Latest Thoughts of the Day

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.

Galatians 4:16

8/29/2026

Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Leaders in Galatia had accepted teaching by men who posed as messengers from Jerusalem, but who had no authority to say what was, in fact, Apostolic truth. They had taught the necessity of following the Mosaic law if you desired to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. It is embarrassing to admit you were wrong, and Paul could sense their hesitation to change their minds. They could very well have rejected him. Paul’s heart is reaching out in our text this morning. Would he lose their friendship by telling them the truth? Could we face such a thing in our day? Lord, help those we seek to influence for You not to be put off by awkwardnesses in us. Help us to be strong in truth and loving in manner. Make us like Jesus.

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.