Today’s Thought “Star Light, Star Bright…” G. Ward

Psalm 25

⁵ Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day.

 

Regeneration is synonymous with rebirth and while I’d love testifying to having pinnacled in success with this spiritual reality for this new life imposed on me by the Holy One, my fallibilities and vulnerabilities insist I remain in the grip of HIS grace; respecting the process of an ongoing rite of passage (i.e., sanctification).

It’s therefore incumbent for those pursuant of spiritual devotion to Holy God, a genuine allowance that others would also be afforded mercy from On High (Ro.9:15). No man is exempt from continual error and all require forgiveness; preeminently from the Almighty. Why should another with a physiological make-up as I, be so esteemed, or less regarded, even with acclaim as being extraordinarily superior; particularly in view of mankind’s brevity on earth, along with his inability towards authority in whether there’s to be a next moment presented (cf. John 4:24)? All are prone to failures and significantly less than the Savior; so, I’ll adjourn to His calling to fulfill.

 Today’s Thought “Remembering the Newspaper Delivery” G. Ward

2 Corinthians 11

¹⁴ No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

 

My brother and I were horrible managers of the paper route we longed for. Not so much regarding delivery and weekly collection, but what we did with the monies collected. Having lived in an area where two bakeries existed within six short blocks of one another, along with the price of candy (of sorts) yielding 2 for one penny, overwhelmed our greater sensibility. It’s this kind of malfeasance that’s become so prevalent with the way many receive information; particularly when the source is with visuals in credibility, along with great ability to articulate scenarios altogether uncertain for hearers, yet compelling intrigue. Information provided in moments can seem to be an excellent substitute versus waiting on the illustrious paperboy’s evening delivery, but what was assured of the news provided then, offered facts (outside of Dear Abby). The Spirit realm remains the most impressive phenomena; however, it never promoted an idea of being captivated with a speaker, but compels every hearer’s exercise in best observation of the words provided through a prudent investigation of information offered (*Ac.17:11, 1 John 4:1-3).

 Today’s Thought “Faithfully” G. Ward

1 Samuel 12

²⁴ Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

 

A few chapters prior witnesses a people belonging to God, rejecting His rule and desirous of an earthly king, similar to other nations void of the Almighty’s hand. It appears preposterous to view such rebellion, considering a great historical account with all HE did for Israel (cf. Judg.2:10). We can never encounter these accounts, pretending as if we’d never consider violating similarly; particularly when our cries certainly embrace political and social reform amidst a citizenry with myriads of perspectives sanctioned governmentally (but not with Holy God – Prov.21:30). It’s that pretention that absolutely denies a One King theology (i.e., being owned by a Matchless Savior – cf. 1 Cor.6:19-20). Moreover and inasmuch as we celebrate a democratization of this strange land, implicit follow-ship of Holy God will mostly guarantee a compliance onto mankind’s law (Ro.13:1-4). However, our Savior never relied on a false sense of security, calling any sector in earth formidable, unless the Holy One is its guard; nor did HE ever promote self-preservation (even while the vilest of oppressors sought to humiliate HIM), remaining our Exemplar Leader. Will any follow HIS lead?

 Today’s Thought “Refusing Complacency” G. Ward

Lamentations 3

²² The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. ²³ They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

 

Unrepentant sin from Jerusalem was the issue and the Prophet Jeremiah would forecast an exile unto God’s people for forty years to be absolutely regarded as out of touch, along with guilty in pervading such gloom and doom and whereas he would maintain hope with compassion (even with incessant tears – not for his welfare, but theirs), this is written while God’s people (including himself) would be captive to an unruly Babylon. It’s a presentation of monumental proportion to mankind’s selfish plight for these times; in that Truth shared is yet rejected similarly and the presumed mouthpieces of God absolutely won’t present the inevitability of gloom (cf. Ro.6:23), but more desire to be admired from the people than care for their souls. We too are in a strange land and whereas endurance is mostly compromised by spiritual lethargy, along with the predominance of man seeking happiness over joy in all circumstances, crumbling when trials happen is a common occurrence, because the ONE they said knew them, never did (cf. Jas.1:2-4).

 Today’s Thought “Heaven Is My Home?” G. Ward

Psalm 91

1 One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”

 

What if Holy God determined that to know Him, one must confess His Son as Owner of their life, believing in the entirety of His Word (Genesis to Revelation), while proving this belief through daily study thereunto; along with unwavering consideration in attending (without missing) every discipleship opportunity (i.e., Bible Studies, Prayer Meetings and Worship Times) through a local fellowship (that will enable your perseverance in/through Christ), could this be true? Psalm 91 prefaces this actuality as definitive to the believer’s talk matching his walk (cf. Matt.7:13-14, 16:24, John 15:5, Jas.1:22) and whereas most place claimants with insistence on knowing Him, theirs are mostly familiar with the storylines given them in their youth, but fail miserably in course work that enables answers onto a culture insistent on having our Lord on their own terms and not His. Unfortunately, soon will discover they never knew Him at all (Matt.7:21-23, 1 Pe.4:7)…

 Today’s Thought “Drunk On the Lord’s Day” G. Ward

John 2

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

 

I have numerous daughters and whereas none are biological, all are loved. One is marrying a most gracious man of God on tomorrow and I’ll be careful to not weep profusely as I preside over this great ceremony. Believers have understood how from the beginning, Holy God ordained this matrimonial phenomenon as foundational unto the moral construct furthered for the whole of mankind; particularly its expansion and whereas we could elaborate on why such lack in morality has become so pervasive, I’ll digress. The Jewish Wedding could last up to seven days, creating a great “pomp and circumstance”. Our Lord would choose such an event so as to reveal Himself as God incarnate (i.e., the Christ). Moreover, television shows like Divorce Court, along with other reality programming wasn’t alive then, so if others enjoined themselves to such a monumental event, word of a couple’s dissolution (particularly after all the expense and time devoted) shouldn’t enter their contemplations (Can you say “accountability?”). Question? Considering the era, what do you think was the common beverage for such arid conditions in that region? We’re in a time where a multitude of beverages is optional (daily) and wine for that day involved a concentrated paste (similar to Kool-Aid) made from grapes, mixed with water and while it’s apparent that Jesus’ family played a tremendous part on this occasion (v.3) and the Savior’s Mother would approach her Son (who she knew was the Christ), so HE could spare the potential shame for depletion (in view of such a crowd). Christ’s compliance was not to grant permission for this generation’s debauched thinking that promotes justification of fermented Kool-Aid…

 Today’s Thought “Campus Crusade?” G. Ward

Psalm 119

⁸⁹ Forever, Lord, Your word stands in heaven. ⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues throughout generations;
You established the earth, and it stands.

 

I read about a church in England whose pastor sought to embrace an annual festival’s appearing in his district that attracts thousands who’ll pass their place of worship; so, he insisted they install beer dispensaries so as to capitalize monetarily, while pervading ideas of being an all-inclusive faith facility. He stated (shamefully), “What I say to them is that this is just part of our way of welcoming all sorts of people into the church, above all, we want people to come in and have a positive experience of their time here. Many people don’t come into the church building at all, and actually, if people come in and have a great time at a festival event, then who knows, maybe they’ll come in for something else as well when we put it on.”

  God’s Word will not change, along with remaining spiritually relevant. Those who trust in Holy God’s transcendence (i.e., HE is beyond our experiences and perception as Sole Creator.), understands our living must abide in the spiritual makeover in the faith HE imposed – “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God” (Matt.4:4) and whereas there’s periodic lapse of this actuality, even with believers, that settles on similar compromising mechanisms (e.g., fairs, festivals, great concerts), often adherent to secular visuals, inviting (seemingly) onto the masses, those same outsiders will appreciate our hospitality, but won’t relinquish their quests for additional venues equally or more appealing. In other words, you won’t win anyone to your fellowship, while compromising your ongoing sanctification. Truth (John 14:6) presented remains the ONLY way onto real growth (i.e., not numerical, nor popularity’s stance, but Blessed Assurance) …

Today’s Thought “Social Giant” G. Ward Matthew 6 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Soon, we’ll all be faced with a departure from this place we’ve placed so much stock in. Success was the goal and many times against what is paramount (cf. Matt.24:35), and this my friends understands achievement of sorts came and went; even past Presidents will ultimately require little to no Secret Service. Dutifully, those of us who’ve attained a particular autumn, that warrants a slowdown, along with a lack of recall in measures witnessed by our fore-parents, will seek to conduct training seminars on the many circumstances of life we either captured or that to which entangled us; yet most of our proposed lecture halls are empty and whereas those more youthful remain respectful, they’ve deemed us culturally irrelevant. I believe the primary culprit of that irrelevancy is pertinent to every other message outside of the most important one – words of eternality (2 Ti.3:16-17). How does one’s eternity look and has any presumed wise portrayed it accurately, or are they more proposing their soon departure, suggestive that the younger have so much life ahead of them? In other words, is Santa coming to town again this December? Both perspectives are wrong; Life remains the Person of Jesus Christ (*John 14:6) and whereas children die each day in mass, the guarantee of others’ departure transcends age. So, will we teach Little Jody good grades will land you the best income, lending an insatiable quest towards riches, or will there be a superior admonishing that ensures any who will listen, that while it’s okay to have $352, 686.39 in one bank account, one is far wealthier when an intimate pursuit of Christ outweighs every affiliation (cf. Josh.20:1-9)?

Today’s Thought “The Witch’s Cauldron” G. Ward Colossians 3 1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Believers falter periodically unto a settlement altogether recognizable at a city gate without a key and that spiritual relapse, conjures thoughts relative to things insignificant, along with meditations in hope entirely selfish. We’ll often ask when this un-spiritual war shall cease; until we observe the Holy script of our preferred demand and delight (cf.*Gal.5:17). It unfolds our earthen state with visuals seemingly so pleasing and worth endeavoring. Our transformation given by the Almighty yet enables our touching those extreme, hot articles of times past where we were burned, so we pass up the opportunity, rejoicing in the Savior’s care that governs our steps. The conjuring effect is always short-lived (cf. Ps.73:1-17).

Today’s Thought “Selective Messaging” G. Ward 1 John 5 4 For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. One great influencer, highly esteemed from men and with a large following is heard weekly on the airwaves and is believed to be genuinely attune with care, yet misleading many as I heard him quote this most outstanding passage with insistence that the many thousands (ascribing to his show) adopt this to extinguish their every doubt for the ability to overcome general ambivalence unto their endeavor’s success. *The problem however with such a discourse is with the term “born of God.” That term delineates one who has placed complete faith in Christ and then leaves it up to Him (i.e., the Savior) to further consecrate their new life (Phil.1:6). Therefore, and because HE is our victorious King, having imposed Himself (i.e., His Spirit) in every believer, we too have victory, but never apart from HIS reign (Ro.8:37). This new life however, also never proposes we live in accordance to our estimations, perspectives and opinions, but through obeisance, demanding from oneself, “HIS will be done” through us and that’s found solely in the Word of God (cf. Pr.3:5-6). Outside and inside of true faith, we’re exposed (incessantly) to sorrow, sickness, weariness and whereas our LORD demonstrated an endurance remarkably exemplary (*Matt.27:46), believers (those insiders) won’t shame those who suffer with these realities aforementioned, but stand with them through testimonial in how HE brought us and can do the same for them (cf. Ro.10:13). Proper claimants of God’s Word will introduce prudent dependence of our Lord’s Way, with refusal onto false expectancies from attendees in worship and their preachers’ co-existence with exorbitance.

Today’s Thought “Expository Preaching” G. Ward Ezekiel 33 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the horn and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away for his wrongdoing; but I will require his blood from the watchman’s hand. As the weekend is approaching, many pastors are preparing for messaging for Sunday and whereas some introduce portions in false ideologies to aid their congregants in experiencing our Lord’s Mighty hand for the life HE created, a great majority of them will arrive solely to receive words that tickle their psyche over consideration that absolutely abhors today’s ever-evolving culture (in sectarianism and self-abasement). The trumpet sounds greatly throughout most districts, particularly for those small, non-descript places of worship where pastors serve as missionaries and whereas many flock to those places where sounds and visuals are with similitude of greatest American entertainment, along with motivationalists’ impact that shares ideas of own your own power mentality (cf. Matt.16:24, John 15:5); a preparation unto the reality in many swords flying all over, so captivating, escapes their receiving the spiritual code that can shield/unlock potential penetration of weaponry that kills; all because they preferred entertainment vs. unadulterated Truth (i.e., what saith the Lord)…

Today’s Thought “A Savior on My Terms” G. Ward John 1 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses wrote in the Law, and the prophets also wrote: Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth!” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good be from Nazareth?” Philip *said to him, “Come and see.” Technology, with all its fabulous ingenuity has allowed what was an arduous process in most things to become easier, but it won’t conform the soul onto a rightful meditative progression, because mankind will always get too comfortable with things he can see or touch versus substantive values that counts when I’m depleted, or saturated in abundance (*2 Cor.5:7). Nathanael was such a one carrying forth ideas that believed a people emanating from a province of Galilee (Nazareth) could be of any value, no matter if Philip and others confirmed (cf. Deut.19:15) this Jesus as being the One the prophets shared would come as Redeemer. He, like most of the Jews would be so horribly frustrated living in the Roman Empire as second-class citizens, along with an unfair taxation imposed on them, limiting their fiscal viability. These actualities are presented us that’d we absolutely oppose every opportunity to conform to our estimations concerning earthen realities; particularly conscious to our status in believer-ship as citizens of Heaven. After an opportunity to speak with Jesus, Nathanael would proclaim, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel” (John 1:49). What saith you?

Today’s Thought “Deeper Investigation Reveals…” G. Ward Romans 4 17 (as it is written: “I HAVE MADE YOU A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, that is, God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that do not exist. My existing in the Lord’s earth absolutely means I’ll never measure up to HIS sovereign choice to make me His own (and to be clear, none other will – Ro.3:10). Each day’s presentation (particularly for believers) must resolve themselves to this spiritual reality; how HE declared Jesus to become sin and brought the worse punishment upon Him on behalf of our transgressions, although innocent of sin Himself and whereas horrible misapplication of this miraculous, spiritual phenomenon continues in each of us, a conduit of mercy keeps providing; as our repentance is daily (*1 John 1:8-10). Our Sovereign LORD is with sole power to take us from death to life and build us each day into the new being preferred. We however, must maintain an inability towards suggesting an earthen posture beyond this breath provided; for that too belongs for HIS regard (Ps.24:1).

Today’s Thought “When Heaven Knows You” G. Ward John 5 31 “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. Declarations in defense when another assaults your character is best handled through contemplation of ONE who possesses eternal significance in Heaven and earth. Jesus, our Lord spoke from a practiced life in Perfect submission to the Father, demonstrating to any who would follow HIS example where such surrender builds perseverance that can boldly endure vitriolic doubt from other men whose culture (in predominance) mandates a “do it my way, or be a rebel” and whereas choice in the latter may unfold a danger undesired, brace yourself (cf. Matt.10:28). There’s great cost in following our LORD, but magnificent reward of eternal proportion (Ro.8:18).

Today’s Thought “Anticipating Sunday Morning” G. Ward 2 Kings 3 21 Now all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. And all who were able to put on armor and older were summoned and they took their positions on the border. 22 Then they got up early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood. In this great dispensational era of grace, believers understand Christ as having paid the full price granting our deliverance from sins and while we attribute this unmerited favor as something esoteric to New Covenant people of God, there are bouts similar whereby believing predecessors of thousands of years ago (i.e., before Jesus) would too witness the Almighty’s expression, so rich in mercy, that wouldn’t require their limited aid (*cf. Ro.9:15). As believers seek to absolutely be sustained amidst a predominant consideration for cultural variances over God control/adherence, we must more anticipate HIS promise to never depart from those HE commissions (Matt.28:20, Heb.13:5-6).

Today’s Thought “Name Calling” G. Ward 1 Pe.2: 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. America is foundational unto a remarkable governmental ideology practiced by many and proudly has documentation that declares insistence from every citizen’s compliance. Collectively however, we’ve prioritized mankind’s written parchment’s usurp of the eternal script mandated by our Maker and whereas governance from man is ordained of God that establishes order unto its citizenry (Ro.13:1-4), we’ve been guilty in violating the chieftain of spiritual perseverance that guarantees our peace in this strange land (e.g.,*Matt.22: 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40 Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”). Therefore, we must not be surprised at such regression from a few regarding an exercise in common hospitality (1 Pe.4:12), but celebrate the Almighty’s posturing in/towards us who believe in HIM as LORD of all.

Today’s Thought “Good Cop, Bad Cop” G. Ward 1 Corinthians 2 1 And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come as someone superior in speaking ability or wisdom, as I proclaimed to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Our worst reliance on seeking to impress others goes back to the illustrious “Easter Speech” when we were children. Much practice was given over to this great demand. We almost pottied on ourselves with thoughts of standing in front of many to recite someone’s words not meaning so much to us and then to make it even worse, our parents were looking at us with a threatening presence that insisted we say it exactly like we did in the kitchen. Well, it happened and everyone smiled and some applauded; the butterflies departed and we went away and ate our Easter candy, hopeful that Easter be cancelled the next year. Many of those same children who were eloquent then, became preachers based on the applause of man. They were able to stand in front of the masses and proclaim Jesus as Sufficient, while trying at being sufficiently perceived themselves; particularly as the “Amens” from many would celebrate such words of inspiration, spoken so eloquently. There are however, questions from those of us who know “Truth” that asks, “now who gets the glory? Is it you, or the Lord?” We must remember that our seeking to impress others can/should never be the objective. The Word of God is said to be “sharper than any double-edged sword.” God’s Word is powerful, not only to give life, but also to deliver warnings and bring judgment and punishment to the disobedient. God’s living Word is not something to read or listen to passively and then forget. James taught Christians to look “intently into the perfect law that gives freedom” and to focus on it by doing what it says. What does it ever say about man’s theatrical production of it? Does he have some kind of endowment to make it more powerful? We must remain watchful as to our “Amens”! They can’t just exist when those words from other men sound spirited, particularly when those other men fall horribly short of our Lord’s Power. Lord God, may Your receiving glory and honor no longer contain a mixture of praise for the sayer along with You; but may we be amazed in You speaking to us, despite our wavering mindsets that can often seek to be entertained, even as we seek to pray for an awakening with those ministers feeling they must be vessels unto popularity, versus a coming out of the wilderness wearing animal skin phenomenon, prepared to share the only message of hope. Father God, we’re thrilled to learn of Your Way that transcends our perspectives and lends assurance to our journey now, that most certainly won’t compare with the eternal posture soon to be realized; the one You’re preparing us for. May Your Name be praised by all, through all, because of ONE – King Jesus! Amen and Amen.

Today’s Thought “Fire Escape” G. Ward 1 Peter 4 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. Motivation taught and sought daily (for our time), leaves out a preparation for the eventuality of sufferings. Moreover, it presumes that Holy God didn’t desire our sufferings, although HE imposed the greatest portion unto HIS Son and whereas every prophet would admonish a people against consideration in selfish plans and desire, although oppositional forces appeared so overwhelmingly stronger; HIS plan was to be trustworthy. No one has ever been exempt from great and constant troubles and while to pursue happiness must never rely on venue, conditions or others, but more experience joy in knowing of our Lord’s unrelenting presence, despite our wavering commitment that trusts in HIS Perfect guidance, assuring us of an eternity with HIM, we persevere; looking forward to HIS imminent return (1 Pe.4:7).