Today’s Thought “Better Than?” G. Ward

 

Ephesians 2: ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

 

Good deeds, moral performance, or religious actions cannot earn or contribute to how our Lord Jesus became the substitute for the death we deserved. He’d do so - by imposing HIS own righteousness unto everyone who places their trust in HIM to lead their lives in every way, preventing anyone from bragging about their salvation and whereas many are quick to express how great our God has been to them, on the other side of such monologue is another person perhaps doubtful if God can/will be good to them. Verse 10 from our theme answers onto a proper reaction: We, as HIS believers are HIS workmanship, created to do good works. God has pre-ordained a path of service onto others (feeling disconnected) and specific tasks for each believer to fulfill. This implies an intentional, daily, active life of personal obedience and service, living out the purpose God has designed before HE made the world.

Father God, may this beginning of the week not resemble the preceding ones, but move from self-focus to the attitude of Christ, who put other’s interests ahead of HIS own at a continuum. May every follower more understand to serve YOU absolutely means serving our neighbor, whereby our Lord Jesus served us. May HE be praised through/in our every effort. Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Another Monday Granted” G. Ward

 

James 1: ¹⁵ Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death.

 

To even hear the term “sin” is strange for this era. There’s an unfortunate demand from people to not hear of any judgment for lifestyles they embrace, even believing their sinfulness can still allow their hearing God’s voice, although habitually involved in selfish pursuits – which is sin. Many pulpits know this cultural demand and shamefully stay clear of messaging that may be construed as violating these lifestyles and we’ll need to know, the term lifestyles – includes every failure in activities of sorts that Christ Himself didn’t/wouldn’t  do (*1 John 2:6).

Our passage on today explains that unchecked sinful desire (lust) leads to action (sin), which ultimately results in spiritual and physical death. Using imagery of conception and birth, the verse highlights that sin originates from within an individual's own heart, not from God.

 

And Lord God, You allowed Your Servant Jeremiah to share with the whole of mankind, that above all, the heart is desperately wicked, to then ask, who can understand it and whereas the very next verse demands all know what is written – that YOU alone search the heart and test the mind, giving to each person according to his ways, we ask without trepidation that YOU change our hearts O God, make them ever new, in through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “The Kiss of Death” G. Ward

 

Matthew 26: ⁴⁸ Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign previously, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him.” ⁴⁹ And immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

 

To first remember, Jesus was God in the flesh, allowing this betrayal, knowing who HE made. Secondly, we’ll need to be reminded what betrayal is; it meant to deliver Jesus up treacherously. Moreover, for Judas this was intentional. Thirdly, didn’t we commit to His lordship over us? Have we forsaken HIS rule in exchange for our many pleasures so seemingly innocent? Has there been commitment to pursue His Word and then found us inconsistent? As a disingenuous kiss exists unto a spouse one insists they love and whereas we propose to be His church, that is, His bride – how well have you done?

Father God, may our view be open to correcting this unfortunate reality by understanding You giving us daily bread signifies a daily dependence on You for every provision and a recognition of You as our Ultimate Sustainer. Without You granting air, we don’t have life, So, may our hearts embrace believing this through better submission, then improving on testifying to ourselves and everyone that Your will be done, through Jesus, Amen. 

 

Today’s Thought “Never Too Busy” G. Ward

 

Matthew 19: ¹⁴ But Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them to come to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

 

Accountability in faith matters must seek to arise in knowing I’m too incomplete unto existing in the broad scope of a chaotic world, including living by a self-imposed standard of whim, desire and speculation. This presumptive stance of my consideration is unable to accurately calculate the cost; for I’m totally unable to look into the future to view its result. Moreover, if and when I’ll decide my stance is derived from a prudent, educated investigation from others encounters who may be deemed successful intellects, I further in rebellion to what’s best to consider – for all should consult, then follow ONE who remains Perfect because HE is All Knowing and compassionately attune to what’s best for us.

Our theme maintains that coming to Jesus as children did won’t disappoint; for they were enamored and awe struck by HIS presence and that remains the requirement. Furthermore, a child understands they bring little to nothing to the vast scope of the world and merely depend on their guardian’s provisions and while they’re with propensity to step out of bounds, they crave the discipline that peaceably and lovingly sets them on the right course, and to that end – I must never become too grown up.

 

Father God, You refer to us as Your children, not as a demeaning inference, but an intimate one. For the love relationship You impose on us keeps guiding, leading us beside the still water and whereas that posture grants peace and comfort to know You’ll never leave us, it can also warn us that a view in such a proposed solace, can witness our drowning in that same body of water, representative of deep troubles everywhere. So, we say loudly, thank You for never letting go, all because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “You Want It, You Got It” G. Ward

 

“Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days—You would not believe if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5

 

Appeals to Holy God cannot/shouldn’t prepare for reprieve on one’s own terms and that was the Prophet Habakuk’s cry; he was exhausted with his compatriot’s lack of trusting the Almighty’s way and it appeared the Lord was silent and tolerable even. Our Lord at verse 5 answers with great commands to this prophet; look and observe, be astonished and wonder. God’s people fit in where the heathens left off; more considerate of the world, than hearing and obeying their Maker. So, our Lord allowed the ruthless Babylonians to invade their territory to cruelly victimize Judah. Amazingly, many local fellowships purport fantastic prophecies towards hundreds or thousands of worshippers (cf. Mt.7:21) throughout auditoriums (weekly) with promises of no more trouble, while sharing very little on true contingency for peace (i.e. repentance). Is God the same God now as in the days of Habakuk? Does HE change, or do we need to change?

The Word of God is not the textbook of liberal arts; it’s astoundingly opposite of earthly thoughts. Moreover, and throughout both testaments, Holy God caused great destruction, even up to death for many who felt intelligent enough in distorting His commands. The beauty in privatized worship is that it helps us to know of His great care for us and never desire to repeat the mistakes of our predecessors; but ONLY trust HIM, even While sufferings may be continual.

 

Father God, we’re guilty of having needed You on wrongful terms. Our hearts many times desired retribution, and whereas You give us mercy, many times we failed to extend mercy to those we felt were grossly unrighteous. Then we come to our spiritual senses, and realize our Lord Jesus’ persecution and oppression given HIM for our gross spiritual negligence and hang our heads low, asking Your forgiveness and praying for the lost, because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Beauty’s Deception” G. Ward

 

 1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Let’s be clear on today, Holy God has no need of anything or anyone, but we certainly have need of HIS air, including HIS provisions and whereas HE desires a love relationship with us that’s real and personal, depending on HIM in every way – HE won’t lead us wrongfully. Our theme embraces a search for Israel’s second king and whereas the people’s delight is mostly in a charismatic leader, who hopefully looks the part, God’s choice circumvents appearances and looks solely at the intent of the will of man, where his or her emotional drive emanates – but any who profess to be led by oneself, even moving on one’s own volition disqualify themself and are doomed for many failures. Instead, we must look at all we do, along with our involvements of sorts and re-commit to excellence – only found in God consciousness; for to believe is to surrender to HIS perfect delight and thereafter joy will be yours.

 

Father God, Your love for us didn’t wait for our attitudes to reflect humility, but loved us when we were unlovely, so that we may gauge our transformation from the pursuit in all Your Word says, to then move towards obedience thereunto. Lord God, we thank You for searching our hearts and then changing them according to Your goodness and not our self-righteousness, because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Stay Hydrated” G. Ward

 

Psalm 63:1 God, You are my God; I shall be watching for You; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and exhausted land where there is no water.

 

While worship is primarily perceived as something done corporately and on Sunday mornings, King David gives us insight from the true believer’s desire to intimately depend on Holy God comparable to one travelling in a desert while absolutely parched, desiring a cool drink of water. He’s craving the Lord’s presence more than being rescued. I say that in view of this psalm being indicative of King Saul’s unrelenting pursuit of him (merely due to jealousy, in how the people esteemed David over himself). Moreover, perhaps this great psalm could have derived from his own son’s murderous plot against him – whereby too was ever encompassing. Regardless, it instructs us to know we also should celebrate our Lord’s presence similarly. His care for today is no different than for David’s dilemma then. HE insists, no matter the circumstance, we’d “let our requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

And Lord God, we’re especially glad that Your reign and rule of us is considerably more than what we ever thought could exist for this life given by You and while so many seek to thwart the many pitfalls of life, we understand when we encounter various trials, to know that “the testing of our faith produces endurance” and so we don’t run aimlessly, but unto Your Mighty Shelter, through Jesus, Amen.