Today’s Thought “Real Spiritual Preparation” G. Ward

Ephesians 1: ¹¹ In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will.

While many are stunned upon encountering disaster of sorts, even to ask Holy God why, it’s due to their lack of interrogating HIS others mentioned throughout HIS Word and whereas troubles visited those even more devout than us, the end of their story - found them more dependent on the Almighty than before. Trials are that way; they’re allowed to build our perseverance in Christ alone and not becoming overwhelmed by circumstances appearing disastrous. We cannot persist in an answer without trust of God’s Sovereign Control. HIS direct stamp of calamity imposed, along with how HE allows sorrows is solely HIS to consider and we’re called to trust thereunto. I want to encourage you on today, in not allowing a varied motivation from others, that only includes good things on its way. That’s a false message (*Matt.10:16-19,21-22) and won’t prepare you for the real world that hates us.

Father God, as Controller and Sustainer, we honor You as proud recipients of Your grace provided and know where troubles exist, Your presence in us is greater. The priority given for us as believers, one to another, is to stand alongside of those troubled, for ours will soon need the same. We thank You for every trial; knowing our spiritual character is furthered in implicit trust of Your Way and soon will deliver an eternity whereby no dilemma is allowed. We praise You, while anticipating seeing our Lord Jesus, praying Your will be done. Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Heritage in Faith” G. Ward

Romans 12: ³ For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

This verse serves as an inflection point on who we are apart from God through Christ. HE is said to be the beginning and the end – that term, HE is Alpha and Omega, is indicative of the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet. Before we were able to add or subtract in kindergarten, we rehearsed our alphabet; so vigorously, that even us old folks can recite it upon demand. The alphabet, no matter the language establishes knowledge of sorts; and whereas our Lord’s title enables our view that determines HIM as “All Knowledge” –  it insists our every presumption of ability more realize HE alone remains Ultimate Distributor in/through ALL we as believers seek to endeavor for HIS glory.

Lord God, our gratefulness in having been made incomplete without a Perfect Savior, truly blesses our dependence/allegiance on Jesus. So, we keep looking to HIM, grateful that HE knows our name and takes joy in guiding us. Altogether, HIS leading us is with comparability to a mother, clinching the hand of her small child in a crowded marketplace and whereas ravenous wolves exist throughout this world and because we exist as Your sheep, we thank You for never letting go of our hand; asking that Your endowment of faith in Christ surface in our souls unto usefulness in Your Word and because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “We’re ALL God’s Children?” G. Ward

John 4

 ²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

We, as recipients of the gospel, should offer spiritual hospitality to others needing what we undeservingly have been gifted through Christ, that is forgiveness of sins onto eternal life, to then mercifully extend that same lifeline to any through discipleship, we’re compelled to know that not everyone will embrace this magnificent message by obeying HIS commands. Instead, many wait for messaging that distorts God’s realities, which includes knowing segments of HIS Holy script, and equating that knowledge as sufficient; while neglecting to see that to obey is HIS demand.

We’re in an era where opinions saturate the airwaves and some are determined to undermine God’s Word. Just yesterday, I heard someone say, there were people here before the first two, discounting the Truth of God’s Word as absolute, while still saying I believe. Our theme on today is with a command that insists, we “must worship in spirit and truth.” Therefore, defensive shouts of “I know HIM too” can be lip service over spiritual adherence. For true believers must submit to ALL our Creator’s words found from Genesis to Revelation (*2 Pe.1:20-21); making an internal determination to allow HIS spiritual transformation of us to occur (John 3:3).

Father God, You’ve given us the fruit tree analogy that insists an apple tree won’t produce oranges and it’s indicative of belief from us regarding Who we’ve placed our trust in. The seed implanted in us should unfold blossoms from Your Word; yet, if our pursuit of Truth neglects being spiritually equipped, even daily, weeds and thistles block our spiritual compliance to Your guiding us. So, we pray for any listening on today, that each would identify with new determination that ensures Your will be done for their lives and for Your glory, in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

 

Today’s Thought “Tomfoolery from Pulpiteers” G. Ward

2 Corinthians 9

¹⁰ Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; ¹¹ you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. ¹² For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.

Unfortunately, we’re more exposed to many who purport pervasive tactics in this modern church-age that seeks to extract more money from the pocketbook, even guaranteeing when you give you’ll receive back much more and whereas this only applies where hearts are SOLELY determined to worship God, ensuring that HE receive all the glory, to then witness others benefitting (i.e., very particularly, the less fortunate - through/in all HE allows me to become part of), with an ongoing determination to bless others in foreign and domestic places to receive HIS gift of grace in Christ (providing for HIS missionaries and supplies) and yes, to even ensure spiritual institutional liabilities (of my belonging) are satisfied, including HIS under-shepherds’ remuneration for their work, will witness the LORD blessing our desires’ continuance, for HE loves a cheerful giver (*2 Cor.9:7).

Terms given in God’s Word like sowing seed is broadcasted so loudly because most everything, we’re a part of includes receiving something in view of giving something and whereas Holy God has no need of anything, believers are merely called to trust and obey HIS Word and giving to God is worship. It’s never the lottery system proposed, a put in and get out unto a personal, lavish lifestyle, or to selfishly store up and if ever you and me think differently, always defer to the Only One, who walked perfectly and follow HIS example.

And Lord God, while deception is rampant and many hearts remain tender, may we run urgently to the Truth of Your Word and never let go. The considerable ploys of man is an age-old regard in selfishness, but our Lord’s Way is selflessness and HE provided HIS own righteousness in us, so we can discern greediness from those proposing to influence tender souls. So, may we continue leaning to HIS everlasting arms. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

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.