Today’s Thought “Checking My Attitude” G. Ward



2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 ^“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.”



Perseverance is a questionable component in life that’s obscured by the day presented along with its many tasks. It presumably identifies Holy God allowing another day as a follower of His will as synonymous with reaching the mountain’s peak (Phil.1:6) and the furtherance therein criticizes any seemingly falling short in recognizing His omnipotence (*cf. Ro.3:10).

However, when the temple (1 Cor.6:19-20) He constructed seeks HIM wholly/holy (1 Pe.1:16), my pompous thoughts of what I deserve (cf. 2 Thess.1:9-11) become vivid and I thank HIM for mercy.

Today’s Thought “Consumed With the Message” G. Ward

 

Romans 1:16 “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

 

The Apostle Paul’s heralding of the good news insisted it be deemed exclusively and authentically over what was a similar recognition in Rome that announced the great works of their highest government official. It purported demagoguery, idolatry and blasphemy then and does so now.

When the world is equally familiar with your efforts politically, along with your insistence for social and economic reform, it’s a refusal in acknowledgement of Christ’s sufficiency (cf. Matt.18:11, Ro.5:9). Can we as believers have both, and (see Matt.24:35, Ac.4:12)?

Today’s Thought “When Faith Is Nurtured” G. Ward

 

Judges 13:12-14  Manoah said, “Now when your words come to pass, what shall be the boy’s mode of life and his vocation?” So the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “Let the woman pay attention to all that I said.  She should not eat anything that comes from the vine nor drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing; let her observe all that I commanded.”

 

Faith is without the option in choosing destiny because it’s without control of next moments. Moreover it insists on an ongoing consultation (Matt.5:48) that directs generations after their demise and when lapse of the original plan is compromised my grandchildren lie in jeopardy (*cf. Judg.16:20) because they lack a similar discipline from a progenitor in faith (cf. Pr.1:24-29).

Today’s Thought “Not Contained by Sunday” G. Ward

 

Jude 1:22-23 “And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.”

 

Suspicion is the culprit that invites a varied belief, denying every notion of an absolute, authoritative hope in Christ (*Ac.4:12) and when one decides to purport their charisma before attribution (preeminently) of their LORD, more doubt ensues; whereas truth found in a mature disciple insists on an urgent presentation that anticipates HIS arrival at any moment (1 Thess.4:13-18).

Today’s Thought “Statue of A Fool” G. Ward

2 Samuel 18:18

Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself a pillar which is in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to preserve my name.” So he named the pillar after his own name, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.

 

While allegory seeks to share a storyline that persuades, truth found in the historicity of mankind delivers warning. Whether monumental moments of times past reveals good or evil, the determinations we’ll enjoin ourselves onto can/will determine our eternality, particularly when we opt out for moments of celebrity over obedience.

Today’s Thought “Without Propensity of Error” G. Ward

Hebrews 1:1-2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the Heir of all things, through whom also He created the world.”

 

Cultural demand, along with an elevation from community unto leaders (1 Cor.1:12-17, 2:1-5) will obscure the Most High’s desire for any seeking personal dependence on HIS unfailing characteristics and when one merges their insoluble rituals, testimonials, educational prowess and social posture with all that HE said/gave as the most excellent guidepost for this life presented, they decide HIS presence may not be sufficient. May it never be!

Today’s Thought “Tall Buildings” G. Ward

Psalm 24:1  

A Psalm of David. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.

Deeper contemplations concerning Holy God’s ownership of earth including mankind, warrants any to seek permission as they go about perceiving next steps anticipated (cf. Jn.15:5). To violate this premise in Authority is construed as trespassing and indifferent from lawful practices (of the world) that will either remove one from the said premises or pursue prosecutorial indictment, is a self-imposed sentence of eternal separation from a loving, merciful Landowner that desired to protect you from the many divots in misery, along with protection from ingesting varied contaminants the land produces; obscured by our greedy appetites that lack proper discernment (*1 Cor.2:14).