Latest Thoughts of the Day

2 Corinthians 7:9

8/28/2026

...yet now I am made happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.

There were awkward moments in Paul’s dealing with the members of the Corinthian church. He was often unsure how they would respond, so he made his dealings and gentle and as helpful to them as he could. He was very glad when their response had produced a love for Jesus and an acceptance of one another in His Name. His only desire was their good. Lord, give us such a concern and such a sensitivity with one another in Your church. Help us not to wrangle. Help us to hear Your voice and follow you in repentance and faith, seeking closeness to Jesus.

I Corithians 9:14

8/27/2026

In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

Paul has referred back to the rules governing the Temple in the Old testament. God had set aside one tribe of twelve to serve the Temple, and had determined that the tithes and offerings given their should provide the food and necessities of those who served the nation in this way. He says, “In the same way” God has purposed that those who receive the benefit of Gospel preaching should materially support those who preach the message. This allows them the time for thought and prayer and meditation needed fully to prepare to minister. Paul did not always take advantage of this, but he affirmed it as normative for the church. Lord, make all your churches strong and sufficiently organized to follow this directive of Jesus.

Romans 9:17

8/26/2026

For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "I raised you up for this vey purpose, that I might display my power in you and that me Name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

When we read the account of Moses before Pharaoh we marvel at Pharaoh’s stubborn and stupid resistance, and at the fact that he will not give in, even after Egypt is ruined. We can recognize in ourselves the potential for that kind of stubbornness, but we feel we would never hold on to that degree. But we would hold on to that degree apart from the grace of God. Our natural enmity to God knows no limits. It associates us with the devil, and he is adamant, raging even when he knows his time is short. Lord, You have delivered us from what we would have been by nature. You sent us Your Son, Jesus.

Acts 15:21

8/25/2026

For Moses had been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in synagues on every sabbath.

The judgment of the elders in Jerusalem was not to insist that Gentile converts be circumcised and conform to Jewish customs. But, at the same time, Gentiles ought to give some care not to offend the Jewish Christians by the most flagrant violation of Jewish custom. Try to make it as easy as possible for them to accept Gentile converts as brothers in Christ. A little self-denial and restraint would pay great rewards in terms of unity and harmony in the church. This was given as James’ advice according to the wisdom granted him by God. It is not a command given for all future generations of the church. Jews and Gentiles dwelling together in harmony would be a visible, powerful manifestation of the love of Jesus.

John 11:29

8/24/2026

When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Him.

It seems that Mary was “sitting shiva”, an official Jewish custom of waiting for seven days at home among loved ones while the impact of a loved one’s death is absorbed. It is a kind of waiting for comfort. But Mary rises and hurries when she hears the Comforter has come. She brings the same gentle rebuke to Jesus that her sister had given, but He does not answer her. He simply asks where the body was laid and joins in the mourning of the people. Jesus has in store for Mary, Martha and us a most remarkable miracle. But He does not brush off grief as irrelevant because He knows what He is going to do. He weeps with them and then He calls Lazarus forth from the tomb. Our God and comforter is Jesus.

Luke 12;29

8/23/2026

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it

God knows what you need and is committed to supply your needs according the riches of His glory in Christ. In this verse He is challenging us to trust in Him and not obsess with getting what we think we need to survive. He is inclining us toward peace and trust in a loving God. To be sure, it is easy for us see ourselves as an exception because of particular biological peculiarities. We feel a certain rightness in allowing our bodies to dictate what we should or should not eat. We become a victim trapped in a picky and demanding body, trying to be patient. We are thankful when others affirm the nobility of our struggle. We are encouraged to break this cycle and put our trust in Jesus.

Mark 8:19

8/22/2026

"When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"

When the disciples need to make connections in order to understand things that Jesus said, it is important that they make spiritual connections. Here He has mentioned leaven and their default response has been that it must be reference to physical bread, especially since they have forgotten to bring bread with them. But Jesus is speaking to them of spiritual things. Jesus has put a rebuke in His reminder of the feeding of the five thousand. They ought to have learned how simple it is for Him to handle physical need. And they need to know that the teaching of the Pharisees is sneaky and dangerous. Think spiritually. Understand the meaning behind what you hear with your ears. Lord, help us to think spiritually as we listen to Jesus.