Today’s Thought “Who Is Like the Lord?” G. Ward  

“For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.” Romans 4:16-17

The fall of man happened because of evil appeal to one’s own sufficiency over God dependence. History reveals more an inability for man to effectuate resolution against calamity, destruction and disease. Modern times have now dictated ability to make claimants of any kind that opposes my well being and by faith it shall be done. My trouble with this maintains that man insists on adopting what only Holy God is said to do, along with horrid neglect in recalling how calamity and disease remains indiscriminate. In view of the most heinous crime committed unto our Wonderful Savior, why should I be exempt from tragedy (*Jn.15:20)? I choose to trust the grace shown me and in the future hope without pain.

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Fake News” G. Ward

“Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.” 1 Kings 2:10

Slow down just for a minute and assess who God is for you. Stop reading and take a moment; “who is God for my life?” The answer is more predominately representative of religion: He’s my Master, Maker of Heaven and Earth, My Everything, Great and Mighty is My God, etc. Although these proclamations are with merit, rarely does it interrogate my soul (*cf. Ps.139:23-24). When I rise from my knees, the next activity, who will it please? While my mind praises HIM in the inner room, the other 23.95 hours assumes that grace and mercy will be present in the next day ahead, to endure a life given, oblivious to my being dead (Eph.2:1-2) because I forsook HIM as ALL SUFFICIENCY.

Years go by and I’m yet familiar with the same10-15 verses of Holy God’s Word, so I chant, He’s my Master, Maker of Heaven and Earth, My Everything, Great and Mighty is My God. Moreover, I read every devotional thought and typed “amen” to God obliterating cancer, claiming money and agreeing to everything favorable (only for America), yet believing that the testimonial given for King David concerning “rest” will soon be afforded me (Mt.7:21-23)…

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Without Celebrity” G. Ward

“Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. ³ While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

Anticipating the second advent of Christ is a daily contemplation for every believer. The wholeness of Holy God’s word embraces our redemption, extending numerous chances for the same believer to share (with urgency) the very same gift received. Outsiders chant great hypocrisy exists with regular attendees because the gospel perceived has become the boast for churchgoers promoting exclusivity (cf. Ro.10:13), without adherence to the primary command given (*Mt.28:19). Devotional thoughts, copying, pasting Bible passages and sentiments of how Great HE is, will never be a substitute for a systematic presentation (of the gospel) inciting inclusiveness (Lk.14:23).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Persuasion in Righteousness” G. Ward

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” Mark 1:35

Being bombarded with expectation unseen by others is too heavy a load to carry. When one burdened is overwhelmed with the prospect in making every recipient of misery and uncertainty glad, its comparability would then become the comedic genius with the best entertainment offers promoting a venue unending. While considered a peace maker is admirable, be sure to keep your Power Surge central to your vivaciousness (cf. Jn.15:5), their insatiable appetites for a “quick fix” can be exasperating (Eccl.9:11).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Aleppo In Ruins” G. Ward

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18

 

Many years ago I was alarmed to hear of statistical data formulated that would reveal the amount of shoplifting within a retail scope. A National Retail Security Survey established by the National Retail Federation insists that shrink (merchandise on record vs. actual presence) accounted for 1.38 percent of sales (that would include every cross section of retail sales). The highest percentage therein reflects employee pilferage (less than 1% arrive at a store seeking to shoplift). Syrian forces (comparative to perceived pilferage) are steadfastly moving into villages throughout Aleppo, destroying (including killing) every remnant remaining. Our viewing entire villages fleeing with nothing more than the garments worn (which incidentally appear more Islamic than retrievable at your local Walmart)  has many Americans with subliminal messaging promoting fear; with belief that among these are radical terrorists on their way to OUR (cf. Ps.24:1) land. Submission to these fear tactics promulgated forgets that terrorism perpetuated more than likely happens indigenously; even as the thief awaits the UPS delivery at my porch (Happy Holidays?)…

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Arctic Blast” G. Ward

Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Matthew 8:20

 

The song Rainy Night in Georgia implicates rain falling all over the world. The frigid temperatures here (in the Deep South) surely indicate the same sentimentality of Rainy Night in Georgia. Amazingly, so many reside in abstract towards those lacking reprieve from inclement weather. The temporary exposure to this elemental cold is with deeper implication; more relative to lack in endurance that promotes perseverance. Cars with heat, coats with linings, hot beverages, along with homes so very warm, demands that garments be removed (immediately) and forgets that entire families within the very scope of their own community persevere; they never thought they would occupy a home without utilities such as natural gas (*this lack is not always fiscal impropriety). Moreover, within that same scope are victims of homelessness, de-valued and without advocacy from the Most High’s army that lack empathy to never consider interactivity with civic, church and political leaders, to insist there be warming stations throughout every hamlet…

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Quick Fix” G. Ward

“And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil.” 2 Timothy 2:24

Identifying transformation in the new proposed life of a believer is far more important than attempts to convey self righteousness. Unfortunately, technological advancement allows information’s access at an instant, embracing great judgment from every hearer. The challenge must consider whether my submission to an unending barrage of futility (cf. Mt.24:35) exceeds sharing/living the gospel (Lk.14:23) that is all-inclusive, giving rest…

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Forced Acquiescing” G. Ward

“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.” Isaiah 2:11

Have you ever thought to ask for a transcript from your doctor before he/she begins practicing on you? Really, were they at the top of their class or the very bottom? Moreover, if an intensified surgical procedure is recommended, did they fail the portion in instruction that taught required components to incision via a scalpel?

The fragility in decision is overlooked and de-valued until final encounter with the Master Physician unfolds man’s quantifier for eternal presence with HIM (cf. Lk.16:19-31).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Reactionary” G. Ward

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?” Matthew 7:15-16

Louis Armstrong’s rendition of “What A Wonderful World” is timelessly excellent and shares a great continuity among man as it correlates to nature. The song is of biblical proportion, promoting Holy God’s intent (https://youtu.be/A3yCcXgbKrE). Idealism now insists that the euphoria offered in a song of such be no less what we’d consider accepting in our daily encounters. In other words, when any form of negative enters, venture in the opposite direction. Here’s truth; great warnings were/are provided for peace-seekers. Jesus our Lord didn’t run from negative, nor preclude these were not worthy to die for (cf. Ro.5:10, Col.1:21); HE just endured to even say upon HIS last breath, “Father, forgive them, for they’re without a clue as to what they’re doing…”

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Unprecedented” G. Ward

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1

There’s a sweet premise with desire to have others experience the intangibility of worship. Our times more unfold an inability towards attaining what perceivably is joy and peace from the church. Moreover, this lack in outreach from the churched can more lend greater criticism from those who remain home (on those worship days) that maintain the expectancy in hypocrisy from those who pompously seat themselves in their “ivory towers” looking down vs. imposing humility in admittance that declares, “I’ve sinned miserably, pleading with you and you to come join me as the Almighty extends to us another opportunity to praise HIM…

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Rinsed vs. Washed” G. Ward

“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.” Malachi 3:2

Prophets spoke for little to no compliance from a people insistent they knew HIM. They worship HIM only when circumstances are personally favorable, denying systematic study of HIS words and submission unto holiness (cf. Job 1:13-22). Great warning is devalued with contemplations in familiarity of more time to get it right (i.e. no trust). HIS return if on Sunday more than likely won’t catch them in their perspective temple, because Saturday’s events were entirely cumbersome and that’s their only rest day (cf. Heb. 10:25, 1 Jn.5:3). Surely there’s no harvest when cultivation was neglected and the SON refused to shine (Mt.7:21)…

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Last One Standing” G. Ward

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12

One of my favorite hymns is “It Is Well With My Soul.” Horatio Spafford (1828-1888), the lyricist therein was an excellent lawyer and a wealthy businessman, who along with his wife witnessed the deaths of their 5 children. The great Chicago fire of 1871 served as the nail in the coffin for the many real estate holdings he obtained, consumed by the tremendous inferno. More paramount to the encompassing calamity of great loss for the Spaffords, was their reliance on Holy God’s presence. For them, absolutely nothing was proprietary (Ps.24:1). Their trusting in the Maker of heaven and earth occurred when the children given them were alive, along with the period their businesses were flourishing. Incidentally, the song was written after the loss of his children (Get it?)…

Happy Thursday!