Today’s Thought “Speculative Knowledge” G. Ward

James 3: ¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 

 

The question first offered is answered at verse 16 – “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” Altogether and because such uncertainty of days for all exists under the sole regard of the Almighty, the so-called wisdom of man that’s on a quest to be impressive unto other men is with futility. Moreover, journeying to more knowledge forgets, his esteem among many impressed may soon be displaced by another competitor, as his life’s work will be relegated to a historical archive of sorts, whereby generations grow more distant in truth concerning human frailty. Instead, we’re all compelled spiritually to know that expressions of intellect that lacks indiscriminate love, intentional encouragement and compassionate hospitality, is symbolic of how Christ endeavored living in earth. May we all celebrate HIS surrender for our indiscretions, by disquieting selfish ambition, along with being impressed with some unavailable to HIM as “the Way, and the truth, and the life.”

 

Father God, we’re overwhelmed in Your loving-kindness towards us, thanking You for such generous guidance in our wilderness experience. May we all cease adjusting to this weary land’s estimation of living and more seek You as Author of our every footstep; praying without waver and praising You for Most Superior counsel – all because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “God Is Not Lost” G. Ward

 

Romans 3: ¹¹ There is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks out God;

 

Mankind, no matter the generation, no matter their selection of religion, no matter their daily pursuit in morality, is never sufficient when it begins in/through what some deem a righteous pursuit – apart from following HIS commands. All, no matter the pursuit, particularly when any fail to interrogate the Holy Script emanating from the Sole Maker of Heaven and earth in how it exists to guide those created. This chapter warns any against believing they’ll please HIM because so many lives around them don’t reflect moral fiber in their soul. So, the Apostle Paul seeks to disquiet such a group, namely the Jews listening. They relied on their lineage through Abraham with great presumption of their being sealed automatically. Paul argues that the Lord’s words from the prophets echoed the same faith through repentance (found in the New Testament) for all after the first two would deny the Almighty’s righteousness; insisting they know if Holy God was/is a tolerable Lord regarding small or great sin, judgment, which encompasses HIS entire Truth, would be without basis. On today, may we regard the best heritage in Jesus, by choosing HIS Word, over external visuals of righteousness apart from HIS.

 

Lord God, may our evaluation cease to recognize how any man correlates with life, to never be impressed with another created and seek out every value from a personal view of what it means to Bless Your Name. We pray for others involved in a similar pursuit, but yet choosing the vibrancy of worship centers over substantive teaching; that they’d be overcome by seeking You more and more each day. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Word Games” G. Ward

Psalm 37:7, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not get upset because of one who is successful in his way, Because of the person who carries out wicked schemes.”

 

Our Lord can be perceived as so angry to those who’ve not considered HIS absolute leading their lives; but that can also be an undesired indicator for our lives also. Here’s why I say that: Until one endeavors to study God’s Truth, it can appear hostile and so opposite of HIM as a gentle Savior; particularly when our Lord said HE hated Esau (Mal.1:3). That didn’t mean Merriam-Websters’ version of hate, but merely "Loving" his twin brother Jacob meant choosing him for covenant blessing; "hating" Esau meant passing him over and withholding that specific covenant role. As Psalm 37’s construct - regards the wicked, that also has a far different meaning. Wicked, in Holy God’s expression, includes any who habitually practice sin against HIM or others (1 John 3:4-7).

Our theme however, invites believers to know God’s wisdom understands every motive of man (Jer.17:9-*10), insisting that we remain calm and trust in HIS timing, avoiding anxiety or anger when observing the temporary success of wrongdoers. We, as converted must remember our time before our repentance and pray others will soon find the road to true success – knowing the will of God and surrendering accordingly.

 

And Lord God, You’ve given us both instruction and recall, so may we use our time in effectual leaning to Your everlasting arms. May we never forget the many who betrayed our Lord Jesus, found them surrendered to HIM in Your timing and keep our lamps lit, that brings You glory, remembering our Lord’s command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, always believing, always loving to the end. Because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Valedictory Address” G. Ward

 

John 14: ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be. 

 

Our Lord, so entirely selfless comforts HIS followers although endeavoring to soon endure the vilest death recorded. His comforting words assured those disciples of a soon departure, but to know He’d come back for them, taking any who’d place their lives in HIS care. That dwelling place is referred to as a mansion, for the magnitude in delight of such a place is absolutely trouble-free (i.e., eternally long). That hope our Lord shared was so horribly obscured by what these disciples heard Jesus portray beforehand, along with witnessing Judas’ betrayal of one so innocent.

Jesus allowed these first 12 to travel alongside Himself to demonstrate that peace isn’t found in the world (John 14:27), but in HIM. Moreover, mindful reprieve of potential trials and tribulations is unavoidable; so, the resolve to this, is intimacy with the Father, solely through the Son (John 14:6).

 

Lord God, may we pursue that daily presence Jesus offers, knowing of its guarantee of peace. How dare we, as believers regard living in such a temporary place as something to behold, outside of ensuring others know of all Christ endured, to then desire their repentance. We ask that every mindset, determined to live for Christ, urgently identify what they’ve received and bravely proclaim HIM glorious to any, in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “No Mediocrity in Holy God” 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.”

 

Unbelief won’t always indicate atheism, but teeters on a foolish theorizing that says, “I’ll believe it, if I can see it” and whereas faith’s posture thrives on things not seen (Heb.11:1) and since God is Spirit (John 4:24), HIS demand is highest, along with indifferent from a worldly regard. HE alone is Creator and our theme on today, helps us in matters of unbelief; for every generation of man has witnessed aspects of nature UNCHANGED, from the beginning (e.g., A giraffe still eats from the treetops and a dandelion is yet a weed.). The view of things in nature can become too ordinary for mankind’s effort to speed towards more self-preservation, than God-controlled, allowing one’s contempt to miss what our Lord provides throughout HIS world – that is, an opportunity to increase in a love relationship intended with HIM through Christ and to that end, HIS tolerance is soon to end.

 

And Lord God, we thank You for so many examples in nature that unfolds Your awesome power, along with You never changing and whereas we who believe, marvel at Your faithfulness, we thank You for such a spiritual pause that affords us an eternal accommodation. May this invite all Your children to invite others to this reflection in accordance to the chieftain of demands given by our Lord Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “The White Picket Fence” G. Ward

Colossians 3: ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not become bitter against them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged.

 

Perhaps the metaphor, “white picket fence” emanates from an aspirational goal for the American family? Many of us from the “Baby-Boomer” generation were exposed to varied television shows where no one seemed to get dirty and wives were home-makers, preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner, to never be seen with a single hair out of place. That paradigm was given for every mindset’s adoption, until one sought to endeavor such a life, but found failure in every step. Moreover, those with lapse in best judgment could lend credence to an expression of old that says, “no one gave me a book” on how to raise a family, although many of those had great exposure to God’s Truth. Traditional values many times, ruled out the Way of the Lord; for the greatest manuscript was/is provided and in such the case where our theme covers familial regard that produces effectual peace, that’s equally subject to promote mature spiritual members, we’ll need to know, a new day exists to absolutely get it right.

 

Father God, our frailties have surfaced once again as we view Your perfect Way. So, may we depend more on the Spirit’s transformation of us through Your Word. When we hear, we must know it calls for the immediacy of doing what You demand. Forgive us, as we’ve asked for peace, partly considerate of the world’s standard, for You won’t abide there and may we resolve ourselves to Your perfect Way, Truth and Life, our Lord Jesus’ example. Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Listen and Act” G. Ward

 

1 John 3: ¹⁷ But whoever has worldly goods and sees his brother or sister in need, and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God remain in him? ¹⁸ Little children, let’s not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

 

Salutations that include “good day” can generally disallow another sharing whether it is or isn’t and for the believer’s hearing, it should trigger how imitating the Savior is essential to our walk (Eph.5:1-2, 1 John 2:6). Preparedness is key. Our Lord, while in earth, awakened early each day with insistence on convening with the Father (Mark 1:35). Jesus seeking quiet time with God the Father, meant HE desired to not exercise in oversight with the least to the greatest, but offered Himself in excellent servitude. HE listened and then met needs. How dare any who have been such a recipient of our Lord’s mercy consider otherwise? To prepare, is to insist on our Lord’s appointments each day (Phil.2:3-4), forgetting about oneself; particularly since the Spirit has taken residence in us who’ve placed our trust in Christ. We have all we’ll need to meet that every spiritual demand, doing so with tender mercy and thankful unto every opportunity to serve Holy God, by serving others.

 

Father God, how excellent You are in presenting Truth from Your perfect script, that correct us in foolish efforts to be ordinary. So, may our benevolence rise; first to the household of faith and then to others, who You insisted would know us by our love. May our sacrificial praise, understand first – obedience affirming Your commands is precedent and then to believe is to do; remembering our Lord paved the way perfectly. May this day honor His Holy Name, Amen.