Latest Thoughts of the Day

Colossians 2:5

11/9/2026

For though I am absent from you in body I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Many of us who love Jesus struggle with the orderly life we think He deserves from us. We are troubled by the time we waste looking for things. We feel sorry for the opportunities we miss because we misplace our reminders, and forget. We would very much like to receive the commendation Paul expresses to the church in Colossae. We believe that our faith would be more firm if our life were more orderly. Consequently, we receive Paul’s commendation as a personal challenge to be what Paul appreciated. We look to You to help us, Lord. Just before Your suffering for us you promised to send Your Spirit as our Helper. We receive Him, Lord Jesus.

Philippians 2:4

11/8/2026

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

Paul in his letter is working up to one of the most wonderful pictures of Christ Jesus in all the New Testament. Jesus courageously pursued the personal goal of doing what was needed to save His people from their sins. Jesus' own thing was self-denial for the sake of those He loved. Paul’s longing is to see such a mind-set in us. Can we develop such a mind-set? Go out of our way here and there to do good to those we encounter in everyday life. Do acts of kindness that require sacrifice on our part. Willingly humble ourselves to serve those who do not even appreciate what we are trying to do. Our Lord doing this is what resulted in our salvation. Help us be like You, Lord Jesus.

Ephesians 2:11

11/7/2026

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

Paul is building toward a wonderful display that all he is describing has been done away with—all these things that seem so silly now are taken away by the blood shed by Jesus for Jews and for Gentiles alike. God has made us one. There may be some emotional hold-overs among Jewish Christians, and all of them will have to make a tremendous adjustment in their thinking, but the Gentiles have been accepted by God and eventually all will see what a wonderful thing this is. Lord, help us genuinely to accept as brethren any and all that You have accepted. Your Spirit helps us really feel that connection as we share together in the worship of Jesus.

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.