Daily Wisdom

 Col 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”

The "spiritual show business," which has incorporated itself into church view of Christian work today, has caused us to drift far from the gospel and scriptural discipleship. It’s instilled in too many believers to think that we must do exceptional things for God; we have not. We must be exceptional in ordinary things, to be holy with a concrete gospel on concrete streets among a people who stand on unsolid ground (Mt 7:24-27). The church today is lacking a gospel that is both concrete in scriptural truth and lived-out and preached on concrete streets.

If one had the cure to cancer I feel confident it would be endlessly shared; why is physical death more motivating than spiritual death… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Psa 32:7  “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.” Selah 

Faith is the acknowledgment and recognition of the cross as the substitute for man’s inability to save self. Faith saves, because the cross affords the complete salvation of another, and not because man contributes anything to that salvation. Today everybody admits that something is wrong with the world, and the critics of Christianity are the very people who feel this most. The most violent attacks against truth come from those who are most anxious to change the world, and yet they attack the very truth, that like generations past has rescued the soul of man from life’s difficulties. The truth of God’s Word is the only hope man has against life’s troubles.

Losing faith is losing strength; we are twice armed when we fight with faith… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Ti 3:15  “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

The Bible is the written form of what God expects us to know and do. Though times have changed, the original authority remains as the Word of God, and it must be studied seriously, understood thoroughly, and applied faithfully. It is the pillar and ground of truth upon which a believer must stand, and the gospel is preserved, shared, and testified to. Quarreling, gripping, and schism causes cracks to the foundation of the church and the lives of its saints and their testimony and character. 

Stronger the foundation is, which you stand, the greater your identity in Christ is seen… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Jas 1:16 “Do not err, my beloved brethren.”

One of the shortest scriptures in the bible, but it can keep us from ending up a long distance from the Lord! We must take particular care not to “err” in our conceptions and actions towards the Lord. The Greek word for “err” is (planao) meaning to wander, go astray, be seduced; Don’t stray into erroneous opinions, and/or go off from the standard of truth. Instead, bring everything into subjection, which is of truth, and depart not from it least we become a castaway (1 Cor 9:27).

The maturity of the believer is not his ability to resist temptation, but to avoid it… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1Ki 22:7-8b ‘And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?  And the king of Israel (Ahab) said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man… but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil.’

If you don’t like the script, you read concerning your life, change the worth of your character don’t look for a new author. Ahab had no interest in the Word of God because it convicted him instead of comforting him. If you find certain aspects of God’s Word too negative in narrative at times, don’t fault the author question your actions instead. The Word of God is not for information but for our transformation. If you don’t like what you hear, trying to live accordingly and I can promise you it’ll start sounding a lot better! 

Follow the script and it’ll sound less squeamish and more soothing to the soul… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Jude 1:3 ‘Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.’

Jude emphasizes the important relationship between correct doctrine and true faith. The truth of the Bible must not be compromised because it gives us the real facts about Jesus and salvation. The Bible is inspired by God and should never be twisted or manipulated; when it is, we can become confused over right and wrong and lose sight of the only path that leads to the truth of eternal life. The Jews received the truth through Moses and yet once he died, they still, despite the efforts of the Archangel Michael (vs 9), twisted the truth of God’s Word into man’s interpretation being Judaism (Deut 34:6). Only the truth sets one free (Jn 8:32), religion/twisted truth leads to confusion/doubt which is of satan. 

One can’t defend what one does not know, thus they become susceptible to selfish beliefs and interpretations for their own convenience… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

‘… that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.’ 1 Tim 3:15

Behavior of the believer - the local church is the support and foundation of the truth, the behavior of the believer within the local church is of the utmost importance. We’re told in (Gal 2:9) the disciples appeared to be pillars, those who uphold the truth, Word of God, which the church is to illustrate. We must be diligent in our own enquires after truth, buying the truth at any cost and selling it not for any other gain (Pro 23:23). 

Our behavior is a direct reflection of whether we’re a pillar or a pile (one stands strong upholding truth for others to see, the other is swept aside). One’s beliefs alone don’t make them a better person, but one’s behavior that supports their beliefs. This isn’t about behavior modification, but about transformation of truth in one’s life that reflects the love of Jesus Christ. That’s what makes a pillar and upholds the truth of of God's Word. 

Christian character is shown through the behavior of the believer, not where they sit on Sunday… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

‘… commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.’ Amos 2:12

In Amos (Ch. 2) the Lord states the humility Israel was lacking. How He delivered victory for them against the Amorites, after leading them through the wilderness for forty years to the Promise Land. The Lord anointed them with spiritual privileges and advantages raising up their sons to be prophet’s and Nazarites. And now the Lord has charged them with the abuse of His grace they benefited from, having commanded the 'prophets to prophesy not.'

Israel become more interested in what they wanted and refused to hear the truth, and even went to efforts to extinguish it; ‘you gave wine to the Nazarites to drink.’ It doesn’t take much for man to interrupt the Lord’s will. First and foremost is the avoidance of God’s Word in one’s life. Doing so dulls the spirit against conviction, and repentance. Leaving one’s spirit to stray in self-will and thought. Our culture today is becoming less accountable to God’s truth, thus defining their own. Don’t quieten the Word of God in your life. Allow the Holy Spirit to use your pastor to speak truth directly to your spirit, and humbly receive it as “profitable doctrine for reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Tim 3:16). 

You know you've gone blind to truth when you can ‘see nothing wrong’ with what God calls sin… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘… feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.’ Acts 20:28 

We must be cautious not to allow the church’s purpose to become fat on prosperity rather than fat on the gospel. Though Paul was talking to the elders (pastors) of the church, this must be the supporting heartbeat of the body as well to help ensure the believers are being “fed” doctrinally by the Word of God so they can grow in spiritual prosperity, and not just desiring physical prosperity (Heb 5:12-14). All that Father has for you and offers you through His provision is for the preeminence of Christ (Col 1:18) and the furtherance of the gospel. In Jesus’s discourse with Peter in (Jn 21:15-17), Jesus was emphasizing the importance to both “feed & lead” His children in discipleship, not just desires. Christianity is not about catering to our cares, but about abandoning ourselves to a servant to the gospel. 

Don’t come to Jesus to get more for yourself, come to Jesus to get more of Jesus… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘our craft is in danger to be set at nought…’ Acts 19:27

The silversmiths in Ephesus became fearful by Paul’s preaching that there were no gods made by hand (vs 26), knowing the gospel would diminish their source of money gained from worldly gods. Their personal interest wasn’t devoted to a pagan god, nor to the gospel of Jesus; it was to personal gain and wants. Their façade was hiding behind their religious loyalty and patriotism, but it was truly for self-interest.

How far will we go in true loyalty and love for the gospel truth? Often human sacrifice has a quick end to it once it becomes physically uncomfortable or not personally economical. If one is growing in the truth of the gospel, limiting their investment only limits their return. The scriptures tell us to, ‘buy the truth and sale it not’ (Pro 23:23). According to Solomon, truth should cost us something... because it cost God everything (Jn 3:16 & 14:6). Thus, we’re pressed of God to buy the truth. But at what rate? God does not say. However, we must purchase it at any rate. If you think education is expensive, try biblical ignorance (Hos 4:6).

Be careful putting a price on the gospel, one may find it becomes more about the cost than the gain… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 ‘He answered him to never a word.’ Mt 27:14

Patient silence is the best reply to a gainsaying world? Calm endurance answers questions infinitely more conclusively than lofty eloquence. The best apologists for Christianity in the early days were its martyrs. It’s said the anvil breaks a host of hammers by quietly bearing their blows. Did not the silent Lamb of God furnish us with a grand example of wisdom? 

The false and the mean, will ere to try and convince and prove themselves, and therefore truth can afford to be quiet, and finds silence to be its wisdom: ‘Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise…’  (Pro 17:28).  Our Lord, by his silence, furnished a remarkable fulfilment of prophecy. A long defence of himself would have been contrary to Isaiah's prediction. "He is led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth." (Isa 53:7)

Truth need not to be sold; only opinions; "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt,"… HSAY   

Daily Wisdom

 “And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended whit him.” Acts 11:2

Don’t allow a preconceived preference on your part hinder spiritual your progress. When Peter brought the news of Cornelius's conversion back to Jerusalem, the Jewish believers were shocked that Peter had eaten with Gentiles. After they heard the whole story, however, they praised God (Act 11:18).

Their reactions teach us to be slow in judgment when another’s actions don’t mirror our own thoughts and expectations in a situation. Even Peter’s thoughts didn’t line-up with the Lord’s at first (Acts 11:7-9). Often what man sees as disapproving, disruptive, inconvenient, or confusing the Holy Spirit is revealing truth.  Before judging the behavior of fellow believers, it is important to hear them out, the Holy Spirit may have something important to teach us through them.

Be slow to judge and quick to learn; another’s experience may be your greatest lesson… HSAY

 ‘Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth…’ Jms 1:18

 The power of Doctrine over Doxology. Doctrine is the foundational truth of God’s Word; Doxology is the singing/exultation of praise to God.  While the (N.T.) makes references to songs, hymns, and praise it’s not the emphasis given. Jesus sang with His disciples (Mk 14) no doubt, but He taught them first. The disciples had set at Jesus feet, heard His doctrine, and seen His miracles; and now Jesus determines to make use of them. They had received, that they might give, had learned, that they might teach.  

 Exultation in God is first in the order of importance, but it doesn’t come first in our life. In life, doctrinal education precedes desired exultation. Learning truth precedes loving truth. Right reflection on God precedes right affection for God. Seeing the glory of Christ precedes savoring the glory of Christ. Doctrinal theology is the foundation of great doxology, that’s the order of life as His disciple.

 You learn to love - deeper the knowledge of a thing, greater a love for it… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Mt 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

When a culture removes or negates a foundational source for strength, knowledge, and direction then weakness, ignorance, and confusion (1 Cor 14:33) prevail. And ultimately “man does that which was right in their own eyes.” (Jdg 21:25). Man does not need systems or institutions because such does not change a heart, they only offer to provide answers based on popular opinion or majority rule. The answer starts with The Book and a home. It is more important that we make head-way in our own house. By the time any systemic, institutional or cultural problems come into play the damage is done, our culture isn’t locking up 7 year old’s. Our challenge that is plaguing our culture is the absence of spiritual leadership from the father within the home. Cultural opinion, thoughts, trends, movements and even man will come and go. But only one truth and hope will endure forever! Hold to and stand on the only One who matters.

Only a changed heart can be used to change a heart; it must start with an example of the truth… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1Jn 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

Compliments and flatteries do not define Christian love; but the sincere expressions of sacred affection, and the services or labors of love do.  Consider (vs 17) “… how dwelleth the love of God in Him?” That must be answered. Love to the brethren is love to God; and where there is none of this love to them there is no true love to God. Flatteries are fleeting, yet when we help another to pick-up their cross and carry it such love is contagious and compelling of the truth and love of Jesus Himself. This love to the brethren is love to God in them; and where there is none of this love to them there is no true love to God at all. This truth is taught in (Jam 2:14-17) and brings into question, how clearly do our actions say we love others? Faith is not faith without action; true faith is obedience in action, not simply a spoken belief. Otherwise people would just hear about Jesus, and not necessarily see Jesus.

Proclaiming Christ and living like Christ are two vastly different stances. The Grand Canyon sounds beautiful, but once one sees it, words do not compare… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Isa 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

When man sees no distinction between good and evil, destruction soon follows, it is moral absolute verses moral relativism. Man cannot individually define right and wrong for self without absolute truth. Doing so creates a relative definition of truth for their self-desired belief and wants. A challenging issue in our society today is the fact that we have allowed the issue of morality to be directed towards the believer “labeled Christian” rather than Christ! Christian and non-alike can be racist, sexist, or morally blind and sinful in many areas… but Christ is not, there is nothing morally relative in Christ just absolute truth, love, and hope. Paul, while noting the moral depravity of man and culture points out in (Rom 1:24-31), that the wicked live immorally while at the same time knowing the righteous judgment of God. Our society is prone to test what is verbally claimed as truth by believers by the way we behave and live our lives. Thus the onus of truth is on the believer as an example/testimony to it, Christ defined it in (Jn 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”)  As a believer we should stand on moral absolute truth, as a disciple of Christ we must live it as well. Doing so will bring great clarity in the truth which is Christ Jesus!

Moral relativism is not an issue of not knowing right from wrong, but the issue of doing wrong despite knowing better while blaming others… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1 Jn 1:5 “… God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

Jesus declares in (Jn 9:5) He is the light which is truth and manifest righteousness (Jn 3:21). Yet, (Jn 3:19) declares that man, by his fallen nature, are drawn to and love darkness. Light is reveling while darkness is suppressive, meaning one uncovers while the other covers-up. This is a truth or lie scenario, we cannot declare one and walk in the other (vs 6). Darkness cannot have fellowship with light! One path is unobstructed while the other causes us to stumble (Jn 11:10). Desiring truth requires one to walk in the light of it, in doing so others will be able to see the truth more clearly as well.

Walk in light, you never know who’s following you? Be confident someone is… HSAY

Hos 5:15 “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.”

The perceived offence that occurs in one’s life by the reveling of their opposition towards God’s truth is not intolerance or self-righteousness. It’s not the individual that’s the offence it’s the cross that’s offensive to them (Gal 5:11). The scriptures tell us the truth will be a stumbling-block to a wayward heart and true self-righteousness, but it’s not to be shameful to those who believe (Rom 9:33). Don’t apologize for the truth or make the Gospel appeasing. If the truth offends, then let it offend in love. If one has been living their life in offense to God and truth; let them be offended for a while. In their acknowledgement, God will act on their behalf.

Offend no one, but don’t apologize for the truth and if the truth offends, so be it… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

Speaking truth in love sounds simple, but often it’s only perceived by the one speaking it and not by him who’s receiving it. Some of us are good at being loving, but we don't have it in us to level with others if the truth is painful, the instruction here is to do both. Don’t let your problems with others in the church family be planted in the ears of another. In (Gal 6:1) we’re told to restore each other in meekness, considering we ourselves could stumble. With humility that is wrapped in love let us encourage each other and help them to correctly carry their as we correctly carry our own.

Don’t look down on another unless you’re extending a hand to lift them up… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

“… Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.” Isa 6:10

Isaiah uttered these words to hearts that had become spiritually fat and out of shape. They saw and heard the truth, but they perceive not their own concern in it; it’s as if God’s Word is a fairy-tale that renders little truth. There are many Christians whose eyes have become shut and their ears heavy to truth. Causing their restoration and repentance to become utterly impossible by being unable to see and hear the danger their in. The worldly chatter is causing Christians to become callous to the truth for their life. Hearing and ignoring the truth is the slowest killer.

Listening to the world isn’t the problem it’s refusing to live in the truth that’s dangerous… HSAY