Today’s Thought “Fraternal Order” G. Ward

Luke 16:24-25 And he cried out and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.” But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.”

There’s a consolation worth distributing when the demise of a loved one occurs, including assurance of an inevitable, eternal presence with those who have passed for any remaining (cf. Matt.7:21). While consensus remains soothing for the soul grieved in temporal despair, it’s entirely without authority in placing another in a land without human proprietorship (Ps.24:1). Obedience to the Landowner continues as the litmus test unto suggestive faith and no matter the excessive remarks from man portraying the goodness found in one’s life journey (Ro.3:10,23), the Most High’s recognition remains paramount.

Today’s Thought “I’ll Go Next Sunday” G. Ward

Amos 5:4 “For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: Seek Me and live!”

If you have a steeple on your building, we won’t come! If you hold services too long, forget it! Altogether and without mercy exists the opinion from man that subtracts from the greatest sacrifice given him from Holy God, Who waits patiently for our repentance. Most of our discussions on God concerns religious practices vs. a relationship with the All-Wise and the perpetuation in dissension from the populous remains the fault of the presumed believer who fails miserably in sharing and modeling the Object of their faith.

The disconcert with the sacred things must never equate man’s impropriety that denies created ones great opportunity in knowing that the KING of all kings came to the most tumultuous death, to rise from the same on their behalf. Yet many still chant, I’ll take “What the People Demand That Never Satisfies” for $200 Alex (*cf. Ac.4:12)…”

Today’s Thought “Am I Responsible for the Road Rage?” G. Ward

1 John 4:19-21 We love, because He first loved us.  If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

Our snide remarks regarding HIS church may be obvious in terms of improprieties, even warranting the deepest outrage unto its practitioners, but definitively not sanctioned by Heaven. Our insistence has become “the elephant in the room” disallowing passage towards freedom’s highway and while others are seemingly more careless with life given; the mammoth we escorted in our own soul ceases to eat peanuts, devouring pieces of our being until it’s consumed entirely…

Today’s Thought “I Knew Him First…” G. Ward

2 Timothy 2:23-24 “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil.”

There’s a beauty in growing in Christ; for the proof more becomes imitating His life in earth vs. cultural consideration. The guidance therein recalls the individualized distance (we modeled before our transformation) from forgiveness and kindness unto another needing that same peace. Without daily surrender to the best reconciliation found through pursuit of Holy God’s standard (*2 Ti.2:15-16, 3:16-17), we’re all doomed towards regrettable submission that embarrasses…

Today’s Thought “Plans for A Future?” G. Ward

Romans 14:11 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.”

The inevitable onto everyone, particularly when posed as a must, is the demand of now never contained in presumption that a next moment will come. The urgency therein may soon identify a peace once thought to exist through materialism, unto a blessed assurance in tranquility; precluding religion as futile and a pursuit in intimacy with Christ as Owner paramount.

Today’s Thought “A Spirit of Easter On Stormy Monday” G. Ward

John 20:19 “So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be with you.”

When sorrow grips one’s own heart, particularly when their suppositions propose selfish demands on the things the Glorious Creator has bestowed (cf. Ps.24:1); even the superiority of locks on doors won’t keep the thief from entering. Implicit trust however, must be the insistence from every believer even while trouble persists; knowing our Mighty Conqueror’s presence never fails, substantiating faith without a visual. HE will because HE can…

Today’s Thought “No Matter What the People Say…” G. Ward

Matthew 27:1-2 “Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor.”

More than the wonders of this world is the depth of the testimony of man and when his proclamation exclaims the omnipotence of its Leader as unmatched it compels intrigue from many. Will there be patience and kindness extended unto their inquisition from those who believe, or will they portray insufficiency by deferring the answer to another spirit median (cf.1 Pe.3:15)? Idealism from religious leaders can/will perpetuate indecision. Holy God on the other hand, desires a personal relationship with any that will call HIM Lord (Ro.1:16).