Daily Wisdom

Heb 12:12 “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”

This is the Father’s exhorting us to lift up our hands of faith, and bend our knees to fervent prayer. Often faith grows weary losing force and effectiveness; discouraged and timid with obstacles that frighten us. But in such obstacles the Father is ready to heal us, but the exertion of faith reaches our limit and we seek another path around the obstacle rather than walking through it. We use excuses such as: “I’m not ready to deal with this now.” Yet our Father encourages us to walk through the flood with hands lifted high and let Him part the waters. Just don’t let our feet find a different path because we fear getting hurt, when the Father’s ready to heal.

Remember, every healing started with a little hurt. Keep your faith in the great Physician… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness (Christ) arise with healing in his wings…” Mal 4:2

At times life (physical/spiritual) can be on life support and hope, joy & peace are vanished blessings. But in Christ we can anticipate the day when true healing appears. For those who turn from sin and trust in Christ righteousness will find the light which brings forth healing on its wings. God is the great physician (Who forgives your iniquity, heals all diseases.” Psa 103:3). What life robs God restores, and that which is terminal in the temporal is eradicated in the eternal, “He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds.” (Psa 147:3)

Life support is still promising for those who trust in Him who supplies life… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Rev 21:4  “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” 

The Christian group Hillsong, records a song titled “Cornerstone.”  The chorus reads:

“Christ alone; cornerstone

Weak made strong; in the Saviour’s love

Through the storm, He is Lord

Lord of all.”

There’s a book written that is titled “Charlie’s Victory.” A true story of a high school coach who lost his life to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) at the age of 34, just 4 yrs. after his diagnosis.

Charlie continued to coach even after he could no longer move, breathe, or speak on his own. He lived on a respirator and communicated by blinking, winking and moving his lips. Everyone who knew him talked about his courage and inspirational attitude. One stated, “What we learn through him is that REAL strength is spiritual.”

Charlie’s strength was indeed spiritual. He walked a close walk with God. He and Lucy attributed their strength to God and God alone.

Life is riddled with like stories of individuals who suffer immensely through physical and emotional afflictions. This life isn’t fair, but this life isn’t eternal either. (1 Pt 5:10)

Paul made it clear that when he was his weakest that he was the strongest in the Lord. (2 Cor 12:10)

Within the book is a quote that sums up the promises and strength we need to cling to when facing such a fight in this life. That even though we are wounded at times we can still be “Wounded Healers” who can inspire others through their storms, knowing He is Lord, Lord of all.

Suffering is inevitable, Misery is optional!

Oh, my! What a difference can be made in our lives and the ability to influence others spiritually if we adopt this motto!

Misery is optional. What does this mean? It means that we all will eventually go through some kind of suffering as we live in this fallen world; however, when trouble does arrive, how we weather it depends on our outlook. It consumes us only if we allow it! Only if we choose it!

Find comfort in the storm/s knowing, He is Lord, Lord of all… and misery only masks that promise!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.” Jere 30:17

The wounds God promises to heal are those inflicted by the world, man and self. And are so grievous they are incurable (vs 12) alone, and yet many continue to seek healing through this world, man and self. It makes as much sense as running to the enemy who shot you in battle seeking medical attention?  The medicine of the world is futile in healing your bruises and wounds because they are of a multitude beyond the worlds grasp (vs 15), of a nature man has no known remedy for, band aids maybe, healing no!  But God, the great physician (spiritual/physical Mk 2:17/Lk 4:23) promises to restore health unto us; “I will heal thee of thy wounds” (vs 17).  But, you must be willing to forego the home remedy approach and visit the One, only One, who can heal what the world can’t. Not only does God heal, but He brings you into a comfortable and prosperous condition that otherwise can’t be attained through worldly approaches. Worldly medicine allows for relapses and constant rehabbing, God’s healing is eternal in nature; sustaining you for battles to come. It shouldn’t be surprising, but notice man’s repair always comes a little short of full healing, the back and knee may be better, but still not what it was. Seek worldly medicine, you’ll get worldly results.

Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to show your scares.  Wear them as proof that God heals

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

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Eph 4:32

Love yourself enough to forgive the acts of others!  Unforgiveness unleashes a myriad of emotions: hurt, anger, hatred and eventually bitterness, all upon yourself.  Forgiveness doesn’t always heal the relationship, but it does allow God the heal your heart.  Lifting the weight of emotions that weaken you making room for those that strengthen: peace, joy, hope, love and freeing both the unforgiven and the unforgiving.  It’s ultimately defined as a promise, not a feeling. When forgiving someone you promise not to hold their sins against them, as Christ did you, and more so stop harboring internally the emotions that come by their acts. Don’t cheat yourself out of your peace because of your pride in waiting on a apology, thus allowing their weakness of embarrassment, guilt, or being ashamed to stop you from your healing. Be ok with a sorry you never get, knowing what you get in return is far greater.  To be a Christian (Christ-like) means forgiving the inexcusable, because God has forgiving the inexcusable in you.  Remember, forgiveness is not achieved by the guilty being punished, but because the wounded are merciful!  Want to feel loved, love to forgive.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and realize the prisoner was you.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isa 53:5

The suffering that brings us healing and peace was achieved through his wounds; “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (Psa 147:3).  To heal a wound you have to stop touching it. There may be a ugly scab, but the healing occurs from the inside out. Don’t fear or be ashamed of the scars life has left you with. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed, you endured the pain and God has healed you. In doing so others will find healing in your wounds as well.  Your greatest message and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest wounds. Don’t be shameful in how you think you appear, it’s the cross that makes you flawless.

The deeper the wound the deeper the light of God can enter.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isa 41:13

For those willing to leave or put everything in God’s hand, will eventually see God’s hand in everything!  God has engraved your name on the palms of His hands (Isa 49:16), thus no matter what you face in life, don’t let go of the hand that is scarred and pierced with and by your name. Don’t look at God’s hands concerning what he can give you, but rather what He can take from you and allowing you to what He’s called you to.  When life gives you more than you can hold, let go and simply hold the one who gives you life.

FSAY…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

“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father and of Christ.” Col 2:2

As Christians we must understand the power of love and the use God has intended for it.  Love is the binding instrument to all knowledge, assurance and mystery of the Gospel that reconciles all things to Christ (Col 1:20). Just as an open wound leaves one exposed to outside infection, a heart that is damaged is susceptible to worldly infection and needs mending to ensure proper healing; love is the suture that seals an open heart that helps the healing and prevents outside infection.  Love is the bond between God and His children; and calls us to extend that love amongst each other; edifying not destroying, building up not tearing down, unifying not untying.  Not by mere outward profession, or by mere speculative faith; it’s meant to be a comfort for the hurting, knitted by affection and compassion, not with an infection and indifference.

Love, like medicine, takes time to work; it’s not a single act, but a daily prescription to be administered on our part.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge…” Acts 7:60

Stephen spoke very similar words as those uttered by Christ on the cross (Lk 23:34). Christ had promised those living for Him would suffer as He (Lk 21:12-19); this is still true. By boldly living out our faith, we too will face rejection: “But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake…” (Jn 15:21). Yet the most profound aspect of this act was Stephen’s ability to plead forgiveness for those whose hands brought forth his suffering. Stephen applied himself to a dying work with as much composure and prayer as he did while living. Stephen’s charge poses a question, do we cry out forgiveness before Jesus for those you cast stones at us? Forgiveness clears the path before us, by letting go of that which is behind; allowing us to see the hope we have in tomorrow. Rest assured forgiveness lets the prisoner go free, but realize the prisoner was you! We often fail in seeing the goodness of God because we are to focused on the actions of others; stop trying to remember in others what God has already forgotten in you (Psa 103:12)

Don’t base forgiveness on what someone deserves, you didn’t deserve yours!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  Rom 8:18

Through the cause of suffering there can be great purpose.  If faced rightly it can drive us like a nail deep into the love and strength of God; bringing about great stability and spiritual power beyond what you can imagine. Remember Christ did not suffer so we would not have to; He suffered so when we suffer we become more like Him. God has called you for His good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you.  He is your example to follow in His steps (1 Pt2:21).  No character is truly revealed until it has endured its suffering. After your season of suffering, God in all His grace, will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you in His glory through Christ (2 Pt 5:10).

Joy is not absence of suffering; it is the presence of God.

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

“Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:” Jn 4:13

Jesus talking to the Samaritan women encouraged her to drink from the living water He offered to quench her thirst eternally.  Jesus was straight forward in telling her that any man drinking from the physical waters will thirst again.  Remember, Jesus himself was tired and weary as He approached the well as the disciples were in town gathering food.  Yet, in the midst of His own physical thirst Jesus was not going to miss an opportunity to reach out to the women with the only truth that would quench the soul.  Often this is a struggle for Christians in similar situations where they have grown weary and tired.  They are more concerned about their personal thirst and needs that they miss an opportunity to be a blessing of truth to others.  Jesus was not worried about a 700 year feud between Jews and Samaritans; He just wanted the women to know of the eternal life He had to offer her.  Don’t let your personal desire to quench a thirst, that will only come again, interfere with offering someone the greatest gift in life…eternal life in Jesus!  You will always have needs, like a thirst they will return; don’t let life distract you from those who thirst spiritually and don’t know how to quench it. 

In every weakness and desire in life lies an opportunity for God to strengthen you and quench you.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive your trespasses.” Mt 6:14

Consider the depth and power that can be projected when one is able to speak with a masterful and eloquent use of words.  Yet, within the vast array of words that can be used to paint a picture some of the most powerful are a simple two letter word.  Most of us have read, heard or spoken the Lord’s Prayer. Consider what Jesus says here in Matthew when instructing the disciples in prayer “For if ye forgive men of their sins the Father will forgive you.” The “if” implies we should not be asking for forgiveness until we ourselves are willing and able to forgive others.  Jesus makes it explicitly clear in the next verse that if we are not willing to forgive, neither will the Father be on His part.  Forgiveness is a commandment many are quick to gloss over in their Christian life.  We play a spiritual game of verbal forgiveness, yet our hearts are still hardened towards those individuals who have hurt us.  Some of us have been deeply wounded by others, but the depth does not compare to the wounds Jesus endured for our on sins.  We must be as quick to offer forgiveness as we are to ask for it.  Jesus would never ask us to do something He has not already offered and given us the ability to do.  Unforgiveness is the symptom that leads to bitterness which will eventually kill the soul.

Bitterness is the poison we swallow, hoping the other person dies.

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

Daily Wisdom

“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God…” Joel 2:13

Deep remorse was often shown by tearing one's clothes. But God didn't want an outward display of penitence without true inward repentance.  It is the heart that God wants changed not one’s appearance.  In 1 Sam 16:7, God illustrated this concerning his call on David when he told Samuel “look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature…man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”  It’s the attitude of the heart, not the appearance of the body that God looks upon.  A truly penitent heart is called a “broken and a contrite heart.” (Psa 51:17)  Such a penitent rends and rips the recesses of the heart, to discover the abominations thereof, and pours out before God the diseased and perilous stuff that is pent up and festering within, and expels the evil lodged within it, and opens it to forgiveness by way of God’s divine grace and mercy.

Heaven finds a forgiving ear, when man finds a repentant tongue.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

"She named him Zebulun, for she said, 'God has given me a good reward. Now my husband will treat me with respect, for I have given him six sons” Gen 30:20

How do we respond when life seems set against us? Leah faced a blunt and painful world. She observed it apparently only through Jacob’s affection.  And although Leah was not his first choice, Jacob kept his word and accepted her as his wife, but his love was for Leah’s sister, Rachel.  Leah revealed how she felt toward Jacob in the name she gave their first son, Reuben. The name expressed her desire to be noticed by her husband. Because Leah and Rachel competed for Jacob's attention, there was constant friction in the family. They measured their worth against each other by their ability to bear children. Leah was winning the fertility contest handily, but her victory carried little satisfaction.  Although God’s love and blessings towards Leah were apparent, and she gave God specific credit in the birth of five of her sons, she never appeared to respond towards God’s love for her. One’s opportunity to find joy is easily missed when they seek to find it by way of man’s approval and affection; instead of God’s promise.

Never allow your strength to be used holding anything tighter than you’re holding to God!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom...Retribution

“And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore…Dinah’s brethren took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.” Gen 34:25

As far as we know, Dinah was Jacob's only daughter. She lived among ten older and two younger brothers. She grew up in a family rocked by struggle between two sisters married to the same man; Dinah's mother, Leah, and her sister and rival Rachel. While the bible does not illustrate how the bitterness and jealousy between these women affected the only girl-child in the family, we have to assume a sense of dysfunction about it.  Yet, we are told that Dinah was eventually placed in a greater affliction of being raped by Shechem, the ruler of the city.  In this tragedy Dinah’s brothers sought revenge and even prospered from it (vss 26-27) which brought about anger, but no action from their father Jacob.  In all this, the victim was overlooked and even used in haste by her brothers without regard to Dinah herself.  Often revenge/retribution can bring about a greater destruction for the victim as well as those involved. We must be cautious in our response to evil, knowing God sees and God cares when all others appear to forget.  Dinah needed ministering love, not menacing actions from those around her. The greatest response that can be offered one, who is damage, is God’s great love for them.

Man that studies revenge only keeps his own wounds from healing!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom...Healthy Heart

“And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.” 2 Kings 6:30

Unfortunately the king changes everything about himself, except his heart! The truths and justice of God are displayed in the awful transaction that takes place in (2 Kg 6:28-29). Those that lack humility are prone to blame any and all for such afflictions. In this case the king swears the death of Elisha (man of God) yet refuses or is unable to acknowledge his own actions that Elisha himself warned them about. If rending the clothes, without a broken and contrite heart, would avail; if wearing sackcloth, without a renewing of the spirit of the mind, would serve, then as the king one would never find need of the Lord.  A true desire for change must start in self-humiliation and true penitence of the heart (2 Kg 5:7-8). If one seeks change one must look at his own heart first.

HSAY…Todd