Today’s Thought “Reprimand” G. Ward

 

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

 

Positions of authority are often accompanied with uncooperative moments in humanity. For some, highlighting errors from others arrive at violator’s feet without regarding long term dissolution of the same occurrence. Authoritarians can often reveal greater discord than potential harmony in how they attack indifference shown by subordinates. If supervision will hasten towards contemplation before activity, peaceable admonition may follow (i.e. when I see that you care enough to exemplify great respect unto me, my desire should then seek to establish what could be helpful for both you and the institution thereof).

Sure, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” but heaven’s demand is often antithetical to traditional appropriation. Seek never to offend by remembering “and such were some of you (1 Cor. 6:11)…”

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Sibling Continuity” G. Ward

“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children.” Titus 2:3-4

 

The idea of picking oneself up by one’s own bootstrap is the biggest misnomer in history. It promotes the very antithesis of man’s existence. Holy God, from the very beginning knew man’s existence needed companionship (cf. Ge.2:21-22) to keep him accountable to greater re-productivity (both physical and mindful).

Titus, a young man who accompanied the Apostle Paul on several missionary journeys, was privileged to have in his midst a man of God acquainted with his responsibility as exemplary. Paul’s model was the life of Christ, Who was entirely sacrificial (cf. 1 Cor. 11:1).

On today, I’m so entirely thankful to those inconspicuous heroes I was privileged to watch growing up. They without knowing gave me great ammunition to destroy the thoughts of contributing to societal ills as we’ve seen demonstrated in this modernity.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “On the Periphery” G. Ward

 

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” Revelation 21:2

 

John the Apostle of Jesus Christ was compelled to live on an island (Patmos) to hear, then write the words Holy God demanded (Rev. 1:19). The relentless attacks from the ungodly, very particularly those embracing more religion than intimacy with Christ, most probably allowed John great reprieve in this isolation. Personally, my greatest joy in life is spending time with Holy God. He compels me to remain in the parameter of His love and wisdom. It’s entirely comforting to allow Him to dictate my steps. When I hear from Him, like John I record all He instructs. It teaches me to slow down and capture the glory vs. getting a portion and running aimlessly. I’ve done it enough to understand that the reverberation of that sprint (Pr. 6:18) yields unrest.

I want to thank God for Him being a Perfect Refuge on today; Moreover, His revelation. It was written that every man would be afforded (Ro. 10:13) an opportunity to repent before the end. Thanks be to God for His perfect gift, Jesus (cf. Mt. 7:21, Jas. 1:22)!

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Inexplicable” G. Ward

“I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.” Genesis 9:13

Science has been a great catalyst in understanding throughout the centuries. Mighty men and women have pursued personal intrigue or unintentionally sided with great intimation such as “necessity is the mother to invention.” Many have sought great divisiveness by suggesting Christianity negates science as godly. The truth of the matter more favors in depth analytical behavior from man unto the things to which he was given dominion (cf. Ge.1:28-30) and the protection therein.

Early pioneers of science (such as Sir Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday, Louis Pasteur and George Washington Carver) embraced Holy God by taking hypothesis into reality not by usurping HIS infinite wisdom and power; but boasting on HIS sufficiency in nature. Today’s scientists are seemingly gaining notoriety by insisting personal accolade through questionable prudence. Michael Faraday's (Father of Electromagnetism, 1791 - 1867) life and passion for science can best be summed up in his own words:”I cannot doubt that a glorious discovery in natural knowledge, and the wisdom and power of God in the creation, is awaiting our age, and that we may not only hope to see it, but even be honored to help in obtaining the victory over present ignorance and future knowledge."

While great intellectuals have been privy in deciphering varied codes of nature, there yet are some (such as the rainbow) “inexplicable…”

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Conquering Shame” G. Ward

 

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” 1 Corinthians 13:11

Often times, our viewing people as they are fails to realize there could frivolity of the past. As I contemplate my past, very particularly on this day (June 20) thirty –five years ago my sister bore our first niece. Sadly, my great friend (Harry), along with his great friend (Chuckie Doss) and stupid me sought drinking liquor (from the bar in our home) in access via contest. Needless to say, everyone lost.

It was that same day I’m pleased to say that my mother’s very first grandchild was born on her birthday (What a Gift!). It’s often necessary for me to contemplate how Good the Lord has been in sparing me from annihilation (or self destruction). Now what’s become apparently necessary is to render greater mercy for those in progress (cf. Jas.2:13)…

Happy Birthday Mom & MeMe!

Happy Friday 2 All!

Today’s Thought “Godly Virtues” G. Ward

 

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8

 

Discerning what is godly should never emanate from what perceivably has been tagged morality. Morality can/will often be construed from cultural mandates and preclude every other authority as insignificant. These types of traditional values more impede authoritative (proven) positioning, even when factually presented. The Word of God is entirely authoritative and is without human prioritization (Ro. 10:13). Most value systems stem from it, to then be diluted from ideologies (cf. Deut. 4:2, Pr. 30:5-6, Rev. 22:18-19) that can damage any soul.

Spiritual Discernment is not the mystical practice exacerbated by our charismatic generation (i.e. speaking into someone’s life, interpreting dreams, etc.). It is and has always been the great opportunity from every believer to distinguish right vs. wrong in accordance to Holy God’s word (2 Ti. 2:15, Heb.5:12 1 Pe. 3:15,).

Happy Thursday!

 

Today’s Thought “Demise” G. Ward

“They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:37-40

 

Christian faith-healer Joe Daugherty died of cancer on November 22, 2009. There will be a memorial service for him at Oral Roberts University, Mabee Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 30, 2009, at 1:30pm (CST). Mr. Daugherty was 57 years old.

 

I viewed a world renowned faith healer on last evening repudiate sickness. He sought de-contextualization of the scriptures in substantiating his message. He’s currently 62 years of age. His mother died of complications due to diabetes and his father died of cancer.

The audience of last evening’s telecast was representative of thousands. Hands were lifted high and shouts of acclimation resounded intensely. After all, who in the world wants to be sick unto death?

Although Psalms 90:10 records a short life span for man, we’re taught to deny this captive thought of death. In Hebrews 11, notable patriarchs of the faith are witnesses to great suffering, we’re instructed not to place claimants on what could be tragic. Although Holy Jesus is viewed as the suffering Christ in Isaiah 53:5 and the very prefacing of “by His stripes are we healed” yields to His work on Calvary’s cross for you and me, we (selfishly) adopt a life without suffering? What is really going on in the mindset of those supposed reasonable ones? Haven’t you attended enough funerals to know you may be next? Dat boy is so negative, ain’t he?

Happy Wednesday!