Latest Thoughts of the Day

Titus 2

9/6/2026

...and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad ti say about you.

In most cases, when we speak clearly and back up our speech with lives of integrity and concern for others, many would-be attacks simply fall to the ground. People may not be converted, but if they are not, the fault will clearly be in themselves. We must be prepared to face irrational and cruel acts of resistance, but they will usually be the exception, and God will grant us protection and the ability to press on. Lord, grant us grace to live lives of integrity and kindness, and help us to hold forth the person and character of Christ. May any critical and vindictive attack against us be turned aside because we are reflecting the love and kindness of our Lord Jesus!

2 Timothy 3:9

9/5/2026

But they will not get very far because, as in the case of these men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Paul, in his day, had to deal with influencers who were up to no good. We should do what we can to stem their influence, but must not be discouraged. There are emotional and flighty women who will be affected, and men who may be turned aside from the truth, but the Lord knows them that are His and He will not suffer His own to perish. We need to be faithful and labor on and to watch the salvation of the Lord. The truth we proclaim will never perish, and it will accomplish God’s purpose to glorify His Son. No plan or purpose of man will succeed against the church, as we hold fast. God will exalt about every name the Name of Jesus.

1 Timothy 4:11

9/4/2026

Command and teach these things.

What we are to believe about God and how He requires us to live must be taught. Truth is received by man, not directly into his mind by any kind of telepathy. What God wants His sons and daughters to be is thinking people. God is developing in us personal resourcefulness, careful observation, submission of our wills to His will, intellectual and moral delight. He wants these things to be exercised in a context of loving fellowship with one another. Each essential and significant part is to smoothly and willingly interact with each other part in emotional, psychological, and intellectual interchange. These things cannot be accomplished simply by fiat. They must be learned and embraced and obeyed. So Paul must command and teach. And we must learn and obey. We appreciate Your purposes, O Sovereign God our Creator. Help us Lord Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

9/3/2026

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,...

So many counterfeit miracles are possible with today’s technology that the certification of any will have to be with “authorities” and “officials” who testify to reporters that this or that is actually genuine. Many will be deceived, but only those who want to be deceived. Those who hold fast to God’s truth will not be caught up. It will not be possible to deceive the elect of God, but they will be reviled and persecuted for their resistance to the “experts” and “authorities”. Nevertheless, God will draw near to comfort them and to receive them into Glory if they must lay down their lives here below. Men and women, boys and girls who believe are safe in the arms of Jesus.

I Thessalonians 3:7

9/2/2026

Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecutions we were encouraged about you because of your faith.

The good report from Timothy had confirmed for Paul the appropriateness of the encouragement he had received from the faith of the Thessalonians. They truly knew Christ, and they sincerely tried to live in fellowship with Him. Sufferings and persecutions that Paul needed to endure were decidedly worth it all. Some would believe and would experience life-transforming power. Lord, help us to remember how much our faith in Your Son encourages others who love Jesus. Help us turn conversations with one another to Him. Even as we rejoice with other Christians, let us remember Christians who are lonely, and help us find ways to encourage them. Our contact with a Christian who is lonely may cause powerful encouragement in his walk with God. We may enliven a love for Jesus.

Colossians 3:13

9/1/2026

Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievance you may have against one another. forgive as the Lord forgave you.

What Paul calls in Romans 8 “the spirit of life in Christ Jesus” is behind the challenge he gives in this place. There is no condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus. They must not condemn themselves or any other person, but must reach out in love to help. This is what God did with regard to us. It is what He enables us to do for His glory in Christ. Lord, You know that the provocations that we receive are a tiny picture of the reproach and condemnation Jesus suffered for us. Bring this to our minds and enlarge our hearts to make us want to live consistently with our relationship with You. In personal forbearance and in forgiveness, help us be like our Savior, Jesus.

Philippians 3:11

8/31/2026

...and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Many people believe that they have been saved from their sins, and they treat that salvation as a kind of insurance policy. They are glad they have it, and they put it out of the way and save it for some future cashing in. Not so, Paul. Salvation is a living reality in his life, and his goal is to experience the power of the reality. If there is a way that he can know this power in practical aspects of his everyday life, he is determined to pursue and enjoy that goal. By what means can he experience that power? Whatever it is, it will be part of laying hold on eternal life. It will be an attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Lord, enable us by Your Spirit to walk in fellowship with Jesus.

Ephesians 4:16

8/30/2026

From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Jesus’ presence in the lives of each one of us unites us and enables us to work, not like a well-oiled machine, but like a living organism. Some parts of the organism are crucial to life itself and must be considered more important than peripheral organs and superficial functions. But the sacrifice of a lesser part for the sake of the more vital is never without pain and inconvenience. Our goal is always to have a fully-functioning body with every individual part doing the work for which it was designed. Total health is total health. Lord, help us understand our place and serve our function. Individually and as a body, help us to function helpfully for the glory of our Savior, Jesus.