Latest Thoughts of the Day

I Timothy 6:19

4/12/2026

In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Paul alerts us rich people concerning the dangers of getting so tied up with things that we waste time we might have spent laying up treasure in heaven. This is why millions of poor people will be much richer than we are when we all get to heaven. It doesn’t cost much cash to lay up treasure in heaven, and poor people are often freer with what they have than rich people are with their riches. Some people here below think they are rich when they are actually poor and blind and naked. What we perceive true riches to be is important to our Lord. He warns us through His servant to draw near to Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:7

4/11/2026

For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so until he is taken out of the way.

The Devil is thoroughly bad, but he has not yet been allowed to do everything he wants to do. God has appointed a time when He will remove what is restraining the Devil, and all Hell will break out among us. It will be for a limited time, and God will cast the Devil and his helpers into the lake of fire, where they will be in torment for Eternity. Paul only gives us glimpses of these things, but they are enough to encourage us. Our raging enemy is under God’s control. The enemy’s evil malice cannot touch us without God’s permission. Whatever storms may rage around us, we are safe in the arms of Jesus.

I Thessalonians 2:19

4/10/2026

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory n the presence of our lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you?

The very most important thing to Paul was people coming to Christ through his ministry pressing on through difficulties to glorify Jesus Christ. The Thessalonians had responded with joy to his message, had faced severe persecution, and had bourn such a testimony that strangers would tell him what had happened in Thessalonica. Paul was proud of them, proud of God for bringing this all about, and proud that he had had a part in something so glorious and so clearly eternal. He expected that a part of his joy in heaven would be the things he was experiencing right now concerning the Thessalonians. As Paul viewed his circumstances, rejoicing in the Thessalonians was in fact rejoicing in Jesus.

Colossians 3:19

4/9/2026

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

We are often not as nice as we should be to the people we love. Is it because we take it for granted that they will not just walk out on us? Is it because we think we have a right to relax at home and not follow the rules of politeness? Is it because we want to be selfish and we can get away with it in our own house? However we justify bad behavior to our wives, Paul challenges us to change our ways. In fact, we can’t justify being harsh with anyone. We have no right to be harsh. Help us, Lord. It is so easy to slip into pride and selfishness. “No harshness hast thou, and no bitterness.” is part of a wonderful description of our Lord. Work in our hearts, Lord Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

4/8/2026

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus

When God richly meets our spiritual needs it has almost no reference at all to our physical needs. Paul had learned to be content in poverty as well as when riches abounded, in sickness as well as in health, in weakness perhaps better than when he was strong. Experiencing the riches of Christ has nothing at all to do with affluence. Of course, God has promised to feed us as He does the birds and to clothe us as he does the flowers. He tells us again and again not to worry but to trust. But our hearts are to be set on things that are above where Christ is. It is from there that we will receive all things richly to enjoy. Whatever you send this day, Lord, give us Jesus.

Ephesians 6:19

4/7/2026

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.

Paul honestly believes that any labor of his to make clear the gospel depends for its success upon the working of God the Holy Spirit in the hearts of those who hear. But it is his job to preach, and being called of God and being given the message is not enough—he needs God’s present and powerful help to put the words together in the way that may be used powerfully by God. Paul sees his own preaching as an awesome task done in the presence of God for the glory of His Savior’s great Name. Paul takes God seriously, and he trembles at the thought of preaching. May our preachers feel this way and look in faith to Jesus!

Galatians 5:19

4/6/2026

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexuality, impurity, debauchery,

The plots of almost every Hollywood movie include at least one scene that makes these things look attractive to the viewer. Every movie needs a bedroom scene. Producers and directors are aware of this, and they make it a point not to disappoint their viewers. Christians tell themselves that they can just mentally block out these things and still get real value from the cinema. It is a challenge. With some kinds of dirt you can never get clean again. Jesus’ desire for us is to be in the world, but not of it. Every Christian is faced with this dilemma, and all of us must struggle. Lord, give us the wisdom that we need! Remind us of the child’s song, “Be careful, little eyes what you see!” Strengthen us afresh by Your Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus.

2 Corinthians 12:19

4/5/2026

Have you been thinking al along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God, as those in Christ, and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

People in spiritual leadership should remember that they don’t just solve problems—they teach people how to solve problems. Paul has been helping the church at Corinth to work through their challenges in order to show us all how we ought to work through the challenges we face. His sufferings and perplexities helped him lay hold of God for wisdom. In laying hold of God, he became an example of the believers. Lord, help us today in the challenges we face. Help us to demonstrate for ourselves and for others how a Christian should proceed when faced with a dilemma. Help us show others how to lay hold of Jesus.