Today’s Thought “Living for the Grace of God” G. Ward Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” More investigation lent to study of God’s Word, unfolds a preparation for us (believers) in knowing our proclamation of Christ may certainly offer testimony of His goodness, along with an assurance of what He’s done for me, He’ll do for you, but should not administer that same testimony with congruence thinking it’ll be a perfect accentuation to the gospel. We’ve arrived at such a regressive point whereas testimonials are more hopeful than actual. Demands from our neighbors live unto themselves, exercising false control over life. The only guarantee remains Jesus, life’s Author. We’re agents of His, to share an inheritance with the needy…

Today’s Thought “Frail, Just Like You” G. Ward James 5:16 ESV Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. The objective for the priesthood is to point others onto the Lord’s Sufficiency; giving answers from His words and while there’s no doubt on the part of believers, we struggle in rendering a varied paraphrase (unadulterated) from the original text that helps the hearer navigate themselves unto adherence. That perceived struggle forgets the Word of God warned us about the contrived spirit of man (Ge.8:21, Jer.17:9, 2 Ti.4:3). He demands answers in accordance to the moment presented, intolerant of wait. The magnitude of responsible, spiritual behavior insists our dependence remains in the grip of grace our Savior provides; therefore pray to HIM for perfect guidance that grants a spiritual result and rest. This is for me on today as I’m bombarded with other’s demand for situational ethics that won’t make sense to Heaven.

Today’s Thought “Last Words” G. Ward Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. My un-scientific evaluation says mankind more absorbs life than a preparedness for departure. Awakening each day with a “Thank God” can more reveal there may be some unfinished business of sorts; and while that truly celebrates opportunity for the day, to then get up off my knees, it can quickly be reduced to plans ordered without holy category. If we had insight as to the last moment, perfect spiritual reconciliation would/should be our insistence. Yet we more exact a denial of global proportion that says earth is home. We ought be so satisfied and assured of Holy God’s desire to receive our repentance, to then guide us onto righteousness that adheres to His holy standard thereafter. Moreover, each day presented should embrace His (Christ) return and the spiritual barometer remains personal intimacy at a constant unto the One who called you friend (Jn.15:15). The love for you from this Wonderful Savior cannot reciprocate on those terms, but can anticipate seeing Him face to face to bless His Name eternally long.

Today’s Thought “Tunnel Vision” G. Ward Jude 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. The problem with the world is really not what they do, but the believer’s misinformation concerning Final Authority’s demand that disqualifies our speculations (cf. Eph.6:12). Christ’s sacrifice as sufficient didn’t call us to persuade men to righteousness on our own volition, but by the Spirit realm. In other words HE loved them first, desiring their repentance; we’re solely agents of His in earth, less busy in assessing transgression, while sharing Truth and trusting God for the results. Believers that fail to understand the plight of man (i.e. self-governance), forget who they were before godly regeneration and while any received mercy, failed to be merciful, equals hypocrisy of the worst kind (*1 Cor.6:9-11). As Jesus is still calling sinners to Himself, He expects faithful adherence from those who call Him their Deliverer believing Heaven is with room enough for others (Lk.15:7). So, go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere…

Today’s Thought “Called to Suffer?” G. Ward Isaiah 38:1-3 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him and said to him, “This is what the LORD says: “Set your house in order, for you are going to die and not live.” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 3 and said, “Please, LORD, just remember how I have walked before You wholeheartedly and in truth, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept profusely. Don’t allow your liberal arts education seek to explain the way of the Lord, particularly when your pre-suppositional thoughts of what HE should do is the determinant. Some get cured, others don’t, some starve and others won’t. Some are granted riches and others lie in abject poverty, while others desire clean drinking water and others only drink Perrier. We’re told to pray about everything, but when the Savior taught disciples the model, we tagged it the Lord’s Prayer to which it wasn’t at all. Moreover, Jesus’ example echoed constant sentimentality of HIS will be done (echoes of implicit faith), while ours yells, “do it this way, because You said in Your Word!” I urge any to read the eternal script correctly and to know that HE saw you speed through passages indicative of those HE loved enduring great sufferings, even death, but with a home prepared by Christ where suffering of sorts would be no more. Therefore, modify every supplication in view of so many before us that lived by faith (and remember it’s substantive, but not seen) and cease to pass the baton back to our Sufficient King, particularly after HE told us to prepare “others” outside of the grip of grace to soon become recipients thereunto. There is an answer and it’s called trust (*cf. 1 Cor.15:55-57).

Today’s Thought “Will You Be One of my Girlfriends?” G. Ward Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.” Generations ago witnessed courtship between men and women blossoming into nuptials recited; whereas appeasement through open-ended promises of matrimony has now become efforts in co-habitation spiritually un-sanctioned. Holy God’s intent was that marriage would be earth’s foundation for growth, ensuring spiritual legacies throughout every generation. The violation thereunto views bouts of divorce (in equal proportion) among believers and unbelievers; indicative of vows unto the Lord as nominal and yes ladies, while men remain stupid, any consideration from other women that keeps him sowing his wild oats makes life difficult for any virtuous as these same menfolk spread their gene pool amongst many, becoming “Hollywood Daddies” (i.e. every other weekend fathers not responsible for extending daily disciplines onto their children). Would you consider a periodic hosting of a “Come to Jesus Party” (Matt.28:19)? We’re called to be conquerors over generational cursing and it won’t happen because of our complaints (which really translates COMPLICIT), but through faith in God’s ability to change those unproductive onto spiritual efficacy (like HE did for you and me).

Today’s Thought “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?” G. Ward Proverbs 19:17 “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.” There’s a pause on today with all our shopping efforts representative of the season regarded as #Giving Tuesday. While I must admit it being new to me, the act of giving to the less fortunate isn’t. Without question, it’s certainly perfect consideration for those of us in such a prosperous land to remember any beyond our parameter with considerably less. Our Americanism has been generous more with those without, including what we deem necessary to simulate our living and the benevolence rendered concentrates on this one day event anticipated vs. a year round plan. If your church is without a global mission’s interactivity, perhaps you’ll consider online giving to UNICEF (whereby less than 3% goes to administrative costs). Moreover, if your church is without a global missions unit, perhaps the Lord is calling your name in becoming instrumental in beginning one?