Latest Thoughts of the Day

Exodus 30:13

7/2/2026

You shall not murder.

The sixth commandment speaks of one human taking the life of another for personal reasons. Issues of war are addressed elsewhere in scripture. Man’s relationship with animals is clearly addressed in other passages. God is addressing here the personal enmity that rises up in our heart against another person which moves us to want them not to exist. Jesus points out that we have broken the commandment when we hate another person enough to want them dead. God regards every life as sacred, and He reserves for Himself the prerogative of ending life for any person. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay!” is helpful to us as we deal with our struggle. But we must take as a settled issue that it is not a matter for us. Our life is in God’s hands. He has put the issue into the hands of Jesus.

Genesis 25:17

7/1/2026

Altogether, Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven yeard. He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.

God had promised Hagar, Ishmael’s mother, and also Abraham his father that He would make a great nation of the child, even though he were not included in the primary covenant of the Bible. Here we see God’s faithfulness to that promise, as God’s focus of attention is turned to Isaac, to Jacob, to his twelve sons and to the movement of scripture to the coming of the Messiah. Abraham was to be the father of many nations, even as the focus of attention will be Israel and ultimately Judah. Even now, God is ruling and reigning in all the nations of the world, but His primary focus is the gathering from all the other nations to assemble the dwelling-place of the Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus.

Revelation 1:7

6/30/2026

Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.

Many who lived oblivious to Christ will mourn for the judgment that has arrived. The solemn certainty of judgment will cause the redeemed to mourn for the terrible loss and grief that the unbelievers are about to experience. Joy will overtake the believer as he anticipates the experience of drawing near to His Savior. But what the sad world lost will sober us. We mourn along with those who are soon to perish forever. The judgment of a holy God is a sad and evident reality, and with all the world we will feel this truth. The sadness of many will be turned to joy as the redeemed draw near to welcome Jesus.

Jude 7

6/29/2026

In a similar way Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

When Lot made his choice to settle in Sodom and Gomorrah the region resembled the Garden of Eden for its beauty. Now it remains one of the most desolate places on earth. Jude tells us that that is meant to be an example of the eternal punishment God has in store for the sexually immoral and perverted. Jude sees other men in his own day who have put themselves on the same road and are seeking to teach others also, and he feels compelled to communicate a warning. Woe to them! They could have forgiveness in Christ, but they cling to their sin. Lord, open the eyes of the blind and bring many to Jesus!

3 John 7

6/28/2026

It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.

It seemed very wrong to John for those who present the Gospel to the world of unbelievers should wrangle financial support from unbelievers to do so. The confusion this generates can only undermine the message of Christ to an unbelieving world. The relative importance of the Gospel is diminished in the unbeliever’s mind, and the value of the good works the unbeliever can do is fundamentally confused. There are social organizations in our day that want to say they are seeking the salvation of people, but who make it clear that they are speaking of some kind of social salvation and not at all the salvation offered by Jesus. Historically Christian organizations do appeal to unbelievers for support. John’s words challenge us as Christians to support the work of Jesus.

2 John 7

6/27/2026

Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

Interest in Jesus Christ goes beyond the bounds of the church itself and captures the attention of outsiders on a social or intellectual or philosophical level. The devil is always interested in spreading ignorance and confusion in society at large. Teachers who have been utterly discredited as authorities in the church still gain a following and cultivate their support among hangers-on and associates of true believers. John denounces them for what they are and challenges true Christians to hold fast to the Lord. Help us, Lord, to discern who should be answered and who should simply be ignored. Opposition and ignorance are everywhere in the world. Help us draw near by Your Spirit and keep our focus upon Jesus.

I John 1:7

6/26/2026

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son purifies us from all sin

In the purpose of God, our fellowship with other Christians is a crucial part of God’s sanctification process in our lives. The joy of reaching out to others in acts of kindness and mercy makes us want to reach out more. The struggle of getting along with people as ornery as I am is necessary to rub off my rough edges. Forgiving real hurt makes me really know something of what Jesus felt. Commitment to people who don’t deserve my commitment teaches me about Jesus’ commitment to me. As these things take place under the canopy of blessing that comes from the regular preaching of God’s word, my sins are cleansed in the blood of Jesus.

2 Peter 1:7

6/25/2026

...and to gentleness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness, love.

Peter has arranged the various character qualities that God is working in us by His Spirit in a way that pictures our sanctificication as a deepening and broadening and expanding influence over our whole being. He begins with faith and finishes with love. These are not given in this way for us to see where we fit on the progress chart. Rather, we are to appreciate the inter-relatedness of the elements of our spiritual life. It is because we advance in them all that we truly advance in any. We are given a picture of the balance of character and action that we see perfect in our Lord. Our progress often seems by fits and starts. Lord, work in us by Your Spirit to nurture and balance us. In character and in life, make us like Jesus.