Today's Thought "Culture vs. Unwavering Truth" G. Ward
"Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head." 1 Corinthians 11:4
When you mention abortion as wrong, the world questions, "what about in the case of incest or rape (cf. Ps.139:1-13)?" While either is most certainly heinous, does it discount that the Giver of life propose they exist? Should babies of illicit parentage (I.e. drug addictions, prostitution, those fiscally unproductive, etc.) be considered for annihilation also? Man has determined the "Co-Pilot" status with Holy God long enough (Isa.55:8-9). The Apostle Paul determined to admonish the church at Corinth to remain in the grip of grace vs. rudiments leading to heresy. Men, compelled to be the head (vs.3) compromised his role via improper acquiescing unto standards not ever sanctioned in God's Word. We're now involved in the subtlety of family values eroded not because immorality continues without man's prompting (2 Cor.1-4), it's because man won't believe ( **Phil.2:10-12)...
Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Violating the Premise” G. Ward
“For in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.” 1 Corinthians 11:18
The likeliness of receiving financial aid from the rich has been the paradigm exacted for thousands of years (cf. Jas 2:6) and the financial inequality in this land is with a horrid statistical reality that witnesses the top 20% of our wealthiest with a subjective ownership of in excess of 85% of the country’s wealth. Sadly, the days of Corinth witnessed their rich brethren as professing to be owned by the Wonderful Savior, while refusing to give even a morsel of their food unto those with substantially less (if any).
The order of Holy God is without consideration in categorization of wealth until it neglects to understand how utterly temporal human stewardship is afforded (Ps.90:10-12). Moreover as believers, we’re compelled to surrender our castigations for who may be rich and what they’re doing with their money to what you’re doing with the little afforded you. Are you wealthy in contrast to the poorest?
Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “The Evening News” G. Ward

One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. “Titus 1:12-14

I would say that I’m fairly astute regarding the happenings here in America and abroad. Kudos to Ted Turner who initialized 24 hour news. Thereafter, many networks realized many ascribed in viewership to then mimic the 24 hour concept. I must admit to you that I’m a closet news junkie, but the concept troubled me concerning the “how” any network could supply enough material to disseminate without violating journalistic prudence. The actuality of any 24 hour network’s lack of integrity was/is the adoption of what began with the local eyewitness news in any American city opting for sensationalism at the risk of people group’s defamation over fairness.

Believers must be careful to know that juxtaposition of information stated vs. the report of eternal proportion (portraying hope in Jesus as enough), need be careful to realize that our yesterday was filled with horrid impropriety, but we were washed, and that possibility for any must now become our promulgation (cf. Ro.10:13).

Happy Tuesday!

Today's Thought "Why Couldn't They Just Speak It?" G. Ward

 

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." Romans 1:18

 

I'm thinking about my great grandparent's generation on today. Theirs was filled with moral absolutes, along with great limitations (I.e. social and economic disparities), whereby unrest was the norm. Their forecasts of hope didn't rest on governmental reprieve, but solely on God Sufficiency. Moreover there was no demand of Holy God's rescue on their terms in immediacy; they trusted in His timetable.

We, the current religious climate are witness to the pervasion in estimating their dispensational era as unlearned in contrast to our modern advancements. We've allowed liberality to perceive what God's word means, using it in conjunction to our vain philosophy; while being impressed with our bishops who are entirely unacquainted with whom we are. We refuse to be owned by anyone, including the Most High (cf. 1 Cor.6:19, Gal.2:20). Considering our waywardness in contrast to our great grandparent’s unrelenting submission, is God really blessing us as we suppose, or has HE given us over to the depravity of our demands?

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Preparing for the Storm” G. Ward

“But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:49

Just recently I had the pleasure in performing nuptials for my eldest nephew and his beautiful bride. He has two other brothers who are yet “sowing their wild oats”, that is awaiting frivolity’s release of their wanton pleasures. While the predominance of society chant echoes of “let those young men mature and then consider settling down” are condoning (without spiritual cognizance) a promised tomorrow unto any, along with carnal assumption that a 37 year old young man is without a propensity in promiscuity.

Howbeit that our grandparents married while in their teens, along with some young maidens in God’s word marrying as early as 13? A modernity purveying independence from Holy God’s word is a society prone to debauchery (i.e. illicit behaviors). The grip of grace is available for too short a season to consider risk of eternal proportion (e.g. our 27 year old niece’s funeral is tomorrow at 11)...

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “The Top Shelf” G. Ward

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.” Psalm 139:1-2

If you’re somewhat shorter than most, there are places most difficult in reaching. Our kitchen at home for example is with numerous cabinets and some are very high causing my wife to access a step-stool.  It’s a perfect point in collusion for me in that I absolutely abhor my wife’s fancy cup fetish.  They’re the most difficult items to wash and seemingly it always falls on me to perform this tedious task (and yes, I need Jesus). This horrid idiosyncrasy of mine has put the Devil on waivers, because I’ve insisted on doing his work by hiding these fancy cups in the top shelves.

Rather than conjuring against those vast idiosyncrasies so disturbing, my visitation to this inner sanctuary (Ps.91:2) proposed for me as a believer (cf. Ps.73:17) it should more understand that my every moment afforded me with such an holy matrimonial estate (along with such a beautiful wife who cares for me without condition) hasn’t formulated war upon this fetish seemingly so disturbing, it’s merely mistrust of Holy God’s word (cf. Ge.2:23-24).

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Patterns of Obedience” G. Ward

The Lord spoke again to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘These are the creatures which you may eat from all the animals that are on the earth.” Leviticus 11:1-2

Virginia Slims is a cigarette offered to the populous (1968 Phillip-Morris Corporation), with an original appeal towards young professional women at the height of the Women’s Liberation Movement. There were great advertisements featuring the slogan, “You’ve Come a Long Way Baby!” The actuality in cigarette manufacturing has become entirely regressive (for its consumer) with its insertion of additional nicotine both perpetuating addiction, while a perpetrator in ailments of sorts.

When we observe God’s Testament of Old, we’re more prone to identify all the impossibilities vs. submission unto Omniscience (found solely in the Creator) with ability to establish a future for those of a current climate, along with generations thereafter. Dietary laws weren’t given to pervade on a people greater health so as to guarantee long life, but total dependence on the Giver of the next breath of any. Unfortunately our demand for food faster along with longer shelf life is the same impropriety exercised by Israel demanding a king (1 Sa.8) like other lands. Quick fixing (processed food) keeps us fat and unhealthy

Happy Wednesday!