Life can change in an instant—especially when we encounter Jesus Christ. A blind man once sat along the roadside, begging as he did every day. Nothing seemed different about that morning… until Jesus passed by. In desperation he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:38). That cry of faith stopped Jesus in His tracks, and the man’s life was transformed forever.
An encounter with Jesus is never ordinary—it is life-changing! He hears our cries, responds to our needs, and offers us mercy beyond measure.
To learn more, watch today’s thought based on Luke 18:35–43.
Hearing But Not Getting It!
When I was in graduate school, I had a friend who puzzled me. We would sit in the same lectures, but afterwards, what he repeated back was not what the professor had actually said. He was always enthusiastic—but he completely missed the point. Sadly, he failed every class.
Since then, I’ve met many people who struggle in the same way with spiritual truth. The message is clear and simple, yet they just don’t grasp it. Even the disciples, who walked closely with Jesus, often heard but didn’t really get it.
To learn more, watch today’s thought based on Luke 18:31–34.
Who Then Can Be Saved?
Jesus often turned people’s thinking upside down. When a wealthy, religious man asked Him, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” the disciples probably thought, If anyone is qualified, it’s him! He was moral, devout, and respected.
But Jesus exposed the man’s heart—he lacked generosity and was unwilling to give up what he loved most. Suddenly, the disciples’ confidence was shaken. If someone that good couldn’t make it, what chance did they have?
That’s when Jesus reminded them: salvation is not about human effort—it’s about God’s power and grace.
To learn more, watch today’s thought based on Luke 18:26–30.
Good but Not Perfect
It’s something we all do—compare ourselves to others. And more often than not, we walk away feeling pretty good about ourselves. But God’s standard isn’t like ours. No matter how “good” we may appear, every one of us falls short of His holiness.
Eternal life isn’t earned by being good—it’s received by trusting in Jesus. He alone offers us the free gift of salvation.
To learn more, watch today’s thought based on Luke 18:18–25.
We Need Children
When I first came to our little church, we only had one child and one teen. Later, when we began planning a children’s ministry, some asked, “Where are you going to get the children?” My answer was simple: “Just wait—God will bring them.” And He did! What a joy it was to see the Lord drawing children into our congregation.
I remember telling another pastor how God was blessing us with more children. His reply stunned me: “You know, the church doesn’t need children.” But as I read Scripture, I see the opposite. Jesus welcomed the little ones, saying that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
The truth is—we don’t just need children. We are blessed by them, because they remind us of the very kind of faith that opens the door to God’s kingdom.
To learn more, watch today’s thought based on Luke 18:15-17.
Won’t You Please Listen
I was talking with a young father who admitted he dreaded taking his little girl to the store. Every aisle was the same chorus: “Daddy, can I have this?” At first he would say no, but then came the look—one he just couldn’t resist. Before long, he always ended up at the checkout with more “presents” than he planned.
Jesus told a story about a woman who kept coming to an unjust judge—one who cared little for people and even less for justice. But because she refused to give up, he finally gave in and granted her request.
If even an unjust judge responds to persistence, how much more will our loving Father hear and answer when we keep bringing our prayers to Him?
To learn more, watch today’s thought based on Luke 18:1-8.
The Kingdom of God
When the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come, they expected a visible revolution—an overthrow of Rome and a dramatic display of God’s power. But they had missed it. The kingdom was already present in their midst—because Jesus Himself was standing before them.
His kingdom was not about earthly power, but about His rejection, suffering, and death—and we cannot forget the glorious victory of His resurrection. The kingdom comes not with armies or politics, but through the King who gave His life for us.
To learn more, watch today’s thought based on Luke 17:20-25.
Don’t Forget to Say Thanks
In Luke 17:11–19, ten men with leprosy cried out, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” Moved with compassion, Jesus healed every one of them. But only one man returned, fell at His feet, and spoke the powerful word: “Thanks!”
Perhaps the others felt entitled to their healing. Instead of giving praise to God, they simply went on their way—without gratitude. How often are we like them—quick to ask, but slow to give thanks?
To learn more, watch today’s thought based on Luke 17:11–19.
When I was responsible for many employees, I noticed three kinds of workers: the over-achievers, the under-achievers, and those who simply did what was required—no more, no less. Yet when bonus time came around, everyone thought they belonged in the “over-achiever” category!
The ones I valued most were the humble employees. They didn’t feel entitled to rewards or recognition. Instead, they were simply grateful for the opportunity to serve.
Jesus reminds us in Luke 17:5–10 that our service to God is never about earning credit. It’s about humility—doing our duty with thankful hearts.
To learn more, watch today’s thought based on Luke 17:5–10.
Forgive That Irritating Person
It’s not too hard to forgive someone who rarely offends us—especially when we already like them. But what about that person who seems to get under our skin every single day? That’s where forgiveness becomes a real challenge. Yet those are often the very people Jesus calls us to forgive—freely, fully, and repeatedly.
To hear more about what Jesus taught, watch today’s thought based on Luke 17:3–5.
Let’s Help, Not Hurt
We all have bad days, and sometimes our Christian example falls short. Yet, as we read through Scripture, one principle rings clear: love calls us to build up, not tear down. Jesus warns that causing others to stumble has devastating consequences. It’s a sobering reminder that our words and actions matter deeply.
To learn more, watch today’s thought based on Luke 17:1–3.
Care for the Poor
Jesus gave us a “new command” — to love one another. Throughout history, that love has inspired believers to establish hospitals, orphanages, and even America’s first public schools and universities. But love is more than institutions; it’s personal. The real question is this: Do I look down on those who have less, or do I use what I have to lift them up?
To learn more, watch today’s thought based on Luke 16:19–25.
The Least Stroke of a Pen
God’s Word is the foundation of our faith. Every teaching, every tradition, and every belief in the church must be measured against the truth of Scripture. Even the smallest detail—“the least stroke of a pen,” as Jesus said—matters and will not pass away.
To learn more, watch today’s video based on Luke 16:16–17.