Today’s Thought “Driven by Success” G. Ward

 

“The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” Proverbs 8:13

There are key words and expressions not worthy of man’s adoption and success may be one of them. I say this not for controversy’s sake, but that it may breed introspection. Success is normally a drive that seeks prominence from man; forgetting that stardom among humans is temporal. Moreover, although the archives will reveal tremendous contribution, it competes with millions chronicled also. Success then for believers should be without the kind of provocation that elevates for short spans in fame, but promotes the Enabler (The LORD, high and lifted up) of any, seemingly capable (cf. Jn.15:5). The archive in prudence will never close for those who trust HIM (*cf. Rev.20:15).

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Mirror of Obscurity” G. Ward

“On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry.  Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.” Mark 11:12-14

Please don’t arrive at our home without notification, but in our backyard there’s a very large fig tree. Indifferent from most fruit bearing trees, the leaves and figs grow in synchronicity.

Jesus our Lord, in the passage is imminently approaching the crucifixion. Synonymous with a loving parent’s last instruction to their children, His words seek to prepare His disciples for steadfastness amidst a society prone to religion featuring themselves as their own god (i.e. selfish desires and the pervasion therein). Jesus cursed the tree because it failed to produce in conjunction to its natural course. Moreover, while with flourishing appearances of being fruitful, thorough investigation identified no fruit. The curse pronounced brought forth a withering (death), whereby no re-germination would be possible: Be found fruitful.

*We have cameras on the outside of our home; there will be no figs extracted before its time.

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “The Words In Red” G. Ward

 

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25

 

Authorship from literary giants generally doesn’t war with others in lowly positions alike, in being heard. Although their words may lack prudence and practicality many ascribe to the first manuscripts presented. The process of adoration for these authors can/will subtract from personal interrogation that invites discipline that transforms.

The Word of God is incomparably the script in prudence with practicality. It’s yet very difficult to be impressed with its status as “best seller” when most who make this purchase fail to heed what’s within; more ascribing to “self-help” guides. When Holy God’s word is pursued righteously, the chieftain of expressed desire from the Author insists that every beholder first understand what’s been afforded them (although they were entirely unrighteous) and then to decide others have the same worth.

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Without Choice” G. Ward

 

“And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16

 

The beggar is with a new look. He’s without shabby clothing and an open dirty hand. He’s typifies what you and me represent; a longing for change socio-economically, politically and lack of cultural deference. The whole of man has sought absolution however, in the wrong source; looking to militancy from civic and political leaders for resolution.

When/if believers decide that the banner of belief (i.e. moral conduct) is the flag worthy to fly, many will ascribe to the question synonymous with the jailer to whom Paul and Silas was deposed; he asked, “what must I do to be saved?”

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Saint vs. Sinner” G. Ward

 

“Which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth…” Colossians 1:6

If you’re a team sports fan of sorts and one player had been recognized as the greatest to have played the game (demanding your viewership) and this portrayal from this proposed phenom’s statistical contribution was poorly representative of this insinuated stardom, would he still be regarded as an excellent professional in your estimation?

A Saint’s delineation understands what being a team player means; their Star Player is Jesus Christ. HE never fails at being victorious and the objective of the team never contends with hyperbole inciting what can’t be proven; they just reproduce His Stats (i.e. the gospel) as incomparable, whereby all receive trophies (cf. 2 Ti.4:8).

Happy Friday!

 

Today’s Thought “Maxwell House Coffee and Bacon” G. Ward

 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

 

How amazing is our God to bestow on man numerous opportunity in knowing Him. His pursuit of us is relentless, yet mostly goes un-noticed (cf. Mt.7:13-14). There are so many blessings to perceive and the conveniences therein subtract from an insistence from man to “wait on the Lord.”  Sure, we want to trust Him in all things and yes we testify to His way as best, proving words can/will lack altruism.

The frustrations from many that demand reversal of this superficial reality propose the question so very big, yet with an answer that guarantees reprieve. Plan for success by enabling a practice to begin (un-interrupted), not tomorrow, but today (Mt.6:34, Jas.4:14). Awakening each day to thank God for another day is appropriate, but blatant misappropriation soon follows when perception/reception with this newness presented carries forth one’s own plans (in the same-ness of yesterday), still pervading religion on most through declaring “He is Lord.” The actuality of our presentation ought to get back in the bed and even though bacon and coffee aren’t brewing, “Taste and see that the Lord is good!”

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Presumptive Anxiousness” G. Ward

 

“Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25

 

There are many events that take place in our lives, but there are few we’re very proud to repeat. Altogether, each of these experiences enabled the kind of maturation that determines peace must exist if afforded another moment. Corrective measures in this regard are synonymous with dieting; there’s success for a season, but more discipline (i.e. practice) should embrace desired effect.

Jesus’ arrival in the earth happened in similar terms, but His was without a propensity in gratifying personal pleasure. His inspired word could have listed numerous events, but chose a portrayal sufficient to lead us unto perfect surrender that’s joyous. Moreover, we’re contained/constrained within what is written (which is eternally relevant), to never estimate its qualitativeness of some novel culminating with a “they lived happily ever after” syndrome. Our personal authorship and promulgations can’t/won’t  hold a candle against Holy God’s inspired Truth, so stick with the script (*cf. Eccl.8:6-9).

Happy Wednesday!