Today’s Thought “Appearances Won’t Reveal the Heart” G. Ward Isaiah 57 15 For this is what the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in a high and holy place and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. Rarely is my preoccupation with a posture that concerns itself with battles of sorts so numerous and challenging that rest is marginalized and whereas these past two days embodied this status, it revealed an anxiety, along with arrogance unto potential planning that felt “I could” work through these difficulties (cf. John 15:5). Instead, and upon my restoration from On High, contemplations of past imperfects that even brought offense to others entered the greatest portion of my hard cranium that experienced the Almighty’s requirement for any step taken. Moreover, I had to realize I’m owned by the Only, All-Wise, Gentle Savior; I have everything I need (*Ps.23). Tears of joy and freedom now flow, thanking HIM for unfolding HIS mystery (the Truth of the gospel – Col.2:2-3) onto an unworthy vessel like me.

Today’s Thought “One People; Divisible” G. Ward Genesis 1: 26 Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.” There’s an irresponsibility from those presumed scholars who’ll suggest “benefit” from imposed atrocities on other human beings demoralized, even considered barbaric, even given first names unrecognized to their homeland, while neglecting issuance of a surname (deemed intentionally with an equivalency of owning a rake, or a shovel) and whereas many post slavery historical giants impacted by the same, sought to archive a spiritual attitude compelled by the Creator’s words – “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (Jas.1:2-3), their words, sought to expound on those enslaved with commendation towards resilience while in horrendous captivity and thereafter, has now been unfortunately utilized by some political pundits to argue defense of a change ( through educational curriculum mandated differently, discounting every generation’s ingestion of what they thought was truth) as if we’re to believe these same legislators thoroughly have enjoyed reading from Ida B. Wells and Frederick Douglass’ manuscripts, who they say are heroes echoing their sentiments. We know these same post slavery giants would endure great degradations while attempting to be recognized as citizens of a land whose mantra is “all men are created equal” given by so-called “Founders” (shamefully proponents of slavery themselves) who allowed such a tag although an indigenous people existed in this same land ( and those colonizers having exercised a varied coup against these originals through great massacre, to then force them onto undesired territories, also considering them “less than”). Many absolutely forget, no other ethnic group were given over to this free land against their will and forced to establish benefits to all others whereby all benefit from an existential commerce beneficial unto any. A legislative change should never tamper with historical accuracies, for It would be with similitude in attaining graduate certification in “Mother Goose” phenomena. Our Creator has made us one people and if we perpetuate allowing philosophies divide to think resolution is near, why do you think the re-visitation in such an argument exists (cf. Ac.4:12)? Racist ideology persists because very few want to teach the Supremacy of our Lord and whereas HE made all men in HIS image, MOST DON’T LOOK ANYTHING LIKE HIM!

Today’s Thought “But She Put Raisins in Her Potato Salad!” G. Ward Acts 2 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. There’s a danger, so pervasive for this church era and so entirely permissive from pulpits that concerns itself with church roll expansion and revenue increase over souls’ understanding the price given on their behalf and whereas great modules (i.e., programming) have also become a wrongful estimation in how any of these can take place, rarely will one spiritual, demand they hear “only God can grow HIS church” (*John 6:44). Moreover, great criticism of the Devil being busy, surely has Satan perplexed, because his work is culminated by the lethargy of the believer who’s been given numerous commands to which immediate diversion of the Almighty’s demands are marginalized by a lack of pursuit in what they (i.e., commands) mean; particularly as they pervade an American theology (never sanctioned) of “get your inheritance now” (*Matt.6:19-21)!

Today’s Thought “On the Road Again?” G. Ward 2 Corinthians 5 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf. The patriarchs of faith (long departed) would be astounded to view those masses insisting they belong to the Glorious Savior – Jesus. Repentance, although a chieftain in spiritual existence unto those genuinely pursuant in placing complete trust of the life Christ proposed for them remains difficult, yet atoned for; while a majority absolutely suggest knowing Him, with great plans appearing godly (i.e., fame and fortune), to then beg HIM to bless their great ideas and whereas those promptings aren’t recognized by HIM who assigns (cf. Pr.3:5-6), theirs only investigate segments (from HIS Word) suitable to their passion. The holy prerequisite in being owned by this All-knowing, Merciful, Gentle, Savior continues, no matter how many say differently and as an old motor in a vehicle loses viscosity over an extended period in time, our beings may soon recognize there’s no parts available to sustain our desire to remain on the road (*James 4:13-15).

Today’s Thought “The Disappearing Act” G. Ward Psalm 119:1-2 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD. Blessed are those who comply with His testimonies, and seek Him with all their heart. Holy God’s absolutes are forever and whereas there’s failure from those referring to themselves as “the church” witness some identifying with pursuits altogether pleasurable, while entirely self-seeking, praise the Most High with their mouths, their spiritual, dutiful response unto the Savior (reproduction – Matt.28:19) typifies/substantiates what’s being heard from numerous pulpits; that grants them permission to yet be who they are and what they want to be (ABSOLUTELY UNFOUNDED in all of scripture! cf. 2 Cor.5:16-17). If there’s no foundation, buildings crumble and will absolutely ascribe to any who will say they’re a brick mason (i.e., left wandering - *Ro.10:14)…

Today’s Thought “A Message of Old Done Away With” G. Ward 2 Peter 3 14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which there are some things that are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. Believers in Christ sufficiency, along with complete surrender therein, will live their lives as unto the blessed hope promised – an eternity with HIM. Fantastically, other’s view of this will mostly ridicule them (i.e., believers), suggesting they’re driven in complacency, refusing to accumulate indicators of wealth and how they must embrace an audience with a presumed high achievement set of goals in mind. They’ll even utilize Jesus’ word, “abundantly” (John 10:10b), to indicate this was what HE meant, while it was merely a warning against false teaching similarly and whereas implicit follow-ship of Himself should be the only goal for every believer (cf. *Col.3:16-17), those living antithetically to HIS demand remain disconnected. At some point, we hope, that all will rely on our Grandparent’s mantra that said, “Money can’t buy health,” particularly as they viewed the inevitable of their departure from this strange land (?).

Today’s Thought “Build the Walls!” G. Ward Nahum 1:2 A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; The LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Prophet Jonah being swallowed by a large fish for refusal to attend to a people seemingly so irretrievable, then afforded another chance (after his repentance) to cooperate, whereas he would witness a people (outside Israel) more receptive to the Almighty’s guidance than His chosen(?). A century later would witness another Prophet (Nahum), insisting those same Ninevites, having relied on their secure borders, would witness an utter annihilation (i.e., disappearance) of what was a fortified, prosperous city, because her inhabitants regressed to governing themselves; particularly after agreeing that God’s Power is Infinite. Preachers are preaching, but not about a sinfulness in mankind’s ordering his own steps and while all are not seemingly bad endeavors, it yet equals blatant disobedience. Many mock Holy God by an inconceivable notion that the same God thousands of years ago is without similar judgment. Preachers are preaching, but failing miserably to portray HIM as immutable (HE won’t change, we do.). How long does our nation have?

Today’s Thought “Move A Mountain, Break Your Back” G. Ward Psalm 119:7 I will give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. Upon investigation of God’s Word, it appears that best praise is obeisance unto HIS demands and whereas many expressions are outward, beginning only when music is the accompaniment, emotion may be the culprit and while many are expressive of the great things the Almighty has done for them, it’s always that which embraced their own desire. The psalmist would convey thanksgiving unto the LORD beyond a rescue desirable, but celebrate a presence from the Almighty that won’t relent. Moreover, this great poetry would understand the Lord’s contingency for man remains reverence, repentance, and reproducing the message of reconciliation. Altogether, and upon being a true disciple, any must determine that trials and sufferings are with guarantee (John 15:18-20) and are existentially ours (in earth) to keep us dependent (Jas.1:2-4). Will any understand “to obey is better than sacrifice” or just celebrate HIM solely when good things happen (which is not reverent at all)?

Today’s Thought “Persuasive, Yet Lacking Context” G. Ward Psalm 33 10 The LORD nullifies the plan of nations; He frustrates the plans of peoples. 11 The plan of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. In the 1970’s, evangelicals lacked an organized vitriol against abortion, even suggesting it was a Catholic problem. At this same time, “two successive editors of Christianity Today took equivocal stands on abortion. Carl F. H. Henry, the magazine’s founder, affirmed that “a woman’s body is not the domain and property of others,” and his successor, Harold Lindsell, allowed that, “if there are compelling psychiatric reasons from a Christian point of view, mercy and prudence may favor a therapeutic abortion” (Politico Magazine, RANDALL BALMER, 05/10/2022). Unfortunately and historically, divisive campaigning from a few have sought to overwhelm great crowds unto perspectives with moral tint, but misplaced prioritization. Christ remains our Exemplar Leader and immoralities were as rampant in His time. He however, never made it His objective to concern others with seeking to impose the Almighty’s Way unto systems, but to teach any “the way, and the truth, and the life.” Moreover, HIS position has become ours (believers) to portray on the same “any” that thwarts every immoral act, including that which looks to laws and people for follow-ship outside the Spirit realm; for God’s Word is precedent.

Today’s Thought “Teacher’s Pet?” G. Ward John 15 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. Blasphemy against the Spirit of Christ is an unpardonable sin and one who teeter-totters with a blatant disregard of the Messiah-ship of Jesus Christ through an irreverence of the price HE paid for mankind’s deliverance in sin by a haughty expression; suggestive in having obtained human power and strength, so very unique (even) to other believers, may certainly not be guilty of blasphemy (nor does any desire they be), but are ignorant to HIM as All-Power and whereas HE imposed righteousness unto any who would confess HIS Sufficiency (where none exists in them – apart from His abiding), they’ve commissioned themselves to a quest undeliverable to Heaven’s regard. “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matt.23:12).

Today’s Thought “Ships Without Lifeboats” G. Ward Philippians 2:9-11 For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Our times have perhaps outdone prior generations as to blatant refusal to call Christ – LORD and whereas doing so indicates a total surrender of every idea in what a journey in earth could be, by embracing the only spiritual script granting eternal peace with the Only God, many run aimlessly. While the Devil is presumed to be the blame, we have high percentages in just about every hamlet proclaiming Christ as Lord, yet totally absorbed in a varied outward expression that praises God, but violating HIS greatest demand (*Matt.28:19); particularly after HIS SON paid the supreme price for their disconnect (i.e., sin). It proves a consumerism unsanctioned, keeps one saturated with things and conditions of euphoric proportion, CENTRAL to all they’ll endeavor and when trials and sufferings happen, they bind those adversities, because they were never taught that no generation of man escaped those same actualities (cf. Ro.8:18).

Today’s Thought “Self-Contained” G. Ward Philippians 2 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have we arrived at such societal posture by our credentials alone that afforded our perspective embracing an 80/20 ratio indicative in how I got busy to become all this, along with my many possessions to which I worked hard for, to insist others do the same (i.e., honestly pervading most endeavored was from my sole effort and then, yes, God did the rest mentality)? The attitude of most have adopted a similar stand and while they’ll insist their percentages in selfishness versus selflessness are so much lower, their striving for appearances (cf. Matt.10:28) say differently. Ultimately, we’ll all unfold that all our proprietary blundering was vanity and if it remains unreconciled unto the ONE lower in the activity of our hearts while existing in HIS earth, will presence (eternally) be ours (*Matt.6:19-21)?

Today’s Thought “I’ve Got 5 More Miles to Go” G. Ward Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; Live in the land and cultivate faithfulness. While relationships of sorts are filled with contingency factoring, Holy God desiring a love relationship with us is with one inescapable, genuine factor – confession (Ro.10:9), and whereas this one leads to a plethora of virtues mandated, only HE can build us accordingly (Phil.1:6). We however, must seek Him diligently, so the effort may be a righteous pursuit; meaning, those insistent on knowing HIM, desire to be like HIM, pressing daily in the Spirit realm and absolutely won’t dismiss others who fall short, because theirs (i.e., looking to Jesus as Author and Finisher of their faith) does also.

Today’s Thought “Be It Resolved…” G. Ward Proverbs 30 5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 6 Do not add to His words or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar. I don’t believe life was ever meant to be so complex, but the immediacy in sudden misery can/will have most reaching for an elixir that seemingly sheds relief in moments; absolutely obscuring the presumed relief as temporary. Instead, and when the Lord is our Shepherd, we’ll not want, because clarity unfolds unto knowing that trials are common to man, but cannot conquer one with personal demand to be owned by this Gracious Savior and whereas our desire is to remain in His grip finds us teeter-tottering in relapse of the greatest care, HE is faithful in receiving our repentance. We’ll lack confidence thereunto, when/if we fail to live by the inerrant instruction manual that grants us perfect resolve and to that end, I’m so satisfied with HIS Word over another’s, like mine.

Today’s Thought “Come, Take a Look at My New Car!” G. Ward Ephesians 2:1-2 And you were dead in your offenses and sins, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. While the objective given man is seemingly to succeed in this life and is discoverable by proof generally with visuals of his photo album of varied shots of the many places he’s visited, along with the magnificence of his home and vehicles, it will all soon belong to another (*1 Ti.6:7). Earth’s departure for us is with guarantee and while our intellects certainly understand this, a preparation for eternity remains nominal at best. Belief most assuredly is with conviction that operates in the proposed mantra of choice and as the generations of man grow, the spectacularism of things so shiny, can/will keep many on a Ferris wheel that won’t stop (indicative of personal pleasure zones). Instead, to urgently identify Who gave life and why HE brought us to this strange land, remains the only objective that’s both foundational in earth and eternity and whereas many assume a posture insisting they’ll be present with HIM eternally long (particularly in view of His lovingkindness towards man), they’ll forget His judgment; because they allowed their mouths to more echo knowing Him (*the preparation forsaken – Luke 6:46), yet discovering HE never knew them (Matt.7:21-23).

Today’s Thought “HIS Purpose” G. Ward Romans 8 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. God is said to be Holy. He alone possesses an unequaled goodness and majesty. Every believer (inherently flawed) cowers at such majestic glory (cf. Isa.6:1-5). While many rest in a false notion of Holy God walking with them, even neglecting conformity to HIS redemptive work through His Son Jesus via great claimants only, insisting their ways accompany His, are arrogantly blasphemous; because His only consideration of us (the whole of mankind) happens through Christ Sufficiency (John 14:6), rendering us entirely insufficient to guide and lead. HE will never witness your plans to then bless them and whereas your presumed success therein is permitted, you’ll soon endeavor another project, because the prior didn’t satisfy. Thereafter, a life is spent on a quest for a treasure never buried, but was readily perceived the whole time, was discovered by another needing rest (Matt.11:25-30), SO COME QUICKLY.

Today’s Thought “Following Charisma” G. Ward Acts 17 11 Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. A sycophant is synonymous with a flunkey who flatters a subjective leader, generally with a personal agenda soon to be fortified (cf. Matt.16:24). Generations ago, parents would ask (rhetorically) their children a periodic question, so seemingly condescending, along with what we perceived was the worse analogy ever. It happened upon our desire to be a part of something everyone was doing that needed permission and what we didn’t know then, is that every parent attended a parenting class that supplied them with such a horrid, nonsensical euphemistic expression that asked, “if Lil Johnny jumped from the cliff, would you jump also?” Every time one is with follow-ship of a presumed spiritual leader and exercises in an implicit trust of his words (even when it’s perceivably “straight from the Word”), it’s with equivalency to discounting a “personal relationship” with Holy God as attainable. HE builds us (individually – Phil.1:6), so we may help establish others towards a walk that reproduces (*Eph.4:4-7, 11-13).

Today’s Thought “Independence Overkill” G. Ward Deuteronomy 28 1 “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I am commanding you today, that the LORD your God will put you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings will come to you and reach you if you obey the LORD your God: America’s landscape is breathtakingly robust in diversity, along with tremendous opportunity to thrive socio-economically. Even when one is counter-productive to its work ethic, there are government sanctioned gambling opportunities to become rich overnight; along with vitriolic divisions from that same government whereby hatred’s objective is deemed as friendly fire in conveying partisan, manipulative views (cf. Isa.5:20-21), while pervading a government by the people. Most here (with the exception of those indigenous) are with an ancestral migration from a varied and distant land and while they’ll propose their fore-parents arrived here through legal promptings, I’m as sure about those going to their local consulates (particularly in countries entirely repressive) and demanding papers to flee such a grotesque land of their origin, in the same proportion of the odds in winning the lottery. Those proposing such (currently) insist there’s “no room at the inn” forgetting my ancestral line in this same land had no last names (even being owned) in what is a free-land for others (then). I could go on, but there’s a prudent, spiritual responsibility to awaken to proper soul prioritization; our allegiance can most certainly maintain a “Both, And” perspective that observes GOD as Owner (cf. Jer.29:4-9), but doing so will preeminently know HE is still loving every inhabitant in the earth HE created (John 3:16), insisting we win them to a unified message where anguish of yesteryear won’t matter and ALL can fly the great red, white and blue banner in bombastic praise for such a glorious Savior! Yes, Proud to be an American!

Today’s Thought “Send Me, I’ll Go!” G. Ward Exodus 3 13 Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” Such an assignment can be understandably intimidating, teaching humility that reverences Who gave the assignment (cf.Matt.10:28) and whereas Holy God still assigns every believer in the same, be sure to first acknowledge Moses’ endeavor to absolutely speak the Truth of God’s Word (Rev.22:18-19), along with ensuring that mankind’s presumptive notions that insist HE’S anything like us is extinguished (for HE is Holy). If you find yourself too confident in your ability to convey such messaging of eternal proportions, it can be likened to having the key to heaven upon gaining the presence of one needing His grace, to soon afterwards see them die to the earth, more impressed with your eloquence, than His omnipotence (*John 15:5).