Today’s Thought “Poor Governance” G. Ward

1 Peter 5:1-2 “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness.”

Arguably there are many reasons for Thursday’s behavior concerning Sunday’s attendance at any local church. Many rationalize this ideology by referring to the preposterous lifestyles of the preachers along with their insistence to be called apostle, bishop, prophetess or reverend (that ultimately are WITHOUT theological insistence in the same), Jesus’ warning to His disciples demanded they not concede to the kind of buffoonery that would exact any/all attention to themselves (*Lk.11:43-44). Spiritual leaders were/are considerate of a preparation modeled by the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD; readying themselves for rejection and persecution (1 Sa.8:7-8, *Jn.15:18-20) not glory from man, but willingness (even unto death) for the cause of Christ.

Audaciously and unfortunately, the majority of earth’s citizenry, lack an intimate pursuit of the LORD so entirely (watch this) AVAILABLE, while HIS supposed leaders are not and remain un-studied refusing an embrace that highlights this reality (cf. Ac.17:11).

You would go to hell because some self-appointed leader is un-worthy of worship (no man is - *cf. Heb.10:25)? Jesus Christ on the other hand never stopped loving you (Ro.5:8) and if you think HE’s your Deliverer without doing what HE says…

Today’s Thought “Get Over It Already!” G. Ward

Deuteronomy 34:5-8

And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.

 

The spirit of consolation has become as traditional as rabbinical demands permitted (In Moses’ day). Mourning for those deemed popular could last up to thirty days (What a long funeral!), whereas the commoner was grieved up to seven days. While the inevitability of death considers a varied tradition, rarely will organized efforts of consolation equal funeral’s prep. Many hang out at the home of the deceased eating chicken and pound cake until funeral’s end, and those closest to those who died are more vulnerable to grief than before because the party stopped. Moreover and unfortunately, there’s parameter for grief when those outside (the immediate family or friend) seek to castigate the grievous condition of those closest to the deceased; weeks or months thereafter.

Eighteen years ago many children awakened to a parent missing in action. Their grief continues as they contemplate what could have been, while some insist that depression should have subsided. Eleven years ago on this date my Dad died and my desire to hear his voice again remains…

Today’s Thought “Seemingly Immovable” G. Ward

Amos 1:2 He said, “The Lord roars from Zion and from Jerusalem He utters His voice; and the shepherds’ pasture grounds mourn, and the summit of Carmel dries up.”

When grace and mercy desired refuses to have repentance as its precursor, spiritual reprieve remains impossible. The Prophet Amos embarked on a huge assignment amidst an unlimited economic potential for Israel. In other terms, the Walmart of that day had many with intent of retrieving only three items to exit with fifteen. Times were really good. Moreover and like many of today, there were few (Matt.7:13-14) with an unrelenting dependence on their (presumed) Deliverer (*cf. 1 Ti.4:6-10).

Warnings in the same remain practical because we lack soulful reconciliation. The mountains of Carmel (prophesied by Amos) although most formidable with its great mountainous range became a desert; to demonstrate that a failure to submit onto Holy God’s standard will ruin (Ro.14:11).

Today’s Thought “A Little Salty” G. Ward

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

 

Redemption’s adversary is comparable to eating a big bag of potato chips daily; rationalizing the core product (potatoes) as harmless while being nutritionally inept after many additives renders it ineffective for the body.

Here’s the corollary; the natural man’s existence emanated from the Most High’s declaration that we’d be in HIS earth to never consider becoming a hybrid, but to remain vigilant unto the Holy Standard our Maker demanded (cf.2 Cor.6:14). Although the blend may appear harmless, the wavering between two opinions spell mistrust, compromising going home ultimately (cf. Matt.10:28).

Today’s Thought “Contentment Exercised” G. Ward

Matthew 6:10-11 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread.”

Prayer’s dividend has seemingly sustained/saved many lives; while that same life preserved must visit the inevitability of death. Moreover, every circumstance of life isn’t a photo opt portraying best moments (*Ro.5:3). The Savior more demands a preparation that grants soul rest whereby every photo thereafter appears to be the same Mountain and I’m behind it smiling but you can’t see me thank God (cf. Ex.33:20-22)…

Today’s Thought “They Really Want Our Guns” G. Ward

 

Matthew 26:52-54

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”

Deer hunting season is quickly approaching and I’m no longer perplexed on why these gentle creatures are pursued; particularly after ingesting its meat. All that Bambi offered in storyline would have created a different focus had his forest friends understood they travelled amidst such a delicacy. Our home embraces a rural route and we have many deer taking ownership of the property. Although I’m not a hunter, my hunger trials have contemplated purchasing a rifle so as to relieve the many drivers of additional great hazards that would include these docile beasts; but I question why any would need a modified (allowing a shooter to release 100 rounds in seven seconds) lightweight semi-automatic rifle.

Our presumption can/should never lead us to spiritual violation (Matt.26:52), even when it embraces a righteous indignation (Eph.4:26). The truest consummate act of submission to Holy God’s will, remarkably demonstrated by Christ only thought of total dependence where SUFFICIENCY exists to never consider other devices or modules (cf. Ac.4:12).

Today’s Thought “All Before Noon” G. Ward

John 15:18

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”

Mass hysteria will soon be the answer for the tragedies offered mankind in this era. Safety has become merely a word vs. desired hope comparable to my generation’s contemplating what homelessness represented many years ago. Absolutely no location is exempt from the evil and danger now so prevalent (*Ps.127:1). Cynically, I’ve warned many friends to consider interaction with John Q. Public before noon. My un-scientific evaluation as an amateur anthropologist insists that most delinquent’s criminal considerations takes place from 3 p.m. – 3 a.m.

Spiritual cognizance understands that the Savior Himself witnessed great storms that life produces. HE endured some being sick, even dying and the very ONE who could demand “life” didn’t impose that to which could have granted longevity, but more insisted that we’d come to HIM, finding rest (Matt.11:28-30). Running to a shelter that will soon be no more is the insufficient substitute purporting unbelief (*cf. Ro.8:18)…