Today’s Thought “Baby It’s Cold Outside” 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

Our Great God of provision is most certainly worthy of all honor in view of allowing our rescue from perishing. While we may rejoice in our surrender as a servant of the Most High, cognizance with others mocking must not drive more defense, but proaction. Criticism of what seemingly is relinquishing an intellectual posturing common to man, is ultimately a misunderstanding of our very existence. In other words, “God gave you a brain, now use it!” While it certainly sounds prudent, particularly in view of the success with so many including us; quiet moments may reveal a necessary contrast of success vs. failure; unmasking our evaluations of failure as painful. The Apostle Paul desired the world to know that his soul accepted a redemption for himself and others, but persistent practice in surrender is a must: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil.3:12). In his day the Roman Empire embraced a plethora of intellectualisms to which he also was superior (cf.Ac.22:2-3), but the newness of life (Jn.14:6, Ro.6:4) afforded him demanded he give to others that to which he received (Phil.3:7-8).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Before Sunday” G. Ward

“But as for you, son of man, your fellow citizens who talk about you by the walls and in the doorways of the houses, speak to one another, each to his brother, saying, ‘Come now and hear what the message is which comes forth from the Lord.  They come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain. Behold, you are to them like a sensual song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words but they do not practice them.” Ezekiel 33:30-32

They were instructed by their families, “Do not go down to those rallies marching anywhere with that man!” Moreover, all this man represented was anarchy and great trouble; followed by a sentiment of, “we’re fine where we are!” This man was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It’s certainly hard to imagine that any of this could be a sentiment of a Black parent, but it was. Jim Crow laws throughout our land could demand a stay in jail, along with barbaric beatings and potential death. Without equal opportunity employment, Blacks in America couldn’t afford to bail their people from jail, extended hospitalization (i.e. exorbitant costs), or funeral fees. Hindsight allows us current perspective in viewing those defiant ones as heroic.

Seemingly digressive, many are to encounter great speeches along with huge theatrical productions in the name of church this Sunday. It will spurn them unto emotional certainty, allowing their decision to link immediately to ANOTHER philosophical approach. More captivated by eloquence than content, wavering commitment makes its entrance. Pastors, along with their staff and many congregants applaud as many culminate their day’s presence by walking the aisle to give the dynamic preacher their hand in pledge as a servant to Christ (LOL!!!). What fellowship did they come from and if another acquaintance should invite them to their perspective place of worship and that Preacher is even more charismatic, WHERE IN THE WORLD WILL ALL THIS END???

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “70 Years Later…” G. Ward

Afterward Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. And Job said, “Let the day perish on which I was to be born, and the night which said, A boy is conceived.” Job 3:1-3

CNN’s Wolf Blitzer helped produce a most excellent documentary featuring Holocaust survivors entitled Voices of Auschwitz.  I marvel at the courage of the many Jewish survivors to forgive their persecutors, particularly when one reported having lost 87 members of her family. The brutality by the Nazi’s had absolutely no regard to their humanity as they corralled thousands into gas chambers, ripping parents away from their children. The deplorable conditions in enduring frigid temperatures while naked for extended periods of time, while no food or water was considered are vividly depicted in the photos of emaciated bodies we’ve viewed time after time.

 How does man arrive at any stretch in his imagination of thinking himself as superior in contrast to another, particularly enough to consider annihilating those he perceives as inferior? Most assuredly this hatred isn’t inherent.

• We all have the responsibility of greater stewardship towards obliterating systemic racism by insisting our young people view such heinous depictions not only with what was one of the greatest tragedies of modern times (The Holocaust), but also those genocidal injustices imposed throughout our world in modern times; Bosnia-Herzegovina: 1992-1995 - 200,000 Deaths

·       Rwanda: 1994 - 800,000 Deaths

·       Pol Pot in Cambodia: 1975-1979 - 2,000,000 Deaths

·       Nazi Holocaust: 1938-1945 - 6,000,000 Deaths

·       Rape of Nanking: 1937-1938 - 300,000 Deaths

·       Stalin's Forced Famine: 1932-1933 - 7,000,000 Deaths

·       Armenians in Turkey: 1915-1918 - 1,500,000 Deaths

Perhaps you’ve awakened with great complaint (e.g. headaches, common cold, job impropriety, economic woes, etc.)? I would ask that you re-evaluate why it is that Holy God allowed you another day and thank Him for His great mercy.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “I Live for YOUR Love…” G. Ward

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.” Ephesians 1:3-4

Despair is an ugly reality for mankind. It’s entirely lonely and without regard to share particulars. It’s a sort of mindful lock, awaiting a locksmith very far away. Experience most certainly won’t reveal an answer for this quandary and while some of our closest constituents identify our gloom, their ploy of encouragement is futile.

While suffering is an acceptable reality (cf. Ro.8:18), it should never empty into despair. It will prove more unfaithfulness (doubt, from us) that God is… Vain philosophy shares the impossibility in this (despair) condition not frequenting every human. Holy God’s word insists, “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn.16:33).

The way of avoidance to this sin is a practice in intimacy with Holy God. Moment to moment submission allows His permeating your soul. Now you’re trusting Him more and more; knowing that He loved you before the foundation of the world.

Happy Wednesday!

 

Today’s Thought “Weather Woes” G. Ward

“Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways!”You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes." Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways!” Haggai 1:5-7

As it were, there’s a forced reconciliation when inclement weather pervades you and me. Perhaps when bad weather stifles our travels, we should prepare to re-construct our mentalities synonymous with how the Prophet Haggai admonished those of his day regarding the re-building of the Temple?

The northeasterners on today are either in the snare of the unknown hunter or with great delusion of tropical beachfront posturing. The snow and winds have been pummeling them, disabling their expediency to nowhere. While we who are able to view the entirety of this in abstract, we’re as guilty of never slowing down enough to take personal inventory; and for the ones who endeavor to do so, it’s done in too short a moment. Therefore the garbage that’s removed is comparable to having a garage sale – you’ve gotten all you’re to get from what was once useful and rather than give it away, you’d rather sell it exorbitantly, while furthering a terrible notion of helping others…

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Misconception” G. Ward

“And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law.” Acts 6:12-13

What does Holy God need from man, except that he maintains resilience in his servitude? In that same compliance, He never guaranteed that others would be elated with a practice therein. Moreover, He may allow for persecution (including death) to occur as He did for Stephen.

Just recently (here in Atlanta), the Fire Chief was fired for his un-authorized distribution of a self-published manuscript in which he called homosexuality “sexual perversion” and compared it to “bestiality” (cf. Lev.18:22, Ro.1:26-28, 1 Cor.7:2). Some have alluded that our Mayor is guilty of political posturing because his city’s great homosexual community exceeded that to which San Francisco was once prominent. Whatever the cause and effect, religious leaders have expressed outrage in what seemingly is an infringement on religious freedoms facing Christians and other people of faith.

Some, even within the believer community are yelling “foul!” They further a FALSE notion of judging others, while making judgments all day long themselves. Holy God’s words sanctions judging (particularly when studied properly. Cf. Mt.7:1-5, Jn. 7:24, 1 Jn.4:1, 1 Cor.5:1-13), it simply demands you be pursuant to righteous behavior. Just remember, in your observances, they’ll hate you for it (Jn. 15:18-19), even up to killing you! Will Heaven stand for you as HE did for Stephen (Acts 7:54-60)?

Happy Monday! 

Today’s Thought “Pseudo Inquiry” G. Ward

“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.  For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:3-4

                           

Perhaps you’re regarded as the level-headed one, or perceivably a good listener? Many may call on you with pretentious salutations of, “how are you on today?” While you share your task at hand, great presumption enters the room. Why? Because their own plight is too huge to consider anyone equally or more troubled.

Life’s challenges are forever present. Authoritatively, leaders in a many regard share a pursuit of happiness with their captive audiences, to forget man’s war in carnality is driven first by self-absorption (2 Ti.3:2-4). Furthermore, their (leaders of sorts) seeking notoriety among men rarely shares, there’s more inability towards contentment when any forget where real joy and peace emanates (cf. Phil.4:12).

 Rather than scurry to another in expressing varied woes, why not consider HIM without task (Ps.46:1, Phil.4:6-7)? To make HIM last resort is indicative of what got you in this mess in the first place…

Happy Thursday!