Today’s Thought “Family Expansion” G. Ward

Philippians 1: ⁷ For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 

The Apostle Paul’s commendation for the church at Philippi is significant to being a church without walls, no matter the potential hazards ahead (cf. Gal.6:10). His being imprisoned for the cause of the gospel, witnessed those congregants complete support with great prayers that truly understood our Lord’s preparation for every believer to know - we cannot be HIS disciple unless we’re ready for such a surrender that denies ourselves a presumable preservation that may, or may not involve our safety. Moreover, he’d remind them of the Savior’s presence, so unrelenting, by insisting they knew HE alone began their salvation; so, HE wouldn’t leave them to their own theorizing, but would provide them with resolute answers from HIS Word (John 14:26-27); for HE desired the outsider’s repentance, as demonstrated in having received ours (2 Pe.3:9).

That charge remains, for HIS church is not sectarian (that is, divided – Eph.4:5-6). So, we must remember, our Lord will have mercy on whom HE chooses and whereas we called to an indiscriminate posture that proclaims HIM as sole sufficiency (i.e., HE can save them, grant them HIS righteousness, give them eternal life, without requiring their works, particularly since anything offered would be entirely deficient), we say, send us.

Thank You Father God, for allowing our new spiritual energy (this day) to continue in the race proposed. May our eyes see our Savior at the finish line; for HE provides that view as the culminating Hope we never imagined could exist. May all who’ve placed their complete trust in HIM – seek to prepare more than ever before in Your Word - that provides escape from this world’s lack of definitive Truth that graciously grants any introductory sessions (from us) concerning their Maker, our Blessed Redeemer Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “The Edge of Night” G. Ward

2 Timothy 4:³ For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires.

Many upon hearing such, immediately adjourn to criticisms of another versus interrogation of personal conscience. The doctrine represented in our theme solely portrays God’s Truth and whereas there’s much said about HIS Way, it must involve a daily, ongoing research from the whole of any who believe (*John 8:31-32, Heb.11:6). Therefore, if any neglect such, whether they’re alone in a day’s journey, or involving themselves among the masses, they’re exposed to a varied and worldly doctrine, they’re vulnerable to more of the world’s un-spiritual discernment – that’s subject to change; particularly when another far more eloquent view presents material appearing best to adopt. Have you noticed how the days are with great speed and spiritual intentionality is diminished? It’s because anything routinely practiced becomes habit, causing mindsets’ adjustment to visions that hope I’ll keep living until an old ripe age and as I grow (not so much in the Lord), it’s then I’ll be forced to settle down and count the blessing of intimacy with HIM – which is faith compromised.

Lord God, we’re given a charge unto introspection of our ways, causing us to evaluate Your demand unto every generation that insists "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it,” meaning, clinging to a selfish, worldly life leads to spiritual ruin. So, we pray on this day for one another, that we’d exercise both independently and more corporately, examining Your Truth, determining to walk as our Savior walked, thanking HIS leading us, for HIS glory and not ours, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Missions: The Missing Church Standard” G. Ward

Matthew 16: ²⁶ For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul?

I’ve had many opportunities to visit countries whereby the predominance of its citizenry lives in abject poverty and whereas our arrival witnessed how impressed they were (with American visitation), even receiving us as if we were entertainers of sorts, both lining up in advance to ensure a seat, along with the food provisions we’d supply, my message to them and for this strange land remains - the riches of our Lord’s grace.

While some may pity some underserved and without, deeming them impoverished via common lack of goods and services, a best presentation will afford any a spiritual view (*necessary for endurance), introducing the Creator’s Sufficiency through Christ, forgetting a contrast so entirely temporal. Poverty, won’t always be indicative by how much one has, but how little they’ll realize is at hand. Moreover, and whereas idolatry is forbidden by the Almighty’s standard, it’s not the sole graven image theorizing as most propose, but the kind of neglect that won’t anticipate HIS presence over personal desire, along with refusal to being discipled, even refusing worshipful gathering with others of like faith to gain our Father’s consideration over things and people so temporary (The real spiritual definition of poverty).

And so, Father God, we ask on this day, that all our contemplations, be resolved to how contented we should be in knowing we have Your patient, lovingkindness this day to celebrate, but we cannot continue in being driven differently to how our Lord Jesus correlated to living in an spiritually impoverished world, whereby many a view was/is obscured by desire for wealth over faith in a Living Savior, to lead and guide us to an eternity where we’ll be overwhelmed in euphoric joy forever. We ask Your forgiveness, having fallen short of the joy of absolute dependence of Your Sovereign Control, All because of Jesus, Amen.

 

 

Today’s Thought “I’m Still Here, Lacking Popularity” G. Ward

 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 And the LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

 In the year 2020, 65% of Americans identified themselves as Christians and every year thereafter that stat grew in small percentile. There’s a confounding gathering of information that states American church attendance is experiencing great decline; so, while some are confounded, true believers understand *Matthew 7:21-23. Many echoes of hope without confident confirmation exist presumably, but lack personal interrogation from/by Holy God’s terms (1 John 2:6). Our theme more testifies to God’s immense patience (then and now) in repeatedly sending prophets/ministers to warn His people of their lethargy as HIS compassion is great. The Israelites, however, mocked the messengers and despised God’s word, leading to a point where "no remedy" remained for their persistent rebellion. Today’s purveyors of hope, seek vibrancy (i.e., light shows, theatrics, palatial buildings and charismatic preachers) over substance, to then be confounded in why these institutions keep begging for more money, even distorting God’s Truth to substantiate lavish lifestyles beyond the scope of modesty, keeping eyes on them, versus Christ. It’s no wonder to be witness to great planning on this Friday from many, who neglect to definitively mention a greater plan for Sunday morning’s anticipation to be discipled one more time (*Heb.10:25).

 

Today’s Thought “Final Authority Speaks” G. Ward

1 Corinthians 2: ¹² Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. ¹³ We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

 

The Word of God, more known as the Bible can be defeatist to a desired destiny to endeavor a love relationship with Christ and some may say that’s idiomatic nonsense, but I see it daily, even in the church (2 Peter 1:20-21). The Word of God stated, keeps the centrality on the Almighty and utilization of the term “Bible” keeps allowing argumentative pragmatism (i.e., that which determines it as practical, but subjectively interpretive = NOT TRUE) and whereas God’s Truth is entirely impractical by design, unto those outside of faith in Christ (cf. *1:18-19 - e.g., parting of the sea, virgin birth, rising from the dead, etc.), believers must hold the banner of Truth higher for these times, insisting that all know that our Father speaking to man is short-lived for mankind’s reception of it and whereas many throughout the generations have sought to subvert God’s Word to another helpful ideology, it remains inerrantly FINAL (Matt.24:35).

 

Today’s Thought “Unchecked Sin: A Destroyer” G. Ward

Hebrews 3: ¹³ But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Our era is witness to great criticism of Christian institutions at large, namely because of gross spiritual malfeasance found with few among the other 400,000 worship halls. This unrightful critique is mostly defensive mechanisms to share, in why they’re not involved and besides that, they’re not going to give all these greedy preachers their money syndrome. Jesus, our Lord warned HIS church of this inevitable stance (John 15:18-21), demanding we not forsake fellowshipping often (Heb.10:23-25). The fellowship of faith, seeks to mature in God’s Word together, creating desired holiness to manifest in all we’ll do, in view of HIS mercies presented and when we’ll fall short of extending rightful honor to our King, another involved in that same fellowship - kindly and gratefully restores us to the Way we desired at what was the peak in belief. They do so, very gently, for they know their own time of correction may be near (*Gal.6:1-3). That’s why I don’t miss…

 

Today’s Thought “Me-ism, Won’t Do” G. Ward

1 Peter 3: ⁸ To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; ⁹ not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing.

Marriage principles exercised, is the context here and is representative of what GOD ordained as the conduit for family expansion. Husband and wives are to epitomize a gentle, respectful and caring regard for one another that fosters hope for all who may witness this harmonious institution. Our era speaks to such a Holy Matrimonial presentation as something more temporal, than a death do we part reality, diminishing God’s Word to fable. Immediately, many offer questioning “what if” an abusive husband, or cheating husband exists - syndrome. Some even subvert the Truth of God’s Word with a sad expression of my kids will always be my kids, but my husband, well, you know the rest. Almighty God knew what HE was doing when it was written for our compliance (beyond every generation of man) and demanded holy courtships onto marriage (*perhaps with communal oversight), that makes HIM (i.e., our Lord) the central portion and insisting a partner proposed, affirm the same. If you know someone “playing house”, they await your spiritual courage to teach HIS commands.

And Lord God, we delight in Your standard by presenting ourselves with availability to share with another how Your Truth must be perceived, then done in these moments provided us and while we delight in personal redemption shown us, failure to take another by the hand, may offer some we love to be condemned onto regret, so, may our meditations hurry to bless Your Name, throwing Your Lifeline, our Lord Jesus, Amen.