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.

 

Today’s Thought “A Boy Scout’s Oath” G. Ward

 

Jude 1:3, “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.”

 

Our salvation through Christ (as followers), consciously made our repentance of sins known to this Wonderful Savior-Jesus; whereby we were assured of HIS forgiveness, to then determine our lives were/are HIS to do as HE pleases. Moreover, that assurance provided, trusts in all Christ demonstrated by loving us, while we were still sinners and caused a heavenly fraternal order’s expansion – altogether inclusive, to any who’ll place their trust in this Greatest Leader’s protection to cheer and to guide. Our theme’s writer, invited believers then and thereafter to fight hard to protect the core truths of Christianity because false teachers were and still are covertly preying on some vulnerable to being impressed with wrongful additives and subtractions, while insisting they too believe (cf. 1 John 2:19).

 

And Lord God, Your Word guides us into knowing the particulars of the grace provided by our Lord Jesus; even considerate of that which honors men, but worship only belongs to Holy God and that adoration we have for You honors our newest posture through Christ celebrates HIM for who He is and what He has done. So, we pray, may each one involved in this love relationship lean less each day to their own understanding, but allow Jesus to lead them from earth to Heaven. Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Preparing for Chaos” G. Ward

 

Proverbs 3:3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.

 

While many congregants are being taught how to anticipate blessings, pain and sufferings of sorts remains the elephant in the room and whereas Jesus taught those first disciples how encounters involving the marketplace (i.e., within the city gates) would offer agonizing moments, particularly upon having been chosen by an unpopular Savior, along with a message contrary to the religionists of that day, that teaching, compels every generation hereafter. It’s therefore most necessary to practice ahead, that to what the testing presents; for those oppositional need an example that won’t typify a common reaction, but an inordinate affection we have in being owned by the Magnificent Savior – Jesus, while portraying kindness in a harsh world, along with joyfully exemplifying how easy it is to absolutely rely on HIM in every way.

 

Father God, it’s Your lovingkindness towards us that grants us endurance to stand amidst trials. So, may we know that building our faith is the necessary component in not rendering “evil for evil.” As we journey to proclaim knowing You as completely satisfying; may our compassion rise to know how You won’t initially afford us insight on who You’ve chosen before the foundation of the world, while inevitably knowing them by the fruit they bear; proclaiming, use us Lord, for Your glory, In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Greatest Care Forsaken?” G. Ward

 

Matthew 6: ²⁷ And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span?

 

Whereas birds awaken to a quest for food and won’t be disappointed, for their Maker provides all they’ll need, He’ll do the same for us. We, however, have been given more intelligence and that was never meant for our detriment, but we’ve selfishly and arrogantly pulled away from our Creator, even storing up things we’ll never utilize, while commanding ownership of moments ahead with no guarantee, even endeavoring great bouts of planning to lack thorough assessment that counts the cost in such decisiveness. Are we (as followers of Christ) to remain idle, even robotic; waiting on an audible instruction from our Lord? No. As the birds work to discover food here and there and whereas great storage isn’t their consideration, but a reliance that the morsels will exist if a tomorrow is granted, we’re higher than they; with an eternal manual to guide us unto the peace our Savior gives.

 

Father God, we’re given life to represent a Home our Lord Jesus prepared for us. Yet, a practice of owning moments, even those not presented, dishonors Your lead and causes grief and even then, when we cry out through godly sorrow, You keep rescuing us. What a Mighty God You are! May we remember more each day provided to cast all our cares on You, for Your care for us is greatest and won’t cease; all because of our Lord Jesus, Amen.