Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Thought for Thursday July 1

The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

 

Matthew 9: 1 – 8 And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”


Do I ever wonder how this man was paralyzed? Do I sometimes miss the humanity in the stories of Jesus’ miracles?


Action: Do something for someone who is sick or hurting. Pray for all those having surgery.



Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Thought for Wednesday June 30

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“For mine are all the animals of the forests,
beasts by the thousand on my mountains.
I know all the birds of the air,
and whatever stirs in the plains, belongs to me.”
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.


Matthew 8:28 – 34 They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?”


What does the Son of God have to do with me? Is there an appointed time for being tormented?


Action: Be supportive of someone who is feeling tormented or at least having a bad time.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Thought for Tuesday June 29

The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
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.
The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

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.



What does church mean to me? How seriously do I take the promise that the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against the church?



Action: Go to church and praise God in thanksgiving for his promise.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Thought for Monday June 28

Remember this, you who never think of God.
“Consider this, you who forget God,
lest I rend you and there be no one to rescue you.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
Remember this, you who never think of God.
Matthew 8: 18 – 22 Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”



What makes me feel “at home” when I am away from home? Do I feel at home in church or while praying?



Action: Do something to support the people who give their time and energy to help people who are homeless.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Thought for Friday June 25

Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
By the streams of Babylon
we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.
On the aspens of that land
we hung up our harps.
Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

Matthew 8: 1 – 14 And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”


What tells me more about who this man was; that he is described as a leper or the way he spoke to Jesus? Do I define myself more by my infirmities (or abilities) or by my relationship with Jesus?


Action: Think of one thing in your life that would change if you saw yourself only in terms of your relationship with Jesus, and then start making that change.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Thought for Thursday June 24

I praise you for I am wonderfully made.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
I praise you for I am wonderfully made.

Luke 1: 57 – 66, 80 “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.


Why did my parents give me my name? What do I want my name to mean?


Action: Every time you hear your name today, make an effort to respond with the same love Jesus shows for those who call upon him.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Thought for Wednesday June 23

Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.
Turn away my eyes from seeing what is vain:
by your way give me life.
Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.


Matthew 7: 15 – 20 Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them.”


Have I encountered any false prophets lately? What fruits do I look for?


Action: Every time you hear something being spread that is having a negative effect, work to have a positive effect.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Thought for Tuesday June 22

God upholds his city for ever.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
God upholds his city for ever.

Matthew 7: 6 – 14 Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many.


How often do I go through the narrow gate? As I grow older, are the roads getting narrower of wider?


Action: Get off one of the wide roads you are on.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Thought for Monday June 21

Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us.
You have rocked the country and split it open;
repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering.
You have made your people feel hardships;
you have given us stupefying wine.
Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us.


Matthew 7: 1 – 5 You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.


Why does the splinter in my brother’s eye bother me? Am I worried that if I remove the beam from my eye, I will clearly see a bigger beam in my own eye?


Action: The next time someone else’s sin really bothers you, ask yourself if you are guilty of the same sin.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Thought for Friday June 18

The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
For the LORD has chosen Zion;
he prefers her for his dwelling.
“Zion is my resting place forever;
in her will I dwell, for I prefer her.”
The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.

Matthew 6: 19 – 23 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.


What is my treasure? Where is my heart? [For the Harry Potter fans: Do you recognize the last line of this passage?]


Action: Make a deposit to your store of treasures.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Thought for Thursday June 17

Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!


Matthew 6: 7 – 15 “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”


How good am I at forgiving? Is there anyone I refuse to forgive?


Action: Forgive.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Thought for Wednesday June 16

Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.


Matthew 6: 1 – 6, 16 – 18 Jesus said to his disciples:… When you give alms… When you pray… When you fast…


Is Jesus assuming too much saying “when” instead of “if”? When do I give alms, pray and fast?


Action: Give alms, pray and fast.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Thought for Tuesday June 15

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
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.
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.


Matthew 5: 43 – 48 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,


Am I persecuted? How do I respond to being treated bad?


Action: Do something a little bit loving for someone who has done something wrong to you.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Thought for Monday June 14

Lord, listen to my groaning.
At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you.
For you, O God, delight not in wickedness;
no evil man remains with you;
the arrogant may not stand in your sight.
Lord, listen to my groaning.

Matthew 5: 38 – 42 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.”


Am I at peace with Jesus’ words here? Do I focus more on the evil outside of me, or the evil within?


Action: Find a way to respond to the evil in your community without getting pulled into it.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Thought for Friday June 11

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.


Luke 15: 3 – 7 "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?


Have I ever been the one that strayed? Who went looking for me?


Action: Go look for one you know who is lost.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Thought for Thursday June 10

It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
Thus have you prepared the land:
drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers,
blessing its yield.
It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.


Matthew 5: 20 – 26 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.


Is it easier to bring a gift to the altar or reconcile with someone you are mad at? Is there anyone I have been mad at for a long time?


Action: If you answered yes to the second question, do something to resolve the situation.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Thought for Wednesday June 9

The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Matthew 5: 17 – 19 Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.


What laws do I think are important? Would the Church feel like a community if it didn’t have some laws?


Action: Observe a law that you think is kind of silly, because of its value to the overall community. If you can’t think of such a law, break one you think prevents us from being a community.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Thought for Tuesday June 8

Lord, let your face shine on us.
Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
Tremble, and sin not;
reflect, upon your beds, in silence.
Lord, let your face shine on us.

Matthew 5: 13 – 16 Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?


What do I do to maintain my enthusiasm? What do I do when my enthusiasm for the faith wavers?


Action: Add some flavor to your spiritual life – do something new.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Thought for Monday June 7

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.


Mathew 5: 1 – 12 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.


What do I see around me that is not righteous? What can I do about it?


Action: Do something to improve a bad situation.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Thought for Friday June 4

O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.
Those who love your law have great peace,
and for them there is no stumbling block.
O Lord, great peace have they who love your law.

Mark 12: 35 – 37 The great crowd heard this with delight.


Can I remember five things I “heard with great delight”? Was I aware of God’s action in any of them?


Action: Share some news that you think someone will hear with great delight. See if you can recognize God in the good news.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Thought for Thursday June 3

Teach me your ways, O Lord.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction.
Teach me your ways, O Lord.


Mark 12: 28 – 34 One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”


What commandments do I actually live by? What commandments would I want to teach children?


Action: Share your “first commandment” with someone.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Thought for Wednesday June 2

To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.
To you I lift up my eyes
who are enthroned in heaven.
Behold, as the eyes of servants
are on the hands of their masters.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.


Mark 12: 18 – 27 He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled.


Who have I lost that I still mourn for? Does it comfort me to know that my dead friends and family are really living with the living God?


Action: If you know someone who has recently lost someone, call to say hi, how are you.