Latest Thoughts of the Day

Revelation 6:1

5/20/2012

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals.

There is a story being acted out in the history of the world, and in this vision John is given the privilege of watching the video. From the perspective of heaven one understands the significance of what takes place, and sees the action as part of the whole glorious picture. What seemed to be all chaos and confusion to those who lived upon the earth is in fact ordered by the Sovereign God with a precise purpose .Powers came forth down below, but one did not see the place of God in bringing them forth that one can see from heaven’s perspective. Lord, we live in the midst of the chaos, and need Your help to see it all from heaven’s perspective. Help us walk by faith this day and give glory to Jesus our King.

Jude 11

5/19/2012

Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; the have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.

Jude mentions three ways that men go wrong. The way of Cain lashes out at righteousness and determines to live for self. Balaam’s error was to seek to profit from a spiritual gift at the expense of God’s people. Korah was part of the leadership in the assembly, but led a faction to rebel because he wanted power himself. Jude saw in his own day these influences affecting the people of God. We see the same today. People abandon the things of God because they want what they want when they want it.
Gifted speakers mix show business with their message and lead many astray in pseudo-Christianity. Power struggles within churches cause terrible church splits. Help us with such people today, O Lord.

3 John 7

5/18/2012

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

In John’s mind, one reason we should support those who go our to preach the Gospel is that they receive no help from the pagans. The work of God is best supported by those who believe the word of God. Some organizations that call themselves Christian are not embarrassed at all to call upon pagans to lend help, especially at Christmas time. For pagans to do so gives them the impression they are involved in the work of God, even though their gifts are abomination in God’s sight. “The sacrifice of the wicked is sin.” (Proverbs 21:27) Does it also give them the impression that, somehow, they are pleasing God, even though their hearts remain far from Him?
Lord, keep us trusting You for provision, and calling men to You.

2 John 6

5/17/2012

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands.

Obedience to God’s commands is the way to show our love to God and to our fellow man. Truly appreciating God must involve accepting His judgment on what we should do with our minds, our feelings and our bodies. He made us, and He knows how best to live. How can we love Him and not follow His directives on how to be happy His way? Love to our fellow man is shown in keeping God’s commands, as well. We can never wrong our neighbor if we treat Him as God directs. Even if the neighbor does not understand how our treatment of him is good, it will be good, and it will be evident eventually. God has written His law upon our hearts. Help us, Lord, to live in obedience, to live in love.

1 John 2:1

5/16/2012

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.

The goal of John’s writing is that we not sin. John has written about the nature of Jesus Christ Himself, the reality of our union with Him in mysterious oneness, His appearing for the purpose of delivering us from our sins, His magnificent purity and His dwelling in light everlasting. He has described for us our human nature as regards sin, and of Jesus’ provision for our cleansing, including His amazing willingness to forgive. All this he has written in order that we not sin. One might think, “In light of all this, how could we ever sin?” Yet John knows that we will. And he goes on to explain the manner in which Jesus brings our sins before God to speak on our behalf. Jesus, Your love amazes. Help us not sin.

2 Peter 1:12

5/15/2012

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.

Servant and apostle—two extremes. Peter uses the word, not for the steward of the household, who is the highest of those who yet remain servants. Peter calls himself the lowest of servants. With regard to Jesus Christ, however exalted we may imagine ourselves to be, we are on the bottom rung in the servant hierarchy. We deserve no special place, we have no special powers, we have no special influence with the boss, there is nobody for us to look down upon. Paul felt this when he spoke of Jesus dying for sinners, “of whom I am chief”. As far as service to Jesus Christ was involved, Peter was in the highest position man can be given. But he sees himself as the lowest, and so he is ready to serve. Show us ourselves, Lord. Help us.

1 Peter 1:13

5/14/2012

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; Be self-cntrolled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is reveled.

Whatever patience we need in waiting for our Lord, it must not be such as produces lethargy. Prepare for action. Expect a battle, expect resistance, expect struggle, expect weariness in well doing. We are called to an active Christianity. Whether it is battling the opposition or making advances over open territory, action is what is needed, and we should be prepared for it. Marshalling our forces and focusing our plan is the way we must go if we shall succeed. For this we need self-control. Our mind-set must be positive and purposeful and not distracted, so we must set our hope fully on the grace we will receive. Help us toward this today. Lord. We want to serve you, but we get distracted.

James 5:7

5/13/2012

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming.

We know that God has promised to resolve all things. Wrongs that have gone unpunished will be dealt with. Rewards that are slow in coming will be granted. Vindication for which we long will be manifested. The conflict that has so tired our souls will all be settled, and the Enemy will be put in a place where he can harm us no more. The many things that have puzzled us will be made clear. Our questions will be answered or made unnecessary. We will behold the One we have longed to see face to face, and we will be satisfied. All this will be at the coming of our Lord, and for all this we must wait. God has commanded us to be patient, and He will enable us to do what He has commanded. Help us today, Lord.