Daily Wisdom

 Psa 127:1 “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”

The problem that we are facing in the church today is that we have so many who have made a decision to believe in Jesus but not a commitment to follow Him. The church has believers who are planning to, meaning to, trying to, wanting to, going to, it just doesn't have many Christians who are doing it. It matters not how I build my life/family, if it’s not built by the Lord’s plans and in His purpose, my labor is in vain, and I’ll fail to experience the abundance that only the Lord can provide. May my commitment be not in my plans, but in Lord’s and making Him my highest priority and “Masterbuilder( 1 Cor 3:10)” for my life.

May we be committed though never seeing the final plans, that’s the difference between the Masterbuilder and us, the laborer in His plans… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Isa 49:16 “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands…”

The polyps which construct the coral reefs, do their work under the water, never imagining they’re laying the foundation upon which a new island will be formed of which plants, animals and children will prosper. If your place in God’s purpose is secluded and hidden, don’t murmur or complain and seek for more outside of God’s will. The Father placed you there with great purpose and will; for without polyps there are no coral reefs; the Father needs spiritual polyps!

"Just where you stand in the conflict,

There is your place.

Just where you think you are useless,

Hide not your face.

God placed you there for a purpose,

Whate’er it be,

Think He has chosen you for it;

Work loyally.

Out in the fight or on picket,

Stand firm and true’

This is the work which

Your Father gives to you!" … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Hag 1:14  “And the LORD stirred up the spirit… of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God.”

Rarely do we see in the scriptures a prophet’s message produce such a quick response. Within (23) days after Haggai’s message, they returned to building the Temple. Are we as quick to respond to the Word of God for our lives? Do we respond to the Holy Spirit’s revelation or resist it? God’s Word does not exist for the sake of our enjoying Biblical stories; biblical stories exist for the sake of our enjoying God. I make this point because there is great purpose and narrative to God’s Word, and it points to man’s need.

The Word of God is not just to be heard or repeated; it’s to be breathed in, lived by and acted on… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 10:9 “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.”

While this is the only time recorded in the N.T., it’s a central teaching concerning God’s will and our purpose. God calls us to more than empty compliance within a religious system (Psa 40:6-8). Christs’ sacrifice satisfied/paid for the eternality of sin, thus eliminating the need of the law and freeing us from religiosity/rituals and allowing us to do His will and His kingdom work - (he “Christ” taketh away the first “sin”, that he “man” may do the second “God’s will”). Considering the immeasurable gift he gave us, we should respond by giving him our devotion and sacrifice.

Where there’s a will there’s a way, as long as it’s God’s will and not just our wishes… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Zec 1:11 'And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.'

The Jews, newly returned out of captivity, are encouraged to learn from their father’s lackadaisical faith. Illustrating that in their “rest” from being free from war, enemies or need, Israel allowed their faith to become lazy as well. All too often God’s people forget God and His Kingdom work whenever things are at rest and at peace in their life (Hag 1:1-9). God’s people are warned not to wait to need God to need God (Amos 8:11-12).

Don’t wait to make God relevant only when you really need something… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2Ki 10:16 “And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord.”

Is my heart right? This is a question we should often put to ourselves (vs 15). I can make a fair profession, I can gain a reputation among men, but is my heart, right?  An upright heart approves itself to God, and needs or seeks no more than his acceptance, but if we aim at the approval of man, we stand on a false foundation. Let your zeal for the Lord speak to the hearts of others, not for approval but for a witness.  Make sure idolatry is rooted out of our own hearts and replaced with the zeal for the Lord, and in return it'll create a zealous spirit in others for the Lord.

The effects of Christianity are limited without zeal to know, delight in, live in Christ-likeness… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Mat 18:10 ‘Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.’

When the churches’ purpose is meeting the desires of the have rather than serving the have not, its purpose becomes a Christian club and no longer a Spiritual ministry. “Take heed’ is literal caution giving by our Lord to the body of the church. The infant seed (weak believers) of the faithful belong to the family of Christ, and are not to be despised. The church cannot look upon them with contempt, as burdensome or in disdain, doing so is to the peril of the church. Know our Father in heaven has assigned an angel to their care, foolish for the church not to care!

When God’s lesser children are a disruption to your will, you’re not in God’s will… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Why church? Johns letter to Gaius, in 3rd John, answers the question and illustrates three types of believers that attend church

1. Those who desire to submit to the truth in order to live the truth… (vs 3) ‘For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.’

2. Those who desire not to submit to the truth, but to advance their own interest/authority… (vs 9) ‘I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.’

3. Those who desire to submit to death itself, for the sake of the truth… (vs 12) 'Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record ; and ye know that our record is true.’

"Why and What" you go to church for? God knowing your why, is infinitely more important than others knowing your what… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘neither count I my life dear…’ (Acts 20:24a)

‘finish my course…’ (Acts 20:24b)

‘ministry in which I have received…’ (Acts 20:24c)

Paul gives us a clear and distinct path for all believers to walk in for their individual ministry. While the Lord will and may lead us down different paths through different seasons, it’s how we walk in those paths that greatly affects the outcome. Paul’s spiritual game plan was simple, purposeful, and affective, 1.) Humility – right motive. 2.) Finish our race – hold to your faith. 3.) Spiritual gifts – utilize the gift/s the Holy Spirit gave you. 

We often feel that life is a failure unless we're getting a lot out of it: recognition, fun, money, success. But Paul considered life worth nothing unless he used it for God's work. What he put into life was far more important than what he got out. Any efforts on our part that disrupt these steps in our faith walk, disrupts the Lord’s will for our walk.

Ministry is not for or about our gain; rather heaven’s glory… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1 Cor 9:24 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

Winning a race requires purpose and discipline. Paul saw life sort of like a "spiritual Olympics" (vs 25) and urged Christians everywhere to stay in spiritual shape (2 Tim 2:5). No race, if won, is ever run without a "training schedule" (bring it into subjection - vs 27). The race will hurt, expect it. You don't train so it won't hurt, you train so you can endure it.

Those who fail to train spiritually run pitifully; you run the race you train for... HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Mt 8:26 “And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”

Would you be willing to venture into a storm with a captain whose never weathered a storm? I can assure you a captain’s ship without a few scrapes and repairs to its hull has no experience in sailing. Sometimes the Lord allows us to go through storms in order to teach us how to navigate so that we can show others likewise during their storms. Don’t focus on your scars and damaged goods, rather focus on how the Lord led you, protected you and provided wisdom through it. It’s then you’re able to help others sail their ships effectively.

Your purpose in God and value to others is learning to stand in the storm and let the Lord adjust your sails. Remember ships aren’t designed to float in the calmness of the harbor… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

“But rise, and stand upon they feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose…” Acts 26:26

You’re not saved without purpose and great reason, but understand, it wasn’t just for your well being only. Our salvation is for the Glory of the Lord to be seen by others, opening their eyes from darkness (vs 18).  In doing so, we make the invisible kingdom visible in life through our grace story (AFA). The beauty of God’s grace is that it meets us where we are but doesn’t leave us where it found us. It offers us a spiritual GPS “God’s Plan of Salvation” and our purpose is to show others its coordinates. Your purpose is greater than your problems, don’t let one distract you over the other!  

Live purposely one day at a time. Today, after all, is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday… HSAY

Acts 18:21b “…if God will…”

As Paul prepares to leave Ephesus the Jews asked him to tarry longer. But Paul told them he must keep the Passover feast in Jerusalem.

However, Paul stated he would return, “if God will.”

Man can accomplish great things. He can build a great reputation amongst his peers. He can even change cultural vision and ways.

But if God’s not in it what’ to be gained from it?

In (gen 11:4) The tower of Babel had a great objective, but despite man’s greatest of effort they would’ve accomplished everything except what they started out to accomplish… find God!

God knows man’s heart, and when we succeed in the best of intentions, we’re prone to put our name right up there with God’s when we succeed without God being in it. (Eph 2:8-9)

One must wonder how many ministries or churches with good intentions fall into this trap. We might think that a big building with our name on it will give God the fame, but bigger isn’t always better in God’s eyes.

Throughout the Bible God used men who had little experience or leadership qualities and guided them to be the Godly men their situation required.

The truth is that we all struggle with the temptation to rely on our works, or those of our congregation, instead of relying on God.

Paul simplified the key to the success of his ministry in Jesus when he told the people in Ephesus, I will return, “if God will.”

Our life ministry will accomplish one of two things, “our fame” or “God’s name”

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Isa 40:31  “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” 

Waiting often goes against what I naturally and emotionally do. My natural inclination is to step on the gas and beat the yellow light, or partial red sometimes!

Waiting is difficult because we equate it with inactivity. But waiting, the Greek word (kaw-vaw) meaning to twist or bind together, describes a relationship that is inseparable. Meaning that if God is patient in His purpose with us then we are to be patient in Him.

The implication is that we are waiting and watching with expectation towards God’s greater will.

During these periods of waiting, God is often refueling and refining me for His purpose. Everything around me needs to be refueled cars need gas, bodies sleep, cell phone recharged. So, why can’t this be the case with my spiritual life as well?

What may seem like inactivity may be the period in which God is doing the greatest of activity.  From my perspective it may be a difficult time for me but very purposeful from The Father’s.

I must understand, no matter what I’m able to accomplish by moving forward in the flesh it will pale in comparison to what God can do through His Spirit and timing.

Patience is the companion of wisdom.

HSAY… Todd  

Daily Wisdom

2Ki 5:12  “Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.” 

Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Syria, but he was a leper who wanted to be healed of his leprosy. Naaman heard about the prophet Elisha and was told that Elisha would cleanse his leprosy.

Imagine yourself in this situation. You’ve had a crippling disease for your entire life. You’ve finally arrived at the place where you know you can find healing! And what happens next? The prophet is a no-show! The person standing before you: the messenger of Elisha who only offers instructions.

“Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” (vs 10)

Naaman is angry! The Jordan is a dirty river; the waters of his own home are much cleaner. If all Naaman wanted was to be clean, he could have just as easily stayed home and bathed. In a rage, Naaman starts to turn away, unwilling to heed the words of the messenger.

Naaman had certain expectations of how his story was going to begin, continue, and end.

But, often God’s purpose is brought about by a process quite different than what man expects.

I must be careful not to reject God’s process just because I don’t understand His purpose.

The instructions like Naaman got may appear to be a dirtier process. They may require me to be patient, humble or broken, that’s fine I won’t waver from my faith knowing He’s my healer.

God has a purpose for my pain, process for my struggle and a blessing for my faithfulness.

While I may not understand His purpose today, through my faithfulness my spirit will see clearly tomorrow.

Often God will put a problem in my path for me to see the purpose of His power for my life.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Mt 6:25 “Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, and what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”

A radical devotion to Christ is not easy… it’s not comforts, health, wealth or prosperity in this life. Radical devotion to Christ risks all these things exchange. But, in the end, such risk finds in Christ rewards greater than life itself has to offer.  

Every Christian should be both conservative and radical; conservative in preserving the faith and radical in living it out in this life. Knowing every Christian this side of heaven owes the Gospel to every person this side of hell.

Jesus, the truth and purpose of the Christian faith is the wildest, most radical person the world has ever known. Thus, the most radical demand of the Christian faith lies in summoning the courage to say yes to the risen and present Jesus Christ.

Radical faith calls one to live in truth that’s unafraid to put oneself in situations where they will be in trouble if Jesus doesn’t come through.

Radical faith calls for God’s interruption of self so that we can join the purpose of our Saviour.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Eph 1:11 “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined in him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”

If one truly understood God’s sovereignty, that He has the authoritative final say according to his will, would it not be wise to go ahead and give him the first say! Knowing God was in control during histories darkest hour, at the cross, know He’s as well in control at your darkest hour. It’s the Father’s divine intervention that directs all things, animate and inanimate, seen and unseen, good and evil towards His eternal purpose. Meaning His will prevails. So, what appears as a problem to us, is also purposeful for us or God would not permit it. Instead of a river, God may provide us a brook, which may be running today and dried up tomorrow. Why? To teach us not to rest in our blessings, but in the blesser Himself!  If God’s not sovereign He’s Not The God, just another god that can be worshiped, but not counted on! (1 Kg 18:27).  While we do have free will and with it determine our own choice, we don’t determine the results. That belongs solely to the divine will of the Father.

When you go through struggles, the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which to lay your head!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisodm

1 Thess 1:3 “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”

Don’t fall prey to being popular with man over being purposeful for God, sameness over strangeness. Christians are called to be a peculiar people (Tit 2:14). You can’t be more focused on fitting in with the world, than following Jesus. Following the rules for popularity will cut you off from Christ-likeness, popular and purposeful are often an oxymoron. Popularity is self-obsessiveness, you become more concerned about building up your personal brand than building up those you enter act with. You start using people for jolts of personal self-esteem instead of loving them as Jesus loves you. And just because something is popular does not mean it’s truth, wrong can be done in popular ways (Isa 5:20). It’s not about what’s publicly popular, personally profitable or politically correct. Paul shows us that our works are to be motivated in Faith, Hope and Love towards others. It’s not about your ability to appear popular, Jesus doesn’t need you to be popular to be eternally productive. But, He does ask you to produce Faith, Hope and Love in others.  You may not be trendy to the world, but you’ll be treasured in Heaven!

Don’t let trendy contradict truth, don’t fold to foolishness.

HSAY… Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom 8:28

So far you’ve survived 100% of your worst Days… Your struggle is part of your story, the truth is part of the test. Stay strong because things will get better. It might be stormy now, but it can’t rain forever because God gave us that promise.  It takes a strong soul with purposeful heart to develop smiles out of situations that make us weep.  No matter how long it takes, it will get better for those who plant themselves in God’s purpose. Keep going, tough situations build strong testimonies. But, there can’t be a testimony without the test. As a child of the King, the only thing eternal you’ll endure is his presence. Job never saw his storm brewing or the cause of it, but he did find its purpose for his life. His testimony is eternal because he owned it, lived it and glorified God through it. And we preach it today!  You may feel like a lighthouse standing alone in the storm, maybe so but you may be the light someone else needs to see; make sure they can see it! Live in His purpose, and you’ll dwell in His power.

Let him who steers the storm steer the vessel.

HSAY … Todd

Daily Wisdom

“O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” Isa 25:1

In a constantly changing world we live in where six months can put you multiple versions behind in technology, trends and social agendas we are often in need of something that is consistent and unchanging in its purpose and results in our life ... “O Lord, thy counsels are faithful and true.”

Verse four tells us God is strength to the poor, and needy in their distress; a refuge from the storms of life; shadow from the heat that comes from the blast of the terrible ones. He will also swallow up death bringing victory in life (vs 8). We know this is true and everlasting despite these times of change because we are promised, that in “that day” (the coming of the Lord) “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us.” (vs 9).  Again, in today’s consistently inconsistent life we need to be Transparent, Truthful and Traditional in the promises of God. Knowing he is the same “yesterdays, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). Don’t try to fix, redesign or upgrade what isn’t broken. “Every genuine expression of love and hope grows out of a consistent and total surrender to him who is eternally consistent, God.  Jam 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” 

Don’t turn from that which has no variableness to the variety life should offer, it valueless!

HSAY… Todd