Today’s Thought “Truth, Even While Shoppers Buy” G. Ward

John 13

³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had handed all things over to Him, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, ⁴ got up from supper and laid His outer garments aside; and He took a towel and tied it around Himself.

 

The Jewish Passover remains the most significant holiday for Jews and was/is comparable to this season’s anticipation of Christmas. Great lengths are taken to ensure all the decorum of the days ahead is that to which will overwhelm all the events’ participants; so much so, that planning usurps the holiday’s meaning.

Our Exemplar Leader, Christ, demonstrated what it means to know the Almighty up to the time of His crucifixion - best servitude unto any who’d follow Him; a perseverance that maintains the Father’s business as precedent, particularly in view of mankind’s attraction to shiny things soon to tarnish.

Believers are compelled to imitate HIM who wouldn’t slow down to ingest the aromas so pungent with cinnamon and other delightful fragrances, but endeavored a year-round quest for many who needed merciful grace that’d keep providing…

 

Today’s Thought “Spiritual GPS” G. Ward

Matthew 4

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. ³ And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 

 

Our Lord, so superbly voluntary and exemplary, for the cause of disobedient children (where the whole of mankind is guilty), was challenged (incessantly) by many adversarial to Holy God’s Way, demonstrated greatest response; even that to which couldn’t be conjured by intellect, simply countered with the Word of God (cf. John 8:31-32). We now have such magnificence in the spiritual compilation granted us, so as to not defer unto another manuscript (without submission to vain philosophy, or opinions appearing plausible).

The peace in our vocalizing that HE will always be more than enough, frustrates both controversies, along with argumentative behaviors from the ill-advised and shall always stand the test of time (Matt.24:35), because our Maker ordained it to be (cf. 2 Ti.2:16). May our being careful (particularly in our wilderness experience) not allow common vulnerability to answer many without desire to hear our resolute posture.

 

Today’s Thought “A Superior Officer” G. Ward

Amos 3

³ Do two people walk together unless they have agreed to meet?

 

Messaging for this era found in many, often so zealously inaccurate, can portray some attributes entirely true (relevant to God), while excluding the most vital one to any man’s deliverance from his transgressions – God Is Just (*Col.3:25). Those same purveyors in theological inaccuracy will/can promise fellowship with God as something guaranteed, because of His merciful kindness onto every man and whereas there’s refusal to investigate what holy represents (i.e., unequaled goodness, faultless, morally pure and perfect), it violates intended understanding to know that the Almighty exists without a capacity to acquiesce to sinfulness found in us (unless one is owned by the Savior through repentance of sins – Ro.8:1). Our Father desires a love relationship with you, but know it exists (potentially) not because there’s any goodness found in us, but because the Perfect Lamb of God, stood in our stead (Col.3:13).

 

Today’s Thought “Called by Encouragement” G. Ward

Luke 1: ⁶ They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. ⁷ And yet they had no child, because Elizabeth was infertile, and they were both advanced in years.

 

The birth of John the Baptist is illustrative of why we refer to God as “Almighty,” there’s nothing too difficult for HIM. The miracle however wasn’t the baby, nor the miraculous pregnancy, but primarily, the faithfulness of Holy God, then surrender thereunto from Zechariah and Elizabeth (the parents). They would rest in Holy God’s “no” of years beforehand, yet devote themselves to serving HIM and whereas our charismatic friends want to more express this as opportunity to understand our Lord will often say, “yes, no, or wait a while,” that stance violates an implicit trust of the Only, All-Wise Savior, using us as HIS instrument, for HIS pleasure and glory and whereas this rehearsal (so pervasive), via words seemingly confirm such trust, we must embrace the Truth of HIS Word (whether appearing beneficial or not – *Ps. 103:1-5), compelling our follow-ship of the ONLY voice that matters. Will we rejoice in HIS presence, or have demands that soon tarnish overtake our best judgment (Matt.6:19)?

 

Today’s Thought “Living in A Cardboard Box” G. Ward

John 10:1

“Truly, truly I say to you, the one who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.

 

While many promote ideas guaranteeing immediate reprieve or growth mechanisms that can bolster one’s economic, or emotional status, satisfaction in having endeavored another risk (whether achieved or failed), moves quickly to another advice record and whereas that gruesome process of trial and error should warrant best calculation to every concept presented (that includes desire and proposed need), the mystery (i.e., the gospel) accepted, in/through Holy God will culminate unto contentment with what’s best for those HE created.

*Many venture to think of a “both, and” status concerning absolute submission to HIS reign and rule, with certain declarations in knowing Him, but He’s resolute in the “either, or” posture (He’s All-Knowing, we’re not) and those of us making plans, have no assurance in whether another minute will present itself. We must cease to settle for the world’s instruction (1 John 2:15-17) through greatest, daily consultation with the script transcendent of whims (*2 Ti.3:16-17).

 

Today’s Thought “Walking on the Sidewalk” G. Ward

Psalm 37

⁴ Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. ⁵ Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it.

 

There’s a selfish presumption through American culture that keeps its citizenry as spoiled children. We’re more taught that Holy God chooses to bless us more than most other nations; even through lyrical insistence of “God bless America” as if HIS concern is limited (cf. John 3:16) and whereas bumper stickers, along with monetary inscription declare in God we trust, our being familiar with it written, establishes more contemptuous behavior, than duty (i.e., obeisance). Our Lord desires to teach us a faith imposed by Him won’t ever rely on things seen, but hope in Him (Heb.11:1); yet we construct towers (unsanctioned and without care for imminent storms visiting others, assuring their being sheltered – *Phil.2:3-4).

There’s a lack in spiritual jurisprudence (from mankind) that neglects abiding in the shelter of the Almighty, yet all WILL call on HIS name more sooner than later and whereas one Prophet insists HE will answer (Jer.33:3), presumption enters, assuming it will be a “yes” when that never was the guarantee outside true surrender (Prov.1:24-29) …

21 days till Christmas.

 

Today’s Thought “Eternal Measurement: Christ, Not Historical, but From Eternity” G. Ward

John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.

 

God’s Word is only inarguable to those who believe and while others in most religions choose to borrow from this perfect script (according to their pleasure), un-studied onlookers find it impressive; through an insistence to be led by men (forsaking personal instruction from the Almighty – cf. *John 1:14). Many believers audaciously carry great indignation towards any abusive of God’s Word, to forget their own “practical atheism” to which ALL exercise whenever there’s failure to observe HIS Way over their own. We’re therefore given sole responsibility to carry His message that regenerates any from who they are to become His representative in earth (cf. Phil.1:6). Ultimately, man, created in His image, cannot abide in the presence of such authority, by picking and choosing some of its messaging. The congruence of His words remains that to which outlasts “heaven and earth” and calls for a daily exploration, whereby “perfect submission” grants “perfect delight.”