Today’s Thought “May Fling” G. Ward Hebrews 13 15 Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Whereas the weekend is with great permissiveness due to occupational lack of sorts, even feeling deserving of fabulous planning as remunerating in view of my hard efforts all week, the activity of my soul wants blessings whereby I’ll rejoice in every moment presented without greater consultation onto the Owner of each second, making life a living contradiction (*Lk.6:46).

Today’s Thought “A Conscience, Locked” G. Ward Jeremiah 17:5 Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.” Delusion is the tag for any that seek to juxtapose hope of unity for a nation, particularly as the inhabitants would regard the land as their own (cf. Phil.3:20). The great objective for the believer is to make Christ known (as LORD) and shed relief over an unrelenting, cyclical trust of eloquent leadership, able to produce the illustrious “Easter Speech” on demand, convincing portions of people unto vain ideologies that purport divide and conquer. BELIEVERS ARE SET APART from this sensationalism and all their commentaries waver between two opinions that ultimately reveal their hearts in determining that our Sufficient King needs help to govern that to which HE created, pandering idolatry and blasphemy (1 Ti.4:1-2).

Today’s Thought “Getting Back to Church” G. Ward John 4:23-24 “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The pandemic given us to perceive caused an abrupt change in most things done routinely and now that conditions are progressing, there’s a longing for return to corporate worship as it was. I must admit that I’m a little troubled about this, in that my work load increased with efforts to keep our spiritual family worshipful by providing both a written devotional, along with one verbalized no more than five minutes each day since March 2020. Moreover and through technological advancement, we’ve consistently offered two bible studies on Wednesdays, while presenting Truth every Sunday virtually and while many have dedicated themselves to not missing these services, most are inconsistent. Our mouths echo desire, while our regard remains absentee (*Jas.1:22, 2:14)…

Today’s Thought “Reading Is Fundamental” G. Ward Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Acknowledgement (of personal directives) that primarily participates with slogans, along with methodologies deemed successful from others is ultimate refusal to be owned by Heaven and a practice thereunto reveals a conscience occupied by mistrust of the Holy One and while we’re all guilty (in periodic lapse), we celebrate a way out through our awakening (once again) that regards this moment where change is made possible via the Blessed Redeemer.

Today’s Thought “Eating Without Hunger” G. Ward 1 Timothy 2:1-4 “First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” A good prayer life reveals dependence onto the Almighty; determining His wisdom, power and plans for all of creation as sufficient. Contrary to what’s popular, every disciple is given the exactness for approaching this spiritual actuality and while so many embrace liberality of words, it can mostly purport irreverence. Jesus, our Savior exemplified what communion with the Father should represent with an incredible trust that insisted “not My will, but Yours.” We, on the other hand preface ours with how great He is, along with His many names (indicative of His merciful generosity), to then arrive at what we want (as if that juxtaposition has any lasting quality – cf. Ps.90:10-12). A refusal towards spiritual conformity violates proposed dependence and without total reliance on Supremacy, there’s no shelter for the storm (soon to visit).

Today’s Thought “Looking Through the Spy Glass” G. Ward Matthew 23:25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” Seeking to juxtapose a variety of personalities in accordance to company kept may find you confused concerning the jargon used last. Instead and best for presentation is a position less conspicuous that understands notoriety among men is short-lived.

Today’s Thought “In the Name of Love” G. Ward Psalm 53:2-3 “God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of mankind to see if there is anyone who understands, who seeks after God. Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” There’s not enough said about God as Creator along with our inferiority as His creation. Moreover, He purposed we’d be in earth for His purpose and not self-designated. Instead, every generation seems to more gravitate towards independence from His gentle rule (cf. 1 Jn.5:3). Despite our rebellion, His pursuit of us remains and while many have determined they initiated the love relationship intended, every prompting emanated from HIM alone (*Ro.5:7-8). Altogether, Heaven’s pursuit will soon be over and while some hope many will determine their lives never belonged to them, activity emblematic of desired citizenry is the guarantor (cf. Phil.3:20).

Today’s Thought “Walking and Chewing Gum” G. Ward Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” Saint Vincent and the Grenadines island chain is located in the Caribbean Sea. Recently, their citizens (less than 120,000) were uprooted from the island in escape from an erupting volcano. They’re without a robust economy (particularly the more in view of Covid-19 and reliant on tourism), causing very low wages across the country and few job opportunities, leading to a poverty rate of 30.2 percent. Sadly, much news coverage sought to encourage aid for the evacuees and little was lent. Many will suggest we have so many problems of our own to solve, so “let the United Nations deal with them!” This un-spiritual portrayal is synonymous with Christ’s reprimand to imposters of faith in Him, which disallows not caring for those genuine followers with varied needs. The “my land” mantra has become extremist in its proprietary way in perpetuating the “have and have nots” and best instruction demands we identify the Real Land Owner before it’s too late.

Today’s Thought “Mirror In the Dark” G. Ward Proverbs 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” While advice from any sounds prudent, there’s only one record in absolute reliance for our consideration and humility to apprehend safe passage to peace is its requirement. Moreover, when a conscience is seared in part-time adherence (against where Final Authority is found – *Pr.2:6), particularly as self-preservation (same as, continual protection of a life instituted by God, yet portraying abandonment to that same reality) is at the helm and while the world teaches us to follow our dreams and whims, we own nothing – Ps.24:1 (= the definition of a fool).

Today’s Thought “Coffee and Bacon Brewing” G. Ward 1 Peter 2:5 “You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Whether you enjoy bacon or coffee almost won’t deny its aroma as pleasing in the morning. So it is with believers who portray their Lord in humility, that is putting others first, while being kind-hearted and inconspicuous. Even the bully is without provocation, because absolutely no fight exists in one belonging to the Lord. Moreover, they’re willing to be wronged and refuse to acknowledge wrongdoings demonstrated by others because greater grace was given them when they too were helpless. Their sole objective now rests on hope for other’s deliverance because they know their Creator can transform the vilest mindset. Sarcastically, many are asking, “Gregory, where can these be found, because the church folks I know are no different than the rest?” I’ll plead with you to disallow contrasts on who may be categorically worse and understand that we’re being perfected by His love and change is imminent; while inviting you to join us while HE utilizes Heaven’s scalpel to remove these malignancies that kill…

Today’s Thought “Garbage Collector” G. Ward Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” While society requires the eloquent to represent their views, Holy God continues to exist inside those He calls His own so as to confound others onto being persuaded that the same spiritual endowment witnessed (from those less conspicuous, yet embolded) could be theirs also; particularly when theirs desire the peaceable confidence the message of Christ offers (cf. *Ro.10:13).

Today’s Thought “Rewarding Bad Behavior” G. Ward Romans 1 26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged natural relations for that which is contrary to nature, 27 and likewise the men, too, abandoned natural relations with women and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing shameful acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. Every one of us exists under the auspices of an original intent, that a man and woman came together whereas procreation was furthered. We were given inalienable citizenry (in earth) as male and female and since then we sought diversifying our portfolios, soon answerable unto Heaven’s regard (cf. Gal.2:20) and not consideration unto popular thought from man. As believers and unbelievers alike make judgments all the day long, predominant decontextualizing of scripture has rehearsed “You can’t judge” and while having read this biblical excerpt, many neglected verse 5 at chapter 7 of Matthew that synopsizes the charge by insisting we resolve onto existing in the same sin of our complaint towards another while seeking to correct another’s unfruitful endeavor as hypocrisy for us. While to judge is synonymous with discerning/evaluating, every human being is without an authoritative moral code of their own, so many of us rely/trust in God’s Word as our most excellent base in doing so. This modernity’s bend towards every bio-rhythm of man (ever-evolving) will soon sanction more sins than Truth (cf. Isa.5:20-21). Bless our hearts…

Today’s Thought “The Cycle of Love” G. Ward Leviticus 19:33-34 “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” Believer’s deference to the Word of God is unquestionable and while many say whose they are to only exist in their words, conscience will soon borrow from a worldly mantra, denying mercy…

Today’s Thought “Masked Man” G. Ward Colossians 3:1-3 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. God is resolute, leaving no room for presumption or speculations and His requirement for us should have any insisting they’re Heaven’s belonging, echoing rules from home (*Phil.3:20). Earthly parentage allowed spiritual adherence in that little to no compliance (particularly relative to house rules) administered a painful consequence and served as great deterrence from crimes furthered; whereas our current progressive state rejoices because where there’s no discipline, love is void. When you practice vain philosophy, particularly that to which lacks eternal qualities, you more deny imitation of Jesus, who neglected submission to economic pursuits, politics and gross injustice over seeking to change the hearts of man which most assuredly resulted in justice deferred (cf. Ro.3:10,23, 5:7-8) through Christ. Therefore mine own promulgations must exact His.

Today’s Thought “Mr. Wonderful” G. Ward Proverbs 18:24 “A person of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” There’s national spotlight on a young male teacher so encouraging that witnessed his development of intense, personal handshakes with many students to preface their lesson time with him. The diversity of routine’s remembrance is astounding, lending transcendence to his fifth graders and whereas other students witnessed the same (from lower grades), they too desire recognition similar and were also obliged by this educational giant. Altogether, this feat’s comparability can be likened to breaking a home run record from a professional baseball player and seeking similitude through accommodating attitudes from those tagged “friends” when actually they’re people you’re acquainted with is confounding. If/when the depth of our accommodations won’t lend rightful reciprocity from varied acquaintances, this could ultimately be exasperating (cf. 2 Cor.6:14).

Today’s Thought “From Real Eggs to Plastic” G. Ward Isaiah 43:18-19 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” The Prophet’s presentation from the Lord invited hope beyond what had been historically to say the victories provided in times past would pale against the future Blessed Hope He would provide and while we abhor anticipation, that is wanting everything promised now, generations to follow inherit our riches (i.e. corruptible, perishable, etc.) without spiritual legacies that keeps providing in moments that count (*Ro.8:18).

Today’s Thought “🎵When You’re Smiling…” G. Ward Revelation 2 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. Many of us are with absolute recall of someone controlled by Heaven’s demand in many ways and at most times, but lacked hospitality. While their dedication appeared admirable, it never reproduced the Spirit’s intent. Knowing the components of believer-ship without the greatest identifier - Love, is with equivalency in making a cake (particularly after being known as one of the best bakers), to leave out the eggs (indicative of familiarity brooding contempt), whereas the end result became a pancake not requiring syrup…