Sunday, July 31, 2011

Thought for Monday August 1

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not off from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.


Matthew 14: 22 – 36 Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Have I ever started something with great enthusiasm and then lost confidence (or nerve, or energy) and given up? If so, did I call out to Jesus for help or just sink?

Action: If there is something you have given up on doing, pick it up again and ask Jesus to help you carry on.



Thursday, July 28, 2011

Thought for Friday July 29

Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the LORD, our God.
Holy is the Lord our God.


Luke 10: 38 – 42 She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. 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.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”


Am I a Martha or a Mary? Do I stay busy because I think I [and my work] is more important than what someone else may have to contribute?


Action: The next time you tell someone you are “too busy,” stop and ask yourself if you are really busy or if you just think you are too important to do what is asked of you.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Thought for Thursday July 28

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
They go from strength to strength.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!


Matthew 13: 47 – 53 Jesus said to the disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away.”

Am I really herring the Word of God? Is it important to my sole to mullet over? Am I floundering in my spiritual life? Do I carp about problems in my society? Am I breaming with ideas to help? What cod I do? When shad I start?

Action: Be a good fish.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Thought for Wednesday July 27

God is my refuge on the day of distress.
But I will sing of your strength
and revel at dawn in your mercy;
You have been my stronghold,
my refuge in the day of distress.
God is my refuge on the day of distress.


Matthew 13: 44 – 46 The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

What do I treasure? Does my treasure bring me joy?

Action: Share what you treasure with someone who lacks joy.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Thought for Tuesday July 26

The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
The Lord is kind and merciful.

Matthew 13: 36 – 43 His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

When I hear something I don’t understand, do I ask for an explanation or just blow it off? How much work does it take to understand the issues facing my society?

Action: Spend some time trying to fully understand one issue in your community so that you can respond to it as a Christian.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Thought for Monday July 25

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Matthew 20: 20 – 28 Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.”


Am I living out the challenge of being Christian? How do I think I would respond if I were asked to make a huge sacrifice for the Kingdom of God?


Action: Be honest and identify those things you would not be willing to sacrifice. Don’t worry about doing anything about it yet.



Thursday, July 21, 2011

Thought for Friday July 22

Lord, show us your mercy and love.
Will you not instead give us life;
and shall not your people rejoice in you?
Show us, O LORD, your kindness,
and grant us your salvation.
Lord, show us your mercy and love.


John 20: 1 – 2, 11 - 20 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher.


Have I ever not recognized someone who called me by name? How important is it to call people by name?


Action: Do something for someone today that you would normally only do for someone who calls you by your name.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Thought for Thursday July 21

With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.
For with you is the fountain of life,
and in your light we see light.
Keep up your mercy toward your friends,
your just defense of the upright of heart.
With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.


Matthew 13: 10 – 17 Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
What do I see that even the “prophets” of my society seem blind to? Am I doing anything about it?

Action: The next time you see something that doesn’t seem right, speak up even if no one else around you seems to notice the problem.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Thought for Wednesday July 20

The Lord gave them bread from heaven.Man ate the bread of angels,
food he sent them in abundance.
He stirred up the east wind in the heavens,
and by his power brought on the south wind.
The Lord gave them bread from heaven.


Matthew 13: 1 – 9 A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up.

What is it in our culture that seems to eat up the word of God? What have I done to help sow God’s words?

Action: Take a few extra minutes today to think about something you remember from scripture and see if you can get it to grow a little.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Thought for Tuesday July 19

Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
At the breath of your anger the waters piled up,
the flowing waters stood like a mound,
the flood waters congealed in the midst of the sea.
The enemy boasted, "I will pursue and overtake them;
I will divide the spoils and have my fill of them;
I will draw my sword; my hand shall despoil them!"
Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.


Matthew 12: 46 – 50 While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. But he said in reply to the one who told him, "Who is my mother?”

How do I think Jesus’ mother responded to this? How would my mother have responded to this?

Action: Call your Mother (or another important family member) today just to say hello.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Thought for Monday July 18

Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
He is my God, I praise him;
the God of my father, I extol him.
Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

Matthew 12: 38 – 42 Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.

Have I ever been stubborn and spent time “in the belly of the whale” instead of doing what I knew I should do? How long does it take me to change after I know I should?

Action: If there is some change you have been dreading or avoiding maybe now is the time to get on with it.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Thought for Friday July 15

I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.


Matthew 12: 1 – 8 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath."

Do I ever judge people about their observance of the Sabbath? Do I ever criticize people (in my mind or to others) at church because of the way they are dressed, or when they arrive, or how their kids act, or whether they receive Communion?

Action: Make a point of going to church this weekend and appreciating the presence of everyone who is there without judging anyone.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Thought for Thursday July 14

From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
“The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die.”
From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.


Matthew 11: 28 – 30 Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Do I find relief with Jesus? Does my relationship with him add to my burdens or lighten them?


Action: If you put your nose to the grindstone last week, take a well-deserved rest this week.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Thought for Wednesday July 13

The Lord will not abandon his people.
Shall he who shaped the ear not hear?
or he who formed the eye not see?
Shall he who instructs nations not chastise,
he who teaches men knowledge?
The Lord will not abandon his people.

Matthew 11: 25 – 27 At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,..”

When was the last time I really praised (not just thanked) God for anything? Do I do it often?
Action: Try to find 3 things God has done that are really praise-worthy and that you have never acknowledged before. Praise him.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Thought for Tuesday July 12

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 11: 20 – 24 Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented.

What does it take for me to repent? What mighty deeds have I seen?

Action: Look at the extraordinary things around and ask yourself if any inspire repentance.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Thought for Monday July 11

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.


Matthew 10: 34 – 11: 1 Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward

How often do I listen to things I really don’t want to hear? What is a prophet’s reward?

Action: Speak up about something that bothers you even though you know it may make you unpopular.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Thought for Friday July 8

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.


Matthew 10: 16 – 23 You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.

How important is it to me to be liked? Will I risk being disliked [or hated] to share Jesus’ love with others?

Action: Take a risk for Jesus today.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Thought for Thursday July 7

Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
The king sent and released him,
the ruler of the peoples set him free.
He made him lord of his house
and ruler of all his possessions.
Remember the marvels the Lord has done


Matthew 10: 7 – 15 The laborer deserves his keep.

Do I do enough to deserve everything I have? Are there people who do not deserve their keep?

Action: Do some good work today – Nose to the grindstone sort of stuff.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Thought for Wednesday July 6

Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.


Matthew 10: 1 – 7 Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

Do I feel that Jesus has chosen me for something special? What special gifts do I have?

Action: Make a list of 12 things you want to do for other people and start doing them.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Thought for Tuesday July 5

In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence.
In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.


Matthew 9: 32 – 38 A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.

Do I take being able to speak for granted or do I recognize it as a gift? Do I use the power of speech as a gift from God or …?

Action: When you speak to people today be aware of the powerful gift speech is.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Thought for Monday July 4

In you, my God, I place my trust.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
In you, my God, I place my trust.


Genesis 28: 10 - 22 Jacob then made this vow: “If God remains with me, to protect me on this journey I am making and to give me enough bread to eat and clothing to wear, and I come back safe to my father’s house, the LORD shall be my God.”

What life journey am I on now? How do I honor God for all he has done for me?

Action: Review the progress you have made on your journey and if you think you need to adjust your path, do it.