Today’s Thought “Tornado Warning” G. Ward Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very ready help in trouble.” Sufferings of sorts, although common to man and often without warning, is with remedy, but won’t involve a geographical place of refuge, nor comforting words (particularly involving another who limits their time as an accompaniment in brotherhood). The security that lends confidence to troubles vanquishing must be with comparability to learning the alphabet. Through song and verbal reciting (repetitiously), I must learn it with help from one proficient in knowing this security (spiritually), until I absolutely know HIM for myself (in particular – when no one else is around). Trouble is coming and there’s a Way out (cf. Pr.1:24-30)…

Today’s Thought “Delivery Unexpected” G. Ward Galatians 3 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” God’s way only remains confounding for those denying research; who insist on having every answer “on demand” and when one fails to receive it, they’ll defer to another plan (Isa.55:8-9, Ac.4:12). We’ll hear the term “blessings” and absolutely discount the greatest, most foundational message of deliverance – the gospel and its entirely indiscriminate (i.e. for poorer or rich) and whereas vocation (rendering extreme amounts of money), tremendous entrepreneurial ventures, high-end cars and homes (that exist beyond gates) are deemed being blessed, there remains the incorruptible, surpassing value of being known by Heaven (cf. Eph.1:3-4)…

Today’s Thought “Awakening to More Troubles” G. Ward 2 Timothy 4 2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. Do you think President Warren G. Harding (1921-1923) experienced great controversies similar to our times; particularly as he was a strong proponent of technological advancement, along with being a sympathizer towards minorities and women? Unlike many, I believe the Word of God, particularly upon it inviting us to know that there are 18 delineations portraying the problem with mankind – he loves himself first (2 Ti.3:1-4) and while our world sanctions this activity, our Creator abhors it; after all He sent His own Son in an antithetical and unselfish way. Therefore, our perspectives continues seeking to lend answers to an age old problem that ultimately introduces more troubles. Let’s all decide today to cease with answers outside of what our Lord has already said and just trust His guidance. If/when believers are guilty with how they feel and the necessitation to be heard, along with Truth – it’s then that Truth is diminished due to a predominant acceptance of words seemingly prudent and whereas “heaven and earth will soon pass away”, let’s remember “God’s Word is forever (Matt.24:35)…”

Today’s Thought “Granny’s Cakes and Cookies” G. Ward Ephesians 3 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Perhaps you recall one who demonstrated love when it appeared that no one else cared and how it is they’re known for being generous in spirit, while placing others ahead of themselves and available at any hour? While this a un-common reality, the few have absolutely aided our receptivity in understanding the highest Love of all – Holy God and whereas His Word is often forsaken because others portray a dual approach to knowing Him (a have your cake and eat it too mentality), even rationalizing a periodic adherence to His commands (as the populous exemplifies), eternity with Him won’t happen because you tried real hard to meet that holy standard, it’s confession and then placing absolute trust in the Only One who did (*Eph.2:8-10). Christ remains Sufficient…

Today’s Thought “Prayer Journal” G. Ward Ephesians 3 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. I’ve yet to meet a strong person (only God is) and while kudos are extended unto some for appearances of such, strong in a general sense is relative to confidence, even certainty of moments presented and then activity that follows. Therefore we owe absolute reliance on the Owner of every moment. The tag from others can often presume upon some this complimentary posture, disallowing those same, bouts with weakness (to which no one is exempt) and while “envy” remains un-spiritual (Gal.5:19-21), causing man’s estimation of others worthy to attain towards, looking to Jesus is marginalized (*Heb.12:2-4).

Today’s Thought “Known for Pleasantries” G. Ward John 17:22-23 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Having answers in a premeditated sense, particularly as any are expressive of life’s difficulties cancels a similar care shown by our Savior and whereas “Jesus wept” ours must learn the essence of walking alongside of one another in view of the common denominator given man called sufferings. Those profoundly aware of the Savior’s suffering on their behalf will often begin a discourse of complaint to find their way to recalling His Sufficiency as the Grantor of peace. Let’s do our best to afford the brethren an opportunity for a return unto greater by the highest standard of mercy that found us…

Today’s Thought “Desiring What’s Best” G. Ward James 4 7 Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Pursuing the love relationship intended with God through Christ submits entirely to His authority and although bouts of slippages exists with/in the whole of humanity, the believer remembers the comfort and joy in being hidden from the world’s vices and runs for cover. Some waver through an exercise unsanctioned that involves pursuing their own plans and will soon discover such a practice empties onto an eternity without goodness and mercy. Let’s decide today that HE alone knows what’s best…

Today’s Thought “In the Still of the Night” G. Ward Psalm 63:1-3 “God, You are my God; I shall be watching for You; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and exhausted land where there is no water. So have I seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and glory. Because Your favor is better than life, my lips will praise You.” Our limited mindsets experience a weariness at times that creates an even higher demand on the presence of the Lord and although it’s not unreasonable to require more Shelter, assessment in how a greater, consistent intimacy that depends totally on the Almighty experienced lapse, causing my despair, teaches me the essence in never thinking of myself too highly. HE is Faithful.

Today’s Thought “Lessons Soon Forgotten” G. Ward Matthew 11 20 Then He began to reprimand the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that occurred in you had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Our educational systems seek to establish a discipline that promotes proficiency towards the many endeavors of man and while testing remains the gauge to determine our aptitude for lessons presented and whereas that process ends, it rarely asks the commoner for a report card (particularly before a service is rendered); yet trusts they’ll complete the task. Few, however will trust a Surgeon who recently graduated magna cum laude with their own personal demand, even when HE’S notably done the miraculous none other could do and would rather place their lives in the hands of some other practitioner (cf. Ac.4:12).

Today’s Thought “The Road Unto Correction” G. Ward Galatians 2 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of some men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, fearing those from the circumcision. When what’s supposed to be stalwart character found in us as believers more becomes personal accommodation, it can backfire into a humiliation undesired. Instead, Heaven’s Shelter makes Himself entirely available to our spiritual re-route that addresses sorrow for wrongful steps, to then be restored onto usefulness (1 John 1:9).

Today’s Thought “Memorizing Scripture” G. Ward Matthew 26 66 What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!” 67 Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?” What is belief without compliance? It’s living a lie. Celebration is given this day (Good Friday), as our biggest struggle on today will be where we’ll eat seafood on tonight, rarely to think about the Savior’s innocent road to death. Was He hungry in what was the most tortuous death humanity witnessed, and why did He give His life so freely? It wasn’t so you’d go shopping for a new outfit because you decided to attend worship services Sunday. He rescued us, pardoning our natural disposition towards sin. Therefore, our celebration need become more meditation on that reality and whereas the struggle/debate within talks hypocrisy in choosing this Sunday’s visitation, we’ve then violated His Supper/Invitation that demanded we’d receive daily bread from Heaven and many remain malnourished, supping on fast food, while experiencing incessant health problems (*1 Cor.11:24-30).

Today’s Thought “The Cougar” G. Ward Titus 2 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. American culture understood buffoonery found in older men as particularly insensible as they would purchase small convertibles to signify it (life) wasn’t over for them, along with their seeking wives with age equivalency of their children, but to now witness older women pursuing frivolous affairs in the same competes with an order intended to which our Creator ordained (for every generation). Violation of basic order that brought many of us thus far, is responsible for collapse in family and while there remains segments in stalwart allegiance in exemplary behavior, believers must never surmise a “no hope” posture unto those without compliance, but more prepare to share where our Lord has brought us (*1 Cor.6:9-11)…

Today’s Thought “The Gift of Preference” G. Ward Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” How many more times will be afforded us in seeing error to our many choices to rarely think re-routing as failure to meet the mark and while we’ll play the game of semantics (i.e. potato-potah-ta, tomato-tomah-ta, both illustrations have the same meaning, yet are pliable in pronunciation)? Contrary to popular belief, failures remain common to man. Things of eternality won’t disappoint and we’d do well (all of us) to re-route unto the original plan our Creator designed for us and unmistakably found in the Word of God. It’s befitting, along with practical for every generation; so let’s not forget life’s qualifier – implicit trust of the Only One familiar with the road ahead, along with sole ability to reconcile our yesterday, to then present us blameless onto HIS today.

Today’s Thought “The House Is Beautiful?” G. Ward Titus 1:8 “But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.” I know of an exercise taught me from childhood that’s now found me partially responsible in the same as my parents were then; readying the house for company and whereas those arriving are with kindly considerations, expressive of how wonderful everything appears, thereafter, the host’s heart is evaluated to see if his inner beauty matches home aesthetics. If we’re not careful to weigh our words, particularly that to which yields perspectives that lack eternal merit, along with immediate pardon of another if their insistence is opposite, the beautiful house is remembered as a shack.

Today’s Thought “Holy Week” G. Ward Colossians 3 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. I’m reminded of a preparation taken by most at Christmas and how it warrants an almost two-month ordeal, considerate in being the greatest holiday and whereas very little effort is lent for Easter (particularly for these times), it’s subjectively the lesser. While any of this may be arguably stated, we'll all need to know the vitality in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ for oneself and to believe this most imperative tenet in faith prepares no matter the designated day of man (with all its accoutrement) by seeking to do as the Savior exemplified (cf. Col.2:16).

Today’s Thought “Prayers for Putin” G. Ward Exodus 8 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go. We’ve watched the heinous, proliferating mindsets of varied world leaders institute crimes upon its own citizenry, along with blatant disregard for those outside their borders also and rarely are campaigns synonymous with efforts that supply necessities for the innocent victims of these imposed atrocities considerate of acts in duality that will pray (fervently – Matt.5:43-45) for the same maniacal leader’s surrender to the Holy One who desires his repentance too (2 Pe.3:9).

Today’s Thought “Utter Clarity” G. Ward Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” While the predominance of our countrymen seek to know the way seemingly prudent to follow and whereas there’s consensus that God will lead them, forgetfulness, along with blatant neglect of HIS script with every directive necessary that will lead them is forsaken. Our world too is geared towards embracing what’s automatic and whereas a reasonable spiritual investigation remains every individual’s responsibility, it too is relegated unto those deemed eloquent who seemingly know best; whereby all in this unfortunate reality remain confounded as to why sufferings increase (cf. Ac.17:11).

Today’s Thought “A Praying Grandmother” G. Ward 1 John 1 3 “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” Recently, I was given over to some statistical data regarding young people attending church and while it may have been alarming to some (for failure to assess their own consideration when younger), I know of its science that more seeks to spur campaigns of vigilance (i.e. incentives outside of urging parental responsibility – cf. Deut.6:4-6). Church decline reveals what’s in the heart and whereas questions appearing sincere that ask why attendance (weekly/weakly) is necessary and whereas seasoned Christians immediately adjourn to singular passages (Heb. 10:25) with demands of compliance, it’s misappropriated discipleship; because the beholder of Truth failed to take them to the Throne where pardoning exists. If the Apostle John were living in our era, he would further his message to any by insisting, “You have to know HIM for yourself!”

Today’s Thought “I’ve Got a Hang-Nail” G. Ward Matthew 26 36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” We’d all do well to remember what our Lord would endure as He anticipated mankind’s freedom from sin. The example reveals an order necessary to thwart potential pain of loneliness while misery is ever-encompassing: It begins with prayer; not that to which insists Holy God obliterate conditions, but assurance of HIS plans that grants strength for endurance. Furthermore, it won’t relent because other men seek to intimidate and even if their ploys are with appearances of success; the Lord is faithful. The trouble of undesired experience WILL ultimately culminate with great thanksgiving when we remember that we as servants are not greater than our Master (*John 15:19-20)…

Today’s Thought “Whatever My Lot…” G. Ward Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Mine own guilt can be etched in the new day presented, to further stress, which can translate mistrust of the One I never dreamed could accept me as I am, to then make me over towards what He’d have me become, or accept the entirety in what is written and gain rest and whereas the answer appears obvious, I must convene with HIM daily to believe that (*Matt.6:10-12).

Today’s Thought “Unrecognizable?” G. Ward 1 Corinthians 14:40 “But all things should be done decently and in order.” Worship is now equated as a democratic process embodying the freedom in expression of musical and dance drama that has its member feeling good and whereas that same showmanship only celebrates what they perceive as God’s compliance towards what they desired (cf. Job.2:4-10), disgust for the extreme view of the variants don’t have a leg to stand on, because every style would lie in error as they would forget the OBJECT of their presumed faith and how HIS demand in our being separate from the world’s ideologies/philosophies would be necessary for an intimate walk with HIM (* 1 John 2:15).