Today’s Thought “Constrained in the Spirit” G. Ward

Colossians 2:6-7

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

 

The Truth of God’s Word has determined that echoes of all we say will many times be opposite of activity befitting for Holy God’s view (cf. 1 Pe.1:16) and therefore insists on an ongoing pursuit of HIS demands (John 8:31-32) and whereas neglect of HIS distribution of “daily bread” can exist, malnourishment becomes an unfortunate actuality; not with visible perception, but an unconscionable reliance on oneself – where no “rest” (Heb.4:9-11) exists.

Salvation is on the Savior’s terms (John 6:44), not a teeter-tottering mindset, but humbled concession unto HIS faithfulness. Surrender today, for tomorrow may be too late.

 

Today’s Thought “God Won’t Leave: A Beautiful Phenomenon” G. Ward

Philippians 4: ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

Our journey in earth is more replete with miseries than we’d care to mention and whereas those tribulations can often overwhelm our soul, tear ducts discharge great moisture (indicative of pain). For the believer and because we understand the gift of our Lord’s ongoing presence happened upon our repentance (cf. Ac.3:19-20), enabling our gratefulness, even through great meditative review of His promises, the joy in obtaining the Greatest Caregiver remains and whereas none are exempt from the many trials of life and may have little to no connection with HIS promises, may our Lord use us to proclaim HIM as available to any, similarly (Ro.10:13).

 

Today’s Thought “The Sheep Gate” G. Ward

Hebrews 4:1

Therefore, we must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.

 

The shepherd, or watchman was with comparability to an animal tamer and whereas many would disparage these shepherds, they’d call on them to gather their flocks (cf. Heb.4:16). No other could enter the gate and be recognized as authority outside of himself. Moreover, those sheep knew his voice and responded accordingly (John 10:2-4). Our Great Shepherd has on many occasions referred to us as HIS defense-less sheep (*Ps.95:7); even declaring He’s sending us among wolves (Matt.10:16). Altogether, this calling to fulfill (i.e., Heb.4:1) – insists on our compliance, with absolute dependence. Thereafter, we’ll discover, HE keeps providing great refuge, particularly when our insistence to return inside the gate – occurs, joyfully.

 

Today’s Thought “With Many a Winding Turn” G. Ward

Ephesians 6

¹⁸ With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints

 

Jesus, our Exemplar Leader was demonstrably the best at praying. He was given an un-comparable mission (*Matt.1:21), teaching along the way; how to correlate to the journey. He’d endure greatest suffering, walking alongside of villainous characters, yet sharing patience, even denying personal defense (cf. Mark 1:35). These evolving times most certainly calls for new heroic characters, who will soon be displaced and whereas none greater than our Lord shall ever be, we’re called to be exemplary (as we proclaim His grace as Sufficient). Therefore, a day or two of worship (from believers) is not enough to honor the rescue HE provided. So, our dutiful response is to mimic our Savior’s resilience although ours won’t match such stalwart characterization; but we also have the greatest spiritual conduit of prayer, to keep us on course (cf. Ps.1:1-3). Safe travels.

 

Today’s Thought “Schindler’s List” G. Ward

Galatians 5: ¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, ²⁰ idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Oskar Schindler was a German industrialist, owning a factory and whereas he existed at the time of the Holocaust, he’d grow weary in witnessing the Nazi party’s effort to annihilate Jews by relegating them to concentration camps (a profoundly difficult and tortuous encampment, that awaited being placed in gaseous furnaces), compassion would rise from one so unsuspecting. Schindler was himself a Nazi, but would realize these Jews deserved life as he had and would construct a list of over 1,200 Jewish employees to be spared from imminent death at Auschwitz by bribing officials.

While great humanitarianism should be celebrated, our efforts as lights in a dark world (Ps.119:105) can point some to the path where true life begins, even snatching some out of the fire (Jude 1:23); but to think and act on our own volition (particularly as believers in Christ) is without eternal implications. In other terms, to rescue unto more earthen reality may appear good, until it’s weighed against eternal security in Christ. So, to be effectual onto the greater actuality, we’ll need the Holy Spirit’s lead (*Gal.5:16-17). Walk Accordingly.

 

Today’s Thought “Think About HIS Goodness” G. Ward

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

 

May your upcoming weekend be replete with great meditation in how such Love demonstrated happened knowing of our rebellion as steadfast, yet movable by HIS grace accepted, to then be able to testify and desire needful change through daily investigation in all HE did, as a Remarkable, Exemplar King – resolved to pleasing His Father and not men. We, who believe, must never be satisfied in our earthen status as foreigners in this secular world, yet strain in proclaiming ONE who can carry us through - onto Home (Phil.3:20).

 

Today’s Thought “Remembering All HE Promised” G. Ward

Acts 4

¹² And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.

 

While the authority of Peter and John was astounding as they’d proclaim Christ as the Only Source for redemption – while absolutely emboldened, as Christ taught them would occur (*Matt.10:18-20) and whereas those who’d hear such truly believed in a coming Deliverer (Messiah), they’d never be convinced it was He who died and certainly not resurrected. Then, to announce that this Christ was from the most ridiculous section in earth, Nazareth, was even more preposterous.

We must ready ourselves similarly; particularly since our Lord’s training for every disciple remains timeless and opposing factions are numerous. Our Lord spoke to a devotion required that could perhaps cost us our lives (*Matt.16:24), insisting we know there’s a cross for you and me. Whereas, devotion attained regards a vigilant process that studies all the Savior did in earth and then imitates it, may it begin on this day.

 Today’s Thought “Club Meeting” G. Ward

1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

Club meetings of sorts, generally begin with an agenda that regards its purpose, then old and new business and whereas the people belonging to Holy God through Christ are part of HIS exclusive club, the agenda is set by HIS righteous standard, whereby HIS leadership cannot be displaced (for there’s no greater Leader – ever). Moreover, and as we exist to significantly portray and proclaim HIS sole sacrifice for their sinfulness, all other business remains considerably less. We love to meet (Heb.10:25)! Therefore, a whole week won’t escape our anticipation (cf. Ac.2:42,44-46) and those neglecting to invite you to join (*for it remains all inclusive – Ro.10:13) may have forgotten that someone encouragingly invited them.

 

Today’s Thought “Crystal-Ball Theorizing” G. Ward

2 Timothy 4

² Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. ³ For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires.

 

Holding up under adversity can be difficult, but shouldn’t embrace despair; particularly when any have endeavored the Truth of God’s Word. He prepares us to know great sufferings are common to man and we’ll need our Lord to endure and whereas many are under collapse (emotionally), they’ll need our proclamation and instruction of ONE who’ll never forsake them, nor leave them. Unfortunately, there are far too many exposed to horrid religionists who teach efforts in thwarting every level of sufferings; to which no generation of mankind has been successful and whereas the excitement to think of every day as euphoric exists under these snake-oil salesman, all they say is a bill of lies.

Past generations of believers would echo a best sentiment that said, “You have to know HIM for yourself.”

 

Today’s Thought “Second Chances” G. Ward

Psalm 40

² He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud; and He set my feet on a rock, making my footsteps firm.

 

I’m recalling a time of travel and seeing a sign that said fuel up now, in that the next station would be more than 40 miles away. I had a van load of sleepyheads and whereas I was enjoying the solace (considering that prior to their being captive to exhaustion it was extremely loud). I kept moving while near to an empty gas reading. I neglected to mention that several would inquire about our gas status beforehand, yet the foolishly prideful man I am - demanded they leave that to me. The empty light indicator came on some ten minutes later. On the right and left appeared to be numerous orchards of sorts (I say that in view of the utter darkness everywhere). Moreover, it was beyond midnight. Remembering the song, “Have A Little Talk with Jesus,” I began. How many know that there’s no room for pride when conversing with ONE who knows all? Therefore, my genuine repentance surfaced and my prayer concise and what seemed to be moments later witnessed bright lights ahead whereby relief was granted and everyone awakened to hear Perry Como’s version of “What Kind of Fool Am I?”

If/when one allows Holy God’s rescue in despair to occur, strain, absolutely so, to not repeat the offense.

 

Today’s Thought “A Cinderella or Cinderfella of Sorts” G. Ward

Proverbs 17:3

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests hearts.

 

Before a jeweler or a silversmith pursues what he knows will ultimately become a brilliant, precious metal, he’s faced with what appears to be useless fragments saturated with natural impurities and whereas the Almighty made man in HIS image, so as to reflect divine qualities (cf. Eph.5:1-2), sin distorts that proposed imagery. Unless there’s a turning from our natural state (i.e., leading ourselves, while conjuring a perceived righteous code), we fail to a measure of common irresponsibility, being entirely incomplete – while denying our Only Refiner’s heating mechanism to enable what was a dull, unattractive being onto a brilliance within and allowing that Light to shine in a dreary world.

 

Today’s Thought “Thursday’s Evaluation” G. Ward

Ephesians 2:1-2

And you were dead in your offenses and sins, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

 

While the activity of such a verse offers the standout, “were dead” to indicate a past tense posture of ungodly distance to our Lord’s salvation, it also grants truest examination in whether I’m HIS or my own.

If I awaken to consistently adjourn to my plans, including utter disdain for some, even believing they won’t ever change, or hurried anticipation to something I can’t admit to being part of to my great grandmother, perhaps even more consistently considerate of opinion entirely divisive – then I certainly am not walking as our Lord did (1 John 2:6) and if I’ve developed a practice towards things without eternal merit, while merely proclaiming Christ, without fervent consideration to study all HE’D offer…

 

Today’s Thought “Come and Go, to That Land!” G. Ward

2 Corinthians 3

⁷ But if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones, came with glory so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, ⁸ how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? 

 

The Old Testament Law was given to the Almighty’s people to exemplify a truest distinctiveness (i.e., a disciplined life) onto other nations’ view (Isa.49:6) and because the Law never justified any, but was solely for the purpose of Holy God (cf. Matt.5:16) and while that era of old was compelled to a practice of these regulations enabling a turning away from ideologies and devices from other nations, all would fail – until Jesus (*Matt.5:17). Our calling to fulfill is practically the same, yet removing the specifics of dietary and ceremonial obligations (Col.2:16-17) and deciding to walk in humility with love, rendering mercy onto any, while sharing Truth and whereas soon it will deliver an eternal face-to-face meeting that won’t need a shield that blocks the brilliance of HIS glory, we’ll keep looking to our Author and Finisher of our faith, while proclaiming, “Shine, Jesus Shine!