Today’s Thought “Go Sit in the Corner!” G. Ward

 

1 Peter 2: ¹² Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation.

 

A follower of Christ is with dual citizenship; the primary reality in knowing earth is not my home, but a short term; until we get to Heaven. We understand that the alternative presented to eternal life with Jesus, is an eternity in utter torment and whereas many assume they’ll be with Jesus, there’s great failure to pursue HIM on HIS terms (Matt.7:21-23). You’ll know them by the fruit they bear; for to be owned by the Savior – walks as HE walked (1 John 2:6). Our knowing best, identifies how Christ mingled in the marketplace with purpose, hearing false accusations, experiencing physical assault, vicious political divisiveness and social unrest; yet HE exemplified HIS citizenry from Heaven, not a reactionary, vengeful regard in defending Himself, but prayed HIS oppressors would recognize HIS impending crucifixion He’d provide on an old rugged cross for their sins also.

 

Almighty God, when our meditations recall that best example in Jesus, our compliance rests on assurance of Home, setting aside oppositional forces so divisive, while deciding to forgive, in efforts to live at peace with all men. So, we pray for believers’ proactivity in greater surrender to the King of kings, where true rest is found. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “In the Eye of A Hurricane” G. Ward

 

Philippians 4: ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

 

Every believer is under spiritual constraint given by the Almighty. Moreover, we are called God’s very own, to think on HIS standard of holiness and follow. Therefore, our view towards any person or thing must see it for its potential productivity unto HIS purpose (cf. Ro.10:14); but never presume we’re better than some; for our redemption happened without our pursuit of a Perfect Savior (John 6:44); in that, while we deserved death and punishment, HIS love, with pardon rescued us (Ro.5:7-8) and whereas the Holy Spirit’s transformation made us new, although the old tends to surface, causing need to repent. We do so as ambassadors, declaring our Lord’s desire for any’s repentance (2 Pe.3:9) – so we all can be refreshed in knowing HE alone is greatly to be praised (Ac.3:19)!

 

Lord God, we thank You for being the King of Eternity and allowing our meditations to assess how we match our Savior’s attitude and immediately adjust accordingly. Our desire is to never turn back to mindsets that seek to be regarded by mere men, but to look towards Your Holy hill and represent Home, where its value system remains eternal. We pray on today, for every follower’s re-adjustment, where Your will being done resurfaces with joy. It’s then that others will experience You; for Your shelter is greatest, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Avoiding the Woodshed Experience” G. Ward

 

1 John 5: ² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and follow His commandments.

 

Obedience to our Lord’s commands is primary for knowing Christ. It proves whether we love HIM or not. It demonstrates our faithfulness to HIS lead. It glorifies HIM in what we say and do (i.e., which merely means to imitate/reflect His greatness). The faith HE imposed for us to operate in HIS highest standard knows, we cannot please HIM by teetering on self-control, that is, operating on whims and desires that presumptively asks God to bless them, when HE never ordered those steps; for genuine and true faith, endeavors to live a lifestyle characterized by righteousness, modeling the example set for us by Jesus Christ. We are enabled to obey because, once we believe in Christ and are saved, we are remade (We are not the same people we were.). At 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Our Lord has no need for anything; including your and my old talents; for when newness is afforded us as followers, Holy God’s power through us, won’t be contained in what we’ve done best in for times past, but significantly allows greater praise in affording us opportunity to witness (personally) HIS mighty hand, no different than HIM parting the sea.

 

Lord God, we thank You, for tremendous reminders in Your Word, that shares apart from You, our spiritual journey now, along with eternal productivity is impossible; particularly because Jesus paid it all. So, as we marvel on this day, as we’re given perfect guidance once again, to echo, “Your will be done.” May You receive all the glory and may we Your “few,” more implicate our dutiful response to every portion of grace given – to ensure others know, “there’s room at the inn,” All because of Jesus! Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Running Without Credentials” G. Ward

 

Jeremiah 33: ³ ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

 

The proactive prayer our Lord offers here, is a plea to fully understand HIS plans, not a genie in a bottle solicitation.  The beautiful, emphatic language however – “great and mighty things,” befits this era’s unfair religious usage and because many will pull one expression of God’s provision out, they’ll neglect the surrounding ones that shares how God’s own disobedient children were at this time captive in a strange land -  Babylonia and Holy God wreaked havoc on theirs – Jerusalem, placing them with an unruly leader. In New Testament times, “the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro.6:23) and whereas God was gracious to HIS own in the Old Testament, offering a future hope and restoration, we honorably proclaim, HE’S the same in the entire Truth of HIS Word; yet, the spiritual conduit of repentance remains. Repentance is the sincere act of recognizing wrongdoing, feeling deep sorrow, and committing to a change in direction or behavior. Hearing from Holy God however, won’t treat HIM with contempt, because HE alone knows if we’re being genuinely sorry in violating HIS commands. So, to that end, I’ll see you Sunday (Heb.10:24-25)!

 

Father God, we’re given many examples, both good and bad, from ordinary actors just like us and whereas the Spirit teaches us how to correlate to striving to be Heaven’s representative in earth, that absolutely overcomes the world, we thank You for making us effective. The pace of time Lord, remains the same, yet seemingly comparable to the speed of light and for some it’s conviction to cling to the old rugged cross and for others, it’s being on the gerbil wheel, exercising in whim and desire. So, we thank You for the gospel, which remains the perfect resolution – through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Torrential Rain, Blocks A Proper View” G. Ward

 

Ephesians 4: ¹⁴ As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; ¹⁵ but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ.

 

The Word of God is replete with warnings against false teachers and whereas our society’s exposure to those who undermine the truth of God’s Word continues, it wreaks havoc on the masses, that causes many to even deny a daily, diligent and intimate pursuit of God’s holy script; and although some insist on knowing Christ – there’s great lack in foundational truth (from them) about all HE provided.

Every believer must unify under the resolute rules from our Lord; to first be equipped, that is being discipled, to then teach (those of their encounters) what was taught them and whereas corporate worship gatherings are meant to encourage efforts in the gospel’s expansion, along with worshipping our Great Distributor of grace (onto obedience), we must set the record straight; so others can disquiet efforts from charismatic, cunning fellows who insist an auditorium full of people being encouraged to get their inheritance now and give generously (so that double may become the return) and thereafter when service time ends, they return to violating Jesus’ prerequisite to being HIS follower – to deny oneself; which means surrendering personal plans and selfish desires.

 

Lord God, may our encouragement to know that because You’re still speaking to man, it can be interpreted as Your lovingkindness and patience and because You’ve appointed us to convey all You are saying, may our diligence to the Truth of Your Word increase, remembering Your tender mercies are worthy to replicate and prepare others accordingly; thanking You for perfect supply in/through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Let’s Twist Again, Like We Did It Last Summer!” G. Ward

 

Matthew 24: ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

 

There continues to be great philosophical statements that many hang their hats on, but that hook will soon loosen and allow the hat to fall and whereas the catchy phrase can last for a significant period, even that to which our grandchildren may echo, its application is marginalized by cultural trends ever-evolving.

Our Lord Jesus’ authority (cf. Matt.28:18) however, transcends generational appeals from man, even granting perfect directives in earth and leads to eternal life with HIM. We, as followers, along with being made new (for HIS purpose), are called HIS special possession to embody total allegiance to HIS commands and character; with a daily demand to investigate, that to where all HE is saying and did (*2 Ti.3:16-17), so as to follow demonstrably. For, there’s no need for HIS words to change; they’re absolute and forever.

 

And Lord God, we honor You, significantly more than anyone, or anything and it derives from witnessing such sacrifice given on our behalf; causing more determination to bless Your Name at all times. We’re thankful for another day’s journey in You – where following Your commands are no longer burdensome, yet we’re at war with the flesh (insisting on our persuasiveness), while desirous to see others comply in knowing You in a personal, dependent way; to forget they can’t come to You unless You draw them. So, may our probe of all You say, increase, that we may trust You more, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “As I Look Back Over my Life…” G. Ward

 

Philippians 3: ⁷ But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. 

 

As Paul, the apostle for Christ, sought inventory of his life before redemption, with all its celebrated accolades; being regarded for his educational prowess, along with a heritage of royal proportion and belonging to the highest sect of religious order, even esteemed by man, he’d contrast that against the surpassing knowledge of the One  not impressed, but loved him, despite his prior life as an enemy of the cross (Phil.3:18-19).

Perhaps your life is either impressed with one of similar nobility, or you’re pridefully preemptive in sharing your great credentials? Our Lord’s embodiment of what it means to be a humble Servant – “emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men and humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” and HE remains the greatest. Therefore, every follower of Christ should undergird a daily evaluation that begins with all HE offered, despite our prideful, wavering affections; studying HIS written Word, so as to become more like HIM.

 

And Lord God, we’re privileged in ability to approach Your throne and whereas that approach should encompass fear and trembling, many assume their arrival speaks to You, the Holy One, but because we who know You as Sole Creator and God Almighty, we don’t ever feel so comfortable in saying much, without allowing Your Word to say all we’ll need to correlate in best servanthood. So, we thank You for feeding us once again and may these meditations overwhelm our selfish promptings on this day presented in Jesus, Amen.