Today’s Thought “Highest Regard” G. Ward

Proverbs 28:13

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”

The swiftness of days presented invites many towards a hurried pace and even opens an unfortunate critique with any who’ll fail to seize moments that will exercise in decision the way they would. A more appropriate stance will absolutely slow down to recall the pain in such hurried decisiveness, to perhaps contemplate where a hopeful resolute surety exists. Faith in Christ, more than confession, allows HIS lead and during the course of each day insists on numerous spiritual pauses that will contrast how my desires matter against an eternity proposed(?) and that quiet time, even though noise may be all around, will allow a newest spiritual posture that yields to HIS lovingkindness that absolutely displaces things and people so temporary. I bow onto this Great King’s unrelenting presence with great humility, knowing I’ve missed the mark set on so many occasions, yet, HE always seeks to restore me (1 John 1:9). It’s (i.e., my surrender to HIM) the best thing I’ve ever done…

 

Father God, Your mercies are astoundingly here for now; so, may those who’ll listen identify with the deer who pants after the water from the nearby brook, longing to have their thirst quenched by Heaven, as we look to the Author of our faith – Jesus. We’re determining there’s no greater joy than to be intimately acquainted with the grace HE provided – through obedience. May Heaven smile upon the many who’ll say yes to Your will; in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “A Throne for ONE” G. Ward

 

Isaiah 42: ⁸ I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to idols.

 

To know God as Creator and Sustainer of the earth HE made, that includes everything and everyone is clearly the preeminent mandate. Moreover, HE will ultimately be recognized by all in regards to sole worship of Himself and whereas there’s dire consequence for any who’ll neglect to bow unto the splendor and beauty of HIS holiness by agreeing with everything He says, through obedience and rehearsing HIS attributes. Listen, while all are guaranteed an eternal life, please know, all won’t be eternally exposed to HIS grace and mercy, but doom and torment – because they failed to know HIS Name. Some may ask, “how can such a gracious God send any to hell?” HE doesn’t. One can’t propose to live so entirely on their own volition, making every objective theirs - to then arrive at what’s most important to consider and then question something they failed to do within the scope of their consciousness.

Today is provided to consider a rest HE provides and that reliance on HIM – now, absolutely guarantees peace and joy. Who’d forsake such?

 

Father God, we, Your disciples are/have failed to more understand our role to proclaim and teach Your mandates, causing other thrones to thrive in the mindsets of those You made and whereas You desire their repentance no different than afforded us, we’re busy praising You, without perfect submission. Change us O God, that others may benefit in/through the Savior’s work on their behalf. Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Looking Through the Window…” G. Ward

 

Psalm 119:64

The earth is full of Your goodness, Lord; Teach me Your statutes.

 

I’m recalling a time when electronic devices were minimal and how when any obtained a pocket-sized transistor radio, they became the envy of those all around and whereas that reflection may insist on that era as being the good old days, troubles and trials were numerous, but the information shared didn’t arrive at a moment’s notice. Yet, it was a time when communication was a must. Inquiry, about the well being of another focused in so as to offer great aid to a dilemma and if you said you’d help, one would endeavor that which embodied best care. Generations thereafter, have been exposed more to a hurried society, prioritizing oneself and too busy for genuine inquiry in how one can be helpful unto another.

Those of us who’ve placed our trust in the Lord’s lead, more understand a need for fellowship with like-minded individuals; for our focus remains on the Author and Finisher of where our faith exists. Therefore, our accountability understands that HE won’t leave us, along with knowing HIS peace is indicative of eternal presence. So, we call HIM – Faithful; seeking to be like HIM as we grow up.

 

Father God, what marvelous access You’ve provided; particularly in view of our meditations’ recall of Christ’s redemption of all our indiscretions. May our recall in perceived better days, understand today is given as the best day to proclaim how great You are, no matter the chaos all around and find another who needs to identify Your unrelenting love is now, that leads to forevermore, in/through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “The Road Appears Long” G. Ward

 

Ezekiel 33:11, “Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure at all in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then should you die, house of Israel?”

 

Whereas God’s mercy is great, along with HIS patience being available for this day exists, the day is young and all are called to stand vigilant of HIS term limit and whereas no one knows of that day, to observe HIS criterion for an eternity with HIM, remains the most significant pursuit for man. That pursuit won’t just know all HE commands, but lovingly adjust to doing them. Moreover, and because HIS commands are not burdensome, the one pursuant won’t undermine the Almighty’s highest standard by rebelling against being changed, so as to reflect the Lord Jesus’ attitude; absolutely placing other’s interests ahead of one’s own.

 

And Lord God, the magnitude of spiritual responsibility rests in all the Savior exemplified. Our imitating HIM must be top priority for every life – who insists, “I know Him.” We’re so thankful on this day for a blessed assurance that Jesus is ours personally and corporately. May HE shine through our every struggle and honor HIMSELF, even using us for HIS glory that grants our joy. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “My Friend/Sister EJ” G. Ward

 

Job 1:21, ²¹ He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

 

Job’s grief, although tremendously sorrowful, would echo such sentiment of trust in Holy God, knowing the span of life is without guarantee for his young offspring of ten, along with the old. He’d yet bless the Lord, knowing his own spiritual example, along with great instruction provided with/in the Truth of God’s Word, witnessed their own determination to honor the Lord in both word and deed. That’s the kind of spiritual legacy worthy to present; for at no time do we see Job so enamored with his riches, but humbled by a continued presence from our LORD.

It was just last Tuesday for more than two hours that I met with my Sister/Friend and whereas we’d meet every week, our sharing how grievous life is/can be, there’d always be a pause to agree on how our Lord preparing a home for us, despite our being so undeserving, yet, He’d do so because of love at the helm of HIS everlasting existence, she’d go to HIM this week, joyously awaiting those of us who’ve absolutely placed our trust in the Savior’s lead. Yes, I’m saddened by such loss, but blessed be the Name of the Lord.

 

And Father God, may we live according to the appointed time as if we had knowledge of it being today and whereas these moments provided desire to commit to being a living sacrifice for Your glory, may our time to being a shining vessel illuminate brightly to indicate, what a joy it is to know the Savior – Jesus! Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Preacher’s Kids” G. Ward

 

1 Samuel 2: ¹² Now the sons of Eli were useless men; they did not know the Lord.

 

Eli was a high priest and judge of Israel and whereas he’d maintain this dutiful call with tremendous respectability, kindness and compassion – he’d be instrumental in raising fools. The Word of God says, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'" To be clear, in biblical wisdom literature, a "fool" does not mean a person lacking intelligence, instead, it describes someone who is morally defiant, rebellious and whereas the parameter of rearing children won’t always mean that some effort in rightful instruction or exemplary leading wasn’t given, but simply may decide that career was/is priority. Ultimately, a child can grow to become successful in a worldly sense, even becoming a great cook, or physician, but inherit HELL, not because they lacked productivity, but solely because parental guidance unto the Lord has always been HIS mandate and great neglect of that spiritual responsibility was more carefully in tune to relegating that to systems, versus compliance; a kind of “I took them to church every Sunday” kind of love (*Deut.6:4-9).

 

Father God, while we ensure good grades and respectable behavior are the necklace of our children, all people belong to You, but not all allow Your reign and rule of them and whereas it’s utterly impossible for mere men to come to You due to their sin nature, ill-considerate of Your Truth in how You can either draw them to Yourself, or reject them, may we rise to the spiritual occasion to intentionally seek to disciple our own, apologizing even for eternal regard onto those we love; for it’s never too late. Praying for clarity and receptivity unto the Truth of Your Word – Jesus. Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Patient Trust” G. Ward

 

Isaiah 26:3, “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.”

 

This Prophet, no different than others, was divinely inspired to record Heaven’s regard that lends more security than imposing factions, seemingly mightier. Altogether, it can be compared to “A Tale of Two Cities,” the strong city of God, versus, the city arrogantly governed by mankind (so temporal), representative of human pride and self-reliance. This assessment is an ongoing, unfortunate, timeless dilemma; in that, geography and era may be worlds apart, but mankind’s heart, apart from total surrender to Holy God, remains desperately wicked (Jer.17:9-10). Therefore, we who believe, choose to exist in the city of God; with great meditations of a proposed future hope, while knowing HIS holy script is with guarantee and the whole of mankind cannot determine whether there’s to be a next moment.

 

Father God, the word implicit, attaches itself to how we trust You. Without any doubt or reservation, we’ll adjourn to the Truth of Your Word, for all You offer cannot be thwarted and whereas every other plan is subject to change, we thank You for faithfulness. As we proclaim You as the Only King, may we intentionally speak of the two-city analogy to indicate there’s no need for You to change, for all given from Your throne is perfect, particularly as we look to the Author of our faith, Jesus, Amen.