Today’s Thought “Concerted Efforts in Celebration” G. Ward

Colossians 2

¹⁶ Let no one, then, pass judgment on you in matters of food and drink or with regard to a festival or new moon or sabbath.

 

While man will insist there’s something we’ll need to do outside of repentance for our sins unto Christ, HIS grace is marvelously Sufficient (2 Cor.12:9); particularly that which is dietary and concerned Israel (Matt.15:11, Acts 10:9-16), along with mandates that esteems days a particular way and demands of worship (corporately) on a Monday or Tuesday. Our Exemplar Leader – Christ, enabled us to endeavor imperfect witnesses (historically and currently) on Mosaic Law no one (other than Christ) Kept (*Matt.5:17).

Be sure that your heart objectively honors HIM on Christmas and everyday granted thereafter (cf. *Jas.2:10).

Merry Christmas Family!

 

Today’s Thought “Seeing Is Believing?” G. Ward

Matthew 1

²³ “Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they shall name Him Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”

 

From parting the ocean, so His people could pass through, onto feeding more than five thousand with two fish and five loaves of bread, many will say they believe, but until any endeavor to witness the pages, so alive, as Holy God, the Maker of heaven and earth as speaking to us (again, very particularly from Genesis to Revelation), belief is marginalized. The eternal script given was never intended to be an accompaniment to life’s journey, but the spiritual journal instrumental for our survival and whereas miraculous actualities, incomparable to normalcy exists from cover to cover, we’ll need to know the Almighty is nothing like man (Isa.55:8-9). Our preeminent example Christ, as God in the flesh, birthed through a virgin (*John 1:1-3,14), is too miraculous to perceive; unless any will interrogate how every Old Testament prophet shared this great phenomenon, so beneficial to our eternality (*Acts 3:24).

 

Today’s Thought “Do as I Say, Not as I Do?” G. Ward

Philippians 2

³ Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

Many reared in good homes have exposed their children to Christmas by imposing certain markers as indicative of this holiday and yes, there’s that Jesus thing too (cf. *Judg.2:10). Photos with Santa are soon to occupy that great collection with other portraits that only show up when I’m looking for something in the month of June and discover these cute photos of when Junebug was so young and to think, he now has children and what was given him, now belongs to my beautiful grandchildren. I’m older now and am witness to many benevolent organizations who invite families of sorts to participate in toy and food distributions. Media outlets do well with outstanding coverage, finding individuals who’ve benefitted from those same or similar organizations, insisting their own family intentionally participate in this annual distribution; even ensuring their children understand such celebration as more than personal pleasure, while amazed at their children’s willingness to forsake receiving the newest game consoles. Could this carry special ordination from our Maker (cf. Ac. 20:35)? Moreover, will/can this adoption likely formulate our future familial understanding of Christ’s attitude and ask that HE “Create in them a clean heart, God, and renew a steadfast spirit within them” (Ps.51:10)? CHALLENGE!

 

Today’s Thought “Ham-hocks n Greens” G. Ward

Acts 10

¹³ A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” ¹⁵ Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”

 

So many refusing discipleship are instrumental in sharing dietary regulations established by Holy God FOR ISRAEL. Moreover, they’re equally in tune to a no judgment zone for believers without a contextualized pursuit similarly.

There was a host of reasons the Law was given, but primarily to reveal the Holy character of God Almighty and whereas HE hates sin and mankind inhabits a transgressive spirit, Israel would be reminded of spiritual constriction imposed by the Holy One, keeping them dependent (*Ro.3:20). Our New Testament pundits even seek to pervade these actualities (meant for Israel) unto this era, but no salvation was ever offered Israel through it (*cf. Jas. 2:10). Our only conduit in safety in directives from Heaven while in earth, along with assurance of an eternity remains Christ (Matt.15:10-11). The knowledge in Truth, empowers; but never for controversies furthered, but to extinguish speculations.

 

Today’s Thought “The Bread Basket” G. Ward

2 Corinthians 9:7

 Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

 

The hearts of the Corinthians were once jubilant concerning giving, particularly as they would hear of real need in Jerusalem; they would then agree to raise an offering, but were imposed upon by false instruction, similar to our day that pervades ideas on every preacher (that included this kind of falsehood regarding the Apostle Paul) as gluttonous. Then and now, there were/are those who are ridiculously self-centered, along with proposing convincing declarations in what “God said” while entirely out of touch. There’s yet a pursuit that absolutely can thwart being confused; its intimacy pursued with the Almighty (Ps.1:1-3, Prov.3:5-6, 2 Ti.2:15). Spiritual growth happens thereafter, allowing a sanctioned familiarity with how our Lord absolutely loves those supportive in the furtherance of gospel truth for every region and those participants will be remarkably blessed (*this never had a percentage attached, but was premeditative, in view of HIS merciful kindness). Leave the hype and only consider what worship means – ON HIS TERMS.

 

Today’s Thought “Out with the Old, In with the New?” G. Ward

2 Timothy 4

³ For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

 

While the Word of God is clear that the Almighty is nothing like mankind (Nu.23:19, Isa. 55:8-9, John 4:24), many seek to pervade their doubt unto their fellow man. These speculations presented, entirely theoretical, are not unique from theorists’ effort historically, that also sought great investigation of spiritual contradictions. None will/have been to understand context, because all that is written is with a discernment solely given to those believing in Genesis to Revelation as Holy God’s inspired words (cf.*1 Cor.2:14).

Frustration in this reality is permissible (cf. Eph.4:26), but any who believe must never violate the peace our Lord extends via answers that won’t be heard. This in no way means an initial effort, due to a false, presumptive notion (on our part) in their not hearing, but can often be we’re without the tools required to refute these speculations (1 Pe.3:15 – apologetics). Be encouraged in knowing that around every corner is one desirous of Truth; go find them, seeing to it that their joy is made complete by our Merciful Savior. 

 

Today’s Thought “A Grim Future?” G. Ward

Judges 2

¹⁰ All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and another generation rose up after them who did not know the Lord, nor even the work which He had done for Israel.

It’s very apparent that there’s predominance among church attendees, who’ve more learned to substitute religious jargon for obedience unto servitude towards others, through what’s most foundational to every human, representative of life: to know Christ and to make HIM known. Shamefully, social media has portrayed many ideas of what believer-ship means through visuals of great praise from some delighting in only those things perceivably favorable unto them (cf. Eccl.7:14); along with little boy preachers without ability to discern the objectivity of faith’s demand (knowing Truth, i.e., the Word of God), but solely capable with imitating theatrics witnessed by senior pulpiteers, to then hear onlookers affirm their presumed calling because they’re foolishly un-inhibited (like all of us who played church when we were children). All of these antics can never be a substitute for discipleship that ensures no stronghold as suited against a faith walk and allows fortitude that’s with a generous aim to ensure others are equally foundational in knowing it was the Author of grace with mercy who truly equips and without HIM, we’re all doomed.