Today’s Thought “A Demand for Prosperity” G. Ward

2 Kings 24

²⁰ For it was due to the anger of the Lord that this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He cast them out of His presence. And Zedekiah revolted against the king of Babylon.

Babylon, the Great land, so mighty, would overwhelm God’s own; even its leader (Nebuchadnezzar) would impose his own relative to be king over Jerusalem. Altogether, there was warning beforehand (*Jer.27:9-11) from Holy God unto HIS own, but horrid, evil influence seemingly won and whereas there’s consequence – undesired by men, the Almighty’s Holiness won’t tolerate such blatant disconnect (Ro.6:23).

We celebrate a democratic process here in a strange land; a “by the people” stance and whereas they’ve spoken on both sides of a spectrum – meant to enable unity, sorrow, grips one side, while the other is content, yet reliant on another to deliver the whole onto pocketbooks with more than before, along with purporting a moral climate; while history reveals many thousands of years of spiritual anarchy – un-prepared for the Only King’s consequence. Pray for our Leaders…

 

Today’s Thought “Electoral Anxiety?” G. Ward

1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

 

If one is ever perplexed in how rampant immoralities persist for our era – adjourn to God’s Word (through tenacious study) to witness how our Lord correlated in a society whereby abortion, homosexuality, racial disparities and dissolution of family existed in HIS time in earth also. Did HE gather HIS disciples and go to the Areopagus to debate issues concerning HIS Father’s business? What about appealing to the religious court officials (The Sanhedrin) unto best observance towards God’s laws? Perhaps Tiberius (the Emperor) would listen to reason, but was that our Lord’s determination? Altogether, what HE called us, HIS ambassadors, solely permitted implicit trust of our Lord’s Way; unfolding the ONLY resolute message of reconciliation to any who’d listen; then teaching them to obey HIS commands (never a civic duty, but a Holy God responsibility).

*The world is doing what they’re supposed to do. Will believers intercept(?)…

 

Today’s Thought “Talk TOO Much?” G. Ward

Psalm 118

²⁴ This is the day which the Lord has made; Let’s rejoice and be glad in it.

 

Self-absorption (i.e., consumed in personal interests) is an unspiritual demand (*Phil.2:3-4), even culturally accepted and whereas the believer should always have a preoccupation of the “Cross” – representative of sacrifice through Christ having given Himself for the cause of sinfulness in every one, our thanksgiving unto this day honors HIS grace and mercy towards us; not solely with echoes of how great HE is (although true), but with activity that emulates (Eph.5:1-2) how HE correlated in a world refusing to know HIM. If I’m BOUGHT with a price, who owns me?

 

Today’s Thought “Remembering the Cross” G. Ward

Luke 23

³⁴ [But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”] And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves.

 

It’s become very apparent that spiritual leadership forsaken has modern day believers more celebratory in determination that suggests, “we have to fight!” Sure, there’s tremendous erosion of value systems of old, but we must remember, history unfolds great moral reprobation far worse. There is however, a fight sanctioned (spiritually) and whereas winning souls for our Lord - equals fighting for an endurance to teach HIS commands and watch lives transform/conform to the only Way, Truth and Life (John 14:6). Jesus never approached Caesar with demands for spiritual conformity; but commanded those who’d listen to follow and that implicit trust of the All-Wise Savior will soon understand that every generation witnessed the inevitable Light in mankind (surrendered in Christ) overcome (Ro.8:37) the darkness found in a gloomy world. Our Lord remains All Authority…

 

Today’s Thought “Go West Young Man…” G. Ward

Matthew 19

¹⁷ And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

The young man our Lord would encounter, desired to know Holy God on his own terms, versus the Almighty’s will. This dialogue was difficult only because this rich young ruler arrived resistant to hearing anything outside his demand and when our Lord would challenge his reliance on all he owned, insisting he sell it all and follow HIM, the boy ran (cf. 1 Ti.6:10).

We should glean from this, an inability to co-exist with Holy God’s goodness via a minute-to-minute pursuit in how HE correlated in the world’s evil influence and follow HIS example. This won’t mean rid oneself of materials, but unfold an interrogation in what’s most important; considerate in soulful re-adjustment that won’t allow materialisms’ comparison with our greatest desire of perfect reconciliation to the Father through Christ; knowing our time as short to prove such remains (*1 Peter 1:24-25).

 

Today’s Thought “Why Awaken Me?” G. Ward

Psalm 51

³ For I know my wrongdoings, and my sin is constantly before me.
⁴ Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge.

And Lord God, intimacy with You – mandates our praise. The Prophet Isaiah referred to You as WONDERFUL because Your glory is matchless and whereas access to You confounds our souls; particularly as we look within, unfolding unfaithfulness and blatant disregard of Your commands – bowing low and asking that You alone be the Lifter of our heads. How excellent is Your patience and lovingkindness towards us, in having chose us before the foundation of the world You made and while it pleases us that the Holy One knows our name, may our meditations recall that our new image should reflect Your holiness. May our ambassadorship increase onto any, unified in Jesus and HIS gospel, eliminating blanket statements of praising You as a substitute for introducing Your love for those You’ve purposed to be called Your own and may their repentance delight in how our instruction furthered - keeps our eyes on the prize of Your salvation unto us, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Me-ism” G. Ward

Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

While self-centeredness is a natural component of every man; particularly as he awakens to addressing himself; it’s that practice that sparks a self-preservation unsanctioned (Phil.2:1-5). Believers, however. are compelled onto a spiritual displacement of routine through an investigative pursuit in how their Savior embodied life in earth and follow (Eph.5:1). We’ll (i.e., believers) look entirely peculiar onto a populous, even tagged extreme; because indifference against what’s popular equals ultimate intolerance; but encouragement continues as our Lord gave fine examples of imperfect ambassadorship found in others like us who endured and are now guarded by HIS eternal presence (cf. Matt.10:28). Keep pressing…