Today’s Thought “The Ugly Duckling” G. Ward

 

Ephesians 4:32

 Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

 

The exercising of the descriptors at the prior verse included, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice are entirely unsanctioned by our Lord and are mostly arrogant and hypocritical; particularly when one expresses an unchanged heart so quickly (in these actualities), versus portraying spiritual maturity as a follower of Christ; even awakening to tender mercies each day that HE provides (despite our failings). Furthermore, it questions have I really been changed?

Moreover, when we concede to views insignificant to eternity (cf. Phil.3:20), it’s shamefully indicative of a cover-up to our deficiency to absolutely review our un-spiritual, anxious thoughts (so divisive), even denying usefulness unto the message that redeems (having found me at my worst, while thinking some are case studies, even Holy God may have difficulty with and we know that’s blasphemous).

 

So, Almighty God, we gather on the premise of the Savior giving us access when we were determining to lead ourselves and whereas HE stepped in at the nick of time, throwing us a lifeline so unfailing; may, we now approach Your throne with willingness unto the Spirit’s transformation of our lives from old to new; celebrating how every evaluation of others and things – remember how our Lord Jesus correlated with opposition from people and institutions, to only see the message provided us is dutifully ours to dispense, while trusting You to draw any unto Yourself, because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Treasure Hunt” G. Ward

 

Psalm 32: ⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will advise you with My eye upon you.

 

While many will go off on a tangent upon hearing this, so let’s understand the context of David’s heart song of deliverance:

 

He began at v. 1} How blessed is he whose wrongdoing is forgiven, whose sin is covered! ² How blessed is a person whose guilt the Lord does not take into account, and in whose spirit there is no deceit! ³ When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. ⁴ For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality failed as with the dry heat of summer. Selah ⁵ I acknowledged my sin to You,
And I did not hide my guilt; I said, “I will confess my wrongdoings to the Lord”; and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah ⁶ Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; certainly in a flood of great waters, they will not reach him. ⁷ You are my hiding place; You keep me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. 

 

So, Lord God, we’re encouraged to know the vitality to exist in You, must include a concerted effort to know You are Holy, so, our regard in desire to hear from Heaven must first crave to Bless Your Name at all times, by confessing our wrongdoings and thoughts; to then absolutely want no part in our past, foolish committal of sinfulness and then pray for one another where they too may have been vulnerable similarly and then praise You for the great refreshing we have when You restore us onto the salvation our Lord Jesus provides, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “My Obituary” G. Ward

 

1 Thessalonians 5:1 Now as to the periods and times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.

 

These passages emanate from a prior chapter of blessings to believer’s hope of Jesus’ return for them (1 Thess.4:13-18), to then transition to grave judgment for the many un-surrendered to HIS reign. The preaching of such was thorough and convincing; prompting believer’s mindset that asked, what happened to those we loved who died and also gratefully received Jesus as Lord and whereas that answer blessed their hearts (1 Thess. 4:14), they would desire our Lord’s return in those moments, as a child anticipates Christmas.

The day of judgment however, is with great oversight, because it’s marred by so many great things, places and people unto any’s consumption. Moreover, it leaves Christ as secondary to their whims and desires; even while claimants of knowing HIM exists, while quoting a misappropriated passage that says, you better not judge me and whereas that estimation is entirely wrong, we’re (followers of Christ) called HIS very own, to ensure that these compromising what Truth demands, know the Almighty is yet loving them also and desires their repentance (but soon time will run out).

 

Almighty God, our desire is to echo the joy of John’s last statement in Your holy script, “Come, Lord Jesus.” So, may the joy in knowing You as Sufficient to guide us from earth to Heaven, increase our soul’s mobility towards spiritual courage in sharing Your gospel, along with clarifying how Your commands are not burdensome to those we love and with many we may not know; because to be like Jesus, places everyone ahead of who we are. May Your will be done. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Go Sit in the Corner!” G. Ward

 

1 Peter 2: ¹² Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation.

 

A follower of Christ is with dual citizenship; the primary reality in knowing earth is not my home, but a short term; until we get to Heaven. We understand that the alternative presented to eternal life with Jesus, is an eternity in utter torment and whereas many assume they’ll be with Jesus, there’s great failure to pursue HIM on HIS terms (Matt.7:21-23). You’ll know them by the fruit they bear; for to be owned by the Savior – walks as HE walked (1 John 2:6). Our knowing best, identifies how Christ mingled in the marketplace with purpose, hearing false accusations, experiencing physical assault, vicious political divisiveness and social unrest; yet HE exemplified HIS citizenry from Heaven, not a reactionary, vengeful regard in defending Himself, but prayed HIS oppressors would recognize HIS impending crucifixion He’d provide on an old rugged cross for their sins also.

 

Almighty God, when our meditations recall that best example in Jesus, our compliance rests on assurance of Home, setting aside oppositional forces so divisive, while deciding to forgive, in efforts to live at peace with all men. So, we pray for believers’ proactivity in greater surrender to the King of kings, where true rest is found. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “In the Eye of A Hurricane” G. Ward

 

Philippians 4: ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

 

Every believer is under spiritual constraint given by the Almighty. Moreover, we are called God’s very own, to think on HIS standard of holiness and follow. Therefore, our view towards any person or thing must see it for its potential productivity unto HIS purpose (cf. Ro.10:14); but never presume we’re better than some; for our redemption happened without our pursuit of a Perfect Savior (John 6:44); in that, while we deserved death and punishment, HIS love, with pardon rescued us (Ro.5:7-8) and whereas the Holy Spirit’s transformation made us new, although the old tends to surface, causing need to repent. We do so as ambassadors, declaring our Lord’s desire for any’s repentance (2 Pe.3:9) – so we all can be refreshed in knowing HE alone is greatly to be praised (Ac.3:19)!

 

Lord God, we thank You for being the King of Eternity and allowing our meditations to assess how we match our Savior’s attitude and immediately adjust accordingly. Our desire is to never turn back to mindsets that seek to be regarded by mere men, but to look towards Your Holy hill and represent Home, where its value system remains eternal. We pray on today, for every follower’s re-adjustment, where Your will being done resurfaces with joy. It’s then that others will experience You; for Your shelter is greatest, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Avoiding the Woodshed Experience” G. Ward

 

1 John 5: ² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and follow His commandments.

 

Obedience to our Lord’s commands is primary for knowing Christ. It proves whether we love HIM or not. It demonstrates our faithfulness to HIS lead. It glorifies HIM in what we say and do (i.e., which merely means to imitate/reflect His greatness). The faith HE imposed for us to operate in HIS highest standard knows, we cannot please HIM by teetering on self-control, that is, operating on whims and desires that presumptively asks God to bless them, when HE never ordered those steps; for genuine and true faith, endeavors to live a lifestyle characterized by righteousness, modeling the example set for us by Jesus Christ. We are enabled to obey because, once we believe in Christ and are saved, we are remade (We are not the same people we were.). At 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Our Lord has no need for anything; including your and my old talents; for when newness is afforded us as followers, Holy God’s power through us, won’t be contained in what we’ve done best in for times past, but significantly allows greater praise in affording us opportunity to witness (personally) HIS mighty hand, no different than HIM parting the sea.

 

Lord God, we thank You, for tremendous reminders in Your Word, that shares apart from You, our spiritual journey now, along with eternal productivity is impossible; particularly because Jesus paid it all. So, as we marvel on this day, as we’re given perfect guidance once again, to echo, “Your will be done.” May You receive all the glory and may we Your “few,” more implicate our dutiful response to every portion of grace given – to ensure others know, “there’s room at the inn,” All because of Jesus! Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Running Without Credentials” G. Ward

 

Jeremiah 33: ³ ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

 

The proactive prayer our Lord offers here, is a plea to fully understand HIS plans, not a genie in a bottle solicitation.  The beautiful, emphatic language however – “great and mighty things,” befits this era’s unfair religious usage and because many will pull one expression of God’s provision out, they’ll neglect the surrounding ones that shares how God’s own disobedient children were at this time captive in a strange land -  Babylonia and Holy God wreaked havoc on theirs – Jerusalem, placing them with an unruly leader. In New Testament times, “the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro.6:23) and whereas God was gracious to HIS own in the Old Testament, offering a future hope and restoration, we honorably proclaim, HE’S the same in the entire Truth of HIS Word; yet, the spiritual conduit of repentance remains. Repentance is the sincere act of recognizing wrongdoing, feeling deep sorrow, and committing to a change in direction or behavior. Hearing from Holy God however, won’t treat HIM with contempt, because HE alone knows if we’re being genuinely sorry in violating HIS commands. So, to that end, I’ll see you Sunday (Heb.10:24-25)!

 

Father God, we’re given many examples, both good and bad, from ordinary actors just like us and whereas the Spirit teaches us how to correlate to striving to be Heaven’s representative in earth, that absolutely overcomes the world, we thank You for making us effective. The pace of time Lord, remains the same, yet seemingly comparable to the speed of light and for some it’s conviction to cling to the old rugged cross and for others, it’s being on the gerbil wheel, exercising in whim and desire. So, we thank You for the gospel, which remains the perfect resolution – through Jesus, Amen.