Today’s Thought “The Power of Tradition” G. Ward

Luke 2

²² And when the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.

Our Lord commanded these parents take the Savior (in HIS infancy) to the Temple and offer a sacrifice (Ge.17:12, Lev.12:3) and this included every parent who’d experience a child’s birth. *If Jesus’ parents forsook this purification rite, the reverberation of this negligence could have marred HIS exemplary standing with some.

There are sixteen days remaining for another Easter Sunday and the blame game marginalizes; particularly as any tag hypocritical church goers, along with proposed greedy preachers as the excuse so foolishly pervasive to their lack of church attendance. We too, are called to a daily purification; never contingent on Temple visitation – but with newest desire to be HIS temple (1 Cor.6:19-20) and whereas we’ve violated tradition that raised us in values (beyond socio-economic realities - *meaning that poor and rich planned ahead for the most meaningful, spectacular, worshipful opportunity at Easter, through clothing purchases, along with elaborate meal planning, it’s now been reduced, to remaining at home and consideration of eating out). Surely, as our Lord won’t change, because HE has no need for such and whereas all HE’D provide (*Ro.5:8) - demands our change to know HIM; let’s get started (cf. 2 Cor.6:1-4).

 

Today’s Thought “Uncommon Sacrifice” G. Ward

Romans 5

⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

If any could express to some deemed hopeless, that all Christ offers never waited on any of us to become good enough (Ro.3:10), yet sacrificed HIS life that we’d have perfect reconciliation with Holy God (John 14:6) through a tumultuous life in earth, that included HIS dying on our behalf, then rising from the dead – that we’d have eternal life with HIM, versus religious and arrogant expressions in how they would never involve themselves unto shortcomings from others so deplorably despicable, it’s no wonder many despise religion. The “us” from our theme is representative of our shortcomings (i.e., those seen and unseen) and the cross our Savior endured, would have been unnecessary if it weren’t your and mine sin that HE voluntarily occupied (now where is your boast?). Many believers are horribly audacious in reports entirely opinionated, feeling as representatives of God Himself, nullifying what it took for their own redemption (*Jas.2:13). May our meditations never forget – we too are violators.

 

Today’s Thought “Starting All Over Again…” G. Ward

Matthew 8: ²⁸ And when He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men confronted Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. ²⁹ And they cried out, saying, “What business do You have with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

These demons, having possessed two, offered a question unto One so clearly identifiable (by them) as the Son of God, to thereafter embody great timidity, as they’d be fully acquainted with their eminent and inevitable day of judgment (cf. Jas.2:19).

Howbeit, that such knowledge of Truth is known by such characters of disrepute, through a familiarity with our Lord’s terms, *yet denying its power, while the commoner remains contemptuous (i.e., believing yet, while also denying obedience thereunto)? One cannot insist they know HIM – solely through lip service (i.e., merely absorbed with words that declare how great HE is, while co-existing in/through leading themselves).

Another day is presented for an intended occupancy of HIS redemption unto you and me (Ps.118:24). Let’s not fit in, where mediocrity was established yesterday; for HIS love waits…

 

Today’s Thought “Follow the LEADER” G. Ward

John 10

⁴ When he puts all his own sheep outside, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

 

Perhaps like you, I’ve noted numerous scenarios that included caregivers representing herds of animals and their usage of cattle prods and trained dogs to corral energies from these herds (i.e., keeping them from dangers of sorts) and whereas our Lord’s instruction to HIS disciples would utilize these familiar actualities to illustrate Himself as the Good Shepherd, who utterly cares for HIS own, needing no dogs, or prods – because HE allows us free will to follow (indicative of HIS desire to be supremely acknowledged, but never through compulsive behavior from us), we’ll know HIS voice - not audibly, but through an unrelenting desire to convene daily in HIS WORD (Ps.119:1) and no other will do.