Today’s Thought “Rightful Contribution” G. Ward

Philippians 4

⁵ Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. 

 

I’m amazed at some with strong claimants in knowing our Lord with expectations of moral fiber from the populous (cf. Matt.7:13-*14). Our Lord’s example in earth is the preeminent example in correlation to people groups; showing contentment with generosity towards all, while easily abstaining from discussions that failed to embrace eternality. Moreover, HIS convening with the Father (daily and often therein), understood the urgency in compliance to exemplify Holy God’s demands (found in HIS Word) and whereas opinions and perspectives were as common then, as exists now, our Savior was masterfully incorrigible at portraying hope beyond the world’s measurement (Eph.4:29-32).

My prayer for you (on today) is for a same embodiment (Col.1:9-10).

 

Today’s Thought “Caught in A Spiritual Web” G. Ward

Romans 13:11 “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”

 

This passage compels the believer’s contemplations of living out the creed of holiness in Christ, particularly as we’d understand our soon departure guaranteed from earth. It challenges us to consider the things of eternality, while moving away from temporal, argumentative and preferential ways of man, where no continuity exists for long and whereas folly from men won’t escape HIS knowing, even demanding an urgent compliance unto HIS Way (John 14:6) yet remains.

If you believe HE knows all, your hope in HIM knowing you, can become assurance – when/if today’s surrender involves wanting the Redeemer’s ownership of who you are, to become HIS workmanship in who He'd have you to be (2 Cor.5:17).

 

Today’s Thought “Insane Plotting” G. Ward

2 Samuel 11

²⁶ Now when Uriah’s wife heard that her husband Uriah was dead, she mourned for her husband. ²⁷ When the time of mourning was over, David sent servants and had her brought to his house and she became his wife; then she bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord.

 

King David’s forgetfulness lasted far too long, causing heinous sins’ spread to appear absolutely irreconcilable and whereas our Creator enabled HIS mouthpiece, the Prophet Nathan, to challenge David’s escapades with a fantastic story (2 Sa. 12:1-7), this expose’ brought recovery to David’s spiritual commitment/consciousness (*Ps.51).

Like David, forsakenness of spiritual righteousness imposed on us (via HIS Word), may too come under great lapse and while our Lord may have chosen us before the foundation of the world, our actions say differently. So, HE provides great escape (1 Cor. 10:13). Moreover, there are many Nathans’ (for our era also) that actualize the Lord’s demands. Our hearts however, must be as David’s was – quietly grievous over our sin capacity, along with disquieting a repetitiveness, in view of such mercy from the Almighty; otherwise, we nullify HIS grace towards us.

 

Today’s Thought “Coat and Hat Check” G. Ward

Galatians 6:4 “But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another.”

While there are numerous and unfortunate occasions whereby believers have slipped into dark spaces of a past life now redeemed, and whereas it’s given over to embarrassment upon such a victim caught in foolish indiscretion of such, there’s a conversation necessary from one having viewed blatant sinfulness (unchecked). That conversation must first listen attentively for godly sorrow from the violator’s discourse, enough so to re-introduce spiritual restoration (without gestures involving empathetic compromise, but solely compassionate, remembering one’s own fallenness).

For any that will consider such confrontation, there’s a slowdown warranted that checks personal motive, opinion and potential arrogance, against all our Savior offered and whereas HE will have mercy on whom HE chooses and because there’s a daily repentance for every believer – walk according to HIS love…

 

Today’s Thought “I Did It My Way?” G. Ward

1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning food sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes one conceited, but love edifies people. ² If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; ³ but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

 

This issue of some abstaining from foods sacrificed to idol worship, to then be sole in the marketplace, was vehemently abhorrent to many believers then and the Apostle Paul would pervade how love unto new and seasoned believers must be the centerpiece of faith’s journey. Paul’s discourse would be consumed perhaps with the words from our Lord when HE said, “there is nothing outside the person which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which come out of the person are what defile the person” (Mark 7:15).

When the consciences of fellow believers – speculates on issues they feel can violate their standing in the Lord, there’s a carefulness some more fundamentally exposed (in HIS Word) must exercise and whereas that patience should never compromise the Truth of our salvation, it may be the call onto discipleship furthered (particularly with new converts) and facilitated by us, that makes ourselves available to these uncertain (cf. *Acts 18:24-26).

 

Today’s Thought “If I, When I?” G. Ward

Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds a house, they who build it labor in vain; Unless the Lord guards a city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

 

Some may not know it, but our Creator doesn’t awaken from a slumber as you and I do/will to determine task measures for each day (Isa.55:8-9), but pre-determined what today would unfold for earth’s inhabitants long ago and now. Moreover, HE doesn’t draw a consensus with another comparable to Himself, because none can be found. HE alone determined at the beginning (when HE decided), to make mankind in His image (referring to the immaterial portion of who we are, so as to be dedicated in every soul matter – that more determines to imitate HIM, i.e., Holy – 1 Pe.1:16, Eph.5:1).

May today’s determination from us – resemble HIS perfect plan for our lives, ACCORDING TO WHAT IS WRITTEN, through perfect submission (cf. Phil.1:6).

 

Today’s Thought “Romper Room and One Cookie” G. Ward

Matthew 8

²³ When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. ²⁴ And behold, a violent storm developed on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. 

 

Our Lord is known as the Exemplar Leader; for all He’d endeavor remains worthy to follow and whereas HIS dutiful response to Holy God witnessed a perfect submission, it would involve relentless attempts to portray HIS sufficiency to lead the lives of men. This endeavoring witnessed His deity, while embodying flesh (*Heb.4:15). Therefore, HE required rest and our theme unfolds Him taking a nap. Moreover, as we study the Truth of God’s Word, we’ll see on many occasions Him being instrumental in feedings of sorts and be assured HE didn’t have a local McDonald’s to adjourn towards; instead, these were meals involving natural foods (promoting healthy eating). Altogether, if mankind would follow their Creator (John 1:3), through proper rest and diet, theirs would experience greatest proficiency in every endeavor to make HIS Name great among men (Col.3:17).