Today’s Thought “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?” G. Ward

Isaiah 55: ⁶ Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. ⁷ Let the wicked abandon his way, And the unrighteous person his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

 

Grace from Holy God is mostly thought of solely from a New Testament view, because it involves Christ unparalleled sacrifice and whereas HE alone paid the sin debt for mankind that enabled true connection to the Almighty, entirely Holy; Christ bridging the gap requires our turning from sinfulness (i.e., repentance), that absolutely desires His lead in every way. Faith however, remains difficult; because there’s an incessant, natural inclination to lead ourselves, particularly in view of being given a brain that’s so creative, along with many perspectives - subject to change, yet adopted by many – until another purveyor of eloquence displaces the prior view (cf. Proverbs 14:12-16). On today, I want to express my praying for any who choose to read this:

 Father God, Your lovingkindness and patience is unmatched and whereas we know the Truth of Your Word says all fall short of Your glory, we keep pressing; knowing the light of Your Truth within - must never be extinguished by our spiritual apathy of time as short to prove we love You, along with Your Word. So, may our supplication this day, celebrate You hearing us, that will involve a proposed hurriedness unto Your commandments, that compels each of us to run to Your Great Shelter, while granting others gospel Truth, through Jesus, Amen.

 

 

Today’s Thought “Because HE’S Marvelous!” G. Ward

1 John 4:9 “By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.”

The deity of Christ is a real standout here; particularly since this is God’s Holy Word, so many call on as absolute. To deny that Christ was in earth (through prophetic mission even – Isa.53:2-5, Micah 5:2-4), as God in the flesh (*John 1:1-3,14) is faithlessness (John 14:6) and to believe this unadulterated actuality (from our passage), yet walk without HIS attitude (1 John 2:6) also denies HIM and whereas some mindsets in defense will immediately seek to adjourn to some good qualities they possess, along with their personal benevolence onto others, marginalizes the grace HE gave and changes the meaning of the most significant, unchanging pardon of sins provided. Absolutely no words in concert with that Great Sacrifice, can extol HIM as entirely sufficient (i.e., requiring no additional works from mere man), yet TODAY is given to offer re-direction; for HIS love continues.

 

Today’s Thought “Trouble in My Way…” G. Ward

Psalm 118: ⁵ From my distress I called upon the Lord; The Lord answered me and put me in an open space. ⁶ The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?

Being in dire straits is the issue and whereas that condition won’t always involve finance, but can include any “crisis of belief” (i.e., where deeply held convictions about God – war against a fleshly demand for immediate reprieve), may those who follow Christ persevere in righteousness imputed.

 The great crowds at Christ’s Triumphal Entry (into Jerusalem on a donkey) would chant portions of this psalm (v.25), declaring “Hosanna” (pleas for salvation) and whereas hundreds of thousands would chant “Blessed is the one who comes in the Name of the Lord” so happily that day, less than 5 days later would witness many shouting “Crucify HIM!”

When/if the kinds of tight spaces compel us to an un-spiritual, reactionary response, may it cause us to remember the reverberation to our sinful insistence can often deliver us unto even more troubles. Instead, and worthy for adoption is, “those who wait for the Lord, Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”

 

Today’s Thought “Safe and Secure?” G. Ward

John 6: ⁶⁶ As a result of this many of His disciples left, and would no longer walk with Him. ⁶⁷ So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to leave also, do you?” ⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ And we have already believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”

 

To “know” the Lord is with similitude of a marriage relationship and whereas the intimacy shared in that partnership is private, our dependence on the Savior is with that predominant component; it depends on HIM in every way, particularly inwardly (i.e., in soul matters), so that every outward expression thereafter, may exemplify HIS goodness implanted, bringing others to HIS message intended.

Our theme witnesses many proposed disciples of Jesus having heard HIM say that HE is the "Bread of Life" and that true life comes from consuming HIS flesh and blood. That moment separated the "crowd" from the "Twelve," as many abandoned Him, forcing a choice between rejecting His difficult, spiritual message or accepting Him as the source of eternal life; even highlighting a contrast to either be a “fair weather” follower, or a committed disciple and whereas those fleeing more desired a political leader/king, HIS demand was too great.

*The road less traveled is yet HIS demand (Matt.7:13-14).

 

Today’s Thought “What We Owe” G. Ward

1 Corinthians 13

 ⁶ It does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; ⁷ it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 

The subject is Love and whereas Truth demands we know “God is love” (1 John 4:8), we must act accordingly. Whereas our Lord Jesus was significantly selfless, even enduring a tumultuous death on our behalf, we, as followers of Christ are called HIS very own with refusal to celebrate wrongdoing (i.e., while seeking the highest good of others), even finding joy in truth and righteousness with patience that grants them hearing of the Magnificent Savior’s work, that includes the incomparable price given for our indiscretions.

 LOVE is actionable, along with indiscriminate — so, choosing to honor God rather than self, without “cherry picking” those seemingly worthy defy Truth; for Christ remains the Only One worthy and all others    

 (Ro.3:10,23) …

 

Today’s Thought Without Interference?” G. Ward

Proverbs 18:1

One who separates himself seeks his own desire; he quarrels against all sound wisdom.

 

While many agendas exist in people, there are some who (upon hearing this agenda) counter these plans, questioning every particular involved and rather than receive these offerings so as to build consensus that yields a best choice, the planner (many times) will dismiss those, even tagging them contentious, while separating themselves (permanently) from what once existed.

It highlights that withdrawing from community—family, friends, or the church—is a self-centered act that results in a rebellion against godly counsel and wise advice. This behavior creates an "echo chamber" where the individual only listens to their own opinions, leading to arrogance furthered and antithetical to the expression that says, “no man is an island” theorizing.

 

Today’s Thought “Soon, Some Will See the KING!” G. Ward

Hebrews 4

¹⁶ Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.

Almost daily, astonishment circumvents the lives of Americans as they hear the demise of some so celebrated and whereas we’re all extending great comfort to those closest to those lauded, the shock of it all quickly subsides. Great expressions through artful canvases flood the internet that includes many esteemed for their craft who are presumed in Heaven – to then see a welcoming committee (of famous ones departed), receiving another deemed as successful. It perpetuates a notion that positive earthly contribution from humanity is rewarded by the Savior (Jesus Christ) who had/has no favorites and paid a price for anyone’s sinfulness, insisting on one way to exist with HIM eternally; via deepest, personal conviction that Jesus is that person’s Owner, which includes repenting from sin and placing sole trust in HIS will (i.e., Word) for their lives. *For Believing in God is not enough (Jas.2:19 says, “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.”).