Today’s Thought “Defection Within” G. Ward

 

Jude 1:4 “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.”

 

Christians seek to carry the good news of redemption regardless of a past unworthy of presentation. Moreover, theirs inspire any to “wait on the Lord” that enjoins them onto a peace misunderstood by most. Our spiritual institutions welcome every category of mankind to often forget the dissolution of worldly concepts is the accompaniment soon obscured by the best authoritative path (cf. Jn.14:6). Prior thoughts of success involves an aptitude for tasks embracing worship (cf.1 Cor.2:1-2), while forgetting that every progenitor of faith occupied sole reliance with Holy God operating through them, only requiring their availability, not talent or presumed giftedness.

Most places of worship rely on proficiency exemplified in secular work that designates these individuals leaders, while others are subject to humiliation as they endeavor the yardwork, cleaning and kitchen responsibilities. The “common salvation” mentioned by Jude (vs.3) sought promoting unity and fellowship without distinction. The vulnerability of man pursuant to the unadulterated words from God, extinguish ideas of vain philosophy proposed by many infiltrators that maintain frequency in most congregations. Real joy exists in an unrelenting demand to trust in the written guide that delivers eternal satisfaction vs. the next great party that corrupts.

Today’s Thought “How Did He Get Here?” G. Ward

Matthew 17:3 “And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.”

 

With one singular sin judgment from another precludes our inauthenticity. The report from Holy God on the other hand, determines to hear our repentance, then  regards our pursuit to enjoin our entire being onto HIS control (Gal.2:20). At this special event (i.e. the Transfiguration) Jesus insists that a few of His closest constituents accompany Him to witness a great talk with the original recipient of the Law and one by faith who sought strongly to destroy horrendous false worship of a god many Israelites began to accept. Luke said this talk embodied talk of the Savior’s death (Lk.9:31), enabling rest (sole trust in HIS efforts on our behalf – Eph.2:8-9). Life for Christians never guaranteed behavioral perfection, but fervent desire therein and while some pay attention to the bloopers, they’re subject to miss deliverance intended for them.

Today’s Thought “Inner City Kid” G. Ward



Exodus 2:9-10 Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. ¹⁰ The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. And she named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”



From race-mixing to social castes, we’ve understood very little about the LORD’S creation. HE made them male and female (Ge.1:26-27) and every delineation thereafter is a social construct. The Chinese are not inherently better at math and all Asian Indians are not pursuant to ownership of a local fast food establishment.

There is however an insistence from our Creator that guarantees great residual factoring for the whole of boys and girls (*Deut.6:4-7, Pr.22:6). The commandment that makes any parent responsible unto their progeny never implied we take them to church, yet insists they become the church. Echoing that sentiment (i.e. “I raised them in the church.”) when a series of wrong turns occur later in life, won’t matter until realization is permitted via consistent attendance at your perspective place of worship to then become the accentuation of what home demanded through modeling while teaching what belief is said to be. No matter the culture or ethnicity, great potential is best imposed spiritually (cf. Matt.24:35).

Today’s Thought “Pervading the Highest Standard” G. Ward

Romans 12:20  “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

 

Jesus at His most intense moment in being crucified said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” His prayer wasn’t limited to such an occasion, but sought to encompass future believer-ship (cf. Ac.2:41-47).

While many awaken to Monday’s miseries, they rarely contemplate how it denies every opportunity for peace (Ps.118:24). At some point I must determine to not allow such ill recognition and impatience to become despair. The real enemy is within and I must allow the soul provided me to undergird the spiritual transformation necessary that can change my view of others and circumstances. If I’m a messenger of hope, based on my having been shown mercy, I must insist on being merciful...

Today’s Thought “If I’m Not Too Busy…” G. Ward

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

 

The struggle in consistent, unrelenting attendance to worship services reveals more self-indulgence than a God-centered life says the preacher. The commands of God are said not to be burdensome (1 Jn.5:3). Full commitment unto oneself (i.e. loving yourself) is the chieftain of violation (*2 Ti.3:1-5) and when most consider such pursuit, more dissatisfaction occurs leading to a varied sin that denies peace. My personal straining unto fully embracing corporate worship understands (without categorization) a practice I’ve established in ideology (i.e. perspectives and opinions) that subtracts from perfect, authoritative guidance that empties into an eternal presence with my Creator, not because I’ve been good enough, but HE certainly is.

 

Today’s Thought “Forked Tongue” G. Ward

 

1 Peter 2:9 “ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

 

Resource, the word is said to be with trickery. It’s emblematic of the prefix re and can be either an indicator of something repetitious or motioning backwards. The objective therein for believers is clear; proclamation unto the Source for their supply is essential and when the path of righteousness deviates onto a way of uncertainty, recapitulation becomes necessary.

Adherence to words that seek to make Him known beyond the parameter of what’s philosophically acceptable, along with political resolve and the establishment that furthers social revolt has become (pervasively so) the re-source more proclaiming the truest and only Source, insufficient and we know “Nothing is too difficult for Thee…”

Today’s Thought “The Voice Behind the GPS” G. Ward

 

Luke 23:1-2 Then the whole body of them got up and brought Him before Pilate.  And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

 

To imitate Christ involves a continual focus on His works that maintain Supremacy over value systems the world offers, along with improper follow-ship of many seemingly righteous (Ro.3:10). When any decide to devote themselves to this cause in eternality, it can appear lonely to others who embrace greater sociability at every turn. Instead, this position is favored when practiced in diligence, feeling naked in a great crowd when spiritual focus is lost to then quickly return to the Shelter from the Savior who always desires our return. I Shall Not Be Moved…

Today’s Thought “God Understands?” G. Ward

1 John 5:3 “ For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.”

 

Religions are ever increasing these days through presumptive reasoning from earth’s citizenry. Although the ultimate script for every life demands blind faith, the out-sourcing for empowerment rests seemingly with visuals of prosperity to then make it an unrelenting pursuit. The rationalization therein seeks to justify the quest through insistence that God won’t mind (1 Ti.6:10), never to think of themselves as a perpetrator of the most heinous crime; implicit trust of the Creator’s rule (cf. Lk.23:34).

Inconsistent worship that nurtures and establishes greater discipline (that surrenders) is the culprit ( Jer.17:9) and for any that witnessed their awakening on today, it more reveals the Savior’s love and patience for the soul determined in mediocrity soon to end (*2 Cor.6:2).

Today’s Thought “Success Is…” G. Ward

 

Matthew 26:11 “For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me.”

Think on this; “I’d rather be poor, than rich in uncertainty.” Singing Blessed Assurance won’t grant it; nor will efforts in humanitarianism and hospitality.

While my personal demand and delight enjoys the land to which I live, I’m perpetually aware (particularly with temperature drops nationally, along with its inadequacies for many depleted of varied resources) of the sociological implications of many that seemingly lack aspiration to reside in some of America’s clean and posh neighborhoods. The insensitivity from those perplexed with why some choose dirty, squalid conditions is the chieftain to their soul’s self absorption without posture in review as to the Savior’s plight for any/all men, whether living behind the gates or in the streets…

Today’s Thought “Vile Practices at My Worship Spot” G. Ward

 

1 Corinthians 5:3-5 “For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

 

While the believer determines to live a consecrated life unto the unadulterated words from Holy God, there are others (with partial spiritual cognizance) whose blend is with an element of poison that kills slowly (cf. Matt.16:24). To judge frivolity therein, arrives with great criticism from outsiders; particularly with their defense mechanisms that demand “you’re no better, so don’t judge” (Jn.8:16, 1 Cor.2:15, 5:3, 12, 6:2-3, 1 Jn.4:1)! Truth demanded won’t conjure from insufficiency internally, but relies on what’s proven (*2 Pe.1:20-21). Judgments occur often with each of us, but it should never be a self construct, but emanate from the authoritative demand of the LORD and His proprietorship of us gives ability to construe uncompromisingly so.

Today’s Thought “Work, A Four-Letter Word” G. Ward

 

Luke 7:1 “When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.”

 

Those deemed to have a good work ethic will generally concern themselves with great character within the realm of vocation endeavored. Careful observation however, will view presumed lack in the area of family or friends that denies energy (i.e. tolerance) for a varied personality trait found in another (un-equaled to themself) and that same denial forbids social graciousness. To more see others for their spiritual potential was the driving force of the Savior (*vv.2-10). The spiritual transformation HE would soon offer those who believe, ultimately witnessed a new dedication onto the excellence shown by their Deliverer (cf. Matt.5:16, Ps.37:5). For any preacher of the good news, you’ll need to act accordingly. The work given us doesn’t strive solely unto any pulpit without forgetting a grassroots ethic in seeking those needing spiritual reprieve after corporate worship services.

Today’s Thought “What Seemed Impossible…” G. Ward

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

All that we presume on Holy God with strife presented us, should first rely on what occurred with those HE loved generations before (cf. Heb.11:8-14). The Apostle Paul endured great sufferings. His appreciation onto the believers for their monetary support (vs.15) sought to encourage them concerning their days ahead; some, like his would propose depletion and others prosperity, but their trusting the Savior (who embodied what sacrifice means) should never waver.

Suffering’s comparability is synonymous to little children’s inoculation before school begins; the unusual pain while such a huge needle punctures tender skin, it appears vicious to contemplate until a varied disease ceases penetration thereafter.

Today’s Thought “Keep Knocking, But You Can’t Come In” G. Ward

 

John 15:14-15 “You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

 

Awaiting another periodical of sorts to define the intimacy desired with the Lord denies opening the actual manuscript and allowing proposed intimacy to occur. The relationship intended refers to us as the “bride of Christ” once we believe; so does a bride await the eloquence or authorship of another to communicate with their own husband? Giving up so easily as a student of the Living Word (very particularly as any are inclined only towards those melodious promises from God without careful observation of its contingency vs.14) causes any to be entirely susceptible onto poison from the scholar’s vain philosophy and horrid theology so common for our time (cf. 1 Jn.4:1-3).

Today’s Thought “The Domino Effect” G. Ward

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”

While mankind’s measurement onto moral/spiritual prudence is mostly and perceivably an observation (worthy to grasp) from another man, Jesus Christ remains our perfect example (*cf. Matt.4:1-11). The avoidance therein desires more defense mechanisms because the essence of perfection is one of the most misunderstood biblical phenomena given man. It was never meant as an absence in error, but more posturing towards Heaven’s rule so as to ensure an exemplary life belonging to its Owner. Every mindset that seeks to gather oneself onto this reality (moment to moment) establishes resilience against superficial containments of joy; knowing by blessed assurance that the way of the Lord is without regret.

Today’s Thought “Halloween or Hallelujah Night?” G. Ward

Romans 14:4 “Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”

 

Knowledge’s availability (very particularly as it searches out origins of special days) at an instant can serve as ruin to another’s conscience that desires to promote each day as sacred; not worthy of any worldly interactivity. Believers have conflicted on recognition and interactivity with secular association on days and practices that allows outsider’s criticism of lack in unity. While Holy God gives an authoritative pathway to life’s uncertainties, it remains incumbent onto every priest (1 Pe.2:9) to promote reconciliation without hypocrisy. *There continues to be categorization in perfecting believer-ship although all reliance monolithically embraces their Redeemer (*1 Cor.12:4-7).

Today’s Thought “First In Line” G. Ward

Hebrews 4:16 “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

 

There’s a bilateral position from the mindset of man upon each encounter (soul to soul) that will either render another hopeless, or a view of their rescue (contemplating your own). Mercy obtained can be the frustrating factoring, in that the demand of interrogating, then surrendering one’s own impropriety is the contingency promoting rest (Jas.2:13). The regeneration then offered (particularly upon transformation) will ultimately refuse a champion’s platform because they know Who the real Mighty Conqueror is (*Ro.8:37).

Today’s Thought “Self-Preservation” G. Ward

Luke 22:41-42 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

 

Luke’s account of the sufferings of Jesus before crucifixion observed the agony the Savior endured from a physician’s point of view; witnessing extraordinary stress from the Incarnate causing Him to actually sweat blood. Howbeit that such a wonderful Redeemer while in a torturous state (cf. Ro.5:8) could declare that the Father’s desire use Him wherever/however for sin found in you and me (*1 Jn.1:6-8); to now make demands of safety, healing and monetary rescue, while forgetting the progenitors of faith (Heb.11:3-40) having endured great sufferings while testifying that earth was not their home?

Could any of your great-grandparents declare the same perpetuations we’re insistent with? Are we morally more sufficient than that generation (cf. Eph.2:8-9)?

Today’s Thought “Problem Solved” G. Ward

 

Hebrews 12:2 “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

 

The question through song by The Bee Gees (1971) asked “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” to which remains a struggle. The lyrics emptied with two stanzas expressive of “No one said a word about the sorrow.”

The writer of Hebrews insisted every believer be motivated by the endurance of their spiritual predecessors (Heb.11:2, 4, 5, 33, 39) listed prior and not those spectators of indecision (Heb.12:1). Every individual of faith in that era didn’t witness the achievements of Christ in earth but were yet content with anticipation of His deliverance. It would/did ultimately grant them eternal presence with HIM.

We also are no better than the All-Wise Savior (Jn.15:20). Sufferings are mentioned 84 times alone in the New Testament and while the world says speak it away, generations before couldn’t (*cf. Ro.8:18). Will you decide on today to walk alongside the dispirited/depressed?

Today’s Thought “Bologna Isn’t the Same” G. Ward



Acts 6:4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”



Altogether, food lacks the flavor of old. Whereas salt and pepper could establish any household’s yearly requirement, we now must consider every herb imaginable. Food’s natural intent (i.e. flavor) is supremely marginalized by a varied “filler” component synonymous with how embalming fluid coagulates existential blood in a corpse whereby a dead body remains intact for an expansive period.

The gospel’s corollary is the same for the believer; warranting a return to the highest priority unto any trusting in Holy God’s reign. We must insist on our spiritual transformation’s first delight, reproduction. If good singing and preaching was ever the catalyst for growth; 1. God would have said so. 2. The local church’s numbers wouldn’t experience decline, but build additional facilities for the real overflow…