Today’s Thought “All That I AM” G. Ward

 

Psalm 16:8, “I have set Yahweh continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

 

The study of man, anthropology, involves a holistic approach in assessing who we are and have been historically and whereas the psalmist acts as an anthropologist would, and thereafter never desire a repeat of living on his own whim and desire, he’d express an urgent need towards intimacy with his greatest Treasure, Holy God. Moreover, his recall of an old life, with all its ebbs and flows, that is, its pattern of coming and going, or rising and falling, more craved a life closer to God that brings true stability and peace; to then proclaim a spiritual, imaginative vision, fixated on the Almighty – standing there at his side.

We’d all do well to know as the psalmist portrayed at division 139, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?”

 

And Father God, we don’t ever want to imagine Your presence vacating ours; so, may we learn more of Your omnipresence and decide that every deed, along with our every word from this journey You proposed for in through Christ – rise to grace presented, that we’d be useful and productive enabling Heaven’s delight in each day granted, and never let go of Your unchanging hand, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Walking and Talking Zombies” G. Ward

1 John 5:12

He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have that life.

 

Believing in Jesus realizes HE is All-Wisdom and desiring HIS forgiveness for oversight in thinking I could rightly govern myself; after all, HE gave me a brain syndrome and although that epithet holds true, it’s contained in great limitation. Therefore, it’s incumbent on my limited ability to know what’s best for me; particularly since mankind is more taught by a hit and miss presumptive practice appearing to know, but is with comparability in playing roulette, to then lose considerably over and over again. Instead, to know HIM, trusts in His sacrifice, and welcomes Him into your heart, desiring to sin no more. If I come as I’ve been, there must be expectation in how He’ll change me and that change will come incrementally, when I investigate that Sacrifice made for me, despite my ongoing feud with flesh.

 

And Lord God, I’m so entirely thankful for this reflection point offered, knowing it’s not merely a great idea, but a lifestyle of depending on the Perfect One, who absolutely knows what’s best and whereas HE’S my Hero, my meditations rejoice for having HIM on my side. I know more than ever before, HE won’t leave me, creating in me a rightful spirit to remain in HIM. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “No Need to Explain” G. Ward

 

Proverbs 10:19 “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who holds back his lips has insight.”

 

It’s said “the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” meaning, people who complain the loudest or make the most noise are the ones who get attention, help, or what they want, while quiet people get ignored and whereas believers seek to follow Christ’s example, who embodied ensuring HIS words would draw attention to the Father’s regard, even modeling prayer early each morning, lending endurance to the many trials ahead (Mark 1:35) and thereafter compelling every learner to know we’re not made higher than HE (John 15:20), it’s become our charge towards a rightful perseverance through/in HIS example; avoiding every opportunity towards being defensive, even expectant to critical behaviors from others, prepared to pardon their indiscretions as HE did ours; remembering, HE told us, our war is not with others as we suppose (Eph.6:12).

We won’t convince others of this peaceable surrender by our many words, perceived so eloquent, but our love demonstrated may certainly persuade them to know HE desires their repentance also (Matt.5:16, John 13:34-35).

 

Father God, from the beginning You knew of our fragility, proposing Perfect guidance and whereas every generation of man sought relying on their insufficiency and landing in all sorts of troubles, You sent our Perfect Example- Jesus. Our desire is to never rebel against this Savior; by unfolding, daily so, along with praying HIS Spirit of endurance, the words of eternality – that disquiets our verbiage and relies on HIS presence to cheer and to guide, in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “I’m Resembling My Savior More Each Day” G. Ward

 

Matthew 6: ¹⁶ “Now whenever you fast, do not make a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they distort their faces so that they will be noticed by people when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. ¹⁷ But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

 

A personal relationship with God through Christ never meant one should keep their strongest conviction to oneself, but that any would absolutely proclaim their complete dependence on the Lord Jesus. However, that trust, is with a spiritual ratio significantly more weighty on the front (which maintains an insistence to not be seen along with Christ, but ensures HE receives all the glory, as HE grants you and me life in earth to proclaim HIM), versus a wrongful back end, replete with religiosity with boasts in how I made it and whereas Christ knew HIS audience had some zealous members, eager to share with everyone how they were fasting, even with appearances so entirely skeletal, Jesus’ instruction insisted they do all they could to not be seen for what they do, but all grace and mercy would offer from the Almighty’s Throne.

May we disquiet all our accomplishments, to more exact – “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal.2:20).

 

Father God, may that desire, rise to the day’s occasion which includes Your imposed instruction for us to become Your teachers in accordance to all we know about this Wonderful Savior and may we never regard how little we know against who perceivably is a greater theologian, but teach every portion with eternal significance, for Your Word is great and You remain greatly to be praised, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “When One Sips at the Cup of Mediocrity” G. Ward

 

Revelation 3: ¹⁵ ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

 

The city of our Lord’s discourse would draw a contrast of their water supply which ran through conduits warm and nauseating, and whereas a nearby city enjoyed both refreshing cold streams or healing hot springs, this actuality would catch their attention to know their arrogance, self-reliance and complacency was known by HIM and to that end we must understand HE’S still the same God. Therefore, the day presented, with all its magnificent planning, even concerns itself unto a weekend, with all its selfish delight, should more ask, what can I render to You, Lord? Instead, too many will suggest, “this is my money – I worked hard for, so I’ll do as I please!” HIS answer is with the similitude of what it means to say, “I will vomit you out of My mouth.” As the unpleasant taste of water existed in Laodicea, causing its residents to immediately spit it up, our Lord has no part in self-preservation and whereas HIS patience with any is evidenced by the new day presented, perhaps some may not experience another day’s journey – for HE owns the air…

 

Father God, while those of us who’ve experienced Your forgiveness are so grateful, we’re not satisfied with those waddling in impure waters and whereas we desire taking them to Jesus, our Lord, where thirst unto any can be no more, we ask that our plans be significantly reverted to the best plan, as You direct us to them and our sharing would be ongoing, until they’re able to take another by the hand and become part of Your sweet fellowship. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Obscured Through My Savior’s Care” G. Ward

 

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

 

When a man is faced with an imminent death, he won’t hold to his value system pertinent to politics, social activism, or global unification, but he’ll either embody fear from what he’s never been exposed, or confidence and perhaps the lack of to know of an eternal destiny. If the latter exists, where no confidence or trust abides, perhaps those messages from childhood, then adolescence to manhood concerning the Way of the Lord may surface and as natural men begin to contemplate a few good things endeavored, or points of generosity unto others may rise to consciousness, he may consider that sufficient onto Heaven, but that WON’T QUALIFY ANY.

What any perceive about Holy God, must be verified in HIS Word and whereas a few of us undeserving of such mercy and grace from HIS throne has us contained in trusting HIM in every way, we seek to breathe HIS peace, intentionally so, to another that never imagined they too could have a love relationship, so intimate with God Almighty through Christ.

 

Father God, You’ve given us access to Your room no one could enter and whereas Your Only Righteous Son, Jesus gave that access necessary by giving HIS life in our stead, even rising in the glorious occasion, proclaiming ALL POWER is HIS in earth and Heaven, we welcome HIS assigning us and are comfortable with embodying HIS attitude, giving generously and compassionately because of all HE did and does, thanking You for Your Holy, Incomparable gift, Jesus, our Lord, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “They Got What THEY Deserved?” G. Ward

 

Obadiah 1

¹² Do not gloat over your brother’s day, The day of his misfortune. And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah on the day of their destruction; Yes, do not boast
On the day of their distress.

 

This verse highlights Edom's pride and lack of compassion, showing they profited from their kin's disaster instead of showing empathy, a sin for which God promises judgment, mirroring the principle that "as you have done, it shall be done to you". 

Each of us have squabbles with those we love, but if/when our desire is to see their emotional pain when the thing you may have said becomes true, or if nothing was said, but they despise you for just existing and give you grief each time you encounter them and your rejoicing when the same plight is given them – go to Holy God immediately and witness the price paid for your own sinfulness and how it still violates the Wonderful Savior, when you fail to observe HIS way in everything, yet HE keeps reaching for you.

 

Father God, our ways are corrupt and You’ve determined there is no righteousness found in us apart from Jesus having given us HIS very own. We have no excuse after confessing our sins unto HIM; because, we’ve been given HIS life to witness and whereby HE was opposite of our impractical way, we desire Your Makeover. In Jesus Name, Amen.