Latest Thoughts of the Day

Luke 1:34

10/28/2026

LUKE 1:34
“How will this be?, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin?"

Zechariah had questioned the angel in the same way, but the unbelieving dismissal that must have been implied by Zechariah’s question is entirely lacking in Mary’s words. Mary’s words are a sincere and honest question. The angle has called her to something impossible, so there must be more in the message the angel was sent to deliver. Lord, deliver our hearts from every trace of arrogant pride and unbelief. We know you pick up the nuances, so please take the bad ones away. Mary is a wonderful example of the quiet submission of a heart that loves her Redeemer. If every question can be asked with this kind of heart, what great things You might do with our lives! Give us the power to do Your will, and then ask whatever You want, Lord Jesus.

Mark 1:34

10/27/2026

And Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

The words of Jesus and the testimony of His miracles are the basis upon which a genuine faith must be built. The testimony of other people we love and trust can be powerful in moving us personally to seek the Lord, but our faith must be built on Jesus’ words and works. Jesus did not allow the testimony of demons. Not because their testimony in this case was untrue—He was the God He claimed to be. But truth in the mouth of the Devil is always spoken with the ultimate goal of deception and destruction. We do not need for bad people to speak well of us. Help us, Lord, to be genuinely appreciated by those who love Jesus.

Mstthew 2:10

10/26/2026

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

The star must have become invisible to them, making it necessary to ask directions at the very end of their long journey. God used this to awaken interest in the crowd, and especially in Herod, who would go on to plot against the child’s life. It must be that the Christ-child face the attack of Satan at the very outset. Herod’s wickedness must be manifest. Herod’s experts could send the wise men in the direction of Bethlehem, but it was the re-appearance of the star that assured them that they were soon to see the holy child. The actual appearance of Jesus must have astonished them. Here was the son of a poor family. They would not have expected their gifts to finance the family’s fleeing for its life. The star confirmed that this was truly the One called Jesus.

Malachi 3:3

10/25/2026

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.

Malachi has spoken words of rebuke to the Levites exactly because they have grown lax in quality control as far as sacrifices are concerned. But it is more than a matter of the priests getting their act under control. They need to be a different kind of man. God is in the business of molding men, and He is able to bring men to repentance and faith. God wonderfully controls the difficult challenges of our lives to make us feel a genuine need for Him. We are made willing to part with that which harms our walk with God . Grief, loss, and sorrow are often His tools. Use them on us, Lord Jesus.

Zechariah 3:1

10/24/2026

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.

God is displaying a wonderful picture of redemption, of God becoming the advocate of His sinful people and making them righteous in His and their own eyes by clothing them with a new garment, and defending them as a burning stick snatched from the fire. God takes the initiative to advocate on behalf of the people and to grant to them the righteousness required to stand in His presence. The picture is drawn in simple and straight-forward terms, easy to understand and encouraging to contemplate. Thank You, Lord, that You have undertaken to make us clean in Your presence. We know You have done this through the Person of Your Son, who lived , died, and rose again for us. Thank You, Jesus.

Haggai 2:19

10/23/2026

Is there any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not bourn fruit/ "From this day on I will bless you."

People can’t but have noticed that all their efforts to prosper agriculturally have met only diminishing returns. Does the prophet sense that at last they have made the obvious connection between pursuing God’s purposes and prospering in every other area of life? Do they now see? Is that why he can say, “From this day on I will bless You”? The point is really being made for us. There is always a connection between serving God and prospering in our personal lives. We can waste a lot of time trying to make things work according to our personal plans. Help us, Lord, to remember and to draw near in trust to Jesus.

Zephaniah 3:1

10/22/2026

Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled.

God is in the process of raising up Josiah to react against the wickedness of Judah, to destroy idols and cleanse the Temple and to generate a true revival among the people of God. He speaks here of the terrible pollution of the people of God, beginning with the ordinary citizen, and rising to condemn the leaders, the prophets, the judges, the officials. All are guilty. All are called to repentance. But Zephaniah turns his eyes to the glorious end that God has in view for those who repent. The book finishes with glorious worship in exuberant joy. God will bless their efforts to reform, and He will gather His people to praise. Sin will be done away with, forgiveness will be received. We are reminded of the joy set before Him that moved and empowered our Lord Jesus.

Habakkuk 2:17

10/21/2026

The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and your destruction of animals will terrify you. For you have shed man's blood, you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.

Although God will use the wicked and powerful army of Babylon to take captive His people in punishment for their sin, He will most certainly punish the Babylonians for the delight they took in cruelty and destruction. Without restraint they would give themselves to lay waste Jerusalem and all of Israel. Women, children, and even their animals would be heartlessly wiped out, with even the fields and forests destroyed. But God declares that He will take notice of these details, and in His righteous judgment, He will repay. Complete retribution will be enacted for every sin. Even for ours. Our hope and our deliverance come to us from the life and death of Jesus.