Today’s Thought “A Pocket-Book Full” G. Ward

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Mankind’s consumption with fiscal soundness is the practicality that may prepare for a season of debilitating medical imposition or senior adulthood, but when faced with greater dependence on others fails at calling his financial planner for a weekly report.  Our predecessors echoed the same sentiment this way, “if you don’t have health, you have nothing!” While that may be a meritorious earthly statement desirous to make the least of us question proprietary superficiality, it leaves out the greater component of access to the vault in unending riches (Ro.11:33). When/if I regard this day as my last, charitable exoneration of my storage (not entirely so) that more relies on personal eternality, cares more about bringing others along towards the river of unwavering grace (cf. Ps.90:12)…

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “The Tabernacle” G. Ward

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1

F. Scott Fitzgerald stated, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”  

Opposition of sorts can be confounding and seemingly worthy to persuade another unto one’s own opinion, but in most scenarios appears arrogant, while entirely argumentative. Many adamantly reject this idea by insisting that their truth will stand, formulating conformity from all; but this ideology discounts centuries in the avoidance therein. Mine own adorations and contrition should only insist my adherence towards perceived righteousness (Mt.5:16). How dare any capitulate in perfectionist mode, epitomizing the worst opposition unto Holy God’s Word that insists, “No one is righteous, not one” (Ro.3:10).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “More Than A Cuss Word” G. Ward

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

 

Autumn for many may represent a great love opportunity and particularly after summer’s hot and humid days promoted showering incessantly. Moreover it’s the tremendous prefacing for a most lengthy holiday season. There are many with contemplations of love that furthers potential enjoyment of every city scape appearing so festive. So the prowl begins. It more lends itself to a hunt without specificity, but more ideological. The objective is to not squash a contrived canvas etched in one’s mindset that embraces a subliminal portrait synonymous of a Norman Rockwell painting featuring them. The manifestation of their pursuit involves great conversation (cf. Mt.6:21); seeking, and then sharing similar objectives to life. If they were charged by the minute in telephone conversations, the debt incurred would finally visit full restitution in their 90’s. They’re desirous in knowing all the intimate details including ancestry along with historical accounts (cf.2 Ti.3:16-17). The affection developed becomes love.

If a love relationship with God is not an even higher pursuit, particularly after calling HIM LORD, then surely the MOST HIGH is terribly disgruntled at this one-sided, selfish, unloving, abusive relationship imposed unto one’s shallow pursuit (Lk.6:46). The husband who abuses his wife does so a number of times until a syndrome is then established. Knowing she won’t leave, but not taking that chance, flowers are soon to be delivered to her threshold, indicative of our infrequent worship (cf. Pr.1:24-28)…

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Basic Provision” G. Ward

“When the queen of Sheba perceived all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his waiters and their attire, his cupbearers, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her.” 1 Kings 10:4-5

 

The entire world that God loves is influenced by the majestic appearances of nations with great wealth. Along with aspirations from even the poorest of nations in attaining a similar wealth, I’m wondering if they’re prepared for the economic and material insatiability that corrupts morals? Moreover, when these same (poor in contrast to the wealthy nations) encounter the unrest (political, social, etc.) soon to visit, will their resolve maintain the trait (exhibited by wealthy nations) in reckless abandonment to Holy God’s rescue, or rely on a futile practice of man’s sufficiency?

Happy Friday (You say that I know HIM, but struggle in getting to a place of worship? 1 John 5:3)!

Today’s Thought “Without Blame” G. Ward

“Be angry and yet do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your anger.” Ephesians 4:26

 

The deeper recesses of our mindsets to never be allowed viewership from another is who we are (i.e. our judgments, perspectives, etc.). The lender of this perspective may stem from exposure to technological advancement that even allowed for some like me to watch the Vietnam War on television. When America the proud viewed media footage from that war, our presumptive arrogance was squashed as we viewed our boys under great attack by what we felt was a lesser army. These feelings from most Americans maintained a visual association whenever Vietnam was mentioned. The same media was there when some of our boy’s bodies in flag draped coffins arrived on our shores and when the war was over to see our exasperated bunch of soldiers at American airports with great crowds chanting horrid condemnation while some hurled spit upon the assumed defeat. America quickly determined that the whole of its citizenry wasn’t responsible for such acts in condemnation, even though feeling defeated and less proud. Media sensationalists yet seek to portray the worst of every controversial scenario because they know their regard as news dispensationalists will become the adoptive reality from many. Moreover, why am I (a Black man) equated with the 50-75 idiots at every protest over-turning police cars, looting stores and breaking glass along with the whole of a race representative in multi-millions? It may be who we are…

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Ultimate Anarchy” G. Ward

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

The great resolve when on fire is to stop, drop and roll. America the free is smoldering because temporary extinguishing of flames left the scene whereby embers are subject to re-ignite into an inferno. Believers hold the antidote to societal unrest. Moreover, Holy God’s desire is that we would be His “First Responders” but it appears we’re either on the side of the castigators or protestors. The blatant refusal in recall in history’s lack of follow-ship to God’s commands witnessed disparities throughout every region. Our demand for another king has been granted (cf. 1 Sa. 8:1-18) and we’re still disgruntled. We’ll never be content until reconciled to the only KING existent (Mal.3:7)…

Happy Wednesday (You say He’s your King? Midweek services are tonight, prove it.)!

Today’s Thought “Un-Professional Profession of Faith” G. Ward

 “But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.  Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.” Luke 12:2-3

A dead church carries a false connotation of lacking vibrancy during service times. The actuality in this position is spiritually impossible (i.e. dead church). It would be comparable to referring to the mosquito as fat. The church is deemed the people of God through Christ, not a place. The church therefore is never afforded a mindset in preferential worship, but merely insists one’s own affection is given solely to the Most High. Any reversion of this intimate affection intended, propagates a “my way” position opposite of what true salvation represents. If you consider strolling an aisle-way this Sunday, be sure that the objective embraces dying to individual preference and perspective (Mt.16:24, 1 Cor.6:19-20).

Happy Tuesday!