Today’s Thought “Tossing and Turning” G. Ward

Psalm 28:2 “Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.”

While many may seek to unfold some spectacular television show or enjoyment with a great novel of sorts, my insomnia (of times past) desired to fill my soul with something far more substantive, God’s word. *I want to be clear; I’ve suffered with insomnia many times before and like so many surfed more than eight hundred channels looking for the perfect movie, whereas there have been numerous times the quiet room was so very noisy with an inexactness as to what could be the problem and knowing, I just needed rest.

A real dependence on Who we regard as LORD must condescend from self-determinations onto a spiritual posture that grants peace and when that level of worship becomes the insistence for any that will endure affliction’s (i.e., anxieties of sorts) visitation (cf. Jas.1:2-4), it won’t conjure up an elixir seemingly sufficient, but enjoin themself unto Who is Omniscient and offers Himself in/through our moments of unrest.

 

Today’s Thought “Mercy: God’s Conduit Unto Us” G. Ward

Psalm 34:1

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

 

The pain of indecision, along with impetuous choosing can have a devastating effect and certainly has plagued me (many times) and if my motioning thereafter remains too busy, the unfortunate cycle continues, while unfolding faith in the Almighty as momentarily weak. Moreover, and because egoism fears failure, devising additional planning remains an unfortunate desperation (cf. Prov.16:18).

Instead, when my steps involve a spiritual plan each day that consults with Holy God’s plan (which allows employment and some enjoyment), devastations of sorts are minimized and desired intimacy increases understanding that when/if I fall again, an immediate return onto our Redeemer is warranted. Thank You Lord, for Your faithfulness!

 

Today’s Thought “Spiritual Endurance” G. Ward

Job 31:4

Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?

All the misery Job would encounter kept him perplexed and equally bothered, particularly in view of his not conceding to patterns of sin. He would begin chapter 31 unto Holy God with how he found the way of the Lord non-burdensome, more pursuing holiness; even with his eyes towards women. He would then highlight the dangerous plight of man to lead himself and understanding completely how our Lord rightly punishes those so unfaithful; but he, on the other hand sought righteousness; why then, so many assaults on his spiritual integrity (*Job 1:8-12)?

This account is relative to a proposed daily interrogation of our own soul provided by our Lord and rather pursue a contrast with Job’s effort, ours should only view the life of Christ, in how HE correlated to this world. Can we admit to having fallen miserably short of HIS glory? Moreover, could we do as well as Job, after suffering a litany of tragedies? Most feel as though they should be exempt from calamity of sorts, but that’s the world’s vain philosophy. Instead, and particularly as any can consult with mankind’s document of life (God’s Word), they’ll unfold a presence (indicative of HIS abiding with us) as believers that won’t relent; but it cannot prevail as one is with a pattern of sinfulness (*Titus 2:11-14) …

 

Today’s Thought “Letter Writing Campaign” G. Ward

1 John 2:1

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;

 

I’m recalling many years ago having heard that a friend suffered through a lack in moral consciousness that cost him freedom. I immediately sought an address of the institution where he was held and began writing words that could spur spiritual endurance, enabling freedom, while in chains.

As it’s incumbent on believers to portray a Gracious Savior, mercy must be our centerpiece; remembering “such were some of us.” Our Lord however, allowed us (as surrendered believers) many days to consort with HIM; particularly as we’d view HIS faithfulness amidst trials to never concede to sin’s eventuality (Ro.6:23) and our encouragement to others must never offer conciliatory devices that appease via statements entirely unauthoritative, sending some on quests of euphoria, while keeping them dependent on expressions (untrue) and anywhere they can find them (cf. *Ps.33:18).

 

Today’s Thought “Shaded Areas?” G. Ward

1 John 5:19

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”

 

To believe is never enough, it must have the truest accompaniment; activity/works (cf. Eph.2:10). For any that believe in Holy God through Christ, that assessment begins with absolute surrender to HIS Word and whereas that practiced pursuit is daily, living in that spiritual realm becomes easier (each day presented – 1 John 5:3). Many others are aspirational at best, more believing they have time, or believing they’ll grow away from indiscretions unbecoming to our Lord. It’s opposite of trusting our Lord and while HIS patience may run out 5 minutes from, now, it’s a posture entirely dangerous – because repentance at the end, more thinks about avoidance of an eternal doom versus how Almighty God should get the honor and glory from our lives through denying ourselves - now (Matt.16:24). Why the many castigations are flourishing that yell hypocrisy, concerning the church, to insist their reasoning for unexcused discipleship and corporate gathering as acceptable, Holy God has designated a tag for them – children of Satan (NO SHADED AREA – 1 John 3:7-9, *10).

 

Today’s Thought “Red Shoes Worthy for the Journey” G. Ward

Hebrews 13:14

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

 

There perhaps are not many given over to a strange land, residing for sixty, seventy, eighty years therein, and not anticipate a return; particularly when that city is free of sufferings (*Rev.21:1-4). Moreover, if a promise of that return came from an Authoritative One – demanding implicit trust from the one exiled, a daily contemplation of home will witness the stranger compliant to the Landowner’s contingency plan (Luke 6:46).

The Landowner of Jesus’ discourse is God (cf. Matt.13:27, 20:1, 11, 21:33) and HE most assuredly is with All Authority in whether eternity includes you and me. We cannot however, celebrate this land’s practices, calling all blessings; especially when our Lord refuses association with darkness (cf. 2 Cor.6:14) – and calling (through insistence) our lives to reflect HIS (Eph.5:1).

 

Today’s Thought “Belief: Not Enough” G. Ward

Hebrews 2:1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 

 

As this great writer sought to pervade on some Hebrews (devout in commitment to all they were exposed in Judaism) the reality of Christ’s supremacy over the angels, then reasoning with them, found them seriously acknowledging all the scripture given by the prophets of old substantiating this, yet negligent in surrender to Christ. Comparably, many exist in our day that also agree with what’s been written; even that to which witnesses their ability to quote passages and whereas educational pursuits then and now rely on passing a test upon information ingested, proving proficiency, the Truth of God’s classroom won’t involve a certification of completeness, but more unfolds an ongoing discipleship (John 8:31).

Faith is activity, not head knowledge. Moreover, faith must have an object to place trust in. Therefore, and because it is written, acknowledgement of Christ supremacy, must absolutely believe HE alone (Ac.4:12) can/will forgive sin found in you (particularly upon your repentance unto HIM) and then submit to HIM (with all that is written – Luke 6:46). To do, declares belief.