’s promises shine on your problems.

Don’t get caught up in the theatrics of church instead of the truth. It’s not about the entertainment, but rather the enlightenment.

Many will miss what they need to see because they are more focused on what they want.

HSAY… Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Phil 3:20-21

At the culmination of Jesus ministry he accomplished in three days what we benefit from for eternity. Jesus took that which was vile, frail, defiled and mortal and fashioned into a glorious reflection of his image. In the Greek it reads “the body of our humility.” And yet we labor in gyms and diet on scientifically engineered programs to shape and tone the body that offers an appealing physical appearance, but the man itself is vile.  Jesus by his death and burial illustrated our death in corruption, but he also magnified our promise of in-corruption through his resurrection (1 Cor 15:42). We can labor as we will for a lifetime but we’ll never achieve the promised “glorious body” as it is now in heaven and illustrated by his transfiguration. Try to perfect all you want, but know and hold on to the promise that when he comes will raise the dead first, and put such a “glory” on our bodies as is on his own (1 Tim 4:16), and bring us to himself, that where he is we may be also (Jn 14:3)!

You claim you can never achieve glorious perfection? Jesus responds: over my dead body!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psa 84:11

Grace doesn’t stop at sin, “God will give you grace and glory” it overcomes sin and delivers you into glory,  the presence of God where his goodness prevails. Promising no good thing will be withheld from you who walks uprightly in truth. (Phl 4:19)  He is both your provider (sun), and your protector (shield). When you feel you’re losing the battle, know that by his grace you’ve already won the war. And even in the worst of trials you’re never beyond the reach of grace, and even in the best of life beyond the need of grace. Grace excuses you from the dependence on your ability, and only requests you to depend on his. Sadly, “when we’re on the receiving end of his grace it’s refreshing, but when required of us disturbing:” Lk 12:48 (whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much is required )

Grace is where glory begins, and glory is where grace is perfected.

HSAY… Todd