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.

 

Today’s Thought “A Script Worthy of Rehearsal” G. Ward

 

James 1: ²² But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.

The issue at large in this chapter is perseverance in Christ, embodying refusal to be overwhelmed by circumstances outside of HIS reign and rule for our lives and whereas HE won’t appear to us physically to impart all HE is saying, HIS Word from Genesis to Revelation remains sufficient to cheer and guide. It promotes warning, along with perfect guidance that thwarts every idea in being satisfied with systems ever-changing, even that to which political fronts and fraternal affiliations promise; for despair can often enter a room when no one is available; yet I know of HIS unrelenting presence, particularly because many portions of HIS Truth affirm this. Therefore, I’m convinced of a daily follow-ship of HIS Word, for I and every other are with a propensity to seek foolish regard of people and things, so I remain implanted in that to which is precedent for my life; determined to obey every warning, while encouraging others of HIS indiscriminate love with pardon for any who’ll confess HIS ownership of them.

 

And Father God, meditations of Your gentle rule, desires to remain in the grip of grace You provide – “A Mighty Fortress is Our God!” May this pause thank You for teaching us how to abide, to then witness more joy than our contemplations ever imagined – “What A Friend We Have in Jesus!” May any who’ve sought to believe in Your Word, be presented with a devoted sayer of Your Truth, rendering hope, that grants one other – “Blessed Assurance” in/through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Get Off Your Knees!” G. Ward

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Our approach to the Truth of God’s message (the gospel), will mostly believe our world is at a heightened state of moral deficiency, even lacking absolutes; yet, the Apostle Paul’s dilemma was the same then and whereas our Lord Jesus taught every disciple thoroughly, even warning those who’d place their trust in HIM, that “few” would find the narrow road that leads to life, we’re more convinced of the statistical data that insists most believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ for our redemption.

This appears a dismal report, until one activates their faith by witnessing these actualities of Christ to another, a taking them by the hand and teaching all HE commanded – whereby every believer has been commissioned. Thereafter, real hope rises. It’s because obedience delivers authentic praise and is catchy and whereas souls can/will witness how Holy God purposed their salvation, even transforming their uncertainties to rehearsal of the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want – they’ll witness Joy entering the room.

Father God, we thank You for enabling Your gospel to overshadow our critique and unwarranted despair. We’ve become too busy with forecasts unsanctioned, rather than embracing a dutiful response – in consideration of Christ’s mandate and tumultuous death that granted our deliverance. We pray on this day, for every soul redeemed by the blood of Jesus to know to obey is better than sacrifice, furthering spiritual bravery. May we all get busy, in Jesus Name, Amen.