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.

 

Today’s Thought “Dreaming is Permitted” G. Ward

 

Psalm 34: ¹⁸ The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 

I really thought my senior-hood would be a view comparable to a Norman Rockwell painting; that is peace and harmony, without great trials; to then grow up in the Lord and whereas HE sought to prepare every follower of hard times ahead (Matt.10:16-22), along with impending judgments that could unfold hatred regarding my confession of Christ as Sufficient that transformed my old life into new (John 15:19-20), I’ve now become sensitized to my every step of how HE endured - amidst even greater trials. Christ, however, demonstrated how to get along, though trials persisted. HE embraced an intentional quiet time with the Father, even rehearsing perfect guidance found in the highest document provided man (the road map to being sustained). Moreover, HE embodied “praying without ceasing” and yes, HE wept; doing so, while looking out at the multitudes, along with witnessing earth’s departure for those HE loved. Yet, HIS tears may have portrayed sadness, but never despair; for HE was on mission, even unashamed, along with bravery, insisting all would know the Father desires a love relationship with any, that involves a reconciliation that only HE can provide (John 14:6).

 

Father God, it’s become our joy to call on Your Name and yes, it’s greatly to be praised! There’s confidence in Your hearing us; particularly as our Lord Jesus taught every follower to identify a need that assures – “Your will be done.” As we more submit to imitating our Savior’s walk, may ours echo HIS words and character; meditating more on a time without measure, where troubles will be over, because Mercy found us and forgave us and we know HIS grace is sufficient! May every component of Heaven and earth’s ownership be praised, because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Once Lost, But Now – Found” G. Ward

 

Isaiah 62:4 It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,” Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”; But you will be called, “My delight is in her,” And your land, “Married”; For the Lord delights in you, And to Him your land will be married.

 

This verse is a depiction of what is meant by trouble not lasting. Israel, God’s own, would act unbecoming of the Lord’s salvation (and we certainly know something of that) and whereas the wages of such sinfulness was with consequence not thought of when selfish desire forgot Holy God’s Way, Israel would be taken captive unto a weary land, distant from the one flowing with “milk and honey.” The Almighty, would hear their cries (particularly because of their godly sorrow), He’d allow their return. Paul Bunyan, a prolific Christian author, wrote a manuscript central to such a theme called The Pilgrim’s Progress, writing very specifically about Isaiah 64 that said, “In this land also the contract between the Bride and the Bridegroom was renewed; yea, here, as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so doth God rejoice over them.” Moreover, old hymnbooks contained a great classic, namely Beulah Land, also relative to this verse. Listen to one great stanza; “I’ve reached the land of corn and wine, And all its riches freely mine; Here shines undimmed one blissful day, For all my night has passed away.”

May our journey in this strange land, more understand the reprieve felt for Israel upon being granted a return to their Maker’s bosom, has become our Lord Jesus’ presence in us and nothing can separate us from HIS love (Ro.8:35).

 

Father God, we marvel at such marvelous love you have for us! We are contained by flesh, but yet overwhelmingly conquerors through Jesus. So, our hearts surrendered to the gift HE provided, desires to sing melodies indicative of our salvation, knowing while we were enemies of the cross, LOVE entered the room, invading our souls in pardon unto restoration, whereby we await being with our Lord Jesus - day and night, proclaiming Him Victorious unto any. We sing praises to Your Name! Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Determinations, After Being Awakened” G. Ward

 

Psalm 145: ⁸ The Lord is gracious and compassionate; Slow to anger and great in mercy. ⁹ The Lord is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.

 

People of God, strive daily to absolutely follow in the Savior’s footsteps (Eph.5:1-2); but never in accordance to a conjured concept, but one analyzed, through a daily interrogation of how HE correlated in earth and whereas we know how from the beginning, our Lord Jesus as Pre-incarnate God (that is relative to John’s portrayal that insisted all know – “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:3) – we praise HIM.

We praise HIM through being grateful. Old folks, some time ago would echo a sentiment once so common – thanking God for things as well as they were. Moreover, and we investigate our Lord’s merciful compassion, we strive to always look beyond faults (in others), addressing needs versus relegating religious expressions that insists we’ll be praying. Instead, we stop our endeavors and lend genuine care, remembering our Lord’s presence won’t let go, despite our pulling our hands away far too often and whereas HE keeps HIS hand open, prepared to receive us back, may ours keep opening - to receive others with that similitude.

 

Father God, we’ll echo how we want to be like Jesus, yet soon forget that upon hearing Your voice, the immediate response, will do what’s demanded. So, Lord, we pray for one another on this day, absolutely remembering our redemption that mimics our Best Example, Jesus our Lord, thanking You for enabling our rescue, to then be led by the Spirit, Who teaches us every hour – the avenue of greatest grace provided by/through Jesus. In that Name we praise You. Amen.

 

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.