Today’s Thought “Pressure Point” G. Ward

 

“Blessed by the name of God for ever and ever, to whom belongs wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and mysterious things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” Daniel 2:20-22

 

The Daniel of the bible personified what it was to have total confidence in Holy God. Faced with a tumultuous death sentence if not interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s perplexing dream correctly. It brings forth whole new significance with understanding the song The Heat Is On!

Before Daniel’s nervous behavior exudes, his natural inclination was to pray (Da.2:20-22). Unlike many, it wasn’t expressive of immediate rescue for himself, but humbly gave praise regarding the will of God; regardless.

Rarely in this modernity are we exposed to such exemplary leadership as such. The most intellectual among us would have felt a need to promote persuasive negotiation. The extremely talented would comprise an avenue of entertainment for the king, to help subtract from his ordinary heinous acts. The faithless would just collapse due to an extreme case of hypertension, dying before the king’s judgment would prevail.

I believe we all, categorically echo these sentiments. The way however to unfeigned faith in God is to become practitioners of absorbing His ways through the best example given man, Jesus Christ (Eph.5:1-2).

Absolutely no fiery furnace can hold us when contained in Christ (cf. Da. 3:8-27). This does not suggest narcissistically that you won’t burn physically unto death; it demands that death has no sting (1 Co.15:55-56), because to be “absent in the body, is presence with God (2 Co.5:6-9)!” Until this might happen for you like it did for Daniel, don’t you get up in the king’s face talking about, “turn up the furnace 200 or 300 more degrees, my God will protect me!” The next song we’ll hear is Precious Lord, Take My Hand at your funeral (cf. Lk.4:12). Happy Friday!  

Today’s Thought “False Affirmation” G. Ward

 

“So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16

 

There are many places of worship that celebrate the central theme of Jesus as Lord, but fail miserably in the area of spiritual productivity. Heeding the pennant of truth (i.e. God’s word), is our sole enabler establishing our regard as the church (Jn.15:5, Ac.1:8).  Modern day familiarity disregards the role intended through believer-ship and has perpetuated the common reference utilized regarding places of worship as “church.” The actualization or biblical designation regards believers as the church, also known as the called out ones.

Sadly, we’ve allowed unnecessary name calling to persist from one worship center to the next. Church pundits’ contingency in this name calling is entirely relative to worship style. Slower tempos and organized order of services are tagged, a dead church; while upbeat tempos with sporadic praise expressions suggest vibrant, or progressive.

A more excellent assessment is available: “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now” (Php.1:1-5). One of many congratulations, theirs was a thank you from the Apostle Paul for their sharing the message of hope (the gospel) with their countrymen.

We on the other hand will keep arriving at our perspective places of worship seeking restoration, encouragement and lastly affirmation, shouting hallelujah for the great and mighty things He has done, while many are condemned to hell because the “called out ones” are too busy having church vs., being the church! Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Intolerance” G. Ward

 

“All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den.” Daniel 6:7

 

Like many of you on yesterday, I enjoyed the Inauguration of President Obama. The most captivating statement suggested that in America, absolutism should not be construed as principle. Religious zealots will certainly embody traditional criticisms suggesting his rhetoric precludes him as Christian without deeper contemplation of an office representative for a multitude of religious and social philosophies.

Like you, my personal desire is that everyone would know HIM (Christ) as LORD (cf.Ro.10:1). We however, cannot falsely infuse every American with a monotheistic impartation on a premise of religious freedom for every citizen. In the U.S.A. choices have become paramount to surrendering to ownership of a deity. Therefore, outside of a new land’s principles and freedom, we (as believers) must conclude that Holy God’s standards are never to be compromised by our allowing  our foreign status (cf.1 Pe.2:9-12) to become a poor substitution for our promulgation of the gospel (Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him.” Mk.12:17).

 Politicians, on the other hand, will always have problems conveying moral absolutes, because everyone is not ascribing to the only book where they’re found. Because of this and your non-partisan status, heed president Obama’s incessant encouragement for every American to not rely on government for every resolve, but to activate one’s conviction. Thank God for America, but mostly for JESUS! Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Squashed Contemplations” G. Ward

 

When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death. ¹⁹ They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer!” Genesis 37:18-19

 

Staying on task when ridicule or doubt arrives from others is difficult to maintain. Immediately and particularly when misunderstood or deceived, our expressions of defense can often be perceived, guilty as charged. It’s often attributable to our prosecutor’s conjured castigations that stem from their personal inadequacy.

Systemically, it’s been said to follow your initial thought pattern. I say do your best in remembering the ways of Superiority exemplified, CHRIST (Php.2:5-8)! Jesus knew His persecutors had an evil determination established in man (Ge.8:21) through free will given; yet gave Himself (i.e. died for their sins also) as the Sufficient Sacrifice. If a few desire embellishing a storyline with you as the main character, understand our Savior endured far more. Moreover, understand your persuasiveness towards righteousness can be miniscule compared to the antics of the insufficient.” Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal.6:9). Happy Monday & Happy M.L. King Day!

Today’s Thought “Just As I Am?” G. Ward

 

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

 

Walking the aisle at any local church for a potential congregant can be utterly horrific. Regardless of the church size, it more than likely appears that the edifice is the largest cathedral ever. People seem to stare in judgment, perceiving you’ve murdered or suffer with a major addiction of sorts. Many with sporadic praise clap their hands once the walk begins, further announcing, “Here they come now!”

Although the word of God was fully captivating and their heart was entirely receptive to Holy God loving them, all the attention could have subtracted from what was to be the most spiritual moment ever to conclude that everyone else appears perfect and experience perfect submission (i.e. “We’ve just come to see another heathen saved!”).

I would like to see our many congregations formulate a more comfortable approach for the new convert. Perhaps we can make this decision time more palatable by positioning various encouragers throughout or worship centers to accompany those coming to faith; it certainly substantiates the interdependence meant for man. Moreover, it connotes the theological expression given by Holy God that demands He is a present help in difficulty (Ps.46:1) and that His presence is everlasting (Heb.13:5).

Some will immediately construe this as compromising. My defense, I feel, would be marginalized due to preconceived suppositions obscuring what could be traditional hazards. More imperative to contemplate is that misapplied passages like Romans 1:16 that demand our not being ashamed of the gospel has nothing to do with our non-gregariousness. People need to know the Lord. If your protocol within worship service time impedes man’s first steps toward God, change it. Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Eminent Dying” G. Ward

“We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

Imitation of Life (1959 film) is an excellent portrayal of reaping a bad consequence for what altogether was delusional for a little Black girl growing up desiring to be White. This girl’s mother was obviously Black, while the daughter’s appearances resembled otherwise. So very captivated by the privileges given Whites, this little girl becomes somewhat of a successful woman, passing as White, to totally deny her Black mother until it’s too late. Her mother dies at the end of the movie. This young lady arrives as the funeral is over and the funeral directors are loading the coffin in the hearse. She wails as if speaking to her mother in a regressive child’s voice, longing for another chance. The closing song within the church is led by the gospel great Mahalia Jackson singing, "Trouble of the World."

Soon I will be done
With the troubles of the world
Troubles of the world
Troubles of the world
Soon I will be done
Troubles of the world
I'm going home to live with God

No more weepin' and wailin'
No more weepin' and wailin'
No more weepin' and wailin'
I'm going home to live my Lord

Soon I will be done
With the troubles of the world
Troubles of the world
Troubles of the world
Soon I will be done
Troubles of the world
I'm going home to live with my Lord

I want to see my mother
I want to see my mother
I want to see my mother
I'm going home to live with God

Soon I will be done
With the troubles of the world
Troubles of the world
Troubles of the world
Soon I will be done
Troubles of the world
I'm going home to live with God

This too was the sentiment of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:8. His longing for home was his spiritual understanding of heaven, not earth as his ultimate dwelling place.

As I sojourn through this life given, I too long for home. The many woes plaguing us all become very overwhelming at times. Perhaps it’s just escapism, but “Whatever my Lot, Thou Has Taught Me to Say, It Is Well, It Is Well, With My Soul!” Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Walking the Mile” G. Ward

“Now these are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his city. ² These came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah.” Ezra 2:1-2

 

“Walking the Mile” was an expression taken from the movie The Green Mile indicative of death row inmates time for execution. Although not a mile walk (from cell to death chamber), it certainly must be the longest walk ever for any man.

The uncertainties of life’s events are often encompassed with a reluctance to venture unto any pathway. Ours (the worry), can promote utter lethargy. Furthermore, it’s about the only time you can get a Christian to stand, allowing Holy God’s response. Mostly, we’ve been contained to pontificating a traditional stance of “God spoke to me” therefore I know what to do and where to go. I believe that stance more exacts Satan’s challenge to Jesus found in Matthew 4:5-7 (“Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,  and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will command His angels concerning You; and  On their hands they will bear You up,
So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone. Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.).

There were 3 factions of Israelites escorted from Persian captivity (as slaves, cf. Ezra 2), by God’s leaders. Zerubbabel (the first designated), had to lead over 42,000 Jews back to the promised land. These slaves were well adjusted to their new positions as slaves in Babylonia. Unlike their predecessors, they were not compelled to make “bricks without straw” (i.e. hard labor). They became prosperous merchants. Now they’re being told to leave and go back to sheep herding.

Zerubbabel had a very difficult job. You must know that oppositional forces raised their ugly heads. It was comparable to many of you preachers sharing a message of “deny yourselves” and “take up your cross,” to a bunch of church-goers determined that you should preach and sing what they want, when they want… Happy Tuesday!

 

 

Today’s Thought “Traditional Anarchy” G. Ward

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23

As a pastor, executive decision making can often times have you construed as a Scrooge of sorts. Our evaluating process is entirely accountable unto Holy God. We’re compelled to ask those prudent questions like, “How will this bring Glory and honor unto God?” Moreover, is programming in the local church more traditional than necessary? Furthermore, is it ultimately a fundraiser, or an edifying force? Let’s view some of the compelling (for preachers)  from the word of God: 1.) “Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. ¹⁸ When I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. ¹⁹ Yet if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself. ²⁰ Again, when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I place an obstacle before him, he will die; since you have not warned him, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. ²¹ However, if you have warned the righteous man that the righteous should not sin and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; and you have delivered yourself.” Eze.3:17-21

2.) “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” Gal.1:10

 

This compelling is transcendent of a prophet’s calling to fulfill; particularly for this modernity. No matter the cause, greed and selfishness have become an acceptable portrayal in life. The phraseology perpetuated (by media), demands our pursuit towards happiness (in a euphoric day to day sense). This achievement is mostly temporal, and has man straining towards more superficiality (as found in social position or wealth). Our better contemplations know that familiarity with new found wealth or position formulates immediate depreciation (i.e. we’re driven towards the next conquest = insatiable).

Be careful to know that sharing in the household of faith can often have believers perceived as a bunch of robots on a road to heaven, oblivious to earthly bliss, while consumed with complacency. With that tag, I’ll always beg to differ. Ours is merely a perspective in knowing that life is entirely too short on this end to keep beating our heads against the walls of pseudo opportunistic modules and maintain that Holy God is still able to lead us in accordance to what will glorify Himself. Anything less is traditional anarchy! Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “In A Weary Land” G. Ward

 

“Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. ¹⁵ Hezekiah prayed to the Lord saying, ¹⁶ “O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” Isaiah 37:14-16

 

I am truly the king of error. With great compassion and advocacy, I’ve allowed my mouth to say yes without proper assessment of a task presented. From the time of being a small boy until now, this has been a practice. My heart, although considerate at times, can ultimately violate regimen needed for later, in that what my new commitment presented became entirely time consuming.

When assuming the pastorate at my current church, I invited a pastor/friend opportunity in helping begin that work. He was quite the seasoned, distinguished gentleman, without ulterior motives and proven as a servant of our Gracious God. Our kinship was transparently reliant on Holy God’s direction and involved much prayer and evangelism. I recall our anxiousness concerning a daily pursuit of Holy God. The ministry exacted every endeavor through Christ, growing spiritually and numerically.

It was on a particular day that I noticed this gentleman with a slight limp. I jokingly shared that age was the contaminant. We laughed, while being totally empathetic with the plight of man in his degenerative state of well-being. That night I received a call from his family to hear that my friend had a massive stroke. Upon seeing him, he was void of cognizance in the ministry we endeavored. It saddened me deeply. My supplication to Holy God desired his return. I met with his family, whereby perplexity concerning next steps was unclear. I suggested a schedule be comprised that could aid his recovery while at the hospital (due to minimal staff care at most hospitals). They agreed. His son asked if I could take the first leg (first leg is a track & field term indicating a team sprint of sorts). I immediately complied. What was supposed to be an overnight stay at the hospital became two days stay without any reprieve. It’s been five years ago and I’m still tired! “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Mt.5:37). Oh yes, my friend although still alive, never fully recovered. Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “A School of Thought” G. Ward

“I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. ² God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?” Romans 11:1-2

For the first two years of my high school experience I attended a predominately Jewish school. Strangely, there was also a great population of Chaldeans and Chinese. The architecture was magnificent in that it promoted a more excellent environment for learning. As I recall it was listed in Time Magazine as being one of the best in the nation. Many are saying, “Well why did they let your dumb behind in?” Well, that’s precisely the issue in Romans chapter 11.

Holy God, predetermined to love His chosen nation Israel, reminded His people time after time of His faithfulness in never abandoning them (Dt. 31:8, 1 Sa. 12:22). Contrary to popular belief and lack of study, we are never declared as the new Israel faction. The Apostle Paul was from the regal tribe of Benjamin as was the first King of Israel (to whom he was named after). These had the pedigree of being Jewish (i.e. born a Jew, not declared one, cf. Php.3:4-6). The facts are clear in Romans 11; Holy God included us (Ro.11:11) because of Israel’s rejection of Jesus. He didn’t  however, reject them entirely (“In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.” Vs.5).

Getting back to my high school days, I recall my contemplations on cultural and religious diversity and the underlying element of respectability. Mr. Lieberman taught me sociology, a Jew. Ms. Katikos taught me Spanish, a Grecian. Mr. Opalinski taught me concepts in ceramics, being Polish–Lithuanian.

Beyond the first few weeks of attending, I settled in to receiving new friends and instructors the way most would acclimate. I now contemplate my great experience and desire going back. This time however, because God cared enough to graft me in (vs.24), I wouldn’t seek to absorb so much, but give to many represented, what was shared with me.

I love to tell the story

        of unseen things above,

        of Jesus and his glory,

        of Jesus and his love. 

        I love to tell the story,

        because I know 'tis true;

        it satisfies my longings

        as nothing else can do. 

Refrain:

        I love to tell the story,

        'twill be my theme in glory,

        to tell the old, old story

        of Jesus and his love.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Making an Offer Not to Be Refused” G.Ward

 

“Then the heads of fathers’ households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites arose, even everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:5

 

Israel, once living in Jerusalem as keepers of the sheep (as agriculturalists), became repeat violators of the commands set forth by their Creator. Their blatant refusal in remembering that same Creator delivering them from a horrific bondage in Egypt would take them away from a homeland (flowing with milk and honey = representative of limitless possibilities) to being enslaved in Babylon.

While in Babylon, sheep herding and agriculture wasn’t an option. For us on today, it would be as if without choice, we were compelled to live in the Sudan (void of capability in pursuing vocation), forced in becoming farmers. Although change is often uncomfortable, man’s ability to acclimate sociologically and culturally is astounding. In Babylon, these Jews (entirely out of their element), became prosperous merchants (i.e. store keepers). While totally encapsulated with this new life abroad, it was then that Holy God stirred their hearts in such a way to formulate a disdain for the very appearance of what the foreign land offered. Holy God knew of the insatiability man had with material wealth and how the very pursuit can drive him further away from his spiritual obligation (1 Ti.6:10). The Master needed to be honored through worship within the parameters of His Temple.

We now celebrate a dispensational era that has us in a foreign land (1 Pe.2:11-12) acclimating to the kinds of pitfalls once experienced by those Israelites. Ours currently, is without a commission in building a temple unto Himself; because God has supernaturally imposed His Son unto us that made us His temples (1 Co.6:19). Will we respond in the affirmative (cf. Mt.6:19-21), or continue selling our goods and services, oblivious to the calling to fulfill? Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Generations to Come” G.Ward

“Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in every way. ² Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, ³ and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, ⁴ but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” Genesis 24:1-4

 

Many of our parents did their best in presenting traditions that ultimately produced social and spiritual disciplines in our lives. In times past, very little explanation accompanied these disciplines presented; we knew however that expediency should follow the command, or corporal punishment would.

We now embrace a season of great defining; that is, parent to children. Young people demand hearing “why” when any decision is rendered. Moreover, the dinner or breakfast table is that decorative piece that accentuates a room within a home. Rarely are entire families seated together and children are baffled when the Lord’s Prayer is recited, or even witnessing a prefacing, cousins of mine utilized before eating, “Jesus Wept.”

Howbeit, that generations prior, total obeisance without question was demanded, yet produced far more productive citizens? Even when educational pursuits ceased after high school, young people ascribed to varied trades or the work force.

 I recall the emptiness in neighborhoods on Sunday mornings (particularly at the church hour), because the predominance of families attended worship services. Furthermore, Saturdays, was a day of preparation for Sunday. Dinners were delicately prepared on Saturday so when services were over, you could eat. For those of us with bottomless pits, food was so substantial, eating was an all-day event. There were some un-churched, but they were silenced and their total introversion proved so until after worship services, due to their embarrassment in not considering the status quo.

Perhaps some anthropologists would regard this as a limitless era for young people, because communication appears more concise and considerate than days of old? I, like some other geriatrics, exacerbate the notion that says, “Nowadays, young people have much book smarts, but no common sense!” Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “A Season of Servitude” G. Ward

“In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, ^but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.” Titus 1:2-3

 

We’ve heard it conveyed a gazillion times, “what then is the vision of your church?” Generally, that vision is introduced by the pastor of a local fellowship by extending a thesis statement unto congregants for adherence sake. Often, there are grandiose ideas predicated on glorifying Holy God and formulating an all-inclusive agenda to satisfy the needs and desires of the people. When thoroughly stated unto a generation of seekers, it becomes the nail in the coffin that seals the deal and makes them join without ambivalence. Some churches experience fast growth and are quickly able to make manifest an ideology presented, while others (for no apparent reason) move slow, making them synonymous with the illustrious “building fund” syndrome (that syndrome is renowned for a constant appeal for monies, without experiencing results for many years).

I believe that many leaders become terribly misguided in their first steps in setting forth this kind of “miracle agenda” (cf. Hos.4:6). Every agenda belongs to Holy God and the ones of us surrendering to His lordship need not consider seeker friendly mentalities to win the lost. Our message of reconciliation is transcendent to economic prosperity; very particularly that in which we can see or touch. I know this as truth because many are being won to Christ in third world countries without regard to vision of better facilities and programming (cf. Jn.3:16). More imperative to consider, is making Christ known and challenging others in the same (cf. Mt.28:19, Eph.4:11-12). We’re all experiencing great numeric growth, but it’s not entirely successful. We’ve violated first precepts by allowing programming and great appeal as the substitution for a message of Sufficiency, whereby men would never thirst again.

Happy Monday!