Latest Thoughts of the Day

Luke 24:19

3/31/2026

"What things?" He asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth", they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people."

Two men on the road to Emmaus were kept from recognizing Jesus, as they entered into conversation with Him. This “stranger” did not know what had been happening in Jerusalem, so they described Jesus for Him, and in doing so called Him a prophet and declared His power, going on to describe His death and sharing their grief. They are setting themselves up for astonishment when Jesus reveals to them who He is. And Jesus will go on to use their testimony after they hurry back to Jerusalem to tell others. It is all part of the excitement among believers when they come to relate to the risen Christ. Work that kind of excitement in us by revealing Yourself to us, Lord Jesus.

Marl 16:19

3/30/2026

After the Lord had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God.

Mark finishes his account of the ministry of Jesus with a summary of what took place, rather than a description of what was happening. It is not simply that He turned and went back to heave, but that He was received back and placed on the throne of authority and power, having completed the work that God had given Him to do. Jesus had not simply come to earth to rescue sinners—He was sent on that mission. Now He is received back and placed on the throne at the right hand of God. Jesus will continue to guide, direct, provide, defend and encourage His followers, but now from His vantage point in heaven. We are Your servants, carrying out Your will below, Lord Jesus.

Matthew 28:19

3/29/2026

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spiri,

Because God has entrusted all power in heaven and on earth to Jesus, we are to go to all nations to call men and women, boys and girls to Him. Our goal is to help them reorganize their lives around Jesus, knowing His presence and experiencing His power to face whatever He determines for their life. We pray that they will come to see their need to commit themselves openly and clearly to their identification with the people of God. We long for them to be a part of the process in reaching others in their communities with the message of salvation. Power is promised us from the Holy Spirit to change hearts, that people may fully and freely give them to Jesus.

Malachi 3:5

3/28/2026

"So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless and deprive aliens justice, but do not fear Me", says the lord Almighty.

To fear the Lord is to take God seriously. There are many in Israel who live under the rule of God but pursue their lives as if He did not exist. They go on doing what He has clearly told them is wrong. They are not at all bothered by the idea of displeasing Him. Their own advantage is the only thing that really matters, and their daily choices reflect a total indifference to what will please Him. This has not escaped notice and it will not ultimately escape judgment. Open the eyes of such in our day, Lord Jesus!

Zechariah 14:19

3/27/2026

This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

The millennial kingdom that will exist at the culmination of world history will involve a voluntary entering into the worship and service of the God of Israel. Those peoples who do not willingly participate are not threatened with military chastisement, but with God’s withholding the rain in those lands. They will be denied the blessing and enriching of God when they will not enter into His joy. Such is really the case in our day. Those who exclude God from their lives do not know the refreshment and enrichment and productiveness that flow from rejoicing in His glorious reign. One part of the punishment for ignoring God is being denied the blessing of knowing Him. May His Kingdom Come! Yes, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Haggai 2:19

3/26/2026

Is there any seed left in the barn? Until now the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. From this day on I will bless you.

The Jews who have returned from captivity in Babylon with the goal of rebuilding the Temple have allowed themselves to get distracted by the more personal goal of provision for their own physical needs. But, try as they might, they cannot get ahead. God has made all their efforts to fail. The prophet Haggai is used of God to point out the connection between their pursuit of God’s purposes and their personal prospering in the land. They have gotten the point, and God says, “Now I will bless you!” Does God deal so immediately in our lives? Is He that personal? We believe that He is when we turn our eyes on Jesus.

Zephaniah 3:19

3/25/2026

At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have been put to shame.

Anti-Semitism seems to crop up everywhere. Historically, it has been symbolized by Hitler’s treatment of the Jews in Europe, but the same spirit seems to be everywhere, ever ready to crop out in cruelty and hatred. What if in one fell swoop God changed the hearts of everyone who had hated them and made people truly see the Jews as a blessing to every nation they have inhabited? This seems to be the kind of thing envisioned in this text in Zephaniah. God need only block the power of Satan to sow hatred, and open eyes to see what is evident already to those who walk with Jesus.

Habakkuk 3:19

3/24/2026

The sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. Heenables me to go on the heights. for the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

When there is no visible protection, sure-footedness is God’s way of protecting us. And He will enable us as we traverse the high places. This is cause for rejoicing, worship and praise. Habakkuk has turned his deliverance into a song of praise, and he directs the believer to sing it to God’s glory. May we follow Habakkuk’s example and order our director of music to include the song in our repertoire! May my director of music use my instruments to play this piece! The song will enable me to keep my head when I am in high places and navigate them without visible protection. May God send His Spirit to keep me close to Jesus!