Today’s Thought “Constrained in the Spirit” G. Ward

Colossians 2:6-7

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

 

The Truth of God’s Word has determined that echoes of all we say will many times be opposite of activity befitting for Holy God’s view (cf. 1 Pe.1:16) and therefore insists on an ongoing pursuit of HIS demands (John 8:31-32) and whereas neglect of HIS distribution of “daily bread” can exist, malnourishment becomes an unfortunate actuality; not with visible perception, but an unconscionable reliance on oneself – where no “rest” (Heb.4:9-11) exists.

Salvation is on the Savior’s terms (John 6:44), not a teeter-tottering mindset, but humbled concession unto HIS faithfulness. Surrender today, for tomorrow may be too late.

 

Today’s Thought “God Won’t Leave: A Beautiful Phenomenon” G. Ward

Philippians 4: ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

Our journey in earth is more replete with miseries than we’d care to mention and whereas those tribulations can often overwhelm our soul, tear ducts discharge great moisture (indicative of pain). For the believer and because we understand the gift of our Lord’s ongoing presence happened upon our repentance (cf. Ac.3:19-20), enabling our gratefulness, even through great meditative review of His promises, the joy in obtaining the Greatest Caregiver remains and whereas none are exempt from the many trials of life and may have little to no connection with HIS promises, may our Lord use us to proclaim HIM as available to any, similarly (Ro.10:13).

 

Today’s Thought “The Sheep Gate” G. Ward

Hebrews 4:1

Therefore, we must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.

 

The shepherd, or watchman was with comparability to an animal tamer and whereas many would disparage these shepherds, they’d call on them to gather their flocks (cf. Heb.4:16). No other could enter the gate and be recognized as authority outside of himself. Moreover, those sheep knew his voice and responded accordingly (John 10:2-4). Our Great Shepherd has on many occasions referred to us as HIS defense-less sheep (*Ps.95:7); even declaring He’s sending us among wolves (Matt.10:16). Altogether, this calling to fulfill (i.e., Heb.4:1) – insists on our compliance, with absolute dependence. Thereafter, we’ll discover, HE keeps providing great refuge, particularly when our insistence to return inside the gate – occurs, joyfully.

 

Today’s Thought “With Many a Winding Turn” G. Ward

Ephesians 6

¹⁸ With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints

 

Jesus, our Exemplar Leader was demonstrably the best at praying. He was given an un-comparable mission (*Matt.1:21), teaching along the way; how to correlate to the journey. He’d endure greatest suffering, walking alongside of villainous characters, yet sharing patience, even denying personal defense (cf. Mark 1:35). These evolving times most certainly calls for new heroic characters, who will soon be displaced and whereas none greater than our Lord shall ever be, we’re called to be exemplary (as we proclaim His grace as Sufficient). Therefore, a day or two of worship (from believers) is not enough to honor the rescue HE provided. So, our dutiful response is to mimic our Savior’s resilience although ours won’t match such stalwart characterization; but we also have the greatest spiritual conduit of prayer, to keep us on course (cf. Ps.1:1-3). Safe travels.

 

Today’s Thought “Schindler’s List” G. Ward

Galatians 5: ¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, ²⁰ idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Oskar Schindler was a German industrialist, owning a factory and whereas he existed at the time of the Holocaust, he’d grow weary in witnessing the Nazi party’s effort to annihilate Jews by relegating them to concentration camps (a profoundly difficult and tortuous encampment, that awaited being placed in gaseous furnaces), compassion would rise from one so unsuspecting. Schindler was himself a Nazi, but would realize these Jews deserved life as he had and would construct a list of over 1,200 Jewish employees to be spared from imminent death at Auschwitz by bribing officials.

While great humanitarianism should be celebrated, our efforts as lights in a dark world (Ps.119:105) can point some to the path where true life begins, even snatching some out of the fire (Jude 1:23); but to think and act on our own volition (particularly as believers in Christ) is without eternal implications. In other terms, to rescue unto more earthen reality may appear good, until it’s weighed against eternal security in Christ. So, to be effectual onto the greater actuality, we’ll need the Holy Spirit’s lead (*Gal.5:16-17). Walk Accordingly.

 

Today’s Thought “Think About HIS Goodness” G. Ward

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

 

May your upcoming weekend be replete with great meditation in how such Love demonstrated happened knowing of our rebellion as steadfast, yet movable by HIS grace accepted, to then be able to testify and desire needful change through daily investigation in all HE did, as a Remarkable, Exemplar King – resolved to pleasing His Father and not men. We, who believe, must never be satisfied in our earthen status as foreigners in this secular world, yet strain in proclaiming ONE who can carry us through - onto Home (Phil.3:20).

 

Today’s Thought “Remembering All HE Promised” G. Ward

Acts 4

¹² And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.

 

While the authority of Peter and John was astounding as they’d proclaim Christ as the Only Source for redemption – while absolutely emboldened, as Christ taught them would occur (*Matt.10:18-20) and whereas those who’d hear such truly believed in a coming Deliverer (Messiah), they’d never be convinced it was He who died and certainly not resurrected. Then, to announce that this Christ was from the most ridiculous section in earth, Nazareth, was even more preposterous.

We must ready ourselves similarly; particularly since our Lord’s training for every disciple remains timeless and opposing factions are numerous. Our Lord spoke to a devotion required that could perhaps cost us our lives (*Matt.16:24), insisting we know there’s a cross for you and me. Whereas, devotion attained regards a vigilant process that studies all the Savior did in earth and then imitates it, may it begin on this day.