Latest Thoughts of the Day

Hebrews 2:1

2/8/2026

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

Instruction by angels was taken very seriously in the Old Testament, and serious consequences came by neglecting their messages. How much more when God Himself speaks to us in the person of His Son? “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it” convey a weakness we see in ourselves. We need to pay special attention to the message God gives us in sending His Son into the world. The message that carries through the whole book of Hebrews is a challenge not to drift from faithful allegiance to the person of Jesus Himself. God is soon to remove the Temple and all it represents from Jerusalem, but there are strong leaders among the Jews who are urging people to hold out. This epistle challenges us to hold fast to Jesus.

Philemon 15

2/7/2026

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good--

Onesimus had stolen from his master and become a runaway slave. Of course, the other slaves were watching to see what the master would do. He had made his way to Paul and under Paul’s influence had come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is sending him back to make things right with Philemon, the master. It is not hard for Paul to see God’s hand in this and to speak of it all as if God is doing it, but that is a stretch right now for Philemon. Paul’s letter is trying to help Philemon view it all from God’s perspective. Paul’s writings often help us in this way. Right now, Lord, what do we need to see from Your perspective? Help us, Lord Jesus.

Titus 1:15

2/6/2026

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

A heart that loves God and sincerely wants His will to be done views everything in life as working toward that end. While desiring to keep free from evil, one realizes that God uses even bad things to accomplish good in the lives of His people. In this sense, all things are pure. But a heart at enmity to God misinterprets everything and attributes false motives to everything God does. There is no thankfulness, no cooperation, no pursuit of right goals. Lord, deliver us from evil and help us every day to walk with You. You have granted us a new heart that loves Your word and desires that Your kingdom come. Our hearts yearn, “Amen, come Lord Jesus!

2 Timothy 1:15

2/5/2026

You know that everyone in the province of
Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

At the beginning of the next chapter, Paul will say, “You, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ…” True friends and compatriots do well to consider together what they are up against. Timothy and Paul are in this together, helping one another to bear the losses and disappointments, dismissing those who have dismissed them, supporting and encouraging with words and actions. Has God reserved for us some friends who will stick with us no matter what? Let us thank God together for one another. Let us review the situation and seek out mutual encouragement. Let us pray for one another, trusting that it is the Lord Himself who brings us to this trial. As Jonathan did for David, let us help one another to trust in Jesus.

I Timothy 1:15

2/4/2026

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.

The Son of God existed for all eternity in the presence of God the Father, but in the fullness of time He came to the earth with the expressed purpose of rescuing men from their sins. This reality has struck Paul’s imagination at this moment, and he breaks forth in wonder, love and praise. He is emotionally struck by his own personal need of forgiveness. In light of the special blessings and opportunities his personal life had been given, Paul sees his personal sin as heinous in the extreme. He can imagine no greater sin than he himself has committed. It is good for us, too, to praise God vocally and specifically for the personal mercy we have received from His Son, Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:3

2/3/2026

Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

The Christians in Thessalonica have stirred themselves up with worries about the end times. Self-appointed spokespersons have spoken as if they knew whereof they spoke. Paul urges Christians to cool it. Certain things will not be able to be missed. A decided rebellion will be evident. A charismatic individual will rise to popularity. We will all know, “This is it!” Paul wants us to leave those things in God’s hands and to go about the important business of serving King Jesus. Living in fellowship with the Lord and His people and serving all men, especially believers as we are able, is what we can do to honor God in our generation. This is how to please Jesus.

I Thessalonians 2:5

2/2/2026

You know we never used flattery, not did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness.

Just as Paul could remember with joy his first encounter with the Thessalonians, they could remember the way he had behaved himself among them. He did not try to manipulate them. He did not flatter and he did not hide his own selfish motives. Paul’s excitement over the Thessalonian reaction to his first visit included details they could not but remember, too. He was and he continues to be sincere, honest and straight-forward in his dealings with them. The reason Paul is affirming so strongly the sincerity of his love is that there are detractors seeking to undermine his relationship with the people of Thessalonica. We know such spiritual struggles in our midst, Lord. Keep us loyal to one another as we devote ourselves to Jesus.

Colossians 1:15

2/1/2026

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

The One who laid down His life to redeem us from our sins occupies the place of ultimate and absolute authority in all of God’s creation. It was He who brought everything into being, who sustains it every moment and who is directing it all to its final glorious destiny. Central to all that God is doing in the universe He has made is what He is doing on earth and nowhere else in the universe. The One who directs all things determined to assume finite limitations in order to display His glory in a unique way. Paul is excited to see the center and the circumference of reality focused all upon Christ. Lord God, we worship you as the beginning, the middle and the end of all that exists. We worship You, Lord Jesus.