Today’s Thought “From Pain to Praise” G. Ward

 

Psalm 22: ⁴ In You our fathers trusted; They trusted and You rescued them. ⁵ To You they cried out and they fled to safety; In You they trusted and were not disappointed.

 

While despair (i.e., lack of hope) can enter our room, God, the Comforter assures us of HIS presence (John 14:27) and whereas any era of man understands others existed before them, the emotional setback involving misery appears such a lonely, long road.

King David, the composer, is sickened by enemy forces all around and just wants peace. Yes, he’s the warrior, but is admittingly weak and weary and it seems the rescue of his experience of times past isn’t happening soon enough; so, he endeavors an intimate cry to the Lord and whereas the Lord is silent, David’s recognition of the Lord’s sovereign plan for man then realizes life includes both sunshine and rain and praises Holy God in allowing spiritual maturity in him to always seek shelter the Almighty provides, both in adversity, along with times of peace (cf. 1 Pe.5:7).

 

Almighty God, forgive our lapse to correlate with You rightfully; for the love relationship we have with You, meditates on Your Word so well to think of Your overwhelming presence as similar to those we see and while we have that same Truth that says, You’ll never leave us, our fear rises upon thinking improperly. We, like David, rejoice in tribulation incurred, knowing how it establishes best perseverance in You, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Praise Break” G. Ward

Romans 11: ³³ Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 

 

Humanity remains beneath Holy God no matter the academia pursued and whereas there are some now and of times past who were great, disciplined theologians and apologists, even these were compelled in an ongoing study of God’s Word (cf. Lam.3:22-23). Moreover, although deemed “accomplished” by man’s standard, these great knowledgeable ones, understood their smallness each time they’d endeavor God’s miraculous script, unparalleled, yet remarkably inclusive. I too have shared in the exhilarating emotional outburst in worship upon encountering our Lord’s unmatched Truth; enough so, to proclaim a similar sentiment of this Apostle’s worship - that insisted all know the necessity in ceasing to demand full comprehension of our Lord’s plan. Our knowledge is far too limited and no matter the credentials of man – inevitably, every knee will bow to the Almighty’s Absolute Supremacy.

 

Father God, we’re satisfied with You being so above us, that is in knowledge and holiness. So, we thank You for affording us a proper look towards a height and depth beyond measure that our boasts continue in how great You are, despite how unworthy we’ve been. Therefore, may each day witness our worshipping You; particularly as we gather in Your Word to unfold the incomparable mercy and grace provided us, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “A Prayer’s Construct” G. Ward

 

Matthew 6: ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.

 

Our Lord Jesus taught these words of reverence to the Almighty to His disciples and the surrounding crowd in His famous message from chapters 5 through 7 of Matthew. His desire for them is that they’d reject performance-based, ritualistic worship and move towards a personal, genuine, intimate relationship with the Father. Their lives mostly witnessed the external standard the Pharisees and Scribes conveyed and whereas those religious leaders were impossible to impersonate (due to all their religious expertise), the efforts for the commoner maintained an intimidation that subtracted from a love relationship with their Maker.

Our efforts to satisfy Holy God’s highest standard – requires absolute submission to HIS omniscience (i.e., HE alone is All-Knowing) and whereas mankind fails to comply perfectly to that highest standard, our Lord Jesus became the sufficient sacrifice in our stead, imputing HIS own righteousness in us - upon our repentance of sin, that won’t ever contrast my sinfulness against others, but look solely to Jesus, then ask, how do I compare to HIM(?)…

Father God, we know this daily bread You offer nourishes our soul; so much so that we find it joyous to exist in Your shelter, never desirous to move away from that protection against seeing and wanting, but to know You’re all we need. May our every prayer circumvent more trust of You for basic, everyday physical and emotional sustenance as we venture to imitate the Way of the Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “An Exercise in Democratization” G. Ward

Luke 23: ³⁴ [But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”] And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves.

 

Our Lord remains the True Exemplar Leader, looking beyond faults from men insofar as hearts were contaminated with hatred towards HIM, unfolds for us an Incomparable Love worth following. Many awakened this day with both utter disgust and others encompassed in sadness. They’ve been told political doom is on its way, for their candidates were forsaken. Believers, have (like others) voted their aspirations for society, believing in a few moral portions, while forgetting legislation of sorts is never the instrument for changing hearts; and whereas to vote one’s conscience was once a personal choice, shouts of influential hope exists on most American streets regarding individuals who can take a proposed paradigm of Israel’s Egyptian captivity, by creating a presumable contrast of their political leader with a similitude of Moses as God’s mouthpiece.

Believers, you’re called to pray for the opponents who awakened in misery (Matt.5:44) and so many times when things appease our soul, we thank our Lord – to forget the attitude of the Savior (clearly) placed others interests ahead of HIS own (*Phil2:3-4).

And Lord God, to be happy is most assuredly a goal so temporary and whereas joy indicates a heart transplanted unto desire for all to know You as Lord, we pray. May every soul so disappointed unfold an inherent deposit (Ro.1:18-20) of Your eternal existence and look to You for comfort that assures them that trouble isn’t lasting and we pray for the redeemed throughout district to find them an assure them of Your love, whereby their awakening to Your Truth will become an everyday endeavor, In Jesus. Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “An Editorial on Election Results” G. Ward

 

Colossians 3: ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful. 

 

While many institutions of faith entertain opinions concerning who governs (locally or nationally), our Lord insists we know every decision of man is short lived and whereas God’s Word shall ever be, make your every determination as a believer to be far less impacted by hope for the world (indicative of being an enemy of the cross), by remaining in tune to what our Savior provided and mimic HIS relationship with Caesar’s government (Matt.22:21). Moreover, pulpits are sharing short-lived perspectives to delineate potential political gain while shouting the Lord is our Shepherd and we shall not want; while angry with those perpetuating their priesthood, through an ambassadorship that solely proclaims HIS Sufficiency (*meaning believers lack nothing essential when united with Him, preparing even, by a daily recognition of their heavenly citizenry). When these castigations from pulpits share freely those critiques of the brethren seemingly un-involved, more sin – tagged divisiveness is purported and congregants are more taught to teeter-totter with faith in Christ.

 

Father God, while many failures exist in all of us, a daily pursuit in Your Word transforms us to best prioritization in this life provided by Christ and our joy in being owned by our Gentle Savior owes more and more each day. So, we pray for every believer’s peace to significantly surface and overwhelm wrongful thoughts that leads to activity not worthy for Heaven’s view, so You’ll receive ALL the glory, through Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

 

 

Today’s Thought “Smart Is, As Smart Does” G. Ward

 

Acts 17: ²⁴ The God who made the world and everything that is in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made by hands.

 

Whereas the Apostle Paul is taking opportunity in Athens at the Areopagus (Mars Hill), an intellectual and cultural center filled with statues, altars, and pagan shrines, he addressed esteemed philosophers who believed the gods of any temple, existed in those designated worship spaces, allowing even those worshippers to govern themselves once they departed temple territory; Paul would insist there is One God, Creator of the Universe, without regard to earthen boundary (i.e., to know all come from one man – v.26), whereby intellectualism, or higher intelligence isn’t impressive to the Maker of man. Moreover, to know a conformity to His Way is the demand, calling for every man’s repentance in His Holy presence.

We, as believers, have now become the temple of the Holy Spirit and whereas HE is the Great Instructor, He teaches slow learners to great scholars – a needful humility that marvels in how the Almighty loves the unlovable and even desires a love relationship with His creation.

 

Lord God, may we stand at attention as our Teacher permits Heaven’s regard to saturate our hearts, once so despicably wicked and now washed in the blood of Jesus our Lord and determine to never be impressed with any avenue of man soon to pass away; for we are Your priests, although in a weary land, willing and determined to teach about an eternity, when we’ll absolutely cease from sin and view our Exemplary Savior - Jesus, face to face, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Only A Test…” G. Ward

 

Proverbs 24:17–18: “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them”.

 

Let’s first decide the definition of who may be the enemy is simply one who opposes your convictions and whereas our Lord demanded we love them, it’s because HE did. Therefore, and in view of HIS great compassion, even Divine (while in earth), to know who would genuinely place their faith in HIM, tears from our Savior would flow to see the many who needed HIS lead (*Matt.9:36-37 - for without it yields an eternal doom). Some would shout, “Crucify HIM!” Many would mock HIM. Great crowds would follow HIM – solely for the miracles; He’d continue on the proposed mission and the testimony of God given us, records that some once trapped in darkness would inevitably be chosen by that One and Only Blessed Redeemer (John 6:44).

As you and me look to that Great Author and Finisher of our faith and because of the Almighty’s testimony, determine on this day – HE ALONE CHOOSES WHO WILL OR WON’T COME TO HIM and whereas those could be on their way to becoming part of HIS family, be prepared to serve them as HE did, patiently and kindly; determined to not distribute their perceived carelessness, but a great mercy that found us (Ro.5:8).

 

Father God, Your monumental Word continues to marvel us; revealing our desperate hearts as wicked (Jer.17:9) and whereas You sent the Perfect Cure – our Redeemer Jesus, may we decide to follow HIM will mean to look beyond mankind’s faults by allowing the Light placed within us shine brightly (when we said forgive us Lord), thanking You for completing us daily and leading us to every enemy with love and desire to witness their repentance. In Jesus Name, Amen.