Today’s Thought “On Bended Knees” G. Ward

Psalm 103:1

Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

 

The posture (i.e., attitude) assumed by man when praying may certainly confirm one’s conviction of the Lord’s Mighty Power, along with admittance from any created of a proposed limitation causing reliance on his Maker (cf. Ps.23:1) and whereas our days should increase in the intimacy intended with Holy God(through a daily pursuit in HIS Word) and whereas HE is Lead in this magnificent relationship, our meditations should cause our adoration of HIM to boast unto others in how HIS MERCIFUL KINDNESS is available to them and lead any to HIS glorious throne.

 

Today’s Thought “Blessed or Gluttonous?” G. Ward

1 Kings 17: ⁷ But it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. ⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ⁹ “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide food for you.”

The Prophet Elijah was significantly available to Holy God’s calling and has become every follower of Christ’s example in the same – even when resources seem scarce. Instead, many followers are with an unfortunate paradigm of many blessings as being closest to Holy God. For example, when we hear our Lord affirming Paul’s neglect in having basic provision by insisting, the Almighty will provide our needs, according to HIS riches, has to some meant an exorbitant amount; yet, we can often diminish context for our personal satisfaction.

 Elijah’s journey would encompass a soon visitation of great trust in Holy God by this widow who’d offer what appeared to be her last meal for she and her son (who would barely have enough for themselves). The cupboards thereafter would never go bare again – because of such trust and primarily for our Lord’s glory (*Col.3:17).

 

Today’s Thought “Disobedient Me?” G. Ward

Psalm 19:1-2

The heavens tell of the glory of God; And their expanse declares the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.

 

Our Heavenly Father remains the Most Excellent Artist; having constructed a divine canvas of hills, valleys, streams, land occupying such bountiful plant life, to then masterfully create mankind, allowing our authority that ensures HIS portrait is unstained. Our Creator sustains HIS desire through mankind by furthering HIS artistry via an incomparable prose, involving words entirely true – full of admonishing and edification, leading us in earth onto Heaven and whereas a quiet, contemptuous lack of proper investigation of this Word knows many facts therein, sincere willingness to follow is mostly denied. Moreover, chants of Lord, help us, is with this reply given us over and over again, “Return to Me, and I will return to you…”

 

Today’s Thought “Moving on Up…” G. Ward

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

 

Life is certainly better with companionship; but walking with those of opposite regard builds greater contention, comparable to journeying while having a rock in one’s shoe. Moreover, if my need for better exists, the companion(s) chosen should have my best interests at heart (cf. Phil.2:3-4). Altogether, this is not suggestive of affirming a dismissive culture, relative to when another won’t embody the qualities necessary for my improvement, particularly since our Lord’s compassion embraced sinners of sorts, who certainly failed to aid HIS journey; but merely understands that because vulnerabilities unto things insignificant exists for mankind, I’ll need periodic encouragement to endeavor denying myself and taking up my cross, to follow my Lords’ example (Matt.16:24). 

 

Today’s Thought “Zombie Alert” G. Ward

Colossians 3

² Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

 

There’s an unfortunate presumption from many on being qualified onto Heaven and whereas no one does (Ro.3:10), all are called to first recognize the ONE who enables that as a certainty (John 14:6). Trust in HIM - grants that assurance and that won’t look like what the populous demands we know (Ro.7:21-23), but is solely found in an unadulterated pursuit of Holy God’s Word. Thereafter, and because our hearts are so contaminated (Jer.17:9-10), are thoughts should circumvent only those heavenly realities found in God’s Word and when they don’t, immediate, desired restoration thereunto becomes the believer’s demand (*Ro.7:21-25) and it appears “today” is all you have – so let’s begin.

 

Today’s Thought “Pomp and Circumstance” G. Ward

2 Corinthians 5:20

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

 

This charge given believers won’t wait for the hierarchal posture of man. The correct spiritual posture is availability to what one has received from Christ, proclaiming HIS sole sufficiency and whereas Paul was Paul and Peter, Peter and most supremely – Jesus is/was, spiritual leaders’ insistent on special titles, remain pharisaic at best (*Matt.23:1-7). There’s a “common salvation” (Jude 1:3) for any who call on the Name of the Lord and whereas there are some called HIS leaders very exclusively, pastor-teacher, their humility imitates how Jesus walked. Altogether, every follower of Christ should be urging unbelievers towards repentance of their sins (which is exactly what was given us) and believe on Jesus.

*Holy God called Jesus, HIS Son to whom HE was well pleased.

 

Today’s Thought “Prayer Hopes” G. Ward

Ephesians 3:17-19

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.

 

We’ve prayed for people in such a way to almost guarantee reprieve from trials – though our Lord insisted those same trials keep us reliant on HIS grip of grace. We’ve even exacerbated an unsanctioned familiarity with Holy God - so as to grant us long life in earth although HE prepared eternity for us. We’ve promoted blessings upon some, diminishing the truer substance of having Christ presence (unrelenting), to more contemplate tangibles as evidence of Heaven’s abundance; but nothing compares to extending our theme’s blessing upon those devoted followers of Christ; particularly since such persistent troubles from the world attacks God’s own (incessantly) and whereas these hopes and blessings are written for our compliance, some will continue to make it optional.