Latest Thoughts of the Day

John 1:7

6/7/2026

He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe

All men may believe. Whosoever will may come. It is never a situation of permission to come to Jesus. He said come, and as far as permission was concerned, the door is wide open for us to embrace Jesus. Our problem is not permission, but willingness on our part to submit. We are dead in trespasses and sins. Our carnal mind is enmity against God. Our will is not willing to submit to His. Whosoever will may come; but we will not come. We must be born again. A heart for God must be planted in us by His Holy Spirit, that we might believe and be transformed. John came preaching to Jesus’ own people, but His own received Him not. Thank You, Holy Spirit, that we have received Jesus.

Luke 1:7

6/6/2026

But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

Many years of sadness and unanswered prayers. Zechariah and Elizabeth would have lived in some kind of compound, with children everywhere, since he was an active priest at the center of religion in Jerusalem. Having no children of their own would not open opportunities for them, as folk imagine for themselves in our time. They would have spent their entire married life wishing for and praying for children, and by now have resigned themselves to the fact that it was not going to be. Such is the background into which God brings His glorious purpose for their faithful lives. Lord, help us to remain faithful, even if we do not get what we always wanted. Help us to look to the Savior You provide in the person of Your Son, Jesus.

Mark 1:7

6/5/2026

And this was his message; "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie."

John announces what he knows about the One who is coming, but at the time he does not know much. Further guidance, an opened heaven and the voice of God Himself will flesh out what He knows of this One who is coming, and there will be details unfolding that will even make John wonder when he reaches the end of his ministry. John will remain until his end an Old Testament prophet. The New is unfolding, but John will not see it except from heaven after he is taken home. At this beginning, John does see the majesty and glory of the One who is coming and he longs from the heart for the coming of his Savior, Jesus.

Matthew 1:7

6/4/2026

Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa.

Jesus’ right to the throne of David is being established at the very outset of Matthew’s account. Matthew begins with Abraham and presents the list of descendants in a way that organizes the individuals into three lists of fourteen. The concern is not to mention every individual in the lineage, but to make the connection certain and to enable easier memorization. We will learn of Jesus as the Son of God, the Savior of the world, but also as the king of Israel. God began to work His plan of salvation with Abraham, and the Jews were at center stage. In Romans eleven Paul the Apostle speaks of God’s future purposes to include the sons of Abraham in His ultimate bringing together of all things. We await with hope the coming of Jesus.

Malachi 1:7

6/3/2026

"You place defiled food on the altar". But you ask,"'How have we defiled You?' By saying tat the lord's table is contemptible."

The fact that the priests ask what is wrong with what they are doing is itself proof that they have no respect for God. They go through religious motions, reasoning from a purely human standpoint and are not even conscience-struck. “What difference does it make if the sacrificed animal is blind or crippled?” These men take their human rulers seriously, and they would never presume to offer to them a defective beast. But God is not real to them, and they have no respect at all for Him. Help us, Lord, to take You seriously. Subtle actions reveal what we really think. Draw near to us by Your Holy Spirit. Humble our proud hearts. Work in our hearts a genuine love and respect for Jesus.

Zecharaih 1:7

6/2/2026

On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo.

There was no question among the inhabitants of Jerusalem at that time that Zechariah son of Berekiah was a prophet of God. There was no question concerning the content of the revelations or when exactly they were received from God. They were taken seriously and received with respect. How exactly they are to be interpreted may be a question, even to this day. God has been pleased at times to reveal Himself in puzzling pictures. What has been fulfilled is much more easy to understand. But we are ever in awe of His word. Thank You, Lord, that You have spoken, it has been recorded, and Your Word speaks to us of Jesus.

Haggai 1:7

6/1/2026

This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Give careful thought to your ways."

The Jews who returned from Babylon to rebuild the Temple and the city walls have gotten distracted by immediate personal needs and discouraged by the work demand. They keep putting off the work they came so far to do, and everything that has to be done first is taking more and more time. Haggai is sent by God to point out the connection between serving God sacrificially and receiving from God all that they need. God’s hand may be seen as much in crop failure as in crop success. Why should God reward the half-hearted service they are giving Him? Both Haggai and Malachi challenge the people to make the Lord’s work a priority and witness the delight He has to prosper His people. Think about it. Re-focus the priorities and draw near to Jesus.