Today’s Thought “Wicked Anticipation” G. Ward

 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

 

Perhaps your children were like ours when asked the question of the season, “What would you like for Christmas?” The answer would often arise after great hesitance. It wasn’t due to deeper contemplation; theirs was assessing what they didn’t have. Therefore the determinant became ours as parents. Amazingly, my generation heard sentiments (about Christmas) from our parents of great family gatherings, including delectable smells from their kitchens to then receive gifts that more lent itself to what was necessity over desire. Although we see excerpts of past celebrative behaviors, we mostly enjoin ourselves unto a predominant void in tradition (i.e. being too considerate in spontaneity vs. structured enjoyment). We must never forget how tradition promoted great disciplines. In all our planning, why not consider a more excellent disruption for your own family by gathering them very early Christmas morning (cf. Mk.1:35) to share the story responsible for our deliverance (cf. Mt.2, Lk.2)?

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Context”. Ward

“And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.” Revelation 22:19

 

The Streets of San Francisco was an excellent television series that premiered in the early 1970’s centering on two detectives investigating homicides within that same city scape. It allowed the viewer impatient captivation in their assuming from the beginning who the murderer might be. The detectives like real criminologists were compelled in thorough research of the evidence presented and their probing of witnesses that could produce nothing less than facts.

There’s an insistence that you and me ought to have regarding Holy God’s word in the same. Our identifying the facts cannot and should not involve our presuppositions, vain philosophy, nor be experientially driven. It means what it says and it’s often esoteric to the times to which it was recorded. While it has eternal relevance, it can more lend itself towards great warning than adoption. We have a great deal more religion when selfish approach is applied. You cannot take what Holy God has proposed to think of yourself as equal to His infinite wisdom. The contingency for knowing what a document’s portrayal means is to interview (i.e. reverent interrogation) the Author’s intent. Stay tuned for part 2 on tomorrow…

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Self Preservation” G. Ward

“See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10

Dialogue intended is often monologue pursued. Mindsets of pride and arrogance can more seek to establish one’s own perspective while entirely discounting another’s. While argument (peaceably so) may seek to persuade other men, the insufficiency in communicating becomes not the fault of the communicator, but the hearer. All of this equals disagreement, rarely finding resolution.

Holy God enabled us to see a model church in the first century, who after ingesting His gospel were compelled to lay aside (cf. Heb.12:1) their own perspectives and opinions. Furthermore it’s said, “All the believers were together and had everything in common” (Ac.2:44). The vanity in man is always disagreeable in the spiritual realm. Therefore, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Ro.12:18).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “The Closer I Get to You…” G. Ward

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” Proverbs 22:7

 

There was a great captivation in Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway’s rendition of The Closer I Get to You (1977) that’s synonymous with our anticipating the upcoming holidays. The lyrics to this great love song almost languish in a compelling, encompassing love.

In the name of Jesus Christ, many begin savings programs (i.e. Christmas Club) on the first of every year to exercise in over spending in the month of December. While earnestly seeking to convey their generosity and appreciation unto loved ones, they never slow down well enough to contemplate the designated celebration of the Lord’s entry (Birthday). Can you imagine if when your child was 10 years old and had a birthday but you bought the neighbor’s kid a new bike; what would your child think (cf. Ex. 20:4-5)?

 

Happy Shopping & Happy Friday!

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Today’s Thought “Still Disenchanted” G. Ward

“And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” Jude 1:22-23

 

Perhaps this is your story also. Prior to my seeking an intimate relationship with our Creator, I searched more for a society of believers than Holy God’s word (Ro.10:8). Ultimately I created an excuse for the lazy behavior I adopted that would avoid holy living. Inherently, there was a longing to adjust to HIS ways and not my own. Moreover, my criticism of man allowed me to categorically make my personal sins less in view of the aimless behaviors given by the many acquaintances of that time. I never thought that in the space allotted me I could have died, facing eternal separation from God. I allowed lack of exemplary behavior from my countrymen to negatively impact my potential in coming to know Him as my personal Sufficiency. I now understand that it wasn’t wasted time as some suppose (cf. Eph.1:4), but created a better witness in me as many would be plagued with the same (in future terms). My familiarity, as a product of this foolish syndrome, makes me available (cf. Isa.6:8-11) to encourage them to never allow mere mortals opportunity to resolve a reconciliation (Ro.5:8) given every man (Ro.10:13) long ago…

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “An Early Resolution” G.Ward

“When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.” Ecclesiastes 5:4

 

Do you really believe that if Holy God said it, He meant it? Moreover, are you more insightful about this merciful God than analyzing (introspectively) blatant disconnect from man?

Merciful, Holy God doesn’t exist on His holy hill with this tolerance in liberality concerning man’s vow unto Himself. He expects that if you say you love Him and desire dedicating your life unto Him, you’ll diligently pursue His righteousness (cf. Heb.11:6, 1 Jn.5:3); otherwise, there is no special pardoning.

This dispensational era of grace forgets Him as Judge as they surrender very little unto Him who desires to change (entirely so) their lives (2 Cor.5:17). The many worship centers are filled with mediocre practitioners of truth. They more extrapolate from a worldly view that demands most go to heaven, while terribly inconsistent in attendance (Heb.10:25). Furthermore, their mouths echo great cadent chants of “How I Love Jesus” with absolutely no regimen in intimacy with Him (cf.Mk.1:35, 2 Ti.2:15).

Here’s the beauty, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pe.3:9). Oh, I’m sorry, you do realize that true repentance resolves itself to never re-visit prior iniquity (cf. Ro.7:14-15, 1 Jn. 1:8-9)?

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Secret Agent Man” G. Ward

 

“After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, the Israelites captured its surrounding settlements and drove out the Amorites who were there.” Numbers 21:32

 

The Central Intelligence Agency (C.I.A.) is instrumental in national security on behalf of the United States. Not only are its many employees responsible for guarding every U.S. Embassy globally, they also gather intelligence from every foreign government. Their covert operatives have been widely perceived as synonymous with the pseudo character James Bond (British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming).

Just recently a Danish double agent revealed having been employed by both Al Qaeda (a terrorist, militant, Islamist organization) and the C.I.A. Furthermore he insists his auspicious pursuits allowed the assassination of Al Qaeda’s second in command (Anwar a-Awlaki, who was killed in a CIA drone strike in September 2011) to the infamous Osama Bin Laden. This spy furthers his promise of being paid 5 million dollars by our U.S. agency (CIA) as a masterful operative in delivering Anwar a-Awlaki for capture or killing. Upon completion of his duty, he insists that our illustrious agency reneged on their promise. If you find that preposterous, you’ll witness video footage of that same spy receiving an attaché case given him by a CIA official filled with $250,000 for another covert operation demanded of him (ironically with the combination code 007 on both locks).

Forgetting the controversy, I want to propose a righteous indignation towards the amount of monies denoted for such a thing. Are there any who could do it for less? “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man” (Ps.118:8).

Happy Tuesday!