Celebrating 25 years of Thinky Things!

James 4
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES’S

Our neighbours, whose surname just happens to be Jones, have made a lot of improvements to their property in the last few years. They have redecorated and renovated inside their house, built a big double garage in which they have installed a pool table, furniture and a sound system, they have had their garden landscaped beautifully, they own a boat, and just recently had a brand-new spa pool installed. Looking at them from over the fence, it would be nice to live the life they live – a life of acquisition and pleasure.

But we have decided not to even try to keep up the with Jones’s. Our priorities lie in other areas. Being devoted to God, I suppose we could pray for all the sorts of things the Jones’s have got, but James has strong words to say about that:

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4 v 3).

God is not interested in supplying our wants for our pleasure. Our pleasure is not first priority in his will at the moment. So if we can’t ask to keep up with the Jones’s, what can we ask for? We can ask for anything that will draw either ourselves or other people toward God. If we spend what God gives us on his pleasure and use it to help other people, God will be pleased.

Let’s put aside our striving to keep up with the Jones’s through which we would fulfil our own pleasures and wants, and instead ask for wisdom to spend the gifts we have been given to help others and give pleasure to God.

May we be a blessing to the people God has put around us this week.

With love in our Lord,
Robert
www.thinkythings.com/read

Thinky Days 2026 and Thinky Things 3
The Thinky Days Diary for 2026 is due out in limited numbers later this month, God willing. This will also be at about the same time as the release date of Thinky Things 3. Take a sneak preview by clicking on the pictures below. Order yours now to have them sent out to you as soon as they are in stock. Contact Robert at robert@thinkythings.com.

Thinky Things 3
Twenty-five years after Robert began writing Thinky Things, Volume 3 completes a thought for each day based on a Bible reading plan of three daily Bible readings, to read the whole Bible in a year. Robert’s selection of Thinky Things seem deceptively simple, yet are sure to challenge, stimulate, encourage and provoke everyone, from the casual Bible reader through to the more serious Bible student.
While each volume stands alone, collecting all three provides a complete companion to your year-long journey through the Bible.
This third collection of Thinky Things will continue to inspire as Robert draws out valuable and life-changing lessons from the word of God for everyone.
Let God’s word come alive—one reading, one thought, one day at a time.
Available this December, God willing. Order yours now.
Thinky Days 2026 is jam packed with space to write your own favourite verses, prayers, questions, meditations, or even to-do lists with a full page for every day of the year – even Sundays! But there is so much more to a Thinky Days Diary than a blank page for each day. You will find:
A Thinky Thing for each Sunday
Daily Bible readings for each day
An inspirational meditation verse for every day
Significant days and Jewish feast days noted
Spiral bound for easy opening
A5 size for convenience
Ribbon marker to find your place
 
You have read Thinky Things, received the emails, and viewed them on Facebook, on the Daily Readings site, and in many other places. Now you have the place and opportunity to record your own personal thoughts, prayers, questions and answers from God’s word as you read it.
Available late December, God willing. Order yours now.

Celebrating 25 years of Thinky Things!