Daily Wisdom

 Eph 1:5  “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”

We neglect the gospel when we neglect our adoption and think that we're just a hired servant. The Father doesn't let us come to him on those terms. We'll either come as His adoptive children or we will stay with the swine. He won't let us earn anything from Him because there will be no boasting in His presence. It will either be that Jesus and His glorious gospel has the preeminence or we will go it alone. It requires only our faith in the gospel to foster a personal significant relationship with the Father, every choice we make either elevates human life or heavenly hope in the Father.

Spiritual adoption is the excellency and apex of God’s salvation, not our doing… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Gal 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” 

Just as I came to the Cross, my burden loosed from off his shoulders, fell from off my back, and began to tumble down the hill, and so it continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulcher. There it fell in, and I saw it no more! And though the sepulcher could not hold everything within, my sin and burden did not escape. Only the grace that was afforded to me miraculously came forth into the light of day… declaring, I told you I love you! 

Bombs, sadly have kill-radiuses; churches should have love-radiuses--anyone within twenty miles of a church should know it… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Act 14:22 “Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Life tempts me and at times persuades me to take the path of less resistance. Yet doing so doesn’t always provide the most rewarding results and only softens my spirit for self. I begin to love the same toys that the world loves. I start to fit in, instead of standing out with Christ. I start to look at earth as "home." Before I know it, I am calling luxuries "needs" and using my money just as the unbelieving world. I begin to forget the wars and suffering. I forget people are perishing. Missions and unreached people evade my mind. I stop dreaming about the triumphs of grace and salvation. I sink into a secular mind-set that looks first to what man can do, not what God has done. It is a terrible sickness I can be prone to. And I thank God when life has forced me again and again toward a mind-set of tribulation. Then I immediately see the cross and realize that it wasn’t comfortable/convenient, nor a path of least resistance, for Jesus to go to the cross for me!

Tribulation often squeezes the artificiality out of me, making room for the Holy Spirit work… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Psa 44:4  “Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.”

The Psalmist prayer is seeking the Father’s deliverance, Jacob is an ancestral term for generations. The strength of the prayer is that there is no foe to your growth in grace, no enemy in your faith walk, which was not included in your Savior’s conquest’s. Only be strong and courageous, fear not, nor be dismayed (Isa 41:10). Your faith is called to claim victory, not to coward to their attacks. The victory is yours, gather your spoil through the Savior’s victory; you are a child of the King. In which way do you then most honor your Savior, by failing to claim your promised inheritance and the victory it affords you, both in the flesh as well as the spirit!

The Christian mentality is a victorious mentality… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Rom 8:28 “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.”

How wide is the assertion of Paul! He doesn’t say “We know that some things, or most things or only joyous things… but rather “ALL” things. And all things “work” – they are working in your life; not have worked, could or might. Psa 145:17 “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” What a beautiful promise, that the LORD in His righteousness insures “all things work together.” Dwell in the LORD’s love, hold to your salvation and the Lord will do His work in your life for His glory and your good.

What may appear to be falling apart, may actually be falling into place by God’s work… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Job 35:10  “But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night.”

The story of Job is hard to fathom. Yet, Like Job, you may wonder where is God when you need Him most? Elihu spoke to this very point. His conclusion was that God is still concerned even though He doesn't intervene immediately in every situation. In your sleepless nights, or the oppression that comes with some mornings, ask the Holy Spirit to fix your eyes on your Maker, knowing He can and will fill your soul with a song. In our bereavements, discouragements, even actual failures God draws nigh and closest to the brokenhearted (Psa 34:18) and who lacks a song to sing. His song offers hope and is harmonious with His providence. Seek the Father’s face and you’ll find songs that will strengthen your soul.

Trust in the Father and He’ll tune your heart to sing to His grace and salvation… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 1Ti 4:10-11 “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach.”

The labor and reproach are experienced in the stewardship of carrying forth the gospel to a lost world. Our trust and strength amongst the reproach is in the promise of our living Saviour, whose desire is that all men would be saved (1 Tim 2:4). But such promise is only appointed to those who’ve acted in faith/obedience by accepting the “gift of God” (Rom 6:23). Understand, the only profitable exercise is in godliness (vs 8), when we labor and suffer to teach others such a truth of salvation.

Salvation isn’t about you, it’s for you; it doesn’t depend on you, it saves you… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Jn 19:30 “… It is finished…”

The death-kneel of man’s fleshly efforts rings the loudest in the dying words of Jesus, “it is finished.” Proof, Jesus rose again from the dead. If He had not completed His work of redemption for our penalty of sin, He would have been left in the tomb till then. Our preaching would have been in vain along with our faith, and we would still be in the penalty of our sins… but HE ROSE! And the repentant thief on the cross is the clearest picture in scripture of salvation coming to us by grace through faith apart from oneself.

Everything stinks until it’s finished, can you smell the sweet victory… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Jas 2:14 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?”

Sadly, there are some religious movements that have tried to use this Scripture to prove that “good works” are essential to salvation and thus part of the saving Gospel (Mt 19:17c). However, this verse is speaking to believers (my brethren) who already have salvation, not to unbelievers who are in need of salvation (Phil 2:12). James is reminding Christians here that what they do speaks louder than what they say (Mt 21:28-32). Too often how we live speaks so loud that people can’t hear what we’re proclaiming.

Always be preaching the gospel, and when needed use words… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Heb 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him…”

The Word “uttermost” used here by the writer of Hebrews is the Greek word (Panteles), which means “full ended, entire, full completion.” What the author of Hebrews is saying here is that our salvation is “complete” in every respect. Once a person has been truly born again into the family of God, he cannot be unborn (Psa 37:28).  John 5:24 “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath eternal life…”  That’s why the Gospel is called “Good News” and not “good chance” as long as you don’t mess up, AGAIN! Rejoice in the fact that the Lord ensures, holds onto, and protects our salvation (2 Tim 1:12), and not us.

If we could lose our eternal salvation, it wouldn’t be eternal… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Heb 4:3 “For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.”

The rest referred to is the promised gift of salvation for all that believe (vs 2). Know that our promised salvation is in a completed work (Titus 1:2), not a contributing work on our part. The only part we play in the gospel is our need for it, not adding to it. It simply requires our repentance (Greek word metanoia, to change one’s mind) and understanding our need for Christ, not turning from our sin. Man must remove himself from any self-efforts (works) in salvation and find his rest in Jesus alone, (Heb 10:22 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…”). In man’s best efforts there’s no assurance, just an aftermath of good intentions.

Salvation is the assurance of Christ, not the assisted efforts of man; one can be co-heirs, but not co-contributors… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Zec 3:3  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 

Satan accused Jeshua of his filthiness, and the accusations were accurate - Jeshua stood in "filthy" clothes of sins. Yet God revealed his mercy, stating that he chose to save his people in spite of their sin. Zechariah's vision graphically portrays how we receive God's mercy. We do nothing ourselves. God removes our filthy clothes (sins), then provides us with fine, new clothes (the righteousness of God - 2 Cor 5:21). Notice we put on filth, it’s the Lord’s mercy that puts upon us fine linen.

Don’t let satan shame you in the filth of your appearance, under Christ’s coat of righteousness dwells the richest and cleanest of heart… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

‘Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.’ Joel 3:28

The Day of the Lord is speaking to the second coming of Christ (Rev 19:11-21). There are 283 verses (155 O.T. / 128 N.T.) that prophesy about the second coming of Christ. The RAPTURE of the Church (to meet the LORD in the air) and the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST are two separate events that are separated by a seven-year period.  Whereas the Rapture of the Church is seen as a time of joy (I Thess 2:19, II Cor 1:14 and Jn 14:1-3), the Second Coming is seen as a time of judgment (Mt 25:31-46, I Thess 5:1-3, II Thess 1:7-10 and Rev 19:11-16) and decision.

They simplest way to state the importance with this context of scripture is by saying, "decide today or the decision will be made for you!" (Isa 13).  Look around you. See your family and friends, have they received God's forgiveness and Christ promise? Have they been warned about sin's consequences? If we understand the severity of God's final judgment, we will want to take God's offer of hope to those we know. Joshua stated the importance over 4,600 years ago, ‘Choose you this day whom you will serve’ (Jos 24:15). We may have chosen to accept the promise of Christ, but are we choosing daily to follow Christ? 

Cautious in waiting till tomorrow to choose, the choice may not be waiting for you… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘The King’s garden’ Neh 3:15

Nehemiah reminds us that saying and doing are often two things: many are quick to say, ‘let’s rise up and build,’ who sit still and do nothing. Like the well-spoken son who said, ‘I go sir, but did not’ (Mt 21). Nehemiah was no such man. Upon his repentance for the nation of Israel to the Lord, the heart of king Artaxerxes was moved and allowed Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore what the Lord had already built that had been destroyed by man’s sin.

One such garden we must always consider is the paradise which the Lord prepared for Adam. Sin utterly ruined that abode of all its delights and drove man from dwelling with the Father to tilling the ground, yielding thorns and briers. We must humbly remember the fall, not as a burden or curse, but that it was of men. And weep because the Father of love was so shamefully ill-treated, and yet still endured to restore that which man ruined and reclaim his heart to salvation.

The King’s garden, lets arise and continue to rebuild daily its fruitfulness within our hearts … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Jud 1:24 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.”

In reading scripture pertaining to God’s deliverance and protection I’m quick to think of a child standing on the counters edge who, without fear, is willing to jump from any height with the assurance that their father will not let them fall. Jude’s letter opens and closes with our assurance that our Heavenly Father will not let us fall. We must make great effort not to wonder from our humility and thankfulness in the Lord that promises to deliver us into His glory and will keep us from falling as prey. Too often a believer moves from their humility and become weak concerning their thankfulness for their salvation. There is only one person who can present us as faultless before the Father, and that is Jesus Christ and we must keep that ever present in our heart and mind. Life will stretch our faith and it often appears that our life is falling apart in the process. In such times be willing to jump from your counter into the promises of God and He will catch you. Doing so you will find your humility and thankfulness that the Lord is there to catch you! Humility and thankfulness keep our eyes on Jesus as the world around us falls apart.

“Find a Bible that’s falling apart and you’ll likely find a life that isn’t” … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1 Pt 1:9 “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

Paul encourages us to live above our circumstances. Knowing our inheritance is eternal (vs 4), and enduring our trials are more valuable than gold (vs 7). God wants us to live in a “lively hope” (4:6) and grow in our salvation (2:2). Daily we’re receiving the salvation promised us in Jesus. With the hope of our eternal future promised our faith should prosperous in it. You may feel you’re on the loosing side in this world, but you’ve already won in Christ. Victory is yours!

I’m far from what I once was and ever closer to what Jesus has promised… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

Ezr 3:12 “… old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy.”

Because the church has lost the capacity to weep over sin, it lost its joy to shout over salvation. Even though the Temple was being rebuilt they compared it to the first Temple and wept that it wasn’t as glorious. But the external building wasn’t as important to God as their hearts. God is always more concerned about who we are than what we accomplish. In too many ways the church today avoids calling sin, sin and focuses more on how it looks and thus less concerned about salvation and more concerned about style.  

When the church learns to weep over sin, man will start hearing a louder shout over souls from the church instead of self-interest… 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

Daily Wisdom

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”  Psa 118:6

Henry Ford once noted: “Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the American Government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian.”

In the same light David expresses the opposite concerning man, “what can man do unto me?”

What man “meant for evil against me, God meant it for good…” (Gen 50:20)

This Psalm declares the power of God’s protection, provision and providence against our enemies (vs 10-12).

Causing David to sing, “The Lord is my Strength, Song and Salvation” (vs 14)

It was the Lord that strengthened him, helped him, and gave him the victory.

The Lord is the author and giver of strength, natural and spiritual; he is the "strength" of the hearts and lives of his people, and of our salvation; and therefore, is our "song".

David had his heart full of the goodness of God. He loved to think of it, loved to speak of it, and was very solicitous that God might have the praise of it and others the comfort of it.

The more our hearts are impressed with God's goodness the more they will be enlarged in all manner of humility, love and praise.  Then others can come to sing to His strength and salvation.

“Find your strength one day at a time. Today, after all, is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.” Jn 4:7

Would the women at the well be worth your worry?

The cultural norm is always prevalent for any society. And this woman (1) was a Samaritan, a member of the hated mixed race, (2) was known to be living in sin, and (3) was in a public place.

While Jesus was greatly wearied by His journey, He was still worried about this women’s well-being.

Obviously poor in provisions, like Jesus Himself, she had no servant to fetch her water.

And yet amidst His circumstances Jesus offered comfort to one who experienced little in her own.

She wasn’t looking for a man, she’d already been down that aisle five times.

Her need appeared to be to quench her thirst. But her true need was not physical, and Jesus knew it.

When Jesus asked her for a drink, she knew by their culture it was an open invitation for conversation.

Causing her to push back reminding Jesus of their differences.

She had made decisions to settle for less in life with temporal satisfactions, but Jesus offered her more.

The truth is, we must let go of one to embrace the other.  If we’re constantly looking to satisfy the flesh our spiritual lives languish (Rom 8:6)

Being near the water doesn’t count. Going to church, carrying the bible and listening to Christian music. While well and good, they’re not the same as drinking the water… (Jn 4:14 “But whosever drinks…”)

Notice Jesus never gives us her name. There are so many details to her story – the lengthy conversation with Jesus, five husbands, the discarded water jar (her original intent), her name is hardly necessary.

You can almost smell the dust in her hair and the sweat of her body as she approaches the well.

We can envision the toll those marriages must have taken on her body and feel the quenching of her soul as she encounters Jesus.

I think her name is not given because Jesus knows each of use can easily inscribe our name in her story!

Be thankful you were worth talking to in your moment at the well.

Again, the question was: would she be worth you having a conversation with?

HSAY… Todd