Latest Thoughts of the Day

James 3:10

9/9/2026

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. Brothers, this should not be.

In Romans 7 Paul speaks of the law of sin and death. The cursing James mentions here is not using bad words, but it is putting down others and wishing them eliminated in our dealings with them. Sometimes it is as bad as the heart-murder Jesus speaks of when we bad-mouth one another. James agrees with Paul when he says, “this should not be”. “No condemnation” is the key. Jesus does not condemn us, and we ought not to condemn one another. Jesus reaches out in love to the unlovely, and we ought to do likewise. Lord, help us to forgive because we have been forgiven and to reach out to help those who oppose us, even as our Jesus reaches out to help us! This is the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 7:15

9/8/2026

And what we have aid is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears.

All that was involved in Old Testament religion has been transferred by God to Jesus. Jesus came to earth to accomplished all that the laws and sacrifices had pictured, culminating in His death for sinners on the cross and His glorious resurrection from the dead. The clincher is in Psalm 110, where God declares through David that He will make His messiah a priest, according to the order of Melchizedek. God has done it, and the transfer is complete in His eyes. The book of Hebrews was written before 70 A,D., when the Roman army was ordered to eradicate the Jews in Jerusalem, along with every shred of their religious history. Jesus had referred to this moment, when He declared, “It is finished.” God’s purposeful dealing with Israel is forever focused on Jesus.

Philemon 12

9/7/2026

I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you.

The issue of what to do with a recovered runaway slave is, more than anything, a matter of protocol. His running away was not a personal betrayal of friendship. Philemon was not heartbroken to lose him. Principal and precedent would be uppermost in his mind, since he knows that the whole household and maybe the community is looking to see what he will do. Paul has an inkling about the precedent and principal, as well, and that is why he is concerned that Philemon see more than this in this particular case. It is an occasion to reflect the glory of the Lord and the power of the Gospel. Hearts are changed by the power of the risen Christ, and circumstances are altered when a person at any social is born-again. Onesimus has come to Jesus.

Titus 2

9/6/2026

...and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad ti say about you.

In most cases, when we speak clearly and back up our speech with lives of integrity and concern for others, many would-be attacks simply fall to the ground. People may not be converted, but if they are not, the fault will clearly be in themselves. We must be prepared to face irrational and cruel acts of resistance, but they will usually be the exception, and God will grant us protection and the ability to press on. Lord, grant us grace to live lives of integrity and kindness, and help us to hold forth the person and character of Christ. May any critical and vindictive attack against us be turned aside because we are reflecting the love and kindness of our Lord Jesus!

2 Timothy 3:9

9/5/2026

But they will not get very far because, as in the case of these men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Paul, in his day, had to deal with influencers who were up to no good. We should do what we can to stem their influence, but must not be discouraged. There are emotional and flighty women who will be affected, and men who may be turned aside from the truth, but the Lord knows them that are His and He will not suffer His own to perish. We need to be faithful and labor on and to watch the salvation of the Lord. The truth we proclaim will never perish, and it will accomplish God’s purpose to glorify His Son. No plan or purpose of man will succeed against the church, as we hold fast. God will exalt about every name the Name of Jesus.

1 Timothy 4:11

9/4/2026

Command and teach these things.

What we are to believe about God and how He requires us to live must be taught. Truth is received by man, not directly into his mind by any kind of telepathy. What God wants His sons and daughters to be is thinking people. God is developing in us personal resourcefulness, careful observation, submission of our wills to His will, intellectual and moral delight. He wants these things to be exercised in a context of loving fellowship with one another. Each essential and significant part is to smoothly and willingly interact with each other part in emotional, psychological, and intellectual interchange. These things cannot be accomplished simply by fiat. They must be learned and embraced and obeyed. So Paul must command and teach. And we must learn and obey. We appreciate Your purposes, O Sovereign God our Creator. Help us Lord Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

9/3/2026

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,...

So many counterfeit miracles are possible with today’s technology that the certification of any will have to be with “authorities” and “officials” who testify to reporters that this or that is actually genuine. Many will be deceived, but only those who want to be deceived. Those who hold fast to God’s truth will not be caught up. It will not be possible to deceive the elect of God, but they will be reviled and persecuted for their resistance to the “experts” and “authorities”. Nevertheless, God will draw near to comfort them and to receive them into Glory if they must lay down their lives here below. Men and women, boys and girls who believe are safe in the arms of Jesus.

I Thessalonians 3:7

9/2/2026

Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecutions we were encouraged about you because of your faith.

The good report from Timothy had confirmed for Paul the appropriateness of the encouragement he had received from the faith of the Thessalonians. They truly knew Christ, and they sincerely tried to live in fellowship with Him. Sufferings and persecutions that Paul needed to endure were decidedly worth it all. Some would believe and would experience life-transforming power. Lord, help us to remember how much our faith in Your Son encourages others who love Jesus. Help us turn conversations with one another to Him. Even as we rejoice with other Christians, let us remember Christians who are lonely, and help us find ways to encourage them. Our contact with a Christian who is lonely may cause powerful encouragement in his walk with God. We may enliven a love for Jesus.