Today’s Thought “No Diamonds for Christmas This Year” G. Ward

Psalm73:² But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped. ³ For I was envious of the arrogant, As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ⁴ For there are no pains in their death, and their belly is fat.

 

I love how the news on Friday after Thanksgiving highlights thousands lining up to catch what perceivably is incredible sales throughout the marketplace and whereas there’s presumption on my part that knows many who watch cannot participate similarly, this may certainly be a great set of passages for your consultation. Asaph, the author, would orchestrate great frustration that marvels at the spiritually disconnected receiving so much prosperity in their lives, including health, despite their ways unbecoming of Holy God’s demands. His discourse would soon understand that our God rains on the just and unjust and at verse 17, turns self-pity to a perspective to know of an imminent fate for those refusing the Almighty’s reign and rule as forever.

For any unable to buy chocolate diamonds and garments (and accessories) from Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor, please know - you can plan a very nice meal in what’s a meager home, along with purchasing things from the $5 and below store and be as celebrative for our Lord’s entry as any. Remembering, our grandparents were overjoyed with giant peppermint sticks and giant oranges (with seeds).

 

Today’s Thought “Serving God, Means Serving Others” G. Ward

1 Peter 4:10

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

 

Father God, in a season where mankind celebrates the Savior’s entry, ours, as belonging to You, regards this day as opportunistic in exercising Your will being done and whereas yesterday came with violations contrary to Your Truth, our heads hang low, desiring You to be the Lifter of our heads; for we desire to bless You at all times. Our praying to You is in itself refreshing, for we know our usefulness continues, particularly in view of the Savior’s sacrifice as worthy to imitate and whereas HE prepared us for a journey indicative of so many denying HIM, even hating HIM, we thank You for the peace HE gave - that endurance would be ours – thankful even, for HIS example. On this day, we seek to glorify Thy Name, via more availability to live in accordance to the righteousness implanted and disquiet the world’s promptings, that seeks to penetrate our souls and absolutely portray HIM as the Only Hope for each day presented, along with an eternity granted; not because we’ve been good, but because HE remains the Only Good ONE. May HE be praised among any saying yes to HIS will. Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Christmas: Fifteen Days Away?” G. Ward

James 4

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” ¹⁴ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 

 

How can any prepare for very sorrowful disruptions to their lives on their own volition (cf. John 14:27)? Have any been created for a life in self-sufficiency; particularly when no one can determine on whether there’s to be a next moment? Moreover, how can any witness some - so devout in their faith through Christ; to then decide they also know HIM because they’re familiar with numerous passages (in HIS Word) and are basically good people (cf. *Ro.3:10,23) and besides that, didn’t God give us a brain to figure things out for ourselves (cf. Prov.3:5-6)?

Just asking for a friend – who need not rely on any answer outside of where Truth exists (Prov.2:3-6). Seek SHELTER, while HE can be found (He’s not lost, but…)!

 

Today’s Thought “Affliction’s Treatment” G. Ward

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 

Only our Great Shepherd’s rod and staff, more than any earthen force, can assure safe passage of/from trouble’s devouring our souls and whereas the valley in trials - appears so very deep and dismal, our meditations of HIS unrelenting presence is sunshine on a cloudy day. I’m more prepared with/onto spiritual perseverance in my Lord’s omnipotence, to never again walk in despair.

That to which has been afforded me, never involved consideration of mine own worthiness; for I’ve determined I’m nothing outside HIS grip of grace provided (cf. John 6:44-45).

 

Today’s Thought “Stairway to Heaven” G. Ward

John 10:7

So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

 

Sheep are defense-less animals, prone to sup in poisonous fields and therefore – needs a Shepherd. Sheep also lack discernment of the big-bad wolf’s potential devouring efforts and whereas our Lord remains the Great, Good Shepherd, the believer’s sentiment insists in/through HIM, we shall not want; for we’re the sheep of HIS pasture (Ps.100:3). Our Lord Jesus would pervade a predominately, unwelcomed series of “I AM” statements indicative of HIM fulfilling the messianic role of the Great Shepherd, making the claim of being God in the flesh (*John 1:1-3,14) and whereas HE’D insist that HE alone is the Only Gateway to eternal life, we, as HIS sheep follow.

It appears an undeniable message (1 Cor.2:14), until one studies religion – whereby mankind is/has been persistently argumentative concerning their god, along with being indignant towards some artful depictions drawn, that calculates the Savior, born Middle-Eastern, really looks Anglo. Remember, you’re the sheep of HIS pasture – called, no matter what others say and regardless of what complexion HE was; while singing, “I know my Redeemer Lives!”

 

Today’s Thought “Reactionary v. Confident in Truth” G. Ward

Matthew 7:6

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

 

While a dog in the days of Jesus were wild scavengers and pigs for descendants of Israel were dietetically unclean, this admonishing would enable disciples of Christ (for every generation) to resist a furtherance to persuade men, blatantly rebellious of Truth and competing with more words so indifferent to a predominant theorizing of a works righteousness attitude – so common to perceive (Isa.64:6, Eph.2:8-9, Jas.2:10). We must remember the gospel implies how ONE (SINLESS) endeavored all the work and how our sins enabled “the cross” of HIS crucifixion and whereas then and now, many estimate an unfounded goodness in them exists – particularly in view of so many visually sinful, the message mandated by disciples of Christ that insists all are sinning is deemed foolish (*1 Cor.1:18) because the populous desires commendation.

 

Today’s Thought “Give More Love at Christmas” G. Ward

1 John 2: ⁸ On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. ⁹ The one who says that he is in the Light and yet hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now.

 

Ronald Reagan, our 40th President (at his final address as President), would echo a sentiment of true Americanism - as he’d delineate the vitality of the immigrant’s significance to this land; particularly since most are. He would elaborate on different segments of the world and their regard for their indigenous peoples, insisting all would know that inasmuch as some would be welcome in that new land, they’d fail in achieving the same tag (e.g., Those born in France are Frenchman, while others birthed elsewhere are merely accessible to citizenry.). Reagan would culminate excellently and with greatest hospitality – eliminating social constructs of racial disparity and say, “But anyone coming to live in America, can become an American.”

The Word of God is entirely unique, insisting we all know that Holy God made this world and is loving it enough to provide redemption through ONE. We, who say we love the LORD, regardless of geographical barriers, are commissioned carriers of Truth (John 14:6); doing so indiscriminate of where anyone derives, or considerate of exterior appearances and to know “Love” is adjectival to our God (*1 John 4:8) and compels us to give what we’ve received and if/when we won’t, our words and deeds are frivolous.