Today’s Thought “Small-ville” G. Ward

Philippians 2:5-7 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”

Prudence in hearing guarantees learning and when any settle down in their limited scope they tend to identify that others may seemingly need to be taught in accordance to their education and experience (to which the world may deem great intellect), whereas the ultimate aim (i.e. living with eternity in mind) reveals the practice to more behold.

In other words, all that we do should embody how to present less so that Christ may be the focal point in our presentation (cf. Jas.1:19-21).

Today’s Thought “No More Shopping Sprees…” G. Ward

Judges 2:10 “All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.”

Great celebration included tens of thousands shouting acclamations at Christ upon His triumphal entry into Jerusalem one week before His merciful compliance in dying for the worst in society then and now. Holy week’s transcendence to spiritual preparation from generations prior witnessed great shopping for garments of pungent pastels, Easter baskets and hams, etc., to now see a diminishing of what should be the greatest day of reckoning life given for the purpose of the Master (cf. Gal.2:20), to unfortunate admittance that Easter morning and my attending services won’t have me purporting more hypocrisy by purchasing a new outfit along with criticisms from those church people that point out my irregularity!

What will Easter look like in another fifty years if we continue to blame preachers with planes, trains and ostentatious automobiles for our lack in recognizing a reasonable reciprocity unto the Savior who loves us until the end (*cf. Jer. 23:1-3)?

Today’s Thought “Without Independent Thought” G. Ward

Psalm 84:10 “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

Unfortunately the actuality of global warming has become great political indifference and no I really don’t care what side you’re on. Regardless, we’ve all witnessed the demand for products and services at an instant at the expense of health now and for future generations that imposes greatly on our ecology. Holy God’s initiation of earth’s contents was regarded as “good” and our tampering and selfish conjuring thereafter compromised the authority given us from “On High.”

There’s spiritual restoration that remains the truest requirement for peace and continuity; when/if it goes forsaken, the populous is with another bad example. Moreover, it’s the natural inclination for mankind (when exposed to chaos) to seek shelter (not always pertinent to visual) and the joy for any believer who enjoin themselves unto an excellent recourse found in the Shelter of the Almighty, refusing to share the space and consolation offered there, is worse than contributions towards climatic anarchy that kills softly…

Today’s Thought “Blue Lights In the Basement” G. Ward

Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Our society awaits the next party because we’ve been taught more about a pursuit in happiness over contentment (and yes there is a difference). The most thrilling time in the world (deemed Passion Week), the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, preparing for a tumultuous death to pardon you and me (particularly a willing Vessel without sin), including shouts of acclamation from what was over 100,000 presumed followers, anticipating Who for them was undeniably the Savior of the world, but looking to HIM for political freedom along with immediate social reform HE could offer yet denying their soul’s rescue from sin, perpetuating self aggrandizement.

At the ascension of Jesus unto heaven 120 disciples are said to have existed, enclosed in a small room, with the music off, disquieted with uncertainty that would soon afford their awareness of all HE promised that became their reality and is now our own (Acts 1). Will you proclaim HIM as Lord or continue looking for the party purporting principles of pleasure?

Today’s Thought “Old Slogans Gone” G. Ward

James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

When many of us were growing up and particularly upon departure, there would be another who would yell, “Hey, don’t you take any wooden nickels!” Although many were without the facts relative to the origin of such, we all knew it represented inauthenticity. The world to which we live now frowns on terminology of old, including its practices. Altogether I don’t believe many from our modernity are antagonistic with historical perpetuations (whether sayings or actions), but have become very reliant on something “new and improved”.

The transcendence of our expectations can/have bled onto our lack of interrogating terms of endearment found in Holy God’s word. If we’re not careful, our familiarity jeopardizes the accommodation given us by Christ’s sufficiency (cf. Jn.14:1-3).

Today’s Thought “Our Newest Craze” G. Ward

Romans 4:4-5                                                                                          

“Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.  But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.”

While text messaging may be a great device in communication, it’s no better than what many of us enjoined ourselves onto decades ago; inserting a dime in a telephone located in an unsanitary booth.  Voices in familiarity more allowed the hearer a particular discernment distinguishing joy, distress, or embellishing from the sayer, whereas a text allows the commoner equality with the greatest author or actor.

Generations prior to our time exercised a pursuit in intimacy with Holy God via a fundamental standard of old; they ascertained a copy of HIS words deeming it a necessary guide for their every moment. Moreover, they trusted in that quiet time, refusing movement while HE spoke. The meditation thereafter was lasting, permeating their souls with a piercing that wouldn’t relent, even when evil would raise its ugly head and the habitual practice therein brought about faith in their Deliverer…

Today’s Thought “Give Me Back My Umbilical Cord!” G. Ward

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

Replete means to be abundantly fed, comparable to walking away from the dining room table after a Thanksgiving extravaganza. While we accept insensible terms of independence, it was never the intent of the Creator for humanity’s success. Moreover, it’s not the intellectual giants that decipher our composition (i.e. dust) for us to share weakness as the tag for any; Holy God maintains purpose (cf. Ge.8:21). His infinite wisdom understands the propensity for every man to reach beyond the scope of their existence. In other words thinking too highly of themselves – to which I too suffer. My quiet time on today longs to have this feeling (i.e. replete at Holy God’s table – cf. Ps.23:3-5) carry forth throughout this day presented and that way onto spiritual success (i.e. contentment) is the meditative process considerate of every moment belonging to the Holy One who determines whether my next seconds will…