Daily Wisdom

 Heb 13:5 “Keep your life free from love of money (world), and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer stated: “The gospel preaches the infinite worth of that which is seemingly worthless and the infinite worthlessness of that which is seemingly so valued.” The price is certainly high for people who don’t know Christ and who live in a world where Christians shrink back from self-denying faith and settle into self-indulging faith; choosing to spend their lives fulfilling the American dream instead of giving their lives to proclaiming the kingdom of God, literally billions in need of the Gospel remain in the dark because the value of a temporal infinitely worthless world, in the hands of man, is given infinite value over the Christ.  

Leave it all in the nail scarred hands that were pierced and wounded for you… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

2Sa 14:25 “But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty…”

Nothing is said of Absalom's wisdom and piety. All that’s said of him is, that he was very handsome. A poor commendation for a man that had nothing else in him valuable. We should have a desire and intention to possess a beauty that is worth pursuing, worth fighting for, a beauty that is core to who we truly are in Christ Jesus. We want beauty that can be seen; beauty that can be felt; beauty that affects others. May we intently seek a beauty of holiness, and the adorning of a meek and quiet spirit! Only those who fear God are truly beautiful in His sight.

The beauty of man is found in his reflection of Jesus, not in the eyes of man… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Jas 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Criticism of others can often be an oblique spiritual form of self-commendation. We think we make the picture hang straight on our wall by telling another their picture is crooked. That’s the beauty of the gospel: we are all individually more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope. Defining our worth by criticism/judgement of others is like boarding the wrong train, running along the corridor in the other direction does you no good.  

If you don’t behave as you believe, you’ll end up believing as you behaved… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Eph 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” 

The greatest pieces of art are recognizable not only by the signature of the artist, but just as much by the artist style and how they utilize the canvas and brush strokes. As a believer are you recognizable as a piece of God’s work; can others see His traits of goodness, faithfulness, love, hope in your own life? By God’s design we’re called to good works that show forth His traits. We shouldn’t have to sell ourselves as a valuable piece of art, others should be able to recognize whose we are, and whose hand is on our life!

We’re created in Jesus to provide great works, don’t live like a starving artist by selling yourself short… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Lk 10:42 “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Guilt is gone by way of God’s glorious grace, don’t go searching for it! And rather than allowing grace to carry us, while we choose to carry guilt. Jesus said, “take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy”(Mt 11:29-30). Guilt is a gauntlet that satan and our flesh continually use as a hammer of torment, shame, and unworthiness that blinds us to promised joy we have in Christ Jesus. Consider brokenness, like a bone, encourages us to seek attention and healing, whereas guilt is like trying to clean your own house before the maid gets there?  We’re ashamed of our dirt/filth so we try to clean up a bit ourselves. Martha was trying to show herself worthy of Jesus being in her home, Mary knew that wasn’t possible, but she found worth at the feet of Jesus.

Guilt is a guise for self-healing, Grace garners hope in spite of one’s self… 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

Ruth 2:12 “The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”

Ruth's life exhibited admirable qualities: hardworking, loving, kind, faithful, and brave. By these qualities Ruth gained a good reward from her willingness to work and trust in the Lord’s goodness. In (vs 13) she sought favour in the Lord’s sight, to which the Lord acknowledged her worth and gave her a full reward. Be careful, what you trust in, so your treasures lie in. One day of favor from the Lord is worth a thousand days of labor for the Lord.

Your worth is what you're worth to the Lord; and that’s a wonderfully great deal… HSAY

Daily WIsdom

 Ruth 2:10 “… Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?  

It’s not necessarily what you are, but whose you are that matters. Ruth shows us that what you were born into and what you become, can be two drastically different positions. Ruth was born a Moabite, outsider; yet the Lord had greater purpose and will for her life. One who appeared to be unimportant, was very important to the Father. She may not have mattered to man, but she was a matriarch for the Father and grandmother for King David. 

Man may see you as meaningless, the Master sees you as masterpiece; know your worth … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 2Co 10:12 ‘For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.’

The comparison of our conduct cannot be measured or set by man’s standard. Our only comparison should be based on the fruit produced by the Lord in our life and the application of our spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12). It’s not what we do, but what God is able to do through us that’s of worth. Comparing our self to others is an attempt to feel better about ourselves which is pride. But when we measure ourselves to the Lord’s standards, it quickly brings about humility, which is something the Lord can work with!

Don’t compare oneself to others who call themselves Christians, compare oneself to the scriptures which determines a Christian… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

“Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: thou hast wrought all our work is us.” Isa 26:12

If any kindness has been shown us, or our affairs be prosperous and successful, it’s God that works it for us (Jms 1:17). And whatever good work is done by us, it is owing to a good work wrought by the grace of God in us; it's He that puts good thoughts and affections into our hearts that works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for, He died to make them worth it (Rom 5:8).

It was the work of Christ that determined the worth of man… HSAY

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

Daily Wisdom

“He was despised and rejected of men; he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him…” Isa 53:3a; 5a & 10a

Consider, the value of a painting is determined by what someone is willing to pay for it.

By that definition how much are you worth to Jesus considering the price He willfully paid?

Remember, it’s the cross that makes you flawless and priceless.

Don’t let your value be determined by a worldly definition of worth, your value is in Christ which He defined by the cross.

In (Gen 1-3) God used the word “good” 15 times. It’s the Hebrew word (tobe) meaning: beautiful, best, bountiful, precious & wealth.

Never let your motivation to define your worth be centered on proving it to others, let your motivation be centered on Jesus who has already established it.

Don’t be encouraged or discouraged because others are willing or unwilling to bid for your time… remember Jesus has already paid for it!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Zec 3:2 “And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee” is not this a brand plucked out of the fire.”

Don’t fall prey to the same miss guided thoughts of satan and allow yourself to be led into self-defamation. Satan greatly miss understood God’s great mercy as he stood before the Lord and levied charges to resist Joshua (vs 1). Not denying truth amongst satan’s attack, it did not outweigh the Lord’s mercy. Prompting the Lord to command Joshua’s filthy garments (unrighteousness) to be removed showing that Joshua’s iniquities had passed from him (vs 4). While satan obviously was blind to the depths of God’s mercy and love, don’t you fall to satan’s tactics, and cause yourself to doubt your worth to the Lord. Instead transcend the negative response towards yourself worth that leads to self-defamation and attacks your faith. We must learn to understand God has “plucked us from the fire” that would’ve consumed us, and instead has clothed us in His righteousness and crowned us with His head dress (vs 5).  Don’t listen to satan’s efforts to create doubt in your daily life when it comes to your worth. You are worth it, just ask the Lord!

Satan knows your name and calls your sin; God knows your sin and calls your name.

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

Heb 13:5 “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Oh, but money will and so will those man-made comforts that are attached. Often even acquaintances (not friends) will depart when you no longer offer them benefit or fit into their measurement of worth. Don’t fall prey to measuring your worth by worldly wealth, you will only devalue your true worth. Paul illustrates in (Phl 4:11) that we must find our contentment and worth through God’s standard of measurement only, anything different is volatile and will fluctuate as much as a piece of stock. Don’t let this world put a price tag on you, and be willing to walk away from anything or one who does so. Maybe you’ve marked yourself down with worldly standards. It’s God who determines our worth.  Get off the clearance rack and get behind the glass where they keep the valuables! Because you were “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psa 139:14).

A butterfly can’t see the brilliant colors in its wings, so a man misses the beauty God sees in them!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him.” Jm 2:5

James while addressing our “serving” faith in comparison to our “saving” faith makes a strong point. But, not to bring up old wounds, maybe at onetime we’ve all been the last one chosen on the playground for group participation by the so-called more popular kids. We’ve all felt that sting of low self-worth by their standard of comparison through their choices.  But, again notice James points out that our true worth and value is described by the One who offers no respecter of person and clarifies that in comparison to worldly standards the ones who are often last picked, so-to-speak, are often the ones chosen by the Lord. Be willing to take the lowest sit and let the Lord, for His glory, bade you to come forward (Lk 14:10).  Eternal worth comes in “serving” not managing, relationships not financial security, and peace not power. Shallowness is the individual who cannot see past the apparel and appearance and see the value of a soul.  One will never make themselves eternally better by who they have around them, but only who they have within them!  One can amass the deepest wealth and have the emptiest heart, where’s the value?

Only him who is “rich in faith”, finds God’s favor!

It’s not important when you’re picked, but rather who picked you that defines your worth.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” Psa 15:2

David’s plea comes from the first verse, inquiring who can dwell in the tabernacle or presence of God? It’s answered in our Walk, Works, and our Words, and they must be done uprightly, righteously, and in truth. Further clarify… to walk uprightly means in maturity, completeness not avoiding any accountability (Psa 1:1). Righteousness longs to do what is right and proper in relation to God and man (Mic 6:8), scripture tells us that no man can be a friend of God who does not do habitually what is right (1 Jn 3:6-10). Truth, all that is in accordance to doctrine and opposed to all mere outward professions, and hypocritical pretenses. It is set in the heart and not just in religious forms and shows itself in upright intentions and purposes, and never selfish.  Live accordingly and you’ll find the presences of God, and with it be renewed, rejuvenated and refreshed.

Don’t be focused on the presents of God, and seek the presences of God.

HSAY … Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man travelling into a far country, who call his own savants, and delivered unto them his goods.” Mt 25:14

Man is prone to want the benefits of something gained, but not always the responsibility that goes with it.  Seldom in life are you allowed to reap without the responsibility or accountability to what was gained. The 4oth parable concerning talents (gifts), Christ the travelling man, passes on his goods to his servants for them to be responsible in their stewardship as well. Such gains are not just to be gotten, but to give to others and not gloated over. While salvation is free, spreading the gospel is not without expense; obedient stewards are responsible to cover those expenses.  Paul makes a bold statement in Phl 3:7-8 “But what things were gained to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”  Paul said the advantages he was gifted education, wealth, status and even external conformity to the law were missed guided gain, and were really a disadvantage, hindrance, and obstacle towards Christ. The greatest inheritance, gain coming, is for those who stand before Christ broke; knowing and able to claim that every single talent left them was used by giving to others. Often, we ask God to give us what we don’t have, when we aren’t even being faithful with what we do have. Gain to give, not just to get.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

HSAY … Todd

Daily Wisdom

“... for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7

Self-destruction occurs when measuring your worth using the world’s ruler. Samuel himself fell into the trap of measuring the potential worth of Eliab by worldly standards. Prompting God to remind Samuel it’s the heart that matters, and the heart can’t be measured by man (Jere 17:9).  God always works from the inside out, don’t be distracted by the appearance one wraps himself in; charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting (Pro 31:30). While the world says show me something worth measuring, God says trust me and I’ll show you something you can’t measure. The value of a God filled heart is not the stature it’s wrapped in, but in the love and beauty it reveals in Christ. When you learn to start looking at the heart rather than the face, you’ll start seeing with more clarity what God sees. Unfortunately the heart is self-possessive thus God can’t do anything with it until you chose to give it to him, and not the world.

The only measuring you should do is your heart to God’s, seeing if it beats after the same thing.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.” 1Sam 15:24

If God has cut you off, it’s often because you handed him the scissors. Saul’s ultimate sin that removed him from being king of Israel was due him for trying to please a people instead of God.  Interesting to consider that while God’s power was responsible for placing him, Saul was now seeking the people to promote him.  Sadly today man is apt to invest more time in a social app for approval and encouragement than they do in the bible seeking God’s. Don’t get caught up in what man applauds rather than what God approves.  The confusion for many comes in gain (approval, worth, power) they seek by their choices. Sadly what Saul ultimately desired was human/flesh desires by way of man’s applause and approval. Instead the true worth we have to gain in seeking God comes in what we lose… pride, ego, greed, jealousy, selfishness along with insecurity, depression and ultimately death. The answer to our purpose is not in what we gain, but lose: which ultimately is our gain!

The applause you live for is the loneliness you have to live with when it stops. (vs 35)

HSAY… Todd