Today’s Thought “Exegetical?” G. Ward

“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-2

 

There are many submitting to devotional thoughts (including my own), before recognizing the Supremacy found in Holy God’s word. Although many of these thoughts may be somewhat expositional in delineating opportunity in greater follow-ship (in God’s word); we must remember these thoughts are more subjective than authoritative.

Religion has been the ruin for mankind’s surrender unto Holy God’s commands. New covenant believers are compelled to know Him intimately (cf. Gal.5:1, 2 Ti.2:15, Heb.1:1-2). Any proclaimer of Truth failing to mention this often epitomizes the Apostle Paul’s admonishing found in 2Ti. 3:8-9, “Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also.”

Please (with sugar on top), pick up a copy of God’s word first; then if you have some time later, perhaps my thought for the day may become the accentuation of your belief…

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Watch Night?” G. Ward

“Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1

We’re told “come as you are” when it comes to our participating in worship unto God; yet when one arrives in what perceivably is their best; we forget the social relativity in their background. It certainly may demand that “hot pants” are acceptable as long as they’re not fluorescent in color.

I’m just arriving home from an intensive session with my personal trainer. She knows me to be a pastor and asked about our watch night services on this Wednesday. I shared, “we’re not having one.” She then replied, “You’ve given your members permission to go partying.” I then shared, if their heart’s desire is to dance and drink the night away, perhaps theirs will win over perceived righteousness. I then furthered my inability to criticize other churches for their potential services by substantiating how wonderful it is when the saints convene no matter the day. Moreover, Holy God is without regard to times and days (cf. Ps. 90:4, Col.2:16). Furthermore the essence in origin (i.e. Watch Night) was particularly proprietary to Black slaves strongly anticipating being emancipated (cf. Freedom’s Eve 1863). While many of this modernity await the New Year in our local churches, they’re soon to hear chants of declarations and decrees of increase (better jobs, more money, bigger houses, new cars, etc.), while forgetting the priesthood of old were subject to death when presumptive thoughts (in the Name of Yahweh) went exercised (Deut. 18:20-22). The slaves awaiting emancipation are said to have been celebratory without regard to freedom or bondage furthered. I’m wondering if any misery will accompany the saints for 2015 (cf. Ro.8:18, Jas.1:2-3) and if they too will praise Him in difficulties?

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Tis the Season…” G. Ward

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

Schemes and contrived copy-cat behaviors have citizens experiencing borderline paranoia in the name of being cautious during the holiday season. What was once great respectability and intentional hospitality with most in the month of December is over-shadowed by sensationalistic reports of killings and robberies. Shamefully and without exercising in the spiritual realm of man’s existence, some suggest “the Christ has been eliminated from Christmas.” I say there’s always been a selfish, superficial approach to what should be the recognition of Christ’s entry into the world for mankind’s reconciliation unto Holy God. Perhaps it is a good start to echo “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays,” but for those afraid of total surrender unto Jesus for the following eleven months (cf. Heb.10:25, 1 Pe.1:16), it’s not antidotal. In other words, if the rattlesnake bites (representative of the superficial approach to Christmas), there is no other medicine to counteract this condition (cf. Ps. 127:1). You’re soon to die! “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work” (1 Cor.3:11-13).

Happy Tuesday!

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!

Bottom of Form