Today’s Thought “I Believe I Can Fly” G. Ward

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:6-8

A spiritist will seek to re-establish possibilities in human satisfaction furthering voidance of total reliance on spiritual resolution found in Holy God’s word. The catchy phraseology from the spiritist is deemed achievable because the consumer is not impressed with waiting on Proficiency’s reprieve (that grants peace, cf. Isa.40:31) after having tried insufficiency from another author of temporal motivation, whereby an unending cycle of treasure hunting becomes wearisome and if the consumer is with any practicality, they’ll return to the wait that’s spiritually responsible to pursue (cf. Pr.1:24-29).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “My Dossier” G. Ward

“Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel; for the Lord has an indictment against the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or loyalty, and no knowledge of God in the land.” Hosea 4:1

Grace is cheapened in our era when personal interrogation refuses to enter the only courtroom that counts. Our boasts on the benefits of eternal association unto others should/must offer first the verdict given me that definitively pronounced “guilty” to then share great remorse unto my Judge, whereby HE pardons immediately.

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Patience Demanded” G. Ward

“The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” Nahum 1:3

 

The power of Holy God is equated with storms inexplicably damaging to those refusing His sovereignty while simultaneously protective to some encouraged by Him as an eternal presence. Our questions of how long will divisive evil persist, forgets He alone is all-knowing and powerfully astute. Therefore, the voidance of believer’s responsibility (past and present) perpetuates in not sharing the wealth of gospel Truth, purporting spiritual lethargy that keeps evil prevalent.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “When I’m All Alone” G. Ward

And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?” Luke 6:39

The way of the Lord is said to be personal because there is a proposed premise of independent research once exposed to HIS words (Ac.17:11) and when one is more impressed with a purveyor’s eloquence over the pursuit intended, it’s then called living in a religious America whereby statistical data reveals everyone knows Him, even while disobedient (6:46).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Integrity Defined” G. Ward

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. “ 1 Timothy 6:9

When/if my work’s contingency more embraces ideas of personal loftiness, I fail to embody what life should represent; particularly as it concerns the generosity in my reliance on the only moral code that counts as an eternity awaits for both the righteous and unrighteous (cf.Lk.6:46).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “One More Conversation” G. Ward

“This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” James 1:19

The same admonishing necessary for the saints of James’ day continues for our time. The persecution given Christians then was enormous; there was no place to plant their feet (i.e. life on the run). Surely tensions were high as many sought co-existing vs. encouraging (interdependently) one another. The Roman government and many factions within its citizenry maintained hatred for the people of the Way and had it not been for James’ stern warning against conceding to pressure therein, the Empire’s control would probably have wrecked many nation’s pursuit in freedom now. Instead, the obedience from a few saints then, disassembled the enormity of a government perceivably invincible.

Holy God is not at rest regarding guiding the lives of men. Therefore, every word spoken by mankind should be representative of His plans denying ideology’s coup from overzealous men.

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Those Eyes” G. Ward

“Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.  And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” Acts 9:8-9

There’s a heavenly demand given man to perceive that solely relies on visual impairment to worldly resolution and when my perspective continues to reign supreme over eternal reality, I choose to remain blind (cf. 2 Cor.5:7).

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Eternally Confounded” G. Ward

“Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.” Psalm 139:4-6

 

There’s great struggle for any surrendered to Christ in offering thorough exposition on HIS words and when it’s not, heresy will soon ensue. The grace needed unto every hearer is first your own to perceive.

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “The Army of the Lord” G. Ward

“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” Proverbs 14:31

Poverty is a relative to every deficiency and anyone familiar with vs. intimately acquainted with the Most High lies in ruin needing someone anchored to throw a life line without verbiage, but the activity of where his strength exists (cf.. 2 Cor.12:9-11).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Esteemed Among Men” G. Ward

And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house for I have five brothers in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.” Luke 16:27-28

I’ve read these passages countless times before that portrays a rich man living contemptuously, that is void of spiritual dependence on Holy God. The day of his death happens simultaneously with a beggar to whom received tremendous oversight from this rich fellow on a daily note. The rich man (in a twinkling of an eye) becomes debased in poverty at his death, while the poor beggar becomes rich eternally long. The rich man’s compassion for his own surfaced due to exposure in eternal torment, exercising a final request in futility. The response given (vv.29-31) contrasts our opportunity in being awakened on today (cf. 2 Cor.6:2).

Amazingly and upon further investigation I noticed that the spiritual record never mentioned a name for the rich man, while the beggar was referred to as Lazarus. Does HE know your name (*Rev.21:26-27)?

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Putting Feet on Belief” G. Ward

“Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47

 

Local worship assemblies were never meant to be established on principles in preference. The spiritual work of the Pastor (in preparation and prayer *Ac.6:4) embraces the concept given him as he prepares congregants “for the work of the ministry” (Eph.4:12). The predominant constituency however, violates this spiritual effort by reliance on what they pay him to enact (I.e. manufacturing a euphoric atmosphere on Sunday that will attract seekers and visitors to join the local fellowship, violating the premise of every believer making disciples and not waiting for Sunday to do so).

Inconsistency in attendance, with chants of I’m a believer, is the false depository that questions a blessed assurance that Jesus is theirs; while comfortable unto remaining angry with Holy God when answers are needed upon calamity striking (Pr.1:24-29) and just hearing crickets.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Just Keep Giving but You’re Not the Boss” G. Ward

Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.” John 6:26

Proprietary is a good word, only when I’m the owner (cf. Ps.24:1). Signed, Living for the Weekend, When It’s Only Wednesday

Today’s Thought “You Want It, You Got It” G. Ward

“Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days—You would not believe if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5

Appeals to Holy God cannot/shouldn’t prepare for reprieve on one’s own terms. Amazingly, local fellowships purport fantastic prophecies towards hundreds or thousands of worshippers (cf. Mt.7:21) throughout auditoriums (weekly) that are no less promises of no more trouble, while sharing very little on true contingency for peace (i.e. repentance).

The Word of God is not the textbook of liberal arts; it’s astoundingly opposite of earthly thoughts. Moreover and throughout both testaments, Holy God caused great destruction, even up to death for many who felt intelligent enough in distorting His commands. The beauty in privatized worship is that it helps us to know of His great care for us. While sufferings are continual, HIS eternal presence continues to supersede all of them. It’s Good to Know JESUS!

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Dark and Dismal” G. Ward

“So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:45

Rain was equated with blessings from heaven because it enabled economic prosperity (as many were involved in agricultural pursuits). Our diversity (vocationally) abhors a rainy day, more contemplating how it hinders both travel and mindful vigor. Ultimately, selfish transcendence

of insistence that demands a tropical seventy-seven degree with no clouds in the sky and bright sunshine, precludes that when it’s not given our spirits pervade a downcast positioning. Moreover, personal responsibility in observing the way of the Master in seeing that others regard the day’s opportunity to have their every burden lifted by HIM who is truly proven (promoting peace, Mt.11:28-30), enables vulnerability to yesterday’s woes (cf. Ps.118:24). Extend an umbrella unto another saturated in despair, allowing their new journey to become an appreciated reckoning (of spiritual proportion), no matter the weather.

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “When I Grow Up…” G. Ward

“And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.” Luke 2:36-37

 

No, you cannot move in at your place of worship similar to what Anna did. Ours would consider more an opportunity in avoidance of mortgage payments and utilities vs. gaining greater dependence n Holy God. Moreover,  the particulars of Anna’s spiritual endeavor is given to us that our consideration wouldn’t necessarily mimic the same, but insist on a personal, authentic pursuit of the All-Wise Savior.

The activity of belief has become your faith; it’s certainly not what is said (Jas.2:14-17). Anna’s devotion was incessant, imposing on any who would listen to the mighty works of Holy God (Lk.2:38). If/when you offer defense mechanisms that speaks to the many tasks you’re involved with (daily) that disables a concise presentation of gospel Truth unto those disconnected, it must first contemplate (not circumvent) Who enables breath to achieve anything (Jn.15:5).

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Bare Before the Master” G. Ward

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments.”Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil.” Joel 2:12-13

 

Our Maker knew before creating us what October 4, 2017 was going to present for the life HE allowed; even our innermost thoughts prior to surfacing. We however remain guarded, fearing discovery from others with both thoughts and activity not worthy of presentation. This kind of practiced obscurity is far more difficult than surrender to righteousness that portrays being “owned” as unsatisfactory an achievement (cf. 1 Cor.6:19-20).

Today’s wakeup call didn’t occur when the alarm sounded or when enough rest was your determination, but was/is HIS relentless pursuit of you, because HE loves the potential of your existence. After apologizing for efforts in futility, admit how necessary it is that real rest becomes yours (Mt.11:28-30). He’s waiting; but soon His patience will turn to judgment.

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Multi-Tasking through Pain” G. Ward

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3

Every land introduced in the Word of God that celebrated prosperity in lengthy terms was guilty in dishonoring Holy God as Keeper. Sufferings, in man’s estimation are never celebratory; but remembrance of effect insists on the immediacy in my soul’s desire to be soothed (cf. Ac.4:12). It then craves the inherency to my earthly existence: that is, adoring Holy God for being a present help in difficulty (Ps.46:1).

Paris, London, Harvey, Irma, Jose, Maria, Mandalay Bay, North Korean threats, narcissism from most, discord, jealousies and me, is that which necessitates more meditations and supplications, keeping us ‘Closer With THEE…”

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Laid to Rest?” G. Ward

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

 

There’s cultural permissiveness rendered from many that is opposite of Holy God’s demand for every human regarding dying unto Himself (Jn.14:6). Every entertainer (upon dying) is said to be with the greats who have passed away many years prior and will be responsible in forming that heavenly choir (never proposed). After the masses hear of the demise of a loved one, blanket rehearsed statements seek to extend comfort to those closest to the deceased by insisting “they’re in a better place,” cheapening efforts in reciprocity from believers who have died; not a physical death, but a spiritual one (Mt.16:24, Gal.2:20).

When something is inferred incessantly many can/will forget to investigate its worthiness and doing so may cost them eternally. “And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you,
And on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation” (2 Cor.6:1-2).

Happy Monday!