Today’s Thought “Final Authority Speaks” G. Ward

1 Corinthians 2: ¹² Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. ¹³ We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

 

The Word of God, more known as the Bible can be defeatist to a desired destiny to endeavor a love relationship with Christ and some may say that’s idiomatic nonsense, but I see it daily, even in the church (2 Peter 1:20-21). The Word of God stated, keeps the centrality on the Almighty and utilization of the term “Bible” keeps allowing argumentative pragmatism (i.e., that which determines it as practical, but subjectively interpretive = NOT TRUE) and whereas God’s Truth is entirely impractical by design, unto those outside of faith in Christ (cf. *1:18-19 - e.g., parting of the sea, virgin birth, rising from the dead, etc.), believers must hold the banner of Truth higher for these times, insisting that all know that our Father speaking to man is short-lived for mankind’s reception of it and whereas many throughout the generations have sought to subvert God’s Word to another helpful ideology, it remains inerrantly FINAL (Matt.24:35).

 

Today’s Thought “Unchecked Sin: A Destroyer” G. Ward

Hebrews 3: ¹³ But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Our era is witness to great criticism of Christian institutions at large, namely because of gross spiritual malfeasance found with few among the other 400,000 worship halls. This unrightful critique is mostly defensive mechanisms to share, in why they’re not involved and besides that, they’re not going to give all these greedy preachers their money syndrome. Jesus, our Lord warned HIS church of this inevitable stance (John 15:18-21), demanding we not forsake fellowshipping often (Heb.10:23-25). The fellowship of faith, seeks to mature in God’s Word together, creating desired holiness to manifest in all we’ll do, in view of HIS mercies presented and when we’ll fall short of extending rightful honor to our King, another involved in that same fellowship - kindly and gratefully restores us to the Way we desired at what was the peak in belief. They do so, very gently, for they know their own time of correction may be near (*Gal.6:1-3). That’s why I don’t miss…

 

Today’s Thought “Me-ism, Won’t Do” G. Ward

1 Peter 3: ⁸ To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; ⁹ not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing.

Marriage principles exercised, is the context here and is representative of what GOD ordained as the conduit for family expansion. Husband and wives are to epitomize a gentle, respectful and caring regard for one another that fosters hope for all who may witness this harmonious institution. Our era speaks to such a Holy Matrimonial presentation as something more temporal, than a death do we part reality, diminishing God’s Word to fable. Immediately, many offer questioning “what if” an abusive husband, or cheating husband exists - syndrome. Some even subvert the Truth of God’s Word with a sad expression of my kids will always be my kids, but my husband, well, you know the rest. Almighty God knew what HE was doing when it was written for our compliance (beyond every generation of man) and demanded holy courtships onto marriage (*perhaps with communal oversight), that makes HIM (i.e., our Lord) the central portion and insisting a partner proposed, affirm the same. If you know someone “playing house”, they await your spiritual courage to teach HIS commands.

And Lord God, we delight in Your standard by presenting ourselves with availability to share with another how Your Truth must be perceived, then done in these moments provided us and while we delight in personal redemption shown us, failure to take another by the hand, may offer some we love to be condemned onto regret, so, may our meditations hurry to bless Your Name, throwing Your Lifeline, our Lord Jesus, Amen.

 

 

Today’s Thought “What Will Be, Shall Be” G. Ward

Jeremiah 46: ¹¹ Go up to Gilead and obtain balm, Virgin daughter of Egypt! You have used many remedies in vain; There is no healing for you.

 

This is a prelude to Holy God’s patience running out for a nation’s rejection of HIS governance; even being insatiated with things and conditions flowing in prosperity and military might. The lot of impatience would fall first on Egypt and culminate with the destruction of the Babylonian Empire and whereas many know those to have been pagan nations, many are perplexed why the Almighty would require their allegiance? Answer – HIS impartiality and invisible attributes continue and is the knowledge given the whole of mankind and (i.e., inherently available – cf. Ps.19:1-6) rendering them "without excuse" for not recognizing or honoring God (*Ro.1:18-20).

Our theme speaks to a balm (or resin) used medicinally, even that to which would be equated (in the generations of man) with soothing troubles so extreme and whereas this charge was given cynically by Holy God, HE’D more infer, there’s no where to hide from HIS wrath. We, in this dispensational era however, have been given the Blessed Redeemer and HE remains our hiding place (Ro.8:1).

 

Today’s Thought “Misappropriating Facts” G. Ward

James 4: ¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you, judging your neighbor?

James would be divinely instructed earlier to insist that God’s church render “mercy before judgment.” Mercy remains as the ultimate objective the Almighty has concerning interactivity with those HE created and whereas we’re called HIS very own, we’re to follow HIS lead. Those lacking consistent practice of HIS law, are to be taught by you and me HIS commands and whereas that sharing must be through a loving-kindness and patient process, we must trust in our Lord’s spiritual transformation of those HE compels to become HIS.

*This morality (from the Truth of HIS Word) is absolute, leaving no room for other perspectives; but the world hasn’t accepted that (cf. *Ro.10:14). Therefore, we’re not called to the unsettled issues, for this is generationally common. Moreover, we cannot/shouldn’t parent a society unto morality, but if one is open to unadulterated Truth, send us Holy Father, is our response.

 

Today’s Thought “Sturdy v. Flimsy” G. Ward

Jeremiah 29

⁷ Seek the prosperity of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord in its behalf; for in its prosperity will be your prosperity.

The very term “God and Country” may be idolatrous. Why? Because it relies on mankind’s juxtaposition of loving both (*Matt.6:24), without significantly understanding as Israel endeavored being in a strange land (away from home – cf. Phil.3:20), we also exist temporarily in this place, praying for its leaders and well- being. It remains impossible to be devoted to both divine and worldly pursuits simultaneously and many American citizen’s downfall is/will be the exacerbation in celebrating “red, white and blue” while neglecting worship of Holy God’s precedent of Christ Sufficiency.

So, wave your flag, pledge allegiance, but know that if any propose Heaven as Home, territorial delight won’t exist and whereas Jesus taught us how to correlate to the Father, saying “pray then in this way - Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven…”

 

Today’s Thought “Yeah, But…” G. Ward

Acts 1:6

So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

To miss the point, won’t always indicate bad communication from another, but selfish desire from the hearer that absolutely won’t move from their own perspective.

Political ambition from these who walked with Christ, witnessing great miracles, along with perfect, exemplary character with unparalleled compassion and unrelenting efforts to seek and save the lost, to then see such brutal punishment of their Savior, including a tumultuous death on a cross, whereby HE died and would marvel at such exactness of all HE said (“in three days I’ll rise”) and thereafter they’d personally testify in seeing where they pierced HIM in HIS side, along with HIS nail scared hands and feet, to then ask a selfish question that would embrace a political conquest is absurd! Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected for our sins forgiven, along with granting eternal life (for any who’d follow HIM) and now we’re witnessing so many who propose knowing HIM, begging for political reprieve from earthen kings? That’s called idolatry (*Ex.20:1-5).

Father God, absolute dependence on You can be marginalized by such a view we’re afforded in seeing such exploits from the rich unto blatant disregard to every class of man. Yet, we look to Your Word that more sought to prepare us for such, in that this remains an age-old issue and whereas we’ve craved such a wealthy posture, even dreaming of things and money, our heads hang low in shame; asking Your regard onto contentment – that realizes that to be rich in grace with ongoing mercy from Holy God is extolling our Great Shepherd, whereby we’ll have no want. May You forever be praised, through Jesus, Amen.