Today’s Thought “Second Chances” G. Ward

Psalm 40

² He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud; and He set my feet on a rock, making my footsteps firm.

 

I’m recalling a time of travel and seeing a sign that said fuel up now, in that the next station would be more than 40 miles away. I had a van load of sleepyheads and whereas I was enjoying the solace (considering that prior to their being captive to exhaustion it was extremely loud). I kept moving while near to an empty gas reading. I neglected to mention that several would inquire about our gas status beforehand, yet the foolishly prideful man I am - demanded they leave that to me. The empty light indicator came on some ten minutes later. On the right and left appeared to be numerous orchards of sorts (I say that in view of the utter darkness everywhere). Moreover, it was beyond midnight. Remembering the song, “Have A Little Talk with Jesus,” I began. How many know that there’s no room for pride when conversing with ONE who knows all? Therefore, my genuine repentance surfaced and my prayer concise and what seemed to be moments later witnessed bright lights ahead whereby relief was granted and everyone awakened to hear Perry Como’s version of “What Kind of Fool Am I?”

If/when one allows Holy God’s rescue in despair to occur, strain, absolutely so, to not repeat the offense.

 

Today’s Thought “A Cinderella or Cinderfella of Sorts” G. Ward

Proverbs 17:3

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests hearts.

 

Before a jeweler or a silversmith pursues what he knows will ultimately become a brilliant, precious metal, he’s faced with what appears to be useless fragments saturated with natural impurities and whereas the Almighty made man in HIS image, so as to reflect divine qualities (cf. Eph.5:1-2), sin distorts that proposed imagery. Unless there’s a turning from our natural state (i.e., leading ourselves, while conjuring a perceived righteous code), we fail to a measure of common irresponsibility, being entirely incomplete – while denying our Only Refiner’s heating mechanism to enable what was a dull, unattractive being onto a brilliance within and allowing that Light to shine in a dreary world.

 

Today’s Thought “Thursday’s Evaluation” G. Ward

Ephesians 2:1-2

And you were dead in your offenses and sins, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

 

While the activity of such a verse offers the standout, “were dead” to indicate a past tense posture of ungodly distance to our Lord’s salvation, it also grants truest examination in whether I’m HIS or my own.

If I awaken to consistently adjourn to my plans, including utter disdain for some, even believing they won’t ever change, or hurried anticipation to something I can’t admit to being part of to my great grandmother, perhaps even more consistently considerate of opinion entirely divisive – then I certainly am not walking as our Lord did (1 John 2:6) and if I’ve developed a practice towards things without eternal merit, while merely proclaiming Christ, without fervent consideration to study all HE’D offer…

 

Today’s Thought “Come and Go, to That Land!” G. Ward

2 Corinthians 3

⁷ But if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones, came with glory so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, ⁸ how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? 

 

The Old Testament Law was given to the Almighty’s people to exemplify a truest distinctiveness (i.e., a disciplined life) onto other nations’ view (Isa.49:6) and because the Law never justified any, but was solely for the purpose of Holy God (cf. Matt.5:16) and while that era of old was compelled to a practice of these regulations enabling a turning away from ideologies and devices from other nations, all would fail – until Jesus (*Matt.5:17). Our calling to fulfill is practically the same, yet removing the specifics of dietary and ceremonial obligations (Col.2:16-17) and deciding to walk in humility with love, rendering mercy onto any, while sharing Truth and whereas soon it will deliver an eternal face-to-face meeting that won’t need a shield that blocks the brilliance of HIS glory, we’ll keep looking to our Author and Finisher of our faith, while proclaiming, “Shine, Jesus Shine!

 

Today’s Thought “Intentionally Helpful” G. Ward

Ephesians 2

¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

 

Our rescue from the many trespasses of Heaven’s demand is comparably equated with being “snatched out of the fire” and whereas our Hero is Christ, who for the love HE had for us endeavored doing so, even for many others entirely undeserving, there should be no misgivings to our reciprocating love similarly. The love shown us, must boast on the Unlimited Source in the same; prepared to take another by the hand, leading them where peace and joy is found and feeding them if necessary to ensure their energy is in place to instruct another.

We cannot wait on Caesar’s government, when we have the Almighty leading HIS team – where no sectarianism exists…

 

Today’s Thought “Indicted or Commended?” G. Ward

John 5

³⁹ You examine the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me; ⁴⁰ and yet you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.

 

Our Savior would encounter religious experts/bigots, who’d believe in scripture, particularly acquainted enough to quote them, but would miss WHO it’d speak of – the Christ; and whereas expertise should be pertinent to having been a practitioner of the manual’s Truth, that can lend advice, along with doing the work (Eph.2:10), certain religious practices can be hypocritical.

In all we do, let’s meet the Savior’s demand and not complicate matters through un-availability (Matt.28:19).

 

Today’s Thought “Bypassing Reasonable Responsibility” G. Ward

2 Peter 1

¹⁹ And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

 

Peter, although the chief apostle, taught well, particularly because of his direct discipleship by Christ Himself, wanted every disciple then and now to know that as foundational as he was, the prophets of old were also credible and would forecast many events concerning Christ entry, along with His being rejected, His crucifixion and resurrection and affirm many things He’d say in earth. Peter, unlike many preachers of today, wouldn’t strain to be recognized for his eloquence, nor intellect, but his charge to present the Blameless Savior, would compel those followers throughout the generations to absolutely consult with the contiguousness of Old and New Testament; for it will thwart the pain of inaccuracies furthered and to do so privately, so that public acknowledgment in doing all the Savior commanded wouldn’t be burdensome.