Today’s Thought “And the Survey Says…” G. Ward

 “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.” 2 John 1:10-11

 

The advice from many, whether solicited or not, will more than likely pervade great courage unto the hearer towards extraordinary feats. The adviser however fails at admitting a similar vulnerability without exercising in suggested practicality.

There’s a perfect resolve often forsaken because it lacks expediency, but its end result promotes peace (cf.Eccl.9:11). If you find that it’s entirely too difficult by insisting on a carnal presentation seemingly proven (1 Jn.5:3), it could lead to furthered enmity with Holy God’s standard nullifying an eternity with HIM.

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought  “Potato Chips Before Bed” G. Ward

 

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1

 

Great irony will disturb ordinary contemplations that can either promote criticism or personal interrogation of one’s own soul. Mankind has established patterns in deflections vs. admittance towards their need to comply with righteousness. Moreover, our Academy Award performance unto others seeks to exact normalcy at all times that hides the enormity in personal issues unresolved.

We would do well to more question why mercy was/is needed for our lives, and then adjust accordingly. The whole objective for a person of faith is not a pretentious surrender to our Lord, but to allow HIM to walk ahead of us so that HIS magnificence is the first view.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “An Evil Axis” G. Ward

 

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19

 

I’m reminded on today of the high school pep-rally; a tactic utilized to motivate the home team towards victory. It furthered great disdain for the other team although their cause was the same. Someone had to score more points, but true victory is ultimately the enablement to compete in a match that shouldn’t make a difference when you reach my autumn in life.

Pride in land, whether America or France is synonymous to this illustrious high school event (cf. Ps.24:1). The objective for the created ones more lends itself to a stewardship in great care (cf. Jer. 29:4-9) vs. un-peaceable vigil. Seemingly, this ideology may be too distant to perceive; particularly in view of current regimes of evil throughout the world; but let’s keep in mind that the origin of chaos occurred because of sectarian identity vs. obedience to the gospel (Mt.28:19).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Without Consequence” G. Ward

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2-3

 

My imaginative mindset visualizes all who will die on today; oncology wards are filled to capacity, even children that are in their final stage of life in earth. Then there are those victims of heinous crimes, innocently being in a wrong place, or some victims of traffic fatalities. Whether demise is natural or tragic, it’s inevitable and the preparation for man therein remains on the bottom shelf. The shock and sorrow of this inevitability reveals fear of the unknown soon to be extinguished by an unfortunate barrage in sympathetic concerns from the funeral crew, demanding the bereaved know that every victim is looking down from heaven, totally at peace with the Lord, REGARDLESS to their life decision mandating HE become their Master. Don’t allow your vain imagination’s perpetuation of everyone’s entry unto heaven, ensure they know the WAY, TRUTH and LIFE (Jn.14:6)…

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Virtue Denied” G. Ward

“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” 2 Peter 1:4

 

Echoes from the aged have desired a do-over; an opportunity (more or less) to regress unto youthfulness that seemingly would enable a better life. Whatever could be afforded these who would consider such, fails to understand that the Beholder of life determines their existence in earth and may determine the second round as considerably less an existential span (cf. Ps.90:10,Mt.10:28).

The righteous perspective to adopt is the spiritual availability unto man (a real do-over). This potential reverent, consistent and obedient portrayal for any who believe has become the culminating factor that lends peace and contentment (Ro.10:13). Cease striving on today for insatiable thoughts in materialism and identify the imperishable, incorruptibility of the KING’s makeover (2 Cor.5:17).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Boyhood Presumption” G. Ward

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1

A boy always wants to think of his own father as the quintessential specimen, comparable to Superman (able to leap a tall building in a single bound). After he and his friends have endeavored all the competitive sports through playtime, along with the rigorous challenges in bike-riding, there’s a posturing that compels them in a competition un-witnessed. Moreover, oversight in realizing their motor skills as so very similar for their age category was never a contemplation; substantiating that not one friend did exceedingly better in any competition endeavored, so they begin conjuring feats in physicality between their fathers.

America’s pride in military power is the same. The comparability however in nation against nation has become threats of nuclear weaponry, whereby there are no winners…

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Hide and Seek” G. Ward

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” Psalm 91:1-2

 

Homelessness is more rampant than ever before and some victims therein reside in magnificent houses adorned with a variety of amenities.

The Apostle Paul upon conversion was blind for three days, without food or drink. His reflections surely identified a futility in selfish pursuits, while overwhelmed with joy on this intentional, miraculous encounter with the Savior (Ac.9). I’m convinced that every man needs to be blinded so that he can see and when that happens, his house once regarded as ordinary, will become his home adored.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Try A Little Tenderness” G. Ward

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25

Although a much younger Otis Redding popularized the song “Try A Little Tenderness” decades prior heard the same lyrical content from other artists. However, the soulful passion of the 1966 version from Redding got the attention of many who were perhaps on their way unto abusive behavior.

My wife and I have been married for almost 33 years now and although we’re without any physical or verbal assault over the years, there has been emotional impropriety (Can you say “Silent Treatment?”). Any of this is categorical sin, exacerbating a selfish desire in usurping Holy God’s original and perpetual demand of the “two flesh becoming as one.” Indifference without spiritual resolve (particularly in marriage), is synonymous with taking a scalpel, opening a chest cavity (without anesthesia) , cutting the heart in half, while insisting that the cadaver get up and live as before. *Ladies, he may be cute and courteous now, but if his faith is adulterated (even slightly), his aggression may soon become cowardice.

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Fifteen Minutes At A Time” G. Ward

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:13-17

 

James, the brother of our Lord sought expediency in sharing how necessary it was to remain surrendered unto Holy God while exposed to persecution from those in predominance who jeered and hated their message of Jesus saves. It’s unfortunate that thousands of years later that we’re similarly opposed. It’s not because our message is less (cf. Mal.3:6), we’re without the James’ who authoritatively remind us how to be faithful in the midst of a society that demands we be consumed with a love yourself first mentality (*2 Ti.3:1-4). Although loving yourself sounds righteous, it’s very opposite of Christ’s  position in earth and heaven, leading to a pseudo ability to forecast what next moments may present, without guarantee (cf. Ro.10:9)…

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Campaigns of Futility” G. Ward

“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Chants of Happy Easter rang from our many congregants on yesterday, prompted by their pastor (yours’ truly) to then be corrected by a few to say Happy Resurrection Day. I believe this to be entirely semantical (e.g. tomato / tomah-to) when plans individually fail in reciprocating faithfulness (Jas.1:22). Surely if you state the latter in holiday terms your righteousness proves more prudent (No! - *Ro.3:10)? Castigations from the religious incite inopportune connectivity with the Holy One by more highlighting the pagan origin with such celebratory practices; as if they really believe the Easter Bunny delivers delectable chocolates to varied homes each year. The babies just want candy.

Talk will never unfold a relationship intended from Holy God unto man, until it’s accompanied by compassionate oversight of insignificant points (1 Cor.9:19-23).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Were You There?” G. Ward

 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all *said, “Crucify Him!” And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!” Matthew 27:22-23

I’m a fan of older Western (i.e. Cowboy) movies; perhaps there’s an underlying desire for the simple life I crave for many. These movies were the original crime mysteries. Rarely will a villain be captured at the onset of the crime perpetrated, but blends with the townspeople that has everyone confounded (cf. Mt.26:21-22). Ultimately, when the villain (particularly if he’s a murderer) is captured, those same townspeople insist on a hanging.

When we fail to follow the Savior’s lead, while blending with the countrymen all around us, we’ll soon be captured, sentenced to an eternity without peace (cf. Mt.7:21, Ro.14:11, 1 Thess.4:13-18).

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Limited Alterations” G. Ward

“To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3

 

Growing up many moons ago promoted surety in ascertaining new clothes for Easter Sunday’s service. Sadly, many parents would buy slightly oversized suits for their boys in view of hurried growth. Easter speeches for children maintained duality in laughter because of a child’s fidget along with destroying the fashionista of their new clothing.

My fiscal responsibilities are vast, that disallows my purchase of a new suit; so I reached way back in my closet to discover a suit I hadn’t wore in ages and yes it was too tight. Early this week I sought alterations whereby the seamstress stood perplexed on how to add material unseen in accommodating this fit. My desire to regress to a day when that was my parent’s issue, has gloriously become my Heavenly Father’s spiritual fitting of intangible proportion (cf. Ro.8:18) that demands my Easter speech is the priority (both in declaration and deed). I really don’t need a new suit, I just need to diet.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Exclusive Unto God” G. Ward

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1

There’s a fine line in desired respectability from others and being esteemed for exhibited authoritativeness. Believer-ship compels our position in being owned, to exact the Owner’s Authority. Altogether, it is written for our protection against an ongoing re-defining ourselves that ultimately leads to furthered deficiency.

Worship is not this thing that awaits Sunday morning, but insists my mindset gives praise (24/7) because HE alone is Righteous and HIS governance is sufficient (Ps.34:1-3).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “A Mountain Without a Peak” G.  Ward

“And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.” Matthew 27:5

The pursuit of happiness is an ongoing endeavor that ultimately reveals dissatisfied because it never empties unto contentment. Moreover, the adoption of such pursuit denies implicit trust in the all-wise Savior. As fairytales pervade on children to endeavor a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, or riches existent at the top of a giant bean stalk, so goes premonitions of euphoria in things seen (Jn.15:5).

Judas’ remorse was not repentance because godly sorrow empties into restitution given from the Most High that enjoins the recipient of forgiveness unto governance that completes and furthers declarations of His grace as sufficient.

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Anticipating Holy Week” G. Ward

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16

Categorical appropriating Easter or Resurrection Day as a holiday comparable to July 4^th for believers may be troubling. The Christians of James’ day would never consider such ideology because they understood momentary reverence of the Holy One due to great persecution plaguing them. Whether compelled statutorily or customary, it’s more the objective for believers to weigh where information emanates (Ac.7:11). Over and over again the words from God admonish mankind to celebrate His faithfulness without personal preference and vain tradition (cf. Jn.14:1-3).

While I applaud new Easter outfits and ham dinners, we must remember there’s no guarantee of visitation therein (*1 Thess.4:13-18)…

Happy Monday!