Latest Thoughts of the Day

1 Thessalonians 4:14

11/30/2025

We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

Believers alive in Paul’s day are afraid that loved ones who died before Jesus comes back will somehow miss out on the blessings they are hoping for in Christ. Paul’s words here reassure them that God is entirely prepared for this. The spirits of Christians who die before Jesus returns are kept safe in heaven and will accompany Jesus when He comes. All bodies will arise, be joined to their spirits, all alive will be changed in a twinkling of an eye, and all will attain perfection in the same moment of time. The anxiety of these dear ones was the occasion for Paul to reveal what is very relevant for us today. Our hope is theirs. Together we look for Jesus.

Colossians 3:4

11/29/2025

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.

The scripture speaks of a glorious moment when Christ will return with the spirits of all who have died in Him, the dead bodies will rise to join their spirits, and those who are still alive on earth will be transformed in the twinkling of an eye, so that every single follower of Jesus will reach perfection at exactly the same moment. When Jesus appears, we will appear with Him in glory. Our closest imagining is to think of a masterpiece of choreography, moving from everywhere to join and rise in one magnificent display of all things resolved in Christ. But God may have another way of accomplishing this wonder that is beyond us entirely at this time. However He does it, It will surely occur. And we will be with Jesus.

Philippians 2:27

11/28/2025

Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him, but on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.

Epaphroditus was a member of the church in Philippi who had come to Paul to deliver a gift from the Philippian church and to remain for a while to help Paul in his labors. While there, he became sick almost unto death, but had recovered, and now was thinking about what the folks back home were thinking, having heard of his sickness. When a loved-one dies young we are sorry for them, but also for ourselves in our loss. We suffer not without hope, but there is real grief, and Paul refers to this when he speaks of being glad for Ephphroditis regaining health. Now it is time to send Epaphroditis back to Philippi with thankfulness for his service to Jesus.

Ephesians 4:27

11/27/2025

...and do not give the devil a foothold.

Among the practical lessons for everyday living, Paul includes a challenge not to let anger fester all night in our minds, because this is an example of giving a special advantage to the enemy of our souls. Bitterness, hatred, believing falsehood, jumping to conclusions, misjudging motives, questioning the reality of a person’s conversion, harboring a hatred and plotting a revenge all take place in our minds as we take into account a wrong suffered and let ourselves meditate on it as we lay awake at night. These are the things within us that the devil loves to use, and the tools he is most adept in manipulating. And it is possible for us just to say,”no”. Help us to do this, Lord. Help us to recognize these wiles as from the enemy and find personal refuge in our Lord Jesus.

Galatians 4:27

11/26/2025

For it is written, "Be glad, O barren woman who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains, because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband."

Jewish Christians are trying to influence Gentile believers to bring their faith back under the canopy of Jewish ceremonies and traditions, as if doing so will enrich their Christian experience. But how could it do so? The Jewish traditions were designed to keep a people separate from other nations. God’s design is to transform people from every other nation and to create an impact that will change the world. The children of God born in this way will immeasurably outnumber those who lock step with Jewish tradition. Paul quotes from Isaiah chapter 54 to show that this is what God intended from the beginning through His Son, Jesus.

2 Corinthians 8:11

11/25/2025

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to you means.

Believers at Corinth had made known their eagerness to support a contribution toward the needs of Christians in Jerusalem. Paul had spoken of their example in encouraging generosity in other churches he had visited. Now that the money was being gathered, Paul wanted to make sure that the Corinthian pledge would be forthcoming. It is important that such vows be kept as a regular part of our Christian testimony. Life as a whole should be lived decently and in order. Personal responsibility should flow from our commitment to Jesus as Savior and Lord. And Paul is an example for us in challenging others to be faithful. It is important to all of us that all of us are faithful to our Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 9:14

11/24/2025

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

Through Moses, God set apart the tribe of Levi to be experts in the religion of Israel, that all detail would be remembered and everything done decently and in order. The other eleven tribes were to provide for Levi’s needs through offerings and sacrifices. Paul reminds us that this arrangement was a reflection of what God purposed in His church. Those leaders that He raises up with gifts for teaching and organization are to give themselves to that task, being supported financially and otherwise by those who benefit from their ministries. Paul clearly maintains that it is the right of preachers to live off the gifts of those who benefit. We thank You, Lord, for our ministers. Help us support them to the glory of Jesus.

Romans 9:27

11/23/2025

Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number o f the Israelites be like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved."

Paul began the chapter expressing his deep desire that salvation extend to his people, the Jews. Nevertheless, he realizes that God’s eternal purpose includes the blinding of Israel, the inclusion of the Gentile nations, the outworking of all of history to the conclusion of glory in Jesus Christ. A remnant from Israel will fulfill every promise to Abraham’s physical seed, but all the rest completes the picture that God is working out. Isaiah spoke his part. All of Scripture and all of history speaks the rest. Paul is teaching us how to view the world in which we live, but his teaching is itself a deep act of worship. How unsearchable are His purposes, and His ways past finding out! All hail King Jesus!