Today’s Thought “For Eternity’s Sake” G. Ward

 

She said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him. Judges 16:20

 

“Stormy Monday” is more than just a Blues song. It can be the attitude or condition of un-reconciled behavior. Moreover, it’s most certainly without the parameter of specified days; it could invade your Thursday.

In believer-ship, many make great spiritual decisions (cf. Isa. 55:11) that are earnest in those fellowship moments to then arrive at a place that preceded that elation to then obscure possibility thinking. In other terms, the same problem that existed before church happened yet remains. The very intent of ingathering is that spiritual mechanism that delineates greater surrender unto our Omniscient Savior. Furthermore, it precludes our wisdom as synonymous with HIS. Today’s opportunity is to drop everything (cf. Ps.34:1)! Get weak that HE’ll be proven as STONG and MIGHTY!

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Mentoring” G. Ward

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.  For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same.” Romans 13:1-3

Reckless abandonment is the indictment served to anyone guilty of conducting life as usual without developing a protégé along the way.

Many years ago, I had a most excellent friend. He was about 10 years my senior and would engage me periodically on religious, political and social activism. Unlike so many Christians today, I never sought avoiding any of these topics. One conversation with him stood extremely controversial with me; that of a segregated society (particularly as it pertained to education). He was a product of segregated schools, whereas I was not. He firmly stated how as a race (Black), that the sociological parameter of segregation served as a blockade unto social mayhem. I, being so terribly argumentative, vehemently refuted his point without realizing that his conveyances more embraced disgust for the illicit activity never permitted for his generation. In those times there was a common admonishing (from every household) that shared a consequence for unruly behaviors. The very introduction of greater legislation that embraces civil liberties for everyone (although good) can/will obscure all our predecessor’s struggles with governmental constraint. More imperative than our castigations on bad or necessary police activity, is our sharing with every young person that when an officer of the law gives a command, STOP in your tracks and live (Read Romans 13:1-3 again)…

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Really Offensive” G. Ward

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

 

The “come as you are” paradigm (offered by the local church) is indicative of Holy God loving the entirety of mankind in providing recompense through Christ for our sins (cf. Ro.3:10, 23). Our exposure to God’s word compels immediate adjustment unto its directives (Jas.1:22). Mostly, it’s antithetical to those rudiments given us to adopt that would seemingly make life easier. It (those rudiments) then becomes engrained into our subliminal consciences, causing greater reliance on traditional values vs. biblical ones. If you ever want to know the importance of weekly church attendance, this, my friend is why: Our new lives in Christ must embrace theology and the practice therein. Worship (holistic) is the component that obliterates an ideology of following another moral compass (2 Ti. 2:15). True discipleship accepts anyone as they are, but demands they not remain who they’ve been (2 Cor. 5:17)!

Happy Tuesday!

 

 

 

 

Today’s Thought “Perpetual Antagonism” G. Ward

“O how Esau will be ransacked, and his hidden treasures searched out! “All the men allied with you
will send you forth to the border, and the men at peace with you will deceive you and overpower you.
They who eat your bread will set an ambush for you. (There is no understanding in him.)” Obadiah 1:6-7

 

My Dad, the great man that he was, maintained the same response towards the uncertainty I would propose unto him. He would tell me, “Son, you make that determination!” For a young man, that meant more than receiving carte blanche in decision making (equated with adulthood). It more promoted self-sufficiency than my Dad’s intent of promoting independent thought.

Pride is the self-absorption that disallows greater compassion. Its contagious poisoning locks its fangs unto many pursuant to including others, but noted our horrible example to become what we personified (cf. Mt.5:16). The very perpetuation of this evil wildfire then encapsulates the entire forest (i.e. mankind) and the world then becomes desolate of oxygen. Where oh where are the trees that will stand tall and receive their nourishment from on High (cf. Jn.15:5)? Implosion may be more imminent than ever before; as the world turns (e.g. Los Angeles Times/ Looting, vandalism follows vigil for dead Missouri teenager/ her 18-year-old son, Michael Brown, was shot by police and killed in The police shooting of an unarmed teenager in a St. Louis suburb) ...

 

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Hats Off to Facebook” G. Ward

 

“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” 1 Samuel 18:1

 

You know you’re old when inflections of occurrences in youth become the predominant comparative when engaging others. Furthermore, your body reveals greater seniority also.

The days of old for me reflect on a time when friendships stood the test of indifference. While indifference was a major player, unspoken resolve was ordinary. It was synonymous with sibling rivalry (cf. Eph.4:26). In other words, selfish plights of many led to incessant arguments (cf. Jas.4:1-4), while never seeking to destroy another.

Social networking for me has enabled me to re-establish connectivity to some of my greatest mentors ever; my neighborhood friends. I love all of them dearly and they look great also. Sadly, some of them are yet argumentative. Foolishly, some are up to 7 years my senior and still want to be my daddy! We’re all old now guys! A 73 year old doesn’t bow to an 80 year old! They both are consumed with their funeral arrangements (cf. Ps. 90:10)!

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “When Anxiety Obscures Responsibility” G. Ward

 ^“Now he arose that same night and took his two wives and his two maids and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream. And he sent across whatever he had.” Genesis 32:22-23

Jacob, the son of Isaac, was a twin. It’s necessary to relay that because of our many encounters with discourses that more elaborate on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It appears that Jacob was more integrous than his brother (Esau), but you’ll need to know that he stole his brother’s birthright (that would grant him superiority over every sibling through inheritance. Cf. Ge. 27).

Inevitably, the scheming of Jacob would have him to flee from his brother’s hostility towards him; enough to keep him timid for many years afterwards.

Many times, the rift that may exist in life, must be confronted more sooner than later. It must be met via peaceable terms, particularly through admittance of personal wrongdoing (For continuity sake, why not rather be wronged?). Set forth a proper perspective in forgiveness that won’t make demands on other’s regrets (cf. Php.2:5). What you might find is the other party involved, reconciled the indifference long ago and you’ve worried far too long (*cf. Ge. 33:1-11)…

Happy Thursday!

 

Today’s Thought “The Survivalist” G. Ward

 

“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.” Jeremiah 29:7

 

The pangs of life for me were/are primarily self-inflicted. I’m very grateful that on today I wasn’t afforded immediate reprieve from the many sufferings experienced. The book of James says it best; “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (1:2-3).

Religion of today more demands a “No pain” philosophy. It’s absolutely ludicrous to think anyone can be exempt; particularly when the Righteous Son (Jesus) agonized for us (both mental anguish and physical cf.Jn. 15:20).  God’s people in Jeremiah’s day were told to be well acquainted with trouble, while maintaining vigil unto the land’s prosperity. It would be a while before they could return to their own homeland. What ministers should be sharing unto God’s people in these times is that the Sufficiency Christ provides (while we too are in a strange land cf. 1 Pe. 2:11) is more than enough for any geographic location. Moreover, you priests of His share unto this church age; “It may be a while before you get to your homeland!”

Happy Wednesday!