Today’s Thought “Between Two Opinions” G. Ward

“For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:7-8

The struggle to trust proven-ness involves long-suffering; and with a society embracing a plethora of cyber search engines, independent investigation has become synonymous with antiquation. Easy pursuits won’t always yield truth and the one who ascribes unto it lacks perfect exposition of the author’s intent, promoting more vanity than actuality. On the other side of the conveyances of man is a hearer who will either embrace or preclude that what they heard is worth ingesting. The soul of man is tender and all his ability to eliminate what may be unfruitful is always hindered when greater, authoritative substance is neglected (cf. *Ac.4:12).

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Abhorrently Broken” G. Ward

“You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.” 1 Corinthians 5:2

There must be refuge; a place of solace, a cistern that encapsulates the vileness of a man’s mindset (cf. Ge.8:21). More than often his discernment of righteousness emanates from his personal code of conduct; he’s thrown true governance away (2 Ti.3:16-17). Righteousness fails in expediency, violating implicit trust in his Maker. He rationalizes his error(s) via slogans in normalcy perpetuating “no one is perfect.” Shamefully, he’ll read this account and attribute it to his lowly countryman, while avoiding the mirror nearest, identifying the culprit (Ro.3:10, 23)…

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “My Hometown” G. Ward

“They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” 1 John 2:19

I departed from Detroit, MI., more than 35 years ago. I’m reminded of this because the current Republican National Convention in Cleveland, OH. was then in Detroit (Ronald Reagan was its nominee). Detroit was nicknamed “The Motor City” because it was the centrality of the automotive industry; promoting tremendous economic opportunity for many, to which my siblings and I were benefactors (considering our father retired from General Motors). The city was known for the many outstanding neighborhoods, representative of desired morality. Every home maintained boundaries promoting respectability and self-control. Many however, chose a dishonorable pursuit and then some others decided to pollute the substance of their good rearing via additives in vain philosophies; forgetting that tradition is that which establishes discipline. Exploration away from basic order is comparably the challenge of the woodsman in staying on the trail at the forest. When he deviates from it, snares, thistles and thorns may overtake him…

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Reality Check” G. Ward

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Forgetting about the hyperbole from news networks and politicians, what saith you concerning recent tragedies in our world? Why the shock? Any interrogation of tragic events historically offered far worse (only numerically). I believe surprise found in humanity more reveals underlying fear. Religionist’s jargon is now increasing, promoting prayers of safety, without contemplation of every heinous crime without exemption in attack on the righteous and unrighteous. Millions (i.e. practitioners in faith) historically have perished via crime waves. The same would apply to sickness. Daily, many purveyors in holiness succumb to debilitating disease. While proclamations insist on God as Healer (rightfully so), do they support (equally so) better theology that demands every believer to know earth is NOT their home? Cynically, what will you die from? I know, I’m too negative…

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Centuries On Tragedy” G. Ward

“For the Lord our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did these great signs in our sight and preserved us through all the way in which we went and among all the peoples through whose midst we passed.” Joshua 24:17

The Rosenberg’s and Weinstein’s of America are typically involved in some level of vocational professionalism that can yield great financial reward. The hatred however of the Jew has endured more than twenty-three centuries (anti-Semitism) by so many nations; making it so marvelously amazing to witness such resilience (cf. Ezra 4:12-15). Although great strides have been made (by every people group, religion, and ethnicity), tremendous acclimation to American culture continues to be considerations in futility. No matter the tragedies endured, there’s expectation to remember the Giver of redemption (cf. Mt.10:28).

Prayers for France are needed, but surrender to Christ is paramount. Visitation in evil is without boundary (*2 Co.6:2)…

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Without Prudence” G. Ward

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

Frequent worship (i.e. systematic study of God’s Word, corporate praying and praise) at a spiritual temple has a substitute for many; it’s called denial. There’s little to no interpretive challenge concerning worshipful gathering for the presumptive believer (Heb.10:25). Furthermore, the adoption of religious posts from social networking will never be substantive enough, so we’ll need to put footsteps to our belief (Jas.1:22). The exacerbation in bad doctrine/theology reveals lack of interrogation of Holy God's standard (found solely in HIS Word), whereby true faith (even of mustard seed proportion) is compromised. The faithful remain in the Book, believing it as more than enough. Christ's sufficiency is not impressed nor desires exterior confirmation of our surrender unto this most excellent sacrifice. Calvary was/is not symbolism, but an actuality in propitiation for any who will believe (Ro.10:13). We’re entirely unsuccessful when we move away from the premise of our existence (Isa.43:7)…

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Esoterically Relevant” G. Ward

“Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.” Proverbs 1:8

My generation and very particularly my ethnicity witnessed an incessant message in constraint from those who had charge over us. I remember thinking often times how unnecessarily redundant these admonitions were; until the many encounters in disproportionate behavior from others prevailed. It was then that my training went exercised in the exactness of the instruction rendered and it saved my life.

I’m so very proud of my two sons and although they weren’t exposed to Jim Crow laws along with governmental imposed legislation granting equality, their innocence comparatively was marred also. Unfortunately there are horror stories of biases, mean-spirited divisiveness and blatant oversight given them and me (their dad) in the confines of the Spirit world (particularly as I endeavored the pastorate). While some desire promoting ratio and percentage regarding the uncooperative that seek to oppress suggesting how few, I say the few are too many. While my tears flow on behalf of my three grandsons who will soon question how unnecessarily redundant their father’s instruction may be, I’m yet grateful to be counted along with my Savior who endured the cross while innocent.

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Now Here’s How We’ll Do It!” G. Ward

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-12

Amazingly, the term “Evangelical” has become more relative to staunch conservative politics than indiscriminate promulgation of the gospel of Christ. Many continue in presumed faith although entirely pharisaic (cf. Mt.23); desiring exterior righteousness over greater follow-ship unto the Righteous One.

We don’t need another module in church life that brings more denial and lethargy. We need the people of God to more adopt their individual priesthood intended (1 Pe.2:9) so the church can grow exponentially and weed out the rift-raft. Incidentally, while you await the fortitude of another preacher, please note that his role is merely to spiritually decipher Holy God’s illuminated Word so that you may carefully introduce “Truth” unto another (cf. 1 Co.1:11-17), not to impress you with his eloquence.

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Erasing History” G. Ward

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34

Here’s a sociological reality: Absolutely no one is void of identifying what should be perceivably every racial make-up as just part of the human race. There’s entirely too much record, both of past along with subliminal messaging from predecessors that sought to either divide or defend. While thousands march around our nation, blocking freeways, standing vigil at NIGHT, confronting officers who silence themselves as provocative chants of challenge are permitted; the predominant assessment forgets (conveniently so) that millions of Black folk are at their homes bothered by other’s demand that all or any of us just needs  to comply when law enforcement interrogates. Our vigil as Black people personally witnessed categorical and definitive association with every sociological institution estimated as negatively subjective (i.e. welfare, crime, single-parent homes, etc.). Moreover, it’s been determined by many that our physicality lacks diversity, making us subject of recent crime by others of the same race. The innocent vulnerability (whether prompted or not) from police officers is driven in fear of the un-explored, perhaps making us targets of un-compliance. Every attempt to reconcile this indifference is both politically and socially impossible. The cure is without a one-time injection in hope; it’s an ongoing investigation of what/WHO TRUE LOVE is…

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Darkness; Demanding Refuge” G. Ward

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4:17

Technological advances throughout the generations have been greatly beneficial, giving access (transcendent of day or night) to first responders for health and safety issues. While lights imposed on vehicles and unlimited electricity remains altogether commonplace, it serves equally as a promoter in self-serving determination of desire over necessity. There’s authoritative inferences to darkness as the guarantor of rest (cf. Ps.127:2, Isa.5:11) and although technology may enable night’s passage, the proposed visuals daylight provides, is obscured.

Municipal codes now distribute curfews for children’s protection in the night, because home governance may lack consistency in righteous practice (cf. Dt.6:4-7, Pr.22:6). When did any of us grow up?

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “False Demands of Expectancy” G. Ward

As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.” Mark 13:1-2

Architectural design is/has been regarded as engineering that’s positively phenomenal. Portions in Europe and Rome boast of the magnificent church structures. Great tours lends itself to visitor’s marveling at current structural stability in view of its chronological eminence (i.e. centuries ago). These same churches have hundreds to thousands from around the world visiting each week with the exception of Sunday, which goes un-inhabited (no worshippers).

Original intentions from innovators of past, can/are often diluted by pre-suppositional thinking; staining a legacy in Truth (cf.2 Co.5:7).

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Spiritual Bankruptcy” G. Ward

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” declares the Lord. ² Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 23:1-2

My years as a pastor have produced great error. There’s been oversight, never blatant; that carries a reverb not worthy of presentation. These errors with containment in humanity, NEVER sought to compromise scripture. Honorably and with integrity, my discourses shared “Truth” exegetically so. I never felt it necessary to manipulate a single passage. Its power was/is far too authoritative to tamper with. Generations however, in self-imposed spiritual leadership lacks reverence of Holy God (cf. Hos.4:6).  This kind of lack has pervaded man’s pursuit of unadulterated truth, allowing for sensationalistic sermons of psychological parameter, disallowing applied theology. Holy God made man higher than any specie, because HE loves them more. We need to develop an individual priesthood to ensure better reciprocity of that love given (*1 Pe.2:9, 1 Jn.4:1)…

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Deference” G. Ward

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

If I can stop with expectancy from others (that seeks to control), perhaps my need for mercy would surface. My struggle in pomposity more reveals that my moral and sociological compass is the route to pursue; denying truth given in the most authoritative way (cf. 2 Ti.3:16).

Humanity altogether is troubled on what they cannot control, but proper interrogation of life’s intent, empties oneself unto the mastery of the Sufficient One (Mt.16:24). My perspectives and opinions are soon extinguished by the all-consuming, regenerate, power necessary for peace. I’ve determined not to stir the pot seasoned enough, just to enjoy the wonderful stew prepared.

Happy Tuesday!