Today’s Thought “Last Dance?” G. Ward

1 John 5

¹³ These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

 

The introspection that is assured of our Lord’s salvation, for those pursuant to blessing HIS Name, has become subverted and normalized by many who know a few details involving all HE did in earth without a devotion required (Luke 6:46). Any who place their trust in the Lord, must allow HIS lead in everything and that was never meant to be a guessing game (2 Ti.3:16-17), or self-determinations appearing righteous; for HE is LORD, Maker of all and to call HIM Savior is with equivalency of HIS ownership of you and me.

We don’t have time (as many suppose) to get this corrected, for every moment is significant; for salvation’s calling will soon be over (so comply now) and whereas many may regard another’s spiritual posture as exemplary (based on religious rudiments exercised in one, Holy God weighs our every motive) – each one is answerable to the Almighty.

 

Today’s Thought “Talk to the Hand?” G. Ward

Romans 3:4

Far from it! Rather, God must prove to be true, though every person be found a liar, as it is written: “So that You are justified in Your words, and prevail when You are judged.”

 

Our stay in earth can be likened to an amusement park’s roller-coaster; perhaps initially (for some, not me) it can be exhilarating, but if there’s no off button, one may soon regurgitate all they’ve ingested. Moreover, this stay has customarily lacked a kind of rightful investigation of do’s and don’ts, keeping us prone to error and whereas some propose sufficiency that more thwarts the pain of shortcomings by more contemplating an undesired consequence of yielding to whims and desires, all continue to fall short (Ro.3:9-18).

Followers of Christ must therefore admit – significantly, that without our Lord’s righteousness implanted in us, we’re on the roller-coaster with no off button (3:21-24). Furthermore, we cannot seat ourselves (Ever!) in the chair of arrogance, but absolutely devote ourselves to a commanded spiritual responsibility onto others knowing they also need HIS righteous Implant, not our condemnation (Jas.2:12-13).

 

Today’s Thought “HIS Sovereign Control” G. Ward

Ecclesiastes 3:1

“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven.”

Whether positive or negative, all of life’s circumstances are Holy God’s allowances and while so many will face uneventful tragedies, along with great trial, this journey’s forecast happened before our entry (even our salvation) and it didn’t wait to determine whether we’d be spiritually compliant or not, but remains useful for HIS glory. Therefore, whether we’re careful or not, it won’t thwart these potential actualities; which demands a readiness unto HIS Holy production. It’s therefore incumbent on every soldier in the army of the Lord, to be taught in accordance to the very first disciples’ charge and whereas they were given over as sheep before wolves, they’d be vulnerable, along with facing great hostility in a world hostile to God's message. When taught correctly, the numbers in follow-ship accordingly, won’t anticipate self-recognition (or self-preservation) in/from the masses rejoicing, but count it a privilege to be associative in suffering as our Lord did. KEEP PRESSING MY BRETHREN…

 

Today’s Thought “I Don’t Know Why, I Have to Cry Sometimes?” G. Ward

Job 42: ² “I know that You can do all things, and that no plan is impossible for You.”

 

Job, would endure immense pain of great loss, but would be known for his incredible devotion to our Lord’s Sovereign Control, through one of the greatest sentiments of all time – “Shall we actually accept good from God but not accept adversity?” Unlike many who face trials so regularly, there appears to be predominant acceptance to be angry with Holy God when lives are disrupted by troubles; even questioning Holy God, to forget that many all-around, are also faced with trials of sorts (and substantiates a lack of investigation of many HE loved before us, to then ultimately personify HIMSELF, through HIS Only Son given for our sins – through great pain, persecution and death – John 15:20).

God’s will remains indiscriminate for the universe HE made, along with its occupiers and won’t always have answers for the many difficulties and whereas we’ve practiced being on the receiving end of blessings bestowed by the Almighty, we must more seek to adopt Job’s sentiment, that more counts on our Lord’s promise of an eternity with HIM, where troubles are vanquished (Ro.8:18).

 

Today’s Thought “Those People!” G. Ward

Numbers 14

¹¹ And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people be disrespectful to Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs that I have performed in their midst?

 

Many are without individual perspective because they’ve played “Do- si-do” (i.e., a folk dance, or square dancing) too long, even awaiting the announcer (the DJ) to say, “switch partners” - particularly when they’ve partnered with eloquent presenters who’ve passed away, whereby another will take their place and lead them to more rhetoric furthered (cf. Isa.5:20-21). Some will become enraged, even violent, if you call them an idolator (because they teeter-totter in spiritual instability – for their conscience is seared with with/in two sayers, and one authors great divisiveness soon to fade away, and the Other is the Maker/Owner of the earth and HE commanded us to never be enamored with mankind’s wavering views, but to ONLY TRUST HIM).

Our theme speaks to the wilderness experience of the Israelites (having gained deliverance from Egypt) and comparable to spoiled children, their rebellion failed to honor their DELIVERER and whereas this generation purports the same insurrection against Heaven’s regard – by relying on systems and its beholders (cf. 2 Cor.4:4), it can be likened to carrying a rabbit’s foot at a continuum and truly believing it grants you safe passage in a weary world…

 

Today’s Thought “Standardized Testing” G. Ward

James 3

¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

 

Many on today, may be questionably troubled by having been exposed to trigonometry; particularly because their career (current, or in times past) more deal(t) with simplistic mathematical equations and whereas retrospect of such lessons provided - enabled courageous discipline unto many endeavors, it can be mindfully cumbersome. On the other hand, follow-ship of our Excellent Leader Jesus, introduces greatest fortitude to stand with/for HIS lesson base where true wisdom flows freely unto any disciple (i.e., learner), and the highest standard it (the investigation) promotes, remains absolutely relevant and useful in everything; never confounding for our psyche that would ask, why have I endeavored this eternal message, but so thankful HE chose me for such a mission of greatest hope (?). The ongoing element of learning to walk accordingly gets easier, particularly as I allow HIM to carry me through.

 

Today’s Thought “When I Rose This Morning…” G. Ward

1 Peter 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

 

This spiritual inheritance through Christ’s sacrificial offering of Himself is awesome to perceive, particularly in view of HIS eternal insight into who I am, what I’ve done, along with whether I’m sincerely devoted to HIM. Altogether, this warrants a critical assessment of how I plan to substantiate my faith, so as to nullify desire of old, along with wrongful contributions that have nothing to do with HIS ETERNAL message through me and what ought to be for HIS glory. I must tell Jesus. I must tell HIM my newest desire is a rightful portrayal when no one is around. I must tell HIM, how I long for fellowship with others as spiritually ambitious as I am. I must tell HIM, thank You for His patience, along with lovingkindness unto me, when slipping backwards, to then restore me onto usefulness in HIM, to then begin again, where my first Love remains. Please join me…

 

Today’s Thought “A Lone Wolf in the Distance” G. Ward

2 Corinthians 5:20

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

 

The great divide for a great America is profoundly replete with an amendment’s right to say what you feel without regard to suffering penalty and whereas those of us who are owned by the Savior of the world –  who came to die in our stead, for sins we were/are unable to reconcile, to then afford us a life beyond this miserable world, not regarded as our home, HIS Truth usurps my constitutional freedom, particularly since it neglects to speak from/about Holy God’s superiority concerning HIS sovereign control and mankind’s trust thereunto.

If I co-exist with an ever-changing value system the world embodies, along with vehement support of men, who have no charge over whether there’s to be a next moment, I’ve embraced idolatry; “for I know I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to protect what I have entrusted to Him until that day” (2 Ti. 1:12b).

 

Today’s Thought “Comic Section” G. Ward

Revelation 1:3

 ^“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

Funky Winkerbean was my favorite comic strip that appeared in The Detroit News every Saturday & Sunday mornings (Funky Winkerbean is a long-run comic strip by Tom Batiuk. Distributed by North America Syndicate). That was a time to which Bazooka Bubble Gum was most popular because every piece contained a comic strip. Furthermore, every boy ascribed to his own favorite comic book featuring a superhero of sorts. The nation's largest nonprofit children's literacy organization, R.I.F. propagated acronymically, a wonderful slogan that demanded Reading Is Fundamental.

We’re now exposed to faster, better, as the technology giants would have us believe. Listen to what an article written by T David Gordon elaborated (Credo Magazine, April 2014); “In our world of Facebook, Twitter and countless blogs, Pastors and lay people alike are consuming an overwhelming amount of information that is typically skimmed. Few, however are spending time reading a text anymore. So, when our waking attention is given less and less to the written word and more to images and sound bites, yes, our neurology is changed and our sensibilities are changed and we become intellectually and literally fourth graders, rather than adults…”

When Holy God stated there’s a blessing in reading (*esoteric to that of scripture), did His infinite wisdom understand this admonishing as beneficially transcendent to His words also, while demanding HIS Word be precedent?

 

Happy October!