Today’s Thought “Put Your Gun Away” G. Ward

“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:13

Commitment unto the Lord involves implicit trust of His way. Are we prepared on what that decision may look like? In a sense many of us have chosen to extract the historical accounts of many patriarchs far more faithful, who endured great tragedy while serving. Holy God even proposed that Lazarus become sick unto death (Jn.11:1-4).

The avoidance of the world’s flaming arrows happens when our decision to make the gospel known becomes the precedent for our existence. The context however, is more indicative of spiritual preparation than physical guarantee in safety (Eph.6:18-20). The question yet remains that was given the Prophet Isaiah upon his commissioning, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Like Isaiah, will your response be, “Here am I. Send me!”

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “A Soft Heart” G. Ward

But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

As a sponge soaks the liquid to which it’s placed, a child’s innocent receptivity is towards righteous practicality introduced. Adults on the other hand are generally with experiences seemingly successful, yet truly in seasonal proportion that rarely contemplates a future implication; captivated in momentary bliss.

Fulfillment culminates when surrender to Who LIFE is (Jn.14:6) goes realized. Until then, points in regression keep the adult reciting Mother Goose although no children are present.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Where Is Your Hope?” G. Ward

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

“Government of the people, by the people, for the people” was initially the expression of John Wycliffe in 1384 to refer to the Bible as central to governmental compliance. President Abraham Lincoln re-emphasized this same phraseology at the Gettysburg Address via great compromise of insisting that democracy become the substitute for the Bible’s centrality. I wasn’t there but I would imagine that the divisiveness perpetuated by political factions that denied this land from what we now enjoy as the United States longed for peace and prosperity never experienced before by man’s posturing as Deliverer (cf.1 Sa.8).

Real hope trusts that genuine conformity in righteousness exists solely in the Lord and maintains availability to any desiring shelter (Ro.10:13). If/when your prayers for governmental leadership exceed the parameter of spiritual righteousness, futility therein persists (cf. Ps.127:1).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Pursuing Hope” G. Ward

“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Luke 18:1

The priority of prayer proves most important for mankind when calamity strikes and although those appearing faithful orchestrate tremendous prayer circles, theirs more make demands on Holy God, reminding Him of what’s in the words He wrote. The essence of supplications and requests (Phil.4:5-6) is synonymous with plea in accordance to HIS will promoted throughout the Word of God. What it is not are selfish ploys in reprieve after having tried varied resources that made Holy God last.

Although we’ve been horribly guilty, the opportunity to reconcile continues (Ac.3:19). “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling,” heed in total dependence before calamity strikes (cf. Pr.1:24-29).

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “The Beauty of Early Rising” G. Ward

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:15-16

Perspective in things acquired loses appeal against nature’s demand of total reliance on the Master the older I become; it’s especially realized at the dawn of the day, the morning air is refreshing, while the greatest in city-scape is disquieted. When/if one remains still for an extended period of time, the voice of Holy God will pursue mankind, but moving too quickly from this kind of solitude will have the extraordinary of the morning as ordinary whereby task and duty overshadow commitment unto righteous pursuits emanating from the Maker.

A practice established that insists that Holy God be heard over the noise of society is ultimately a soul at rest.

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “My Bishop…” G. Ward

 “Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:13

The objective for the overseer is to ensure Truth become the necklace for every believer; pervading opportunity for any to experience peace and contentment that empties into eternal life with the King. His doing so is without the kind of drama that can visually impose on hearers a longing for sole acquaintance with the minister of the hour that subtracts from the substantive work of Christ (*1 Cor.2:1-5).

I wasn’t there but I’m sure that the Apostle Paul didn’t insist on riding the backs of beasts with proven pedigree, decorated with purple linen and gold tassels as he pursued travel throughout varied provinces while preaching Christ. Moreover, his declarations maintained how necessary it is/was that hearers of Truth’s consideration of Christ sufficiency understand that the object of faith solely rests in the Lord Jesus, NOT MAN’S CHARISMA (1 Cor.3:3-6). The latter attraction subtracts from implicit trust in the all-wise Savior that ultimately can cost both the promulgator and the hearer a proper eternity (cf. 2 Pe.3:9).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Without Scholarship” G. Ward

“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill?” Psalm 15:1

There’s an unfortunate categorization prevalent with Christians that estimates knowing Holy God through having achieved greater familiarity with His words than others. It can often reveal aptitude for ingesting facts over desired intimacy with God through Christ. Moreover, knowledge witnessed by some common mindsets who covet the intellect of the scholarly appear intimidated; enough so that it’s promoted argument from the lesser. Quantitative measurement of spiritual realities should never become something to behold (cf. Jas.1:22). There however needs to be an insistence from any declaring “I know HIM” to maintain spiritual integrity of the greatest gift afforded every man that delights in any mention of HIS Name (Ac.4:12).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Grabbing Toto and Going to Oz” G. Ward

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. “Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. “For He has brought low those who dwell on high, the unassailable city; He lays it low, He lays it low to the ground, He casts it to the dust.” Isaiah 26:3-5

 

Great storylines from books and film have attached itself to mindsets of man comparable to parasites on food products. These attachments can obscure the ultimate reality of Holy God control vs. a pinnacling through man’s ideology. While hickory dickory dock had the mouse run up the clock, man, the highest in creation, knows what time it is, maintaining an ability to decipher what the time-piece declares; but his subliminal mind has him running to no-where with mice (*Lk.12:35-48).

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Platitudes In Positioning” G. Ward

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

My tenure in the pastorate has included great challenges; particularly as it concerns my fiscal well being. Unlike the paradigm given most pastors, mine own never was with consideration towards the kind of exorbitance found among some wealthy ministers. Moreover, I would love to say that if faced with considerably more long ago, my lifestyle wouldn’t indicate all presented, but hind-sight isn’t always so clear. I thank Holy God for His presentation of process through intimacy that more establishes trust and reliance on HIM. Past improprieties have revealed inconsistency that can carry a horrendous reverberation not worthy of visitation; so I’ll choose to remain hidden behind the Rock of Ages (cf. Ps.91:1).

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Yeah, But…” G. Ward

“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:19-21

 

Agreeing to disagree is not the pedigree of a believer when faced with the Truth in Holy God’s word (cf.1 Pe.3:15). Unlike the magnificence of varied writings, the words from God apply in trans-generational proportion, seeking to protect mankind from presumptive equality with his Maker (cf. Isa.55:8-9). Perhaps you’ve viewed the horror of defense given by many refusing immediate compliance when faced with God’s authority, insisting on an additional scripture or historicity that dilutes the actuality presented? Holy God is/has never been reliant on the intellect of a single man HE proposed for HIS earth. More important is implicit, immediate compliance to what HE says, while life for any exists. The span given man exists to enable a practice therein without corruption (Ps.90:12).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “A Look Into My Diary” G. Ward

They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11

The night is often marveling for me in those contemplations of Jesus’ return appears imminent. The solitude it offers demands interrogation of my soul’s activity of the day’s events. How compliant was I? My personal belief as is relative to my works in faith has not done so well. My light within has shone, but my discipleship of another is profoundly lacking. Although I’m with a corporate responsibility unforsaken, my personal pursuit of some without total surrender unto Christ lacks urgency.

Personal faith in Christ should contrast every believer’s commission, placing my redemption as secondary to the eternal welfare of others; anything less is biblically unfounded. I cannot rest well with so many disconnected from the Throne of Mercy that grants peace; so I’ll thank HIM for an early rising that affords my second chance to do the Master’s will (*cf. Ps. 103:11-13. Mic.7:18-19).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Utterly Offensive” G. Ward

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22

The subtlety in adopting ideology from man will subtract from adherence to Holy God’s word. While many seek to remove people from their lives that have caused them pain repeatedly, *our offensive ways unto Holy God are received each day (Lam.3:22-23). The audacious believer pervades the equivalent of a poisonous elixir every time they determine dismissal of another without disqualifying themselves. Moreover, it’s this kind of presentation that exacts unnecessary defense from many insistent of knowing HIM; unfortunately causing wrongful interrogation of God’s statement, even up to utilizing another passage (DECONTEXTULIZED) that refutes the subject matter presented.  While faith remains difficult, obedience that leads to peace is without reservation for those who believe (cf. Jas.1:22).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “The Ugly Duckling Becomes a Swan” G. Ward

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Psalm 103:2

Analyzing the benefits in doing should ultimately ask how my endeavors can/will exalt my Lord’s agenda vs. my own. While energies to mingle with the less desired (i.e. the abusive and presumptive behaviors) may seemingly have merit, our being light unto the darkness of their insistence diminishes (cf. Mt.5:16). Moreover, our advocacy must remember the most excellent message in prudence will always supersede our persuasive words; so stick with the script, embracing my spiritual influence not in momentary measurement of infused success, but preparing for the marathon in great care in guidance with the victim of rebellion, soon labeled a saint (Mt.28:19).

Happy Thursday!