Today’s Thought “Spiritually Impenetrable” G. Ward

 

Genesis 19:17 And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.”

 

While logic is the exercise for the unbeliever, theology exists as the profound answer to an implosive state of the world concerning its refusal to deny self (Matt.16:24, 2 Cor.5:15). Peace and safety have become more relative to a burgeoning economy, along with tremendous militaristic fortitude lending protection to personal acquisitions and while the fight with humankind may be an even match, the spiritual wrath of Holy God is without protection from the greatest arsenal (Ps.127:1).

Perhaps you need a motivational word for the day presented? You just missed it (Ps.118:24)!

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

 

James 3:16  “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

 

Many a pursuit derives from what seemingly appears worth having and when the endeavor is met, another appeal is introduced and a life may borrow recollection of myriads in attempt at something granting happiness to only find futility exercised.

May surrender to Who authors rest find you content in HIS sufficiency (*Phil.2:12-13).

Today’s Thought “Participation In Misery” G. Ward

 

Galatians 2:3-4  But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.  But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.

 

The continuity in messaging is paramount and remains beneficial in every matter in earth, along with being Heaven’s contingency. There are groups present with other attachments unrecognized; no different from some 2000 years ago and the way onto liberty apart vain philosophy remains perfect, personal intimacy (cf. 1 Jn. 1:1-4). Moreover, the message is unchanging timelessness. May good old conformity be your answer vs. acceptance of a computer age stance willing to involve your personal pleasure over denial of self (Matt.16:24).

Today’s Thought “A Pastor’s Attitude” G. Ward

 

1 Peter 5:3  “Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”

 

While the corporate leader can be known for their generosity in spirit or perceivably aloof onto those subordinate, every believer, including those who shepherd God’s flock are compelled to live as Jesus did. His rule is gentle and caring (vs.7).

Pastoral genre exercised is without godly permission (*Ac.6:4) and every congregation can’t impose democracy on its membership (cf.*Tit.1:1-3). Holy God remains our Great Shepherd. Altogether and most imperative for immediate implementation is proper stewardship of Holy God’s demand for our individual lives (found in HIS word); disquieting every notion of what a pastor ought to be doing. Assessment without interrogation of what the Manual says will soon witness the device’s ineffectiveness and unproductivity (2 Pe.1:5-9).

Today’s Thought “Take Cover, Incoming!” G. Ward

 

Zechariah 14:6-7 “In that day there will be no light; the luminaries will dwindle. For it will be a unique day which is known to the Lord, neither day nor night, but it will come about that at evening time there will be light.”

 

Apocalyptic study of God’s word remains the subject of varied writers, movie productions and apologists. A varied conclusion from many suggests great mystery and fear than escape. Our status on today appeals for implicit trust of God’s Sovereign plan through a personal scope of truth minus fluff and exaltation of intellectual giants (cf. 1 Cor.1:20-21, Heb.1:1-2). Now isn’t presented that we’d walk in fear, but that our worship is exclusively unto HIS granting us this gracious opportunity to conform (immediately) and the practice therein then delights in my having been included (Eph.1:4-5).

Today’s Thought “Comfort In A Strange Land” G. Ward

 

Isaiah 40:22  “It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in.”

 

While an exchange in geographical locations appears to present peace, the similitude in pursuit from others will soon reveal that chaos truly follows man when he fails to recognize the Shelter provided him guides and protects no matter the neighborhood (*Ps.91:1-2). Don’t run to the mountains, but onto Jesus…

Today’s Thought “Grandma’s Baby” G. Ward

 

James 4:17

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

 

Inherently with the whole of mankind, there exists morality at war with evil and while righteous pursuits remain subjective to most, the only code worthy of our affection is found in God’s word (2 Ti.3:16-17). Let’s not insist on an ever-evolving message where hope might exist and depend on carnal leadership soon to drop the torch, but demand of oneself Heaven’s regard and live (Jn.15:5).

Today’s Thought “Inoculated With Great Compassion” G. Ward

 

Luke 19:41-42 When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.”

 

Spiritual intuitiveness doesn’t stem from the mystery of phenomena, but from the mercy given by Heaven’s regard in knowing me. Unfolding His love for me each day understands its limitless factoring for the whole of mankind (cf. 2 Pe.3:9).

There’s seemingly avoidance in accepting this raw fact, particularly from the masses. It’s because the so-called believer refuses self denial by hoarding peace and joy for their family first which is antithetical of Jesus’ portrayal (Jn.17). If/when things don’t turn around quickly (that is, earnest promulgation of only God as good), more doom and destruction will witness its impact on everyone (cf. *Jer.25:31-38). Close your eyes in carnality, whereby the visual now reveals a people needing the Lord and you’re compelled to lead them (*Matt.28:19 - not that you’ve been good, but HE certainly is)…

Today’s Thought “Economic Stability” G. Ward

 

Luke 12:15

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

 

Debt to income ratio assessment includes statistical data that construes the consumer’s purchase power. It’s a protective mechanism for those of us not wealthy, promoting prudence in fiscal responsibilities.

Going beyond the parameter of reasonable spending will ultimately promote great distress and reveals/appeals to one’s superficial side. Our visuals of bigger and better impose dispersions unachievable, comparable to owning a Bentley while living in squalid conditions.

The Word of God is supremely best, even promoting perfect peace and contentment (Phil.4:11-12. 1 Ti.6:6). While others pursue avenues in societal recognition, only being received superficially, there remains an eternity whereby economic status isn’t allowed. This in no way condemns the wealthy, but altogether insists on the spiritual demand that invites the Most High as Owner.

Today’s Thought “The Walls Are Closing In” G. Ward

 

Isaiah 45:7 “I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.”

 

America is seemingly more blessed of God than other nations. We’ve been offered recompense though our violations have been extreme. We’ve exacerbated caste systems (i.e. class, race, etc.) celebratory of the presumed founders of a land already inhabited with human beings while guaranteeing all every chance at life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

The plans of men most certainly remain sectarian and first seek personal welfare (*cf. Phil.2:3-7). Holy God’s intent however, was decided before the earth was given mankind; allowing a people (Israel) to become His example of what it would mean to know Him (1 Jn.5:3). When their refusal in total adherence obstructed those mandates, sufferings entered the room.

Considering the Most High is without change, our conformity is urgent (Ro.6:23). To fear HIM is not that emotion that embodies being afraid, but perfect cognizance that HE knows all things.

Today’s Thought “Breaking Generational Cursing” G. Ward

 

Numbers 14:18

“The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

 

If you haven’t ascribed to PBS’s greatest television series “Finding You Roots” (Sundays at 8 p.m. E.S.T.) you’ve exacerbated the complexity of mankind’s lack as his insistence to be recognized transcends current generations (Dr. Gates would appreciate that plug - cf. Jer.17:9). The show’s host, Henry Louis "Skip" Gates Jr. is an American literary critic, teacher, historian, filmmaker and public intellectual who serves as the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. Without consideration of ethnicity, Dr. Gates interrogates family genealogies of many entertainers along with those with national acclaim. Altogether, both good and bad history exists in every family. The charge (worthy of pursuit) however from any of those predecessors of questionable authority has demanded remembrance so as to not present similar error found in foreparents (cf. Phil.3:12-15).

To know who existed in our biological make-up is with reasonable intrigue, but the inspiration given from the whole of mankind’s spiritual lineage never disappoints while determining my capitulating unto greatness must fully embrace personal responsibility unto redemption given by the Savior whereby the biological parameter that limits is extinguished (cf. Jn.19:25-29).

Today’s Thought “Societal Jamboree” G. Ward

 

Psalm 95:6 “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!”

 

As for you, people of God, what then is our excuse (Ro.1:20)? Sure, the world remains chaotic and moral uprightness is infrequent, but it’s not as if there wasn’t warning. We refuse to worship (Jn..4:24)! Our intellects declare HIS omnipresence, yet our activity of soul says He’s not aware in my lack to believe He knows; but still compels us to separate from the world’s affairs and while some strain therein, tags of insult further divide. We’re anxious, because in 3 days our exposure onto spiritual reprieve will witness auditoriums of organized and ecstatic praise and again our intellects fully comprehends that worship exclusively belongs to God, while demanding vivaciousness from our perspective religious institutions.

We’re not the first to witness Caesar’s ruthless channeling, yet Jesus (that is the existential Savior still remaining Supreme) is with the same resolve as when HE walked the earth, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”

Today’s Thought “Foolishly Manipulative” G. Ward

 

Revelation 22:18-19 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; ¹⁹ and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

 

The term “Final Authority” can also indicate complete power that refers esoterically to Holy God. This reality deemed unmatched is produced without speculation, leaving absolutely no room for additional authorship. Moreover, it is written for our peace (cf.*2 Pe.1:20-21).

No manuscript given is comparably tampered with outside of the Word of God. Historically, it’s granted spiritual freedom to many and witnessed great demagoguery in others. Our modernity is witnessing the perpetuation of falsehoods stemming from its truth that expands both notoriety in man, along with burgeoning pocketbooks when misused. The greatest damage however continues from those proclaiming to “know HIM” while failing to do what HE says, insisting that worship be met on their terms (i.e. music they like, along with mysterious acts inexplicable), awaiting governmental reprieves of sorts to substantiate their presumed faith (i.e. walls built, abortion rights and doing away with any dis-similar to what I deem as normal) and that damage is proportionately expansive and wicked. Holy God is still searching for some who will absolutely die, so they may live entirely in HIS demand (Ps.118:24).

Today’s Thought “Indignation, Under Fire” G. Ward

 

Ephesians 4:26 “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”

 

I marvel when hearing another exclaim, “I don’t hate anyone.” Every emotion is with category, but hate remains the vilest and certainly never to be used to describe another human being. Most only understand this demand from rudiments carried throughout the generations, but God’s Word authored this actuality in view of our having been granted His love despite personal sinfulness (Ro.5:8). Hate is with category as love continues in the same. It’s merely harboring feelings of discord (vehemently) as we encounter those opposite our view. It’s where we are in America. It’s perpetuating Satan’s work (2 Cor.4:4) and the shame of doing so never interrogated his deception that desires attacking the populous vs. individuals (you’re watching too many scary movies – cf. Eph.6:12).

*You need to stop blaming institutions and perceived lack in morality for the lack of moral fortitude found in others (this is not the common sense issue of whether babies should be killed, or whether a man should act accordingly - Ge.1:27); particularly when the answer (through personal directive – Matt. 28:19) was demanded of you and you lacked compliance! It’s your sin and mine that put Jesus on the cross!

Today’s Thought “Frivolous Attempts In Loving” G. Ward

 

John 19:27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.

 

Jesus had brothers, so why the demand for John to assume care for His Mother (cf. Jn.7:5)? Here’s Jesus’ transcendence; every act and demand desired to show the way, even while being crucified HE had you and me in mind (Lk.23:34). His earthly presence sought exposure to man’s worst contriving spirit so as to teach endurance (Ro.1:20).

Interdependence must become the genuine intent for believers; keeping any desirous of salvation’s demand in focus. Instead, the habitual factoring in pseudo independence that involves selfish pursuits (e.g. it’s my life and my money and I’ll do as I please syndrome) obscures dying to self, causing my great-grandchildren’s progeny tremendous consternation (i.e. a love-less society). While preachers have more embraced job security as motivationalists, the missionary still instructs with “few” in attendance (Ezek.33:30-33)…