Today’s Thought “Spiritual Crutches” G. Ward

 

Romans 1:20

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

 

Holy God’s wisdom is unmatched and from the beginning HE’D understand our lapse in best judgment, that allowed HIS voice to be heard, through representatives chosen (not solely because of their personal acclimation unto righteousness, but despite their brokenness) and whereas the whole of mankind are prone to rebellion, even resisting how nature tells the story of the Almighty – many yet resist even those visuals. Our Father in Heaven placed an inherent awareness of HIS eternal presence in the earth and people HE made. Therefore, our duty, as ambassadors of HIS, identifies (graciously so) HIS transformation in us - from rebellion to spiritual compliance; particularly how we have perfect help from HIS holiness in proclaiming HIS sole sufficiency in guiding others similarly.

 

Father God, those of us understanding Your mercy must cease in efforts to be good, by merely following the steps our Lord Jesus endeavored in earth. It’s then, and through endurance found in us, that many others will be captive to Your grace for their lives. So, may our mouths open, insisting Your will, that is Your exclusive Word, be the exactness of our every proclamation, that portrays our Savior Jesus as Resolute a Redeemer, for Your glory and through HIM we pray, Amen.

 

 

Today’s Thought “Leaving my Father’s House, When Asked to Stay” G. Ward

 

John 10:28-30

“And I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are One.”

 

Whereas Our Blessed Lord Jesus affirms HE is Truth, establishing HIS Word in any who’ll confess HIM as Lord and absolutely following HIS lead in every way and whereas those doing so are regarded as the sheep of HIS pasture – even drawn to become HIS very own by the Father and whereas this section of Truth regards the false teacher (saying differently) as a thief, our Lord establishes our fortitude unto spiritual endurance, whereby no one  can entice HIS follower with pseudo mechanisms, entirely temporal. For He ALONE is the King of Glory!

 

And to that end Lord, we’re so blessed to be called Your very own. May our pursuit of Your Way, further bless our souls to erase every obstacle that may appear prudent to follow, weighing everything against the Truth of Your Word. We pray that our security in You, becomes safety unto those we’ll encounter, as we remember to teach them Your commands, in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “A Script Worthy of Rehearsal” G. Ward

 

James 1: ²² But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.

The issue at large in this chapter is perseverance in Christ, embodying refusal to be overwhelmed by circumstances outside of HIS reign and rule for our lives and whereas HE won’t appear to us physically to impart all HE is saying, HIS Word from Genesis to Revelation remains sufficient to cheer and guide. It promotes warning, along with perfect guidance that thwarts every idea in being satisfied with systems ever-changing, even that to which political fronts and fraternal affiliations promise; for despair can often enter a room when no one is available; yet I know of HIS unrelenting presence, particularly because many portions of HIS Truth affirm this. Therefore, I’m convinced of a daily follow-ship of HIS Word, for I and every other are with a propensity to seek foolish regard of people and things, so I remain implanted in that to which is precedent for my life; determined to obey every warning, while encouraging others of HIS indiscriminate love with pardon for any who’ll confess HIS ownership of them.

 

And Father God, meditations of Your gentle rule, desires to remain in the grip of grace You provide – “A Mighty Fortress is Our God!” May this pause thank You for teaching us how to abide, to then witness more joy than our contemplations ever imagined – “What A Friend We Have in Jesus!” May any who’ve sought to believe in Your Word, be presented with a devoted sayer of Your Truth, rendering hope, that grants one other – “Blessed Assurance” in/through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Get Off Your Knees!” G. Ward

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Our approach to the Truth of God’s message (the gospel), will mostly believe our world is at a heightened state of moral deficiency, even lacking absolutes; yet, the Apostle Paul’s dilemma was the same then and whereas our Lord Jesus taught every disciple thoroughly, even warning those who’d place their trust in HIM, that “few” would find the narrow road that leads to life, we’re more convinced of the statistical data that insists most believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ for our redemption.

This appears a dismal report, until one activates their faith by witnessing these actualities of Christ to another, a taking them by the hand and teaching all HE commanded – whereby every believer has been commissioned. Thereafter, real hope rises. It’s because obedience delivers authentic praise and is catchy and whereas souls can/will witness how Holy God purposed their salvation, even transforming their uncertainties to rehearsal of the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want – they’ll witness Joy entering the room.

Father God, we thank You for enabling Your gospel to overshadow our critique and unwarranted despair. We’ve become too busy with forecasts unsanctioned, rather than embracing a dutiful response – in consideration of Christ’s mandate and tumultuous death that granted our deliverance. We pray on this day, for every soul redeemed by the blood of Jesus to know to obey is better than sacrifice, furthering spiritual bravery. May we all get busy, in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “I Owe, So, Off to Work I Go” G. Ward

Romans 13: ⁸ Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.

The prefacing for such a verse involves governmental systems. Our Lord never invited our enjoyment unto such governance, just a rightful submission. Moreover, to regard God’s sovereign control is to know HIS allowances and establishments occur to bring glory to HIS Name (Ro.8:28). On yesterday, taxpayers sought resolving themselves to owing government and whereas it involved a last hour to file these taxes, complaint was thick throughout most hamlets. Yet, when services of sorts are required (emanating from these agencies), particularly that to which benefits us individually, we’re grateful. Again, we know systems can be an unruly task master, yet spiritual compliance should be our goal. This submission won’t stop at owing systems’ agencies, but includes intangibles to one another (Ro.13:8b); a hospitality, even when the day is somewhat overcome in trials. A believer’s daily pursuit in Truth, should determine, we’re no greater than our Lord Jesus; HE also endured similar victimization; yet, we thank HIM for a supreme example in how to correlate thereunto, never relenting in the goal - involving our salvation.

Lord God, may our eyes maintain a view beyond circumstances, looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith, Jesus, to then determine we believe HE won’t leave us as indicative in what we’ve experienced many times before. May we rise to Your leading us as a present help in troubles all around and to know the joy of Your abiding in vessels so wavering, yet growing in spiritual fortitude in Your Word and because of our Exemplary Savior Jesus! Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Ritualistic Uncertainty” G. Ward

Romans 10:9-10

That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Proclaimers of Truth are servants of this foundational gospel (Ro.10:14), presenting the Savior as One who died for the sins of man and per Holy God’s insistence as Sole Designator on who comes to HIM, we’re grateful HE knows our name (John 6:44). Our hearts beforehand, were clothed in an impractical approach to life, believing if we functioned in civility and hospitality, even believing in God, this would carry us to HIS bosom, to forget, “demons also believe” (Jas.2:19). Any faithful to salvation’s calling to fulfill, must consider total allegiance, in allowing Christ to re-build them, via a devoted submission to HIS reign and rule, with a daily, ongoing pursuit in all HE is saying (that is, HIS complete Word), with implicit follow-ship; otherwise, these prerequisites violated keeps any insufficient.

Father God, You desire our repentance and whereas Your lovingkindness and patience could end soon, may every believer’s determination awake to those needing Your lifeline; for great praise is linked with obedience to Your commands. So, we ask Your forgiveness where inactivity existed, along with spiritual awareness in our every step, all because of Jesus, our Lord, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “A Tight Fist is Connected to Unbelief” G. Ward

Deuteronomy 15: ⁹ Be careful that there is no mean-spirited thought in your heart, such as, ‘The seventh year, the year of release of debts, is near,’ and your eye is malicious toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry out to the Lord against you, and it will be a sin in you. 

Jesus would echo this earlier demand that recognizes the poor won’t escape our view and how necessary it is to give so as to satisfy their depletion. This subject of giving is always one more prone to subversion. In other words, many immediately adjourn to telling others what perceivably/pre-suppositionally - God really meant versus doing what HE says; for we still feel as if it’s our money (cf. Ps.24:1). The divinely constructed commands given Moses for the people inheriting a land so prosperous, that would deliver so many great monetary abundance, can be likened to our journey here in this strange land. We must remember, Holy God is at watch and whereas HE regards our blatant, wrongful interpretations as sin, even abhorring our foolish, habitual practice thereunto, that unfolds whether you and me have placed our trust in this Magnificent Savior or not, it’s always identifiable by what we do and not what’s said. If one in the same family has a need and we fail to respond accordingly, are we really walking as Jesus walked (*1 John 2:6)?

Father God, we’re overwhelmed in being called Your very own, even called to represent You in this posture imposed as the household of faith (Gal.6:10) and whereas there are many from the same brethren depleted around us, we ask that You open the eyes of our hearts that we may see and respond joyously. May the spiritual transformation provided us, unfold Jesus’ words that says, “it’s better to give than receive” and respond intentionally and immediately. Amen.