Today’s Thought “From the Bottom to the Top” G. Ward

2 Peter 1:²⁰ But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

 

Little Black children from the baby-boomer generation (b.1946-1964) and before took no issue with a picture of a White Jesus on their wall and it was explained who HE was, along with being mandated to reverence HIM. So, early indoctrination with that reality, would disallow our hatred of every person (even though great racial prejudice was vivid). It now appears that this era exercises oversight with a great song sung – “We Shall Overcome” forgetting the very next word “someday.” Those lyrics pervaded scriptural boundary to know our Lord won’t be governed by those HE made, moving on HIS time and for HIS glory. Moreover, it taught us managerial resilience in/through all HE provided, leaving complaint and not coming down from the wall (i.e., from Nehemiah 6:3, where Nehemiah is rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and refuses to be sidetracked by his enemies' plots). Generations now and to come (perhaps) have deemed those many beforehand irrelevant; for the pace of society is at a moment’s demand, seemingly met with comparability of a perceived disinterest of the wheel’s invention and whereas our Lord gave us HIS book, the eternal script, its relevancy continues, no matter the wheel’s invention, or the robot (AI driven) – for Truth remains. Finally, and whereby some Black Americans feel biblically disenfranchised and whereas “geography” is no longer a class (educationally) pursued, study of Truth witnesses’ verses replete with Africans. So, no – the White man didn’t give us his religion, we were on the ships taken from our homeland, understanding Jesus saves…

 

Father God, Your salvation is indiscriminate and mankind’s heart is desperately wicked, unfolding Your Way as Supreme, incomparably so. We rejoice that although sufferings persist, we can hide in Thee. May we all, who believe, trust, then do what our Lord Jesus commissioned us for and teach Your Word so as to extinguish doubt. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 Today’s Thought “Don’t Take It Personal” G. Ward

 

Matthew 10: ²¹ “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. ²² And you will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

 

These passages in Matthew 10 are the beginning of our Lord commissioning every disciple HE chose and even those He’ll choose (like you and me) to know of a difficult road ahead. Moreover, our Savior foretells an intense persecution for HIS followers, where allegiance to Him causes deep family divide—even betrayal, leading to death—along with universal hatred. Jesus warns that this opposition arises because of His name, not because they don’t like you, but because of a message that seeks to change them dramatically. However, those who endure to the end will receive salvation. That endurance desired must significantly observe HIS entire script, for it’s replete with many examples (like us) who endured great sufferings and experienced great failures, yet grateful for HIS unrelenting, forgiving guidance. Like them, we must endeavor greatest intimacy with Christ – through fervent acknowledgement (i.e., study) of HIS Truth. We must tire of attaining all the information in all HE says, but love HIM back by more obedience to what we read, for the obstacles ahead are too great to go it alone. 

 

Father God, we know Your Word as absolute and a Mighty Shelter and whereas our neglect to do what it says consistently exists, we desire to turn it around and institute faithfulness. May each of us cease to think of Your salvation as easy – by applying diligence towards Your Holy script. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Climate Change” G. Ward

 

Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your Law.

 

Whether we as believers will realize it or not, Christianity is under attack and here’s how: Many are inclined to more believe that a varied message can co-exist with the eternal script God provided, even believing that there are contradictions therein, along with suggesting man wrote it and whereas our Lord used many authors to pen all HE’D say, other manuscripts have some level of error, through intelligible, but educated guessing primarily. Moreover, anything historical for this era is considered antiquated/irrelevant and verbally incited as something they would have changed (as if people of old had no militance).

Our continual exposure to what perceivably is a world with many truths and our listening to these speculations at a continuum can/will disallow our Lord’s Final Say So from being heard. So, you and me must distance ourselves from messaging harmful to our destiny, and insist on being in it, but not of it.

 

And Lord God, Your Word has continued throughout every generation of man as precedent for living. Mankind’s rebellion cannot add a cubit to our lives, nor grant an eternity with You, so may we find Your Holy Script as more than enough and vital to our existence in this weary land with ever-evolving truths, that are not truth at all. May more of Your Holy Script become our demand in/through every spectrum of our journey to be more like Christ our Redeemer, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Anticipating Sunday Morning” G. Ward

Hebrews 3: ¹³ But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Our era is witness to great criticism of Christian institutions at large, namely because of gross spiritual malfeasance found with few among the other 400,000 worship halls. This unrightful critique is mostly responsible unto defensive mechanisms shared, in why they’re not involved in a local fellowship and besides that, they’re not going to give all these greedy preachers their money syndrome. The Word of God grants us many warnings with such attitudes. The fellowship of faith, seeks to mature in God’s Word together, enabling a desired holiness to manifest in all we’ll do; particularly in view of HIS mercies presented and when we’ll fall short of extending rightful honor to our King, another involved in that same fellowship - kindly and gratefully restores us to the Way we desired at what was the peak in belief. They do so, very gently, for they know their own time of needful restoration may be near (*Gal.6:1-3). That’s why I don’t miss…

 

Lord God, we thank You for building Your church and allowing us to be part of that original plan. Many castigations of hypocrisy have become the tag of Your church, so, we must remember to honor You with faithfulness, because the same was given our Savior who walked perfectly. May our perseverance in You be evidenced among many for Your glory, as we thank Thee for the fellowship. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

 

Today’s Thought “Life’s Balance Sheet” G. Ward

 

Philippians 3: ⁷ But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ,

 

The Apostle Paul demonstrably signifies that an old life in religious superiority, including being esteemed by man and being deemed highest in greatest intellect for his era by his compatriots, along with birthed impeccably a Jew. His new life however, given him by Christ, unfolded a personal relationship with One he’d oppose; for his zeal for Holy God, never considered this Jesus as ultimate hope for divine redemption and whereas our Savior looked beyond his faults, his spiritual question of “what would Thou have me to do” re-birthed one of God’s greatest servants. Thereafter, all he’d be inspired by the Almighty to write for the churches would embody that all human effort and worldly accolades are absolutely worthless when placed side-by-side with the majesty and grace of knowing Jesus.

May we all assess what is profitable, that is our Savior knowing us, to then honor Himself in using us for HIS glory; for everything outside that reality is loss.

And Lord God, it’s truly good to know how You used bad characters to unfold that nothing is too difficult for You and because You called out our disobedience through all Christ offered, our new desire is an aim in blamelessness, that is to deny any portion of deceitfulness, by personal conveyance in how Your yoke remains easy, by casting all our cares towards Your unlimited capacity to forgive and restore us where every point of slippage may exist. For all we desire is to bless Your Holy Name, through Jesus, Amen.  

 

Today’s Thought “250 Years: Ageless Forgetfulness” G. Ward

Jeremiah 29

 ⁷ Seek the prosperity of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord in its behalf; for in its prosperity will be your prosperity.

 

Whereas the Prophet Jeremiah spoke on behalf of the Almighty and in no way meant for these exiled, to become so entirely enamored with any land (while away from their homeland), there was that elephant in the room that should have compelled their recall in what landed them in such a strange land(?). God sent HIS people into exile primarily as a punishment for their sins, particularly idolatry and disobedience. Surely, humility to know of a consequence of such reprehensible behavior surfaced in their mindsets? The Prophet Isaiah shared how Israel was chosen for no apparent reason, but solely through God’s Sovereignty, He’d demand HIS people invite other nations to also address HIM, their Creator rightfully (*Isa.49:6).

The Unchanging LORD, is yet calling HIS own; those of us who proclaim HIM – Lord, while existing in this temporary place, awaiting home. So, we must guard our citizenship in Heaven through obedience. May the beginning of this week be revived in you, so the embodiment of Christ righteousness would be the view from any of your encounters; for this is a reasonable endeavor in view of our Lord’s grace and mercy towards you and me.

And Lord God, may our humility rise to understand Your faithfulness calls us to be entirely sacrificial and selfless; for we cannot receive such a gift (through Christ) to then refuse to throw Your lifeline to another needing rescuing. Failure, Lord God, to do what was commanded directly following our Lord’s resurrection remains the chieftain of violations, so we seek Your forgiveness and restoration, thanking You for enabling our soul’s revival through Christ, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Bombastic Partying” G. Ward

 

Amos 5: ²¹ “I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your festive assemblies.

 

The Prophet Amos, God’s confrontational specialist, would even be less popular than ever as he’d reveal the Almighty’s perspective on religious festivals, along with what appeared to be great worship of sorts. HE Alone would see their hearts of disobedience, injustice and oppression towards their fellow man. America won’t go long without such celebratory regard in the same. We love to party, but forget Who’s at watch. It appears we’ve not improved much over the centuries. We can be equally contemptuous in how we correlate to Holy God, mostly as we’ll need HIM, forgetting the intensive price our Savior paid - so costly. I’d encourage each of you to not look at what others are doing wrong when hearing such, but to look within to see where you’re falling short and beg our Lord’s pardon and live accordingly.

 

Father God, Your patience with love is remarkable! May our awakening involve great reflection in how good You’ve been to us and leave out so much word service and offer internal exchange that witnesses Your will found in Your Word and make ourselves available to it, through peace with hospitality, even to those seemingly undeserving – particularly since our Lord Jesus gave His all, that we’d be HIS vessels, useful and productive. In Jesus Name, Amen.