Acts 3:8 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, December 14, 2019 “Remembering Where We’ve Walked with God The snow fell softly like feathers in the light of a full moon. A lone swan seemed to be in deep thought as it swam almost motionless in Canyon Lake. It was Christmas Eve, and Pat and I held hands as we walked the snow veiled path. The evening was enchanting as though we were in…Keep Reading

Acts 27-28 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 14, 2019 “IF GOD BRINGS US TO IT,…” Paul’s preaching about the resurrection had divided the Sadducees and Pharisees to the point that a great clamor broke out and Roman soldiers had to rescue Paul from them and bring him to their barracks. The following night the Lord spoke to him saying, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me…Keep Reading

Isaiah 9:6 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, December 13, 2019 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” I remember that Christmas. I was just a little boy on Giles Street. Santa always managed to get one “big gift” for each…Keep Reading

Romans 11-13 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 “CHRISTIANS AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT” We the people have less trust in government, especially the federal government, than at any time since 1940. While some of us have less trust than others, none of us gives the government very high marks. We can—and often do—argue whether we the people changed the government, or the government changed the people. The answer, probably, is “both.”…Keep Reading

Jeremiah 31 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, December 9, 2019 “Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.” The angels brought a message of joy and peace on earth because Christ was born. The Christmas story with all of its celebration also has a dark cloud in…Keep Reading

Romans 8-10 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 9, 2019 “GOD’S EVERYDAY GIFTS” Paul wrote, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (8:31-32). There is no doubt; God is for us. Paul’s “these things”…Keep Reading

Matthew 3:11b THOUGHT FOR TODAY, December 7, 2019 “… when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” “What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part: Yet what can I give Him, Give Him my heart.” (In the Bleak Midwinter) There…Keep Reading

Romans 4-7 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 “PAUL’S WAR” Paul was a fighter. First, he fought tirelessly against the gospel and then he fought tirelessly for the gospel. In today’s reading, he describes the biggest battle of all—his internal battle with the flesh: “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if…Keep Reading

Matthew 5:44 King James Version (KJV) THOUGHT FOR TODAY, December 6, 2019 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” The lady spoke of the rift that was robbing her family. She had exhausted her efforts to get them to love and come together. Her heart was…Keep Reading

Acts 20:1-3; Romans 1-3 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019 “ACQUITTAL DOES NOT MEAN ‘INNOCENT’” O. J. Simpson was acquitted of murder, but few believe he is innocent. His acquittal may have resulted from sloppy work by the prosecution, skillful tactics by the defense, or by jury nullification, which occurs when “a jury returns a verdict of “Not Guilty” despite its belief that the defendant is guilty of the violation…Keep Reading

Jeremiah 12:5 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, December 5, 2019 “Meanwhile, the fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must never go out.” Burning a Yule log is among the oldest Christmas tradition there is. At first, burning a Yule log was a celebration of the winter solstice. In Scandinavia, Yule ran from several weeks before the winter solstice to a couple weeks after. This was the darkest time of…Keep Reading

2 Corinthians 10-13 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 6, 2019 “GRACE SUFFICIENT” When Paul speaks of grace, he is sometimes referring to God’s gift of salvation: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). At other times he is referring to gifts that are given to the saved to empower them to function in the…Keep Reading