Latest Thoughts of the Day

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.

Luke 12;29

8/23/2026

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it

God knows what you need and is committed to supply your needs according the riches of His glory in Christ. In this verse He is challenging us to trust in Him and not obsess with getting what we think we need to survive. He is inclining us toward peace and trust in a loving God. To be sure, it is easy for us see ourselves as an exception because of particular biological peculiarities. We feel a certain rightness in allowing our bodies to dictate what we should or should not eat. We become a victim trapped in a picky and demanding body, trying to be patient. We are thankful when others affirm the nobility of our struggle. We are encouraged to break this cycle and put our trust in Jesus.

Mark 8:19

8/22/2026

"When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"

When the disciples need to make connections in order to understand things that Jesus said, it is important that they make spiritual connections. Here He has mentioned leaven and their default response has been that it must be reference to physical bread, especially since they have forgotten to bring bread with them. But Jesus is speaking to them of spiritual things. Jesus has put a rebuke in His reminder of the feeding of the five thousand. They ought to have learned how simple it is for Him to handle physical need. And they need to know that the teaching of the Pharisees is sneaky and dangerous. Think spiritually. Understand the meaning behind what you hear with your ears. Lord, help us to think spiritually as we listen to Jesus.