Today’s Thought “The New Welcome Mat, Un-noticed” G. Ward

 

Philippians 1: ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

 

Contrary to popular belief, the gospel has never been the welcoming message as many suppose. It’s not because of anything less than that to which it seeks to do – that is to change our hearts; conforming them to Christ’s image and whereas change is uncomfortable, sinfulness is often comfortable, because it embraces selfish desire and whereas our Lord demonstrated selflessness, even forgiving HIS oppressors, (particularly since they thought they killed HIM - despite how HE freely gave HIS life), having said at HIS highest point in agony, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” we’re called to imitate HIM. Moreover, He’d say, “a servant is not greater than his Master.”  Suffering for that cause (i.e., the gospel), is what the Apostle Paul reminded these believers.

False encouragement is disastrous, it seeks to take Christianity to easement, a freedom from pain and rejection and while Jesus teaches believers that all would be sent as “sheep before wolves,” particularly as carriers/dispensers of HIS Truth, preparing in HIS Word surpasses what man has to say.

 

Father God, the many trials imposed on us establish character that keeps us persevering in Christ; so, we welcome them, celebrating being equated with our Savior. And Father, we pray for the ones weak to resolute practice of faith, because of greater exposure to the world’s message that has them straining towards false motivations. May all our encounters embrace more Truth in Your Word, as we rest in Your care, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Without Eternal Implication” G. Ward

 

1 Timothy 6:3-5, “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.”

 

I don’t know about you, but most rooms I enter appear so loud; the perspectives of mankind are inescapable and numerous, along with being overwhelmingly heard; with potential ability to penetrate desired meditation about our Lord’s goodness. Perhaps some like me have been guilty of instructing the Lord on how He should go about working on our behalf even after we’ve been instructed to imitate the Savior’s, “not My will, but Yours be done?” Maybe you sought to inform God like I have concerning many things occurring in the earth, devaluing His being All-Knowing? No one seems to want to sit quiet anymore! We’ve understood our frailty, particularly when health fails us and certainly understand our limited knowledge; but our expressions more teeter-totter on a little knowledge about most things which lends danger for other’s continuance in the same. The room however can be disquieted, particularly when our meditations and prayers circumvent the Lord’s Way instead of receiving news at an instant with reaction unbecoming of Heaven’s delight.

 

Father God, we’re unified on strongest desire to Bless Your Name; however, we’ve not represented well, yet we’re fighting with a new determination that ensures Your will be done. So, Father we welcome another round through these disciplines that proves You love us and as the Spirit transforms us for Your glory. We celebrate Your presence that rehearses when we’re weak, You rise to the occasion as strong. Thank You for Perfect guidance, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Before the Foundation of the World?” G. Ward

 

Romans 8

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

 

I, like you, love to praise the Name of Jesus. I marvel at how He could forgive me; particularly since I’m with periodic bouts with the flesh unbecoming of Heaven’s delight and whereas I’ve read these passages to indicate that my being owned by this Magnificent Savior has become the sufficient justification Christ rendered entirely by Himself for our benefit. He tells us that being His means no condemnation any longer. Condemnation equals a guilty verdict, along with the penalty that verdict demands. When He says no condemnation, it means no sin a believer can commit—past, present, or future—can be held against him, since the penalty was paid by Christ and righteousness was imputed to the believer and no sin will ever reverse this divine legal decision.

The key towards greatest understanding however, rests with what it means to be in Christ Jesus. For every true Christian; to be in Christ means to be united with Him. This is not to say a mixture of our ideas along with His. HE’S ALL WISDOM – we’re not.

 

Father God, Your provision through Christ is remarkable and our awakening each day to such a reality must celebrate Your Name and whereas praise is great, it won’t disconnect from Your command to obey. So, may every true believer not become enamored with “no condemnation” without pursuit in ALL Your commands as our Leader Jesus orders our steps, Amen. 

 

Today’s Thought “Mission Forsaken” G. Ward

 

Psalm 119:30

I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your judgments before me.

 

Can we allow the majority to think their knowing portions of God’s Word, along with exercising as decent citizens, to believe that is the spiritual qualifier? Those who say they know the Savior are called HIS very own, to walk just as He walked and that investigation is both a daily and ongoing pursuit. Moreover, our Redeemer insists all know that “no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” And why? It’s because there’s no righteousness in any - apart from full surrender, along with placing implicit trust in ALL Christ offered on one’s behalf – that is, the forgiveness of sins. And whereas the world cannot hear the Truth of HIS Word until we, who propose to know HIM – shares that Truth without fear and doubt – versus believing that we can praise our way in and out of knowing HIM, He’d tell us as HE instructed the Prophet Amos, “Woe to you who are longing for the day of the Lord, for what purpose will the day of the Lord be to you? It will be darkness and not light; As when a man flees from a lion and a bear confronts him!”

 

And Lord, it’s never what we can say, or seek to establish, for we’ll often think of the few things of our participation as rightful, to infrequently weigh every measure against Your Word. So, may our heads hang low in Your presence allowing You to be the Lifter of our souls; in view of all given by Jesus on/for our account; praying for every believer’s courage to ensure others will hear that Truth and whereas HIS Name is Jesus, we pray, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Night Owl” G. Ward

 

Matthew 26: ⁴⁰ And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? ⁴¹ Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 

Jesus instructs his sleeping disciples in Gethsemane to "watch and pray" to avoid falling into temptation, highlighting that while the spirit is willing, the human body (flesh) is weak. This passage emphasizes the need for spiritual vigilance, prayer, and reliance on God's strength to overcome vulnerability to temptation. Those from our Lord’s immediate choosing would take for granted the Savior’s presence, after all, they would absolutely depend on Him in everything for three straight years and whereas becoming too familiar will/can witness contemptuous behavior, every generation has suffered. More than often, our Lord sought preparing them for His departure by teaching them how to correlate in this earth based on what they witnessed in Him – as He’d absolutely depended on our Heavenly Father. Although this transpired 2000 years ago, this remains relevant. In order to thwart being vulnerable to things unbecoming of our salvation, we must awaken to our Lord’s reign and rule of our lives.

 

Father God, whereas rest is vital to our existence, may our souls remain awakened to Your Truth so well, that our dreams are holy. In all we do our objective is to bless the Lord at all times and we’ll do so as we not forsake Your Word and follow practices that deny our inheriting Your eternal Kingdom. As we approach this weekend, may we not take off, but honor You through Your Word, in Jesus Name, Amen.   

 

Today’s Thought “Care for Others; Before Oneself” G. Ward

 

Romans 12:4-5

For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.

 

The church of Jesus is called HIS very own, for HIS purpose and solely for HIS glory and whereas we celebrate that which only HE could do, we must remain contained in HIS directives, never to presume what HE needs, for HE has no need of nothing. This era, no different from others (historically), has run on a tangent of individuality, so as to desire a significantly unique, yet authoritative word from our Lord, rather than assure others of a real, personal relationship with Christ, that enables them in greater works than they ever thought could exist. The diversity in faith is meant for selflessness, to never believe in earthen superiority among Christ’s people, but to celebrate differences in/through each of us that adds great flavor for HIS kingdom’s receptivity to HIS reign and rule. If you look for applause upon every endeavor in Christ, sit down, until humility enters your heart, even give what you deem worthy to share to the masses to another perhaps feeling less than, so their inheritance through Jesus is assured.

 

Almighty God, may we consider unity among Your many members as opportunistic to remember apart from You we can do nothing; while teaching it’s so good to know the Savior, depending on HIM in everything. May our individuality be indicative of our personal relationship with You, enough so, that it encourages fellow believers to stand amidst trials, for troubles aren’t lasting; looking forward to Heaven, where striving won’t be necessary – because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Taking It on the Chin” G. Ward

 

Ephesians 4: ²⁹ Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

 

Pride of life can be mostly defensive and certainly sinful, keeping one with a fist balled up and whereas our Lord walked the earth HE made (John 1:1-3), knowing crowds were more enamored with all they’d pre-suppose He’d do, particularly since the predominant of HIS audiences were Jewish and severely disenfranchised amidst an Empire imposing great degradation and economic oppression towards them, Christ, our Lord, would yet exercise tremendous compassion, leaving HIS church for Heaven and granting us a similar peace unto endurance, despite societal triggers, so abusive. Moreover, at no time was HE personally guarded when insults and lies were spewed. So, may every believer exemplify HIS attitude, looking to others as we were found when called to serve, looking beyond every outsider’s indiscretion to know they need Jesus and we have the key to HIS throne room.

 

Father God, our minds were defiled in coarse assessment of others, forgetting the price our Savior lent to our deliverance and we thank You for this day presented to re-calculate that cost, by/through Your Word’s standard - "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” even placing others significantly before ourselves; for to know our Savior remains the greatest gift of all and HIS grace is more than enough. We pray for one another in that spirit, through Jesus, Amen.