Today’s Thought “Deafening Silence” G. Ward

James 4

³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures. ⁴ You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

 

Faith is difficult, only because believers yet exist in the flesh, along with surrender to the Almighty’s will (found in His Word). Incessantly, there’s a conflict of two natures and best practice in the spiritual one desired, makes us less prone to selfish error. We however, cannot pursue Holy God with thankfulness upon rising, then at mealtime and bedtime, along with unfolding a meditative passage (chosen only for its inspirational value, purposely avoiding His chastening), to think we’re being perfected. The obstacles upon getting off our knees are far too great, that seeks to resist the shiny things of life. Nor can the illustrious struggle persist, that presumes a periodic visitation to worship and grow with fellow believers; portraying this as acceptable (*many have yet to attend midweek discipleship training, while more dedicated to their fraternal and civic affiliations), and whereas trials are an accompaniment to every life, those same (untrained) will soon cry out to Holy God for immediate reprieve, to hear crickets (*Prov.1:24-30).

 Today’s Thought “A Bubbling Stomach” G. Ward

Psalm 34

¹⁹ The afflictions of the righteous are many, but the Lord rescues him from them all. ²⁰ He protects all his bones, not one of them is broken.

 

No generation of believers have been exempt from periodic visitation in worldly pervasion of evil, miseries and distress and whereas these disciples are equipped with numerous examples of what it means to abide by faith’s measurement (Heb.11:8-40), no one will compare to the endurance our Savior exemplified (cf. Heb.12:1-2). Howbeit that our time as believers have allowed others (so very clearly un-studied, yet reliant on vain philosophy), tell us we must deny a varied affliction to permeate our lives through religious chants in being so victorious over difficulties portrayed scripturally as un-avoidable, while ensuring HIS presence as unwavering? May we be found awaiting HIS rescue versus moving on towards self-imposed miseries furthered (as we’re known for), thanking HIM for shelter that intervenes.

 Today’s Thought “Foundational Truth” G. Ward

Psalm 89

¹⁴ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before You.

 

There’s a choir to which each of us are exposed more often than we think. They love to sing about the greatness of the Almighty; particularly those attributes found beneficial to us; kindness, loving, merciful, patient, etc. The choir’s composition involves devout believers, along with those nominally attached to Holy God. All the members however, can/will forget HE is just; weighing the penalty for the sins of man indiscriminately and without categorization (cf. Ro.6:23) and if any neglect to voluntarily exist under the direction of His Son’s sacrifice for their transgressions, with a continual, diligent search in how they were delivered, along with adherence to His commands, including consistent fellowship, their songs sung are lovely, but superficially heard by Heaven and other men (Jas.1:22). How dare any of us presume on Holy God with such celebratory praise, leaving out His being judicial? When many of us describe our parents (to which many are deceased), in how we were raised in love and discipline, accolades thereunto, won’t solely encompass receiving dessert after supper, but also includes the “woodshed” experience – which now is appreciated more than ever.

 Today’s Thought “Stamp of Approval?” G. Ward

Hebrews 10

²⁶ For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.

 

To become resolute concerning all that Christ offered us, requires both corporate and personal pursuit (cf. Ac.17:11) and whereas the excitement may dwindle, particularly after such fervor of initial gratitude in being delivered from sin becomes too familiar, even more discipleship is required. We absolutely never pinnacle from being HIS student. Moreover, our limited abilities keep us regarded as children of God; dependent forever. Unfortunately, there exists a spiritual lethargy with some days for many, causing them a wrongful consideration towards cultural religiosity (i.e., sayings, seemingly spiritually acceptable, along with personal pursuits appearing godly, but lacking HIS directives) and an unfortunate practice thereunto can/will lead one, once so convinced, to straddle between two opinions (cf. Josh 24:15). Eternity with God is compromised every time we’ll settle for words and storylines with religious tint. Our lives, no matter the scholastic aptitude, calls for prudent investigation of God’s Word on His terms, and questions every writer and others pervading motivationalists’ theorizing that seeks to thwart sufferings (with absolute refusal to address such).

 Today’s Thought “Forgetting the Past?” G. Ward

Romans 4

¹⁷ (As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, that is, God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that do not exist.

 

A ridiculous promotion of heresy has become an acceptable expression; that is, believing that man is with ability to speak things into existence. This is solely attributable to Holy God’s justification, having called unworthy sinners (like you and me) unto surrender to Christ’s reign and rule for our lives, by imputing His righteousness to us. Moreover, God made or declared Jesus “sin” and punished Him, though He was not a sinner. Those whom He justifies, He will conform to the image of His Son. Howbeit, that any selfish human has reduced such preeminence to such absurdism that now absolutely can avoid sufferings of sorts and depletion (materially and emotionally)? While many seek to make Holy God solely an American God, HE won’t be contained by you or me (*John 4:24). Time here will soon be over and because our estimations as to when is unknown, we’d all do well to pursue a contextualized study of HIS Word (where true power exists – *Ro. 10:17); realizing that what was available to many of our predecessors (even while they were owned by unruly men) is the same just God now. I would imagine that if they could have spoken a word…

 Today’s Thought “Feelings: The Story of Many Troubles” G. Ward

Psalm 51:12

 “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.”

 

King David would experience great unrest as he’d identify with principles of self-gratification; leading him onto a murderous plot, particularly after victimizing himself in a heinous, adulterous affair. Strangely, his spiritual foundation would enable tremendous remorse with utter shame as he’d contemplate the Lord at watch (Ps.51:3-4). Every believer is plagued in similar disconnect and they too have been given the same avenue David insisted from himself (vv.6-13).

Repentance is often misunderstood; it’s largely due to the pervasive thought that has many pouncing on believers when indiscretion plagues them and whereas our excuses are lessened (daily), as submission to an everyday plan-o-gram endeavored (*2 Ti.2:15), teaches us how to walk as Christ did, the reasonable understand imperfections from mere men. Contrition, although an honorable virtue must decide that repeat of a violation, particularly, while an Omni-Present God is at watch, lives in the realm of one’s existential Savior and not for man’s castigations (cf. Matt.10:28). Are any prepared to trust and obey?

 Today’s Thought “A Blossom in the Wilderness” G. Ward

2 Peter 1

² Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, ³ for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 

 

Information at a moment’s notice can/will disallow independent thought that asks who am I amidst so many others all around(?). Whether any ascribe to a spiritual destiny proposed or not, there’s Final Authority that unfolds every man’s limitation from the time he awakens to his slumbering and whereas his plans are great, even self-preserving notions in how he can be guarded from dangers (in other men, along with uneventful circumstances), yet prohibits him in laying claimants in whether there’s to be a next moment. Moreover, he motions so hurriedly to perceived success, along with desire to be recognized (favorably), that it compromises a meditative process offering safeguards and while he’s prone to exhaustion in a lifetime in great effort, surely he’ll question (if reasonable) his grandmother’s regard, particularly as she embodied peace, though difficulties plagued her, yet she trusted in that mid-sized black book, professing her God’s Word as resolute (i.e., the One she spent time with, the One who knew her name, the One she absolutely depended on, following HIS precepts) and counting on HIS promises, guaranteeing an eternity with HIM whereby troubles vanquish.

*To utilize scenarios from some in determining that those professing faith is mostly a farce (because what they do and say remains inexplicably theirs), won’t ever witness Holy God at fault in anything. His ways are to be investigated upon being heard by mouthpieces proclaiming Him and promotes “true knowledge.”