Today’s Thought “Bandaging a Dead Man’s Wound” G. Ward

 

Hebrews 11: Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. ² For by it the people of old gained approval.

 

This great chapter of faith unfolds many patriarchs along with some ordinary believers who absolutely trusted in the Lord’s promises of a future hope. Verse 39 says that the many listed were greatly oppressed, persecuted and murdered for their faith, and did not receive what was promised while in earth. Moreover, it was said that they were seeking a country of their own (Heaven). We’re exposed to a false cultural expression of inheritance now; a totally irrational, un-spiritual view. Here’s why: Eternity weighed against 90-100 years can be likened to a quarter of an ant against all the peoples of the world. Periodic pain now can empty into an eternity with perpetual doom and torment, but for the believer, with the testimony of the many spiritual predecessors listed from our theme – joy and peace without suffering, along with face-to-face presence with the Savior remains the reward for placing faith in ALL HE said/says.

 

Father God, while we welcome that to which our Lord Jesus provided, a Home, without consideration of humanity’s efforts, others profess similarly, but fail to obey HIS commands. May we promote HIS entire counsel that includes ongoing discipleship for every believer; for in that reality, maturity to endure sufferings, understands Your presence faithfully abides with us. So, we thank You for assurance, praying Your will be done, In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Today’s Thought “Opposites Attract?” G. Ward

 

Judges 3: ⁵ The sons of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; ⁶ and they took their daughters for themselves as wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

 

Whereas mankind has sought distorting the Truth of God’s Word upon what they’ve perceived it’s saying, a prudent investigation remains searchable (*1 Cor.2:14). Our theme on today witnesses God’s select inheriting the Promised Land and every endeavor would emanate from Holy God’s instruction and whereas HE insisted they’d utterly drive the Canaanites out of the land (Judg. 1:19, 21, 35), there was great failure and carried the reverb unto generations thereafter. Moreover, their blatant disobedience saw more with their eyes, even desiring to mix and mingle, up to marrying an unfaithful, idolatrous people, whereby they would depart from any remnant of faith in the Almighty as expressed at verse 6.

Our cultural expression of freedom forgets that when we call HIM LORD, means to acknowledge a duty to obey and submit to HIS commands and since HE bought us with an incomparable and humanly impossible price – HE owns us.

 

And Lord God, what a kind Savior You are! We welcome You into our souls, for we know Your lead is perfect. May we see the Truth of Your Word with the clarity that gives You all the praise, by complying with its every demand and may the joy in knowing Your presence overwhelm our selfish desire as we become more like Jesus than ever before. Amen.