Latest Thoughts of the Day

Philipppians 2:4

11/6/2026

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Christianity is not “every man for himself”, but includes also a genuine concern that others prosper spiritually, even as we personally grow in grace and in the knowledge of God. We are in this together, and it is God’s purpose that we do all we can to promote the well-being of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Can I help others who struggle to serve Jesus, that we might work toward His glory together? A personal walk with Jesus is of essential and fundamental importance if we are to please God with our lives. But it is not everything. Loving and serving others for who Christ died is the actual way in which we each one are going to grow in our likeness to God’s beloved Son, our Lord Jesus.

Ephesians 2:11

11/5/2026

Therefore remember that you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves, “the circumcised” (that done in the flesh by the hands of men)—“

Paul is in the middle of an argument that underlines and glories in the fact that the distinction between Jew and Gentile is like a wall that has been broken down. Gentiles should never forget the privilege that it is to be included in the people of God. The Jews should glory in God for the tremendous generosity He has shown in including Gentiles into His people. Paul is careful to make clear that he is speaking here of physical circumcision, because he continues to glory in the facet that those who are in Christ are circumcised in their hearts. What Jews picture physically in their bodies is what God does to Gentiles when they believe in Jesus.

Galatians 2:10

11/4/2026

All they asked was that we continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

After fourteen years of independent ministry, God had prompted Paul to go to Jerusalem and to fellowship with Peter and the other leaders who had all that time been ministering in Jerusalem. People outside of leadership had wondered if the message of all these leaders was the same. Paul reassures the Galatians that there was no difference at all in the message they were presenting. Paul was more directed to Gentiles, and Peter more to Jews, but they preached the same Gospel. And their heart-concern for the poor was exactly the same. Paul was not willing to contribute to building a hierarchy of leadership within the church. He would not so much as acknowledge authority in the leaders. For Paul, the head of the church would ever be Jesus.

2 Corinthians 2:11

11/3/2026

…in order that Satan not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Satan will always try to keep us from sincere repentance for our sin, but if we happen to repent anyway, he will be quick to turn even this to his advantage. Over-reaction to guilt can send a person into despair. Over-reaction to a righteous response to sin can build terrible pride. Both the sinner and those who are called to forgive can fall into some kind of sin. Paul reminds the church of danger and urges us to draw near to the Lord. Mature Christians will keep the desired end in mind. We know something of the ways the devil works, and we don’t let him outwit us. Help us today, Lord, not to forget that we have an enemy at work, but to remember to keep the focus always on Jesus.

1 Corinthians 2:3

11/2/2026

I came to you in weakness and fear, with much trembling.

Professional speakers were a dine a dozen in Corinth, so every one could be evaluated by anyone, and no one would come up appreciated by all. Paul was not that kind of speaker. Many popular influencers had flashy charismatic gifts. Paul didn’t. Experts were admired for their research. Paul’s expertise was of no interest at all to the people of Corinth. Paul had not yet learned to glory in his weakness, so he was still scared stiff. Looking back as he now writes He sees God’s hand in this. And he rejoices the more. He remembers the effect that God had brought about when the word of God went forth. He saw transformation of the most unlikely candidates as a result of the Spirit’s work during and after Paul’s preaching. It was the power of Jesus.

Romans 2:2

11/1/2026

Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such this is based on truth.

The idea that God will overlook the sins of Jews because they are Jews runs pretty deep in the Jewish mind of Paul’s day. The covenant promise of God to Abraham will save them from all judgment. It doesn’t matter how they personally live. Paul is committed to overthrow that notion as he demonstrates that Jew and Gentile, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Paul approaches this issue logically, How could it be true? How could a God of truth deal in such a way? Every sin ever committed against God will face judgment. Paul will go on to reveal God’s amazing decision to send His Son to take the penalty of sin for His people. Paul wonderfully makes clear that the One who saves is Jesus.

Acts 2:6

10/31/2026

When they heard this sould, the crowd came together in bewilderment because each one heard them speaking in his own tongue.

Was the miracle in the speaking or in the hearing? At the Tower of Babel, God iinstantaneously created a large number of languages and determined who would understand what. This broke men into groups who would each work together to find a place to dwell in the earth that God had delivered from the flood. Divide people and separate them, each to his task. The goal now is to unite people in a common message of salvation. God allows men to understand His truth in their own language. The goal of missionaries today is for all men to understand the message that God has for them, and we do our best to help that happen. Whole language groups must still be reached with the message of Jesus.

John 1:34

10/30/2026

"I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

For several months John has been preaching of the One who was to come. John had spent thirty years as a hermit in the wilderness, eating locusts and wild honey. His contact with civilized human beings must have been sparse. For as long as his aged parents lived, he was surely trained in the word of God; and they surely taught him well the their understanding of God’s call on his life. But for most of his life he was alone, fellowshipping with his Father in heaven and learning as much about the coming Messiah as any Old Testament prophet was permitted to know. God had promised that He would point Jesus out when He came, and was time to tell people about the coming Messiah. Now he has seen, and now he declares Jesus.