Today’s Thought “The Power of Tradition” G. Ward

Luke 2

²² And when the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.

Our Lord commanded these parents take the Savior (in HIS infancy) to the Temple and offer a sacrifice (Ge.17:12, Lev.12:3) and this included every parent who’d experience a child’s birth. *If Jesus’ parents forsook this purification rite, the reverberation of this negligence could have marred HIS exemplary standing with some.

There are sixteen days remaining for another Easter Sunday and the blame game marginalizes; particularly as any tag hypocritical church goers, along with proposed greedy preachers as the excuse so foolishly pervasive to their lack of church attendance. We too, are called to a daily purification; never contingent on Temple visitation – but with newest desire to be HIS temple (1 Cor.6:19-20) and whereas we’ve violated tradition that raised us in values (beyond socio-economic realities - *meaning that poor and rich planned ahead for the most meaningful, spectacular, worshipful opportunity at Easter, through clothing purchases, along with elaborate meal planning, it’s now been reduced, to remaining at home and consideration of eating out). Surely, as our Lord won’t change, because HE has no need for such and whereas all HE’D provide (*Ro.5:8) - demands our change to know HIM; let’s get started (cf. 2 Cor.6:1-4).

 

Today’s Thought “Uncommon Sacrifice” G. Ward

Romans 5

⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

If any could express to some deemed hopeless, that all Christ offers never waited on any of us to become good enough (Ro.3:10), yet sacrificed HIS life that we’d have perfect reconciliation with Holy God (John 14:6) through a tumultuous life in earth, that included HIS dying on our behalf, then rising from the dead – that we’d have eternal life with HIM, versus religious and arrogant expressions in how they would never involve themselves unto shortcomings from others so deplorably despicable, it’s no wonder many despise religion. The “us” from our theme is representative of our shortcomings (i.e., those seen and unseen) and the cross our Savior endured, would have been unnecessary if it weren’t your and mine sin that HE voluntarily occupied (now where is your boast?). Many believers are horribly audacious in reports entirely opinionated, feeling as representatives of God Himself, nullifying what it took for their own redemption (*Jas.2:13). May our meditations never forget – we too are violators.

 

Today’s Thought “Starting All Over Again…” G. Ward

Matthew 8: ²⁸ And when He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men confronted Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. ²⁹ And they cried out, saying, “What business do You have with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

These demons, having possessed two, offered a question unto One so clearly identifiable (by them) as the Son of God, to thereafter embody great timidity, as they’d be fully acquainted with their eminent and inevitable day of judgment (cf. Jas.2:19).

Howbeit, that such knowledge of Truth is known by such characters of disrepute, through a familiarity with our Lord’s terms, *yet denying its power, while the commoner remains contemptuous (i.e., believing yet, while also denying obedience thereunto)? One cannot insist they know HIM – solely through lip service (i.e., merely absorbed with words that declare how great HE is, while co-existing in/through leading themselves).

Another day is presented for an intended occupancy of HIS redemption unto you and me (Ps.118:24). Let’s not fit in, where mediocrity was established yesterday; for HIS love waits…

 

Today’s Thought “Follow the LEADER” G. Ward

John 10

⁴ When he puts all his own sheep outside, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

 

Perhaps like you, I’ve noted numerous scenarios that included caregivers representing herds of animals and their usage of cattle prods and trained dogs to corral energies from these herds (i.e., keeping them from dangers of sorts) and whereas our Lord’s instruction to HIS disciples would utilize these familiar actualities to illustrate Himself as the Good Shepherd, who utterly cares for HIS own, needing no dogs, or prods – because HE allows us free will to follow (indicative of HIS desire to be supremely acknowledged, but never through compulsive behavior from us), we’ll know HIS voice - not audibly, but through an unrelenting desire to convene daily in HIS WORD (Ps.119:1) and no other will do.

 

Today’s Thought “Heart Surgery Required” G. Ward

Luke 6

³¹ Treat people the same way you want them to treat you. 

Our Lord would teach mankind how to interact with one another, very considerate of the condition all men are plagued with; that being - sin sickness and while many seek to portray themself as having conquered an inborn deceitfulness, none are/have been successful; APART from absolute surrender to their Maker’s change (cf. Jer.17:9-10). Moreover, our Lord understands HIS creation, along with their propensity towards selfishness, even regarding us as innately evil (Matt.7:11). The plan of escape however, requires our acknowledgment of this actuality unto HIS sufficiency (*Acts 3:19); for HE is able to bear all our transgressions.

Therefore, a believer’s daily plea is, change my heart, Holy God…

 

Today’s Thought “Dishonorable, or Reconciled?” G. Ward

Romans 3

²³ For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

God created humanity in His likeness to reflect His glory; which means we’ve been made by HIM - so as to resemble HIS character and sin most certainly cannot be named in HIM. Therefore, our devotion in follow-ship is the landmark and Christ is the Chieftain (cf. 1 John 3:9). HE alone brought us near to Holy God; knowing our sinfulness as beyond social measurements including gender, race and economic status; but that to which unfolds our hearts as “desperately sick” (*Jer.17:9-10) – and thereafter, HE'D impart HIS own righteousness to any who’d confess their sins and be led by HIM (in everything). The reconciliation offered by/through Christ is not an automatic connectivity, but a pursuit to live as HE did, by allowing HIS Word (*John 1:1-3) to be loved more than anything.

 

Today’s Thought “Humility: A Holy Mantra” G. Ward

Isaiah 64:6

For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our wrongdoings, like the wind, take us away.

Mankind’s captivation with Holy God remains mostly synonymous with a mythical genie’s availability; because many want from HIM, solely on their terms and whereas Israel needed the Almighty’s favorable performance as had been for their predecessors, their plea insisted HE’D do it for them.

The response from the Prophet Isaiah clarifies that every generation of man is/will be – more self-serving and irreverent of the Holy One and would include his own unworthiness to gain presence unto the LORD (Isa.6:5).

Believers, in this era, celebrate being HIS temple (1 Cor.6:19-20), amazed that HE exists in us and whereas we still feel so unworthy, we’re grateful that HE ascribed HIS own righteousness in us, so our renderings would be pleasing in HIS sight.