Thought for Monday November 1

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

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.

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

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


What do I see that is not righteous? What is the difference between righteous and self-righteous?

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Action: Be righteous this week, not self-righteous.

Thought for Friday October 29

How great are the works of the Lord!

Majesty and glory are his work,

and his justice endures forever.

He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;

gracious and merciful is the LORD.

How great are the works of the Lord!

Luke 14: 1 – 6 On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.



Why did Jesus go to eat with people whom seem to always oppose him? Would I rather eat with people I agree with or those with whom I know I disagree?


Action: List 2 good ideas from the political candidates you chose not to vote for, and commit to working for those goals no matter how the election comes out. [This is the same suggestion I made 2 years ago. Did you try it then?]

Thought for Thursday October 28

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.

Luke 6: 12 – 16 When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:   [the word ‘apostle’ means ‘one who is sent’]


What have I been sent to do? Am I doing it?


Action: Do what you were sent to do.

Thought for Wednesday October 27

The Lord is faithful in all his words.

The LORD is faithful in all his words

and holy in all his works.

The LORD lifts up all who are falling

and raises up all who are bowed down.

The Lord is faithful in all his words.

Luke 13: 22 – 30 After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’


What have I done (good or bad) that I think Jesus would remember me for? What would I like to be remembered for?


Action: Before you make any medium or big decisions, ask yourself if you would want Jesus to remember you for your decision.

Thought for Tuesday October 26

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,

who walk in his ways!

For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;

blessed shall you be, and favored.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Luke 13: 18 – 21 Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like?”


Why does Jesus try to describe the Kingdom of God? Does he think we won’t want to be part of it unless he makes it sound good?


Action: Do something to make the Kingdom of God a little more present in your own life.

Thought for MOnday October 25

Behave like God as his very dear children.

Blessed the man who follows not

the counsel of the wicked

Nor walks in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the company of the insolent,

But delights in the law of the LORD

and meditates on his law day and night.

Behave like God as his very dear children.

Luke 13: 10 – 17 He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.


If I were suddenly cured of some affliction would I immediately praise God or gripe that it took so long? What do I glorify God for?


Action: Glorify God for the things in your life that you have thus far taken for granted.

Thought for Friday October 22

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

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.

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Luke 12: 54 – 59 “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?”


Do I judge for myself or do I rely on someone else to tell me what is right? Is there a danger in relying on “authorities” for moral guidance?


Action: Judge for yourself what is right.

Thought for Thursday October 21

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

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.

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Luke 12: 49 – 53 Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”


What did Jesus teach that would set the world on fire if it were lived out? Am I doing my part?


Action: Join in with some project that you believe has the potential for bringing powerful change.

Thought for Wednesday October 20

You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior;

I am confident and unafraid.

My strength and my courage is the LORD,

and he has been my savior.

With joy you will draw water

at the fountain of salvation.

You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Luke 12: 39 – 48 Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”


Are all of Jesus’ teachings meant for everyone? Is there anything Jesus said that I don’t believe is meant for me?

Action: The next time you hear a sermon that doesn’t seem to be meant for you, try to find some relationship between what is being said and your life.

Thought for Tuesday October 19

The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

Kindness and truth shall meet;

justice and peace shall kiss.

Truth shall spring out of the earth,

and justice shall look down from heaven.

The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

Luke 12: 35 – 38 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.


Am I vigilant? What am I supposed to be vigilantly waiting for?


Action: Wake up and be vigilant.

Thought for Monday October 18

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.

Luke 10: 1 – 9 He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”


Am I doing my part? What sustains me in the work that I do?


Action: Get out there and harvest something.

Thought for Friday October 15

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

Exult, you just, in the LORD;

praise from the upright is fitting.

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;

with the ten stringed lyre chant his praises.

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

Luke 12: 1 – 7 There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.


What am I hiding? Do I have any secrets I would like to tell someone?


Action: Don’t do anything today that you would want to hide.

Thought for Thursday October 14

The Lord has made known his salvation.

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 made known his salvation.

Luke 11: 47 – 54 Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.


Do I believe I am getting the keys to understanding important issues in our society? Does God offer me the key of knowledge?


Action: Look for the keys of knowledge, and don’t be satisfied with rumors.

Thought for Wednesday October 13

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

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.

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Luke 11: 42 – 46 “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God.


Do I pay attention to love for God? What do I do to express love?


Action: Express your love for God.

Thought for Tuesday October 12

Let your mercy come to me, O Lord.

And I will walk at liberty,

because I seek your precepts.

Let your mercy come to me, O Lord.

Luke 11: 37 – 41 After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat.


What would I expect of Jesus at dinner? What would I want him to talk about?


Action: Invite someone to join you for a meal this week.

Thought for Monday October 11

Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.

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.

Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.

Luke 11: 29 – 32 While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation…”


How is my community dealing with evil? How do I react when someone points out the evil in my life?


Action: Listen to someone who has an opposing viewpoint to your own and be willing to challenge yourself to see the other side of some issue.

Thought for Friday October 8

The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

Majesty and glory are his work,

and his justice endures forever.

He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;

gracious and merciful is the LORD.

The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

Luke 11: 15 – 26 “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.”


What divisions am I part of? Would I give up fighting to be “right” if it could heal a division?


Action: Get involved in healing a division in your family, neighborhood, community or country.

Thought for Thursday October 7

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior,

born of the house of his servant David.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

Luke 11: 5 – 13 Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,


Do I have a friend I can go to at midnight? Am I the kind of friend someone would come to at midnight?


Action: Be a good friend – go above and beyond for one of your friends this week.

Thought for Wednesday October 6

Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.

Praise the LORD, all you nations,

glorify him, all you peoples!

Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.

Luke 11: 1 – 4 Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”


Who taught me how to pray? Am I still learning?


Action: Teach somebody to pray.

Thought for Tuesday October 5

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

My soul also you knew full well;

nor was my frame unknown to you

When I was made in secret,

when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Luke 10: 38 – 42 Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”


Do I ever feel like I am doing all of the work? Do I ever wish I had more help?


Action: Help someone who serves tirelessly.

Thought for Monday October 4

The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart

in the company and assembly of the just.

Great are the works of the LORD,

exquisite in all their delights.

The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

Luke 10: 25 – 37 “And who is my neighbor?”


What problems do I see in my neighborhood? Am I a good neighbor?


Action: Be a good neighbor.