Sunday, May 31, 2009

Thought for Monday June 1

Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Mark 12: 1 – 12 Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables.

In what way are parables more useful than rules? Am I more likely to follow the letter of the law or to tr and follow the example of a parable?

Action: Write your own parable that explains one of your “rules” for living.
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Thursday, May 28, 2009

Thought for Friday May 29

The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

John 21: 15 – 19 Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

Do I love Jesus? Am I tending his sheep?

Action: Provide some gentle leadership to someone who seems to be wandering.
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Thought for Thursday May 28

Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

John 17: 20 – 26 And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.

Do I see perfection in my future? Do I like the idea of being perfect?

Action: Show one person perfect love today (for as long as you can stand it).
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Thought for Wednesday May 27

Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the earth.
You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God,
chant praise to the Lord
who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens.
Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power:
"Confess the power of God!"
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

John 17: 11 – 19 I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.

Have I ever felt hated because of the way I lived out the Gospel? Am I worried about fitting into this world?


Action: Keep working on that list from yesterday.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Thought for Tuesday May 26

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;
you restored the land when it languished;
Your flock settled in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

John 17: 1 – 11 I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.

What work has God given me to do? Do I hope doing what God wants me to do will bring me fame, fortune, pleasure or any other earthly prize?

Action: Make a list of things God wants you to accomplish and get to work on it.
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Sunday, May 24, 2009

Thought for Monday May 25

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

John 16: 29 – 33 The disciples said to Jesus, "Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you.”

Do I believe Jesus knows everything? Does it comfort me or annoy me to think of Jesus as a know-it-all?

Action: Think of some issue you are sure you are right about and then think about how Jesus would express his moral certitude. If there is a difference between what you do and what he would do, make a plan to change your approach.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Thought for Friday May 22

God is king of all the earth.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
God is king of all the earth.

John 16: 20 – 23 So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

Am I in anguish? Can I even begin to imagine the joy of being in the presence of God?


Action: Do something joyful this weekend; or at least try to make it joyful for someone else.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Thought for Ascension Thursday May 21

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

Mark 16: 15 – 20 Jesus said to his disciples: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”

How am I doing? Does “proclaim the Gospel” just mean “talk about Jesus”?

Action: Proclaim the Gospel in everything you say and do.
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Thought for Wednesday May 20

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

John 16: 12 – 15 Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.”

Do I value the truth? Is being “truthful” the same as being “factual”?


Action: Look around at your surroundings today and state one truth they bear witness to.
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Monday, May 18, 2009

Thought for Tuesday May 19

Your right hand saves me, O Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth,
you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
Your right hand saves me, O Lord.

John 16: 5 – 11 Jesus said to his disciples: "Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.”

When have I experienced grief? Was it healthy; did it help me move on?

Action: When you make a change in your life to more closely bear witness to Jesus, go ahead and take the time to grieve for whatever you are giving up.
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Sunday, May 17, 2009

Thought for Monday May 18

The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
The Lord takes delight in his people.

John 15: 26 – 16: 4 And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Does my life and lifestyle testify to me relationship with Jesus? What evidence does my life give about Jesus?

Action: Do something today that could be used as proof that Jesus is having a positive influence in your life.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Thought for Friday May 15

I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.

John 15: 12 – 17 It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.

Do I feel like I was chosen? Do I accept that I am appointed to bear fruit?

Action: Ask the Father to help you bear fruit in a situation where your previous efforts have been fruitless and keep trying.
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Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Thought for Thursday May 14

The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

John 15: 9 – 17 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

Does this mean I have to love everybody? How can I express love to others?

Action: Find a way to express Jesus’ love to somebody you can’t stand.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Thought for Wednesday May 13

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

John 15: 1 – 8 Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.

Is it arrogant to think that I can make a real difference without Jesus? Is it arrogant to think that I can work with Jesus to change the world?

Action: Look around you for the next few days and choose something you can do to make the world better with Jesus.
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Monday, May 11, 2009

Thought for Tuesday May 12

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

John 14: 27 – 31 Jesus said to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.

What is peace? How is the “peace” we are offered by society, government, etc different from the peace of Jesus?

Action: Live peacefully today. When something bothers you, just smile to yourself and think, “Maybe there is something good here that I just don’t see right now.”
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Sunday, May 10, 2009

Thought for Monday May 11

Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,
but the earth he has given to the children of men.
Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

John 14: 21 – 26 The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.

Have I ever felt the Holy Spirit remind me of something Jesus said? What do I do when I am reminded of Jesus while doing something I realize isn’t quite consistent with his message?

Action: Set up reminders so you don’t forget about Jesus’ message during your day; e.g. every time you pull out your credit card, whenever you get in your car, when your phone rings…
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Thursday, May 7, 2009

Thought for Friday May 8

You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
"Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish."
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

John 14: 1 – 6 In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.

What do I think Jesus is preparing for me? How am I working to prepare my own place?

Action: Take one room, or corner, or wall, or corner in your home and make it bear witness to Christ – without using a bunch of religious objects.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Thought for Thursday May 7

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

John 13: 16 – 20 Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Do I see myself as a messenger of Jesus’ words? What am I doing to spread his message?

Action: Tell somebody that the message of Jesus is important to you and that you are trying to live by it.
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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Thought for Wednesday May 6

O God, let all the nations praise you!
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
O God, let all the nations praise you!

John 12: 44 – 50 Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.

Do I take Jesus’ words this seriously? Is there anything Jesus said that I regard as just “nice to do”?

Action: Read the Gospel until you find something Jesus said that you regard as less than a commandment and then do something to live it out.
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Monday, May 4, 2009

Thought for Tuesday May 5

All you nations, praise the Lord.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
All you nations, praise the Lord.

John 10: 22 – 30 "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

Do I ever wish Jesus would speak more plainly to me? Have I ever been in suspense waiting for him to show me something I should be doing?

Action: Quit stalling. Do something you know Jesus wants you to do even if he hasn’t spoken “plainly.”

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Thought for Monday May 4

Athirst is my soul for the living God.
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
Athirst is my soul for the living God.

John 10: 1 – 10 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.

Can I recognize Jesus’ voice? Do I know when the “voice I am hearing” (temptation) is not from Jesus?

Action: If Jesus has been trying to get you to do something, do it. Follow his voice.
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