Daily Wisdom

Psa 119:165  “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”

Man has always longed for peace of mind. Here’s my clear-cut instruction on how to attain it: If I love God and obey His Word, I’ll find "great peace." It’s the cross that the Christian is challenged to seek after: no path of redemption can make a detour around it. Seeking alternatives is where we lose our peace of mind. We all have the best in us, Holy Spirit; and it’s up to us to submit to Him. My submission comes through His Word which leads me straight to the cross and Jesus, and all that I long for.

As Jesus went willingly to the cross, my we willingly approach the throne of grace; obtaining His great peace… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Rom 4:18a;19a  For Abraham…“Who against hope believed in hope… And not being weak in faith…”

George Muller responded to a question concerning great faith: “the only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials.” Faith is established and measured by the ability to trust/obedience when faith is all you have. Don’t overlook the opportunity when passing through great affliction, you’re in the very presence of great faith working in your life. If only you will let go and grasp the garment of Jesus (Mt 9:20), He will teach the mightiest hope in faith you can hold to. Faith isn’t about just letting go, it’s about choosing what to hold on to. Hope and faith are unavoidable in life; the question is, what do we place it in?  That’s established in every choice we make!

Faith fosters a hope of expectancy when things are otherwise hopeless… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

 2Ki 18:6 ‘For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments…’

The scriptures tell us (vs 5) that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. The strength of Hezekiah’s testimony was not his acknowledgment or servitude for God but his faithfulness to Him. He not only clave to and departed not, but he ‘kept’ the Lord’s commandments. IT’s not if but when things go wrong, true faithfulness is remaining steadfast in our obedience during the storms. Storms can be life changing, but it shouldn’t change our faith. No matter the storm, when we allow known sin to prevail in any area of our life, it’s always at the expense of our faith. 

Servitude and statements of faith do not sanctify the sins we allow in our life, they only suppress the Lord’s favor for our life… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Jer 1:6  ‘Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.’ 

Jeremiah was only a youth 20-21 yrs. old. Yet the Lord encouraged him not to be fearful of his youth or inability to serve the Lord’s will. Don’t succumb to fear of inadequacy, what the Lord calls us to He’ll provide the power and provision to deliver it. The Lord doesn’t need your knowledge, skills, or personality, He just needs your faith and your mouth, and He’ll provide the rest (vs 9 - LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.) Don’t doubt what the Lord can deliver through you if you’re willing to be used.

Boldly open your mouth concerning Jesus, and you’ll be surprised yourself what comes out… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

2Ch 25:2 ‘And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.’

Amaziah did what was right on the outside, but inside he often resented what he had to do. His obedience was at best halfhearted. When promised God's deliverance, Amaziah first complained about the money that had been lost (vs 9), valuing military success more than God's will. We must search our own hearts and root out any resistance in our obedience. Rashness makes work for repentance; Amaziah wasn’t against God, just indifferent towards His will which eventually leads to indifference towards obedience altogether.

The deception of Christianity with indifference is more insidious and less curable than infidelity itself; at least one has a chance for change when presented truth (Rev 3:15)… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘… Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.’ Mt 8:10b

Interesting to consider, that while the Jews penned the Bible, it was a gentile who was said to have had the greatest faith. This man was a leader, a military officer of many men but he shows us that a little piety goes a great way. He obviously was a Godly man with a humble heart, meaning no man’s calling or place in this world will excuse him from unbelief or humility.

Be cautious not to let the elements of this world imped on your faith. The religious man can get distracted by his religious acts rather than his humble faith. In the preceding part of (vs 10), we’re told Jesus “marvelled” at the centurion’s faith. The word “marvelled’ comes from the Greek meaning “to gaze in wonder.” Do you desire to marvel the Master? Then: 1. Give God’s Word the “authority” it deserves in your life. and 2. Give God’s Word the “respect” it deserves for keeping it’s promise. We don’t obtain God’s blessings by trying to earn them, simply be obedient to His Word and you’ll experience them.

Obedience is the path one follows in faith that leads to the Father’s favor… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Mt 7:21

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  Mt 7:24

The person Jesus is speaking about here in (vs 21) is someone who continues to pray over and over again to the Lord, with no results. Why? Because there is no obedience.  The word “saith” is the Greek word (legon) meaning ‘continually’, thus Jesus is speaking to those who ‘continually’ ask, yet don’t do what God’s ask. Seek His favor but refuse to live in His faith.

It is impossible (vs 24), to serve God without obeying His Word (and doeth them). The man whose life collapses under the weight of circumstances is at fault not because he fails to labor, but because he fails to labor according to the Word.

‘A ton of prayer will not produce what an ounce of obedience will.’ … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 "We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Act 14:22

As the Father’s children we’ll have trials. It was never designed by God, that we should be an untried people. We were never promised “worldly” peace, prosperity, or joy; those only dwell in the presence of Jesus. Trials are a part of our lot; predestinated for us in Christ's ministry (Jn 16:33). Why then does such a difficult road of hard choices/decisions have to be travelled if the Father loves us so?

Free will!  The Father placed the forbidden tree in the Garden, not to tempt us (Jms 1:13), but to afford us the opportunity to obey. The Father understands, as we must, the unprecedented beauty that comes from the result of obedience. Without such a choice in obedience vss disobedience, what would define “good and bad or right and wrong?” The result being, God would not be able to show us or allow us to experience how much He does love us! No choice (free-will), no reality for us to experience a love, goodness or joy worth having. Ultimately allowing us to see our need for Jesus to ensure we  dwell eternally in the Father’s great love.

“Free-will” – it will either be led captive by sin or held in the blessed bonds of grace… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Gen 28: 7-8 “Jacob obeyed his father and his mother… Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father. Esau went unto Ishmael and took a wife…”

Having already married against his father’s will, Esau sought to marry another, who God had already rejected, in hopes of pleasing his father. Esau rested in a partial reformation by pleasing his parents in one thing, to atone for all his other misdeeds. Esau didn’t learn from Jacob’s obedience, but only sought to please his father (i.e. man) and not God, in hopes of obtaining only what he wanted. Carnal hearts are apt to think themselves as good as they should be, because perhaps, in some one particular instance, they are not so bad as they have been. Micah (Jdg 17) retains his idols but thinks himself happy in having a Levite to be his priest. “No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.”

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

Daily Wisdom

“Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers.” Deut 7:12

Moses is giving Israel its victory charge for entering the Promise Land of Canaan. Interestingly enough, he informs them earlier in (vs 7) that God has chosen them not because they were greater in numbers, but the fewest of all the people. Showing God was going to do a great work with least amount of resources.  This promise will only come to pass for Israel, and us today, “because” we choose to listen and keep His word.  The Hebrew word for “because” is eikev meaning “if you follow” is also translated “heel” which recalls Jacob (the heel holder) who wrestled with the pain of his past to learn/hearken to bear the name Israel, the “prince of God” (Gen. 32:28) ... And just like Jacob, we must grapple to believe that the covenant of God’s love and acceptance is for us, too... “if ye hearken…”  as you chose to walk with God, you will come to know His promises. Likewise, “Because (heel – Hebrew word ’eqeb) Abraham obeyed my voice…”  (Gen. 26:5). Like Abraham, he heard the word of God down to his heel and hearkened to obey.  We will hear God’s voice as we walk with him by faith in the promise of His covenant to us even though you may appear few.

Hearken to His word, its outlived every world power!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“... there was no room for him in the inn.” Lk 2:7b

It’s not uncommon for man to reject what God wills. Mary and Jesus were turned away at the inn by man. And no it would not of mattered if they had known he was God because they still rejected him once he was revealed as God. It’s man’s great flaw to reject or discard what God has promoted. But know that what God calls and ordains man has no authority over. The only way in which man can disrupt what God has called is for man to succumb to man instead of God. What God has called you to God holds you to, and not based on the approval of man but based on his will. And thus he gifts you in every aspect to accomplish such. Gifts are not toys to play with, they are tools to build with. If they are not used in love and obedience, they instead become weapons to fight with. This is what happened in the church of Corinth (1 Cor 12-14). Unfortunately man is highly prone to respond to God’s will according to their preference and wishes, and not Gods.

Man can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail (Pro 19:21)

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.” 1 Cor 9:19

Jesus said the greatest among us is the servant (Mt 23:11-12).  Paul mentions in (1 Cor 8:13) his willingness to deny himself if it be the means of benefiting others. Our freedom in Jesus is endless, man did not save us, it was only Jesus redemptive work on the cross. But, we must not look at man as an obligation or burden, but as an opportunity afforded us through Jesus to invest in and share such freedom. Paul was willing to go to great extents to do so, even sacrificing his freedom amongst man.  Early historians claim Christians would sale themselves into slavery in order that they might have access to and benefit slaves. Obviously God has not called all men to such actions, but he has called one and all who know their eternal hope in Jesus to share openly with those around them.  May it require you to place yourself a little lower than you’re normally comfortable with, maybe? But, again Jesus said the greatest is the servant, do you seek the attention and affirmation of man or God?  Their is no reward of man that offers eternal benefit or freedom.  Truthfully it often creates the bondage of desire and greed for more. The statement Paul makes, “that I may gain the more” is taken from merchants, who spared no pains, but took every method to acquire gain and profit. What profit are you desiring to accumulate, worldly or eternally (Col 3:2)?  Some have said:  “I’m extreme in taking this Jesus stuff so seriously,” I feel extremely confident Jesus took it seriously when he died on the cross for me. Why would I not be willing to sacrifice as a servant and place myself a little lower for his gain, and let him worry about my gain!

If investing in souls for eternal gain was your job, would you still be employed?

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, if ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” Lk 17:5-6

The disciples request poses a good question, more faith or more obedience?  The prayer for more faith is justified, but is it the answer they really need. The disciples felt over-whelmed by Jesus teachings in vss 1-4 and felt desperately they needed a greater faith to do His will. But Jesus’ answer indicates that more faith is not the issue. Faith is not measured by quantity, but rather by its presence. Jesus isn’t looking for how many times we are faithful, but when we are faithful. He says a mustard seed size of faith will do great things. Jesus gives the disciples, and us the answer in vss 7-10; indicating Jesus is looking for obedience and humility. Notice Jesus offers an answer, not an accommodation; he tells them how to gain greater faith, not hand it to them.  You want a faith that moves through obstacles in your life, live a life that moves in obedience to His word. When faced with difficulty in life don’t simply seek more faith, but instead act in more humility and obedience. True faith is the ability and willingness to be humbly obedient.

HSAY…Todd   

Daily Wisdom

“…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Rom 12:1-2

Life does not get better by chance, but by change. Yet, don’t expect another to change in ways you’re not willing to change yourself. Rare is the ability to change that around you, but you can always change what’s in you; understanding that your prayers for change are often accomplished by God changing your heart.  It’s in prayer, God’s word and living in His wisdom your thinking begins to change from seeing what is wrong about something to seeing what’s good in it; from focusing on what you don’t have to what you’ve been given; to seeing the love of Christ instead of hate in the world. God changes broken pieces into master pieces if you’re willing to allow Him.  

Faith in Christ does not change what you face, just how you face it.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers…” Titus 1:10

Just as Paul warned Titus, we must be cautious towards those who participate in our life as well as ourselves; understanding the importance of truth and motive in our lives and those around us. Don’t be misguided by the presentation or the image that is often projected by others as it aligns to truth and purpose. Such actions are a direct attack against the truth and integrity upon which the Christian faith is built. Paul warns us: 1.) is the focus on their ministry on Christ or self. 2.) Does their direction cause you to compromise or dilute your faith (obedience) to the word. 3.) Is Christ and His divine nature or the power of God’s word de-emphasized? 4.) Are decisions made by way of man’s judgment rather than prayer and biblical guidelines?  There are many vain-talkers who are more given to self-serving religion than to sacrificial Christianity. Be cautious if the words of others, or those of your own, are confusing in comparison to their living.

The value of your testimony is not in what you say, but how it is illustrated.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord…the people took of the spoil…” 1 Sam 15:20-21

You cannot boast in doing God’s pleasure when you still the ingredients to bake the cake.  Saul failed in two areas; while successful in killing the Amalekites, in doing so he went against God’s will by taking the spoils; second, he refused accountability and blamed others for his disobedience. Saul felt he did as directed by God, but in doing so he took what was not his in the process.  Saul used that which God had no interest in as a sacrificial worship to justify his own actions. It’s easier to bring a lamb to an altar, than to bring every high thought in subjection to God’s will (1 Cor 9:27). Don’t promote your spiritual immaturity by blaming others for your own actions; in doing so you greatly hinder your ability to exemplify Christ towards others.  The lack of accountability is nothing more than a fleshly mechanism utilized to justify one’s act of disobedience.

The moment you take accountability for everything in your life, is the moment anything can start changing in your life.

HSAY…Todd