Today’s Thought “Life’s Balance Sheet” G. Ward

 

Philippians 3: ⁷ But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ,

 

The Apostle Paul demonstrably signifies that an old life in religious superiority, including being esteemed by man and being deemed highest in greatest intellect for his era by his compatriots, along with birthed impeccably a Jew. His new life however, given him by Christ, unfolded a personal relationship with One he’d oppose; for his zeal for Holy God, never considered this Jesus as ultimate hope for divine redemption and whereas our Savior looked beyond his faults, his spiritual question of “what would Thou have me to do” re-birthed one of God’s greatest servants. Thereafter, all he’d be inspired by the Almighty to write for the churches would embody that all human effort and worldly accolades are absolutely worthless when placed side-by-side with the majesty and grace of knowing Jesus.

May we all assess what is profitable, that is our Savior knowing us, to then honor Himself in using us for HIS glory; for everything outside that reality is loss.

And Lord God, it’s truly good to know how You used bad characters to unfold that nothing is too difficult for You and because You called out our disobedience through all Christ offered, our new desire is an aim in blamelessness, that is to deny any portion of deceitfulness, by personal conveyance in how Your yoke remains easy, by casting all our cares towards Your unlimited capacity to forgive and restore us where every point of slippage may exist. For all we desire is to bless Your Holy Name, through Jesus, Amen.  

 

Today’s Thought “250 Years: Ageless Forgetfulness” 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.

 

Whereas the Prophet Jeremiah spoke on behalf of the Almighty and in no way meant for these exiled, to become so entirely enamored with any land (while away from their homeland), there was that elephant in the room that should have compelled their recall in what landed them in such a strange land(?). God sent HIS people into exile primarily as a punishment for their sins, particularly idolatry and disobedience. Surely, humility to know of a consequence of such reprehensible behavior surfaced in their mindsets? The Prophet Isaiah shared how Israel was chosen for no apparent reason, but solely through God’s Sovereignty, He’d demand HIS people invite other nations to also address HIM, their Creator rightfully (*Isa.49:6).

The Unchanging LORD, is yet calling HIS own; those of us who proclaim HIM – Lord, while existing in this temporary place, awaiting home. So, we must guard our citizenship in Heaven through obedience. May the beginning of this week be revived in you, so the embodiment of Christ righteousness would be the view from any of your encounters; for this is a reasonable endeavor in view of our Lord’s grace and mercy towards you and me.

And Lord God, may our humility rise to understand Your faithfulness calls us to be entirely sacrificial and selfless; for we cannot receive such a gift (through Christ) to then refuse to throw Your lifeline to another needing rescuing. Failure, Lord God, to do what was commanded directly following our Lord’s resurrection remains the chieftain of violations, so we seek Your forgiveness and restoration, thanking You for enabling our soul’s revival through Christ, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Bombastic Partying” G. Ward

 

Amos 5: ²¹ “I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your festive assemblies.

 

The Prophet Amos, God’s confrontational specialist, would even be less popular than ever as he’d reveal the Almighty’s perspective on religious festivals, along with what appeared to be great worship of sorts. HE Alone would see their hearts of disobedience, injustice and oppression towards their fellow man. America won’t go long without such celebratory regard in the same. We love to party, but forget Who’s at watch. It appears we’ve not improved much over the centuries. We can be equally contemptuous in how we correlate to Holy God, mostly as we’ll need HIM, forgetting the intensive price our Savior paid - so costly. I’d encourage each of you to not look at what others are doing wrong when hearing such, but to look within to see where you’re falling short and beg our Lord’s pardon and live accordingly.

 

Father God, Your patience with love is remarkable! May our awakening involve great reflection in how good You’ve been to us and leave out so much word service and offer internal exchange that witnesses Your will found in Your Word and make ourselves available to it, through peace with hospitality, even to those seemingly undeserving – particularly since our Lord Jesus gave His all, that we’d be HIS vessels, useful and productive. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Grandmother’s Hug” G. Ward

 

Psalm 46:10

“Stop striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.”

 

This verse is part of a song that assures any to know that God’s plans won’t be thwarted and while many wait on explanation in why perfect environments don’t exist, neglect to investigate the chronicles of God, perhaps in their estimation would take far too long. Moreover, whatever any will say regarding troubles in my way, won’t ever satisfy – for we’ve been taught to not entertain pain of sorts, versus the spirit of endurance that trusts in the LORD.

The American way (in such estimation aforementioned), forgets HE is still loving the world and whereas many inhabitants, from numerous regions awakened to another day without clean drinking water, along with not having several breakfast choices, our perceptions in being blessed can certainly be happenstance over endowment from the Holy One; in that, believers are blessed to be a blessing (Ge.12:2, 22:18, Prov.11:25).

 

Father God, our review in Your Truth affords our new captivity to see others exposed in lesser conditions, to thereafter insist on being a partner of Your fellowship that ensures others know of Your care of them won’t depart. May every believer more adjust towards intentional contentment, whether abased or with abundance; particularly as we know You to be our Mighty Shelter in every storm of Life, all because of Jesus. Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “The Abundant Life” G. Ward

Luke 5: ⁴ Now when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” ⁵ Simon responded and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” ⁶ And when they had done this, they caught a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to tear; ⁷ so they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, to the point that they were sinking. ⁸ But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”

 

Whereas to be a fisherman was with comparability of a garbage collector’s perception and some who’ve portrayed both these vocations as less significant, until they desire fish to eat (which was very common to diets then and now), along with great expectation of pick-up for smelly trash accumulation at one’s residence – desperately needing to be retrieved and altogether proves a foolish estimation in who may be worthy to be deemed significant, is as wavering as mankind’s pursuit of happiness.

Simon Peter, prior to Jesus and dependent on such a catch (while perhaps never exposed to anything remotely as what he witnessed), could have paid his bills for a month, along with taking his wife out for fine dining, but was absolutely overwhelmed to have encountered his Perfect Redeemer and thereafter hang his head (without cognition), feeling so unworthy to be in the presence of the Holy One.

Question: Are we too familiar with King Jesus; approaching HIS throne as if we’re so deserving (*Eccl.5:1-2)?

 

Lord God, we’re confident of Your presence, yet reverently in tune to You as Holy and so recognize a need to repent because we’ve been indifferent to Your will that commands us and so we’re determining need for many pauses throughout this Your day provided, that enables knowledge of Your unrelenting presence, along with wisdom exercised to ensure Your will be done. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

 

Today’s Thought “The Grip of Grace” G. Ward

Colossians 1:9

For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

 

What was the reasoning for so much prayer? It was great commendation to never move away from the purpose of existing after salvation’s experience, that is the joy in being known by the Magnificent Savior-Jesus and knowing that because HE forgave me for my every indiscretion, He will/can do for any. Spiritual commendation in the Word of God is always established on obedience and when/if our desire is to please God and not man, we’re assuredly on the right track. It’s therefore incumbent on any who believe to obey and whereas our Lord has provided the way of escape from death and punishment, compelling us to testify to what HE can do for another, by teaching them HIS commands and not what you’ve done, may your day say yes; not in mouthy expression, but in availability to another in sharing the Truth of His Word?

Father God, we don’t live for the ceremonial award presentation, but in the meditation where You rescued us and we’re guilty of offering great praise without affording another that same expression. So, may we all find another to establish in the foundational fact of Jesus loving them also and give freely that to WHO can/will redeem them - indiscriminate to who they are, as the Spirit changes us into better vessels than days before, in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “I Shall Not be Moved” G. Ward

 

Deuteronomy 9:1 “Hear, Israel! You are crossing the Jordan today, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, cities that are great and fortified to heaven, ² a people who are great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know and of whom you have heard it said, ‘Who can stand against the sons of Anak?’ 

 

These verses concerned Israel’s inheritance of a Promised Land so very threatening. They’d view (from afar) a people existent in that land with incredible size and strength (Nu.13:25-29) and would naturally doubt their ability to conquer these people; equating Moses’ instruction as insufficient as victims of homelessness against a settled and fortified people. Moreover, they would immediately adjourn to thoughts of lack in military might, versus what v.3 would say (“So be aware today that it is the Lord your God who is crossing over ahead of you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and eliminate them quickly, just as the Lord has spoken to you.”).

Our Lord’s Sovereign Control remains and our following Christ is synonymous with our travailing in a wilderness experience as strangers in this land, not ours, and whereas it’ll appear so very threatening at times, the “sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Ro.8:18). Our Lord has prepared a Perfect Home for us.

 

Lord God, may our eyes continue to see dimly, for soon the brightest day, shall continue forever and ever and so, we live unto that blessed hope, consumed in Your goodness, and persuading others to persevere in Jesus – although trials persist. For HIS burden remains light. May HE forever be praised, Amen.