Today’s Thought “Bordering Idolatry” G. Ward

1 Samuel 8

⁷ And the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people regarding all that they say to you, because they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them.

 

Predecessors to every nation endured great injustice, hardship of sorts and sufferings and much existed at the hands of those unruly and whereas this era is called to a similar endurance and whereas anger is spiritually permissible (Eph.4:26), it was never meant to teeter-totter on efforts guided by one’s own volition (Prov.16:18), but utter dependence on Who any say is their LORD (cf. Jas.4:1-10).

Every Empire from the beginning, sought peaceable resolve on their own terms - versus the Almighty’s demand and then there were many proposing surrender to the Holy One, while equally dependent on a leader for reprieve (*Ex.20:2-5). As Solomon would pray to Holy God to abide in the Temple meticulously built for HIM, our Lord’s answer remains – humble yourself, pray, seek and turn from wicked behavior and Divine healing and restoration happens (2 Chron.7:14).

 

Today’s Thought “Snowy Days” G. Ward

Matthew 6:²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This treasure listed involves things valued most – leading to the activity of desire thereafter, defining our hearts.

Most of our nation is very soon to be overcome by Winter conditions and whereas living in the South involves complete shutdown unto every district (even when there’s one inch of white precipitation). We all, no matter where you live, can/should plan ahead and yes, that certainly includes supplies for eating, batteries, generators, etc., but for any who understand the Lord’s love for us and because “being trapped” within home boundaries may be inevitable, why not plan a concise study with family on the sixth chapter of Matthew (before devouring all the snacks and watching several movies)? I’m certain that it’ll set a rightful tone of thanksgiving, enabling peace and joy (?).

Father God, we pray their success, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Inventing A New Manual” G. Ward

Isaiah 5: ²⁰ Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! ²¹ Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight!

Moral confusion and spiritual arrogance is/was the issue here and whereas thousands of years have passed since the Prophet’s message was written, unfortunately, it’s still relevant. Man is still estimating that his personal wisdom efforts matter, along with his vain philosophy - never to be displaced.

Any presumed value system imposed on earthlings (outside of God’s Truth – Matt.24:35), never was mentioned by any at their time of departure; yet, an eternity with, or without Holy God was paramount (?). My desire for any is that they’d be confident (Heb.4:16) in both the journey here onto Heaven, while remembering no one has ever been good enough (Ro.3:10) for such inheritance (*John 8:31-32).

 

Today’s Thought “Why Don’t They Do Something?” G. Ward

Matthew 22

 ²¹ They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

 

While civic responsibility is mandated (Ro.13:1-2), the believer is ultimately owned by Holy God, not government, and whereas our Lord demonstrated how any should correlate in this strange land, HIS preparation unto us insisted we live as citizens of Heaven – for ETERNITY awaits.

HE’S KING of any/every king and whether they acknowledge it or not, our compliance is demanded. Instead, the presumed believer of this era discounts all their predecessors endured (i.e., great sufferings), feeling a need to awaken the Almighty (who never slumbers) to earthen realities; but HE won’t be your genie in a bottle, even disgusted by such mistrust of HIS Sovereign Control of everything and whereas those HE loved (the Israelites) were rescued from Egypt, their travailing through dessert regions insisted on “milk and honey” before their arrival to the Promised Land, to be denied; for their grumbling was indicative of their hearts (Jer.17:9-10). HE loves us in the same, yet HIS justice demanded from finite beings is believably desired, until failure in recognizing HIS sacrifice is/can be mostly overshadowed in bouts with euphoria in a temporary space and time.

 

Today’s Thought “A Horrid Cycle of Unbelief” G. Ward

Judges 2:10

All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and another generation rose up after them who did not know the Lord, nor even the work which He had done for Israel.

To apply Old Testament realities to current actualities is certainly spiritually permissible. However, to hand pick these realities unto spreading what’s perceived as encouragement for this era may lack prudence (*cf. Ac.20:18-21).

Our theme witnesses Joshua’s death. He and Caleb were the only two from the original group (believably 2 to 3 million people) and they’d be instrumental in leading others birthed in that experience to the Promised Land. When/if we’ll leave out how blatant mistrust (i.e., doubting God’s Sovereign Control) would disallow many originals from entering, even causing a dire consequence, it can be synonymous to promoting grace without repentance kind of theorizing. Ultimately, new generations of Israelites, after the time of Joshua, "did not know the LORD or what He had done for Israel," signifying a failure to pass down faith and knowledge of God's works, leading to a cycle of disobedience and idolatry, serving as a stark warning about spiritual inheritance not being automatic (Matt.7:21-23).

 

Today’s Thought “A Believer’s Calling to Fulfill” G. Ward

Galatians 3

²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

Whereas the entire context of this passage (aforementioned) hinges on the subject matter (cf. vv.8-9) – salvation unto any who will/would call upon the Name of the Lord, idiocy from mankind feels intelligent enough to decipher this on their own terms, seeking to justify “who” may be called to pastor God’s church (an erroneous approach) and whereas every believer is given a priesthood that proclaims the Savior as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” may all understand - we’re all commanded as ministers of HIS to proclaim HIS grace. If you wait on a pulpit as a dutiful response, whereby your voice changes and your soliloquies are so captivating that the Word of God is marginalized (i.e., proportionately lessened), because your theatrics remain synonymous with any Broadway performance – LEAVE while you can (*James 3:1)!!!  

 

Today’s Thought “Limited Exploration” G. Ward

Psalm 104

⁵ He established the earth upon its foundations, so that it will not totter forever and ever.

 

Our LORD established HIS earth as absolutely foundational; a construct unparalleled and with an order unmatched and then mankind was awakened to his own arrogance, to then experience consequences in misery thereafter – crying out, “Why?” And whereas our God is Sovereign, exercising in supreme authority and power over all creation, history, and individual lives and whereas lives given are not happenstance, but given for HIS purpose, HE uses both the compliant and those who rebel; for - it’s HIS, so He’ll do what HE desires, but we’re HIS created ones, made to comply unto HIS order and failure to search out those orders (daily) is rebellion personified (*cf. Heb.10:25).

 

Today’s Thought “Even Lassie Went Home” G. Ward

Ephesians 5

⁴ And there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

 

Presumed spiritual leadership for this era can more testify to issues so temporal than observing our Lord’s practical approach to life as more than enough and transcendent to every generation of man and whereas this pervasion from leaders of sorts seeks relevance over duty and thereafter receive accolades from audiences that compels their popularity, few listeners are compelled in holy living.

If you’re owned by the Holy One, that includes your mind and mouth.

 

Today’s Thought “Blindness Preferred” G. Ward

1 John 2:16

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

 

Holy God knowing your heart is why HE sent Jesus (*Jer.17:9-10). The very prefacing of “God knows my heart” is certainly defensive, deserving no heavenly commendation, but insists on genuine repentance onto the effectual calling (i.e., the effective summons that regenerates the spiritually dead heart, opening it to understand and embrace Christ). That regeneration (or inner transformation) happens upon the love relationship realized/intended, to then insist on HIS daily feedings from HIS Word. Bon Appetit!

 

Today’s Thought “A Proper View” G. Ward

Matthew 7:12

“So, whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

While many perpetuate the notion of not having a book that instructs them in foundational endeavors, consideration of the greatest compilation continues, more available than any and whereas disagreements lends anger unsanctioned by the Author of this eternal document (Eph.4:26), those desirous to capitulate to its governance, are called to look beyond every point of contention – because it will not last and whereas accountability to all our Creator instructed will (*Matt.24:35), may our newest demeanor exercise accordingly (2 Cor.5:17).

 

Today’s Thought “What Are We to Do?” G. Ward  

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

 

Whereas believers in Christ have a dual citizenship (earth and Heaven), we live as citizens unto the eternal Home given (John 14:1-3), no matter the temporary land we’re in; absolutely relying on the Almighty, Owner of both. The spiritual posture we’re to maintain submits to laws of this temporary home, along with greatest hospitality, kindness and patience towards any, because our Father desires their repentance as HE’S received ours (2 Pe.3:9). There’s certainly enough room in Heaven for any. Therefore, HE compels us to share the avenue in how any can have an eternity with HIM (John 14:6), along with expressing how urgent and genuine one must be as they confess their sins to HIM, along with maintaining an ongoing faithfulness in observing the guidance HE offers from Genesis to Revelation.

This actuality most assuredly won’t leave room for other perspectives and considerations of earthen anarchy; particularly since many don’t regard HIS Sovereign Control. Moreover, and whereas empires have come and gone, along with its leadership having been like the grass withering in the field – may every believer cease mingling therein (1 John 2:15-17), trusting solely in the ONE Maker of Heaven and earth.

 

Today’s Thought “We Shall Behold HIM!” G. Ward

Luke 2: ²⁸ then he took Him in his arms, and blessed God, and said, ²⁹ “Now, Lord, You are letting Your bond-servant depart in peace, According to Your word; ³⁰ For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

Simeon was devout in believing our Lord’s promise of the Messiah and so wanted to live long enough to witness HIS entry (cf. John 1:1-3, 14) and whereas Holy God allowed such an example to exist for our today, many predecessors of ours also read of such and so shall others beyond our years.

A friend’s Mother passed to eternal life on last evening at 9:50 p.m., and encamped around her were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Perhaps like some of us and prior to her lack in mobility she’d think, how could such a loving God be so merciful towards me? Yet, the period so debilitatingly unrestful and painful, given her – insisted, “no more treatments” and whereas her few days assured – happened and whereas her meditations (during that culminating process) didn’t embrace stock portfolios and banking information, but embraced thoughts of an eternal home promised – she saw Jesus at 9:50 ½ p.m.

 

Today’s Thought “Exploration Onto Quicksand” G. Ward

Hebrews 13

 ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. ⁹ Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

 

External rules, as it pertains to the things of Holy God is/was never the objective for mankind, but that each would convey how being owned by their Creator granted security and greatest peace, even while amidst ever-changing “strange teachings” seemingly worthy to follow; particularly because portions of what these eloquent presenters pervade stem from Truth, along with presumptive nuances that ultimately subvert the Truth of all Christ offered (*Col.2:13-14). Unfortunately, we’re growing comfortably dependent on most everything our liberal arts education pervades concerning historical accounts promoting sectarianism, including that system’s tolerance of an exploration from many proposed philosophical twists, even that to which denies Christ.

Truth: The doctrine of our LORD given your Great-Grandmother – remains; for there’s no need for HIS Word to change, because we have computers, cell phones and AI…

 

Today’s Thought “Avid Reader” G. Ward

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

 

Whereas intelligence is with a wide range, involving pursuit of information available, our daily exposure to life in earth grants more consumption of good and bad data. Therefore, and while believers in Christ sufficiency, subjugate all information against the eternal message (Matt.24:35) HE (i.e., our LORD) presents, we’re grateful for our reasoning imposed (*1 Cor.2:14), that keeps giving perfect guidance; not so as to be showy, but to ensure others are not with attempts through intellect that seeks to crack the spiritual code – onto more foolish speculation, but more identify its inclusivity (Ro.10:13) – because its AUTHOR desires a love relationship with them also.

 

Today’s Thought “New Year, New Self?” G. Ward

Colossians 3

1 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.

 

Life in earth (for the predominance of humanity), can be compared to an exotic vacation, where many significant sights exist and whereas a priority list that asks what shall be first is permitted – we’re (all) with a propensity to forget, that if our Creator won’t grant another breath, our plans are meaningless. More sooner, than later, an eternity awaits and whereas some will experience a great blissful forever – because they allowed the lordship Christ offered in earth to govern their steps, others, enamored with choices, trusting intellect and building on their own temporary dwelling, unknowingly say yes to an eternal doom. Instead, a new day prays that doom be thwarted through Christ and the spiritual proactivity of HIS church reaches any.