Today’s Thought “Smothered Chicken, A Thing of the Past” G. Ward

Amos 9:3 “Though they hide on the summit of Carmel, I will search them out and take them from there; and though they conceal themselves from My sight on the floor of the sea, From there I will command the serpent and it will bite them.”

Grandmothers and Mothers alike would begin creating an attitude for worship day around Thursday evening in times past. Children’s clothing would be mended, satisfying growth spurts uncontrollable; along with meal planning that determined who would be invited. We’ve been raised in these traditions to now more embrace ingenuity’s convenience. While spontaneity is celebrated, we’ll forget that it may disallow greater planning that perhaps serves as a moment in reflection of Who brought me thus far and insist on restoration therein (*cf. Joel 2:12).

Like the Prophet Amos, preachers of today seek to pervade on mankind the same message. To say you know Him, is to do what HE says and the chieftain of violation is furthered when worship services are forsaken (Heb. 10:25). Irresponsibility thereafter is answerable to whether an eternity exists with A Creator who never ceased in loving you.

Today’s Thought “Praying for Enemy Lines” G. Ward

Jonah 1:1-3 The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, ^“Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.”  But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

Rarely will a preacher of today have to explain Jonah’s plight to a congregation; that’s exactly where the problem may begin. When any view scripture in abstract, believing it more applicable to someone vs. themselves, it absolutely corrupts. Enemy lines are drawn the more, based on impossibility thinking, along with lack of trusting God. Our Creator’s purpose still seeks to impose deeper contemplation unto a soul HE owns and the problem remains; it’s not that others won’t cooperate; we just refuse to surrender – denying blessings. Nineveh came to repentance, shaming Israel in their unbelief; whereas our modernity is with a Nineveh called false religion and our wicked categorization of mankind (translated arrogance) is allowing it to spread like gangrene; so get off the boat Jonah and compel them to come in the house!

Today’s Thought “More Taxes?” G. Ward

Deuteronomy 14:28-29

 “At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town.  The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.

The brave, sold-out bell ringers will appear soon. It’s not the holidays until their arrival. Outside of most major retail outlets The Salvation Army will exist seeking to become a major capillary for benevolence for so many communities and not for just a limited season. Kudos to every missionary in this Christian service and may you be blessed in perfect consideration as you give generously.

For all who desire to give but are “heavy laden” with self-seeking ministers desirous of another exotic vehicle; don’t allow the wicked propagandizing relative of a few, discourage every/all consideration in addressing the “Poor among us.” Moreover, when you give, remember the analytical interrogation of where your fifty cents rests is God’s business, not yours (cf. Ps.24:1)…

Today’s Thought “But He Smells Bad” G. Ward

Luke 14:12-14

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

A believer’s approach to most situations must never seek to find a personal benefit, but bring honor to their own Deliverer. Moreover, to think my spiritual position involving separatism as synonymous with a no interactivity code (with the world) re-invents an opposite standard of Christ’s many visits with unbelievers (*Matt.9:10-13). The sanctification HE requires (from believers) is an attitude of determination that lives out a creed of being owned by this gentle Savior. So yes, drop your frayed blankets, cups of soup, socks, etc., at your local urban area in vivid depletion, but Jesus would consider taking them home and washing them (*home more refers to the message of hope); love is intentional…

Today’s Thought “A Pass On History Class Please?” G. Ward

Isaiah 26:4 “Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.”

 

The History given us (nationally, globally, politically etc.) is with significance, seeking to thwart what could be a repetitive cycle in error. Similarly, there’s a cultural intolerance for today that celebrates great ingenuity that more identifies modern devices as more excellent than anything produced before (Tell that to some of us that remembered our first 8-track player.). Guidance from worldly mishap remains a good teacher, but best instruction continues in/by Truth’s standard (Jn.14:6).

While great minds existed in every era for mankind, particularly with their many proposals in sufficiency, interrogation unto all generations will only see success for individuals that sought (without relent) shelter from the Rock of Ages and it didn’t preclude they couldn’t be used to invent the Apple mobile phone of that time, but meant the prompting would emanate from the Creator, to then insist it brought HIM glory…

Today’s Thought “This and That” G. Ward

Ephesians 5:15-17

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, ^making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

For me there’s no greater song than Louis Armstrong’s version of What A Wonderful World; particularly in view of what was his talented, careful groggy inflection, unique for every generation. Altogether his voice was authoritative, it more conveyed the simplicity of wisdom’s delight and how it must first begin with humility, or reception of what’s greater to perceive over that of man’s construction (cf. Ps.24:1).

We would all do well in daily visitation of quiet moments to assess every aspiration and to do so before any day’s interactivity with others, so that my pardoning from On High may become theirs (*Matt.5:16).

Today’s Thought “Answerable” G. Ward

1 John 2:6 “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”

The baby cries and immediately gets milk; to then become the adult having heard mixed virtue from many teachers that (through unorganized consensus) sanctions an honest gain of sorts as entirely permissive. Discernment of such (through default) always relies on those prior challenges introduced, whereas answers may have been a “no-brainer” or demands immediate interactivity with another seemingly more knowledgeable.

Faith is not subjective, but preeminently considers the Object of their affection, and although the practice therein has become that of imperfection with man, the easement in appreciated practice (1 Ti.4:6-10) renders peace now and unfolds contentment when/if the Lord permits another day.

Today’s Thought “A Beginning Questioned” G. Ward

John 6:63  “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

 

Free will was given man so he could love His Creator freely vs. a robotic compelling. Insofar as many identify with Holy God through Christ, some more perpetuate a notion of HIM as theirs although failing in a quest unexplored (2 Ti.2:15). Furthered reliance on His mercy has become synonymous with a similar concept exercised in most marital relationships; an abusive taking Him for granted (2 Cor. 11:2). Why? Because HE remains the Life to which He spoke about (Jn.14:6). While my sinful position seeks personal interrogation of total dependence on Him, it precludes any idea (from me) of another not qualifying, yet HIS omniscience cannot be denied; Jesus knew/knows the heart of every man.

Today’s Thought “This Is Jeopardy!” G. Ward

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. “

Alex Trebek has been the host of the game show "Jeopardy!" for 35 years and recently received a diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer. His love for what he does compelled him to talk initially of beating this grim prognosis. After numerous treatments that emptied into ineffectiveness, he admitted tremendous regret with such an impetuous stance of beating anything,  to now more embody greater concession of the inevitable (Heb.9:27).

I’m certainly not familiar with his spiritual stance yet hoping for the best, but I do know of a mercy emanating from heaven that knew of this day from the beginning. When any reasonable are given such a forecast, all the riches and fame (including knowledge – *Matt.24:35) are horribly insignificant, whereas an inherent calling to fulfill (Ge.1:26-31) should surface in every man (particularly in view of Holy God’s LOVE for every man) that causes the question of vitality to assess whether an assurance of Jesus as LORD exists?

Today’s Thought “The Grandeur of Daylight Savings Time” G. Ward

 

Romans 13:12

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

 

Night-time is always indicative of man’s presumptive thoughts that keep us susceptible to Satan’s devices (cf. Jer.17:9). Daytime however, remains a sobriety achievable onto realization that Holy God’s success has been from the beginning; rendering an unwavering, perfect governance, merciful and just for any choosing to awake.

Today’s Thought “Midnight Creeper” G. Ward

 

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.

 

Earth’s presentation for mankind is a limited scope that should involve a preparation unto an eternity spent with the Only One who knows of every activity (body, soul and spirit - cf.1 Jn.5:3). The anticipation of the Redeemer’s return must remain frontal to our every moment so as to establish a pattern pleasing to the One who owns whether the next moment is our experience and the beauty for any having denied this practice on yesterday, TODAY was given that the race is still with a jersey befitting for you (*Phil.2:10-11).

Today’s Thought “Familiarity, A Wicked Blossom” G. Ward

 

Psalm 18:20-21 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

 

There’s a rehearsal exercised by most rational when they’re soon to encounter an official of global proportion that interrogates a response suitable, including slight timidity that desires to get it absolutely correct. Moreover, the garments to be worn (for such an occasion) have a preliminary contemplation that won’t afford other task’s entry for a soul soon to exact a boast concerning such an acquaintance.

Reverence for the LORD (* Matt.6:9-12)…