Today’s Thought “Pain: Don’t Claim It?” G. Ward

Isaiah 53:3

He was despised and abandoned by men, A man of great pain and familiar with sickness; and like one from whom people hide their faces, He was despised, and we had no regard for Him.

 

While this passage is witness to 700 years before Christ entry and whereas the emotional and physical, debilitating pain it caused our Lord existed, particularly that which demonstrates an unusual LOVE HE has for those HE made (John 1:1-3,14) and whereas our modernity’s foolish adoption, so antithetical to how HE endured and whereas HE said, “a servant is not greater than his Master” and we yet proclaim “love shouldn’t hurt” – it does.

Our journey in earth shouldn’t be astonished upon such pain experienced, but our humanity craves to be sheltered from it and whereas our Lord’s comfort reigns entirely sufficient and whereas greatest preparation (spiritually) is often forsaken, PAIN continues; but when/if we persevere in HIM, pain shall be over (Ro.8:18). So, let’s get started (cf. *Matt.10:16-23).

 

Today’s Thought “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” G. Ward

1 Timothy 6

¹⁷ Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

 

These instructions are a great lesson for wealthy believers (who our Lord loves), not necessarily for those aspirational (i.e., chasing dollars at most any expense). They’re to first deny any form of arrogance, to not walk proudly, but humbly; particularly in view of an equal calling from the Lord, involving the rich and poor. Then, they’re reminded that things (particularly money) come and goes, so don’t become in-satiated with temporal possessions, soon to be outdone by faithfulness – now, to our Lord where substance (faith) carries any onto HIS bosom. Finally, the rich are compelled spiritually to see a need and meet it; which is better than silver or gold, involving true legacy building.

If your aspirations to become a millionaire, waits to acknowledge all aforementioned, get off the money train and find another depleted and sponsor their breakfast and you’ll soon witness spiritual prioritization that confirms Jesus’ words, “it’s better to give than receive.”

 

 

 

Today’s Thought “Teeter-Tottering Is Child-Play” G. Ward

1 John 2

³ By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 

This word “know” (from this context of knowing Holy God) is/should never be associated with mere intellectual, or simply acquainted with, but carries a connotation of desired intimacy and total dependency on the Savior that afforded us redemption. Moreover, it contemplates HIS graciousness and patience with us, particularly lending our steps onto others similarly.

Our grief however is ongoing; as we’re often broken, because each have/are guilty of spiritual adultery. We’ve forsaken the covenant relationship with Holy God, every time we’ve mingled, even prompting earthen systems, diminishing HIS sovereign control. We’ve lived in horrid contradiction of where our heart has been made over, but cannot persist in wrongful devotion of two opposing masters. Instead, our insistence must echo, HIS will be done.

We thank HIM for HIS perfect reconciliation upon our repentance, refusing to not self-lessly forgive and restore another – because we know pitfalls’ entry is lurking, whereby we’ll need HIS restoration again. Thank You Jesus!

 

Today’s Thought “First Place Ribbon” G. Ward

Psalm 69: ³ I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

 

While King David’s sufferings overwhelmed him in moments, causing him bewilderment in why such oppressive ways existed towards him (from those so adversarial), he wouldn’t know that these writings were divinely inspired to confirm writings thousands of years later to indicate that One who endured to HIS end on earth for our victory in HIM continues to this day. It’s stated that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” to indicate that bouts with sorrow and hardship are temporary, and they will eventually give way to confidence and greater trust/perseverance in the Lord. Moreover, resilience becomes our middle name, as the pangs of life are more anticipated (because of the Savior’s preparation unto those HE elected), causing outsiders’ further castigation that accuses our surrender to HIM as something foolishly occultic, but you Keep Pressing, for your reward is near.

 

Today’s Thought “America, the Spoiled” G. Ward

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; ² and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

 

Jesus was given, because apart from HIM – man’s endeavoring righteousness couldn’t be found. Moreover, we had no ability to surrender to His Way, overwhelmed, that even faith itself was imparted unto those chosen; therefore, embodying the definition of what it means to be inept (i.e., incompetent).

Why, then are so many identifying with Christ as Lord while with expressed, public sentiment of dependency on systems and people so entirely temporal and whereas we’re called HIS very own, so as to imitate HIS life, particularly how He’d correlate therein, why such idol worship is on the increase is disturbing, yet expected (?). The Almighty yet offers the antidote, but soon the prescription won’t be available.

People of God must question their every motive against what our Lord did (including all HE said and is saying) and whereas HIS every endeavor was both selfless and without a proposed interactivity (with the world) that would even depend on unholy systems (ever-evolving), may we all repent (Ac.3:19) and proclaim that to which is with (ETERNAL) implications, more denying earth’s citizenry. A practice thereunto assures Jesus is mine…

 

Today’s Thought “Taking It on the Chin” G. Ward

Romans 15:3 For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The taunts of those who taunt You have fallen on Me.”

 

Denial and selflessness are the predominant, pronounced tags of Catholic Nuns versus perceived followers of Christ and whereas the latter group’s characterization appears entirely truthful, it’s because there’s been great lack to always defer to God’s Word in everything and whereas those directives invite any to know “few” acquiesce to what it says (the identifier of true belief – Matthew 7:21-23, Luke 6:46, James 2:18-19), along with doing so while devoted to Jesus as Lord and determined to bring all glory and honor to HIS Name, we know that HIS endurance having withstood greatest reproach, assured us of a similar visitation (John 15:18-20), whereby we’re grateful to HIM for the peace HE left us and the endurance HE granted us. May HE be forever praised!

 

Today’s Thought “Angry, But with Hope” G. Ward

Jeremiah 17

⁹ “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?

 

The answer is God can. He alone has the cure; but it can’t rest, nor mingle on/with mankind’s ideologies that runs congruent with faith in Christ - who never submitted to political affiliation – suggestive of a dutiful regard, along with merging an entity existent for our teaching HIS church (and for my argumentative friends, yes, we’re called to submission to government regulations, yet supremely consumed with our King’s message). We have many disciples currently insistent on supporting foolish agendas of delineating points of indifference among some ethnicities, that questions intellectual capacities within, to forget the whole of man is from One God and thereafter every nation from three sons having the same parentage (*Ge.9:18-19), making all of you -Asian, Hispanic, even White of Black. *I’m old enough to remember when immoralities existent within another and any linkage thereunto, deemed one complicit (WHO ARE YOU SUPPORTING, ALONG WITH CHRIST?). If you’re owned by this Magnificent Savior, talk as HE talked! HE most assuredly never took any to government to insist on change (and yes, abortion was prevalent then, along with homosexuality - *Jas.2:12-13), but insisted every disciple find another beyond the scope of ethnicity, socio-economic status, etc., and teach them HIS commands. HE will transform them! Not your legislation, but HIS! Until then, SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND PREACH ONLY JESUS!!!