Today’s Thought “What Saith Thee?” G. Ward

“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?” 1 Corinthians 3:1-4

There’s a strong compelling from ministers that feels it necessary to insert great quotes during their discourse each week. Although there’s nothing wrong with this kind of incitation, it should not be at his insistence as he contemplates his eloquence portrayed. How dare any of us utilize vain philosophy to portray Holy God’s word unto man? It’s the very thing that stagnates our congregants in their seeking to be heard from a standpoint of what “Bishop” had to say vs. what Holy God desires to say unto them (personally). Just in case you don’t know, it sounds very cultic when any are known for their exacerbations in what their minister has said. After all, his personal ambassadorship should delight solely in Holy God’s word. His promulgations are not even his own; so why are you giving him credit (that’s blasphemous!)?

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Study Habits…” G. Ward

“ I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” Revelation 1:9-11

 

More than a Shakespearian sonnet or a prolific novel is the word of God. I’ve witnessed so many endeavor reading it with an intrigue that would bolster their pride rather than be the life guide proposed for all men ( cf. Ps.119: 105-106, 2 Ti.3:16-17). I’ve witnessed believer’s approach unto it with familiarity that’s contemptuous. I’ve seen theologians expound on it presumptuously and pretentiously, leading many towards destruction (cf. Hos.4:6-8).

If we’re careful to follow the precepts of Holy God, peace and contentment is near. Ours must be more interrogative through greater investigation. When we begin to esteem Holy God’s words for its perfection vs. just another good book, we too will be compelled to write those things down of greater significance for the day presented. While some seek to read it cover to cover, they’re without scholarship that would make them authoritative therein. IT MUST BE STUDIED…

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Book Club” G. Ward

“For the word of the Lord is upright,
And all His work is done in faithfulness.” Psalm 33:4

I heard it proposed to me again this morning, “Greg, what book are you reading currently?” It more suggests that varied ideologies sustain mankind. Moreover, it contradicts independent thought, while being impressed with authorship from scholarly individuals seeking to either improve man or portray what ultimately is hypothesis at best. I say this in contrast to what “Final Authority” (Holy God and His words unto man) offers (Mt.24:35). "May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “That You may be justified in Your words, And prevail when You are judged” (Ro. 3:4).

A society more captivated in intellectual prowess than spiritual conditioning is regressive (doomed for destruction). Birds, flowers and grass flourish within the parameter of their purpose. Mankind however, is seemingly on a quest to further separate from their proposed existence (cf. Jn.15:5).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Auld Lang Syne” G. Ward

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

 

Generations grew singing this great herald (Auld Lang Syne) at the stroke of midnight, introducing a New Year. The song’s significance celebrates what old friendships once represented, committing to new opportunity in the same. Times of old more delighted in relationships, while understanding things come and go, but the interdependence meant for mankind is virtuous (cf. Eccl.4:12, Ro. 15:1-2).

·       We must not forget that celebration should embrace remembrance. Our Americanism makes this celebration propose more self-centeredness than empathy. For example, dead bodies are still being extracted from the waters of Indonesia after enduring a horrific plane crash (AirAsia Flight 8501 - The missing plane carried 155 Indonesians along with three people from South Korea and one each from Singapore, Britain, Malaysia, and France. The passengers included 16 children and one infant.). Moreover, The World Bank reports; According to the most recent estimates, in 2011, 17 percent of people in the developing world lived at or below $1.25 a day. Another outstanding organization, The Hunger Project reports, 805 million people – or one in nine people in the world – do not have enough to eat. 98% of the world’s undernourished people live in developing countries. Where is hunger the worst? Asia: 525.6 million/ Sub Saharan Africa: 214 million / Latin America and the Caribbean: 37 million.

As you make resolutions and echo narcissistic slogans like “Greater” and “Increase” for 2015, remember Holy God is still loving the same world living in abject poverty.

Happy Wednesday!

 

 

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!