Ezra 7-10 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 25, 2019 “THE HIGH COST OF SIN” The nation had been carried into captivity because of unfaithfulness. Through Jeremiah, God had decreed, “But first I will doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted my land with the carcasses of their detestable idols, and have filled my inheritance with their abominations” (Jeremiah 16:18). The exiles who had chosen to return to…Keep Reading

Luke 15:17 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 24, 2019 “Lasting Impression” The little wooden church had stood next to a large building on the street corner for many years. It had never been a large congregation, but always faithful. Then things changed in town; people moved out and new business moved in. It isn’t easy to be an out of date building in a modern world. It had to struggle to…Keep Reading

Esther 6-10 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 24, 2019 “YOU IN YOUR CORNER AND I IN MINE” When the exiles began returning from captivity, some stayed behind because they had made a life for themselves. They were not condemned for doing so but were to support the returnees (Ezra 1:4). They also had an opportunity to keep the knowledge of the one true God alive. Esther, Daniel, Mordecai, and undoubtedly many…Keep Reading

Esther 1-5 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 23, 2019 “A QUEEN WHOSE TIME HAD COME” The book of Esther is unique in that the name of God is not mentioned in it. His power, presence, and providence fill the book, however. As “The Soul Care Bible,” comments: “If you like mystery, suspense, romance, and intrigue, you’ll love Esther.” The book tells of a plot to exterminate the entire Jewish nation in…Keep Reading

Mark 6:3 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 23, 2019 “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son?” This evening Pat and I will return to a church that has been a wonderful part of our life. It was one of three churches that made up the Graham Circuit (our second appointment for seven years). Many of the people we knew then are now among the great crowd of witnesses in Heaven….Keep Reading

Zechariah 8-14 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 22, 2019 “CHRIST IN ZECHARIAH” We would not be amiss in calling the prophecy of Zechariah “The Gospel of Zechariah,” for it is filled with images of Christ, the Spirit, and the church. We will focus on three images which Zechariah presents of Christ. First, the coming one was a priest-king, after the order of Melchizedek. Consider two passages: “Shout aloud, O daughter of…Keep Reading

Revelation 22:13 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 21, 2019 “I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” It was Garrison Keillor who said, “When the world goes temporarily to the dogs, cats must learn to be circumspect, walk on fences, sleep in trees, and have faith that all this woofing isn’t the last word.” When asked how his wife was doing, the man answered,…Keep Reading

Hebrews 11:31-12:3 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 17, 2019 “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith” When it comes to Faith there are names that automatically come to mind: like Noah, Abram and Sarah, Moses; but today’s text begins with the faith of ordinary people. They did not do great things because of faith, but made it…Keep Reading

Daniel 10-12 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 17, 2019 “DON’T WORRY; I’VE GOT THIS” Most—if not all—of the events in Daniel 10-12 are now history. Those which aren’t are not easy to understand. Daniel asked, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” (Daniel 12:8). The divine response was “Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end….Keep Reading

Isaiah 51:1 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 16, 2019 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn…” Buildings that are made of stone often have a story about where the rock came from. It may be native rock, perhaps from someone’s old home place, or maybe from some exotic…Keep Reading

Daniel 7-9 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 16, 2019 “HEAVEN’S VIEW OF HISTORY” In today’s reading, we first see the kingdoms of the earth described under the figure of “beasts” (Daniel 7:1-8). We then see the Ancient of Days seated on his throne and being served by myriads of angels (Daniel 7:9-12). Then we see one “like a son of man” come to the Ancient of Days. Note that is not…Keep Reading

Daniel 1:3 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, September 14, 2019 “DANIEL KNEW WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE” Daniel was one of the exiles carried into Babylonian captivity about 605 B.C. Babylon was sensual, luxurious, indulgent, cruel, proud, powerful, and pagan, with 4,000 gods and 53 temples. Daniel faced a great test: Would Babylon paganize him or would he remain faithful. He had to make decisions in three areas: 1) bearing a heathen…Keep Reading