Today’s Thought “Teacher’s Pet” G. Ward

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

 

While America celebrates its liberal arts education from pre-school status, we’ve not been careful with that design through demand for answers where none may exist (*Heb.11:1). Whereas speculation and presumption can establish hypothesis, leaving impressions on any less philosophical, discomfort will soon invade mindsets demanding new answers.

Faith’s demand searches the holy script without error and those of us who’ve interrogated portions therein are satisfied well enough to ensure others are included (2 Ti.3:16-17).

Today’s Thought “A Walk in the Woods” G. Ward

 

Mark 6:31  And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

 

There’s a place necessary for organizing thoughts that yields activity proper for the future; it’s called solitude. Those plans should not be what appears prudent to follow (cf. Judg.21:25), but consider that which disallows regret. Contemplations lending itself to self-satisfaction limits environmental joy. In other terms, while my happiness is altogether momentary, it may remind another feeling neglected of their misery worth pervading on you and discomfort leading to another quest is soon un-met, becoming the vicious cycle warranting seclusion that grants rest from my weariness (*Phil.4:11-13).

As trees, insects and wild flowers have existed (peaceably so and without wavering) throughout the generations, we’ve been called to intentional reliance on our Sufficient God and when that’s forsaken, back in the saddle again…

Today’s Thought “Only the Strong Survive?” G. Ward

 

2 Peter 3:3-4 “Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”

 

While the gospel remains the message in urgency (transcendent of seasons), there are handfuls of theologians (i.e. good and bad) with insistence in wrongful calculation, avoiding discourses relative to the current plague (covid-19). While they’re students of eschatology (the study of the final destiny of the soul and of humankind.), their understanding appears accurate relative to this age as perhaps the beginning to the end (cf. Matt.24:4-8). Regardless, you and I are soon to visit an earthly end (Ps.90:10-12); making immediate conformity unto the Righteous ONE urgent (Ac.4:12). Every believer should stand prepared to render great mercy, while hoping it scares the Devil out of any found uncovered when HE returns.

Today’s Thought “Casino Winnings” G. Ward

 

James 3:9-10 “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; ^from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.”

 

While quarantined and very particularly in a social age where communication reigns supreme through hard drive devices versus oral, there may be desire from some yet longing to hear expressions without text messaging. If that’s you and boredom is your temporary necklace, just ask a few what they’d do with ten million dollars and the devices are set aside.

Generations have proven more allegiance to tangibles than substance (cf. Josh.24:15) and if earthly prosperity ensues momentarily, credit then belongs to Holy God. Spiritual altruism celebrates being carried throughout each day presented (Pr.3:5-6), looking to a day when personal endeavor will be fulfilled (Ps.121:1-3).

Today’s Thought “Ode to My Father” G. Ward

 

Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

 

Sequestered in close quarters with family members can serve as a reminder of why it may be important to endeavor outside curricular activities of sorts. Moreover, it could allow frustration’s ugly head to rise whereas responses are crude (Eph.4:26), particularly with children. The objective however must be contained by mercy and respect shown (*Matt.5:7). Furthermore, the patience rendered our children (no matter the age) is the safeguard for even our great grandchildren’s receptivity onto Truth (Jn.14:6). We cannot chant sentiments in believing the children are the future while allowing their exposure to condescending attitudes that emanate from their own parentage…

Today’s Thought “Spiritual Imposition?” G. Ward

 

Acts 2:44-45 “And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;  and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.”

Calamities although horrible, promote proactive care from any reasonable. Promoters of Final Authority (solely found in Holy God) continue in a perpetual compelling to interrogate where their Savior is at work and seeks to enjoin themselves onto the urgency in messaging of preparedness. This will not involve preparing with supply one can touch, but soulful guidance in determining sufficiency is only found in God’s will/word. Fear is not allowed (Josh.1:9), but implicit reverence to the God of every generation that prompted plagues and pestilences before, through warning in what was, could be (*cf. Deut.28:59)…

Today’s Thought “Gluttony On the Horizon” G. Ward

 

1 Timothy 4:8  “For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

Walks back and forth to the refrigerator won’t count as exercise, particularly when each time extracts items entirely unhealthy. Homebound doesn’t translate carelessness and especially when late springtime will soon empty onto tremendous weight gain.

There’s great transcendence in this theorizing calling for discipline in every life endeavor. The regimen to more embrace denies an insatiable drive never to be met by food and self-pleasing tactics. It involves a measurement most reasonable pursuits will contemplate, demanding an answer for my earthly purpose (1 Pe.2:9). That interrogation won’t involve an assessment of what I’m good at, nor my prowess educationally. It’s found upon investigation of my beginning and end, having nothing to do with hereditary existentialism, but more importantly, my spiritual duty in being owned by the Only Creator of heaven and earth. May the rest granted in these days of isolation be even more blessed as I’m discovering my rich lineage including how much I’m loved by our Maker.

Today’s Thought “Cabin Fever” G. Ward

James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

When trials run at a continuum, peace is needed and where your search begins is who/what you trust in preeminently. The global pestilence of today will soon witness our resolve; particularly when gathering(s) with those familiar (playing games and exhausting walks, etc.) becomes mundane. Who then can we turn to (Phil.4:5-7)? I recommend JESUS. Since knowing HIM I must admit to an overwhelming feeling of being carried each time my regard of His lordship is the consideration. My expectations diminish and my delight insists on His direction, leading to comfort and joy. The more my consideration is given, my dependence on HIM grows and I find that HE’s a friend comparable to a bridge over troubled waters. To a world blinded to this spiritual rest, I appear foolish; but “side B” is titled “FRET” and I’m prepared for a new song (Ps.96)…

Today’s Thought “We’ll Get Through This…” G. Ward

 

1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

 

We’ve gone viral like never before, literally. Chants of deliverance embracing, “we’ll get through this” assumes an end in melancholy once felt (cf. Matt.6:34). Have we forgotten diseases of sorts, along with varied tragedies are daily occupations of mankind to witness earthly end? Moreover, is it man’s presumption based on this reality, sending him to the marketplace to purchase more bathroom tissue? Instead, he’s yet honing in with a preparation in tangibilities (Matt.6:19-21), rather than to gather himself in accordance to the eternality proposed by his Creator (2 Pe.3:9) and when his end is near, and assumption is no longer the demand of his soul, will there be another whose soul is anchored there to share that Holy God loved him the whole time (Ro.5:8), desiring to grant him rest forever (*Lk.14:23)?

Today’s Thought “Treasure Found” G. Ward

Psalm 91:10, 16 ”No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation.”

Metropolitan Atlanta is soon to have another children’s hospital proportionately larger than the many existing and with special emphasis on a highly technical oncology ward. While we’re in the tradition of assessing a child’s future (i.e. what they want to become when older), we fail to realize that every children’s cancer ward is filled to capacity and survivalists are few. It’s therefore incumbent on students in truth to not pervade false hope, particularly in the name of consolation, whereas every man’s end in earth is inevitable (*cf. 1 Cor.15:55-57). Extreme, unrelenting sorrow when contemplations of death are envisioned more reveals lack in preparation therein. Here’s the premise necessary to perceive in 14 additional passages to hang your soul on (Ps.91:1-3) 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!” For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence.

Although the pervasiveness of covid-19 exists, the shelter my Lord provides insists trouble isn’t lasting; I have a home (Jn.14:1-3).

Today’s Thought “Pleas of Guardianship” G. Ward

Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

 

Blessings have more been associated with being pleasured vs. active assurance in being owned by the Author to whom all blessings flow. The role of the priests long ago and now remains sharing (without additional construction – cf.Deut.4:2,12:32, Rev.22:18) the exactness of the Creator’s message and the benediction aforementioned reveals His love unto any who will accept Heavenly guidance, rule and protection as they will encounter lives surrounded by miseries (*2 Ti.3:12). Altogether, it’s time to accurately assess what we deem as blessings; particularly when they embody visuals (Matt.6:19-21).

Today’s Thought “Appearing Mighty, While Weak” G. Ward

1 Chronicles 21:11-12 So Gad came to David and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Take for yourself ¹² either three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the Lord, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now, therefore, consider what answer I shall return to Him who sent me.”

 

King David is perhaps the best example in exemplary leadership, along with how to avoid sinfulness.  His refusal to trust the Lord implicitly left him vulnerable to enemy conquest. His deepest contrition however, existed when he would usurp the Lord’s demand (cf. Ps.51). Our theme on today shares a horrid reverberation unto Israel on behalf of its leader, King David.

Pestilence of today and why it’s allowed is inexplicable (Isa.55:8-9). It certainly can emanate from the mere fact in existing in a fallen world, or due to great spiritual impropriety through refusal in heeding the Lord’s commands. Whatever the cause, including great plans to thwart contracting viruses, disease, etc., are ultimate plans of futility (Ps.127:1); particularly when Heaven places the order. The cure thereafter remains the same; perfect submission through repentance that yields perfect delight (cf. Rev.16:8-9).

Today’s Thought “Seemingly Impressive” G. Ward

James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

Bad spiritual actors have enabled those purveyors in godly doctrine who may teach in accordance to what is written, yet lack passion regarding an insistence to live accordingly. The operative mode for the teacher is a regard for the pupil to become the protégé that ensures the message of hope resonates for future generations (Matt.28:19). Truly we’re as religious a society as in the days of the Roman Empire, whereby adoration of the Emperor was chieftain and if we’re not careful to allow our convocations to be the energy necessary for exemplary living that reaches any desiring love (via grace and mercy), then our society too will crumble.

Today’s Thought “Safe When Focused” G. Ward

 

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

 

Calamity of sorts very advertised in our technological age happens at a moment’s notice, leaving many perplexed amidst a religious society with declarations more suggestive of suffering prompted through unbelief found in mankind. Mis-application and lack of interrogating the Holy Script provided man fails to see that generations prior were too loved by Holy God, yet experienced significant tragedies, while still called to celebrate HIS rule and reign, anticipating a land without suffering (cf. Lk.18:19). Will you be found faithful?

Today’s Thought “Fear vs. Afraid” G. Ward

 

Matthew 10:28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

 

There’s a spiritual barometer to heed and its impact lies internally; producing guilt (i.e. when failure of godly commands is the consideration) concerning that which is right or wrong character (*Ro.1:19). The excuse for practiced self-absorption as any struggle with indecision or predominant thought is only with MERCY in this moment (Lk.6:46-49), so come to Jesus…

Today’s Thought “Prayer Meeting” 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.”

 

Our prayers can often convey irreverence of Holy God, particularly as we seek to inform HIM of earth’s woes (cf. Heb.13:20-21). Instead, our walk must embody assurance of HIS care and mercy even while trouble persists and no matter if the mountain crumbles around us, we’ll trust in HIM as HE carries us through the rubble (cf. Neh.8:10-12).