Today’s Thought “Tonight is the Night?” G. Ward

1 Corinthians 10: ²¹ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord’s table and the table of demons.

There’s faith and there’s unbelief. There’s good (only attributable to God – cf. Matthew 19:16-17) and there’s evil (Ge.8:21) and while we as believers insist on taking shelter under Holy God in all we’ll do and say, HIS shelter remains sufficient; but when our insistence to govern ourselves happens (outside HIS realm), we’re subject for disaster.

It’s Friday and we’ve worked hard and often desire to play hard. It certainly invites those seemingly fun, to help create an environment of good times, but at what expense? Have any promised God they’d walk as Christ walked (1 John 2:6)? Where are we taking our Lord, considering HE lives in me? Do I need to hear fussing and cussing, along with ideas of peace coming from political reform (Ex.20:1-4)? Are my words deeming some hopeless, inasmuch as I’ve been redeemed by the Holy One? In other words, are some just too difficult even for God to change them (Jer.32:17,27)?

Any of these questions can determine what table we’re proposing to sit at and whereas some will teeter-totter on both the Lord’s table and the table of demons, our Lord says – that’s spiritually impossible.

Father God, per Your insistence and our repentance, You’ve declared us Your property. We’ve made many plans to forget such, that has questioned our belonging as wishy-washy. Your standard is highest and prohibits us to correct these issues unbecoming of You on our own, but we’re instructed to submit more to the Spirit’s direction, allowing Your change. So, may we all slow down to evaluate every choice that would honor You, or selfishly reject the Way of the Lord, as we pray for one another – to honor You in/through Jesus Name, Amen.

 

 

Today’s Thought “The Bedrock of Faith” G. Ward

Leviticus 19: ¹⁸ You shall not take vengeance, nor hold any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.

 

The truest summation in correlating to others (particularly for believers), is to persist in greatest compassion that emulates our Father in Heaven. So many have adopted notions in merely speaking quiet salutations to another who violated their consciousness, while disallowing what was greater continuity prior; as if to say one’s own mouth always carefully echoed peaceable sentiment unto everyone (?).

Our Lord taught every disciple how their praying should be directed to the Almighty and it included “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” *asking God to pardon our sins based on the premise that we have forgiven others who have wronged us. How utterly disingenuous for any to conveniently return to retributional behaviors because they were wronged, but forget the personal, persistent denial of our Savior’s way from the whole of humanity (Ro.12:3)?

“Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

 

Today’s Thought “Family Expansion” G. Ward

Philippians 1: ⁷ For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 

The Apostle Paul’s commendation for the church at Philippi is significant to being a church without walls, no matter the potential hazards ahead (cf. Gal.6:10). His being imprisoned for the cause of the gospel, witnessed those congregants complete support with great prayers that truly understood our Lord’s preparation for every believer to know - we cannot be HIS disciple unless we’re ready for such a surrender that denies ourselves a presumable preservation that may, or may not involve our safety. Moreover, he’d remind them of the Savior’s presence, so unrelenting, by insisting they knew HE alone began their salvation; so, HE wouldn’t leave them to their own theorizing, but would provide them with resolute answers from HIS Word (John 14:26-27); for HE desired the outsider’s repentance, as demonstrated in having received ours (2 Pe.3:9).

That charge remains, for HIS church is not sectarian (that is, divided – Eph.4:5-6). So, we must remember, our Lord will have mercy on whom HE chooses and whereas we called to an indiscriminate posture that proclaims HIM as sole sufficiency (i.e., HE can save them, grant them HIS righteousness, give them eternal life, without requiring their works, particularly since anything offered would be entirely deficient), we say, send us.

Thank You Father God, for allowing our new spiritual energy (this day) to continue in the race proposed. May our eyes see our Savior at the finish line; for HE provides that view as the culminating Hope we never imagined could exist. May all who’ve placed their complete trust in HIM – seek to prepare more than ever before in Your Word - that provides escape from this world’s lack of definitive Truth that graciously grants any introductory sessions (from us) concerning their Maker, our Blessed Redeemer Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “The Edge of Night” G. Ward

2 Timothy 4:³ 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.

Many upon hearing such, immediately adjourn to criticisms of another versus interrogation of personal conscience. The doctrine represented in our theme solely portrays God’s Truth and whereas there’s much said about HIS Way, it must involve a daily, ongoing research from the whole of any who believe (*John 8:31-32, Heb.11:6). Therefore, if any neglect such, whether they’re alone in a day’s journey, or involving themselves among the masses, they’re exposed to a varied and worldly doctrine, they’re vulnerable to more of the world’s un-spiritual discernment – that’s subject to change; particularly when another far more eloquent view presents material appearing best to adopt. Have you noticed how the days are with great speed and spiritual intentionality is diminished? It’s because anything routinely practiced becomes habit, causing mindsets’ adjustment to visions that hope I’ll keep living until an old ripe age and as I grow (not so much in the Lord), it’s then I’ll be forced to settle down and count the blessing of intimacy with HIM – which is faith compromised.

Lord God, we’re given a charge unto introspection of our ways, causing us to evaluate Your demand unto every generation that insists "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it,” meaning, clinging to a selfish, worldly life leads to spiritual ruin. So, we pray on this day for one another, that we’d exercise both independently and more corporately, examining Your Truth, determining to walk as our Savior walked, thanking HIS leading us, for HIS glory and not ours, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Missions: The Missing Church Standard” G. Ward

Matthew 16: ²⁶ For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul?

I’ve had many opportunities to visit countries whereby the predominance of its citizenry lives in abject poverty and whereas our arrival witnessed how impressed they were (with American visitation), even receiving us as if we were entertainers of sorts, both lining up in advance to ensure a seat, along with the food provisions we’d supply, my message to them and for this strange land remains - the riches of our Lord’s grace.

While some may pity some underserved and without, deeming them impoverished via common lack of goods and services, a best presentation will afford any a spiritual view (*necessary for endurance), introducing the Creator’s Sufficiency through Christ, forgetting a contrast so entirely temporal. Poverty, won’t always be indicative by how much one has, but how little they’ll realize is at hand. Moreover, and whereas idolatry is forbidden by the Almighty’s standard, it’s not the sole graven image theorizing as most propose, but the kind of neglect that won’t anticipate HIS presence over personal desire, along with refusal to being discipled, even refusing worshipful gathering with others of like faith to gain our Father’s consideration over things and people so temporary (The real spiritual definition of poverty).

And so, Father God, we ask on this day, that all our contemplations, be resolved to how contented we should be in knowing we have Your patient, lovingkindness this day to celebrate, but we cannot continue in being driven differently to how our Lord Jesus correlated to living in an spiritually impoverished world, whereby many a view was/is obscured by desire for wealth over faith in a Living Savior, to lead and guide us to an eternity where we’ll be overwhelmed in euphoric joy forever. We ask Your forgiveness, having fallen short of the joy of absolute dependence of Your Sovereign Control, All because of Jesus, Amen.

 

 

Today’s Thought “I’m Still Here, Lacking Popularity” G. Ward

 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 And the LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

 In the year 2020, 65% of Americans identified themselves as Christians and every year thereafter that stat grew in small percentile. There’s a confounding gathering of information that states American church attendance is experiencing great decline; so, while some are confounded, true believers understand *Matthew 7:21-23. Many echoes of hope without confident confirmation exist presumably, but lack personal interrogation from/by Holy God’s terms (1 John 2:6). Our theme more testifies to God’s immense patience (then and now) in repeatedly sending prophets/ministers to warn His people of their lethargy as HIS compassion is great. The Israelites, however, mocked the messengers and despised God’s word, leading to a point where "no remedy" remained for their persistent rebellion. Today’s purveyors of hope, seek vibrancy (i.e., light shows, theatrics, palatial buildings and charismatic preachers) over substance, to then be confounded in why these institutions keep begging for more money, even distorting God’s Truth to substantiate lavish lifestyles beyond the scope of modesty, keeping eyes on them, versus Christ. It’s no wonder to be witness to great planning on this Friday from many, who neglect to definitively mention a greater plan for Sunday morning’s anticipation to be discipled one more time (*Heb.10:25).

 

Today’s Thought “Final Authority Speaks” G. Ward

1 Corinthians 2: ¹² Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. ¹³ We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

 

The Word of God, more known as the Bible can be defeatist to a desired destiny to endeavor a love relationship with Christ and some may say that’s idiomatic nonsense, but I see it daily, even in the church (2 Peter 1:20-21). The Word of God stated, keeps the centrality on the Almighty and utilization of the term “Bible” keeps allowing argumentative pragmatism (i.e., that which determines it as practical, but subjectively interpretive = NOT TRUE) and whereas God’s Truth is entirely impractical by design, unto those outside of faith in Christ (cf. *1:18-19 - e.g., parting of the sea, virgin birth, rising from the dead, etc.), believers must hold the banner of Truth higher for these times, insisting that all know that our Father speaking to man is short-lived for mankind’s reception of it and whereas many throughout the generations have sought to subvert God’s Word to another helpful ideology, it remains inerrantly FINAL (Matt.24:35).

 

Today’s Thought “Unchecked Sin: A Destroyer” G. Ward

Hebrews 3: ¹³ But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Our era is witness to great criticism of Christian institutions at large, namely because of gross spiritual malfeasance found with few among the other 400,000 worship halls. This unrightful critique is mostly defensive mechanisms to share, in why they’re not involved and besides that, they’re not going to give all these greedy preachers their money syndrome. Jesus, our Lord warned HIS church of this inevitable stance (John 15:18-21), demanding we not forsake fellowshipping often (Heb.10:23-25). The fellowship of faith, seeks to mature in God’s Word together, creating desired holiness to manifest in all we’ll do, in view of HIS mercies presented and when we’ll fall short of extending rightful honor to our King, another involved in that same fellowship - kindly and gratefully restores us to the Way we desired at what was the peak in belief. They do so, very gently, for they know their own time of correction may be near (*Gal.6:1-3). That’s why I don’t miss…

 

Today’s Thought “Me-ism, Won’t Do” G. Ward

1 Peter 3: ⁸ To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; ⁹ not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing.

Marriage principles exercised, is the context here and is representative of what GOD ordained as the conduit for family expansion. Husband and wives are to epitomize a gentle, respectful and caring regard for one another that fosters hope for all who may witness this harmonious institution. Our era speaks to such a Holy Matrimonial presentation as something more temporal, than a death do we part reality, diminishing God’s Word to fable. Immediately, many offer questioning “what if” an abusive husband, or cheating husband exists - syndrome. Some even subvert the Truth of God’s Word with a sad expression of my kids will always be my kids, but my husband, well, you know the rest. Almighty God knew what HE was doing when it was written for our compliance (beyond every generation of man) and demanded holy courtships onto marriage (*perhaps with communal oversight), that makes HIM (i.e., our Lord) the central portion and insisting a partner proposed, affirm the same. If you know someone “playing house”, they await your spiritual courage to teach HIS commands.

And Lord God, we delight in Your standard by presenting ourselves with availability to share with another how Your Truth must be perceived, then done in these moments provided us and while we delight in personal redemption shown us, failure to take another by the hand, may offer some we love to be condemned onto regret, so, may our meditations hurry to bless Your Name, throwing Your Lifeline, our Lord Jesus, Amen.

 

 

Today’s Thought “What Will Be, Shall Be” G. Ward

Jeremiah 46: ¹¹ Go up to Gilead and obtain balm, Virgin daughter of Egypt! You have used many remedies in vain; There is no healing for you.

 

This is a prelude to Holy God’s patience running out for a nation’s rejection of HIS governance; even being insatiated with things and conditions flowing in prosperity and military might. The lot of impatience would fall first on Egypt and culminate with the destruction of the Babylonian Empire and whereas many know those to have been pagan nations, many are perplexed why the Almighty would require their allegiance? Answer – HIS impartiality and invisible attributes continue and is the knowledge given the whole of mankind and (i.e., inherently available – cf. Ps.19:1-6) rendering them "without excuse" for not recognizing or honoring God (*Ro.1:18-20).

Our theme speaks to a balm (or resin) used medicinally, even that to which would be equated (in the generations of man) with soothing troubles so extreme and whereas this charge was given cynically by Holy God, HE’D more infer, there’s no where to hide from HIS wrath. We, in this dispensational era however, have been given the Blessed Redeemer and HE remains our hiding place (Ro.8:1).

 

Today’s Thought “Misappropriating Facts” G. Ward

James 4: ¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you, judging your neighbor?

James would be divinely instructed earlier to insist that God’s church render “mercy before judgment.” Mercy remains as the ultimate objective the Almighty has concerning interactivity with those HE created and whereas we’re called HIS very own, we’re to follow HIS lead. Those lacking consistent practice of HIS law, are to be taught by you and me HIS commands and whereas that sharing must be through a loving-kindness and patient process, we must trust in our Lord’s spiritual transformation of those HE compels to become HIS.

*This morality (from the Truth of HIS Word) is absolute, leaving no room for other perspectives; but the world hasn’t accepted that (cf. *Ro.10:14). Therefore, we’re not called to the unsettled issues, for this is generationally common. Moreover, we cannot/shouldn’t parent a society unto morality, but if one is open to unadulterated Truth, send us Holy Father, is our response.

 

Today’s Thought “Sturdy v. Flimsy” G. Ward

Jeremiah 29

⁷ Seek the prosperity of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord in its behalf; for in its prosperity will be your prosperity.

The very term “God and Country” may be idolatrous. Why? Because it relies on mankind’s juxtaposition of loving both (*Matt.6:24), without significantly understanding as Israel endeavored being in a strange land (away from home – cf. Phil.3:20), we also exist temporarily in this place, praying for its leaders and well- being. It remains impossible to be devoted to both divine and worldly pursuits simultaneously and many American citizen’s downfall is/will be the exacerbation in celebrating “red, white and blue” while neglecting worship of Holy God’s precedent of Christ Sufficiency.

So, wave your flag, pledge allegiance, but know that if any propose Heaven as Home, territorial delight won’t exist and whereas Jesus taught us how to correlate to the Father, saying “pray then in this way - Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven…”

 

Today’s Thought “Yeah, But…” G. Ward

Acts 1:6

So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

To miss the point, won’t always indicate bad communication from another, but selfish desire from the hearer that absolutely won’t move from their own perspective.

Political ambition from these who walked with Christ, witnessing great miracles, along with perfect, exemplary character with unparalleled compassion and unrelenting efforts to seek and save the lost, to then see such brutal punishment of their Savior, including a tumultuous death on a cross, whereby HE died and would marvel at such exactness of all HE said (“in three days I’ll rise”) and thereafter they’d personally testify in seeing where they pierced HIM in HIS side, along with HIS nail scared hands and feet, to then ask a selfish question that would embrace a political conquest is absurd! Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected for our sins forgiven, along with granting eternal life (for any who’d follow HIM) and now we’re witnessing so many who propose knowing HIM, begging for political reprieve from earthen kings? That’s called idolatry (*Ex.20:1-5).

Father God, absolute dependence on You can be marginalized by such a view we’re afforded in seeing such exploits from the rich unto blatant disregard to every class of man. Yet, we look to Your Word that more sought to prepare us for such, in that this remains an age-old issue and whereas we’ve craved such a wealthy posture, even dreaming of things and money, our heads hang low in shame; asking Your regard onto contentment – that realizes that to be rich in grace with ongoing mercy from Holy God is extolling our Great Shepherd, whereby we’ll have no want. May You forever be praised, through Jesus, Amen.

 Today’s Thought “Need Another Outfit?” G. Ward

Jeremiah 17: 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust is the Lord. 8 For he will be like a tree planted by the water That extends its roots by a stream, and does not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought, nor cease to yield fruit.

There’s great uncertainty in the time of America and it’s unsettling. I want to encourage you today to not yield to speculation, but to gather more to the Truth of God’s Word. The way our Father establishes Himself in the earth won’t appear so different from what HE did in the Old Testament. Many would die along the way, along with suffering famine and loss of things, and whereas our Lord still called for faithfulness among those proposing to love Him existed then, He’s still proposing such a test now. These verses are a call to place confidence in God's reliability and strength rather than in oneself or others. We’ve become too acquainted with peace in this land. We’ve violated the Truth of His Word to settle for no less than fluffy stories about our Lord with guarantee of peace and safety, even while witnessing other nations He loves without clean drinking water and dying of diseases practically extinct from our society and so we pray:

Father God, You are said to love those You’ve created; even beyond the scope of this territory and we’ve grown calloused to our neighbor by failing to see that some are without and merely offer prayers and whereas giving it back to You is unfaithful, particularly since You said faith without works is useless, may our mindsets change in Your presence, where the divide we’ve proposed won’t indicate “whosoever will” from Your Truth – be overwhelmed, via more preparation in Your Word that won’t violate another day in doing what says, In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Small Sin, Big Sin = SIN” G. Ward

1 Samuel 13: ¹³ But Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly! You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for the Lord would now have established your kingdom over Israel forever. ¹⁴ But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

 

Believers have been afforded a most excellent conduit of forgiveness of sins – Jesus Christ (Ro.8:1, 33-39) and whereas HIS sacrifice for our sins is complete, we yet war with fleshy demand and if/when there’s committal to satisfy foolish desire – thereafter, true follow-ship of Christ WILL soon witness our repentance; for our truest desire wants to bless our Lord at all times. This in no way means a reverberation of such indiscretion won’t visit thereafter, yet, we are with certainty that our Savior won’t leave us (even while difficulties persist).

Our theme for today witnesses a heart more in tune to deception than understanding Holy God as Omnipresent (not limited by space or physical constraints) and after receiving marching orders, King Saul, without authority, sought re-writing the Almighty’s script (cf. Matt.7:21-23).

If one won’t hate the sin within, through habitually participating in sins of sorts (1 John 3:4-9), along with unsanctioned self-governance, they’ve become their own lord and forsake inheritance of the Kingdom of God (*Gal.5:16 -*21).