Today’s Thought “Fifteen Minutes At A Time” G. Ward

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:13-17

 

James, the brother of our Lord sought expediency in sharing how necessary it was to remain surrendered unto Holy God while exposed to persecution from those in predominance who jeered and hated their message of Jesus saves. It’s unfortunate that thousands of years later that we’re similarly opposed. It’s not because our message is less (cf. Mal.3:6), we’re without the James’ who authoritatively remind us how to be faithful in the midst of a society that demands we be consumed with a love yourself first mentality (*2 Ti.3:1-4). Although loving yourself sounds righteous, it’s very opposite of Christ’s  position in earth and heaven, leading to a pseudo ability to forecast what next moments may present, without guarantee (cf. Ro.10:9)…

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Campaigns of Futility” G. Ward

“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Chants of Happy Easter rang from our many congregants on yesterday, prompted by their pastor (yours’ truly) to then be corrected by a few to say Happy Resurrection Day. I believe this to be entirely semantical (e.g. tomato / tomah-to) when plans individually fail in reciprocating faithfulness (Jas.1:22). Surely if you state the latter in holiday terms your righteousness proves more prudent (No! - *Ro.3:10)? Castigations from the religious incite inopportune connectivity with the Holy One by more highlighting the pagan origin with such celebratory practices; as if they really believe the Easter Bunny delivers delectable chocolates to varied homes each year. The babies just want candy.

Talk will never unfold a relationship intended from Holy God unto man, until it’s accompanied by compassionate oversight of insignificant points (1 Cor.9:19-23).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Were You There?” G. Ward

 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all *said, “Crucify Him!” And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!” Matthew 27:22-23

I’m a fan of older Western (i.e. Cowboy) movies; perhaps there’s an underlying desire for the simple life I crave for many. These movies were the original crime mysteries. Rarely will a villain be captured at the onset of the crime perpetrated, but blends with the townspeople that has everyone confounded (cf. Mt.26:21-22). Ultimately, when the villain (particularly if he’s a murderer) is captured, those same townspeople insist on a hanging.

When we fail to follow the Savior’s lead, while blending with the countrymen all around us, we’ll soon be captured, sentenced to an eternity without peace (cf. Mt.7:21, Ro.14:11, 1 Thess.4:13-18).

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Limited Alterations” G. Ward

“To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3

 

Growing up many moons ago promoted surety in ascertaining new clothes for Easter Sunday’s service. Sadly, many parents would buy slightly oversized suits for their boys in view of hurried growth. Easter speeches for children maintained duality in laughter because of a child’s fidget along with destroying the fashionista of their new clothing.

My fiscal responsibilities are vast, that disallows my purchase of a new suit; so I reached way back in my closet to discover a suit I hadn’t wore in ages and yes it was too tight. Early this week I sought alterations whereby the seamstress stood perplexed on how to add material unseen in accommodating this fit. My desire to regress to a day when that was my parent’s issue, has gloriously become my Heavenly Father’s spiritual fitting of intangible proportion (cf. Ro.8:18) that demands my Easter speech is the priority (both in declaration and deed). I really don’t need a new suit, I just need to diet.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Exclusive Unto God” G. Ward

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1

There’s a fine line in desired respectability from others and being esteemed for exhibited authoritativeness. Believer-ship compels our position in being owned, to exact the Owner’s Authority. Altogether, it is written for our protection against an ongoing re-defining ourselves that ultimately leads to furthered deficiency.

Worship is not this thing that awaits Sunday morning, but insists my mindset gives praise (24/7) because HE alone is Righteous and HIS governance is sufficient (Ps.34:1-3).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “A Mountain Without a Peak” G.  Ward

“And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.” Matthew 27:5

The pursuit of happiness is an ongoing endeavor that ultimately reveals dissatisfied because it never empties unto contentment. Moreover, the adoption of such pursuit denies implicit trust in the all-wise Savior. As fairytales pervade on children to endeavor a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, or riches existent at the top of a giant bean stalk, so goes premonitions of euphoria in things seen (Jn.15:5).

Judas’ remorse was not repentance because godly sorrow empties into restitution given from the Most High that enjoins the recipient of forgiveness unto governance that completes and furthers declarations of His grace as sufficient.

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Anticipating Holy Week” G. Ward

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16

Categorical appropriating Easter or Resurrection Day as a holiday comparable to July 4^th for believers may be troubling. The Christians of James’ day would never consider such ideology because they understood momentary reverence of the Holy One due to great persecution plaguing them. Whether compelled statutorily or customary, it’s more the objective for believers to weigh where information emanates (Ac.7:11). Over and over again the words from God admonish mankind to celebrate His faithfulness without personal preference and vain tradition (cf. Jn.14:1-3).

While I applaud new Easter outfits and ham dinners, we must remember there’s no guarantee of visitation therein (*1 Thess.4:13-18)…

Happy Monday!