Today’s Thought “Blessed and Highly Favored?” G. Ward

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Holy God is the supreme, absolute Ruler over all creation, possessing the power and authority to ordain, allow, and direct all events—past, present, and future—according to His perfect will, wisdom, and purposes and nothing happens outside his knowledge or permission.

We’ve mostly been instructed to believe that when we’ll rely on everything we regard as a blessing it’s also our Lord’s consideration and whereas our double-mindedness can echo a sentiment of “He knows what’s best for me,” our trust is marginalized by desperate ploys to have it our way. Moreover, we’ll forget history, by considering this generation as more blessed than prior ones who struggled daily to keep food on the table, along with many other countries yet in that same struggle of old. Is God still loving the world – to have provided our Blessed Redeemer? Is HE still the same as yesterday, today and forever (He.13:8)? And finally, have we been so obedient to absolutely hear HIS “yes” to all we perceive we need? Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart," means that when we align our personal desires with God's will/HIS Word, even prioritizing God receive all the glory, HE transforms a person's heart to want what He wants.

Father God, we welcome Your changing us in theory, but fall short in the practice thereunto. Yet, in our spiritual minds we love the intimacy You’ve given through Christ; it’s therefore, we pray on behalf of all reading this discourse to consider the love You have for them to supremely perceive Your will as precedent, according to Your Word and through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Please, Don’t Bring Me No Bad News!” G. Ward

Philippians 1: ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

Contrary to popular belief, the gospel has never been the welcoming message as many suppose. It’s not because of anything less than that to which it seeks to do – that is to change our hearts; conforming them to Christ’s image and whereas change is uncomfortable, sinfulness is compromisingly comfortable, because it embraces foolish, selfish desire and whereas our Lord demonstrated selflessness (doing so perfectly), even forgiving HIS oppressors, (particularly since they thought they killed HIM - despite how HE freely gave HIS life), even having said at HIS highest point in agony, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” we’re called to imitate HIM. Moreover, He’d say, “a servant is not greater than his Master” (i.e., followers should not expect better treatment than their leader).  Suffering for that cause (i.e., the gospel), is what the Apostle Paul reminded these believers to live for (cf. Phil.1:21).

False encouragement is disastrous; it seeks to take Christianity to an unfounded freedom from pain and rejection. Instead, Jesus teaches believers that all would be sent as “sheep before wolves,” particularly as carriers/dispensers of HIS Truth, persist to prepare in HIS Word, that will nullify what man has to say.

Father God, the many trials imposed on us establish character that keeps us persevering in Christ; so, we welcome them, celebrating being equated with our Savior. And Father, we pray for the ones weak to resolute practice of faith, because of greater exposure to the world’s message that has them straining towards false motivations. May all our encounters embrace more Truth in Your Word, as we rest in Your care, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Snake Oil Salesmen” G. Ward

Deuteronomy 18: ²⁰ But the prophet who presumes to speak a message in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet must die.

This verse mandates strict accountability for spiritual leaders, condemning unauthorized, arrogant, or idolatrous messages as treasonous against God, highlighting the danger of false prophecy. The penalty for such actions was death, highlighting the severe consequences of leading people away from God. The actuality then, is the same administrative Holy God now and some say HE doesn’t insist some die now, I say, Yes HE does. Many are condemned to hell and that’s eternal death (*Heb.10:26-27). Riches and fame have become the mantra to these false prophets now and while echoes of scripture fall from their lips, their hearts are seared in greed (1 Ti.4:2). They spend far too much time gathering monies, compelling people seated, with ploys similar to playing a lottery (2 Cor.9:7). Truth demands that no one become so enamored with temples and charismatic preachers, but live for God and not the big show (1 Cor.2:1-5). You must be careful not to be found teeter-tottering in that kind of idolatry, for it delivers death, not the life Christ proposed.

Father God, You insisted that our pursuits would envelope Hope in Christ, that is remaining in the grip where grace found us and whereas we’re grateful in/through how the Savior brought us when our rebellion was at its peak, to then rescue our souls, may we shout a resounding – “We’ll Follow(!)”, guarding the treasure within through moment-to-moment meditations in HIS Word; in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Be in the House, When the Street Lights…” G. Ward

Amos 8

⁹ And in that day—this is the declaration of the Lord God— I will make the sun go down at noon; I will darken the land in the daytime.

This passage signifies a sudden, divine judgment where God turns Israel's peak prosperity into deep mourning. This judgment from Holy God was established because HIS own perpetuated false worship and rendered injustice to their neighbor (John 13:34-35) and whereas this is also regarded as a prophetic foreshadowing of cosmic darkness during the crucifixion of Jesus, it warranted a return to God’s way then and now. Ro.6:23 says it like this, “For the wages of sin is death (judgment), but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (grace).” We must remember that the Almighty hates sin of any kind and planned from the beginning, beyond the scope of what mankind thought they did by coming to HIM. Humankind (you and me) are incapable of initiating a saving relationship with God on our own due to sin in us (John 6:44); yet, once we hear HIS voice, our response must first repent from our transgressions, to then place our complete trust in the Living Savior – Jesus; resurrected for our eternal benefit and for HIS glory.

And Lord God, may our day encompass remembering this ultimate sacrifice – given by who/what LOVE represents (1 John 4:8) and offer reasonable service to our Redeemer through a spiritual diligence remarkably higher than any pursuit. We want to grow in You Father and it cannot be established without fervent consultation in Your Word. So, we pray for one another, that each one surrendered would gird up in Your Truth, by preparing (daily) and then intentionally finding another to prepare, all because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Dreaming the Impossible” G. Ward

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

We exercise, anticipating a desired result, we pass a test, expectant to being credentialed. Most everything will endeavor an action, to receive a result – good or bad, but for the believer, it’s with the similitude of spinning a roulette wheel and our new lives aren’t meant to be gambled, but definitively belong to our Lord Jesus. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

James sought sharing direct encouragement from on High that would insist persecuted brothers and sisters, having surrendered their lives to the gospel of Christ - endure life by/through remembrance of the Suffering Savior and to know that trials, no matter how significantly painful for moments, will witness HIS presence; so, never turn from Holy God to foolish devices.

Father God, we know that we’ve suffered from this kind of Idolatry. We’ve turned from Your safeguard, the Truth of Your Word and Mighty presence, due to fleshly desire that failed to endure, but wants a life free of pain so badly, we’ve adjourned to another source and whereas that’s a false message the world pervades, may our turning to You, never let go of Your unchanging hand, while thanking and praising You for receiving us as Your own, in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Tonight is the Night?” G. Ward

1 Corinthians 10: ²¹ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord’s table and the table of demons.

There’s faith and there’s unbelief. There’s good (only attributable to God – cf. Matthew 19:16-17) and there’s evil (Ge.8:21) and while we as believers insist on taking shelter under Holy God in all we’ll do and say, HIS shelter remains sufficient; but when our insistence to govern ourselves happens (outside HIS realm), we’re subject for disaster.

It’s Friday and we’ve worked hard and often desire to play hard. It certainly invites those seemingly fun, to help create an environment of good times, but at what expense? Have any promised God they’d walk as Christ walked (1 John 2:6)? Where are we taking our Lord, considering HE lives in me? Do I need to hear fussing and cussing, along with ideas of peace coming from political reform (Ex.20:1-4)? Are my words deeming some hopeless, inasmuch as I’ve been redeemed by the Holy One? In other words, are some just too difficult even for God to change them (Jer.32:17,27)?

Any of these questions can determine what table we’re proposing to sit at and whereas some will teeter-totter on both the Lord’s table and the table of demons, our Lord says – that’s spiritually impossible.

Father God, per Your insistence and our repentance, You’ve declared us Your property. We’ve made many plans to forget such, that has questioned our belonging as wishy-washy. Your standard is highest and prohibits us to correct these issues unbecoming of You on our own, but we’re instructed to submit more to the Spirit’s direction, allowing Your change. So, may we all slow down to evaluate every choice that would honor You, or selfishly reject the Way of the Lord, as we pray for one another – to honor You in/through Jesus Name, Amen.

 

 

Today’s Thought “The Bedrock of Faith” G. Ward

Leviticus 19: ¹⁸ You shall not take vengeance, nor hold any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.

 

The truest summation in correlating to others (particularly for believers), is to persist in greatest compassion that emulates our Father in Heaven. So many have adopted notions in merely speaking quiet salutations to another who violated their consciousness, while disallowing what was greater continuity prior; as if to say one’s own mouth always carefully echoed peaceable sentiment unto everyone (?).

Our Lord taught every disciple how their praying should be directed to the Almighty and it included “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” *asking God to pardon our sins based on the premise that we have forgiven others who have wronged us. How utterly disingenuous for any to conveniently return to retributional behaviors because they were wronged, but forget the personal, persistent denial of our Savior’s way from the whole of humanity (Ro.12:3)?

“Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”