Today’s Thought “Inside, OUT” G. Ward Leviticus 22 19 For you to be accepted—it must be a male without defect from the cattle, the sheep, or the goats. 20 Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it will not be accepted for you. 21 When someone offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD to fulfill a special vow or for a voluntary offering, of the herd or of the flock, it must be without defect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it. The sacrificial offerings given in the old covenant were to be unblemished (not just ordinary) and whereas the Perfect Lamb of God – Jesus Christ has become the Ultimate Offering for sins found in mankind (Heb.7:27), there’s yet a reasonable reciprocity required for you and me similarly (Ro.12:1-2). It won’t happen because we’re intentionally benevolent (Eph.2:8-9). Moreover, our change may be honorable among men, including that which personifies good language and generosity in kindness, but that’s generally a course adopted by any reasonable. The demand from any regarding Christ as Lord, examines His words (daily) and obeys them (immediately) and will soon witness things of old without significance (To obey is better than sacrifice.) and those awakening to satisfy their desire will soon understand that the prerequisite chieftain to knowing our Lord is denial of self (Matt.16:24, Phil.2:3-4). I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold I'd rather be His than have riches untold I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Today’s Thought “After the Barbeque” G. Ward Malachi 3 7 “From the days of your fathers you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of armies. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ With all the music apps available, I’m partial to the one without commercials, along with the component that orchestrates personal playlists. There’s a periodic infusion of cross genres I so appreciate, but in no way, particularly with infusions in my musical category involving spirituals songs, will that ever become a substitute for what I owe my Lord. The believer is compelled to an interrogative, daily pursuit of God’s Word (*even during holiday). HE was not considerate of such spiritual lapse, particularly as our Savior experienced persecution of sorts on our behalf (and did so willingly – Mark 1:35). While (at the barbeque) our conversations praised Him for His unrelenting love, along with an insistence in prefacing our fellowship with prayer was honorable, plans were marginalized by efforts that hurried to the gathering, leaving the quiet time unto the Giver of Life secondary and whereas some may feel guilty, you’ll need to re-read our biblical theme.

Today’s Thought “A Perfect Word” G. Ward Proverbs 18 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. The Word of God was never meant to be a book of slogans used to manipulate one either dispirited or found spiritually negligent; particularly formulating dependence on any with periodic bouts in both; but given to teach the essence of overcoming/conquering the overwhelming trials that can absolutely thwart a victorious life in Christ. Moreover, those of the household of faith should grant any, the opportunity to know the Author of life (who loves them) to become their resolve in everything (Pr.3:5-6). The believer’s trust of Holy God must totally embrace biblical impartations, knowing they’re spiritually ordained, and enables a mindset in perplexity of sorts, a stability not found through ideologies and whereas believers are the Almighty’s mouthpiece in earth (Ro.10:14), theirs (that to which they can give as resourceful) is a limited instruction comparable to taking them to the waterhole, baiting their hook and teaching them to cast, while forgetting the fish that satisfies belongs to the Lord (*Ps.24:1).

Today’s Thought “At the Barbeque…” G. Ward John 10 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. Jesus issues a clarion call to His own; He desires all would find every answer in Himself. He gave every man life and therefore is its Author (John 1:3-4, 4:6) and whereas many this weekend will audaciously bind Satan in their prayers (How can any commune with the Almighty and insist on warring with a defeated foe?), only HE did/could do that (*cf. Eph.6:10-17). Moreover, we’d do well to receive His context in this tremendous warning to know that the thief is the false teacher (vs.1) and he will perhaps be at the barbeque and there’s an answer – “But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness” (2 Ti.2:16). The Apostles knew the value of implicit faith, refusing to move away from God’s Word; eat the ribs, but stay clear of their discourse.

Today’s Thought “A Common Denominator” G. Ward Ephesians 3 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to enlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things. Prior to this Apostle’s conversion experience unto Christ, Paul (then Saul) would be comparable to some of our great seminarians today. His knowledge of scripture was astounding, even causing his zeal for Holy God as a Jew to become a nightmare for any belonging to Jesus Christ. Thereafter, he would never consider himself better than any, even refusing an unrightful comparison to fellow believers or those exercising in rebellion. His sole desire was imitating our Lord (Eph.5:1-2). Moreover, he would marvel in being God’s instrument in explaining the Way, Truth and Life; knowing all that was studied in his prior life was culminated in this Wonderful Savior. We’d all do well to eliminate conversing about some appearing entirely repulsive; particularly as we’ve been found prior to our repentance – that bolsters our presumed standing; but love, without condition that always believes with hope (1 Cor.13:4-7).

Today’s Thought “Bound for Heaven: A Colorless Society” G. Ward Revelation 7: 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all the tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they *cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Sinful men bombard many with what is deficient in their lives, seeking to present ideas seemingly so once unattainable, become readily perceived, even leading them thereafter in a quest unsanctioned and divisive. It’s comparable to imposing an inconspicuous harlotry (cf.2 Cor.10:3-6). We’re bombarded with ideologies, dressed up as true religion, even that to which pervades introducing a foreign translation (with insistence unto those they deceive), to refer to Jesus’ name by His Hebrew regard. As Shakespeare said, “That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet” (Romeo and Juliet, II:i). Holy God’s purpose for Israel never altered (*Isa.49:6 He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the protected ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”). We’re given the Word of God for greatest benefit in earth onto heaven, not to hoard it because we’re a purple people…

Today’s Thought “Choosing A Church?” G. Ward 1 John 1:1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 2 and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. There’s a most interesting posture taken by man through many avenues given him to discern and while this unfortunate choosing may include a fellowship to join, that decision should never include what they perceive is best for them – outside of unadulterated Truth. Great preaching is inseparable to teaching (Jas.3:1) and worship unequivocally belongs to the Almighty and whereas the freedom of choice is seemingly ours to pursue, every venture is answerable to the Sole Beholder of life (cf. Matt.7:13-14). John, the last Apostle testified to having personal witness of HIM; even compelling men to hear and adjust immediately (particularly in view of false teachers, who went (then and now) to extreme measure to denounce HIM before others). We cannot discern spiritually when seeking to belong on terms of cultural identifiers; particularly when institutions of praise maintain ratios of praise greater than teaching (cf. 1 Cor.2:14). That’s idealistic and guarantees death, not Life (John 14:6).