Today’s Thought “Bright Future?” G. Ward

“And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.” 2 Peter 1:15

A transformed Simon Peter, now an Apostle, authoritatively certain about how to trust Holy God more than ever before (cf. Mt. 26:31-35), embraces an earthly departure, unselfishly desirous that the gospel he said yes to would be the experience for everyone (Ro.10:14).

To spread it, he would first have to know it for himself. To convey it righteously, he would have to live it, and to persuade men to follow, he must be convinced that Jesus is more than enough.

The term future for man is somewhat oxymoronic (in the spiritual realm), until men decide “to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (2 Pe.1:19b). Do you think the Apostle Peter; a witness (i.e. martyr) for the gospel would be optimistic viewing 2016, the year of many making themselves lord?

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Popular Sayings” G. Ward

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8

 

More promulgators of Truth exacerbate an idea that demands, “You are in charge of your own destiny!” While destiny is synonymous with having a future, a reflection of what any have done with a past should be resolute in relinquishing custody to proven Ownership (cf. Ps.24:1). Where is the profound, mindful metamorphosis in the short span afforded man that determines he can impact a future that may not involve his earthly existence (Eccles.9:5)? Believers should be taught from the words of their Maker vs. the plans for earthly security for an uncertain future. This certainly doesn’t preclude future plans as an unworthy pursuit, but more decides greater consultation, with obedience unto the calling to fulfill (Pr.3:5-6). Until followers, FOLLOW, yielding implicit trust to the Only Wise Savior they confessed their sin to, they are their own lord…

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Fly Bait” G. Ward

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

 

Springtime unleashes those pesky diptera (scientific name), ruining outdoor events, landing on our favorite delicacies and exotic beverages; flies and more flies! Many concoctions have been sought to avoid these elusive tiny giants. I say giants because on one hand they’re pesky and on another, great additions to Holy God’s ecological demands.

We’ve been consumed with ridding ourselves against the many presumed irritants life may propose, not allowing a moment’s penetration; to rarely acknowledge perceived adversity as a builder in perseverance. Moreover, as the fly is worthy of swatting before he lands on Grandma’s pie, he is yet celebrated in consuming the spillage after we leave the picnic grounds.

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Happy Easter Monday” G. Ward

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

Well, the ham has been carved and the anticipated fit of the clothing purchased was received gloriously from many; the grand cabaret may be over for some, while others yet celebrate. The celebratory resurrection of Christ culminates each day for believers because without it there is no sustaining power to do the Master’s will. Many of us choose (without trepidation) as followers, to follow. We’re without a way of our own and past imperfects reveal (upon relentless pursuits of cyclical mayhem) satisfaction persists when confession from my soul admits that I know nothing of the next minute, while Infinite Wisdom does.

 “The best measure of a spiritual life is not its ecstasies but its obedience.”
― Oswald Chambers

Happy Easter Monday!

Today’s Thought “Perhaps the Last Time” G. Ward

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14

For the past three weeks I’ve been ailing (physically). Typical of men, I didn’t pursue what appeared logical by getting to the medical experts for some reprieve, until awakening one day this week in excruciating pain. My contemplations on that day reminded me of a dear friend who shared similar symptoms and was given a horrible prognosis; he died on last summer. I’ve imagined the same plight for myself one day. All of my charismatic friends are shouting in unison “Gregory, don’t claim that!” I say to you all, “None are with control therein.” As Lazarus was given sickness unto death by Holy God (Jn.11:4) and as King Uzziah was executed (again by Holy God) for usurping his role, if the life given me will bring glory to my KING, take me home. While this may appear dismal to contemplate (cf. Jn.14:1-3, 2 Co.5:1-2, Phil.1:21), the inevitability of it all understands sufferings will then be past tense.

As we celebrate Good Friday, realize that it’s only regarded this way because our Good Shepherd lent this perspective by great example that included our eternal redemption. As for me, I’ll keep preaching awaiting the Blessed Hope…

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “I Can Only Imagine…” G. Ward

When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, ² “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.” Matthew 26:1-2

Loneliness and feeling abandoned is not so a positive anticipation for man. There’s an internal craving for others to receive us without pretention and when/if that one leaves it may disquiet my spirit. Family, in the Spirit realm should forever be plural, due to man being temporal (in earthly terms).

As Jesus was a couple of days away from surrendering His life for the entirety of mankind, we should consider “laying down the burdens we’ve have carried, For in the sanctuary God is here” and saved a few more to assure that our walk of faith is interdependently and un-pretentiously guarded by others who experienced the same redemption (cf. Heb.10:23-25).

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Presumed Prosperity” G. Ward

“In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.” Isaiah 6:1

King Uzziah governed Israel for 52 years. In today’s governance his unemployment rate would have been 1%, gas prices .50 per gallon and mortgage borrowing rates practically non-existent. Militarily, Uzziah was a strong leader, ensuring peace, while promoting complacency among God’s people along with furthering their dependence on this king. Holy God struck him with a disease, killing him for invading the priestly office, violating the commands of God.

Our elections can promote an attitude in complacency and dependence on a re-source vs. the Source and an arrogant plight demonstrated by some may include ultimate political demise. While you await your candidate’s victory, never forget that every political outcome won’t surprise our Lord (cf. Ro.13:1-4), but can spur despair for many, permitting every believer’s responsibility in sharing that TRUTH (Jn.14:6) never disappoints…

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Beyond My Scope” G. Ward

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” G. Ward

The society to which we reside in has many social variances, but all offer a plethora of choices. Contrasting economic positions given Americans have many longing for more, shedding credence to their many complaints. While so many won’t eat leftovers, some in Calcutta just want a morsel of food. Other struggles in what to wear, while children in Haiti miss school again because of lack in tuition fees and uniform costs.

A common message for past generations (given by authoritarians unto young people) demanded recall of the less fortunate, disabling pretentious behaviors. Our Dad’s reference was the suffering that occurred in Timbuktu. Those National Geographic visuals of those living in abject poverty would always surface. Perhaps one of your parents utilized similar references? Let’s re-invite people (regardless of age) towards absolute recall unto a Gracious God who cares to re-shape not only our scope, but even that of Timbuktu.

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Patience With Others” G. Ward

“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:13

I’m inclined towards understanding that many are operating in a manner to which they’re familiar with in accordance to their experience. It’s allowed my impartations in what I perceive to be common principle, a minimal opportunity. Pompously, what shall I really teach another unless compassion is its first goal? Moreover, how beneficial is it to highlight personal principle unto another, when another who’s embraced even a higher moral (or ethical) code than I, may be capable in finding inaccuracy in the same? When will it stop?

We must never desire for another an uprightness that lends itself to our being elated for the moments shared with them (particularly if that desire embraces a social standard). GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE! The principles of holiness should be the aim of every man and with it no other standard matters (cf. Ac.2:44)…

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Beyond Pie in the Sky” G. Ward

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.” James 5:1-2

Rev. Ike was notably the most popular radio evangelist in the 1960’s promulgating an unsubstantiated theology that demanded, “Forget about pie in the sky, I want mine now” mentality. His flamboyance was the visual attraction many Americans find appealing. Our predisposition in visual prosperity from so many can/will produce a quagmire of doubting to what might be deemed as living by humble means, enabling “eccentric” to become our tag.

Here’s the problem with any of this. Rev. Ike had a massive stroke in 2007 (unable to enjoy his proposed wealth = hundreds of millions) and became invalid and died in 2009. Will the short life granted you strive more in things to substantiate what God can do, or will you just believe because HE is (cf. Jn.14:1-3, Ro.8:18)?

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “My Prayers Work” G. Ward

For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16

If each of us contingent on the prayer of faith given by another (if not our very self) was immediate in rescue from suffering, why would patience (long-suffering) be required of man? Had it not been for the displeasure in emotion given, to which I may have prompted (or the day to which health wasn’t optimal), where would my determination to never reach outside the grip of grace be?

Yes, our prayers as believers are effective, but we can’t presume to know what the intent in misery may produce (cf. Jn.11:4). Many circumstances (sickness, death, economic woes, etc.) are utilized by Holy God to bring an awareness of His Sovereignty. Demanding to hear only the promises of God without understanding the contingency for blessings furthered has become typical (1 Sa. 8:4-20) and we need not seek to understand the inexplicable (Isa.55:8-9), but to further ways to worship HIM, just because. Faith can be difficult…

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Proprietary” G. Ward

 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Mark 10:21

 

Categorically, most of us that would consider a devotional thought from time to time aren’t morally derelict in major crime. Moreover, the technological society we’re exposed keeps us abreast of the moral decay so entirely pervasive nowadays that disallows interrogation of our lives. Like the Rich Young Ruler (Mk.10:17-22), we may be too hasty in sharing how good we’ve been vs. deeper contemplations of grace and mercy afforded us that demands better surrender unto the Deliverer of such gifts.

Why not consider waiting (both as to serving and patience) on another as they struggle in spiritual adaptation, because HE waited on you (*cf. Mt.6:14-15, Heb. 12:14-15)…

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Assisting My Aim” G. Ward

“Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47

As a pastor, it’s my spiritual responsibility to know some particulars of the congregant (i.e. prayer concerns, family discord, ailments, etc.); it’s then that I can better identify greater direction for their resting in Christ (cf. Heb. 4:9-11). The essence of shepherding maintains a mindset of keeping the family of God together, as a grandmother would propose upon her own demise.

Meeting together for the equivalent of three hours per week in worship, to contrast the remaining 165 given for the potential exploration of self will (cf. Gal.5:16), is the peril that promotes un-rest. Perhaps you can suggest unto your bishop more opportunity to gather with the saints, so your spiritual compass always points “to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever” (Eph.3:20-21).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Standing Solely On the Promises” G. Ward

“Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.⁷ “The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways. ⁸ The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” Deuteronomy 28:6-8

Universalism suggests that everyone has claimant on Christ or any proposed deity. It’s reached pandemic proportion and makes those of us insisting that Jesus is the only way seem foolish (Jn.14:6). We’ve come a long way in a short time in disbanding the message of the cross. Many purporters of weekly/weakly faith visits sit amidst pastors not to learn how to flee from a decaying society, but solely for the promises of Holy God. Bishop, just give us the first fourteen verses of Deuteronomy 28 that share blessings of obedience and not the following 54 verses that shares a consequence when you fail to obey! We’ll fill that church house up!

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Turning Wrong Into Right” G. Ward

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

Just recently, the local news highlighted a story of a ten year old assaulting her teacher. The beating was apparently so profuse that the fifth grader is still incarcerated. Upon the reporter’s interview of the grandmother of this young fighter, many expected to hear an apology on behalf of her granddaughter’s delinquency, but without hesitance replied, “she needs to be in school” as opposed to locked up. What makes this crime heinous is the grandmother continued by saying that this ten year old doesn’t know what she did.

I’m very proud of the many spiritually surrendered that wept internally in great compassion for the teacher, then the child and her family when hearing this story. Less castigation, along with great prayer and proselytizing unto the message of the cross is the resolve acceptable. When despair encompasses mindsets of men, dangers will soon surface…

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Impropriety” G. Ward

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.” John 2:1-3

Did Jesus go to the package store to purchase some fermented juice to enable His cousin Leroy to get drunk? Moreover, did He go against His word and for His first miracle allow intoxicants (cf. Pr.20:1, 21:17, Eph.5:18)? Here’s what’s actual; the percentage of alcohol in the bible (namely wine) had you drinking a gallon before drunkenness would ensue. Jesus, of Jewish descent created a Hebrew standard of mixed wine (a paste mixed with water). The Greeks were referred to as barbaric (Ro.1:14) because they allowed what was the ordinary practice of less than a week’s fermentation to become months, increasing the alcoholic content greatly. Distilleries didn’t come into fruition until one thousand years after the New Testament.

Are you a believer? Well, next time you take Jesus drinking, getting your buzz on, just tell HIM, “Holy Savior, you started it!”

Happy Wednesday!

Today's Thought "Worth Finishing" G. Ward

"Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end." John 13:1

Faith most certainly can be difficult. Our human-ness is well practiced and entirely opposite of surrender to Christ. While strong desire to diminish is the calling to fulfill for believers, the inconsistency in effort can often revert back to the ordinary. As frostbite attacks extremities when exposed to freezing, so goes believers seeking to become their own shelter (cf. Ps.127:1). There is a perfect visitation to consider that lends the spiritual focus necessary to persevere, "HE loved them to the end." I too shall not be moved...

Happy Tuesday!