Today’s Thought “True Governance” G. Ward

Romans 16:17-18

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

America with all its freedom remains celebratory; particularly in view of limited speech and capitalism in other nations. The wholeness this liberty offers is often stifled by insistence from varied people groups to be recognized in their participating acts vs. who they are inalienably and if your comments arise that appear derogatory it’s newly deemed unlawful or worthy of permanent tags that equate evil. Altogether, the posturing from varied groups (for lawful acceptance) invites even newer ideologies credence in the same and the beat goes on and on…

So the document that’s without change, never evolving, all inclusive, merciful and just, the Word of God, why is it so forsaken? While Americans enjoin themselves to “free speech,” believers are compelled to only speak those things of eternal proportion (cf. Eph.4:25-30, *Gal.2:20) and another embrace proves disconnect, or lack of trust in its LEADER…

Today’s Thought “Fool’s Gold” G. Ward

Titus 3:9

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Each of us has become a journalist of sorts; social networking allows this, revealing politics, biases and entertainment sources. It’s also become the chalkboard in disquieting personal offense given by other postings (as if compassion is the long-suit of most). Moreover, these portrayals (in the way of posts, screenshots, etc.) only allow moments of euphoric proportion to be visualized (i.e. “Say Cheese!”), then a return to mundane thereafter. Our vain imaginations (engrained in selfish desire – cf. 2 Ti.3:1-5)) view these great photo opts, mesmerized with insistence to soon endeavor the same. The quest for love, acceptance and wealth obscures gratefulness for perspectives in simplicity. Had Ted Bundy (American serial killer, rapist, etc.) lived, escaping all the heinous crime committed, perhaps he would have been involved in social networking with appealing photos to eventually win many unto early deaths? There are numerous family photos of the Bundy’s whereby many viewers wanted to be just like them.

When Holy God through Christ is King, His redemption is paramount to any wise saying and visual – Share that.

Today’s Thought “When I’m Alone” G. Ward

1 Peter 1:13-17

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;  because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth.

The message of Christ is never to be contrasted with insufficiency found in man. The hope that it (the gospel) extends, grants rest and those hurriedly including plans in pleasure (cf. Eph.5:3-5) are generally agents of avoidance unbeknownst (due to very few sharing Truth). What are they avoiding? The greatest Love of all realized, is the original intent for man. It cannot maintain ideas of knowing HIM without absolute reliance/trust HIS perfect guidance offers.

It appears that the magnitude of this task that necessitates a consistent, interrogative journey, requires accompaniment (*Heb. 10:25). Refuse the journey offered by the religious, opting instead for those practitioners of faith’s requirement and live…

Today’s Thought “When No One Will Lead” G. Ward

Ezra 1:1-2

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying:“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.”

Amazingly we’ve become witnesses to the Almighty’s Sovereignty with His selection of this pagan King 150 years before his birth (Isa.44:28). While the chieftain of knowing Holy God remains obedience, the Old Testament’s designation for Israel to be a separate people desired they’d be priests to every nation thereafter – to then experience unfortunate captivity then leadership by “strange fruit” (cf. Deut.28:32-34).

We’re now required to submit to authorities (*Ro.13:1-5) and our submission therein is contingent on whether we like the imposed leader. As Cyrus was used to bring a people belonging to God into a future hope, will all our analyzing and rebellion determine bondage as best? Furthermore, have we in our finite beings lied by mandating Holy God get the glory (in all things) even if it means our own destruction (cf. Ro.8:18)? He wouldn’t do that to us Greg! Did HE not love Israel?

Today’s Thought “What About the Children?” G. Ward

Genesis 1:26-27

 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

There’s a simple solution to racial disparities perceived, it’s called faith in Holy God’s standard; Who made one race that precludes no inferiority or superiority for any ethnic group to perceive. America’s contention with race is indicative of her heart (Jer. 17:9) mandating one’s own divisive tactics over God’s reign. It cannot infer to varied sociological and political ills found in ethnicities to ever determine some are with a genetic predisposition towards unrighteousness (**cf. Ge.9:18-19). It must determine that grandiose malfeasance of a life given, begins with me (cf. Lk.6:46); I’ve neglected to lead others (indiscriminately) to the Way, Truth and Life (Matt.28:18-20); particularly in view of all that HE’s done for me. Awakening on today has become the opportunity to demonstrate gratefulness unto the peace offered man. A concise presentation of truth and the adoption therein, will soon squash what’s deemed as “inter-racial marriage” along with foolish talking points concerning a “bi-racial child.” Both are analogous of why the term oxymoronic exists. Finally, a giraffe still is without ability to procreate with an elephant, while humankind continues…

Today’s Thought “They’re Coming to Take You Away…” G. Ward

Psalm 17:4-6 “As for the deeds of men, by the word of Your lips I have kept from the paths of the violent. My steps have held fast to Your paths. My feet have not slipped. I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.”

Our approach to oppression’s impact for our lives will soon determine who we’ll trust. Will we forget that our struggles enable future days granted, an avoidance of prior pitfalls (even so, whereas my current celebrations rejoice in having survived another storm)? Or, shall I wallow in misery’s pit, looking for a different manuscript written from another (just like me) who endeavored a similar plight, experiencing some success, but will soon have splashes of vomit from another circumstance visit my being (and who’s to say whether or not these typhoon winds will overtake me)?

The contingency for a life of peace is absolute reliance on the Only One who can grant the kind of solace the world’s inhabitants need to get off the ferris wheel that won’t stop.

Today’s Thought “You’ve Got A Friend…” G. Ward

Ephesians 6:18-20

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

There’s an exercise in traditionalism that observes difficulty in the lives of others, assuming the role of “Mother Hen” desiring to eliminate the troubles of the affected. I believe this stance is nobility that is quickly becoming uncommon for our era. At the same time, many are horribly misguided when peace for the victims of suffering is predominately that of prayer with forgetfulness in walking alongside the disenchanted. Advocacy from heaven, in the way of Jesus our Lord, must consider the interdependence HE mandates for His people (i.e. we have become the body of Christ), whereby HE alone is the Captain who  never leaves the vessel HE’s prepared for the earth, desiring that no one would perish.