Thought for Friday October 1

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

If I take the wings of the dawn,

if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,

Even there your hand shall guide me,

and your right hand hold me fast.

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Job 38: 1, 12 – 21 40: 3 - 5 The LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said: Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place?

Then Job answered the LORD and said: Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you?


Do I ever have trouble remembering that God is God and I am not? How much reverence do I show God?


Action: Go to Church the weekend and worship God.

Thought for Thursday September 30

I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD with courage;

be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

Luke 10: 1 – 12 Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way.


Am I a lamb or a wolf? What am I being sent to do?

Action: Get out there and do something.

Thought for Wednesday September 29

In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,

for you have heard the words of my mouth;

in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;

I will worship at your holy temple

and give thanks to your name.

In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

John 1: 47 – 51 You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”


Do I really want to see heaven opened up before I die? Isn’t it easier to live without knowing everything?


Action: Be an angel for someone today.

Thought for Tuesday September 28

Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

O LORD, my God, by day I cry out;

at night I clamor in your presence.

Let my prayer come before you;

incline your ear to my call for help.

Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

Luke 9: 51 – 56 When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him.


Have I ever been resolutely determined to do anything? If I knew my time was imminent, what would I focus on doing?


Action: Resolutely determine to do something to live your faith more explicitly and then do it.

Thought for Monday September 27

Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

incline your ear to me; hear my word.

Show your wondrous mercies,

O savior of those who flee

from their foes to refuge at your right hand.

Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

Luke 9: 46- 50 Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.


Who do I receive and who do I reject? How do I decide?


Action: Receive someone you have been rejecting.

Thought for Friday September 24

Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 11

There is an appointed time for everything,

and a time for every thing under the heavens.

A time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to tear down, and a time to build.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;

a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.

A time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away.

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

a time to be silent, and a time to speak.

A time to love, and a time to hate;

a time of war, and a time of peace.

Am I making a difference right now, right here? What should I be doing?


Action: Do something, it’s time.

Thought for September 23

In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,

that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.

Prosper the work of our hands for us!

Prosper the work of our hands!

In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Luke 9: 7 – 9 But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?"



What would I do if I had Herod’s power? Is there anybody you would like to never have to deal with again.


Action: The next time you catch yourself saying, “I’m going kill that idiot.”, stop for a minute and consider what you are saying and then do something loving for the idiot. [If you never have such thoughts you don’t work where I do. – just kidding]

Thought for Wednesday September 22

Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.

The law of your mouth is to me more precious

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.

Luke 9: 1 – 6   He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.


What journey has God sent me on? What supplies do I have for that journey?


Action: Give some kind of support to a person or group that is doing God’s work with few resources.

Thought for Tuesday September 21

Their message goes out through all the earth.

The heavens declare the glory of God;

and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Day pours out the word to day,

and night to night imparts knowledge.

Their message goes out through all the earth.

Matthew 9: 9 – 13 As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.


How did Jesus call me? Have I answered?


Action: If you are unclear about what Jesus is calling you to do, schedule a time to work on figuring it out.

Thought for Monday September 20

The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

Who harms not his fellow man,

nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;

By whom the reprobate is despised,

while he honors those who fear the LORD.

The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

Luke 8: 16 – 18 To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.


Does this sound fair? Does it sound fair if what you have is faith, hope, and love?


Action: Find a concrete way to express love (or faith or hope) and see if your love increases.

Thought for Friday September 17

Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings,

But I in justice shall behold your face;

on waking, I shall be content in your presence.

Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

Luke 8: 1 – 3 Accompanying [Jesus] were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.


Do I think of myself as a companion of Jesus? Do I provide for him out of my resources?


Action: Be conscience of being in the company of Jesus this weekend.

Thought for Thursday September 16

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his mercy endures forever.

Let the house of Israel say,

"His mercy endures forever."

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Luke 7: 36 – 50 "Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days' wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?"


How do I “measure” love? How do I express love?


Action: Enjoy being loved today.

Thought for Wednesday September 15

Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

For upright is the word of the LORD,

and all his works are trustworthy.

He loves justice and right;

of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

John 19: 25 – 27 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

How do I deal with the pain of losing someone I love? Was the sorrow at the end worth the love?


Action: Reminisce about the people you have lost and what they taught you about love.

Thought for Tuesday September 14

Do not forget the works of the Lord!

Hearken, my people, to my teaching;

incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable,

I will utter mysteries from of old.

Do not forget the works of the Lord!

John 3: 13 – 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.


Do I spend my time and energy improving bad situations or just complaining about them? Do I see a lot of condemning in my society?


Action: Next time you hear someone condemning someone else, challenge them to go out and do some real good.

Thought for Monday September 13

Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.

May all who seek you

exult and be glad in you

And may those who love your salvation

say ever, "The LORD be glorified."

Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.

Luke 7: 1 – 10 A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave.


Who is valuable to me? What do I want Jesus to do for that person?


Action: Do something to make yourself valuable to someone else.

Thought for Friday September 10

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.

Blessed the men whose strength you are!

their hearts are set upon the pilgrimage.

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

Luke 6: 39 – 42 Jesus told his disciples a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?


What is my blindness? Who is my guide?


Action: Gently help someone who is blind to something Jesus has helped you see.

Thought for Thursday September 9

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;

you know when I sit and when I stand;

you understand my thoughts from afar.

My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,

with all my ways you are familiar.

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Luke 6: 27 – 38 Jesus said to his disciples: "To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”


Do I see a lot of love for enemies these days? How am I doing?

Action: When you see people promoting hate, stand up to them and remind them that Jesus said, “Love your enemies.”

Thought for Wednesday September 8

With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

Let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”

With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

Matthew 1: 1 – 16, 18 – 23 Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.


What values or beliefs have been passed down to me from my family? What do I want to pass down to other generations?


Action: Call, write, email, text or facebook someone younger than you are and share some of your values.

Thought for Tuesday September 7

The Lord takes delight in his people.

Let them praise his name in the festive dance,

let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.

For the LORD loves his people,

and he adorns the lowly with victory.

The Lord takes delight in his people.

Luke 6: 12 – 19 When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:


How do I think the disciples who were not chosen to be Apostles felt? Do I want Jesus to chose me for a special assignment?


Action: Accept the work Jesus is asking you to do.

Thought for Monday September 6

Lead me in your justice, Lord.

But let all who take refuge in you

be glad and exult forever.

Protect them, that you may be the joy

of those who love your name.

Lead me in your justice, Lord.

Luke 6: 6 – 11 The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.



Do I look for reasons to dislike people I disagree with? Do I ever make a point of finding reasons to like someone I disagree with?



Action: Think of the person with whom you most disagree and find 3 things you can appreciate in him or her.

Thought for Friday September 3

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Trust in the LORD and do good,

that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.

Take delight in the LORD,

and he will grant you your heart’s requests.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Luke 5: 33 – 39 Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.


Am I prepared to hear something new? Am I so certain of things that I avoid listening to ideas that challenge my status quo?


Action: If you have any non-negotiable beliefs, try to imagine what difference it would make if you are wrong.

Thought for Thursday September 2

To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it.

The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;

the world and those who dwell in it.

For he founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers.

To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it.

Luke 5: 1 – 11 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."


Do my sins make me inclined to go to Jesus or away from him? Which should I do?


Action: Take your sins to Jesus.