Today’s Thought “Beef Ribs Over Pork…” G. Ward

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Galatians 5:14

Understanding the death, burial and resurrection given by our Lord, looks to the historical, along with mankind’s current inability to walk in perfection concerning Old Testament law. The mercy from Holy God allowed a more excellent sacrifice, enabling greater intimacy for any who would recognize that atonement as permanently sufficient to govern their own life.

To question the particulars on what may be permissive, edible or ethical unto another made in His image assumes that what they’ll share is absolute Truth (*Ro.10:8). This is not to say that prudence in a bible lesson presented by another precludes being beneficial; while it most certainly should condone a systematic, independent search of what should be the most important instruction ever. When/if this actuality is perceived by any, consideration for others adopting the magnificence of HIS love will become the insistence from the redeemed.

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Louder Than Words” G. Ward

“Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.” Proverbs 20:11

“Caught in the cookie jar” is the phenomenon beyond ascertaining something sweet. It involves an undeniable expose of the character (i.e. witnessed behavior) of any viewed. In adulthood, it’s generally discoverable through presumptive words from some too loquacious and unfortunate for them, they’re stated without an ability to take back. Many hearers unfortunately hold the victimizer hostage to their conduct, failing to recognize their own impropriety of times past; considering none are exempt from this unfortunate reality (i.e. the foot in the mouth syndrome).

Life given any, very particularly a new day presented, has our Glorious Presenter awakening us to the potential in newness; not great reminder of yesterday’s inaccuracy (cf. Phil.4:1-3).

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Church Fight” G. Ward

“I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.  Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.” Philippians 4:2-3

The first century witnessed believers so enthralled with Holy God’s grace as sufficient that contemplations of differences were squashed by a need to more model the gospel than opinion (Ac.2:44). Reminders of this message in eternal proportion was an insistence to gather more than on Sunday and Wednesdays that would maintain their accountability to the precepts mandated (Heb.10:25).

Believers, transcendent to every generation, are subject for disastrous disunity when focused on that experiential ideology of how life should be presented by another, over the Author of mankind’s desire to transform lives (indiscriminately so).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Heart Transplant” G. Ward

“Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (The Message, Eugene Peterson – A Paraphrase)

The Adventures of Superman witnessed an ordinary citizen (Clark Kent, a journalist), passionately consumed with the aversion of crime enough to then find a closet or storeroom departing from ordinary to extraordinary, a Superhero. Our lives as believers in Christ are no longer ordinary because we are carriers of the Superhero (Jesus our Lord) within. HE alone however is our Magnificent Warrior and the biggest crime (of our time) is pure neglect in seeing HIM as LORD of all. If/when we present our abilities as sufficient, we must be prepared for the world’s  Kryptonite (the ore form of a radioactive element or compound from Superman's home planet of Krypton) to diminish our perceived strength. In other words faster than a speeding bullet becomes pierced unto death, More powerful than a locomotive maintains a ship without a sail and Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound watches the fish jump from the pond into the fry pan!

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Hidden Danger” G. Ward

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

Evil is with creativity ever evolving (2 Cor.4:1-4); seeking attack on the whole of mankind that involves danger upon believers not only in physical proportion, but also in the spread of philosophy over Holy God’s demands. It’s now become so prevalent that the predominance of earth’s citizenry relies on systems of sorts, shutting down an idea of better guidance from the Creator (cf. Ps.127:1).Moreover, mankind’s exposure to the subtlety of evil’s influence forgets that Holy God will not accept this “co-pilot” status some men perpetuate; HE’s either LORD or not.

My prayer is that the few (Mt.7:13-14) aware of the truer reciprocity needed that recognizes the vitality of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection would make teaching others (Mt.28:19-20) an urgent duty before departure of life or assumption from another accepts ideology over what “Thus Saith the Lord…”

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “No Turning Back” G. Ward

“Remember Lot's wife.” Luke 17:32

 

Leaving Sodom and Gomorrah had to be immediate. Sexual sin, very particularly homosexuality had grown so intense that it necessitated God destroying the wholeness of its existence. The LORD sent warning unto Lot, that he should gather his family to share this actuality. Although Lot appeared vigilantly compliant unto this warning to leave, his first appeal to these illicit villagers was to share his daughters with them for sexual favor (Ge.19:8). Secondly, you’ll need to know Lot hesitated (Ge.19:16), exercising doubt, to then become witness to Holy God’s compassion in getting them out before destruction took place.

Lot was an alien to that region. He traveled with his relative Abraham whereby both acquired great wealth causing foolish discord among all their servants. Abraham gave Lot the choicest portion of land to exist in. Lot’s selfish choosing went with appearances of what seemed most prosperous (Ge. 13:2-10). Selfish choices today can be tomorrow’s misery.

Lot’s wife grew so entirely comfortable (particularly in riches) that when forced to leave it all she kept looking back.  The region to which Sodom existed embraced the Dead Sea whereas the salinity (i.e. concentration of dissolved salt) is the highest. Along with the brimstone from heaven, the salt stirring in the air built such a crust on Lot’s wife that it most likely asphyxiated her being.

The Word of God compels us in total reliance of HIS ways, even in perceived absence of blessings presumed.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “I Do…” G. Ward

“If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” Numbers 30:2

 

What if marriage lacked an inability to divorce, even up to mandating the couple remained together (no matter what), with checks and balances comparable to taxation; would the month of June still be the most visited in matrimonial attempts? Although arguable, what remains inarguable is a practice  in contempt that’s entirely perjurous unto our Great Judge.

Superficial obligatory agreements are customarily tweaked as they’re pronounced, particularly when hasty actions later reveal heart matters didn’t accompany practicality. Solomon’s words (Eccl.5:1-2) best deciphers this kind of frivolity: “Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.”

Happy Wednesday!