Today’s Thought “Roulette, A Game of Chance” G. Ward

“I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.” Psalm 138:2

Every Monday morning for many generations (very particularly during the school year) parents interrogate their children’s departure unto their perspective schools. If their young person attempts leaving with no writing tools or books, interrogation then becomes castigation and they’re immediately escorted to what is an area of supply. This demand prohibits an exit strategy on behalf of the young person until books, paper and pen are in tow.

Do you go to the doctor’s visit without clean underwear? Is driving without a license sanctioned? Howbeit that our young people are without supply at their place of worship? Is a copy of God’s word only for the preacher? My personal frustration in this matter as a pastor gifted every young person in our church with a bible, pen and tablet (note taking?). After every worship service my desire is to touch every congregant and visitor at our front doors. Sadly, not one young person was equipped (cf. Deut. 6:4-7, Pr. 22:6). What will church look like in 5 years? You may implicate Madalyn O’Hair for removing prayer in school, but the many conveyances that say God isn’t real is emanates from who?

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “They’re Watching” G. Ward

“When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.” 1 Kings 3:28

Our days are filled with great and small judgments. It may seem personal until I contemplate break room talk that takes place every Monday when others interrogate my activity of the weekend and how it always included church on Sunday for me. This commitment unto personal spiritual progress most certainly allow feelings of inadequacy for the irreligious to surface. Many will begin watching those committed ones seeking to discover deficiency so as to perpetuate a notion of foolishness first found in “church folks.”

For some it appears a heavy load to bear; our living righteously. I beg to differ. I know it as opportunistic in sharing what should be more proper to view – Christ’s Righteousness, delineating “No one as righteous, not one” (Ro.3:10). This admittance is far more compelling and invitational than a boast about the excellence at service time (cf. Lk.14:16-23)…

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “I Wanna Be Rich!” G. Ward

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness!” Psalm 115:1

Dear Lord, in recent times I’ve given my life to You. I say my trusting You is implicit because Your pursuit of me happened first. I’ve embraced every component in holy living; putting away all the selfish principles that were so ever encompassing. The music I once embraced is null and void for this new life and now my everyday seeks praise and worshipful music. Lord, You’ve enabled me with great singing talent and I thank You. Holy God, Maker of heaven and earth, I’m now going to take some old school beats that will accompany some of those lyrics in how You blessed me and how You’re going to protect me from all harm and sickness even though people of greater faith are perishing (some tragically) through disease and other evils, and because Jabez prayed that You would enlarge his territory and You did, I know (In Jesus Name) that once I finish these tracks, I’m soon to blow up! CAN YOU SAY COMPROMISE?

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Simi Valley Valiciousness” G. Ward

“A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.” Proverbs 16:10

The GOP debate on tonight includes 17 candidates vying for what perceivably is the highest office in the land. Ideally all 17 will seek to convey their qualifications in governance to a captive audience more in tune with a war on words than substance. I say that because many forget that a system of “checks and balances” more disallow the Executive Branch’s exclusive power. Beyond partisan lines more embellishment is given in debate than possibility. Expressions like “this is what the American people want” carries implication of majority. The actuality in this although true is without measurement and could represent 3 or 3 million Americans.

Where’s the continuity in this liberal or conservative political-ness; Seventeen on one side, four on the other? Why not consider debate behind the scenes amongst (partisan) candidates to produce one for argument with another brand for Americans? If a divine decision is on the lips of a potential leader, his actions must be willing to subtract from idealism unto reality – GOD IS REAL (Mt.16:24, Ro.3:4).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “In A Weary Land” G. Ward

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

North Korea has become as agitant a country as their leader Kim Jong-un is short (You can’t trust a man who always wears platform shoes seeking to establish his height as average.). Just recently they’ve announced a readiness for attack against the U.S. with the nuclear arsenal they possess in protest to American policy.

We can allow for North Korea to infringe on our faith (certainly not in militaristic counteraction), or we can run towards real refuge. 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” (Ps.127:1).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Fad Dieting” G. Ward

And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.” Genesis 1:29

Like many of you I’ve investigated all the ads regarding eliminating body fat. Every advertisement is entirely resolute in their claims. What helps me to subtract from immediate purchase is that the primary ingredient to these magnificent compounds is a natural substance.

Howbeit that mankind created and given authority over every plant, water creature and animal, reaches outside of the realm of his existence to discover new frontier? Did we ever stop to think that had we remained in the original plan given from the Creator – pants wouldn’t be so tight?

Happy Monday!

 

Today’s Thought “Truth, Upside the Head!” G. Ward

“Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Church decline is on the increase. Although technology allows live streaming, while social networking offers cyber revivals, our timeless God proposed a physical (face to face) assembling (Heb. 10:25) for every season. We (mankind) think of this movement as epiphanizing, but Holy God knew of its potential from the creation of the world.

We can become more analytical concerning the decline with our many attacks about church relevancy along with preacher’s compelling to be rich vs. available unto missionary status; and all these arguments are true, but the accountability belongs to any who say they know HIM (1 Jn.5:3). The first commandment given man after Christ paid the price for man’s sin was going and making disciples (Mt.28:19). Here’s what’s necessary; get by yourself and ask “how long have I been a believer?” If I believe, can my most excellent testimonials on how good God is be what HE commanded, or am I to walk them through a systematic study of HIS word until they’re able to disciple another or perhaps I just don’t believe because I’m already refusing that notion…

Happy Friday!