Latest Thoughts of the Day

Philemon 9

11/15/2026

--…yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—

Philemon is battling with a difficult situation that involves many repurcussions. How is he to react to a runaway slave that has returned to his house? Paul sees that it must be Philemon’s decision. But Paul really wants him to make the right choice. Consequently Paul pulls out the stops, as it were, and loads Philemon down with all sorts of personal elements that might sway his thinking. If he can touch Philemon’s mind and heart, he will move him in the right way. Can we use the gamut of our personal connections to move a loved one to make the right choices? We can try, and God may use our efforts. But the most powerful thing is to pray to Jesus.

Titus 3:3

11/14/2026

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and ebslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another

Before Jesus opened his eyes, Saul of Tarsus would never have recognized these qualities in himself. He was working at being righteous, and all these things sound bad. But looking back in the light of his salvation, Paul can see that this was really the way it was. He had hated the people he had pretended to love. He had loved only himself. And Paul had come to see that while he was caught up in that whirlwind of sin, God had loved him and sent His Son to live and to die for him. All who are truly saved willingly acknowledge that we were like that, and marvel with Paul that for us the Father sent Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:15

11/13/2026

Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

Bantering and joking and arguing about things that don’t matter are real dangers for a Christian. A fun sort of camaraderie can develop and it produces a sense of friendship but it does not do anyone’s soul any good. Those who don’t even know the Lord Jesus can talk in a very friendly manner about sports or hunting or cars or houses or movie stars. Making these things in some way relate to Jesus and the kingdom of God may do some good to the souls of those who speak, but the devil will be quick to keep the focus on the things of this world. Real spiritual refreshment comes when we bring the Lord into our conversations. Draw near ti us in our hearts and minds as we speak, Lord Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:14

11/12/2026

And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.

From conception all mankind has been cursed by the sin of Adam. Technically, Eve sinned first, but Adam’s responsibility was to be alarmed by her sin, to embrace her, and come with her before God to see if there was such a thing as forgiveness. Adam decided not to do that, but to join his wife in her sin, and God holds him more guilty than Eve. Adam’s was a conscious choice to follow his own will though he knew it to be contrary to what God had said. And we feel in ourselves every day the tendency, the pressure, the inclination to make exactly the same selfish choice. The sin of Adam is a part of our conscious life. But thanks be to God, for sending us Jesus!

2 Thessalonians 3:5

11/11/2026

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

No exclamation point at the end of this sentence! Paul is not hoping that God will do something Paul thinks the Thessalonians need. Paul is turning over to God what God will do because it is in His heart, and because it is entirely consistent with His character, and with His personal purposes for His people. It is like saying,”The Lord’s will be done”. God will deepen your love for Him and strengthen you to accomplish what He has for you. Glory to His great Name! Lord, we love You for all that You have done for us, and we commit ourselves to face whatever we must for the glory of Your Great Name. To whom else can we go. You have sent Your Spirit to open out Eyes. We have seen Your Son, Jesus.

I Thessalonians 3:4

11/10/2026

In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

When challenges and difficulties and trials come it does not mean that a situation is out of control or that God has abandoned us. Trials are a part of His plan. Our reaction to trials is a part of our personal message concerning what it is to follow Christ. We show the reality of what we believe. Trials serve, too, to open up face-to-face contact with opponents, that they might encounter challenges they need in order to think things through. God is working in others around us, and our response to suffering may challenge their consciences, or force them to personal honesty before God. Every onlooker has a conscience before God, and God is working in all, bringing some to Jesus.

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.