Today’s Thought “My Bishop…” G. Ward

 “Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:13

The objective for the overseer is to ensure Truth become the necklace for every believer; pervading opportunity for any to experience peace and contentment that empties into eternal life with the King. His doing so is without the kind of drama that can visually impose on hearers a longing for sole acquaintance with the minister of the hour that subtracts from the substantive work of Christ (*1 Cor.2:1-5).

I wasn’t there but I’m sure that the Apostle Paul didn’t insist on riding the backs of beasts with proven pedigree, decorated with purple linen and gold tassels as he pursued travel throughout varied provinces while preaching Christ. Moreover, his declarations maintained how necessary it is/was that hearers of Truth’s consideration of Christ sufficiency understand that the object of faith solely rests in the Lord Jesus, NOT MAN’S CHARISMA (1 Cor.3:3-6). The latter attraction subtracts from implicit trust in the all-wise Savior that ultimately can cost both the promulgator and the hearer a proper eternity (cf. 2 Pe.3:9).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Without Scholarship” G. Ward

“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill?” Psalm 15:1

There’s an unfortunate categorization prevalent with Christians that estimates knowing Holy God through having achieved greater familiarity with His words than others. It can often reveal aptitude for ingesting facts over desired intimacy with God through Christ. Moreover, knowledge witnessed by some common mindsets who covet the intellect of the scholarly appear intimidated; enough so that it’s promoted argument from the lesser. Quantitative measurement of spiritual realities should never become something to behold (cf. Jas.1:22). There however needs to be an insistence from any declaring “I know HIM” to maintain spiritual integrity of the greatest gift afforded every man that delights in any mention of HIS Name (Ac.4:12).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Grabbing Toto and Going to Oz” G. Ward

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. “Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. “For He has brought low those who dwell on high, the unassailable city; He lays it low, He lays it low to the ground, He casts it to the dust.” Isaiah 26:3-5

 

Great storylines from books and film have attached itself to mindsets of man comparable to parasites on food products. These attachments can obscure the ultimate reality of Holy God control vs. a pinnacling through man’s ideology. While hickory dickory dock had the mouse run up the clock, man, the highest in creation, knows what time it is, maintaining an ability to decipher what the time-piece declares; but his subliminal mind has him running to no-where with mice (*Lk.12:35-48).

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Platitudes In Positioning” G. Ward

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

My tenure in the pastorate has included great challenges; particularly as it concerns my fiscal well being. Unlike the paradigm given most pastors, mine own never was with consideration towards the kind of exorbitance found among some wealthy ministers. Moreover, I would love to say that if faced with considerably more long ago, my lifestyle wouldn’t indicate all presented, but hind-sight isn’t always so clear. I thank Holy God for His presentation of process through intimacy that more establishes trust and reliance on HIM. Past improprieties have revealed inconsistency that can carry a horrendous reverberation not worthy of visitation; so I’ll choose to remain hidden behind the Rock of Ages (cf. Ps.91:1).

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Yeah, But…” G. Ward

“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:19-21

 

Agreeing to disagree is not the pedigree of a believer when faced with the Truth in Holy God’s word (cf.1 Pe.3:15). Unlike the magnificence of varied writings, the words from God apply in trans-generational proportion, seeking to protect mankind from presumptive equality with his Maker (cf. Isa.55:8-9). Perhaps you’ve viewed the horror of defense given by many refusing immediate compliance when faced with God’s authority, insisting on an additional scripture or historicity that dilutes the actuality presented? Holy God is/has never been reliant on the intellect of a single man HE proposed for HIS earth. More important is implicit, immediate compliance to what HE says, while life for any exists. The span given man exists to enable a practice therein without corruption (Ps.90:12).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “A Look Into My Diary” G. Ward

They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11

The night is often marveling for me in those contemplations of Jesus’ return appears imminent. The solitude it offers demands interrogation of my soul’s activity of the day’s events. How compliant was I? My personal belief as is relative to my works in faith has not done so well. My light within has shone, but my discipleship of another is profoundly lacking. Although I’m with a corporate responsibility unforsaken, my personal pursuit of some without total surrender unto Christ lacks urgency.

Personal faith in Christ should contrast every believer’s commission, placing my redemption as secondary to the eternal welfare of others; anything less is biblically unfounded. I cannot rest well with so many disconnected from the Throne of Mercy that grants peace; so I’ll thank HIM for an early rising that affords my second chance to do the Master’s will (*cf. Ps. 103:11-13. Mic.7:18-19).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Utterly Offensive” G. Ward

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22

The subtlety in adopting ideology from man will subtract from adherence to Holy God’s word. While many seek to remove people from their lives that have caused them pain repeatedly, *our offensive ways unto Holy God are received each day (Lam.3:22-23). The audacious believer pervades the equivalent of a poisonous elixir every time they determine dismissal of another without disqualifying themselves. Moreover, it’s this kind of presentation that exacts unnecessary defense from many insistent of knowing HIM; unfortunately causing wrongful interrogation of God’s statement, even up to utilizing another passage (DECONTEXTULIZED) that refutes the subject matter presented.  While faith remains difficult, obedience that leads to peace is without reservation for those who believe (cf. Jas.1:22).

Happy Monday!