Today’s Thought “A Place Called My Own” G. Ward  

Psalm 4:7 “You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound.”

                                                                                                          

Our quest for better/best is comparable to the wheel found in a gerbil’s cage; an exercise in futility and when one finds a corner in that same container, referring to the message of eternal proportion (*Ro.5:8), running onto HIM has become the new demand, whereas I’ll never relent.

Today’s Thought “Internal Combustion” G. Ward

Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Variations of evil have become an expected norm while living in a land deemed the world’s leader (militaristically and economically); enabling dependence on systems than real security (cf. Ps.127:1). That same foolish dependence (from its citizenry) relegates responsibility onto organized security rather than a personal imposition as proposed agents of light that extinguishes darkness with the message of merciful love that’s ongoing.

The attack onto evil has never been an arrest of the vilest offender, but an uninhibited commitment towards spiritual transformation designed by Holy God and meant for any that would/will regard His Peace.

Today’s Thought “Self Preservation” G. Ward

1 Corinthians 14:20 “Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.”

The peculiarity of the believer will experience periodic bouts with principles of pleasure to then recapitulate unto the desired shelter only Holy God can provide; more satisfied with the warmth He provides over an exploration that never meets its destination (cf. 1 Cor.6:9-11).

Today’s Thought “Freedom Without Liberty” G. Ward

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.”

There’s absolutely no necessitation to analyze how well I did in anything outside the grip of His grace; particularly when my mouth declares His Supremacy and Mastery over my life. Rather than awaken with a chant normal to declare, appreciating another day, is a requirement of acknowledgement through activity emblematic of the sacrifice provided for me (*cf. 1 Pe.2:4, 5, 9).

Today’s Thought “Weigh Your Words” G. Ward

Matthew 6:9 “Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”

“We’ve come a long way baby” forgetting the splendor of the only King. Our recall of a people belonging to God (produces marginalization) and their inability to even touch the container (indicative of His presence with them) as they travailed through strange lands, to then rest from a sojourning whereby temple regulation mandated that only a priest consecrated onto the highest moral standard enter that segment of the notable worship space and if not suited accordingly, imminent death.

Howbeit that we feel so deserving to share with Holy God that to which more embodies insisting that HE do for us vs. HIS will be done (*Eccl.5:1-2)?

Today’s Thought “Needing Bifocals” G. Ward

Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Peace forsaken is a pursuit in fulfillment in things and people furthering addiction, whereby no 12-step program sheds relief. A first step however unto proper recognition of the truest Gift offered humanity accepts an ongoing, perfect guidance onto the complexities of the world’s ever evolving rules for acceptance, while denying conformity therein (*Job 22:21-30). Moreover, it’s never resolute from a trust independent of the Omniscient One, but admittance to a horrid conundrum; how have any fared in resisting temptation with relentless bouts of self gratification (cf. Ro.3:10-12)? Answer; “Don’t worry about the mule going blind, just hold the line!”

Today’s Thought “Fraternal Order” G. Ward

Luke 16:24-25 And he cried out and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.” But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.”

There’s a consolation worth distributing when the demise of a loved one occurs, including assurance of an inevitable, eternal presence with those who have passed for any remaining (cf. Matt.7:21). While consensus remains soothing for the soul grieved in temporal despair, it’s entirely without authority in placing another in a land without human proprietorship (Ps.24:1). Obedience to the Landowner continues as the litmus test unto suggestive faith and no matter the excessive remarks from man portraying the goodness found in one’s life journey (Ro.3:10,23), the Most High’s recognition remains paramount.