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.

 

Today’s Thought “Artificial Intelligence Pursued” G. Ward

 

Hebrews 13:⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. 

 

The moral principles of God’s Word are eternal and believers are HIS representatives in earth to significantly portray these mandates can be done with joy, assuring peace of HIS presence, as we remain steadfast followers amidst an ever-evolving society.

The prior verses to our theme signify a variety of spiritual institutions to consider a reasonable approach in sacrifice and that consideration (for you and me) should always culminate with imitating our Lord Jesus’ example. For HE never sought to merge the highest standard from the Truth of God’s Word with what appeared to be a progressive era, but was always found faithful. Moreover, HE determined that what was proposed for those created by the Almighty should submit to that reign and rule, because the presumption from man is gladly received but for a season and God’s Word is perfect and forever.

The moral code for mankind, established by Holy God is timeless, transcending every generation and we ought not think too highly of modern technology, along with information’s availability at a moment’s notice to suggest we’ve arrived; for soon we’ll all be faced with departure from this weary land, desiring an eternity with HIM, to have never practiced how we’ve placed our complete trust in this All-Wise Savior.

 

Father God, may our blessed assurance rise to the occasion of why today was granted. Redemption from sin given by Christ demanded that greatest sacrifice and now demands ours. So, may we be more intentional than yesterday and find another to instruct, so they also can journey to know what’s been provided them by our Gracious Lord, confidently standing on HIS promises onto an eternity with HIM, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Selflessness: An Uncommon Posture” G. Ward

 

1 Peter 4:1 “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human lusts, but for the will of God.”

 

The goal of the believer’s confession of his or her own sins forgiven was met by Christ, who suffered, enough so, that disallowed any effort from us through such reconciliation unto Holy God. With such a gift of grace, any should immediately and often ask the question, what shall I render to this Savior who has no need of anything (?) and whereas our Lord’s Truth records, “to obey is better than sacrifice,” it means that doing what God demands is far more important than offering religious gifts or rituals, especially when someone tries to use sacrifices to make up for disobeying God's direct commands. Obedience, is a silent, humbled partner and at the forefront of its compliance, will regard all Christ endured (i.e., including HIS dying), along with HIS generosity in merciful kindness; always putting others ahead of Himself. When that meditation becomes a daily, ongoing reflection, a believer’s life prepares not for more years in earth, void of sufferings, but welcomes them; in view of the home HE prepared for them – whereby the threat of death and troubles are non-existent.

 

Father God, Your plan from the beginning involved this Gift of Jesus and our praise won’t cease to know You had us in mind before the foundation of the world. This day, wishes You a great morning, along with delighting in wherever You take us and proclaiming Your tender mercy to whoever; praying that Your church be revived in the greatest spiritual reality that Christ paid it all, and rendered the perfect example in endurance; in HIS Name we pray, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “What You See, Is What You Get” G. Ward

 

Psalm 119:160, “The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments is everlasting.”

 

I must admit how troubled I’ve been for other’s consideration of perceived, co-equal manuscripts prioritized over God’s Word. I’m an avid reader of most anything, amazed even at qualitative authorship from many, but I’ve experienced the joy to know what our Lord supplied when HE said, “My peace I give you; not as the world gives” and that my friends is known solely through the Word of Truth. Moreover, we’ll need to more understand it as final authority, particularly as we unfold more of its reality that says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words are forever.”

If as believers, we’re people of eternity, dependent on our Lord’s sustenance in everything, the assurance of HIS presence as we journey in/through this strange and weary land, won’t happen mystically, but only through a daily consultation mandated by our Creator.

 

And Lord God, we pray for one another, that each of us “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled to all the fullness of God” and become more prepared to proclaim HIS grace and mercy, as HIS words grant us security and comfort onto endurance. In Jesus Name, Amen.