Today’s Thought “Not In My Neighborhood” G. Ward

Matthew 9:36

Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.

 

Civic unrest has now grown rampant in one of our great cities (St. Louis, MO.) and many viewing the news remain comfortable because these heathen perpetrators don’t stand a chance in our “law and order” areas. Despair, along with men as lovers of self however, is with transcendence of both geography and socio-economics. Gang warfare in the inner city is road rage on any interstate. Frivolous destruction of property is synonymous with progressive urban developments that invites wayward spending causing recessions while greatly contributing to the erosion of “green space” whereby the inevitability of lack in oxygen remains imminent.

What seemingly was past generations in lack (i.e. technological advancements), comparably waiting for food to heat in the old-fashioned oven vs. the speed of the microwave, allowed many from prior generations to more contemplate prudence over convenience; which may have lent itself to remembrance of parental instruction that demanded cognizance of the LORD being near vs. current messaging promoting consultation with Holy God only necessary as destruction, distress and uncertainty persist (*Pr.1:24-28)…

Today’s Thought “Fed Up…” G. Ward

Lamentations 4:12 The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did any of the inhabitants of the world, that the adversary and the enemy could enter the gates of Jerusalem.

An unchanging God amidst an ever evolving world has become an avoidance of man that disallows constraint necessary for eternal hope in Christ (Ro.6:23). When any opt out for only those melodious passages containing encouragement without appropriating personal contingency therein, violate the dialogue intended between God and them; to which no man inherits heaven on those terms. When Holy God speaks, every answer for those under heaven must first agree (through implicit trust), then embody what it insists we do. *God will not be ignored! Catchy phraseology and charismatic leaders will ultimately cease, then what (*cf. Lk.16:19-31)?

Today’s Thought “Captor of My Soul” G. Ward

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Religion is synonymous with personal philosophy. It has become more relative to an individual choosing a varied, perhaps even wavering, set of values/morals delivered by those seemingly eloquent. Although very similar to Christianity, religion is with exclusivity/intolerance, promoting divisiveness while the Believer's message is an all-inclusive one with Christ as Head. Moreover, the transformational experience that asks Christ to reign supreme as Lord hates any self reliance found in them (*cf. Ro.7:14-25), desiring more to hide behind Perfection.

Today’s Thought “I Can…” G. Ward

Ephesians 2:8-9

 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ^not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

 

Amazingly, religious and philosophical forecasts from many desire change unilateral of contemplations in understanding whether or not the next moment will be granted by Heaven’s posture. Success continues as the most estimated measure of man, but failures remains the best teacher.

Today’s Thought “What Millions Can’t Buy” G. Ward

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

The Apostle Paul’s construction of such a letter happened not only as he awaited death by the vicious Emperor, but also while imprisoned without violation. Others may have suffocated from what perceivably felt like abandonment that asks does anyone care.  There was yet ONE who accompanied him at all times (Heb. 13:5). Moreover his concern never anticipated earthly pardon, nor one last steak and lobster feast, but to know that the message of hope would continue amidst trouble everywhere (cf. Lk.22:42). So he called on the protégé that walked alongside him at difficulty’s way, expressive of an urgency to get to this prison one last time for further instructions.

We’re busy now; moving fast unto nowhere and if slowdown permits, electronic devices are turned on blocking reality that hinders assurance of where eternity lies for us. We dare to enter any level of worship that asks the Master what HE desires (Phil.2:17), violating the very essence of every man’s existence and without faith in being owned we remain incomplete. TODAY HOWEVER, OFFERS AND WARRANTS A RETURN (*Ac.3:19).

Today’s Thought “The Answer; Not Always Expedient” G. Ward

1 Peter 5:6-7

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

 

Such a message, by New Testament’s most celebrated character (cf. Lk.22:54-62)! It arrived at a time whereby proven--ness with this author belonged entirely to Holy God and that same Author of his faith renamed him (Matt.16:16-18), not because he had ability, but on his confession of the Savior’s Sufficiency. Any thereafter would be received in the same (cf. Ro.10:13).

Peter shares unusual encouragement to the newest people group who were absolutely despised by the natives, even unjustly so. This proposed calling to fulfill issued by this leader didn’t call those who would trust in the Lord unto a righteous indignation expressive of wicked oppression imposed on them, but implicit belief that Holy God works incessantly for those HE loves and HIS efforts won’t ever require a co-pilot.

 

Today’s Thought “Grace Found Me…” G. Ward

Ephesians 4:25

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

 

Imagine if denial was the centerpoint for every believer (cf. Matt.7:21). The wholeness in this imaginative theorizing is in itself troubling, because to be a follower of Christ is an ongoing pursuit demanding one’s total receptivity onto spiritual metamorphosis. As the caterpillar becomes a butterfly or moth, we as believers allow Holy God’s changing us from the inside/out and thereafter sharing with any, the joy of redemption, not because we’ve ever been good enough, but HE most certainly is…