Today’s Thought “You Want It, You Got It” G. Ward

 

“Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days—You would not believe if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5

 

Appeals to Holy God cannot/shouldn’t prepare for reprieve on one’s own terms and that was the Prophet Habakuk’s cry; he was exhausted with his compatriot’s lack of trusting the Almighty’s way and it appeared the Lord was silent and tolerable even. Our Lord at verse 5 answers with great commands to this prophet; look and observe, be astonished and wonder. God’s people fit in where the heathens left off; more considerate of the world, than hearing and obeying their Maker. So, our Lord allowed the ruthless Babylonians to invade their territory to cruelly victimize Judah. Amazingly, many local fellowships purport fantastic prophecies towards hundreds or thousands of worshippers (cf. Mt.7:21) throughout auditoriums (weekly) with promises of no more trouble, while sharing very little on true contingency for peace (i.e. repentance). Is God the same God now as in the days of Habakuk? Does HE change, or do we need to change?

The Word of God is not the textbook of liberal arts; it’s astoundingly opposite of earthly thoughts. Moreover, and throughout both testaments, Holy God caused great destruction, even up to death for many who felt intelligent enough in distorting His commands. The beauty in privatized worship is that it helps us to know of His great care for us and never desire to repeat the mistakes of our predecessors; but ONLY trust HIM, even While sufferings may be continual.

 

Father God, we’re guilty of having needed You on wrongful terms. Our hearts many times desired retribution, and whereas You give us mercy, many times we failed to extend mercy to those we felt were grossly unrighteous. Then we come to our spiritual senses, and realize our Lord Jesus’ persecution and oppression given HIM for our gross spiritual negligence and hang our heads low, asking Your forgiveness and praying for the lost, because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Beauty’s Deception” G. Ward

 

 1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Let’s be clear on today, Holy God has no need of anything or anyone, but we certainly have need of HIS air, including HIS provisions and whereas HE desires a love relationship with us that’s real and personal, depending on HIM in every way – HE won’t lead us wrongfully. Our theme embraces a search for Israel’s second king and whereas the people’s delight is mostly in a charismatic leader, who hopefully looks the part, God’s choice circumvents appearances and looks solely at the intent of the will of man, where his or her emotional drive emanates – but any who profess to be led by oneself, even moving on one’s own volition disqualify themself and are doomed for many failures. Instead, we must look at all we do, along with our involvements of sorts and re-commit to excellence – only found in God consciousness; for to believe is to surrender to HIS perfect delight and thereafter joy will be yours.

 

Father God, Your love for us didn’t wait for our attitudes to reflect humility, but loved us when we were unlovely, so that we may gauge our transformation from the pursuit in all Your Word says, to then move towards obedience thereunto. Lord God, we thank You for searching our hearts and then changing them according to Your goodness and not our self-righteousness, because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Stay Hydrated” G. Ward

 

Psalm 63:1 God, You are my God; I shall be watching for You; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and exhausted land where there is no water.

 

While worship is primarily perceived as something done corporately and on Sunday mornings, King David gives us insight from the true believer’s desire to intimately depend on Holy God comparable to one travelling in a desert while absolutely parched, desiring a cool drink of water. He’s craving the Lord’s presence more than being rescued. I say that in view of this psalm being indicative of King Saul’s unrelenting pursuit of him (merely due to jealousy, in how the people esteemed David over himself). Moreover, perhaps this great psalm could have derived from his own son’s murderous plot against him – whereby too was ever encompassing. Regardless, it instructs us to know we also should celebrate our Lord’s presence similarly. His care for today is no different than for David’s dilemma then. HE insists, no matter the circumstance, we’d “let our requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

And Lord God, we’re especially glad that Your reign and rule of us is considerably more than what we ever thought could exist for this life given by You and while so many seek to thwart the many pitfalls of life, we understand when we encounter various trials, to know that “the testing of our faith produces endurance” and so we don’t run aimlessly, but unto Your Mighty Shelter, through Jesus, Amen. 

 

Today’s Thought “Death: Where is Your Sting?” G. Ward

 

1 Corinthians 15: ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 

 

The world maintains a universalist approach towards belonging to Holy God and more so upon hearing of death for some imperfect, but not guilty of heinous sins and extreme illicit behavior. That assessment however, was never ours to determine; instead, to know there’s no one now, or in prior generations who qualify for Heaven by mere human effort (Ro.3:10,23), and whereas Christ, in HIS short, exemplary life in earth epitomized unparalleled sacrifice, even dying (such as was imposed on mere man) and gave HIS life freely (and to know that at any time HE could have rejected this most extreme suffering), while maintaining an end goal – to conquer death, so every one who’d place their complete allegiance to HIM would inherit eternal life, we say yes to HIS reign and rule. Believers throughout the world are called to gratefulness in view of HIS resurrection, for it afforded their own.

 

Father God, Your plan from the beginning illustrates Your unfailing love; so, we praise You and honor our greatest Provision, Jesus; desiring to never turn back to a sin saturated mindset, by honoring the Spirit’s teaching on walking as our Redeemer did. May every believer run to more proclaim that death is without sting because of You as our Great Shepherd, compelling our servitude unto Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “A Doting Papa” G. Ward

 

Colossians 2: ² That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself.

 

Many with children and grandchildren desire attending school assemblies, particularly award programs of sorts that witness their own receiving accolades from educators proclaiming their proficiencies. It grants parental hope in how their effort towards ensuring those youthful will attain vocational respectability *that pays them generously, so as to give their children many things they too don’t need and value. The Apostle Paul’s soul was overwhelmed in hope for these captive to more consort with the world’s standard of what it means to be successful over knowing the will of God and HIS gospel solely derived by Christ sacrifice and whereas this Apostle desired they’d more press towards maturing in that sufficiency – so much more satisfying, along with delivering any who will place their complete trust in this Blessed Redeemer by following how HE correlated in earth to Heaven.

 

And Lord God, our hearts are many times laid bare in diversionary acceptance of standards entirely temporary that ultimately never satisfy and so we ask forgiveness, and identify with the re-focus provided from Your Word, that allows recall of our greatest day; when we repented of our sins and then was granted assurance of eternity. So, may our “striving” now more proclaim our hope for those within our gates towards maturing to that gospel presented to us, ALL because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling…” G. Ward

 

James 3:13 “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”

 

This verse celebrates exercising power with control – that is, a constraint to yield to where wisdom flows. James would also be inspired to write “You do not have because you do not ask,” which merely means that many exercise in failure to seek these things from God through prayer and that includes an ongoing meditative process of being owned by the Gentle Savior Jesus, to then comply with HIS example in earth and whereas HE was wrongfully accused, persecuted, then crucified, knowing the exactness of what was to take place years in advance, yet would endure (with you and me in mind), John Mark would record that Jesus our Lord would arise very early in the morning to convene with the Father to set the highest model to where wisdom begins and ends, to then hear and do.

 

And Father God, our approach is tenderly in tune with Your directives, particularly as we diminish in view of gaining entry onto the presence of the Holy One; asking Your forgiveness for having exercised before in mere speculation, even ruining other’s mindsets that kept them distant from Your reign and rule and now determined to recall how our Lord Jesus correlated in an era just like ours. May HE be praised as we say yes to HIS will, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “The Creek Is Rising” G. Ward

 

Psalm 142:1 I cry out with my voice to the Lord; With my voice I implore the Lord for compassion. ² I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him.

 

Every believer should occupy a daily review of what may be overwhelmingly domineering for our lives; particularly those things that either needs to be displaced or diminished – because they’ve become infectious, even un-spiritual and not worthy for the presence of the Lord. We’ve been taught that a return to the Lord’s Way, even that to which desires to never visit these thoughts and practices that violate personal pursuit towards holiness should await the Almighty’s magic wand and whereas HIS hearing our pleas for help is with an answer (Jer.33:3), returning to that perfect will HE freely offers, insists we replace every indiscretion with the Truth of HIS Word. May we all be spiritually charged in view of our Compassionate Savior at watch.

 

Father God, it’s our desire to bless Your Name at all times and so we pray for one another to make a deliberate choice to praise You more throughout the course of the day presented, that allows You greatest honor, confirming Your Word – that witnesses others recognizing how You desire a love relationship with them also and thereafter be blessed as You witness all Your children thanking You in every circumstance, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “A Smorgasbord of Inaccuracies” G. Ward

 

Philippians 3: ¹⁸ For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even as I weep, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who have their minds on earthly things.

 

The many warnings our Lord provided HIS followers concerning false teachers, became the significant message of warning every apostle, along with generations thereafter of true, genuine and authentic teachers of Truth would share. We do so, even like Jesus and Paul – that includes tears, so significantly sad to see many distorting Truth among audiences, while being leaders themselves and whereas you better not tell them they aren’t Christian, because they deny the whole counsel of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation, even estimating it’s not God’s Word, but a book about God, which ultimately shares that every opinion from man is with a right to interpret it accordingly – remains a farse. It’s apparent they’re troubled about what’s inside, having reduced God to inviting their pleasures, precluding God is without condemnation of sin, even granting permission for many to not worry when you violate God’s Holy standard, because everyone is prone to do so as humans; while regarding our God as tolerant (NO, HE isn’t! – 1 John 1:5) …

And Lord God, You cannot abide in darkness and have no part where sin exists and whereas You sent Jesus to stand in place of man, as all were found disabled to atone for their own sins, those who place their trust in this All-Wise, Sacrificial Savior are called to hate the sin existent in them, but allowing a new life in Christ to surface. May each of us rehearse that Truth and stand on the Words of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “The Cross: How Did It Work for Jesus?” G. Ward

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Let’s gain some quick context to what this means: James 3: ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our body’s parts as that which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 

Altogether, both passages merely mean that the greatest good and the greatest harm can exist in what you say. It’s bothersome to hear so many echo an unstudied nonsensical idea in being able to do what only our Lord did in speaking things into existence; we’re far too selfish to be trusted with such (Jer.17:9). Moreover, if our predecessors were endowed with such ability, they would have spoken freedom from working sun up to sundown. Our parents would have spoken financial equality, etc. There are some spiritually insistent in believing they can and they’re called witches, believing that the spells they conjure will work. Folks God made us to solely rely on HIM and believing HE’S qualified, trusts in HIS directives and causes us to watch our mouths, because as HIS very own, we don’t want any to become an emotional wreck based on harmful words from the mouth HE gave us, instead, our delight is to be known as peacemakers.

 

And Lord God, You speak to us in varied ways for our benefit and for Your glory and compel us in kindness, with great patience and whereas our Lord Jesus didn’t utter a word when great insults were given HIM, we ask that many passages in Your Word surface to teach us accordingly, so our newest spiritual countenance would shine brightly onto any whereby our encouraging words will present Your gospel to the glory of King Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “The New Welcome Mat, Un-noticed” G. Ward

 

Philippians 1: ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

 

Contrary to popular belief, the gospel has never been the welcoming message as many suppose. It’s not because of anything less than that to which it seeks to do – that is to change our hearts; conforming them to Christ’s image and whereas change is uncomfortable, sinfulness is often comfortable, because it embraces selfish desire and whereas our Lord demonstrated selflessness, even forgiving HIS oppressors, (particularly since they thought they killed HIM - despite how HE freely gave HIS life), having said at HIS highest point in agony, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” we’re called to imitate HIM. Moreover, He’d say, “a servant is not greater than his Master.”  Suffering for that cause (i.e., the gospel), is what the Apostle Paul reminded these believers.

False encouragement is disastrous, it seeks to take Christianity to easement, a freedom from pain and rejection and while Jesus teaches believers that all would be sent as “sheep before wolves,” particularly as carriers/dispensers of HIS Truth, preparing in HIS Word surpasses what man has to say.

 

Father God, the many trials imposed on us establish character that keeps us persevering in Christ; so, we welcome them, celebrating being equated with our Savior. And Father, we pray for the ones weak to resolute practice of faith, because of greater exposure to the world’s message that has them straining towards false motivations. May all our encounters embrace more Truth in Your Word, as we rest in Your care, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Without Eternal Implication” G. Ward

 

1 Timothy 6:3-5, “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.”

 

I don’t know about you, but most rooms I enter appear so loud; the perspectives of mankind are inescapable and numerous, along with being overwhelmingly heard; with potential ability to penetrate desired meditation about our Lord’s goodness. Perhaps some like me have been guilty of instructing the Lord on how He should go about working on our behalf even after we’ve been instructed to imitate the Savior’s, “not My will, but Yours be done?” Maybe you sought to inform God like I have concerning many things occurring in the earth, devaluing His being All-Knowing? No one seems to want to sit quiet anymore! We’ve understood our frailty, particularly when health fails us and certainly understand our limited knowledge; but our expressions more teeter-totter on a little knowledge about most things which lends danger for other’s continuance in the same. The room however can be disquieted, particularly when our meditations and prayers circumvent the Lord’s Way instead of receiving news at an instant with reaction unbecoming of Heaven’s delight.

 

Father God, we’re unified on strongest desire to Bless Your Name; however, we’ve not represented well, yet we’re fighting with a new determination that ensures Your will be done. So, Father we welcome another round through these disciplines that proves You love us and as the Spirit transforms us for Your glory. We celebrate Your presence that rehearses when we’re weak, You rise to the occasion as strong. Thank You for Perfect guidance, through Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Before the Foundation of the World?” G. Ward

 

Romans 8

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

 

I, like you, love to praise the Name of Jesus. I marvel at how He could forgive me; particularly since I’m with periodic bouts with the flesh unbecoming of Heaven’s delight and whereas I’ve read these passages to indicate that my being owned by this Magnificent Savior has become the sufficient justification Christ rendered entirely by Himself for our benefit. He tells us that being His means no condemnation any longer. Condemnation equals a guilty verdict, along with the penalty that verdict demands. When He says no condemnation, it means no sin a believer can commit—past, present, or future—can be held against him, since the penalty was paid by Christ and righteousness was imputed to the believer and no sin will ever reverse this divine legal decision.

The key towards greatest understanding however, rests with what it means to be in Christ Jesus. For every true Christian; to be in Christ means to be united with Him. This is not to say a mixture of our ideas along with His. HE’S ALL WISDOM – we’re not.

 

Father God, Your provision through Christ is remarkable and our awakening each day to such a reality must celebrate Your Name and whereas praise is great, it won’t disconnect from Your command to obey. So, may every true believer not become enamored with “no condemnation” without pursuit in ALL Your commands as our Leader Jesus orders our steps, Amen. 

 

Today’s Thought “Mission Forsaken” G. Ward

 

Psalm 119:30

I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your judgments before me.

 

Can we allow the majority to think their knowing portions of God’s Word, along with exercising as decent citizens, to believe that is the spiritual qualifier? Those who say they know the Savior are called HIS very own, to walk just as He walked and that investigation is both a daily and ongoing pursuit. Moreover, our Redeemer insists all know that “no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” And why? It’s because there’s no righteousness in any - apart from full surrender, along with placing implicit trust in ALL Christ offered on one’s behalf – that is, the forgiveness of sins. And whereas the world cannot hear the Truth of HIS Word until we, who propose to know HIM – shares that Truth without fear and doubt – versus believing that we can praise our way in and out of knowing HIM, He’d tell us as HE instructed the Prophet Amos, “Woe to you who are longing for the day of the Lord, for what purpose will the day of the Lord be to you? It will be darkness and not light; As when a man flees from a lion and a bear confronts him!”

 

And Lord, it’s never what we can say, or seek to establish, for we’ll often think of the few things of our participation as rightful, to infrequently weigh every measure against Your Word. So, may our heads hang low in Your presence allowing You to be the Lifter of our souls; in view of all given by Jesus on/for our account; praying for every believer’s courage to ensure others will hear that Truth and whereas HIS Name is Jesus, we pray, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Night Owl” G. Ward

 

Matthew 26: ⁴⁰ And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? ⁴¹ Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 

Jesus instructs his sleeping disciples in Gethsemane to "watch and pray" to avoid falling into temptation, highlighting that while the spirit is willing, the human body (flesh) is weak. This passage emphasizes the need for spiritual vigilance, prayer, and reliance on God's strength to overcome vulnerability to temptation. Those from our Lord’s immediate choosing would take for granted the Savior’s presence, after all, they would absolutely depend on Him in everything for three straight years and whereas becoming too familiar will/can witness contemptuous behavior, every generation has suffered. More than often, our Lord sought preparing them for His departure by teaching them how to correlate in this earth based on what they witnessed in Him – as He’d absolutely depended on our Heavenly Father. Although this transpired 2000 years ago, this remains relevant. In order to thwart being vulnerable to things unbecoming of our salvation, we must awaken to our Lord’s reign and rule of our lives.

 

Father God, whereas rest is vital to our existence, may our souls remain awakened to Your Truth so well, that our dreams are holy. In all we do our objective is to bless the Lord at all times and we’ll do so as we not forsake Your Word and follow practices that deny our inheriting Your eternal Kingdom. As we approach this weekend, may we not take off, but honor You through Your Word, in Jesus Name, Amen.   

 

Today’s Thought “Care for Others; Before Oneself” G. Ward

 

Romans 12:4-5

For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.

 

The church of Jesus is called HIS very own, for HIS purpose and solely for HIS glory and whereas we celebrate that which only HE could do, we must remain contained in HIS directives, never to presume what HE needs, for HE has no need of nothing. This era, no different from others (historically), has run on a tangent of individuality, so as to desire a significantly unique, yet authoritative word from our Lord, rather than assure others of a real, personal relationship with Christ, that enables them in greater works than they ever thought could exist. The diversity in faith is meant for selflessness, to never believe in earthen superiority among Christ’s people, but to celebrate differences in/through each of us that adds great flavor for HIS kingdom’s receptivity to HIS reign and rule. If you look for applause upon every endeavor in Christ, sit down, until humility enters your heart, even give what you deem worthy to share to the masses to another perhaps feeling less than, so their inheritance through Jesus is assured.

 

Almighty God, may we consider unity among Your many members as opportunistic to remember apart from You we can do nothing; while teaching it’s so good to know the Savior, depending on HIM in everything. May our individuality be indicative of our personal relationship with You, enough so, that it encourages fellow believers to stand amidst trials, for troubles aren’t lasting; looking forward to Heaven, where striving won’t be necessary – because of Jesus, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Taking It on the Chin” G. Ward

 

Ephesians 4: ²⁹ Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

 

Pride of life can be mostly defensive and certainly sinful, keeping one with a fist balled up and whereas our Lord walked the earth HE made (John 1:1-3), knowing crowds were more enamored with all they’d pre-suppose He’d do, particularly since the predominant of HIS audiences were Jewish and severely disenfranchised amidst an Empire imposing great degradation and economic oppression towards them, Christ, our Lord, would yet exercise tremendous compassion, leaving HIS church for Heaven and granting us a similar peace unto endurance, despite societal triggers, so abusive. Moreover, at no time was HE personally guarded when insults and lies were spewed. So, may every believer exemplify HIS attitude, looking to others as we were found when called to serve, looking beyond every outsider’s indiscretion to know they need Jesus and we have the key to HIS throne room.

 

Father God, our minds were defiled in coarse assessment of others, forgetting the price our Savior lent to our deliverance and we thank You for this day presented to re-calculate that cost, by/through Your Word’s standard - "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” even placing others significantly before ourselves; for to know our Savior remains the greatest gift of all and HIS grace is more than enough. We pray for one another in that spirit, through Jesus, Amen.