Today’s Thought “Praying HIS Will” G. Ward 2 Peter 3:13 “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Father God our view is with a subjective unrighteousness that more substantiates a worldly stance in Who You are. Our spiritual mindsets more want to adore Thee with an investigated recall that complies, by doing what Truth demands and while the mandate exists to imitate You, living holy and blameless, our superficiality, with demand to be happy, even placing ourselves above others says that on this day, to turn from our wickedness needs Your Holy restoration. More than that which tarnishes, along with those prioritized, remains Your mercy; and we this day run to the shelter You provide. May You adjust our bad thinking for every season as we have been full of diversionary appearances of these days as belonging to You, while they’re really about us. May our chants of honoring You forget our words to more identify our deeds and rejoice because of Your allowance through Christ’s Sufficiency and may we adjourn onto that cause. Father, there are so many without cognizance of Your grace and as carriers, may our calling to fulfill not substitute tangibles against the imperishable, unrelenting way Jesus our Lord is still providing, in HIS Name we pray, Amen.

Today’s Thought “When I Grow Up…” G. Ward Job 12:10 “In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” Job wasn’t invited to the great meeting between Holy God and Satan regarding all that would occur for his life and perhaps had he the insight, fear would have encompassed his being. Instead, his great sorrow in extreme loss more desired to trust his Maker. It is written to impose upon disciples of Truth to insist spiritual adjustment be made in accordance to all that could/would be for our lives; never to lose sight of Infinite Knowledge belonging to the Almighty. Job’s wife, along with some friends agonized in watching his troubles accumulate, impetuously sharing answers comparable to what we’re exposed from acquaintances in our time and I’m convinced like Job, to wait on the Lord. How dare any formulate decision(s) without charge of a next breath? Sadly, our insistence for immediacy didn’t begin with our technological advancements (including news at an instant), but plagued Job’s era also and while hypothesis remains the necklace for man, there exists answers from the Owner of every moment worthy of proper investigation (2 Ti.3:16-17).

Today’s Thought “Medium Rare Please” G. Ward 1 Corinthians 15 36 You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; 37 and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else. Answers pertaining to life can’t be found in earthly realities; so why all the searching? It’s relative to our demand for information at an instant (cf. Isa.5:20-21), which will ultimately deliver us to shame. Whereas a beef steak can be prepared on a fire (450 degrees) to then witness the beauty in its color, along with appearances of great moisture, it may soon be returned because I needed metal teeth to chew it (i.e. my terms); and so the corollary is with theological proportion that demands a qualitative study of the words from the Almighty so that what’s been prepared for me by the Savior may be satisfyingly sweet as the honeycomb (i.e. HIS way)…

Today’s Thought “Tired, But Not Finished” G. Ward Numbers 6 24 “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” For the Pastor there’s great grief upon a congregant’s departure and another day has come to celebrate a life of a young Mother of three to which our members lauded for her excellence. How then does any develop words enough that while extending comfort, also delivers a great charge to be known by Heaven? Whereas prayer does preface these events, these trials presented must rely on where endurance exists – in the Shelter of the Almighty. There are but a few hours for this grievous time and tears now will soon be wiped away from mine eyes as I perceive to be next in line, yet ready to see My King (cf. Ro.8:18). May HE be honored on today...

Today’s Thought “Growth from a Petri Dish” G. Ward Romans 16:17 “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.” It’s assumed that certain religionists are opposed to science and whereas this proposed opposition has raised its head in a varied measurement, it more than likely stems from some mad scientist’s tampering with what basic life offers (i.e. violating original intent). The Word of God is similar. What’s been proven as the Only Life-Line has been tampered with. Bad theologians of sorts with insistence to be known among men, take up where the serpent humiliated man (*Ge.3:1-5). The modulation of what thus says the Lord, can/will empty onto eternal misery, all begun from un-sanctioned examination in presumed innocence (cf. 2 Ti.2:15).

Today’s Thought “Dinner and A Movie?” G. Ward Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them. It was two years ago that my wife and I sought a visit with our youngest grandson (then a 4 yr. old) while in a large children’s hospital. I must admit that my experience in visitation to children’s facilities as such has been infrequent; whereas I’m very familiar with most hospital structures throughout Metro Atlanta due to ministry obligations. We were devastated in what appeared the longest walk to our grandson’s room. Without provocation our eyes wandered in each room to view medical machinery of sorts attached to young and innocent people with prognosis no different than adults. What was certainly understood to exist, was then to become permanently etched in my soul. Moreover, further interrogation from my grief status unfolded the children’s hospital morgue being equal in size to the adult facilities. Preparation for an uncertain time of departure or crisis must never be with equivalency to ordinary plans anticipated. The goal for any created by the Maker should understand the choice afforded every man BEFORE his demise; to be with Holy God forever or with Satan in utter torment (in the same) and this testimonial in affirmation is confirmed by Heaven and not because one’s name is on a church roll (Matt.7:21, Rev.21:22-27).

Today’s Thought “Opposing Factions” G. Ward 2 Corinthians 11 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Did the Apostle Paul pray No weapon formed against him would prosper (Isaiah’s prophecy yet fulfilled pertinent to the Millennial kingdom – 54:17), or did he bind Satan (a defeated foe, absolutely humiliated by the LONE work of Jesus) concerning his many sufferings? Did Paul have a mother/father/aunt or uncle praying for him concerning his safety? While sufferings occur and whereas believers are established on precepts from the Almighty, any will find perseverance/endurance in the strength the Lord provides when he’s convinced that what’s written is for his benefit and the more pervasive, false narrative from esteemed members of society, usurping/subverting Truth pale against Holy God loving you with guarantee in never leaving or forsaking you (cf. Jn.14:1-3, Ro.8:18).