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Daily Wisdom – Money   March 8, 2010
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. Mark 12:42
Most of us do not have great fortunes to leave to Christian ministries after we finish this life and few have huge amounts to give now. The work of God is supported in large degree by widow's mites that He multiplies to reach the multitudes. It isn’t the amount but the faithfulness to give which funds God’s work on earth. That’s wisdom!


Daily Wisdom – Jesus      March 8, 2010
If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. John 14:7
Jesus came to earth to show us God. He demonstrated God’s desire to dwell among men, to be their God: Redeemer, Salvation, Healer, Bread of Life, Living Water and so much more. The physical aspects of humanity needed a flesh and bone God-Son who showed us the qualities, personality and unlimited Heavenly Father. Jesus also demonstrated to us how to be like Him. Jesus: demonstration of God and example for us. That’s wisdom!
 

Daily Wisdom – Gifts and Talents    March 6, 2010
I wish that all men were like I myself am [in this matter of self-control]. But each has his own special gift from God, one of this kind and one of another. 1 Corinthians 7:7

"We were not put on earth to build this world but to build ourselves in a way that expresses ourselves as the living image of God.  We can always be growing, even — and sometimes especially — when the world around us is falling apart. "  That's wisdom!    – David Aaron

 

Daily Wisdom – Forgiveness  March 5, 2010

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

The murderer was condemned to life in prison. Then one day something amazing happened. The guard came and opened the jail cell. "You are free to go. Someone else is taking your place," said the guard. "How can this be? I am still guilty!" said the prisoner. "Your debt has been paid. You are free to leave," said the guard once more. The prisoner decided not to leave. "I cannot allow another to pay my debt," said the prisoner. Because of his pride he chose to remain in bondage.

The hardest person to forgive sometimes is ourselves. However, the Bible says we all sin and it is impossible to remedy that sin by ourselves.   "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives?" (1 John 1:8,10). The question is not whether we will sin, the question is what we will do when we do sin.

There is only one thing for us to do. Go to the cross. Jesus paid for that sin by dying on the cross. When you come to Jesus with your sin, there is nothing more you can do besides confessing and renouncing your sin. Sometimes it may require restitution with others. However, once you confess your sin and ask forgiveness, it is no longer on the ledger of debts.

Why not choose to walk free. The cell has been opened.

by Os Hillman

 

Daily Wisdom – Faith  March 4, 2010
And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very perverse generation, children in whom is no faith. Deuteronomy 32:20

Today’s scripture is the first appearance of the word faith in the Bible.  Faith is not mentioned until the 5th book of the Bible.  And it speaks of a lack of faith!  From this we learn a life principle:  Human beings function on faith.  God built faith within each person; it was an assumed quality; everyone functioned by faith.  The generation above forsook God for idols and ritual.  They traded faith for animalistic drives.  The wise man who remembers “the just shall live by faith”* will experience the greatest quality of life. That’s wisdom!

*(Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38)

 

 

Daily Wisdom – Patience  March 3, 2010

 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:2-4

Beloved, refuse to allow discontentment to encroach on your thoughts, for it most certainly has its roots in bitterness of soul and will make a place for the enemy to work against you. Contentment and patience comes from a position of faith and trusting that I am for you and not against you; that I care for you. Take comfort in knowing that I am with you. Set your sights higher than the temporary things of the earth. Look heavenly, and renew yourself in the hope of my promises, says the Lord. Marsha Burns

 

Daily Wisdom – Faithfulness  March 2, 2010

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Abraham Lincoln had this to say about commitment:

"COMMITMENT is what transforms a promise into reality. It is the words that speak boldly of your intentions. And the actions which speak louder than the words.   It is making the time when there is none. Coming through time after time after time, year after year after year. Commitment is the stuff character is made of; the power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism."

The world renowned pianist, Van Cliburn, after one of his magnificent concerts was approached by an admirer who had been in the audience.   The emotional fan grasped Cliburn's hand and said,

"I would give my life to be able to play the piano like that."

The pianist smiled and replied..."I DID."  - Mac Anderson

 

Daily Wisdom – Obedience     March 1, 2010

"He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him." - John 14:21b

We live in a day of 12-step programs for this, four points to success for that, and all forms of programmed means of becoming successful. Have you ever wondered how you can guarantee a greater revelation of Jesus in your life? Jesus tells us how this can be done. It is all tied to obedience. In John, He tells us the following: "Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him" (Jn. 14:21). The key here is in the last three words. He will show Himself to us because of our loving Him through our obedience. The more obedient we become, the more revelation of His presence we will feel in our life. Jeremiah tells us, "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jer. 33:3).

Many Christians wonder why they cannot hear or sense God's presence in their life. It is because they do not seek Him with a whole heart, and they are not obedient to the things He has asked. God does not show us the next move until we are obedient to the first thing He has spoken to us. It is a progressive process. He entrusts the small things to us first, then moves us to the larger. I was like many today who are so focused on seeking the activity of God rather than seeking God Himself. Hebrews tells us that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. In the Old Testament we are told, "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deut. 4:29).

I realized if I was going to hear God's voice, I had to make time to seek Him and hear Him. I had to spend focused time alone reading, studying, and seeking His face only. Jesus set the model for this when He often left the crowds to be alone and seek His heavenly Father. I also had to tune my "radio" to His frequency. Static comes into that frequency when I am disobedient. My level of seeking determines the power of my "radio" to reach Him. The more I seek Him, the more I hear Him. Seek the Lord today so that you may be empowered by His presence. by Os Hillman

 

Daily Wisdom – Fruit of the Spirit  February 28, 2010

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law Galatians 5:22 -23

There is good and there is evil:  blessing and curse, light and darkness. God created both. We choose which of the two, or whichever combination thereof, shall define our existence.

Since "choice," by definition, is the free and uninhibited assertion of will; and since the intrinsic will of the human soul is for life and well-being; the only true choice there can be is the choice of good. But we have been granted freedom of choice, which means that we can choose not to choose; what we call "freedom of choice" is in fact the choice to exercise choice or to abnegate choice. When we do assert our true will--when we do choose--we invariably choose good.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – The Attributes and Character of God   February 27, 2010

“And God said, ‘Let us make man in our own image, after our own likeness [resemblance].’ So God created man in His own image, in the image [similitude] of God He created him.” Genesis 1:26a & 27a

A key to understanding the unique tri-unity of God is to look at ourselves who are created in His image. If God is a triune being, then we, who are created in his image, should be triune beings as well. The Bible teaches us that there is one God. In the New Covenant, the one true God has revealed Himself in three persons: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. Each of us is created a trinity in God’s own image and likeness. Each of us is just one person, yet we are made up of three different, but complimentary and necessary parts that make up the whole, complete individual that we are.

 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly (or completely); and I pray your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD.”   1 Thessalonians 5:23

 

Daily Wisdom – Spiritual Gifts  February 26, 2010

To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge1 Corinthians 12:8

Today we will begin to look at each of the spiritual gifts listed in I Corinthians 12:8-11 on the 26th of each month.

Wise advice is supernatural wisdom about how to solve a practical or spiritual problem.  An example: many times in response to prayer, the Spirit has revealed to people supernaturally where to find a lost object such as keys, papers, etc.  The Holy Spirit is our Guide and Teacher.  He desires to help us succeed in all aspects of life- the physical/natural and the spiritual/supernatural.  Ask for His help.  That’s wisdom! 

A God Story

Email response to this daily wisdom from Van Abernathy:  It's amazing to me that the Holy Spirit really reveals to us in prayer where we can find lost objects. My dad is the world's worst to lose things. One time he lost an envelope with something very important in it. He called on God to help him find it. The Lord told my dad during prayer that the envelope was in the top drawer of his desk on the right hand side. Dad immediately went to the location God told him to go, and pulled out the drawer. Are you ready for this? The envelope was no where to be found. Dad said, "Lord I thought you told me it was in this drawer." God replied, "That's exactly what I told you." Dad looked closer and realized that the enveloped somehow had gotten turned perfectly vertical, and was resting flush against the front of the drawer...completely invisible at a glance.
Not nearly as dramatic as dad's story, I had lost a pack of photographs that were important to me. I had searched high and low, when the thought came to me that I should pray about it. During prayer, God instantly revealed to me that the photos where in a seldom used pocket of some luggage. Sure enough, I slid my hand into the luggage and "felt something". I knew instantly it was the pack of photos. How amazing that God cares about our misplaced items!

 

Daily Wisdom – Peace   February 25, 2010

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 

Peace - Strong's Concordance 7965 - Hebrew Shalom ..... A word study in the New King James version for SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.

Jesus Christ left us His peace as defined here.  It is ours to own and walk in.  What is stopping us?  Today, meditate on this verse until you own the peace of Christ.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Heaven   February 23, 2010
And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven”.
Genesis 28:17

Jacob discovered the place where he had chosen to camp for the night was the sanctuary (house) of God, a place where God had placed His name; a place of powerful prayer.  Furthermore, it is the ‘gate of heaven,’ meaning it is the site where man’s prayers go up to God.  Jacob found himself in a place which was the most favorable for prayer and service. 

It is true we can pray to God any where and any time but God initiates special times and places for each of us which are the most favorable for prayer and service.  Because Jacob was running from God and his brother, he did not realize he was in such a place.  Wisdom points:  1.God draws us in even when we are running away.  2.  God loves us too much to live apart from us.  3.  Be sensitive to your special places and times and enter in to God’s Presence.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Tithing  February 22, 2010
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.
Malachi 3:10

Have you ever considered why God asks us to bring tithes to the storehouse (church)?  “That there may be food in MY house.”   God has chosen to put the finances of His house in our hands.  We do not give tithes, we bring tithes.  The tithe is God’s finances to feed those in His house. God blesses the work of our hands to give us the power to gain wealth – wealth for Him and for us.  This generous God allows us to keep 90% of everything we earn.   In addition He says “try me now in this.”  Once we understand tithes belong to God to finance His house then bring them promptly into His house, He can open the windows of heaven to bless us more than we can contain. What a plan!  What a God!  That’s great wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Stewardship January 21, 2010

The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. Psalm 24:1

 “When we recognize that God owns everything, we see that God moves people to distribute the resources He has entrusted to them.  God cares for His stewards and He entrusts money to them so that, in giving it generously, they may be conformed to the image of His Son and participate in His work in the world.”  Richard Haynie

 

Daily Wisdom – The Return of Christ    February 20, 2010

    14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep in death.

    15For this we declare to you by the Lord's own word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede into His presence or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep in Him in death.

    16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first.

    17Then we, the living ones who remain on the earth, shall simultaneously be caught up along with the resurrected dead in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord! 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16

God set the times and places for our lives.  Here He continues to honor His order by raising the dead saints to join Him ahead of those who are still living.  Once again we see God’s order demonstrated.  He leaves nothing to chance.  It will be an exciting time to hear our Lord call us to join Him.  The excitement will be made even greater to see the physical miracle of our deceased relatives and acquaintances as part of the reception.  Key wisdoms in this scripture:  1. Jesus is coming for us; 2. He maintains life and kingdom plan order; 3. Be ready by learning to hear His voice.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom - Body, Soul and Spirit     February 19, 2010
The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7

Animals do not gaze at the stars and angels are confined to the realm of the spirit, but Man is God’s bridge between heaven and earth.  Our bodies are formed from the dust, our souls are of the essence of God. We alone can look at a physical world and see spiritual life and beauty. We who are beyond both heaven and earth, form and matter, spirit and body -- we alone can fuse the two.  Chabad

 

Daily Wisdom – Truth   February 18, 2010
Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
1 Samuel 12:24

Do we live for God with truth in the depths of our hearts?  What does that mean? What does that look like?  Inside each person is a physical ’heart’ on our heart that informs us when we do something against our core beliefs.  Some call it conscious.  When we go against our core beliefs - that God designed need for Him- our ‘heart’ is broken.  Things go wrong in our minds, souls and bodies.  It is for our good to worship, be in communion with God, following our inner heart and knowing.  God created us each as unique individuals who need to live for God as He designed us to live and worship Him.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom -  Salvation  February 17, 2010
But Jeshurun became fat and kicked.   You became fat, you became thick, you became corpulent----and it deserted God your Maker, and was contemptuous of the Rock of its salvation.
Deuteronomy 32:15

Here Jerusalem is referred to as Jeshurun, a slur of Jerusalem.  No longer was Jerusalem, leading city of Israel, upright, straight and just.  Having come into the land and enjoyed God’s loving gifts, Israel was at the height of its calling until too much prosperity led to its downfall.  When a nation’s elite pursue physical pleasures – becoming fat, thick and corpulent – the outcome will be the desertion of God and distain of His salvation by the majority of the nation.  A wise person remembers to honor God and hold fast to His salvation at all times!

 

Daily Wisdom – Love   February 16, 2010
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Luke 6:35

“The more you give, the more you love.  True giving, as Erich Fromm points out, is other-oriented, and requires four elements. The first is care, demonstrating active concern for the recipient's life and growth. The second is responsibility, responding to his or her expressed and unexpressed needs (particularly, in an adult relationship, emotional needs). The third is respect, "the ability to see a person as he or she is, to be aware of his or her unique individuality," and, consequently, wanting that person to "grow and unfold as he or she is." These three components all depend upon the fourth, knowledge. You can care for, respond to, and respect another only as deeply as you know him or her.”  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Holy Spirit   February 15, 2010

"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:25-27).
It is the Holy Spirit that draws us into intimacy with the Father. He prompts us with a scripture verse to share with a friend or co-worker. He endues us with the power to live for Him and not in our own strength. Truly the Holy Spirit is the third person in the trinity that must be acknowledged and obeyed as we seek to live for Christ. He is also our teacher and guide.
Today, why not ask the Holy Spirit to baptize you afresh with the power to know Him, not just know about Him. by Os Hillman

 

Daily Wisdom – Healing   February 14, 2010

"If men quarrel and one hits the other with a stone or with his fist and he does not die but is confined to bed,  the one who struck the blow will not be held responsible if the other gets up and walks around outside with his staff; however, he must pay the injured man for the loss of his time and see that he is completely healed Exodus 21:18-19

Our Heavenly Father has not left us to wander through this life trying to ‘figure it out on our own.’  He gives very detailed instructions in the Bible of how to relate to others and to Him.  In this scripture God gives explicit instructions of responsibilities and penalties if men fight and one is injured.  God’s intention is to always bring complete physical and spiritual healing.  FATHER knows best. Ask Him first.   That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Worship   February 13, 2010

 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

 3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." Genesis 22:2-5

True worship involves obedience, sacrifice and worthiness.  God called Abraham to come to worship. Today He calls us to worship.  Abraham  obeyed.  God informed Abraham  of the sacrifice he was required to bring to the worship.  Today God tells us to bring tithes and offerings, self denial and a contrite heart.  Abraham's spiritual insight gave him understanding of the worthiness of the sacrifice.  He did not offer God what was left over or unwanted but gave God his only son.  God would later do the same for us.  Do we understand?  Do we, like Abraham , truly enter into the heart and sanctity of worship?  Or will we, like the unknowing servants, be left behind with the donkey?  True worship changes everything.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Word of God   February 12, 2010

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." ISAIAH 40:8

Ahhh, something stable, something we can ALWAYS count on.  God’s Word stands forever.  When we concentrate on that fact and make it the foundation of our lives, our lives will become stable, fixed on the firm foundation.  Life is very difficult when we do not have a firm foundation.  Today, begin to rebuild your life with all your beliefs, thoughts and actions on the Word of God.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom   Marriage   February 11, 2010

He must not make himself unclean for people related to him by marriage, and so defile himself. Leviticus 21:4

Marriage is founded on holiness.  Two entire chapters of Leviticus discuss the boundaries of marriage.  As the Sages state, wherever one finds safeguards of chastity, one finds holiness.  God who is holy, established marriage as holy: consecrated, sacred, sanctified, set apart.  It is a wise person who views marriage the same way God views marriage, as good and as holy.

 

Daily Wisdom - JOY   February 10, 2010

  So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 30:26

King Hezekiah sent an invitation to the entire nation: ‘come to Jerusalem to worship God.’  There is great joy for a nation whose leader serves God.  It brings great blessing for all citizens.  The prayers of the citizens for their leaders, whether Godly or not, initiate God’s favor and even a change of heart in the leadership.  When God’s people begin to pray for their leaders instead of criticizing them, we open the door for God to bring forth great joy in the nation.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom  - Prayer   February 9, 2010

8 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the LORD."

 9 Moses said to Pharaoh, "I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile."

 10 "Tomorrow," Pharaoh said.

      Moses replied, "It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the LORD our God. Exodus 8:8-10 (New International Version)

Pharaoh was bothered enough by the plague of frogs to summon Moses and ask for their removal but he put off the answer to prayer until “tomorrow.”  I am amazed by Moses’ faith in allowing Pharaoh to set the time for the prayer to be answered.  Moses knew that whatever he requested of God, God would do according to the details of the request.  Now before you go rushing off to start making demands of God, realize that this was a two way street:  whatever God asked of Moses, Moses did according to the details of the request.  Prayer is two friends – you and God - discussing how to mutually benefit each other in the partnership of life. That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Money    February 8, 2010

10 Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. Genesis 2:10-12 (NKJV)

Money is spiritual.  Animal, plant and mineral life do not have a need to trade.  Humans do.  God created man in His image, unique and creative.  Our uniqueness requires us to barter, trade, create and work with others to meet our physical, emotional and spiritual needs.  God created gold and declared it good as approval for creatively meeting those needs.  Money is also a spiritual barometer.  Using it for good or for evil reveals the content and intent of our hearts. When used as God intended for the benefit of us and others, it is good.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Jesus      February 7, 2010
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Matthew 1:21

What’s in a name?  The name JESUS means ‘Jehovah is generous,’ ‘Jehovah saves.’  All throughout the Old Testament God revealed Himself through His word.  In the fullness of time Jesus was born to a virgin.  His Father, God, sent Him to fulfill His promise to save us from our sins.  And to make sure we did not miss it, He even prescribed His name, Jesus – Jehovah saves.  Today is the day of salvation.  Have you received Jesus as Savior?  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Gifts and Talents    February 6, 2010

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Mark 9:35

Our gifts and talents can be our greatest triumph and also the area where we struggle most.  Here is how to win in every situation.

“Sometimes the winner is truly the loser and the loser the winner. If the winner learns nothing from his victory and doesn't grow into a better person, if he simply becomes haughty and obnoxious, then although he holds the trophy in his hands, he is actually the loser. However, if the loser accepts his loss with humbleness, overcomes feelings of anger and self-pity, and chooses to be happy with his lot, then he actually walks off with the greatest victory — an evolved self. He is the trophy.”* That’s wisdom!

*David Aaron

 

Daily Wisdom – Forgiveness  February 5, 2010
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13

The command throughout the Bible is: forgive those who have wronged you.  The ones who have suffered wrong are commanded to forgive.  Those who have been wronged are the ones who have been empowered to forgive.  The physical, emotional and spiritual damage is in us - the wronged ones.   Forgiveness exorcises the feelings and memories which have power to torment us.  God desires for us to be whole and free.  Forgive those who have wronged you.  It is for your benefit.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Faith  February 4, 2010

This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. Deuteronomy 32:51

Have you ever considered that faith is something that can be broken?  Most of us feel we either have faith or we don’t have faith, but to break faith?  Breaking faith means to betray or fail to uphold what you say you believe.  Moses broke faith with God in the scripture above and it prevented him from entering the promise land.  When we ‘break faith’ with God it prevents us from entering into His promises as well.  Keeping faith is acting on His Word in the face of all ‘evidence’ to the contrary.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Patience February 3, 2010
1WE WHO are strong in our convictions and of robust faith ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others and not to please ourselves.
2Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him to strengthen him and build him up spiritually.
3For Christ did not please Himself -gave no thought to His own interests; but, as it is written, The reproaches and abuses of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me.
4For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by our steadfast and patient endurance and the encouragement drawn from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope.
5Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
6That together you may unanimously with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
Romans 15:1-6 AMP

Every person is unique in their insights, gifts, perceptions and place in life. This knowledge is key to unity. Our differences mandate our dependence on each other to complete our course in life. God gives us the power of patient endurance so we may live in harmony to God’s glory and praise. That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Faithfulness February 2, 2010
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. HEBREWS 10:23 NKJ
Sometimes it seems like there's no hope and no help, like you have no more strength or ability to go on. You're at the end of yourself and just can't do any more. Don't worry. Just hang on to your faith in God. God is faithful. He will not forsake you. He has not forgotten you. It may seem dark and hopeless, but God is holding on to you. God is working behind the scenes for your good. When you don't know what to do, just continue to trust in God, and know that He is helping you. Persevere even when you feel like you can't. Just don't give up. That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Obedience     February 1, 2010
I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,  because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws."  So Isaac stayed in Gerar.
Genesis 26:4-6

Here God is re-stating His covenant with Abraham to Abraham’s son Isaac.  Notice “because Abraham obeyed me.”  Covenants, agreements and contracts have conditions to be met by each party of the covenant.  Abraham’s obedience to his part required God’s faithfulness to His part.  Obeying covenant, agreement and promise conditions keeps the benefits intact.  The same is true for us; obedience benefits us and others. That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Heaven   January 23, 2010
18 “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 19 You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 20 And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens upon the earth.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21

 

The blissful feeling of heaven or the agonizing dread of hell is based on the choices we make. Throughout life, we can either pick heaven or choose hell. Heaven is inclusive, hell is exclusive. In the heavenly paradigm, it is me and you. In hell there can only be me or you.

To exist in heaven is to live in an embracing condition of openness and transcendence, whereas living in hell is where every person we meet is suspected as an enemy, and every experience we have is potentially threatening.

The choice of living “like the days of the heavens upon the earth” is ours.  Choose wisely.

 

Daily Wisdom – Tithing  January 22, 2010

11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.

Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;  you are exalted as head over all.

 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.

       In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

 14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. I Chronicles 29:11-14

 

God owns everything; He made it, He owns it.  “If God owns it all, then spending money is spending God’s money.  Therefore spending is always a spiritual decision.”* That’s wisdom!

Richard Haynie

 

Daily Wisdom – Stewardship January 21, 2010

The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. Psalm 24:1

 “When we recognize that God owns everything, we see that God moves people to distribute the resources He has entrusted to them.  God cares for His stewards and He entrusts money to them so that, in giving it generously, they may be conformed to the image of His Son and participate in His work in the world.”  Richard Haynie

 

Ancient Blessing for the New Year: 

''May You give us long life — a life of peace, a life of goodness, a life of blessing, a life of sufficient livelihood, a life of physical well-being — a life in which we will have love of God and His Word and fear of Heaven, a life in which our heartfelt requests will be fulfilled for the good.'' 

Happy New Year from God Speed Ministry

May it be a year of the Kingdom of God realization.

 

Daily Wisdom – Worship   January 13, 2009

C.S. Lewis recognized the changelessness of the liturgy in worship as an extremely important and very valuable characteristic for practical reasons. He went so far as to say it should be like an old shoe; something that fits, something that doesn't have to be broken in all the time, something you don't even notice is there. He concludes these observations by saying "The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God."

 

Daily Wisdom – Faith  January 4, 2010

So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.   MATTHEW 17:20
According to Jesus, unbelief keeps us from speaking to our mountains.  Most often unbelief shows up as fear.  What is the mountain in your life?  What do you fear?  What stands in the way of your progress? What holds you back from going forward and fulfilling God's plan?  Faith comes by hearing the word of God.  Speak faith by speaking God's Word to that mountain!  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom  -  Kingdom of God    December 31, 2009

“This month shall be for you the beginning of the months.”    —   Exodus 12:2

            “Every human being is allotted a specific amount of time on this earth and a person's task is to make the optimum use of this priceless gift. Someday a careful reckoning of every moment of life will be made by the Heavenly Court to ascertain if this gift of time was used properly. There will be severe penalties for wasting or ''killing'' time.

            The gift of time is also something which can be classified as an item over which one has ''temporary ownership.'' Life is granted by the Divine for a predetermined amount of time. Some people have it for a longer period, others for a shorter period, but the day will come when it will be taken back from every human being. Yet many people, especially young ones, look ahead at the long road of life as if it were endless and do not feel the need to utilize this priceless opportunity to the fullest extent possible. In America there are multibillion- dollar industries devoted to helping people ''kill time.'' But killing time is first-degree murder.

            A disciple of Christ knows that his life has a profound purpose and his soul has descended from beneath the Heavenly Throne to this earth to accomplish a mission only he can fulfill. For that mission he is allotted a certain amount of time to achieve his task. Every day of one's life carries the potential to be filled with great accomplishments.”*  That’s wisdom!

*Abraham Pam

 

Daily Wisdom – Death   December 30, 2009
 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard that day how the king was grieved for his son.
2 Samuel 19:2

The word grieve means to carve as ‘to fabricate” or “to fashion.”  Grief carves away the temporal and material to expose the core of life.  We grieve because of loss:  loss of someone so very dear, even necessary, to us or loss of the necessities of life.  Carving always exposes rawness of emotions and our inner material.  As painful as grief is the lack of grief is even more painful.  What if we had no attachments to anything or anyone in this life?  That would indeed be something to grieve.  Grief is a tool which re-centers us on the essence of life.  Instead of focusing on the loss, begin to look at the newly exposed material within.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Almighty God   December 29, 2009
And God Almighty[El-Shaddai] give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother, and Benjamin. And as for me, as I have been bereaved of my children, so I am bereaved.
Genesis 43:14

God Almighty Who is Sufficient or Enough is sufficient in His mercies and His hand is sufficient to give you whatever you need.  Here Jacob is really saying, “May He Who said to the world, ‘Enough,’ now declare that my troubles are enough.  I have had no rest since my youth: trouble with Laban, trouble with Esau, the troubles of Rachel, Dinah, Joseph, Simeon – and now Benjamin.”  Can you relate?  Do you feel as though you have had more trouble than you can stand?  Cry out to God Almighty.  God is Enough.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Fruit of the Spirit  December 28, 2009

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law Galatians 5:22 -23

Only after you struggle with evil and chose goodness will you accomplish true and complete goodness.   That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Tithing  December 22, 2009

Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]. 2 Corinthians 9:7

The story is told of a man who visited a tribal missionary church is a poverty stricken area of Africa.  The most memorable moment of the service was the offering.  When the pastor gave the call for the tithes and offerings, everyone broke out in song and dance.  They lifted their voices in praise to God for what He had provided for them and danced joyfully as they made their way to the altar to place their tithes and offerings there.  God rejoices in a cheerful giver.  The wise give joyfully and freely from an open heart.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Worship   December 13, 2009

You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you.  And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.  Exodus 25:21-22

True worship is revelation of who God is.  God gave specific instructions on how to worship Him, what sacrifices were to be made, details of the sacrifice and what offerings were to be brought to the worship.  Many of these practices are foreign to our modern worship.  Yet God revealed Himself through the specific rites He instituted.  Worship happens when we make a ‘mercy seat’ for God to meet with us.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Gifts and Talents    December 6, 2009

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

"Revere God, live by His commandments — for this is the all of man." Your real accomplishments do not happen on the outside world for all to see and admire. Your real accomplishments happen inside of you. Your real assets in life, which are truly and forever yours, are your choices to do good and see goodness. And they are deposited within you. They create your inner world. In the end it won't matter how much money, property, or fame you amassed for yourself in this world. What matters is not what you have but who you are. This is the only real and lasting accomplishment that is truly yours. It will go with you from this world till the next because it is you.
When you internalize these truths and live your life accordingly, you realize that in every aspect of your life, God is with you.  What's important are the choices you make — whether you will live with holiness, honesty, and integrity. You want to play your role in the image of God, choosing goodness and growth.   – David Aaron

 

Daily Wisdom – Forgiveness   December 5, 2009

For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For the real function of the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin -not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character. Romans 3:20  

A person has to be aware of the need for forgiveness before they can seek it.  Until we realize that each act of selfishness and each subsequent sin is rebellion against God, we will not ask or seek for forgiveness.  Laws are not the avenue of salvation, just the measure to reveal our shortcomings and need of God.  Once we become acquainted with the truth of our sins, then we earnestly repent and seek forgiveness.  That’s wisdom!

Daily Wisdom – Faith December 4, 2009
"LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance" (Ps 16:5-6).


“The Bible says that God has defined the place and time in which we are to live. We should not be seeking to remove ourselves from the pressure cooker of life, but use that pressure cooker to reveal the power and grace of God through our lives to others. It is here that we will receive our inheritance as we fulfill our purposes in and through our work, life and calling.”* Faith requires us to trust that God knows what He is doing. That’s wisdom!
*Os Hillman

 

Daily Wisdom – Patience    December 3, 2009
O LORD, You know. Remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In Your enduring patience, do not banish me. Know that for Your sake I suffer insults.
Jeremiah 15:15

Christians are not perfect.  We are flawed humans in the process of being transformed day by day and bit by bit into the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ.  And we fail.  The watching world flings our failures into our faces, insulting us and God.  But take hope:  God knows!  In His enduring patience He does not disqualify us or banish us.  The journey is about making progress, not being perfect. Patiently endure for victory is assured.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Faithfulness  December 2, 2009
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Deuteronomy 7:9

God’s faithfulness endures for 1000 generations with those who love and fear Him.  God gives us an open door to positively affect the lives of our descendents for next 1000 generations. Live faithfully.  Your descendents will thank you for it. That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Obedience     December 1, 2009
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 
Hebrews 5:8

Do you struggle with obedience?  “You can’t tell me what to do!” is the cry people use liberally in today’s society.  But in today’s scripture we see that Jesus Christ the Son of God LEARNED OBEDIENCE!  Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, learned obedience.  And if he had to learn it, so do we.  Learned obedience bonds us to God’s greater purpose and mission for our lives.  Obedience brings immense blessings.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Death   November 30, 2009

And Abraham expired and died at a good old age, mature and content, and he was gathered to his people.  Genesis 25:8

People who could speak of a deceased being “gathered to his people” before his very burial had no need to be instructed in immortality. They took it for granted! To them it was patently obvious that the “real” person, his soul, took leave of the body and returned to his source. There, he joined his people, those who had made the journey into earthly life and beyond before he had. Only after this does the Bible speak of the burial, in which the remains of the earthly phase of a person’s life are respectfully interred in a manner that is fitting its role in assisting the soul during its few decades here. Live for contentment at death. That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Almighty God   November 29, 2009

And God said to Moses, I am the Lord.  I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty [El-Shaddai], but by My name the Lord [Yahweh--the redemptive name of God] I did not make Myself known to them [in acts and great miracles]. Exodus 6:2-3

Here God gives two great revelations to Moses.  The Patriarchs did not know God as the Redemptive God but only as the All Sufficient One who met all their spiritual and physical needs.  These men were made mighty and wealthy by the hand of God.  Their descendents whom Moses was delivering from slavery needed to know God as the One who could redeem them from slavery, from a ‘grasshopper’ mentality, and make them a chosen people.  God reveals Himself to us as we need Him most.  What is your greatest need?  God Almighty knows and is prepared to reveal Himself as your provision.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Fruit of the Spirit  November 28, 2009

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law Galatians 5:22 -23

Kindness: actions which enable a person to maintain their dignity and restores their ability to be a productive member of society.  The first act of kindness recorded in the Bible is God making clothes for Adam & Eve who realized they were naked. Making clothes for them restored their dignity, provided protection from the elements, enabled them to work productively to survive and fulfill their divine mission on earth.  Following God’s parameters for kind actions fulfills our divine mission to be a blessing.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – The Attributes and Character of God November 27, 2009
He shows kindness for thousands of generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Exodus (20:6)
It is the Almighty's infinite kindness to His people that He does not pay them immediately for their good deeds. He stretches the reward for generations to come and doles it out at times when it is most critically needed, and thus most beneficial. The exceedingly intricate ways of God are above human comprehension. Yet by carefully analyzing the happenings in one's own life, a person will see how good the Divine is to him and will joyfully offer his thanks to Him. That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Spiritual Gifts  November 26, 2009

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7

Every person has a spiritual gift.  No one is excluded.  The gifts are given to us but are not for us.  Our gifts are given for service to others.  If we are not looking to serve others, we may be unaware of our gift.  When we look for ways to serve others, our gift will manifest.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Peace   November 25, 2009
His brothers saw that it was he whom their father loved most of all his brothers so they hated him, and could not speak to him peaceably.
Genesis 37:4

This verse gives great insight into relationships; here that of Joseph and his 10 older brothers.  Their jealousy of him became hatred.  Hatred made it impossible to carry on a friendly conversation with him even about matters not of contention between them.  Whatever Joseph said they interpreted in a negative, contentious way, even when he tried to be friendly.  Do we behave likewise, judging people and situations from conflict instead of peace?  Our tainted attitudes warp truth.  Our constitution declares a person innocent until proven guilty.  God says be wise:  believe and expect the best of others.  He does of us!

 

Daily Wisdom – Parenting November 24, 2009
He opens also their ear to discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity. Job 36:10
“The objective is always self discipline. The objective of being disciplined by a parent is that by the time the child is 16, he should be able to discipline himself and be a shining example to younger children of what growing up is like. To reach this objective, it is important that all opportunities for the child to be compelled to take responsibility for his actions be available. Taking responsibility for the infraction always requires that the child STATE WHAT HE DID WRONG. Apologies are lame and absolutely insufficient. They must know what they did wrong; then they can apologize. Moreover, they must be able to explain WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE INSTEAD. When they know what was wrong and what they should have done, they have taken responsibility. It will be a lot less likely that they break that rule again. And when they do, they will recover from that fumble a lot quicker.” * That’s wisdom.
*Dr. Debbie Herschhorn
 

Daily Wisdom – Heaven   November 23, 2009
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
Genesis 2:1

The universe was created to serve as a tool for the service of God.  Heaven and earth and God Himself longed for the coming of the seventh day, the Sabbath, when the world would be infused with holiness.  Every purpose of God is designed to enable us to live holy lives.  Heaven awaits those who accept the gift and ability to live holy.  That’s wisdom!
 

Daily Wisdom - Body, Soul and Spirit November 20, 2009
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 According to Scripture, humans have 3 parts: spirit, soul, and body. (Note that spirit and soul are not the same.)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 Note that YOU are to do something with your body. Your body is not the real you, but something that you possess. YOU are to renew your mind.
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born again.' John 3:6-7 From this Scripture we see that when you are born again, the part that is born again is your spirit -- not your mind, and not your body.
So, the real You is your spirit -- which is born again, right with God, and filled with His life. You are to control your body, and to control what is fed into your mind, so that it can be renewed by the Word of God to know the truth. Then your life will be changed, and conformed to the will of God. That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Worship November 13, 2009
And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."
Exodus 3:12

Proof of your deliverance is your worship of God.  When you are truly following God and know Him as your Deliverer, worship is the result.  Activity for God does not always indicate relationship with God.  Worship is the barometer of your relationship with God.  Today chose to worship.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Word of God   November 12, 2009

"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.”   LUKE 8:11
A seed is much smaller than what it produces.  The problem you face may seem huge. In comparison, a scripture may seem very small. But when planted, that Word will grow in you and overcome the problem.  Whatever you need, or desire, find scriptures relating to that.  Then plant those scriptures inside you in abundance. Those seeds will grow up and produce a harvest of what you need or desire.  If you desire the Word of God to produce in your life, you must decide to plant the Word in your heart and mind.  The best way to plant the seed of God's Word in your life is by speaking the Word. Hearing others speak the Word is good – but will not produce as bountiful a harvest as speaking the Word yourself.   Speaking God's Word with your mouth is essential. As we speak God's Word we are planting the seed in our heart for the harvest of results we desire.
“For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” ROMANS 10:10  
Whatever you need to be saved or delivered from, confession (speaking) is essential.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Faithfulness  November 2, 2009

Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn." Genesis 24:49

I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. Genesis 32:10

In both above scriptures the word that has been translated faithfulness in English is truth in the original Hebrew.  Faithfulness is truthfulness.  Kindnesses in these verses refer to benefits God confers without having first promised them; truth refers to the kindnesses He does in fulfillment of earlier promises.  God is faithful because He is committed to fulfilling His Word.  Abundant living is rooted in God’s truth and Word.  That’s wisdom!

 

Kingdom of God  October 31, 2009
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1

Today is the Hallowed Eve of All Saints Day; a day set aside to remember the saints who have faithfully served God and set an example for us.  The Kingdom of God consists of those who have already run their race, those currently running the race and those who will run the race.  Our race begins the moment we accept God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  We become part of the ongoing relay of Christianity.  Stan Purdum stated, “Christianity is always a group trip.”  Today, take the time to reflect on those who have influenced you.  Then reflect on your participation in the ongoing and ever growing Kingdom of God.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Death   October 30, 2009
Isaac said, "I am now an old man and don't know the day of my death.
Genesis 27:2

Isaac is 123 years old, just shy of his mother’s age of 127 when she died.  The wisdom of the Bible teaches us that if we follow our parent’s lifestyle, we can expect similar life-spans.  By looking at their patterns we can predict our own.  The good news is:  if they had poor physical habits, we can change ours to increase our life-span.  While death may be inevitable, it should not be hastened by forfeiting the gift of life.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Almighty God   (El Shaddai)  October 29, 2009

Then Jacob said to Joseph: “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me,  and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people, and give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’ Genesis 48:3-4

Here Jacob tells of meeting God Almighty, the All-sufficient One, the Pourer, the Shedder Forth.  And God did just that.  He met all of Jacob’s needs by pouring or shedding forth blessing into Jacob’s life.  God is not stingy.  He is a lover and giver.  He desires to bless us by pouring forth into our lives everything sufficient, both spiritual and physical.  Do you know Him as El Shaddai?  The wise do.

 

Daily Wisdom – Fruit of the Spirit  October 28, 2009

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law Galatians 5:22 -23

Now we come to patience.  If you have noticed, the fruit of the Spirit is progressive.  When you have love in your life, you become joyful.  Once you have love and joy, you also become at peace with God, yourself and others.  Once we are able to love others, are joyous and peaceful, patience begins to mature in us as we bear one another’s burdens, overlook their faults and realize that joy is not an end in itself but the fruit of loving others.  So is patience.  It is hard to be patient with someone you do not love or with whom you are angry or irritated.  Patience is a product of love.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Worship October 13, 2009
You will eat and you will be satisfied. Beware for yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them.
 Deuteronomy 11:15-16

When we are sated- having enough to eat, wealthy enough to provide for our needs and wants, we can be deceived into believing we can take care of ourselves.  Little by little we become independent of God.  Our focus turns to maintaining and gaining for ourselves instead of thanking and praising God, the Source of everything.  Each person must beware for themselves to only worship God.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Word of God   October 12, 2009

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
 Follow Your Bubbles -   Vern Treat tells about a scuba diver who said that when you're in deep water, you're encircled by light, so there's no way you can tell which way is up because the water diffuses the light. You're also totally weightless, so you have no sense of gravity. The only way you can tell which way to get out of the water is to go the direction the bubbles are going.

Surrounded in an aura of light and weightless, it's very easy to lose all sense of direction and get disoriented. You may sense that this way is up and that your air bubbles are going sideways. You may be so convinced that your perception is true that you decide to ignore your bubbles and go the way you think is up.

One of the first things we were told when learning to scuba-dive, Trent said, was to always trust your bubbles—to always follow your bubbles. No matter how you feel, no matter what you think, your bubbles are always right.

Life can be like that at times too. If we base the rules of life on our feelings, perception or what we think, we can be very easily led astray. The philosophy, "If it feels good it must be right," is a dangerous guide to follow because our feelings can play all sorts of tricks on us. If something is wrong, it is wrong regardless of how we feel or what we think. True, it's important that we don't deny or repress our feelings, because we can learn to trust them; but what we can't always trust is our interpretation of them.

The only safe guide to follow when it comes to the rules of life is to trust God and his Word, the Bible. Therein lie the "bubbles of life" to follow. These "bubbles" are always right. Always!

 

Daily Wisdom – Money  October 8, 2009

It is forbidden to use dishonest money for charity or any other religious purpose, as God told His prophet, "For I, God, love justice, I hate robbery" (Isaiah 61:8). The Psalmist similarly teaches us, "The robber blesses, but [in so doing] scorns God" (Psalms 10:3). Similarly, one who has excessive debts should repay them before intemperately contributing to charity.

It is a blessing to be able to earn our own way in the world and thereby enjoy the fruits of our own labor, as the Psalmist writes, "You shall eat the fruit of your effort -- you shall be happy and it shall be well with you" (Psalms 128:2). Still, one's business or career should always be secondary to his duties toward God. One who places material considerations before his service of God is guilty of violating the commandment to love God above all.   That’s wisdom!

Daily Wisdom – The Attributes and Character of God   September 27, 2009

And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”   Exodus 34:6-7 

The name God denotes power and a degree of mercy that surpasses even the mercy indicated by the name ‘the Lord.”  God has the power to extend mercy to all people in various degrees.  Some degrees of mercy are for those who repent out of love for God and some degrees are for those who repent out of fear.  Infinite God knows our needs and is able to apply mercy for each situation.  That’s wisdom.

 

Daily Wisdom – Spiritual Gifts  September 26, 2009

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.  There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.  God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.1 Corinthians 12:4-6

God is creative, therefore He has various spiritual gifts which fulfill the ministry of the body of Christ – the church.  Spiritual gifts are for service.  If you are not serving, there is no need of a spiritual gift.  When we learn to be led of the Spirit we will be equipped with the necessary gifts to complete our assignment on earth.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Peace   September 25, 2009
And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field; so Jacob held his peace until they came. Genesis 34:5

There are two major lessons in this scripture.  1.  Jacob was wise to hold his peace though he was horribly upset that his daughter had been raped. He needed time to think.  He needed the advice of others.  2.  Jacob held his peace.  Each one of us is owner and master of our peace.  It belongs to us and us alone.  We either hold and keep it or we through it away in the emotion of the moment.  Be wise:  hold your peace!

 

Daily Wisdom – Parenting  September 24, 2009
And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.
1 Samuel 18:14

“In politics, as in wealth creation and successful family life, wisdom is far more important than intelligence.  This is great news because there is not much we can do to increase our intelligence, but we can certainly increase our wisdom.”* As parents it is our job to teach our children to behave wisely.  The best way to teach it is to demonstrate it.  Live wisely!

* Daniel Lapin

 

Daily Wisdom – Healing   September 14, 2009
So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children;
Genesis 20:17

God gives us the privilege of praying for others to be healed as demonstrated by Abraham.  God invites us into the healing process as we express our compassion and desire for another to receive Divine healing.  It is an expression of God’s image in us when we pray for others to be made whole.  That’s wisdom.

 

Daily Wisdom – Tithing  September 22, 2009

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, `Seeing God is with me, and has kept me in this way which I am going, and has given to me bread to eat, and a garment to put on -- when I have returned in peace to the house of my father, and Jehovah has become my God, then this stone which I have made a standing pillar is a house of God, and all that You give to me -- I will tithe to Thee.' Genesis 28:20-22

When God truly becomes our God, we will become tithers.  As long as we depend upon ourselves and our abilities, we are not trusting God and will not tithe.  Acknowledging God in our money acknowledges God in our lives.  That’s wisdom!

Daily Wisdom - Body, Soul and Spirit September 19, 2009
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Galatians 5:22
The Christian's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. This Divine Person within is not only a resident, but a resource. It is His purpose to reproduce the life of Jesus Christ in each of us. The Bible tells us what to expect when we allow that to happen: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..." (Galatians 5:22-23). What cannot be attained through trying to keep the law becomes ours through yielding to the Holy Spirit. – Jack Van Impe


Daily Wisdom - Salvation September 17, 2009
Eternal life is not about how long we have life, but the quality of the life we experience.
Religion says we must be constantly aware of your sin nature and what you must guard against doing. But that’s being sin conscious and I don’t believe it pleases God. Trusting all that He has done all for you and loving Him for it with a grateful heart -- that’s pleasing to Him. He didn’t go through all that so you would fret and struggle and be in anguish that you might sin or that you don’t “feel” righteous. There’s no faith in that with which to please Him because the power is not viewed as His power to keep you “in Him”, but the perceived higher power is viewed as evil power to keep you “from Him”. It’s religious and a false humility because it’s all about you and not really about Him. Yes, we want to live so as to never defile the holiness of God and His goodness toward us, but we rest in a Sabbath rest, that He has done all the work so that “we have peace with God through faith” (Romans 5:1). – Sid Roth
 

Daily Wisdom – Love   September 16, 2009
You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:18

The effect of genuine, other-oriented giving is profound. It allows you into another person's world and opens you up to perceiving his or her goodness. At the same time, it means investing part of yourself in the other, enabling you to love this person as you love yourself.

The more you give, the more you love. Many years ago, I met a woman whom I found very unpleasant. So I decided to try out the "giving leads to love" theory. One day I invited her for dinner. A few days later I offered to help her with a personal problem. On another occasion I read something she'd written and offered feedback and praise. Today we have a warm relationship. The more you give, the more you love. This is why your parents (who've given you more than you'll ever know) undoubtedly love you more than you love them, and you, in turn, will love your own children more than they'll love you.*  That’s wisdom!

*E.F.

 

Daily Wisdom – Holy Spirit   September 15, 2009

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

The wind of My Spirit is blowing to sweep away all that has become stagnant and to stir up and enliven the spiritual atmosphere. You can choose to remain in the same routine and allow it to become nothing more than religious exercise, or you can be moved by the Wind. The choice is yours, says the Lord, but you truly have nothing to lose and much to gain if you will be moved by the Spirit of life, the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of counsel and might. Yield, I say, to the force of renewed life. You will not regret it.  – Marsha Burns

 

Daily Wisdom – Healing   September 14, 2009
So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children;
Genesis 20:17

God gives us the privilege of praying for others to be healed as demonstrated by Abraham.  God invites us into the healing process as we express our compassion and desire for another to receive Divine healing.  It is an expression of God’s image in us when we pray for others to be made whole.  That’s wisdom.

 

Daily Wisdom – Worship  September 13, 2009

And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage. Deuteronomy 4:19

What things are you serving?  Do things around the house or shop require your attention, even on Sundays?  Has life become so filled with things and activities that our blessings have turned to bondage – keeping us BUSY and unable to give God true worship? 

BUSY – Being Under Satan’s Yoke   Make the decision to put God first and these things will serve you instead of you serving them.  That’s wisdom.

 

Daily Wisdom – Word of God   September 12, 2009

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. - John 15:7
In all God's dealings with us, the promise and its conditions are inseparable. IF we fulfill the conditions, he fulfills the promise. What he is to us depends upon what we are willing to be to Him. "Come near to God and he will come near to you." And so in prayer the unlimited promise "Ask whatever you wish" has one simple and natural condition: "if you abide in me." ....
When we compare this promise with the experience of most believers, we are startled by an awesome discrepancy. Who could count the prayers that rise to God and have no answer? Why is this? Either we do not fulfill the condition or God does not fulfill the promise.
Believers are not willing to admit either, and therefore have devised a way of escape from the dilemma. They add to the promise the qualifying clause our Savior did not put there: if it is God's will. That way, they maintain both God's integrity and their own. How sad that they do not accept and hold the Word as it stands, trusting Christ to vindicate His truth. Then God's Spirit would lead them to see the divine propriety of such a promise to those who truly abide in Christ in the sense in which He means it, and to confess that the failure in fulfilling the condition is the one sufficient explanation of unanswered prayer. The Holy Spirit would then make our weakness in prayer one of the motives to urge us on to discover the secret and obtain the blessing of full abiding in Christ.      Author unknown

 

Daily Wisdom   Marriage   September 11, 2009
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
Romans 12:10

The creating of a lasting relationship between husband and wife will only occur when both practice an attitude of giving.   Marriage means giving. In order for a marriage to succeed (and to last for the long term), it must be built on the premise that each person is in it to give to the other. Of course, one will receive as well, but it must be as a "receiver," not a "taker."  That’s wisdom.

 

Daily Wisdom - JOY   September 10, 2009

  Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies  2 Chronicles 20:27

The people of God were returning home with joy for He had made them rejoice over their enemies.  It was God who defeated their enemies when they followed His instructions.  God gave them victory.  He gave them joy.  The pathway to joy is in following God’s roadmap through life.  We can choose our way which will lead to destruction or we can follow God’s way which leads to joy.  Contrary to modern philosophy, all roads do not lead to God.  Choose joy by choosing God.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom  - Prayer   September 9, 2009

Below is a link to a very good article that gives some biblical insights on how we should pray and deal with prayer requests (both ours and others).  Make sure you read all three pages.  It doesn't take long to read. Enjoy!

http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/articles/smallgroups/artofprayergroup.html

 

Daily Wisdom – Money September 8, 2009
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. I Timothy 6:10

The word translated love in this verse means lust. A lust for money is the root of all evil. In Alford's commentary on the New Testament, he quotes Chrysostom on this verse as follows: "Lusts are thorns: and as among thorns, whenever one touches them, one's hands are bloodied and wounds are made; so he who falls among lusts shall suffer the same and shall surround his soul with griefs." Be wise, love God not money.

 

Daily Wisdom – Jesus  September 7, 2009

Then Jesus, when He had been immersed, came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven (God, the Father), saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:16-17) 

This perfect picture of the Triune Godhead in action is a gift from God to help us perceive an infinite truth with our finite minds. As Jesus, the Son of God is immersed, the Spirit of God comes to Him as a dove and He hears His Father speak from heaven. Jesus is our example of our relationship to the Father.  He is also our example of how to live this life.  God says we can be like Jesus.  Don’t argue with God.  Just agree with it and live it.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Gifts and Talents    September 6, 2009

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Hebrews 12:1-2

“The whole fabric of history is totally interconnected. Each and every one of us with our problems, our challenges, our joys, our pain, are all part of a vast, eternal plan.  Every single one of us is serving God in his or her unique way. The real questions are: Do we choose to serve the Author of History and be a living channel bringing God into the world, or do we pretend there is no author? Everyone is created in the image of God, but not everyone knows it. The joy of living is to know it, to know it's not just my little show playing itself out in my home, with my kids and my job, but a cosmic grand epic.  Play your part consciously, understanding it is all about the choices you make, the attitudes you adopt, the awareness you achieve, and the meaning you give to every situation.”   That’s wisdom!  - David Aaron

 

Daily Wisdom – Forgiveness   September 5, 2009

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matt 5:7 NIV)
When you consider forgiving the people who have hurt you, you must always consider how much Jesus has forgiven you! You don’t deserve His love and can never earn it. He forgave you because He is a merciful, gracious God. Because you have already been forgiven of ALL your sins and set free, you must forgive others by becoming so transparent that His mercy and grace will radiate through every aspect of your life.  That’s wisdom.

 

Daily Wisdom – Faith  September 4, 2009

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double- minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8

There are things that you have had no clarity about, and you are still uncertain about what to do. But, I say that if you exercise your faith and ask Me for wisdom, I will give it liberally and not hold anything back. All you have to do is ask and wait for My guidance. I will show you the way and bring to a conclusion matters that have been unsettled and undetermined, says the Lord. Only believe!                              By Marsha Burns

 

Daily Wisdom – Patience    September 3, 2009

Yet for many years You had patience with them, …..Nehemiah 9:30

Your people mutinied, rebelled against you, threw out your laws and killed your prophets, the very prophets who tried to get them back on your side— and then things went from bad to worse. You turned them over to their enemies, who made life rough for them. But when they called out for help in their troubles you listened from heaven; and in keeping with your bottomless compassion you gave them saviors: Saviors who saved them from the cruel abuse of their enemies. But as soon as they had it easy again they were right back at it—more evil. So you turned away and left them again to their fate, to the enemies who came right back. They cried out to you again; in your great compassion you heard and helped them again.
This went on over and over and over. You warned them to return to your Revelation, they responded with haughty arrogance: They flouted your commands, spurned your rules —the very words by which men and women live! They set their jaws in defiance, they turned their backs on you and didn't listen. You put up with them year after year and warned them by your spirit through your prophets; but when they refused to listen you abandoned them to foreigners. Still, because of your great compassion, you didn't make a total end to them. You didn't walk out and leave them for good; yes, you are a God of grace and compassion. Nehemiah 9:29-31 (The Message)  Praise God for His patience with us.  Wise people listen!

 

Daily Wisdom – Faithfulness August 2, 2009
 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. Revelation 2:25
George Eliot shared his secret of remaining faithful as follows:
"I will try this day to live a simple, sincere and serene life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity and the habit of holy silence; exercising in expenditure, generosity in giving, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity in every trust, and a childlike faith in God.
"In particular I will try to be faithful in those habits of prayer, work, physical exercise, eating and sleep, which I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me to be right, that all my powers with all their might to God's sole glory may unite." That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Fruit of the Spirit  August 28, 2009

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law Galatians 5:22 -23

The second characteristic of the Holy Spirit in our lives is joy.  God is demonstrating to us, through the order of the fruit bearing process of the Holy Spirit, that joy results from love.  Joy follows love.  Think of a young couple in love.  Immediately joy comes to your mind and even to your face.  When we act lovingly, we will feel joyful.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – The Attributes and Character of God   August 27, 2009

Exodus 34:6-7  And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

Lord denotes God’s mercy.  It appears twice because it refers to two different kinds of mercy.  The first is that God is merciful before a person sins, even though He knows that future evil lies dormant in the person.  The second mention of Lord denotes that even after someone has sinned, God mercifully accepts his repentance.  Without Divine mercy, a sin could not simply disappear from the scales of justice merely because a sinner has repented, just as an assailant cannot free himself from paying for damages merely because he regrets what he did.  God is mercy! 

 

Daily Wisdom – Spiritual Gifts  August 26, 2009

Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. This is complex and often misunderstood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable. God wants us to use our intelligence, to seek to understand as well as we can. 1 Corinthians 12:1,3

I Corinthians 12 gives great insight and information about the supernatural work of God manifested in believers.  This work is shown as spiritual gifts.  Many people shun anything to do with spiritual gifts because of fear and lack of knowledge. There isn’t anything mysterious about the gifts, only a lack of knowledge and understanding.  We should become informed and knowledgeable.  That is real wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Peace   August 25, 2009

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, `Seeing God is with me, and has kept me in this way which I am going, and has given to me bread to eat, and a garment to put on -- when I have returned in peace to the house of my father, and Jehovah has become my God, then this stone which I have made a standing pillar is a house of God, and all that You give to me -- I will tithe to Thee.' Genesis 28:20-22

Jacob understood that only God could make Him whole and holy.  He understood that peace is the process of becoming whole, becoming more like God.  He knew God was with him and would keep His word to meet his physical needs.  Jacob’s vow was to pursue peace with God and his fellowman. He relied upon God’s power and ability to accomplish that as indicated by his statement: “Jehovah has become my God.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Parenting  August 24, 2009

And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.  Genesis 48:13-14

Jacob knew that Ephraim, the younger, represented spiritual mastery while Manasseh represented materialistic achievement. Connecting with God and earning a living are the two concerns most parents have for their children. While each child needs both, Jacob’s question was which comes first, as represented by the right hand.  He knew that although both blessing are necessary, he needed to emphasize spiritual strength and elevate it above material success.  Spiritual achievement can easily bring material success, while the reverse is seldom true.  A wise parent emphasizes God first.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Stewardship   August 21, 2009
The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.
Psalm 24:1

“Since God owns it all (and He has no lack of resources), He implores us to handle our possessions in a way that edifies the body of Christ, reflects His glory by our trusting obedience to His plan, and gives credit to Him alone.  We should dwell less on the amount He has entrusted to us, and be more concerned about what God wants you to do with the resources He is providing and how He wants us to relate to the people through whom He is providing them.”  That’s wisdom!               -Richard Haynie

 

Daily Wisdom – The Return of Christ    August 20, 2009
May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:13

“The motivation for remaining holy and blameless is the return of Jesus Christ in his glory. The motivation is to be ready when he appears so we can join him, so we’re worthy of him, be fit to join him in his triumphal procession. See how he puts it: "At the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." The picture is of Jesus parading through the heavens in triumph with all his followers singing his praises. He wants us to make sure that we’re ready to join that procession.

Notice that Paul’s prayer is that Jesus would provide the power to do it. He prays that the Lord would "so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless." This is because our holiness is something that not only comes from Jesus’ death on our behalf in the first place but is maintained by his work in us through his Holy Spirit. We depend on the Holy Spirit to keep us following Jesus, to keep us pure and blameless.”  That’s wisdom!     - Chris Appleby

 

Daily Wisdom - Body, Soul and Spirit     August 19, 2009

The beginning of wisdom is fear of God.   (Psalms 111:10)

Wisdom can be a powerful tool for both good and evil.  Many people are motivated by their understanding of God’s wishes. Others act in ways intended to defy God.  Much of life revolves around spiritual factors like love, trust, faith, optimism, and courage.  Without an understanding of this spiritual side of life it is difficult to function effectively in the real world.  Though you cannot increase your Intelligence Quotient, you can increase your Wisdom Quotient.  The first three steps are: (a) invest time in learning to know and fear (reverence) God; (b) strive to accept reality; and (c) separate your emotions from your thinking.  – Daniel Lapin

 

Daily Wisdom – Truth      August 18, 2009

"The LORD said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’   Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.   After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.   And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. (1 Kings 19:11-13).
We often think God is in our grand projects only to discover that He is not. We may also assume because of the success or visibility of a situation that God is in it. God's ways are not always highly visible. Sometimes He chooses to come in the soft, gentle whisper. It is sometimes difficult to recognize it as the Lord because He shows Himself in such subtle ways. We need to be able to discern when God is actually part of our situation. Only then can we avoid being deceived. Ask God for wisdom to know Him and His Truth.          Os Hillman

 

Daily Wisdom -  Salvation  August 17, 2009
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. Exodus 14:13

The people of Israel had been enslaved for hundreds of years.  Now they were free but their minds and hearts were that of slaves; they had no power of their own in which to fight.  The “stand still” command tells them not to run in fear but to watch what God was doing on their behalf.  After God destroyed the Egyptians, the Hebrew children would never be subject to them again.

Today, people are enslaved by sin and habits that lead to destruction.  They have no power of their own in which to overcome their slavery.  Just as God delivered the Hebrews from their spiritual and physical enemy, so God today wants to deliver all who call upon Him.  And just as the Hebrews would never again be enslaved by Egypt, so we can never be enslaved again by sin when we cry out to God for deliverance and accept His salvation.  “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12  What are you waiting for?  God is ready to deliver you.  Accept it!  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Love   August 16, 2009
 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  Matthew 5:43-45

“Love is the attachment that results from deeply appreciating another's goodness.  If love comes from appreciating goodness, it needn't just happen -- you can make it happen. Love is active. You can create it. Just focus on the good in another person (and everyone has some). If you can do this easily, you'll love easily.  There's no better wisdom. By focusing on the good, you can love almost anyone.” That’s wisdom!      E.F. 

 

Daily Wisdom – Holy Spirit   August 15, 2009
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. JOHN 14:26
What a wonderful, patient teacher the Holy Spirit is!  This teacher has no limits. He never has to call on anyone else for an answer. He knows everything.  Whatever you are doing, He can help you -- and teach you how to do it better. Just ask.  Jesus said it, "He will teach you all things."
I love the story of George Washington Carver, who asked God to teach him about the peanut -- then changed our world with the knowledge he gained of the peanut.  Do not hesitate to ask God to teach you about even the smallest things. He understands every detail and is never too busy for you.  From child raising to atomic science -- He is the most knowledgeable and capable teacher.
And the Holy Spirit is always available! No need to wait for office hours to call on this professor. Call on Him anytime.  – a devotional

 

Daily Wisdom – Healing   August 14, 2009

“Mine is vengeance and retribution at the time their foot will falter, for the day of their catastrophe is near, and future events are rushing at them,” when the LORD will have judged His people,

  See, now, that I, I am He --  and no god is with Me.  I put to death and I bring to life, I struck down   and I will heal, and there is no rescuer from My hand.  Deuteronomy 32:35-36, 39

Several times in Scripture we read where God states that vengeance and retribution belong to God.  They are His possession.  That is why we are admonished so many times to forgive our enemies.  When we set ourselves up as judge and vindicator, we are taking God’s position and God’s possession.  We then become God’s enemy and adversary.  God will not tolerate human’s usurping His authority and possessions.  But more than that, God is trying to protect us from ourselves.  Unforgiveness is a poison in our bodies, souls and spirits.  It is like the nastiest cancer magnified 100 times as it eats away our peace of mind, separates our spirits from God and manifests as illness in our bodies.  Any time you start feeling unforgiviness, bitterness or begin planning revenge, you need to stop, drop and roll to extinguish that fire before it consumes you!

Stop to consider that vengeance is God’s.  Drop to your knees and ask forgiveness and strength for yourself and forgive the offender.  Roll the offense into God’s hand to handle the recompense.  Then rise to walk in love to God and those who transgressed.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Worship  August 13, 2009
(for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),
Exodus 34:14

To be jealous is to refuse to give up what is rightfully yours.  There is no one or no thing greater or more deserving of worship than God.  It is His right and He refuses to give what is His to some human made image or give His place in our lives to some other activity.  Unfaithfulness in a marriage or in relationship to God is an abuse of trust, an act of treason.  If we truly love God, we will scrutinize our lives daily for any signs of idolatry  - for we become like the object of our worship.  Don’t settle for cheap imitations. Our worship belongs to God.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Word of God   August 12, 2009

Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. PSALM 119:89 

Heaven is not running around trying to figure out the will of God. His Word is settled in Heaven.
God surely had enough time before the Bible was written down to make any changes in His plans. Now that He has given His Word, He will keep it and see that it comes to pass. The issue is settled in Heaven. Now you should settle it: God's Word is true. God said what He meant and meant what He said.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom   Marriage   August 11, 2009

And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’  and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?  So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Matthew 19:4-6 

 

How are you doing in “becoming one flesh?”  So many couples today find it hard to become unified because they both pursue their own individual goals and visions.  That was never God’s intent.  The purpose of marriage is to unify two different individuals- with all their hopes, dreams, desires – with the vision of reaching greater spiritual and physical purposes than they can alone.  The couple who is willing to yield their own desires to accomplish the greater goal finds their hopes and dreams fulfilled.  God’s desire is for marriage to be a taste of heaven.  That’s a goal!  That’s a vision!  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom - JOY   August 10, 2009

 “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything,”  Deuteronomy 28:47 

 

Are you squandering your joy?  In today’s scripture, God’s people had chosen to complain instead of joyfully worshipping God “for the abundance of EVERYTHING!”  When we complain, gripe and poor-mouth about life, we are complaining against God; accusing Him of being stingy, uncaring, a dead-beat dad undeserving of our worship.  God desires for us to enjoy this life and all its abundance.  We receive this abundance by recognizing Him for who He really is, thanking Him for His goodness, praising Him with joy and gladness for all His gifts, by joyfully expecting more good things!  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Jesus    August 7, 2009

 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,  saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1-2

The wise men of the world knew a King had been born because of the special star.  They studied world literature to find this special person whom nature announced through the star.  Then they traveled to find the newborn King that they might worship Him and present gifts to Him.  Wise men throughout the ages continue to seek the answers of who Jesus is.  Once they encounter Him, their lives are changed forever.  Are you seeking to know who Jesus is?  Have you discovered Him as King?  It is wise to do so!

 

Daily Wisdom – Gifts and Talents    August 6, 2009
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
1 Corinthians 1:7

Did you get that?  We do not lack any spiritual gift.  God has given us every thing needed to live this life for Him and fulfill our mission while here on this earth.  Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (John 14:12)  Today, stop asking for more gifts; start asking for revelation of the gifts within you.  Live today as God’s glorious church, walking in the fullness of His gifts.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Forgiveness   August 5, 2009
For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.(NKJV)
Matthew 26:28

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (NIV)

Remission – 1.  The period during which the symptoms of a disease abate or subside.  2. Release, as from a debt, penalty, or obligation.  3.  Forgiveness; pardon.

When our sins are forgiven, we go into remission (think remission of cancer).  We once had the disease (sin) but now the disease is dormant.  Psalm 103:12 says: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  If we go north around the earth, we will eventually turn south.  If we keep going, we will eventually round the south pole and head north.  But if we go east, we will never encounter the west.  Forgiveness removes our sin from us, never to be held against us again.  It is gone, destroyed!  We are to go on to glory, to holiness because the issue of sin has been dealt with.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Death   June 30, 2009

''It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for that is the end of all man, and the living should take it to heart'' (Ecclesiastes 7:2).

“Being confronted with human mortality motivates a person to spirituality.  Contemplation of one's mortality discourages a person from physical indulgences.  Life is a journey through a physical existence to an eternal spiritual existence.  How well we learn to elevate the spiritual over the physical determines how much joy we have here and beyond.”  Be wise:  live for eternity.

 

Daily Wisdom – Almighty God   July 29, 2009

You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely]; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.  Exodus 20:7

The Name of the LORD represents His power, actions and reputation in the universe.  Almighty God cannot be “conjured” or treated as an object, since He is the master of the universe and subject to no one.  It is a vain use to attempt to invoke the Name of God for selfish or manipulative purposes.

 

Daily Wisdom – Fruit of the Spirit  July 28, 2009

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law Galatians 5:22 -23

The first manifestation of the Spirit is love. The Bible tells us that love is the greatest and most important quality of life. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.*   “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”**     

But how do we know when we are producing Divine Love?  When our lives look like this:  Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].*** Above all else, develop love.  That is real wisdom!

* I Corinthians 13:13    **1 John 4:7   ***I Corinthians 13:4-7

 

Daily Wisdom – The Attributes and Character of God   July 27, 2009
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

God is selfless.  "What?' you say, "God is Almighty Creator.  God is Sovereign King. God is Alpha and Omega. What need does He have to be selfless? He is in absolute control."  And, I must say, you're right. He has no need to be selfless, which makes his selflessness all that much more amazing. The work He performed on the cross was completely and solely for our benefit. He did not NEED to save us. He was not just fulfilling some sort of cosmic plan. HE was not trying to prove how good He could be. He simply, yet amazingly, just loved us so much that He chose to perform the most selfless act ever done, so that we might be saved and have life - beautiful, eternal life. 
God not only did that ONE selfless act, but He continuously denies His own interest and does things JUST for us, just for our good.  Not because He needs it for His glory (He is glorified enough in Himself and any small glory we may offer is pitiful in comparison); and not because that's what He is supposed to do (He owes us nothing); and not to fulfill some plan set in motion before time (God is not limited by man). God does things for us simply because He loves us. We did not earn it (indeed, we can't). We did not deserve it (we deserve very much the opposite). And we only accept it by His grace.  Do you grasp this? That God loves you completely outside of Himself? He loves you selflessly. May our one goal be to know this Love and offer it to others. A Love this great is powerful, boundless, freeing, and, simply mind blowing. God who needs NOTHING from us, but yet has to bear so many burdens because of us, still LOVES us. We are so minute and insignificant compared to our Almighty God and yet He gives of Himself sacrificially totally for you!
What?! Why?!  He loves you. The Almighty, All Powerful, All Inclusive, Sovereign God loves YOU! And He loves you so much He is outside of Himself, sacrificing Himself JUST for you - your happiness, your benefit, your good.  Why do you worry? Why do you waver? Won't you accept this indescribable gift? Such a love demands a response from us.

 

Daily Wisdom – Spiritual Gifts  July 26, 2009

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)!  For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts, or who has [ever] been His counselor?  Or who has first given God anything that he might be paid back or that he could claim a recompense?  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it)”. Romans 11:33-36

 

Once a human being – made in the image of God Almighty and living in a physical world – comprehends that this is all about God and gets on with being one with God to accomplish God’s will on earth as in heaven, life becomes not about us and our gifts and talents but about the One who desires to be one with us.  God Almighty has invited humans to join Him in His work His way.   Each of us has someone who we would love to have as a mentor, to teach us how to be like them:  Warren Buffet, Don Garlits, Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, etc.  God wants to mentor us in His perfect way.  Let Him!  That is the ultimate spiritual gift. That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Peace   July 25, 2009

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace.  Proverbs 3:17  (Her refers to wisdom.)

"One should strive to never get angry. Bear embarrassment and don't return it. Forgive one who sins against you. Whoever gets angry—if he's a scholar, he'll lose his wisdom; if he's a prophet, he'll lose his prophecy; if he was destined for a high office, he'll lose that. Getting angry is like idol worship. It makes the Divine Presence (in whose image we are created) worthless in the person's eyes. Whoever forgoes on his anger is forgiven for all his sins."*  Peace is the vessel that transmits God’s blessing.  Forego anger.  Seek peace.  That’s wisdom!

* Ayreh Citron

 

Daily Wisdom – Parenting  July 24, 2009

Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

People often drive their children to fulfill their own ambitions or force their children onto paths intended to enhance their own social aspirations.  Far too many parents don’t listen to the child’s soft voice trying to find expression.  Living our life through our child while remaining indifferent to his unique qualities is not right.  God grants us the privilege of nurturing His children to adulthood.  Part of the thrill of parenting is learning to know that little person and gradually guiding that child to achieve full potential in whatever he or she was created to do. – Daniel Lapin

 

Daily Wisdom – Heaven   July 23, 2009
And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
Genesis 14:19

God is the Possessor of heaven and earth.  It all belongs to Him; after all, He created it.  God has entrusted us to care for and develop this earth and use it resources in service to Him and each other.  How well are we doing in caring for God’s creation earth?  But more importantly:  how well are relating to God?  Our relationship with God is our invitation to His house, Heaven. Heaven will be the bliss of being with the One we love.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Tithing   July 22, 2009

 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.  So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”  Luke 21:1-4

The widow sacrificed all she had to live on, out of her desire to serve God with everything He had entrusted to her.  God’s litmus test is not how large the gift, but how large the heart.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Stewardship   July 21, 2009
And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”
Genesis 28:22

When a Christian begins to understand that there is a strong connection between giving and their soul, they become a mature steward.  They view generous giving as a vertical experience between them and God.  This steward gives “not knowing where the money will come from.”  Dallas Willard

 

Daily Wisdom – The Return of Christ    July 20, 2009
”For what is our hope or happiness or our victor's wreath of exultant triumph when we stand in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you?”
1 Thessalonians 2:19

Paul’s ‘exultant triumph’ at Christ’s appearance is going to be all the people whose lives were changed because they heard the gospel of his beloved Lord.  Paul’s heart for people was like Christ’s heart for them.  No greater gift can we give our Lord or those we know than to tell them of Christ’s magnificent love and sacrifice for them.  Our ‘exultant triumph’ will be to stand in the midst of our loved ones in the presence of Christ at His return.  That is wisdom!  That is glory!

 

Daily Wisdom - Body, Soul and Spirit     July 19, 2009
"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and
truth
." John 4:24    So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them
. Genesis 1:27
Because we are created in the image of God, we are also spirit.  We are a spirit-being, we have a soul (mind, emotions, personality), and we live in a body.  We are tri-part beings designed to operate in unity and as a unit:  our emotions and thoughts affect our bodies for health or illness; our unique personalities reflect our divine creativity; our spirit operates on faith and belief, whether good or evil.  The wise man seeks to know God's plan for the 'whole' man.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Truth July 18, 2009

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 58:8,9).
There are three places from which a thought or idea originate: 1) Our natural man, 2) Satan, and 3) The Holy Spirit. There are a few ways to discern from which place a thought is coming. If a thought comes into your mind that you know you would never have thought of, and it might be something you would not normally consider doing. This is likely God speaking. In order to be obedient, we must not make advance decisions about a particular matter. Each of our decisions must be submitted to the Lord for His counsel to us, not just based on our reasoning.   
by Os Hillman

 

Daily Wisdom -  Salvation  July 17, 2009

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,  Ephesians 1:3-8

The realization of our potential for Godliness should motivate us toward the pursuit of spirituality.  Awareness of being made in God’s image should make a person reach for the stars, because there is nothing spiritual that is beyond our grasp.  We should be thoroughly absorbed in the spiritual greatness that is within our reach to the praise of His glory!  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom - Love  July 16, 2009

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. Genesis 29:20

Rachel’s father required Jacob to give 7 years work for Rachel before he would allow the marriage.  And even though Laban did it out of selfishness, God used it to deepen Jacob's love for Rachel.   "How can you deepen your love for someone? The way God created us, actions affect our feelings most. For example, if you want to become more compassionate, thinking compassionate thoughts may be a start, but giving charity will get you there. Likewise, the best way to feel loving is to be loving -- and that means giving. While most people believe love leads to giving, the truth (as Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler writes in his famous discourse on loving kindness) is exactly the opposite: Giving leads to love."* That’s wisdom!                            *Margaret Giddman

 

Daily Wisdom – Holy Spirit   July 15, 2009
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God Romans 8:16
To be sensitive to the Lord's leading, we must look to the Lord and spend time focused on Him. Prayer, praise, giving thanks, and acknowledging God in all our ways are part of it. The better we know the Lord, both through His Word, and through walking with Him, the easier it will be for us to discern the inner witness of the Spirit, and know God's will for us.

 

Daily Wisdom – Healing   July 14, 2009
and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”
Exodus 15:26

God promised to put none of the diseases of Egypt on His chosen people.  Dr. Don Colbert said, “All the diseases of Egypt, all those things that caused death such as infectious diseases, malnutrition and trauma related deaths, have been eradicated.  Through the cleansing rituals God gave the Israelites, infectious diseases are stopped.  Through correct eating, the body is able to maintain and sustain health.  Through ever increasing medical and surgery technology, most traumas/injuries are repairable and curable.”  We live in a world where God is acutely active on our behalf.  He desires for us to increase in the knowledge of living this life abundantly.  The Bible is our life manual.  Read it!  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Worship  July 13, 2009

You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Deuteronomy 12:31

What have you sacrificed to the god of work – your family, seeing your children grow up, being a parent instead simply a provider?   God gave children parents, not keepers.  One of the greatest ways we can worship God is to teach our children how to live according to His ways.  That is true worship.  That is true wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Word of God   July 12, 2009

 6-7Seek God while he's here to be found,
   pray to him while he's close at hand.
Let the wicked abandon their way of life
   and the evil their way of thinking.
Let them come back to God, who is merciful,
   come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.

 "I don't think the way you think.
   The way you work isn't the way I work."
         God's Decree.
"For as the sky soars high above earth,
   so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
   and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Just as rain and snow descend from the skies
   and don't go back until they've watered the earth,
Doing their work of making things grow and blossom,
   producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry,
So will the words that come out of my mouth
   not come back empty-handed.
They'll do the work I sent them to do,
   they'll complete the assignment I gave them.

"So you'll go out in joy,
   you'll be led into a whole and complete life.
The mountains and hills will lead the parade,
   bursting with song.
All the trees of the forest will join the procession,
   exuberant with applause.
No more thistles, but giant sequoias,
   no more thorn bushes, but stately pines—
Monuments to me, to God,
   living and lasting evidence of God."   Isaiah 55:6-13

This is the word and wisdom of God!

 

Daily Wisdom   Marriage   July 11, 2009

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22

“One should eat and drink less than his means allow, dress in accordance with his means, and honor his wife and children beyond his means.” This is the foundation of a happy married life.

 

Daily Wisdom - JOY   July 10, 2009
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10

HOW DO YOU GET JOY?  Joy comes by doing something for someone who cannot repay you.  You do it deliberately to honor God.  You do it to give pleasure and goodness to someone in need.  You do it to be like God!  If you are not doing something for others, you will have no joy!  Selfishness is sorrow.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom  - Prayer   July 9, 2009
Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched. Numbers 11:2

Prayer should get results.  There are several phrases common in today’s society that gives us the idea that prayer is “wishful” or “catching God on a good day.”  We are not exhibiting faith in our prayers or in God if we are “hoping and praying” or basing them “on a wing and a prayer”.  We should never pray a prayer that we don’t fully expect to be answered.  Our prayers need to be based upon a relationship with God and His Word.  When we pray His will, we get answers.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Money July 8, 2009
Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee. I Chronicles 22:16
Some expect to be liberal givers to the Lord's work when they get through their present tight squeeze. They have the cart before the horse. People of faith have learned to give during difficult times and God has honored their faith.   Samuel Chadwick wrote: "Unless a man cultivates a habit of systematic giving when he has not much to give, he will give little when he is rich."

 

Daily Wisdom – Jesus    July 7, 2009
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21

In original Hebrew language, a name was meant to convey the nature, essence, history, and reputation of the one or thing named. The importance of the power in a name is illustrated when Moses asked God what his "name" was. God told Moses he was the God of his ancestors and that he would save his people from bondage. God said "I am who am" (which sounds like "Yahweh"). God then said "This is my name forever, this is my name for all generations" (Exodus 3:11-15).  The full essence of the name Jesus is "Yahweh-is-Salvation."  Jesus is our salvation.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Faithfulness  July 2, 2009

Besides those males from three years old and up who were written in the genealogy, they distributed to everyone who entered the house of the LORD his daily portion for the work of his service, by his division,  and to the priests who were written in the genealogy according to their father’s house, and to the Levites from twenty years old and up according to their work, by their divisions, 18 and to all who were written in the genealogy—their little ones and their wives, their sons and daughters, the whole company of them—for in their faithfulness they sanctified themselves in holiness.” 2 Chronicles 31:16-18

Faithfulness is consistent action.  Faithfulness is doing what you committed to do even when you don’t feel like it or other things are more attractive or interesting to do.  But keeping commitments sanctifies us in holiness.  We act like God when we are faithful to our word.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Obedience  July 1, 2009

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding" (Psalms 111:10).
Education is a high priority in any society that wants to advance. Education should be sought after by every believer in Jesus Christ in order to better understand God's ways. However, education that is not mixed with faith and obedience will result in programmatic religion.
In the early Hebraic church, wisdom was gained by obedience. Hebrews learned that wisdom was gained by knowing and doing the will of God and that it often did not line up with logic. However, as the church became impacted by the Greek culture through the influence of scholars like Socrates and Aristotle, knowledge-based systems became more influential in the way education was taught and applied. Greeks believed that the way to gain knowledge was based on reason and analysis.
When Joshua walked around the city of Jericho seven times blowing his trumpets, he was exhibiting a Hebraic model of decision-making - pure obedience. Logic and reason played no part in this decision. When Elisha instructed the army general to go wash in a lake in order to be healed of leprosy, it confronted his intellect. This was Hebraic thought rooted in obedience.
The Church has moved into a more knowledge-based and programmatic system of operation over the centuries, rather than obedience-based methods that are motivated by a heart fully devoted to following God. We've replaced obedience with reason, logic, and slick marketing for attractive programs to entice people into our churches.
Ultimately, God desires us to take the Hebraic approach when making decisions. He wants us to make decisions based on our heart's desire to follow Him. by Os Hillman

 

Daily Wisdom – Death   June 30, 2009

''It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for that is the end of all man, and the living should take it to heart'' (Ecclesiastes 7:2).

Being confronted with human mortality motivates a person to spirituality.  Contemplation of one's mortality discourages a person from physical indulgences.  Life is a journey through a physical existence to an eternal spiritual existence.  How well we learn to elevate the spiritual over the physical determines how much joy we have here and beyond.  Be wise:  live for eternity.

 

Daily Wisdom - God Almighty   June 29, 2009

And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.” Genesis 35:10-12 

Names are important.  Three days ago we read where God’s names describe His attributes.  God states here that He is God ALMIGHTY.  Think on that.  Nothing is great or mightier than God.  Nothing!  Yet too many Christians are living substandard lives because they give greater credence to the devil than to God.  Change the way you think:  God is God ALMIGHTY!!!  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – The Attributes and Character of God   June 27, 2009

And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I SHALL BE WHAT I SHALL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!  Exodus 3:14

 

God, who is infinite and undefinable, cannot be named. Thus God has no name, only names -- descriptions of the various behavior patterns that can be ascribed to His influence on our lives.  Each of the divine names describes another of the attributes by which God has chosen to relate to His creation: Elokim describes God's assumption of the attribute of Justice, Jehovah His assumption of Compassion, and so on. Eh-he-yeh ("I Shall Be"), the name by which God here identifies Himself to Moses, connotes God's assumption of Being and Existence.  God’s name reveals His wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Spiritual Gifts June 26, 2009
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Philippians 2:3
Christian work that is done for the praise of men is worthless.
Many years ago, I read a statement that needs to be repeated in every church. It simply said: "It is surprising what can be accomplished for Christ if you don't care who gets the credit."
Church platform service that is rendered to exalt the performer is only a performance and is on a par with any other show business production. It ought not be considered the work of God. Though it is certainly proper to strive for perfection in any presentation, I suspect the Judgment Seat of Christ will find many flawless special numbers lacking while humble servants who were not so talented but had correct motives will be rewarded.
What is your area of service for the Lord? How do you feel about it? Do you have a responsibility this very week? Is your heart right? Jack Van Impe Ministries
 

Daily Wisdom – Peace   June 25, 2009
Now as for you, you shall come to your ancestors  in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age.
Genesis 15:15

The term “shall come to your ancestors in peace” is an expression that applies only to the death of a righteous son of righteous parents.  God was telling Abraham that his idol-worshiping father, Terah, would repent.  Many parents and family members would love to have the peace of knowing that all their family would one day be righteous (in right standing with God.)  Are you?  It is the wise thing to do!

Daily Wisdom – Parenting  June 24, 2009

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother - which is the first commandment with a promise - that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth" (Eph 6:1-3).

One of the great tragedies of society today is the minimizing of the work performed daily by stay-at-home moms. Women who decide to stay home to raise their kids are a rare breed indeed. They must overcome the stigma of comparison to others who pursue careers outside the home. They fail to get the feelings of accomplishment that can come from a career. They are the unseen missionaries of our day. There will be a special reward for these selfless servants.

Has God called you to be a stay-at-home mom? Know that your obedience and sacrifice will be recognized by the Lord. - Os Hillman

Daily Wisdom – Heaven   June 23, 2009
And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.
Genesis 1:8

The heavens had been created on the first day (these 3 areas previously described in April) but were still in a state of flux.  On the second day, God solidifies Heaven, separating it from the watery mass below.  Sages tell us that this separation is “between the wholly spiritual, extraterrestrial aspects of Creation and the tangible world …within the province of man.”  God created a separate, firm place –His abode.  This creation included all the heavenly beings.  While there is now a separation between heaven and earth, God has made a way for us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.  Our loving Father desires us to be with Him.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Tithing   June 22, 2009

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

If a spirit of freedom and cheerfulness does not accompany our giving, then we need to check our motives.  No freedom; no cheerfulness; keep your money!  Grudging compulsion should give way to cheerful giving as we are transformed into Christ’s image.”  Walter Russell

 

Daily Wisdom - Body, Soul and Spirit     June 19, 2009
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.   May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
   1 Thessalonians 5:23

Spirit – The inner being, eternal, able to communicate directly to God.  Sin separates our spirits from God (which is death).  As they decay, they create “a rotting, stinking life.”  Rebirth creates a “living spirit” which develops into an abundant, God endowed life.

Soul – God’s image in us: our personality and unique qualities, desires and abilities.  We get to showcase an aspect of God to the world.  How awesome!

Body – the vehicle that transports us through this life on earth.  Our bodies will die physically one day but will be resurrected at the judgment and made gloriously eternal.

 

It is only when we ask God, the God of peace (nothing broken, nothing missing) to sanctify us through and through – spirit, soul and body – that we reach whole life, abundant life.  God is all about the whole man.  Ask God to make you whole today.  That’s wisdom!

Daily Wisdom – Truth June 18, 2009
Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
Exodus 18:21

 

God instructed Moses to select as rulers able men – who possess good judgment, knowledge of the law and the ability to recognize truth in a conflict.  Truth is broken when stretched or twisted.  Truth is perverted when mixed with “little white lies” and other foreign matter.  Able people have the ability to recognize truth in the conflicts of life.  Pray for that kind of wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Love   June 16, 2009

A friend loves at all times,  And a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Love is a decision – not a feeling.  A friend loves at all times:  in good times and bad, sunshine and rain, through all the seasons of life.  Most of us enjoy our friends in the good times but we really NEED them in the bad times.  How many true friends do you have that love you and you love at all times?  True friends love at all times.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Holy Spirit   June 15, 2009

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever--John 14:16

In the Old Testament, God fought for His people because they didn’t possess His power and authority.  He was with them externally but not internally.  But all that changed after Jesus Christ’s death, burial, resurrection.  The Holy Spirit came to dwell within us.  He will lead, guide, transform and empower us that we might do God’s works with Him.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Worship  June 13, 2009
Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the LORD.
Genesis 24:26

Worship is an action/discipline that draws us into relationship with God. When we bow to God on purpose, worship can take place. It doesn’t matter whether you feel it right now. We have to throw ourselves into the act of worship, and it, by itself, will transform us. The more we worship the deeper and more satisfying our relationship with God.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Word of God   June 12, 2009

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35  (Jesus speaking)

Challenges to the authorship and authority of God’s word transcend all generations.  From the garden of Eden when the serpent asked Eve, “Did God really say?” (Gen. 3:1), challenges to the Bible as the Word of God have never ceased.   The serpent still works hard to make us doubt God’s words as truth.  Jesus states that His words (God’s words) will not die.  They are spirit and they are life.  The wise live by them. 

 

Daily Wisdom   Marriage   June 11, 2009
The fire consumed their young men, and their maidens were not given in marriage.
Psalm 78:63

One of the most powerful components in a relationship is the lack of guarantees. Faith and trust are huge components in a marriage. The love between a man and wife is compared to a fire. It is not static or calm, nor is it certain. It isn’t supposed to be. Therein lies the beauty and sacredness of marriage…allowing another into the most vulnerable and hidden places of our hearts, trusting each other to nurture the fire within us without consuming us.  Marriage is a sacred trust, a covenant between man, woman and God.

 

Daily Wisdom - JOY   June 10, 2009
Because you didn't serve God, your God, out of the joy and goodness of your heart in the great abundance, you'll have to serve your enemies whom God will send against you. Life will be famine and drought, rags and wretchedness; then he'll put an iron yoke on your neck until he's destroyed you. Deuteronomy 28:47-48

God joyfully provides everything we need in this life.  He gives us His word as a GPS in this world.  When we follow His directions, we experience joy and gladness, abundance.  But we have the choice to follow the flip side of life.  Today, give thanks to God for what you have instead of complaining about what you don’t have.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom  - Prayer   June 9, 2009
Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.”
Exodus 33:13

 

Moses had audacity.  He boldly prayed to know God, to know God’s way, to have grace with God.  He didn’t ask for physical things.  He wanted to know the ultimate “boss of the cosmos” personally and have favor with Him (God.)  Do we pray that boldly?  What wisdom Moses exhibited to pray for heavenly things instead of earthly things that will not last!  Favor with God?  Ummmm.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Money  June 8, 2009 

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Philippians 4:16

A few learn one of life's greatest lessons: It is more blessed to give than to receive. The Christians at Philippi were givers. They sent gifts to Paul even when things were difficult for them. Their generosity has not gone unnoticed. Centuries have come and gone and Paul's commendation of their acts of love remains.

George Muller wrote: "God judges what we give by what we keep." The giving heart is never satisfied while the coffers remain full. He gives cheerfully and is blessed in his giving.

 

Daily Wisdom – Jesus    June 7, 2009
She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God].
Matthew 1:21

Jesus didn’t come to this earth to save us from hell when we die but to show us how to live this life as God intended.  We should be thoroughly absorbed in the spiritual greatness that is within our reach. Don’t concentrate on the lowly physical elements of life but strive to achieve your divine greatness.  Follow Jesus’ example.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Gifts and Talents    June 6, 2009

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—Romans 1:11

Spiritual gifts are available to strengthen you to do God’s work.  Jesus functioned only within the framework of the gifts of the Spirit while living on earth. He demonstrated that every one of His followers has the same potential to do the same works He did.  He said, “anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.”  John 14:12  Each believer has God ordained access to the Spirit, His abilities, power and knowledge.  Invite the Spirit to reveal Himself to you today.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Forgiveness   June 5, 2009

‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.”’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Genesis 50:17

 

Because Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him, they made his life miserable by selling him into slavery where he was imprisoned twice, separated from his family, forced to live in a foreign country.  But God was with Joseph, elevating him to second in command of Egypt.  When God reunited Joseph with his family, Joseph forgave them of EVERYTHING.  But look at the next verses: "Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them."

True forgiveness surpasses words with kind actions to the offender.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Faith  June 4, 2009

When you make decisions based on doubt and unbelief, they never turn out right. After hearing Jesus promise to rise from the dead, and actually seeing Him alive, the disciples went back to what they were doing before the met Him: fishing. Now God will use our past experiences to teach us, but He always leads us forward – never back. When fear and uncertainty make us want to go back to the security of what we know, we end up like the disciples: “They went out and … got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing” (Jn 21:3). When we work outside of God’s will it’s like fishing on the wrong side of the boat; we wear ourselves out and in the end have nothing to show for our efforts.

From: Your Word for Today

 

Daily Wisdom – Patience    June 3, 2009
By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls
Luke 21:19

As hard as we wish and pray for things to get better, they sometimes get worse.  Scripture teaches us that at the end of the ages just before Christ returns, things will get very bad.  But the Good News is:  God, and us through Him, wins!  No matter how bad things get, don’t give up. Hold fast.  Endure patiently.  We will win the true life – the inner life that no man or thing can touch.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Faithfulness  June 2, 2009

May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.” 1 Samuel 26:23-24

 

If God were to repay you today based upon your faithfulness to Him, what amount would you receive?  But wait, isn’t that what this verse is telling us?  Hasn’t God set into motion the laws of the universe of sowing and reaping?  We work at our jobs before we are paid, not vice versa.  If we feel that God is failing us in some area of our lives, we need to take a close look at ourselves.  God is faithful. Period. Exclamation point!  When we live faithfully with Him, we will receive the reward of it.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Obedience  June 1, 2009

And Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.”   Exodus 5:2
 

Do you struggle with obedience?  Do you have an attitude of “You have no right to tell me what to do?”   Pharaoh did.  But do we really understand what obedience is?  It means: to hear intelligently and attentively, call together, consent, consider, be content, declare diligently, give ear, be obedient, perceive, understand, witness.  Obedience is accurately listening with our heart, soul and mind so as to know the speaker intimately, perceiving their intent to benefit and enrich our lives. Obedience creates relationships of a joyful, abundant life.  That’s wisdom!

 

(For parents:  Do we issue orders or are we trying to instill obedience?)

 

Kingdom of God  May 31, 2009
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

 

Jesus talked about the kingdom of God more than 70 times in the New Testament - much more often than he mentioned salvation. While salvation is part of bringing the kingdom of God on earth, it includes much more.   When the Gospel of the Kingdom comes into a life and a community, everything in its wake is transformed. How might God want you to be the catalyst to bring the entire Gospel of the Kingdom into the lives and communities you are called to influence?  by Os Hillman

 

Daily Wisdom – Death   May 30, 2009
Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death.
Genesis 27:2

 

Death is a fact of existence.  No man escapes.  It is the door into eternity and into the presence of God.  Live for eternity, not for today.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Almighty God May 29, 2009
May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you until you become a group of peoples. Genesis 28:3

The Bible calls us to a life centered in God's blessings. Why choose error when truth is better?

 

Daily Wisdom – Fruit of the Spirit  May 28, 2009
Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest.
  Isaiah 32:15

 

Fruit is a decision – you can’t go into your back yard to pick apples if you never planted an apple tree there.  UNTIL we make a decision to plant fruit there will never be any in our lives.  We must decide to have the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).  On the momentum of that decision, we will begin a process of planting that goes from one tree to a  fruitful field to a fruitful forest.  Decide to plant spiritual fruit today.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – The Attributes and Character of God   May 27, 2009
The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:2

 

God’s Spirit was moving over the face of the earth which had become a worthless thing.  The original Hebrew uses the word brooding which means to hover envelopingly; loom; to hover over or protect (offspring, etc.) with or as with wings; to be deep in thought; meditate; to focus the attention on a subject persistently and moodily.  In the second verse of the Bible God demonstrates His care, protection, thoughtfulness, attentiveness and persistence in worthless, hopeless situations and lives.  Hang on- for God is brooding over you!  That’s wisdom!

 

      Daily Wisdom – Spiritual Gifts  May 26, 2009

For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] Romans 11:29

 

God calls and gifts imperfect people – us!  He invites us to join Him in His work in this world.  Our gifts and call are to glorify Him, not us.  Unfortunately, some blow it publicly and outrageously.  God knew what would happen before He called us and gifted us yet stands ready to forgive and restore.  This doesn’t give us license but serves as a check and balance; no matter how ‘great’ our call or gift, we are to live humbly.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Peace   May 25, 2009

But they said, “We have certainly seen that the LORD is with you. So we said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, between you and us; and let us make a covenant with you,  that you will do us no harm, since we have not touched you, and since we have done nothing to you but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the LORD.’” Genesis 26:28-29

 

Relationships are the essence of life.  They are tremendous joy when working well and the source of death and destruction when broken.  Today’s scripture teaches: living peaceably is the highest priority of life.  Our lives consist of choices in our interactions with others.  In every situation God provides a way to deal peaceably with each other.  God gleefully enables us to do good but withdraws when we choose to do wrong.  Wise people diligently seek peace, thus enjoy the blessings of God.    That’s WISDOM!

 

Daily Wisdom - Parenting May 24, 2009

“Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.” Proverbs 24:3

 

However dysfunctional your child may be, under God their greatest asset is a parent who responds by faith, not by fixing, by praying, not prying, and who gets out of God’s way and lets Him work.        From: Your Word for Today

 

Daily Wisdom – Heaven   May 23, 2009

As Augustine said, “Our souls will never rest, until they rest in Thee.” Why would God let us feel at home, when this world is not our home? Our dissatisfaction, if we let it, can sharpen our spiritual hunger and cause us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10 NIV).

From: Your Word for Today

 

Daily Wisdom – Tithing   May 22, 2009
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10

 

If members of Christian churches in the US had raised their giving to just 10% of their income in 2000, an additional $139 billion a year would have become available for Kingdom work.  Our potential is mind-blowing:  80 percent of the world’s evangelical wealth is in North America.  This total represents far more than enough to fund the fulfillment of the Great Commission.  What might the Lord accomplish through His church if she took the first step of faith on the journey to generosity?”  Revolution in Generosity

 

Daily Wisdom – Stewardship   May 21, 2009

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful steward, the wise man whom his master will set over those in his household service to supply them their allowance of food at the appointed time? Luke 12:42 

 

A steward is a house manager, overseer, governor or even a minister.  Jesus asks, “Who is that faithful steward, the wise man” who can be trusted with the physical and spiritual things of God in this world?  A wise person is thoughtful, discreet (implying a cautious character); uses practical skill or acumen; intelligence or mental acquirement.  Are you a wise steward whom God can entrust with His things?  Employ wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – The Return of Christ    May 20, 2009

 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:36-39

 

So many people try to predict Christ’s return.  The Bible tells us it is foolishness to do so for not even Jesus Christ knows the hour or day. Only God the Father knows.  Our focus should not be upon the time but how we are living our lives today.  Will we be focused on the physical needs and pleasures as in the days of Noah or will our focus be upon doing the Father’s will of living Godly, productive lives?  If we are living God’s way, Christ’s return will be a joyous event.  Live wisely!

 

Daily Wisdom - Body, Soul and Spirit  May 19, 2009

They’re very careful about who and what gets into the White House. Why? Because of who lives there!

One of the most startling revelations in the Bible is that you and I have a place like that to take care of. Actually, if you belong to Jesus Christ, you are that place! Because the God of the universe has taken up residence in your body! Listen to the words of 1 Corinthians 6:19 "Your bodies are members of Christ Himself ... Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." Be very careful about what gets into that body of yours; what you touch, what you watch, what you listen to. Why? Because of Who lives there!    -- Ron Hutchcraft  "What Really Upsets Jesus."

 

Daily Wisdom – Truth      May 18, 2009
And he (Eliezer) said, “Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His kindness and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”  Genesis 24:27

In today’s scripture we see truth in action twice.  First, Eliezer acknowledges the truth that he is enjoying the blessing of God because of his master Abraham.  Others can be blessed by our connection to God.  Second, he links kindness and truth, because it is important that the two come together.  Kindness alone can be harmful because it can cause someone to give in to the wishes of the one he loves, even in cases where it is wrong.  Therefore, truth must regulate kindness to prevent it from going astray.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom -  Salvation  May 17, 2009
The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
Exodus 15:2

In the normal course of events, we fail to perceive the hand of God at work, and we often wonder how most of the daily, seemingly unrelated phenomena surrounding us could be part of a Divine, coherent plant.  We see suffering and evil and we wonder how they can be the handiwork of a Merciful God.  Rarely, there is a flash of insight that makes people realize how all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.  At such times, we can understand how every note, instrument, and participant in God’s symphony of Creation plays its role.  When we individually realize our role in this symphony and accept God’s plan and purposes, then we can say, “And He has become my salvation!”  That’s wisdom.

 

Daily Wisdom – Love   May 16, 2009

 “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; Deuteronomy 7:9

 

“The world insists that love is caught, much like a virus.  “Some enchanted evening” when you happen to be in the right place at the right time, it will zap you.  You’ll “catch the bug” and enter a life time of unending bliss!  The trouble is, when we’re worn out taking care of three kids, two jobs and a second mortgage, the “virus” subsides.  In the whirlwind of dishes, diapers and daily routines, something has to give.  So romance vacates center stage and reality takes over.  When it does, we confuse romance for true love and mistakenly think it has moved out and that we need to follow.  The truth is, love does not die because romance bows to reality.  If two people who once “fell” in love are willing to “stand” together in love through the challenges and opportunities of family life, romance can grow again, stronger and more resilient than ever.  Love based solely on romance doesn’t work when “for better” meets “for worse.”  Romance based upon a decision to love “till death do us part” is the only love that’s dependable, consistent and trustworthy.”*  It is loving like God loves – unconditionally.  That’s wisdom!

*Bob Gass

 

Daily Wisdom – Holy Spirit   May 15, 2009

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit?" (1 Cor 12:7-9).

 

Ever said the phrase, “What a coincidence!” or ever pondered a situation over and over again because of its absolute absurdity?  When strange or coincidental things happen, do you look for God in those situations or do you shrug it off?  As we grow in knowledge of the Holy Spirit we can began to see that unusual circumstances are often orchestrated by the Holy Spirit to bring about an opportunity for us to see and share God. The next time you notice something unusual going on in your life, ask God to reveal to you His purposes for the strange occurrence through the Spirit's leading.  That's wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Healing   May 14, 2009

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

 

People think that if they are not well, they must sacrifice all meaning in their life in order to take care of their physical situation. In fact, the opposite is true: You cannot separate the healing of the body from the healing of the soul. As you treat the body, you must also increase in nourishing the soul.  That's wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Worship May 13, 2009
And she added, "We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night." Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, saying, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives." Genesis 24:25-27

Do we worship God as He meets our daily needs as Abraham’s servant did? Worship- the intellectual contemplation of, and emotional devotion to God - are religious ideals of the highest order. Worship elevates the common daily occurrences to spiritual delights when we realize that God chose to gift these blessings to us. Contemplate today with awe and wonder. That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Word of God   May 12, 2009

 All that the Lord has said will we do.” Exodus 24:7

The Bible is not God’s attempt to offer illuminating insights, interesting theories or good advice for our consideration. No, it’s an authoritative, indisputable statement of eternal truth for us to live by. It’s intended for real-world application. If we think reading, knowing, and even believing God’s Word fulfills our obligation to it, we’re self-deceived. Because it’s God’s Word, His intention for it must be fulfilled. That requires not just believing, but behaving the Word.                        From: Your Word for Today

Daily Wisdom   Marriage   May 11, 2009

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.   1 Peter 3:7

 

“The unity of the marriage depends upon the husband earning and retaining his wife’s respect and becoming her main man.  How does he do it?  Three steps:  First, he demonstrates constant and consistent respect for his wife.  Second, he demonstrates constant and consistent self-discipline.  Finally, he demonstrates constant and consistent care for the welfare of his wife and children.  This way, he’ll be her main man forever.”  That’s wisdom!

  – Daniel Lapin

 

Daily Wisdom - JOY   May 10, 2009

 

Honor and majesty are found in His presence; strength and joy are found in His sanctuary.   1 Chronicles 16:27 

 

“People are afraid of joy. They are afraid they'll get out of hand and lose control.  These people haven't experienced real joy -- the joy that comes from doing something Godly and beautiful with all your heart. The fact is, there is nothing that will lift you higher. Where there is that joy, the Divine Presence can enter. Where there is that joy, there are no pits to fall into, and all obstacles evaporate into thin air”*   Seek God – find joy.  That’s wisdom!

* T. Freeman

 

Daily Wisdom  - Prayer    May 9, 2009


So now restore to the man his wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her [to him], know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.
Genesis 20:7

 

Pray:  to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray:--entreat, judge, judgment, make supplication.

 

When we pray for others, we are making a judgment about them and their situation.  They are worthy of our prayer and thus it's answer.  Our scripture today illustrates this point.  Abraham was to pray for someone so they would live.  Notice that it says, “you WILL live.”  True prayer accomplishes things.  It is not a praying and hoping, but a praying and knowing that what you pray for will happen because you are praying for others in accordance to God’s will.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Money    May 8, 2009

11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant." Genesis 17:11-13

Money connects.  Today’s scripture shows how money connects us to people outside our family through the payment for services and goods.  But be careful who you connect with in business.  In this scripture, God is telling Abraham that everyone in his family and business affairs must be circumcised –the sign they are in covenant with God.  Don’t become so focused on the money that you forget to investigate the person’s standing with God. God’s blessing- physical, spiritual and financial - is on those in covenant relationship with Him.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Jesus      May 7, 2009

 “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’... When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus” (Mt 17:5-8 NIV).

 

God’s plan is to feature Jesus, not you. And it’s a lesson we have to learn over and over. The greatest challenge in your life is getting to the place where you can focus on “no one except Jesus.” The most important relationship you have is with Him. The only plan that will work out right is the one He gives you. And the power needed to fulfill that plan comes from Him alone. That’s Wisdom!

From: Your Word for Today

 

Daily Wisdom – Forgiveness   May 5, 2009

  Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
   I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”  And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. 
Psalm 32:5

 

Confessing your sins lets you experience God’s forgiveness.  He already knows about them anyway, but He won’t forgive you while you’re busy making excuses and blame-shifting. 

John says, “If we confess….he will forgive our sins.” 1 John 1:9 The first move is up to you.  Be Wise!   

Excerpt from The Word for You Today

 

Daily Wisdom – Faith  May 4, 2009

 “Who out there fears (reveres) God,  actually listens to the voice of his servant?
For anyone out there who doesn't know where you're going, anyone groping in the dark,
Here's what: Trust in God.   Lean on your God!”
    Isaiah 50:10

Faith is like film; it’s developed in the dark. Dark days make us lean on God in ways we normally wouldn’t. The truth is, if our faith was never tested we wouldn’t be motivated to pursue God and draw closer to Him. It’s easy to praise God when your health is good and your bills are paid. It’s when light suddenly turns to darkness that we discover what our faith is made of and where our trust truly lies. It’s in those seasons that we develop night vision!

From: Your Word for Today

 

Daily Wisdom – Patience    May 3, 2009
But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.    Luke 8:15   (Patience:  cheerful or hopeful endurance, constancy:--enduring, patient continuance (waiting).

 

What do you expect in your life?  No matter what you are expecting, you will only reap what you sow.  The scripture today is from the parable of the sower.  Many heard the Word, but only those who kept it and obeyed it, were going to bear fruit with cheerful, hopeful endurance (patience).  If you plant a seed today, you don’t expect a harvest tomorrow.  Harvest comes at maturity.  We have more patience with tomato and bean seed than we do with God’s seed – His Word.  Today sow, wait expectantly, reap and enjoy.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Faithfulness  May 2, 2009
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, Exodus 34:6

God abounds (is abundant in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) in stability; certainty, truth, trustworthiness.  He is assuredly faithful, right, sure and true.  In a world where circumstances are constantly changing, especially now, we need some assurances.  We need some stability.  We need to know THE TRUTH that cannot change.  And we need to secure our lives to the Him, the LORD, the LORD.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Obedience  May 1, 2009

“Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey." Exodus 24:7

 

“It is also God's will that every facet of man be involved in obeying the commands; not only his power of action and speech, but also his emotion, intellect, will and delight. This applies not only to the commandments which obviously involve feeling and understanding — such as loving and fearing, believing in and knowing God — but to every command, including those which require a specific action. Each command must be affirmed by the deepest reaches of man's being, especially by his delight, so that he performs it with joy and a willing heart.”1 That’s wisdom!

Daily Wisdom – Death    April 30, 2009

“What is death? This is best answered with another question: What is life?

Life is the integration of soul and body--the self and its physical vehicle--into a single entity. Death is the dissolution of body and soul into two separate entities--a separation of the spiritual self from that which was once a vehicle to that self.

The self is the soul, not the body. The body will inevitably fail and disintegrate; the soul is eternal and indestructible. The stretch of physical time in which the soul resides within and acts through the body is just one phase--though a most important phase--of its existence, an existence which precedes physical life and extends beyond it. The soul of the person we knew and loved as a physical being on this earth continues to exist after his or her death.

But also for the body, death is not the end. A fundamental principle of faith is the belief in the "resurrection of the dead"--that in the future, divinely-perfect "World to Come," the soul will be restored to a rebuilt and revitalized body, so that body and soul, once again fused together as a living being, should enjoy the fruits of what they accomplished together in toils and tribulations of our present-day existence.”[1]

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.   That’s wisdom!

 

God continues to amaze me with His timing.  The mid-Atlantic race community was touched by 3 deaths yesterday.  We need His comfort.

[1] Chabad.org

Daily Wisdom – Almighty God   April 29, 2009

WHEN ABRAM was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, I am the Almighty God; walk and live habitually before Me and be perfect (blameless, wholehearted, complete). Genesis 17:1

In Hebrew Almighty God is El Shaddai.  This Name depicts God literally as “Who is sufficient” in granting His mercies, and Who has sufficient power to give whatever is necessary.  God is not lacking in ability or power to meet our needs.  Our challenge is to trust God to give us what is best for us and not what we demand.  That’s wisdom!

Daily Wisdom – The Attributes and Character of God April 27, 2009

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1

The first attribute of God in the Bible is His creativity. It is immense. Each individual is unique – demonstrated by their fingerprints. No two leaves in the world are exactly the same. That’s a lot of people with fingers and trees with leaves!!! Why go to all the trouble of always creating something new? Why not just “cut and paste?” The Creator attribute of God demonstrates His limitless capacity, His originality, His passion for designing, His never-ending ability to make all things new to give us hope for our future. If you read the next verse, you see God creating something beautiful out of a void, formless, dark mess. Ask Creator God to create life in your dark, hopeless situations. That’s wisdom!
 

Daily Wisdom – Spiritual Gifts  April 26, 2009
and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-     Exodus 31:3

God has uniquely gifted you to bring His presence and power in the area of your calling. Once you begin to realize this, God will use you just as He did Joseph with his employer, Pharaoh. Your life should be a testimony of the power, creativity, and servant-hood of Jesus that it impacts your employer to the degree that he says the same thing Pharaoh said about Joseph: "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God?"

When God accomplishes this in your life He gives you authority in your workplace. You will begin to see others drawn to you. You may begin to be ostracized as well. This too is part of your call. Do not fear this. Embrace it.

by Os Hillman

 

Daily Wisdom – Peace April 25, 2009
You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. Genesis 15:15

Consider the meaning of the original Hebrew word for peace (Shalom): safe, well, happy, friendly; welfare which is health, prosperity, peace – have favor with friends, have lots of friends, extremely good health, peace, prosperity, rest, all is well, extreme wholeness. All of us want that! But notice that it does not mean an absence of problems. God offers peace in the midst of life with all it situations, trials and cares by trusting Him. Accept His offer of peace. That’s wisdom!
 

Daily Wisdom – Parenting  April 24, 2009

“Train up a child in the way he should go.” Proverbs 22:6

Thoughtful, loving, productive, happy children don’t just evolve – they’re trained. Our latchkey generation has proved “A child left to himself disgraces his [parents]” (Pr 29:15 NIV). Wise parents mold their child’s attitude and behavior in line with God’s Word.   Ever hear of “cross-grain parenting”? It’s trying to make your child something they’re not meant to be.  It invites rebellion in spirited kids and creativity-destroying conformity in compliant ones. The  Bible advocates training a child, “In the way … [in keeping with his individual gift or bend].” Study your child’s gifts then direct them accordingly.   It invites cooperation and recognizes your child’s God-ordained destiny. They will grow up invested, creative, challenged, fulfilled, and happy.  Excerpt from Your Word for Today

Daily Wisdom – Heaven April 23, 2009
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1

The first sentence in the Bible tells us God created heaven and earth. Heaven was God’s first creation. Heaven has 3 meanings. The first is the sky with its air and clouds. The second is the universe with all the planets and stars. The third is the name for God’s abode.

God created the heaven before the earth to give us something to look up to, to strive for, a goal to attain, something higher than ourselves, limitations to be overcome. It is great to fly, great for men to walk in outer space, but the greatest goal is to know the one who created the heavens. That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Tithing   April 22, 2009

 

And he blessed him and said:   “ Blessed be Abram of God Most High,  Possessor of heaven and earth;   And blessed be God Most High,  Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all. Genesis 14:19-20  

 

God doesn’t need your money.  But you do need His.  Abram (later to be called Abraham) understood that God possesses heaven and earth and everything in it.  By giving a tithe to God’s priest, he was acknowledging that all things come from God, even deliverance from our enemies.  The tithe was Abraham’s statement of faith:  “God, You are my never-ending source for life and all its necessities.”  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Stewardship   April 21, 2009

 

 “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
       and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
       for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
       Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
       you are exalted as head over all.

 Wealth and honor come from you;
       you are the ruler of all things.
       In your hands are strength and power
       to exalt and give strength to all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11-12

 

David understood that God is the source and owner of all things.  If God owns everything, then spending money is spending God’s money and is therefore always a spiritual decision.  We are stewards of God’s possessions.  Once we come to realize that we are on God’s time and dealing with God’s possessions, we gain new perspective and freedom in this life.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – The Return of Christ    April 20, 2009

Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

 

Ah, the million dollar question, “Lord, tell us, when are you coming back?”  Jesus’ disciples asked this question before he was even crucified.  People throughout the last 2000+ years have been trying to predict his return.  Jesus gives some preparatory signs in Matthew 24 but tells us only God the Father knows the time.  The message for us – live each day as if it were your last.  Live for God today.  Do all the good you can do today.  No ones know the exact moment of their departure from this world, whether through the door of death or at his return.  Don't worry about the signs or the time.  Live today to the max!  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Truth April 18, 2009

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

 

“A plumb-bob or a plummet is a weight, usually with a pointed tip on the bottom, that is suspended from a string and used as a vertical reference line, or plumb-line.  The instrument has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians by bricklayers, masons, and carpenters to ensure that their constructions are "plumb", or perfectly upright.”  Wikipedia

 

God is an unfailing plumb line by which to build our lives.  Building our lives by his truth –our plumb-bob- insures that we have a life that will stand straight and true.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom -  Salvation  April 17, 2009

I wait for Your salvation, O Lord.  Genesis 49:18

 

Are you waiting for God’s salvation?  Are you waiting expectantly or passively?  What exactly are you waiting for?  God’s salvation is: (read slowly and thoughtfully)   something saved, deliverance, aid, victory, and prosperity (which means deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare).  Now that you know what to expect, will you receive it?  It’s wisdom to do so!

 

Daily Wisdom – Love April 16, 2009
Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Genesis 22:2

“Love is a paradox. It is the most altruistic & the most selfish of human emotions. The most giving & the most fulfilling. The most spiritual & the most physical. The most natural & the most irrational. The source of our deepest pleasures & our deepest agonies. Filial love, romantic love, sexual love, friendship, compassion, love of self, love of God -- are all so different with virtually no common denominator between them. Yet we call them all ‘love’, and somehow understand that they're all the same thing. We call it an ‘emotion’, yet love is much more than a feeling.”* Love is investing our lives in others. That’s wisdom!

*Yanki Tauber

Daily Wisdom – Holy Spirit April 15, 2009
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13

Congratulations! Your father has given you the trip of a lifetime. Your itinerary will include breath-taking vistas, exhilarating experiences and fascinating people. To ensure you enjoy this journey to the max, your father has also included his personal guide. Your guide will take you safely through unclear situations to bring you to your destination each day. He knows how to avoid unnecessary danger posed by people and events. He knows the location where your Father has laid up provision at certain points along the journey so you always have enough. He will ensure you enjoy the trip to the utmost. As you travel together you will come to appreciate his wisdom, compassion and loyalty. He will become your best friend and companion as you share this adventure together because he will also teach you many things about your father that you never knew.
Note of caution: failure to listen to your guide will make the journey difficult at best and tragic at worst. Always seek your guide’s counsel! That’s wisdom!

The trip: life
The Father: God
The Guide: Holy Spirit
This is not just imaginary but real. You are living it right now.

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Daily Wisdom – Healing   April 14, 2009
He said, “If you hearken diligently to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is just in His eyes, give ear to His commandments and observe all His decrees, then any of the diseases that I placed in Egypt, I will not bring upon you, for I am the Lord, your Healer.”   Exodus 15:26

God desires us to be whole - in body, soul and spirit.  He gives us meticulous instructions about how to live life; instructions that bring health and wholeness to our body, soul and spirit.  His commands teach honesty and justice in business affairs, integrity in our personal conduct and relationships.  Disobedience, evil and sin brought diseases upon the Egyptians.  Today STD’s and other diseases are spread by sin.  God has given us a roadmap to health and wholeness.  Diligently listen to God, our Healer.  That’s wisdom!

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Daily Wisdom – Worship   April 13, 2009
And Abraham said to his servants, Settle down and stay here with the donkey, and I and the young man will go yonder and worship and come again to you. Genesis 22:5

Why is it that we normally assume that prayer and meditation are meaningful to God, that the mind and heart—contemplation, love and awe—are avenues to approach God and the physical aspect of our lives is not part of worship?  Abraham demonstrated physical worship corresponds our with heart and mind worship.  As we begin this new work week, let us offer to God the physical work of our hands and minds as well as heart worship.  So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31   That’s wisdom!

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Daily Wisdom – Word of God    April 12, 2009

 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.  Genesis 1:3-4

God’s Word has power:  power to create, power to redeem, power to save.  Eleven times in the first chapter of Genesis, first book of the Bible, we read “God said.”  What God said happened.  And it still happens today.  “So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11  The greatest wisdom any person can ever achieve is to believe the Word of God.


He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  Matthew 28:6

Have a glorious and divinely blessed  Resurrection Sunday!

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Daily Wisdom   Marriage   April 11, 2009


The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18     For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:24

 

Marriage is God’s idea.  The first “not good” in the Bible was that Adam was alone.  So God created “a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.”  God performed the first marriage of Adam & Eve instructing them to leave their parents to be united, with the cumulative force that they WILL BECOME ONE FLESH.  The two individuals were to become united in flesh, motives, purposes and desires.  The two united would be able to achieve a greater Divine purpose than they could individually. Today, begin to look at your spouse as someone designed by God to help fulfill your Divine mission here on earth.  It is worth becoming one. That’s wisdom!

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Daily Wisdom - JOY   April 10, 2009

Genesis 14:19
And he blessed him and said, Blessed (favored with blessings, made blissful, joyful) be Abram by God Most High, Possessor and Maker of heaven and earth,

This first mention of joy in the Bible teaches us that God desires to bless us – favor us with blessings, make us full of bliss and full of joy.  How many of us desire to be blessed by God?  All of us!  Too many of us want God to bless us according to our conditions instead of accepting His conditions to obtain the blessing and fullness of joy.  If we know that being full of joy is obtainable by following God’s ways, then let’s follow the pathway to joy.  That’s wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom  - Prayer    April 9, 2009

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version)

Jesus prayed often.  He didn’t just talk to His Father, He took time to listen and get instructions.  Prayer and listening to God were as natural to Him as breathing: it was the spiritual oxygen He thrived on.  When the Bible says, “Pray continually”, it means we are to stay in touch with God at all times, to be spiritually sensitive and attuned to the still small voice of His Spirit within us.  That’s Wisdom!

 

Daily Wisdom – Money    April 8, 2009

"So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant" (Josh 24:13).

The sweat and toil mentality contradicts God's Kingdom Economy.   The Kingdom Economy is found in the above verse in Joshua. When the people of Israel were coming out of Egypt, a place of sweat and toil and slavery, God was trying to teach them a new economy of receiving. Instead of sweat and toil, He wanted them to learn obedience. Now their income would be based on their obedience, not their skill or their sweat and toil. This will result in a new freedom in your work life. Stay vertical with God and let Him determine your next activity.  That’s Wisdom!

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman (excerpts)

 

Daily Wisdom – Jesus  April 7, 2009


Matthew 1:1  THE BOOK of the ancestry (genealogy) of Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the son (descendant) of David, the son (descendant) of Abraham.

 

Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus is proof of God’s order and timing. From the OT to the NT, from Abraham to Christ, God’s purposes and plans are perfectly timed.   In Scripture, the number 7 or any multiple of 7, symbolizes a completion of time or purpose.  Jesus was #7 in our survey results (a God thing).  The lesson for us is clear - Jesus is the Messiah, a King of Divine promise who has the right to rule, and can bring the blessings of Abraham to all who believe. When your life seems out of control, ask God to manifest the rule of His Son in your life to bring you hope, faith, and peace.  That’s wisdom.

 

Daily Wisdom – Gifts and Talents    April 6, 2009
Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied.   Exodus 4:2

 

When God called Moses, He asked him, “What is that in your hand?”  Moses’ staff represented his livelihood; it was what he was good at.  It represented his income; his flock was his wealth and his family’s security.  God asked him to lay it down.  God still asks, “What’s in your hand?”  What has been given you:  your gifts, your money, your temperament, your experience, your relationships, your mind, your education?  God has given you what Dr. Martin Seligman calls “signature strengths.”  Seligman found that human abilities fall into certain categories.  He defined them as:

(a) Wisdom and knowledge – which includes abilities like curiosity, love of learning, sound judgment and social intelligence.

(b) Courage – perseverance and integrity

(c) Humanity – with capacities for kindness and the expression of mercy

(d) Justice – the ability to bring fairness and leadership

(e) Temperance – qualities like self control, prudence and humility

(f) Transcendence – the appreciation of beauty, the expression of gratitude, the ability to hope, the capacity for joy

We all have the capacity for each of these strengths, but a few resonate more deeply in you; they are your “signature strengths.”  Identify these, and you begin to understand your calling.  That’s wisdom!

from  The Word for You Today – Bob & Debby Gass

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Daily Wisdom – Forgiveness     April 5, 2009

Psalm 130:3-4 (Amplified Bible)

If You, Lord, should keep account of and treat us according to our sins, O Lord, who could stand?   But there is forgiveness with You [just what man needs], that You may be reverently feared and worshiped.

 

Forgiveness is being pardoned and acquitted for a wrong committed.  As soon as you regret what you did and resolve that it will never happen again, you are forgiven. You say out loud, "I did such and such right in front of You God, (because everywhere is right in front of You).  I truly regret it. I won't do it again."  True repentance then seeks to develop holy character.  Forgiveness is the gift which enables us to create a new future from a damaged past.  That’s wisdom!

 

Romans 3:20   For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For the real function of the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin -not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character.

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Daily Wisdom – Patience    April 3, 2009

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  Romans 5:3

Many people ask God to give them more patience thinking that it is something instantly attainable.  But the scripture says that tribulation works patience.  Many of you think that tribulation is working your patience in a bad way.  But is it?  Patience is cheerful endurance.  Trials and troubles reveal weak areas in our character that God is perfecting until we are consistently cheerful no matter what we are enduring.  So rejoice that those tribulations are distilling the impurities from your character and taking you to the place of undaunted cheerfulness.  That’s wisdom!

Romans 5:3 (The Message)

 3-5There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

 


 

Daily Wisdom- Faithfulness  April 2, 2009

 

Genesis 24:27   saying, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."

 

Here we hear the prayer of Abraham’s oldest servant as he praises God for His faithfulness to Abraham.  Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac as God had instructed him years before.  The servant knew of the relationship between God and Abraham.  Here he is witnessing yet another fulfillment of God’s Word to Abraham. 

 

You and I witness God’s faithfulness each day: in the sunrise and sunset, the birth of a child, His provision, love, care and mercy for each day.  The question of wisdom is not how faithful God is to us but how faithful are we to God.  When we decide to bank on God and His Word instead of banking on the world’s system, we find a firm foundation upon which to build our lives. That’s wisdom!


Daily Wisdom, April 1, 2009

Genesis 22:17-18 (NIV)

"I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,  and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

The number one topic chosen by the survey was Obedience.  I was surprised by that.  Then I was amused that God's timing put our first daily wisdom and topic of Obedience to begin April 1, which we refer to as April's Fool Day.  Is God trying to impress upon us that it is foolishness to disobey? 

In our scripture today, God is speaking to Abraham.  Abraham was known for his faith but it was his obedience that brought blessing to others.  Our obedience to God brings blessings to others.  But the opposite is also true:  our disobedience brings curses into the lives of others.  Today, don't be a "fool" and disobey God but seek to obey His precepts that you and others may be blessed.  That's wisdom!


 

                         Be Thankful

PSALM 107:1
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

It seems the more people have the less thankful they become. Today complaints are abundant, but thank you's are few.

COLOSSIANS 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Being thankful is not a choice for a Christian. If it was impossible, God would not have told us to do it.

So, why are people not thankful?
Gratitude is a mark of maturity. Ingratitude is a mark of immaturity. Babies are never thankful.

Neither are proud people thankful. Why? Because their mindset is that they deserve not just everything they have, but even better. "Why be thankful for something less than what you deserve?" describes their thinking.

A funny thing you will notice if you consider it: unthankful people are never happy. In fact, the more thankful a person is, the happier they are.

(This is an example of how acting on God's Word is for our benefit. God didn't invent commands just to be bossy.)

You will not be bothered with depression if you act on the Word of God and "be thankful." The cure for unhappiness is being thankful. Try it.

But how can you overcome the bad habit of ingratitude? Only by changing your core beliefs. As long as you believe you are getting a raw deal, or less than you deserve, you will never become a thankful person.

But if you realize that you deserved punishment and eternal separation from God -- yet in His mercy God instead gave you what He deserved, and EVERYTHING you have -- including every breath you breathe -- is a gift -- then you will become a thankful person.


 

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you..

I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.  And It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.  I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.  I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.


 

STILL HE WALKED

 

He could hear the crowds screaming "crucify" "crucify"...

He could hear the hatred in their voices,

These were his chosen people.

He loved them,

And they were going to crucify him.

He was beaten, bleeding and weakened... his heart was broken,

But still He walked.

 

He could see the crowd as he came from the palace.

He knew each of the faces so well.

He had created them.

He knew every smile, laugh, and shed tear,

But now they were contorted with rage and anger...his heart broke,

But still He walked.

 

Was he scared?

You and I would have been

So his humanness would have mandated that he was. He felt alone.

His disciples had left, denied, and even betrayed him.

He searched the crowd for a loving face and he saw very few.

Then he turned his eyes to the only one that mattered

And he knew that he would never be alone.

He looked back at the crowd, at the people who were spitting

At him, throwing rocks at him and mocking him and he knew

That because of him, they would never be alone.

So for them, He walked.

 

The sounds of the hammer striking the spikes echoed through

The crowd. The sounds of his cries echoed even louder,

The cheers of the crowd, as his hands and feet

Were nailed to the cross, intensified with each blow.

Loudest of all was the still small voice inside his

Heart that whispered "I am with you, my son",

And God's heart broke.

He had let his son walk.

 

Jesus could have asked God to end his suffering,

But instead he asked God to forgive.

Not to forgive him, but to forgive the ones who were persecuting him.

As he hung on that cross, dying an unimaginable death,

He looked out and saw, not only the faces in the crowd,

But also, the face of every person yet to be,

And his heart filled with love.

As his body was dying, his heart was alive.

Alive with the limitless, unconditional love he feels for each of us.

That is why He walked.

 

When I forget how much My God loves me,

I remember his walk.

When I wonder if I can be forgiven,

I remember his walk.

When I need reminded of how to live like Christ,

I think of his walk.

And to show him how much I love him,

I wake up each morning, turn my eyes to him,

And I walk.

 

-- Author Unknown


 

FOOTPRINTS...A New Version

       Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road  together.  For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.
         But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns.

        For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently.

  You and Jesus are walking as true friends!

        This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps.

        Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one.
        This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change.  The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.

        Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one.

        This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place.   Stops.  Starts. Gashes in the sand.   A variable mess of prints.

        You are amazed and shocked.
       Your dream ends. Now you pray:

       "Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits.  I was a new Christian; I was just learning.  But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You."

        "That is correct."

       "And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely."

        "Very good.. You have understood everything so far."

       When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way."

        "Precisely."

       "So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first."

        There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice.

       "You didn't know?  It was then that we danced!"



        To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

       Ecclesiastes 3:1,4.


 

What is Grace?

What is so amazing about Grace

Grace:

    unearned

    undeserved

    can’t earn it

    can’t buy it

    can’t be good enough for it

 So, how do we get it?

    It is a gift from God.

    accept it

    no strings attached

 Amazing!

    Christ died for us while we still sinners!

    Still His enemies and He died for us!

Why?

    Because He loves us!

No way! You’ve gotta be kidding. Nobody loves anybody that much.

    God does. He loves you that much.

Me?

    Yeah, you!

Wow! If God loved me enough to let His Son Jesus die for me while I was His enemy, that means God will always love me. . . . . . . Then I can relax and enjoy it.

I can’t earn it.

I don’t deserve it.

God gave it....His love, His grace, His forgiveness, His life.

For me! It’s mine to enjoy!!!!!

No more putting on airs trying to be self righteous. I accept His righteousness.

 

No more trying to be holy. He makes me holy with His blood.

 

No more trying to be worthy of Him, I never could anyhow.

 

Just accept what He has already finished.   Remember His last words on the cross?

 "It is finished."

 

Fellowship and communion with Him.

That’s why He created us in the first place, to walk and talk with Him, to enjoy Him.

 

Hey, if God loves me, then He loves you too. Just the way you are. 

    No strings.

    No hassles.

 

Just as I am, Just as you are, warts and all.

 

And if God loves me like that, then I can love you like that.

    No strings

    No hassles

    No judgments

    No hoops to jump through

 

Grace

    free

    undeserved

    unrestrained

 

Freedom.

Do you feel the shackles falling away?

Do you hear and see the prison bars swinging open?

Do you smell the fresh air?

Do you feel the warmth of His love shining on you?

 

Freedom!

 

Grace!!!!!!

 

The Son is shining!

The joy is flooding into the darkest places of your heart and soul.

You want to shout it from the mountain tops.

 

Grace!!!!!!

 

You don’t have to earn. You can’t.

You don’t have to deserve it. You don’t.

God chooses to give it. Free and clear.

All you can do is accept it.

Do you?

 

The prison (trying to live up to the law, trying to be good enough, trying to earn your way to heaven) doors are wide open.

 

All you have to do is walk out.

It’s your choice.

Do you stay in prison?

Or do you walk out into the Son-shine?

Into His love and fellowship.

That’s why He created us!

That’s what He wants for us.

Freedom.

    Joy.

        Grace.

 

God’s grace.

 

Amazing!!!!!

 

So Amazing!!!!!!!!!

                            RB  September 1999

 

Thoughts for the Journey Inspiration Testimonies

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John 1:1-5

In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. 4Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. 5The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.


Ephesians 4:3-6

3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to one hope when you were called– 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
 

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God Speed Ministry, Inc.  141 E. A. Bingham Road, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 704-473-4212

Send mail to renee@godspeedministry.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 02/05/10