Today’s Thought “A House May Not Be a Home” G. Ward

“You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.” Haggai 1:9-11

Driving around varied communities to see homes decorated so meticulously for Christmas is a tradition of old, furthering the anticipation of that great day. The beautiful lights on a house however are not always indicative of its owner’s illumination. Tradition (the practice therein) can often subtract from contemplations in gratefulness. Perhaps the homeowner’s anticipation in feedback from visitors was minimal? Could it be that his giving required another to reciprocate and they didn’t? Maybe the season happened extremely fast, eliminating fame for him?

Fulfillment enjoyed by the praise of men, may soon reveal internal depletion (cf. Pr.3:5).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “You Better Watch Out…” G. Ward

Nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.” 1 Timothy 1:4

Societal symbolism may appear harmless, but may reduce a chance in truth perceived. Sure, fairy tales build great imaginative mindsets, but could also create ideas in embellishment for latter times. Moreover, as the fairy tale permits an “anything goes” mentality (for the beholder); many use this early exposure to frivolously believe that no one is able to decipher their horrible tactics in deception. Have you ever met a three year old that thought they convinced someone of the lie they told? Greg, too harsh for three days away for Christmas, ease up! Christmas 2014 was just last week; the three year old will soon be thirty calling into work 3 days before Christmas 2042, thinking his employer believes this raspy voice along with an artificial cough (three days before Christmas) demanding he (the employer) accept this buffoonery. Perhaps a Merry Christmas (2042) for this young man, but a soon, sad 2043 when the same employer has to decide who gets laid off first.

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Squashed Conflict” G. Ward

Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man. “Whoever sheds man’s blood by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” Genesis 9:5-6

If I don’t see it I won’t believe it (cf. 2 Co.5:7)! Well, here it is; authoritatively given by Holy God – an answer for Capital Punishment. Will it diminish the protests or obliterate the debate? Final Authority rendered this before our time, so why the perpetuation in unbelief? Rather than conform to the rule book, man seeks to re-construct it. He still demands God be his co-pilot; as if to say he’s with a similar qualification (cf. Isa.55:8-9).

Real surrender to Christ demands that all disobedient children go stand in the corner until perfect reconciliation unto the Lord’s  mastery occurs and because we’re soon to violate the premise again, get comfortable in the corner (Ps.40:1-3).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “If I Could…” G. Ward

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching.” Romans 10:8

 

Outside of implicit trust (intimacy) of Holy God’s word, our knowledge of Him is limited. Imagine however, you had brief insight; what does God think about Christmas? Perhaps those more prone to great consumerism reply, “He doesn’t mind the gift thing, without extremes of course.” Another, fiscally challenged would say “This isn’t about spending exorbitant amounts of money” (while wishing they had extra to spend exorbitant amounts of money)! Truth: If you want to know ask (Jer.33:3)! First, remove all the presuppositional thinking, expecting to hear a James Earl Jones voice from heaven that speaks in King James language. We’ve got masses that would say, “God told me to go straight towards Macy’s, not Sears.” Are you kidding me? Why must we be the first generation to aggrandize perpetuation of falsely hearing from HOLY God? Study what HE’s done and HIS plan for man (Jn.4:24).

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Intentional” G. Ward

“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:34

There’s tremendous planning taking place with eight days remaining till Christmas. We’re purchasing “White Elephant” gifts for the office party, retrieving varied spices esoteric to these holidays, considerate of special décor and ensuring that every family member represented on that great day has a present.

Have we thought about Old Man Joe? He’s that cantankerous neighbor that keeps his yard off limits to the children and seemingly abhorrent to their very existence. Have you noticed there’s no Mrs. Joe? When she was alive, it was her planning that allowed bliss for each holiday for Joe. He has a son far away with his own family insisting that his Dad fly there for the holidays, but Dad‘s depression is absolutely homebound; although she’s passed 10 years prior his weeping is as profuse as when it happened.

Iris is 86 and she’s confined to a hospital bed in a convalescent facility. While her health is debilitating, her mind maintains recall of a simple life with a “Blue Collar” husband who passed years ago. She has several children and adult grandchildren seemingly concerned. Her children would love to have her at the family dinner, but the wheelchair is too heavy and besides she wears adult diapers.

I weep for the apathy in man…

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “This Is Only a Test…” G. Ward

Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.” Matthew 19:21-22

Television continues as the greatest entertainment device for so many. My generation and beyond yet marvel at not having to move from the comfort of seating with a remote control (or entertainment pistol, shooting down programming that fails to captivate me moment to moment) in hand vs. calling on the next that enters the room to turn the channel (Hey, your kids are not your slaves!). Arriving at the perfect channel, along with the greatest snack, has me paralyzed in euphoria.

 Someone call 911! What is the meaning of "This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System? The broadcasters of your area in voluntary cooperation with the FCC and other authorities have developed this system to keep you informed in the event of an emergency?" If anyone (including a terrorist of Bin Laden proportion) interrupts my program again, there will be no need to call on the Marines! I’ll get my lazy self out of this chair (along with these potato chips, soft drinks, Hostess Ho-Ho’s) and go outside and confront Bin Laden with all his wicked friends! Oh Lord! I forgot to grab my gun…

Will you be ready on that great day (*Lk.16:19-31)?

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Huge Disconcert” G. Ward

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1-2

Ten more days out and the pressure is on. Now how will I pull a rabbit out of the hat? Demands are being made on me and my fiscal soundness lies in question in ordinary monthly obligations. Surely God understands enough to miraculously deliver me via mysterious funds appearing? I know because proclamations of checks miraculously arriving in times of despair that echo throughout the religious community can be my testimony also, right?

Great dinners, homemade delicacies, and welcomed visits by family and friends are soon to obscure the pain of depletion.  I know what I’ll do! Six days after that great day, I’ll make a resolution to save more so as to prevent this from happening again; but you’ll have to excuse me, I must eat another piece of this red velvet cake before my annual diet that I won’t keep begins…

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Philosophical Intolerance” G. Ward

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6

Enthralled with the potential of our church decorated for Christmas, my pastoral insistence forgot about prior years in the same demand. Initially all the beautiful poinsettias arrived embracing our pulpit and some ledges. The red in all the plant leaves were so pungently visible causing many to compliment the efforts given.  Our being enamored with these beautiful live plants representative of Christmas is only appreciated for two hours at best on Sundays. The expanse of our church campus offers other areas for assemblies; therefore our worship center isn’t frequented. Many admirers of those poinsettias apparently have great telepathy with these plants; because some have arrived feeling it necessary to water these plants, contemplating their (presumed) inattentiveness during the week. So much attention given from these masterful horticulturalists have been instrumental in these once beautiful plants to drown (die).

We fail to flourish as beautiful vessels of the King when we allow a plethora of persuasions opportunity in rendering thoughts to adopt for lives that are not our own, while failing to gain proper nourishment from the only True Source; then we die…

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Crips vs. Bloods” G. Ward

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” 1 Corinthians 13:11

I, along with other boys of my generation were guilty in gang warfare. Without video game alternatives, our outside play after visiting a variety of sports and bike-riding produced tremendous isolating of those who may have been unnecessarily competitive, argumentative, or lackadaisical in varied activity. Early (gang) leaders would then seek to alienate those insubordinate ones by instructing the others to ostracize them. Fortunately, these gang symposiums had little to no lasting power. There inevitably was great, forced creativity given by the ostracized; it was called penny candy. The ostracized then became great extortionists; causing them to prey on the weak (i.e. smaller children). The receipts (manipulating friendship with candy) of their extortion allowed immediate re-entry into the club. Unfortunately we had horrible television in that day aiding our delinquency, namely The Little Rascals (a.k.a., Our Gang) that rendered subliminal, reactionary tactics in gang warfare that enabled the perpetuation in evil. We were so bad.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Assault on Christianity” G. Ward

“For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:4

Many seek to politicize great impropriety in sexual agendas, baby killings, public memorials of Bible statutes and prayer gatherings in substantiating an erosion of ethical behavior. Although the many sins of any nation may be entirely pervasive, it’s always been the responsibility of believers to lead by example and through promulgation of Holy God’s word. While Jesus our Lord wasn’t the quintessential political or social activist, He insisted there be compliance with earth’s citizenry (Mk.12:17, Ro.13:1-4).

Jude’s message embraced an imminent danger of the lack of compliance amidst those proposing more knowledge of God’s word than surrender to it. The ones (from the inside – cf. 1 Jn.2:18-20) who unconsciously dilute God’s standard to accommodate their insufficiency (i.e. inconsistent church attendance, lack personal bible study, etc.) are the most dangerous unto the church of Jesus. Their promptings spread like gangrene (2 Ti.2:14-17)…

Happy Tuesday!

Today's Thought "For Our Fathers" G. Ward

 

“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:16

I, indifferent from so many am without excuse for any lack in righteous conformity. I had all the exemplar leadership necessary to guide me unto great productivity and to ensure that my progeny could experience the same.
I was encouraged on last night to view a Grammy Celebration honoring what would have been Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday. Modern day young men and women of great entertainment recognition sought conveyance through song in perfect portrayal the music he once sung amidst a tremendous orchestration of instrumentalists with exquisite abilities. Amazingly, every artist placed top priority in dress and hair. I'm referring to the hairstyles permissible in your Father's home, along with clothing that appeared as if no one could occupy that outfit but them. On today I’m very thankful for the days of strong parameters; when parents weren’t afraid of their children. Our Fathers were also very forthright in sharing how time in earth is short, and then we die; so telling Frank Sinatra or anyone else who passed Happy Birthday may be futile (Eccl.9:5). They won’t hear it!

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Canceling Universalism” G. Ward

 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Matthew 7:21-23

 

Imagine a world where everyone presumes God’s love as tolerant of man (cf. Gal.2:20) until it involves serial killers, child molesters and the like? Moreover, imagine such a pervasive thought that makes demands on heaven, while the supposed recipients therein fail at independent pursuit of HIM who desires to redeem their souls but everything takes precedent over that great search (Mt.6:21) and personal intimacy (with God) is relegated to the people that sound like they know what they’re talking about?

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Boots On the Ground” G. Ward

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

 

The sixties allowed my siblings and me to view large military vehicles parading down major boulevards in our city. These armed soldiers (National Guard) carried high powered weaponry as an order issued from the government of Michigan who sought rest on behalf of its citizenry. Mass rioting was as pervasive then as any Middle Eastern country experiences. As a kid, I marveled at seeing a live version of the “Army Men” I played with from a purchase at the “Dime Store.” My understanding of social unrest was guarded, so fear wasn’t an option.

As children of the Most High we’re yet guarded and the child-like faith we had in parental protection is the reliance necessary in avoiding fear with all the modern day chaos (cf. Pr.1:24-29). It most certainly remains incumbent of me to share truth regarding terroristic plots indigenous to America or those disgruntled abroad. Believers (we must remember) have perished for numerous generations at the hand of terrorists, while failing to know that death for every believer is without terror (cf. Jn.5:24, 14:1-3, Rev.21:4)…

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Abstention Personified” G. Ward

“Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:11-12

 

There’s one thing to look like me and proclaim purity before marriage, (considering my alter ego and me are the only ones enamored with my physicality) but we’re talking sports icons like Tim Tebow and Russell Wilson (in recent times) who desire to live holy. Considering the sensationalistic paradigm given by entertainers becoming the goal for young people (i.e. tangible wealth) as commonplace and the very lack in exemplary behavior by many, sharing vitality in integrous normalcy is disquieted. Moreover, considering sex now sells dish detergent, how do you tell Little Jenny to abstain? On last evening’s CNN report entitled “Being 13” (explores how 13 year olds use social media and why it matters so much to them), Anderson Cooper’s reporting revealed extreme illicit activity by these adolescents (language, violence and sex); not from single parent homes or inner city kids, but suburbanites.

If you won’t teach them society will…

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Multitasking” G. Ward

“Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:3-4

There’s so much false humility amidst religious leaders that when one portrays himself as available to walking alongside another suffering many await a scheme to surface. Generations of the pastorate proved available to congregants when called upon, whereas now the mechanism that allows contact with the modern theologian is almost impossible; reaching the Queen of England may be easier. Religious leaders are consumed with a multitude of scenarios. Could it be selfish gain dressed up as spreading “Truth?” Have you sat in the presence (recently) with your leader to confirm his calling to fulfill as unwavering (1 Co.2:1-3)? Many of you cannot. That chamber isn’t available. Proportionately, your social ranking lacks interest. Moreover, he doesn’t know you; but he sure can preach…

Happy Tuesday!