Today’s Thought “Now and Later: Not Just a Candy” G. Ward

 

Matthew 6: ¹² And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

 

Our Lord Jesus would teach HIS every follower the objectivity of prayer - portrays real faith in HIS Sufficiency (meaning, HE alone will meet our needs in accordance to HIS will being done). Our theme’s significant point is forgiveness and followers are compelled to do so in light of their being forgiven; not once, or twice, but through a Perfect Reconciler, Jesus (now, and forevermore – Ro.8:33-35) and whereas every life HE gave (John 1:1-3) falls short of HIS example, along with being a recipient of HIS patient, lovingkindness, we must cease to exercise in foolish categorization on who deserves pardon – because if/when we persist in such, we deny HIS Sufficiency; and thereafter, can forsake an eternal Home with HIM, for failure to believe (Eph.2:8-9).

 

Father God, while we never desire to affirm anything we’re able to do for such an eternal inheritance with You, we know that wrongful supplications and requests at a continuum reveal whether we know You. We’re taught by our Redeemer, how best to deny ourselves, praying Your will be done, leaving no room for flawed perspectives that deny others pardon. So, we’re deciding to let the Light within shine to include any who can/will call You Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “The Wilderness; Fending for Oneself” G. Ward

 

Numbers 20: ⁸ “Take the staff; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it shall yield its water. So you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and have the congregation and their livestock drink.” ⁹ So Moses took the staff from before the Lord, just as He had commanded him; ¹⁰ and Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly in front of the rock. And he said to them, “Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” ¹¹ Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank.

 

My own spiritual life has proposed to strike the rock twice (on many occasions). Every time like Moses, we propose to be or do something we’re not, versus attributing breath provided to our Lord’s demand, along with exercising in such frustration with those who seemingly should know better, to then pompously state that one’s action in wrongful committal is something we’re above, strikes the rock twice. Instead, our Lord’s presentation of today, desires that HIS work through us be made manifest and that we’d stand amazed in how HE uses us, despite our contaminated hearts (*Jer.17:9-10); because our listening to others spiritual malfeasance of a life given them by Holy God for HIS purpose, should more understand by looking beyond their indiscretion; for, “mercy triumphs over judgment” (Jas.2:13).

 

Father God, we thank You for correction that leads us to recall how You rescued our souls, so many times and how those allowances should always seek to restore another to Your salvation. May we realize our dutiful response to each, or any day given, insists we’d place courage to rest in Jesus, particularly because all remain vulnerable to selfish priority, knowing that we’re all prone to strike the rock, versus speaking to it – giving All praise to our Lord Jesus for bearing our iniquities, Amen.

 

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.