Today’s Thought “Pressure Point” G. Ward

 

“Blessed by the name of God for ever and ever, to whom belongs wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and mysterious things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” Daniel 2:20-22

 

The Daniel of the bible personified what it was to have total confidence in Holy God. Faced with a tumultuous death sentence if not interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s perplexing dream correctly. It brings forth whole new significance with understanding the song The Heat Is On!

Before Daniel’s nervous behavior exudes, his natural inclination was to pray (Da.2:20-22). Unlike many, it wasn’t expressive of immediate rescue for himself, but humbly gave praise regarding the will of God; regardless.

Rarely in this modernity are we exposed to such exemplary leadership as such. The most intellectual among us would have felt a need to promote persuasive negotiation. The extremely talented would comprise an avenue of entertainment for the king, to help subtract from his ordinary heinous acts. The faithless would just collapse due to an extreme case of hypertension, dying before the king’s judgment would prevail.

I believe we all, categorically echo these sentiments. The way however to unfeigned faith in God is to become practitioners of absorbing His ways through the best example given man, Jesus Christ (Eph.5:1-2).

Absolutely no fiery furnace can hold us when contained in Christ (cf. Da. 3:8-27). This does not suggest narcissistically that you won’t burn physically unto death; it demands that death has no sting (1 Co.15:55-56), because to be “absent in the body, is presence with God (2 Co.5:6-9)!” Until this might happen for you like it did for Daniel, don’t you get up in the king’s face talking about, “turn up the furnace 200 or 300 more degrees, my God will protect me!” The next song we’ll hear is Precious Lord, Take My Hand at your funeral (cf. Lk.4:12). Happy Friday!  

Today’s Thought “False Affirmation” G. Ward

 

“So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16

 

There are many places of worship that celebrate the central theme of Jesus as Lord, but fail miserably in the area of spiritual productivity. Heeding the pennant of truth (i.e. God’s word), is our sole enabler establishing our regard as the church (Jn.15:5, Ac.1:8).  Modern day familiarity disregards the role intended through believer-ship and has perpetuated the common reference utilized regarding places of worship as “church.” The actualization or biblical designation regards believers as the church, also known as the called out ones.

Sadly, we’ve allowed unnecessary name calling to persist from one worship center to the next. Church pundits’ contingency in this name calling is entirely relative to worship style. Slower tempos and organized order of services are tagged, a dead church; while upbeat tempos with sporadic praise expressions suggest vibrant, or progressive.

A more excellent assessment is available: “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now” (Php.1:1-5). One of many congratulations, theirs was a thank you from the Apostle Paul for their sharing the message of hope (the gospel) with their countrymen.

We on the other hand will keep arriving at our perspective places of worship seeking restoration, encouragement and lastly affirmation, shouting hallelujah for the great and mighty things He has done, while many are condemned to hell because the “called out ones” are too busy having church vs., being the church! Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Intolerance” G. Ward

 

“All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den.” Daniel 6:7

 

Like many of you on yesterday, I enjoyed the Inauguration of President Obama. The most captivating statement suggested that in America, absolutism should not be construed as principle. Religious zealots will certainly embody traditional criticisms suggesting his rhetoric precludes him as Christian without deeper contemplation of an office representative for a multitude of religious and social philosophies.

Like you, my personal desire is that everyone would know HIM (Christ) as LORD (cf.Ro.10:1). We however, cannot falsely infuse every American with a monotheistic impartation on a premise of religious freedom for every citizen. In the U.S.A. choices have become paramount to surrendering to ownership of a deity. Therefore, outside of a new land’s principles and freedom, we (as believers) must conclude that Holy God’s standards are never to be compromised by our allowing  our foreign status (cf.1 Pe.2:9-12) to become a poor substitution for our promulgation of the gospel (Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him.” Mk.12:17).

 Politicians, on the other hand, will always have problems conveying moral absolutes, because everyone is not ascribing to the only book where they’re found. Because of this and your non-partisan status, heed president Obama’s incessant encouragement for every American to not rely on government for every resolve, but to activate one’s conviction. Thank God for America, but mostly for JESUS! Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Squashed Contemplations” G. Ward

 

When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death. ¹⁹ They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer!” Genesis 37:18-19

 

Staying on task when ridicule or doubt arrives from others is difficult to maintain. Immediately and particularly when misunderstood or deceived, our expressions of defense can often be perceived, guilty as charged. It’s often attributable to our prosecutor’s conjured castigations that stem from their personal inadequacy.

Systemically, it’s been said to follow your initial thought pattern. I say do your best in remembering the ways of Superiority exemplified, CHRIST (Php.2:5-8)! Jesus knew His persecutors had an evil determination established in man (Ge.8:21) through free will given; yet gave Himself (i.e. died for their sins also) as the Sufficient Sacrifice. If a few desire embellishing a storyline with you as the main character, understand our Savior endured far more. Moreover, understand your persuasiveness towards righteousness can be miniscule compared to the antics of the insufficient.” Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal.6:9). Happy Monday & Happy M.L. King Day!

Today’s Thought “Just As I Am?” G. Ward

 

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

 

Walking the aisle at any local church for a potential congregant can be utterly horrific. Regardless of the church size, it more than likely appears that the edifice is the largest cathedral ever. People seem to stare in judgment, perceiving you’ve murdered or suffer with a major addiction of sorts. Many with sporadic praise clap their hands once the walk begins, further announcing, “Here they come now!”

Although the word of God was fully captivating and their heart was entirely receptive to Holy God loving them, all the attention could have subtracted from what was to be the most spiritual moment ever to conclude that everyone else appears perfect and experience perfect submission (i.e. “We’ve just come to see another heathen saved!”).

I would like to see our many congregations formulate a more comfortable approach for the new convert. Perhaps we can make this decision time more palatable by positioning various encouragers throughout or worship centers to accompany those coming to faith; it certainly substantiates the interdependence meant for man. Moreover, it connotes the theological expression given by Holy God that demands He is a present help in difficulty (Ps.46:1) and that His presence is everlasting (Heb.13:5).

Some will immediately construe this as compromising. My defense, I feel, would be marginalized due to preconceived suppositions obscuring what could be traditional hazards. More imperative to contemplate is that misapplied passages like Romans 1:16 that demand our not being ashamed of the gospel has nothing to do with our non-gregariousness. People need to know the Lord. If your protocol within worship service time impedes man’s first steps toward God, change it. Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Eminent Dying” G. Ward

“We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

Imitation of Life (1959 film) is an excellent portrayal of reaping a bad consequence for what altogether was delusional for a little Black girl growing up desiring to be White. This girl’s mother was obviously Black, while the daughter’s appearances resembled otherwise. So very captivated by the privileges given Whites, this little girl becomes somewhat of a successful woman, passing as White, to totally deny her Black mother until it’s too late. Her mother dies at the end of the movie. This young lady arrives as the funeral is over and the funeral directors are loading the coffin in the hearse. She wails as if speaking to her mother in a regressive child’s voice, longing for another chance. The closing song within the church is led by the gospel great Mahalia Jackson singing, "Trouble of the World."

Soon I will be done
With the troubles of the world
Troubles of the world
Troubles of the world
Soon I will be done
Troubles of the world
I'm going home to live with God

No more weepin' and wailin'
No more weepin' and wailin'
No more weepin' and wailin'
I'm going home to live my Lord

Soon I will be done
With the troubles of the world
Troubles of the world
Troubles of the world
Soon I will be done
Troubles of the world
I'm going home to live with my Lord

I want to see my mother
I want to see my mother
I want to see my mother
I'm going home to live with God

Soon I will be done
With the troubles of the world
Troubles of the world
Troubles of the world
Soon I will be done
Troubles of the world
I'm going home to live with God

This too was the sentiment of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:8. His longing for home was his spiritual understanding of heaven, not earth as his ultimate dwelling place.

As I sojourn through this life given, I too long for home. The many woes plaguing us all become very overwhelming at times. Perhaps it’s just escapism, but “Whatever my Lot, Thou Has Taught Me to Say, It Is Well, It Is Well, With My Soul!” Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Walking the Mile” G. Ward

“Now these are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his city. ² These came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah.” Ezra 2:1-2

 

“Walking the Mile” was an expression taken from the movie The Green Mile indicative of death row inmates time for execution. Although not a mile walk (from cell to death chamber), it certainly must be the longest walk ever for any man.

The uncertainties of life’s events are often encompassed with a reluctance to venture unto any pathway. Ours (the worry), can promote utter lethargy. Furthermore, it’s about the only time you can get a Christian to stand, allowing Holy God’s response. Mostly, we’ve been contained to pontificating a traditional stance of “God spoke to me” therefore I know what to do and where to go. I believe that stance more exacts Satan’s challenge to Jesus found in Matthew 4:5-7 (“Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,  and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will command His angels concerning You; and  On their hands they will bear You up,
So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone. Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.).

There were 3 factions of Israelites escorted from Persian captivity (as slaves, cf. Ezra 2), by God’s leaders. Zerubbabel (the first designated), had to lead over 42,000 Jews back to the promised land. These slaves were well adjusted to their new positions as slaves in Babylonia. Unlike their predecessors, they were not compelled to make “bricks without straw” (i.e. hard labor). They became prosperous merchants. Now they’re being told to leave and go back to sheep herding.

Zerubbabel had a very difficult job. You must know that oppositional forces raised their ugly heads. It was comparable to many of you preachers sharing a message of “deny yourselves” and “take up your cross,” to a bunch of church-goers determined that you should preach and sing what they want, when they want… Happy Tuesday!