Today’s Thought “A Believer’s Assurance” G. Ward

 

Romans 8: ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Saul, an ambitious, most intellectual religious leader, instrumental to the early church’s ruin as a great persecutor is guided in the Spirit to write about God’s Love through Christ. Earlier, he’d be complicit in the death of Stephen, one of God’s great servants, yet he knew HIS Redeemer lives, so he’d devote his energies to extending greatest comfort to any with a past – unworthy, that would share hope beyond heinous sin. This writing would indicate that love does not depend on human goodness or strength; but rests entirely on what Christ has done. Moreover, he writes with total confidence that God's love for His people is permanent and cannot be broken by any force, failure, or circumstance.

A soul’s assurance on such an eternal matter, desires to bless the Lord at all times, even that to which proclaims worship, through obedience to HIS commands and having an inner attitude of humility, thankfulness, and sincere devotion; along with Treasuring and delighting in God more than anything else in the world.

 

Lord God, whereas Your Word records, "to whom much is given, much is required" has our souls more willing than ever before to use this spiritual posture to bless others with a witness in all Christ did. So, we seek Your every appointment, preparing our minds to look not on external measures, but to be contained in the love and mercy shown us, trusting in Your Holy transformation of any and praising You for the comfort in knowing that Your abiding with us shall never depart; all because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Blinded by the Light” G. Ward

 

John 3: ²¹ But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God.

 

This verse is a culminating one concerning Nicodemus, one inquisitive and respectful of Christ, while avoiding being seen by the other religious leaders; particularly since he himself was one of the high-ranking members. Moreover, this visitation would be arranged at night, for to visit in daylight could have ruined his social standing or cost him his position. Nicodemus was enamored with all Jesus would perform, recognizing that He must be a teacher sent by God.

Our social and cultural rankings can carry a wrongful priority similar. We’re many times faithful on Sunday morning, attending worship services for one hour, inspired even, by messages in eloquence, while seemingly in control of the other 167 hours weekly given us.

Jesus explains that God sent Him to save the world, not to condemn it and whereas people judge themselves by whether they turn toward or away from HIS divine light; please know this, self-governance is never sanctioned by the Almighty.

 

Almighty God, those of us who live by Your divine light, do so in absolute recall of Your grace provided through Christ. We desire our every word spoken, along with our deeds to proclaim how great You are to dispense Your peace. We have joy because of our daily determinations to allow Your perfect lead, while refusing a practice insignificant to eternity. May You be honored through our surrender, in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Stop, Drop and Roll” G. Ward

 

Proverbs 15:1, A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

 

Text messaging is positively phenomenal until one obtains a false confidence that allows words spelled out that one wouldn’t ordinarily be vocalizing if an individual is in their presence and whereas this confidence through text expresses how violated he or she feels, the language offends the receiver and everyone thereafter has snow-balled unto anger mountain.

Believers however, are compelled to a meditative process before answering what may be perceived as insult to their intelligence, or blatant mean-spiritedness from another. Their hesitance to respond should never be interpreted as weakness, but best reliance on ONE Savior who endured insults and greatest abuse while innocent of any indiscretion and thereafter died in our stead. HIS resurrection now determines we’re with HIS perfect example to follow.

 

Father God, we pray for one another in this most difficult way to address offenses; for to obey, indicates gratitude for all our Suffering Savior supplied. So, may our pause before responding to any, consider our eternal status and embody Your will as it is in Heaven, our home, as sojourners in earth, absolutely belonging to You, in word and deed. All because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Merciful: A Reasonable Attribute” G. Ward

 

Titus 3: ⁴ But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, ⁵ He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

 

A believer’s rejection of another must be carefully in tune to their own yesterday; particularly that to which won’t compare oneself with a host of other bad actors, but assess how well I’ve imitated the ONE who redeemed me from my every indiscretion, despite my continued failings and while I was unkind, unloving and blatantly rebellious. Perhaps then, my actions will demonstrably and compassionately look beyond faults in others as was shown to me by our Eternal King(?).

 

Holy God, we marvel in Your Word. For it guides us perfectly and whereas the Spirit allows our understanding, enough so to correct us, we welcome that change. Our greatest need to proclaim Your generosity to another beleaguered by ongoing troubles that keeps them broken compels us, Your called out ones – to introduce the greatest cure offered mankind, Jesus our Lord; teaching them how HE continues to love those HE made and desires a love relationship with any who’ll place their trust in HIM. We thank You for such a charge to recall – through all our Savior demonstrated. To HIM be the glory, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “A Spoiled Child” G. Ward

 

2 Corinthians 12

 ⁹ And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

 

Humans were made fragile to more depend on their Maker in everything; and so, the Apostle Paul is our student-example of endurance amidst what he referred to as a thorn in his flesh and would pray three times for the Lord to take it from him. Our Lord said no. Paul writes, that trust in the Lord endures. Here, the thorn was opposition to his ministry; a false apostle, who would continuously counter Paul’s teaching.

 Jesus would teach every disciple how to more pray the Lord’s will be done and whereas it’s also said that God will give you and me the desires of our hearts – what that means is that once our hearts are genuinely in tune with the Lord’s Word in unselfish desire, and to never think of oneself as better than Jesus, who suffered unto a life of greatest persecution, betrayal from within, lies and deception from HIS own along with the most brutal crucifixion, we’d prepare accordingly (Matt.16:24). The Apostle Paul would thereafter consider how to overwhelmingly conquer a troubled mindset; for his troubles, like ours, are momentary and so Holy God reminds us in the same, MY grace is Sufficient.

Lord God, our mouths have echoed we trust Thee, but then we rise from our knees in immediate activity to assume because we’re able, You approve. May each one on today, more realize that absolute, daily pursuit of what’s written and devoted compliance unlocks uncertainties and grants peace amidst the many thistles and thorns in our way. Our desire is more trust of Thee, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Overwhelmed in Soap Scum” G. Ward

 

Titus 3: ⁵ He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

 

There’s a complete spiritual cleansing and brand-new life God gives a person through Jesus Christ; and this metaphor describes a deep, spiritual cleaning that removes sin. This renewal given believers, refers to the ongoing, life-changing work of the Holy Spirit inside a believer. The Spirit does not just patch up an old life; He continually transforms and molds the person into a new creation.

We’re given a complete spiritual cleansing by ALL Christ offered, that is HIS very life in exchange for our punishment and whereas HIS Spirit (Ro.8:9) exists in believers, enabling us to discern the Truth of God’s Word (1 Cor.2:14), may we consider HIS transforming us by/through a daily pursuit of how Christ correlated in the earth; for HIS perfect example will guide us onto greater peace in the many trials presented.

 

And Lord God, we’re adjusting daily to counting it joy when trials invade our moments, for we know You as a Mighty Shelter and absolutely more depend on Your ongoing presence to carry us through. We pray on today, for other believers – vulnerable to being grievous in their soul; that they’d witness a fellow believer coming to their aid, walking alongside them until trouble diminishes and then become productive witnesses altogether, proclaiming Christ as our All in All, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Who’s Who: A Tag Obliterated” G. Ward

 

2 Corinthians 5: ¹⁷ Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

 

The new identity in Christ, a believer is afforded, can absolutely forget about carrying the outstanding luggage of old, so weighty and consumed with appearances of perfection and worldly success; it’s because the Maker of Heaven and earth, including people and things, decided to inhabit fleshly vessels of mankind – chosen, before the foundation of the world was considered. The believer’s past won’t define us; we’re completely recreated by God and to know that no matter our moral productivity (according to others), HIS highest standard continues to be violated, until any humble themselves through a repentant heart, to then seek forgiveness through Christ. 1 John 3:1 highlights the great love of the Father in making believers children of God, assuring believers there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus; now our makeover celebrates being HIS chosen and given the priesthood to reflect HIS nature and compels others unto that same light from a dark, weary path (cf. John 7:13-14).

 

Father God, to meditate on this great, spiritual focal point is so refreshing. So, our hearts are glad and generously offer praise to Your transforming us unto an effectual calling as witnesses to Your Truth. May this serve as tremendous encouragement for our day’s journey in You that invites the many of our encounters to see our works and bless Your Holy and Righteous Name; asking Your appointments for this day presented to proclaim How Great Is Our God! In Jesus Name, Amen.