Thought for Tuesday June 1

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.

Let your work be seen by your servants

and your glory by their children.

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

Mark 12: 13 – 17 So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”


Do I ever get confused about what is God’s? What do I have that does not belong to God?


Action: Repay (or make a payment on) a debt today – monetary or otherwise.

Thought for Monday May 31

Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

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.

Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Luke 1: 39 – 56 And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;



What does my soul proclaim? What does my lifestyle proclaim?



Action: Make a point of proclaiming positive and loving things in the way you act.

Thought for Friday May 28

The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;

let the sea and what fills it resound;

let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.

The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Mark 11: 11 – 26 Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!”


Why did Jesus get mad at the fig tree? Do I understand his frustration?

Action: Every time you notice you are frustrated, set aside one dollar (or any amount you want) for people who are in a situation more frustrating than your own. Remember to actually give that money to some charity that will use it to help them.

Thought for Thursday May 27

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

his courts with praise;

Give thanks to him;

bless his name.

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Mark 10: 46 – 52 Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.


If Jesus told me to “Go your way,” would I follow him on the way? Is ‘my way’ different than ‘the way’?


Action: Go a different way today.

Thought for Wednesday May 26

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

He has granted peace in your borders;

with the best of wheat he fills you.

He sends forth his command to the earth;

swiftly runs his word!

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
Mark 10: 32 – 45 The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.


Am I amazed at Jesus or afraid? Which one inspires action?


Action: Pick one characteristic of Jesus or his teaching that scares you and find a way to move past your fear and take action.

Thought for Tuesday May 25

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.

Mark 10: 28 – 31 Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.”


What did Peter give up to follow Jesus? What have I given up?


Action: Give thanks for the “everything” that you have.

Thought for Monday May 24

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.

Mark 10: 17 – 27 As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”


What does it mean to “inherit” something? What does it say about our relationship with God if we hope to “inherit” eternal life?


Action: Think of one element of your faith that you have inherited, and make a plan to pass it on to as many people as you can.

Thought for Friday May 21

The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

and all my being, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

John 21: 15 – 19 “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”


What other commands did Jesus give Peter (or any of his disciples)? What advice would you give Peter and his successors about how to carry out Jesus’ command?


Action: Feed some lambs.

Thought for Thursday May 20

Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,

my body, too, abides in confidence;

Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,

nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

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.


Am I getting closer to being perfect? Does being perfect sound good?


Action: Do one thing to be more perfect today.

Thought for Wednesday May 19

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. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One.


Do I belong to this world? How does God keep me from the Evil One?


Action: The next time you find yourself getting wrapped up in the things of this world, go the extra mile for someone who has nothing in this world.

Thought for Tuesday May 18

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

Blessed day by day be the Lord,

who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation.

God is a saving God for us;

the LORD, my Lord, controls the passageways of death.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

John 17: 1 – 11 Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.

Does this explain eternal life well enough for me? Is this something I want?

Action: Come up with your own action for today; and don’t forget to make it eternal.

Thought for Monday May 17

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. Because of this we believe that you came from God.”

Do I accept that Jesus knows everything? Do I seek his help for everything?


Action: Trust Jesus to help you with something that has been bugging you, even if it is trivial.

Thought for Friday 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 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 chosen? Am I bearing fruit that will remain?


Action: Today is the anniversary of my Baptism, the day I was chosen. I plan to celebrate it. If you know what day you were chosen, mark it on your calendar and celebrate it every year. If you don’t know, look it up.

Thought for Thursday May 13

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.

John 16: 16 – 20 Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.


Isn’t it better to rejoice while everyone else rejoices? What does the world rejoice about?


Action: Learn to look for the good in everything and rejoice about it.

Thought for Wednesday May 12

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.”


How much truth can I really stand? When was the last time the truth hurt me?


Action: Face up to some truth and make a change in your life.

Thought for Tuesday May 11

Your right hand saves me, O 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.

Your right hand saves me, O Lord.

John 16: 5 - 11 But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.


What is my experience of Jesus? Of the Father? Of the Holy Spirit?


Action: Ask the Holy Spirit to do something for you that you would not ask Jesus or the Father to do.

Thought for Monday May 10

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.

Thought for Friday May 7

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 I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.


What do I call friendship? Am I friends with Jesus?


Action: Spend time with a friend this weekend.

Thought for Thursday May 6

Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all you lands.

Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

John 15: 9 – 11 “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”


Do I have Jesus’ joy in me? Is my joy complete?

Action: Find something in the next couple of weeks that you can celebrate with great joy.

Thought for Wednesday May 5

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 Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.”


Do I feel like the words of Jesus have made me more productive? What in my life could use a little pruning?


Action: Prune an activity out of your life (temporarily) and use the time to do something for someone else.

Thought for Tuesday May 4

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.

Thought for Monday May 3

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.

John 14: 6 – 14 Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father.

Is knowing the Father my goal? Am I content to follow Jesus without knowing him or the Father?


Action: Think of something you do because you know God wants to (and not just because you were told to), and put some extra effort into it this week.