Today’s Thought “Determined in Spiritual Fortitude” G. Ward

John 17: ¹⁵ I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Like any, I’m with periodic bouts in spiritual regression, and that I hate and more determined than before, to eliminate these indiscretions from the journey imposed. I’m yet very grateful for the deposit within (*John 14:26) and all HE reminds me of concerning all our Savior endeavored for me, even desiring others know of HIS magnificence; whether in the marketplace or workplace – I desire one attitude (Phil.2:3-4). No matter the vile conditions and language unbecoming of civility all around, I’ll hold my position, particularly since HE’S been mercifully patient with me. I must endure, although confident of my eternal destination with HIM, proving my availability as HIS vessel in this strange land; never conforming to a multi-faceted, perspective soon to become displaced by another eloquent one. For HE alone is good and HIS mercy endures forever.

 

Today’s Thought “Intentionally Yours…” G. Ward

2 Timothy 2:1-2

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.

 

Many are treasure seekers at best, seeking to employ Holy God for the immediacy of an answer suited for their expansive egos and not for HIS glory – concerning PURPOSE and whereas every believer should cease from nuances to being reproducers of HIS gospel and deal with mankind as they’ve been dealt with and granting hope beyond anyone’s wildest dreams of being loved and forgiven beyond measure, many proposing to believe, have instead become synonymous with sponges – soaking up all the Almighty offers and not sharing.

There are seemingly many (some will insist, even enough) gospel teachers; but if that were true, our districts would pervade more peace than chaos. Truth of old, is Truth today and whereas visuals of exponential growth (numerically) was never the spiritual barometer, but continues as a pre-ordained, one-to-one availability (*Heb 5:12), can our LORD count on you?

 

Today’s Thought “A Rightful Crutch” G. Ward

James 4: ⁸ Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

 

Perhaps in faith, you’ve more understood how people need people? Ecclesiastes records partnership’s effort to remain faithful to Holy God can/will often involve such because one may be prone to frequent dry spells – insisting we know “for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion” and whereas our love for the brethren desires their individual pursuit of God through Christ, via affirmations that proclaim HIM, the Great Shepherd, whereby those who’ve placed their faith in HIS guidance won’t want for anything, we say “use us.” However, if one is a practiced believer, and objectively keeps another dependent on their words and promptings, it more disallows a required repentance (genuine to one gaining presence unto the Holy One) with greatest, personal devotion, when me, nor you can be found.

 

Today’s Thought “Because HE Lives” G. Ward

1 Peter 3: ⁹ not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing.

To "not render evil for evil" means refusing to seek revenge or retaliate when someone has wronged you. It is a call to break the cycle of harm by choosing a higher moral response. The Word of God is replete with admonishing people of God unto any consideration of thinking we own portions of our existence in this strange land, but compels us to live as citizens of Heaven (Phil.3:20-21). Our every endeavor should be prefaced with prayer and thereafter slower movement; for our Lord positioned us here as light carriers in a dark world and whereas so much anger with divisiveness is rampant, those highly contentious can/will be surprised, if one counters their disgruntled behavior with non-provocative well wishes (and to really mean it – praying their peace that includes the Savior’s presence).

 

Today’s Thought “What If (?)…” G. Ward

Exodus 21

¹⁶ “Now one who kidnaps someone, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall certainly be put to death.

 

Idealism, can be selfishly consuming, even responsible for adjectival regard in arrogance with denial and such were the beginnings to a plight in America, whereby many of the “Founders” (*seemingly proficient theologians) arrived with a wrongful purported notion of an uncivilized people existent and whereas one cannot discover what was already established, while with an unfortunate, emphatic thesis - stating that there was failure to appear like their king’s land (they ran from – due to lack of civilities), to then exacerbate more ungodliness, even giving Jamestown, VA., a permanent ugly name from the year 1619’s oversight of human beings brought on to build this nation from a rickety cruise ship and riding on the bottom, with no room to maneuver and seated in human excrement; the antithesis of what the “Love Boat” represented and to now hear some legislators and philosophical giants insist that enslaved Black people acquired skills that provided a "personal benefit" proves how important it is to attack greatest spiritual ineptness from some, with LOVE and HOPE, even onto those deemed impossible, with the true and only Gospel of Christ. Many atrocities could have been avoided, if the LORD’S WAY was endeavored.

Happy Black History Month!

 

Today’s Thought “Black History is Everyone’s History” G. Ward

Genesis 9

¹⁸ Now the sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth; and Ham was the father of Canaan. ¹⁹ These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.

 

Whereas Holy God created mankind without consideration to our external physicality, we’ve lived opposite of that actuality. Intelligence, should understand the unfortunate divide perpetuated by many, while witnessing many infer their children marry according to the social construct resembling themselves – even that to which never think of themselves as racist.

How can Holy God err (*Nu.23:19)? HE CANNOT!  Would HE make certain shades of people more prone to criminality, less intelligent, or morally reprehensible, while saying from the Truth of HIS Word, that HE made man in HIS image (*so as to reflect HIS Divine attributes, not a physical appearance); so, the fall of man thereafter witnessed – ALL having come from the 3 sons with the same Mother and Father? Gregory, you appear guilty of perpetuating the problem also, in that you’re highlighting racist tactics as you celebrate Black History Month. No, friends, we do so in the same vein of wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day. The Irish have too been great earthly participants, but Blacks in America have been marginalized in/through horrid descriptors entirely inaccurate, along with history erased and denied, even losing our names – and forced to carry surnames of a brutal ownership in what was/is a free land unto others with different pigmentations (*1 Cor.7:23); along with being the brunt of a monolithic regard in all matters of being Black in America. May we all celebrate accomplishments beneficial to the many segments of society, but preeminently GLORIFY our Almighty God for HIS Perfect Resolution to foolish divide found in us.

 

Today’s Thought “A Charge to Keep” G. Ward

Psalm 18:3

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

David (upon constructing this song) was perhaps an older fellow, contemplating how the Lord rescued him from many enemies, very particularly a foolish King Saul’s vindictive, jealous pursuit that sought denying David a kingship and whereas praise remembers who brought us, it should become worship that absolutely obeys. Following God’s commands rather than ritualistic behavior should be the goal for the believer; it authenticates how completely fulfilled I am with Christ leading me, even circumventing every meditation and so satisfied with what HE’S done despite my efforts, to say that if no other rescue is afforded me, I’ll yet serve HIM until I die (*cf.1 Cor.2:9).