Sunday, February 28, 2010

Thought for Monday March 1

Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake.
Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

Luke 6: 36 – 38 Stop judging and you will not be judged.

What’s so bad about being judged? Could a fair, honest appraisal of my actions be good for me?

Action: Seek the advice of someone you trust to help you become a better person.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Thought for Friday February 26

If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
Let Israel wait for the LORD.
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

Matthew 5: 20 – 26 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.”

Was Jesus saying the scribes and Pharisees were going to hell or just setting a higher standard for us? What standard of righteousness have I set for myself?

Action: Raise the bar for yourself – raise one goal for your behavior and then start trying to live up to it.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Thought for Thursday February 25

Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Matthew 7: 7 – 12 Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

How often do I ask for what I want? Do I find it hard to be specific about what I want?

Action: Do one specific thing at someone’s request this week.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Thought for Wednesday February 24

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Luke 11: 29 – 32 At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

So what does it take to get me to repent? What is my greatest “turn away from sin” accomplishment?

Action: Spend some time thinking about what your life would be like now if you hadn’t turned away from some of your sins. Imagine what it could be like in a few years if you turned away from some others.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Thought for Tuesday February 23


From all their distress God rescues the just.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
From all their distress God rescues the just.


Matthew 6: 7 – 15 Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.”

Am I a babbler? Do I worry too much about finding the right words when I pray?

Action: Try a new way of praying.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Thought for February 22

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Matthew 16: 13 – 19 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.

Would I have accepted the responsibility Jesus gave Peter? If I were a friend of Peter’s, would I have supported him?

Action: Show support for someone who is in a position of authority – even if you don’t agree with everything he does.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Thought for Friday February 19

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.


Matthew 9: 14 – 15 The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?”


What do I think about when I am fasting and my stomach growls? Is fasting something I do for me or for God?


Action: Try fasting a couple of extra times during Lent.


Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Thought for Thursday February 18

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.


Luke 9: 22 – 25 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?

Have I ever lost part of myself trying to achieve worldly success? Would I be willing to lose part of myself to gain some goal?

Action: Do something for yourself today.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Thought for Tuesday February 16

Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord.
When I say, “My foot is slipping,”
your mercy, O LORD, sustains me;
When cares abound within me,
your comfort gladdens my soul.
Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord.



Mark 8: 14 – 21 Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

If leaven is what makes bread rise, what is the “leaven of the Pharisees”? What is wrong with following all of the rules like the Pharisees do?

Action: Break a rule that is counterproductive.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Thought for Monday February 15

Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

Mark 8: 11 – 13 The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.

Have I ever asked God to “give me a sign” when I was trying to make a big decision? When I think of “signs from heaven” do I imagine big, flashy things or smaller more subtle signs? Do I think the huge snowstorm in the south and east after the Saints won the Super Bowl was a sign of anything?

Actions: Give God a sign that you intend to take Lent very seriously this year.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Thought for Friday February 12

I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
“If only my people would hear me,
and Israel walk in my ways,
Quickly would I humble their enemies;
against their foes I would turn my hand.”
I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.

Mark 7: 31 – 37 And people brought to Jesus a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd.

How would I feel if I brought someone to Jesus and didn’t get to see him perform the miracle? Would I rather by cured publicly or privately?

Action: Nudge someone toward Jesus in the next week – just explaining Ash Wednesday might be enough.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Thought for Thursday February 11

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
Blessed are they who observe what is right,
who do always what is just.
Remember us, O LORD, as you favor your people;
visit us with your saving help.
Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

Mark 7: 24 – 30 Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice.

Are there times when I don’t want to be disturbed? How do I respond when I am interrupted?

Action: The next time someone interrupts you when you want to be alone, muster all of your energy and be gracious.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Thought for Wednesday February 10

The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.


Mark 7: 14 – 23 Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile…. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.

Is it easier to condemn things that happen around me or things that happen within me? Do I have to be evil to have evil thoughts?


Action: Spend 15 minutes thinking about what you have done and expressed in the last 3 days in light of Jesus’ list of things that come from within. If you are guilty of any of them, make a plan to do better for the next 3 days.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Thought for Tuesday February 9

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
I had rather one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

Mark 7: 1 – 13 So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?”

Is there really any excuse for not washing your hands before you eat? Does unclean mean more than just dirty?

Action: Every time you wash your hands, pick one thing your “hands” can do to make things better.

Thought for Monday February 8

Lord, go up to the place of your rest!
Advance, O LORD, to your resting place,
you and the ark of your majesty.
May your priests be clothed with justice;
let your faithful ones shout merrily for joy.
For the sake of David your servant,
reject not the plea of your anointed.
Lord, go up to the place of your rest!

Mark 6: 53 – 56 They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.

Why did these people go out to bring the sick to Jesus without first asking for anything for themselves? Is it hard for me to put myself first or face my own problems?

Action: Do something nice for the person you would be most likely to bring to Jesus on a mat.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Thought for Friday February 5

Blessed be God my salvation!
The LORD live! And blessed be my Rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
Therefore will I proclaim you, O LORD, among the nations,
and I will sing praise to your name.
Blessed be God my salvation!

Mark 6: 14 – 29 The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.”

What would I ask for? What could I ask for that is even better than that?

Action: Start working to “get” the best thing you can think of to ask for.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Thought for Thursday February 4

Lord, you are exalted over all.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.”
Lord, you are exalted over all.

Mark 6: 7 – 13 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts.

What difference did what they took with them make? What things do I rely on for the journey Jesus has asked me to take?

Action: Try letting go of something you are sure you need.

Thought for Thursday February 4

Lord, you are exalted over all.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.”
Lord, you are exalted over all.

Mark 6: 7 – 13 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts.

What difference did what they took with them make? What things do I rely on for the journey Jesus has asked me to take?

Action: Try letting go of something you are sure you need.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Thought for Wednesday February 3

Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

Mark 6: 1 – 6 Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?

How do the people who knew me growing up describe [treat] me? Do I find that comforting or annoying?

Action: Learn something new about someone you have known forever.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Thought for Tuesday February 2

Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.
Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Luke 2: 22 – 40 “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

What would I have to see to be at peace? Am I already at peace?

Action: If something [or more likely someone] bothers you today remind yourself that Christ is the light.