Today’s Thought “A Savior on My Terms” G. Ward John 1 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses wrote in the Law, and the prophets also wrote: Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth!” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good be from Nazareth?” Philip *said to him, “Come and see.” Technology, with all its fabulous ingenuity has allowed what was an arduous process in most things to become easier, but it won’t conform the soul onto a rightful meditative progression, because mankind will always get too comfortable with things he can see or touch versus substantive values that counts when I’m depleted, or saturated in abundance (*2 Cor.5:7). Nathanael was such a one carrying forth ideas that believed a people emanating from a province of Galilee (Nazareth) could be of any value, no matter if Philip and others confirmed (cf. Deut.19:15) this Jesus as being the One the prophets shared would come as Redeemer. He, like most of the Jews would be so horribly frustrated living in the Roman Empire as second-class citizens, along with an unfair taxation imposed on them, limiting their fiscal viability. These actualities are presented us that’d we absolutely oppose every opportunity to conform to our estimations concerning earthen realities; particularly conscious to our status in believer-ship as citizens of Heaven. After an opportunity to speak with Jesus, Nathanael would proclaim, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel” (John 1:49). What saith you?

Today’s Thought “Deeper Investigation Reveals…” G. Ward Romans 4 17 (as it is written: “I HAVE MADE YOU A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, that is, God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that do not exist. My existing in the Lord’s earth absolutely means I’ll never measure up to HIS sovereign choice to make me His own (and to be clear, none other will – Ro.3:10). Each day’s presentation (particularly for believers) must resolve themselves to this spiritual reality; how HE declared Jesus to become sin and brought the worse punishment upon Him on behalf of our transgressions, although innocent of sin Himself and whereas horrible misapplication of this miraculous, spiritual phenomenon continues in each of us, a conduit of mercy keeps providing; as our repentance is daily (*1 John 1:8-10). Our Sovereign LORD is with sole power to take us from death to life and build us each day into the new being preferred. We however, must maintain an inability towards suggesting an earthen posture beyond this breath provided; for that too belongs for HIS regard (Ps.24:1).

Today’s Thought “When Heaven Knows You” G. Ward John 5 31 “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. Declarations in defense when another assaults your character is best handled through contemplation of ONE who possesses eternal significance in Heaven and earth. Jesus, our Lord spoke from a practiced life in Perfect submission to the Father, demonstrating to any who would follow HIS example where such surrender builds perseverance that can boldly endure vitriolic doubt from other men whose culture (in predominance) mandates a “do it my way, or be a rebel” and whereas choice in the latter may unfold a danger undesired, brace yourself (cf. Matt.10:28). There’s great cost in following our LORD, but magnificent reward of eternal proportion (Ro.8:18).

Today’s Thought “Anticipating Sunday Morning” G. Ward 2 Kings 3 21 Now all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. And all who were able to put on armor and older were summoned and they took their positions on the border. 22 Then they got up early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood. In this great dispensational era of grace, believers understand Christ as having paid the full price granting our deliverance from sins and while we attribute this unmerited favor as something esoteric to New Covenant people of God, there are bouts similar whereby believing predecessors of thousands of years ago (i.e., before Jesus) would too witness the Almighty’s expression, so rich in mercy, that wouldn’t require their limited aid (*cf. Ro.9:15). As believers seek to absolutely be sustained amidst a predominant consideration for cultural variances over God control/adherence, we must more anticipate HIS promise to never depart from those HE commissions (Matt.28:20, Heb.13:5-6).

Today’s Thought “Name Calling” G. Ward 1 Pe.2: 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. America is foundational unto a remarkable governmental ideology practiced by many and proudly has documentation that declares insistence from every citizen’s compliance. Collectively however, we’ve prioritized mankind’s written parchment’s usurp of the eternal script mandated by our Maker and whereas governance from man is ordained of God that establishes order unto its citizenry (Ro.13:1-4), we’ve been guilty in violating the chieftain of spiritual perseverance that guarantees our peace in this strange land (e.g.,*Matt.22: 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40 Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”). Therefore, we must not be surprised at such regression from a few regarding an exercise in common hospitality (1 Pe.4:12), but celebrate the Almighty’s posturing in/towards us who believe in HIM as LORD of all.

Today’s Thought “Good Cop, Bad Cop” G. Ward 1 Corinthians 2 1 And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come as someone superior in speaking ability or wisdom, as I proclaimed to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Our worst reliance on seeking to impress others goes back to the illustrious “Easter Speech” when we were children. Much practice was given over to this great demand. We almost pottied on ourselves with thoughts of standing in front of many to recite someone’s words not meaning so much to us and then to make it even worse, our parents were looking at us with a threatening presence that insisted we say it exactly like we did in the kitchen. Well, it happened and everyone smiled and some applauded; the butterflies departed and we went away and ate our Easter candy, hopeful that Easter be cancelled the next year. Many of those same children who were eloquent then, became preachers based on the applause of man. They were able to stand in front of the masses and proclaim Jesus as Sufficient, while trying at being sufficiently perceived themselves; particularly as the “Amens” from many would celebrate such words of inspiration, spoken so eloquently. There are however, questions from those of us who know “Truth” that asks, “now who gets the glory? Is it you, or the Lord?” We must remember that our seeking to impress others can/should never be the objective. The Word of God is said to be “sharper than any double-edged sword.” God’s Word is powerful, not only to give life, but also to deliver warnings and bring judgment and punishment to the disobedient. God’s living Word is not something to read or listen to passively and then forget. James taught Christians to look “intently into the perfect law that gives freedom” and to focus on it by doing what it says. What does it ever say about man’s theatrical production of it? Does he have some kind of endowment to make it more powerful? We must remain watchful as to our “Amens”! They can’t just exist when those words from other men sound spirited, particularly when those other men fall horribly short of our Lord’s Power. Lord God, may Your receiving glory and honor no longer contain a mixture of praise for the sayer along with You; but may we be amazed in You speaking to us, despite our wavering mindsets that can often seek to be entertained, even as we seek to pray for an awakening with those ministers feeling they must be vessels unto popularity, versus a coming out of the wilderness wearing animal skin phenomenon, prepared to share the only message of hope. Father God, we’re thrilled to learn of Your Way that transcends our perspectives and lends assurance to our journey now, that most certainly won’t compare with the eternal posture soon to be realized; the one You’re preparing us for. May Your Name be praised by all, through all, because of ONE – King Jesus! Amen and Amen.

Today’s Thought “Fire Escape” G. Ward 1 Peter 4 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. Motivation taught and sought daily (for our time), leaves out a preparation for the eventuality of sufferings. Moreover, it presumes that Holy God didn’t desire our sufferings, although HE imposed the greatest portion unto HIS Son and whereas every prophet would admonish a people against consideration in selfish plans and desire, although oppositional forces appeared so overwhelmingly stronger; HIS plan was to be trustworthy. No one has ever been exempt from great and constant troubles and while to pursue happiness must never rely on venue, conditions or others, but more experience joy in knowing of our Lord’s unrelenting presence, despite our wavering commitment that trusts in HIS Perfect guidance, assuring us of an eternity with HIM, we persevere; looking forward to HIS imminent return (1 Pe.4:7).