Latest Thoughts of the Day

Ephesians 2:7

7/18/2025

...in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Chrict Jesus.

God has revealed to us how very bad we were when God showed us mercy in Christ, in order that we might appreciate the wonders of His grace. It is a theme that one generation after another will take note of and observe for as long as the world as we know it will last, and then in eternity it will remind the moral universe of the glorious work of Jesus, the Son of God, who came to earth to lay down His life for sinners. There is much in creation to display the wisdom and power of God. But the mercy, patience, love, self-sacrifice, steadfastness, longsuffering and forgiveness of God is displayed in the life, death, resurrection and faithful ministry of Jesus.

Galatians 2:7

7/17/2025

On the contrary, they saw that I had been given the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peer was given the task of preaching the gospel to the Jews'

Paul’s visit with Barnabas to Jerusalem was not in order to learn more about Christ. Rather it was to publicly affirm the agreement between each section of the church of God, and to openly recognize the call of God on Peter and on Paul. There had be smaller parties in the church who spoke persistently to alter the message both Paul and Peter had preached, but they were entirely silenced. That salvation is by faith and not by works was clearly proclaimed. All who attended the conference returned to their work with renewed zeal. The challenge to remember the poor was on all of their hearts because it is on the heart of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:6

7/16/2025

For God who said,"Let light shine out of darkness" made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

The difference between us and the unbeliever is that God has shone the Light of the Glory of God into our hearts and minds. We know Him whom to know is life eternal. We need to live for Him. God would have our lights shine before men. Paul will go on to help us understand why we struggle. But the answer always is Christ in us, the hope of glory. May we stop being selfish and begin really to love one another. The One who loved us surrendered all to give us life. May He work in us, an eagerness to deny ourselves and serve one another! May others look at us and see Jesus!

I Corinthians 6:7

7/15/2025

The fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

Paul is longing to see growth in grace and building of love among the brethren in Corinth. So much that he has heard about how they are doing has been disappointing. He sees the fact that they bring lawsuits against one another as a real challenge to their claim of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Woudn’t letting their offenses go and being willing to be wronged be a better testimony to the love of Jesus Christ for them? Did He not forgive? Did He not give Himself even for His enemies? Paul does not give up on them, but he is very sad. Mustn’t He be sad about some things in our lives? Forgive us and help us, Lord Jesus.

Romans 6:7

7/14/2025

...because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

The reality that baptism pictures—a coming forth from death to life—is what it is to be born again. We are a new creature. We have died to sin, but have come to life to live for God. The way this manifests itself in my life will depend upon the way I think about using the power that is within me. Do I see myself as dead to sin? Am I willing to be a different kind of person? God is dealing with my whole person. When the new life works itself out, it will have to involve my thoughts and my choices. Thanks for the energy, Lord. Help me use it overcome old habits and build a life of devotion to You. Sin involves an addiction that I now have power to break. Help me, Jesus.

Acts 9:14

7/13/2025

"And he has come he with authority of the chief priests to arret all who call on your name."

Ananias is not informing God of something God does not know. He is laying bare his own anxiety concerning what God has called him to do. What he has been asked to do scares him. God does not rebuke Ananias for being afraid, but He reassures him that He has everything under control. In telling Ananias, God is also telling us about His plan. Much of the rest of the New Testament will involve a study of how God fulfills His purpose to use Saul of Tarsus to make the Gospel known. What a small part in it all Ananias fulfilled! But what a great honor to be used in that little way! Lord, give us something small to do and make it very big with regard to Jesus.

John 7:17

7/12/2025

If anyone choses t do God's will he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.

True belief in Jesus involves an attitude of heart toward Him. It is not just knowing and believing, but also trusting and submitting. I have not truly understood who He is if that knowledge has not affected me so deeply that I desire to obey Him. Knowing and trusting are interwoven, and if they are not together you do not have the faith that Jesus produces by His Spirit in the hearts of His people. Choosing to do God’s will puts us into the way of knowing the certainty of God’s will, that it is truly of God. Knowing God Himself is never just an information thing, but a relationship thing. We cannot truly know Him if we do not absolutely submit to Jesus.

Luke 9:21

7/11/2025

Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.

No one bows to worship Jesus who has not been shown His greatness by the Spirit of God Himself. This was how Peter was able to identify Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus does not want the crowds to pick up this truth and start to chant it when they gather. Knowing who Jesus is is something awe-inspiring and humbling and personal to every person who comes to know Him. Flesh and blood cannot reveal such a thing to any man or woman, boy or girl. As Jesus walked the earth people had a chance to come to the conclusion Peter did. People have that opportunity today. The testimony of His life is available to us in the Scriptures. Lord, help us to see Him for what He is and bow before Jesus.