Thought for Tuesday February 1

They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

And to him my soul shall live;

my descendants shall serve him.

Let the coming generation be told of the LORD

that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born

the justice he has shown.

They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

Hebrews 12: 1 – 4 Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.


What is clinging to me that slows me down? What do I need to do to insure that I persevere?


Action: Start preparing yourself for the challenges that may lie before you.

Thought for Monday January 31

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.

Mark 5: 1 – 20 The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him.


Do I believe strength can subdue evil? How have I done at subduing the evil in my life?


Action: Go subdue some evil. [Ok, I can’t think of a good action for this one.]

Thought for Friday January 28

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.

Mark 4: 26 - 34 Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.”


Am I willing to “scatter the seeds of the Word” if I am not sure how they will grow? Am I willing to scatter seed and trust God to make it grow?


Action: Scatter ten seeds of good this weekend and trust God to make them grow.

Thought for Thursday January 27

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.

Mark 4: 21 – 25 Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?


Do I share my light? Am I attracted to people who share their light?


Action: After you read this sing This Little Light of Mine to yourself or your dog [most cats seem to hate being sung to.]


This little light of mine,/I'm gonna let it shine/This little light of mine,/I'm gonna let it shine/This little light of mine,/I'm gonna let it shine/Let it shine,/Let it shine,/Let it shine.




Hide it under a bushel? No!/I'm gonna let it shine/Hide it under a bushel? No!/I'm gonna let it shine/Hide it under a bushel? No!/I'm gonna let it shine/Let it shine,/Let it shine,/Let it shine.

Thought for Wednesday January 26

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.

Mark 4: 1 – 20 “Hear this! A sower went out to sow.”

What am I sowing? What should I be sowing?

Action: Go out and sow some good seeds.

Thought for Tuesday January 25

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.

Mark 16: 15 – 18 Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

Is proclaiming the Gospel somebody else’s job or mine? Is it being done well?

Action: If you know of some place in your community where the Gospel isn’t being proclaimed well enough to make a difference, do something to make the situation better.

Thought for Monday January 24

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

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.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

Mark 3: 22 – 30 But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.


What are my strengths and weaknesses? What does it take to get me to go against what I really believe in?


Action: Strengthen yourself to resist being overpowered by sinful temptations.

Thought for Friday January 21

Kindness and truth shall meet.

Kindness and truth shall meet;

justice and peace shall kiss.

Truth shall spring out of the earth,

and justice shall look down from heaven.

Kindness and truth shall meet.

Mark 3: 13 – 19 Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.


Do I feel wanted? Do I feel like Jesus wants me?


Action: Be welcoming to someone who may not feel wanted.

Thought for Thursday January 20

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

May all who seek you

exult and be glad in you,

And may those who love your salvation

say ever, “The LORD be glorified.”

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Mark 3: 7 – 12 A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.

What did these people have to invest in order to follow Jesus? What am I willing to invest?

Action: Invest something (time, energy, attention) to get to know Jesus better.

Thought for Wednesday January 19

You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;

before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”

You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Mark 3: 1 – 6 “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”


Are good and evil my only choices? Do I sometimes just not do?


Action: Do something good.

Thought for Tuesday January 18

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 2: 23 – 28 As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”

Were the Pharisees really upset at what the disciples were doing or were they just looking for a reason to be annoyed? Do I ever catch myself looking for a reason to be annoyed?
Action: The next time you find yourself being annoyed, ask yourself if it is something important or just an excuse to be mad.

Thought for Monday January 17

You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;

before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”

You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Mark 2: 18 – 22 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast.


What am I accustomed to doing spiritually? Who is it working?


Action: Accustom yourself to something that helps you express your relationship with God.

Thought for Friday January 14

Do not forget the works of the Lord!

What we have heard and know,

and what our fathers have declared to us,

we will declare to the generation to come

The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength.

Do not forget the works of the Lord!

Mark 2: 1 – 12 They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him.


How hard do I work to bring people to Jesus? Do I give up easily?


Action: If you have been working to bring someone to Jesus and meeting obstacles at every turn, show that person this gospel passage and tell him or her that you intend to keep trying.

Thought for Thursday January 13

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship;

let us kneel before the LORD who made us.

For he is our God,

and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Mark 1: 40 – 45 The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.


What effect does publicity have? How much do I let publicity affect me?


Action: When you are exposed to any kind of publicity choose to let it have a positive effect on you even if it is designed to cause negative feelings.

Thought for Wednesday January 12

The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;

make known among the nations his deeds.

Sing to him, sing his praise,

proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Mark 1: 29 – 39 Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.

When and where do I pray? Do I like to pray?

Action: Set aside a time and place to pray.

Thought for Tuesday January 11

You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

All sheep and oxen,

yes, and the beasts of the field,

The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,

and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

Mark 1: 21 – 28 All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority.


What is the difference between authoritative teaching and judgementalism? Who has the right to impose their teachings on others?


Action: When you hear somebody offer “teaching” about something, ask yourself if it really expresses the values Jesus taught before you take it too seriously.

Thought for Monday January 10

Let all his angels worship him.

The heavens proclaim his justice,

and all peoples see his glory.

Let all his angels worship him.

Let all his angels worship him.

Mark 1: 14 – 20 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him.


What would Jesus have to offer me for me to give up everything I know? What am I willing to leave behind?


Action: If there is something you are holding on to that is getting in the way of living your faith, make a plan to give it up.

Thought for Friday January 7

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.

1John 5: 5 – 13 Beloved: Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Do I feel like a victor over all the world? Do I ever feel like the world has beaten me?
Action: Celebrate your victory, even if you feel like a loser.

Thought for Thursday January 6

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

May his name be blessed forever;

as long as the sun his name shall remain.

In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;

all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Luke 4: 14 – 22 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

Did everyone who praised Jesus’ teaching change their lives? Am I changing my life because of his teaching?

Action: Do something in response to Jesus’ teaching.

Thought for Wednesday January 5

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,

and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.

He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;

the lives of the poor he shall save.

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Mark 6: 45 – 52 About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out.


Have I ever wondered where Jesus meant to go? Have I ever wondered where I am going?


Action: Pick one spiritual goal and chart a path to get you moving toward that goal.

Thought for Tuesday January 4

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Justice shall flower in his days,

and profound peace, till the moon be no more.

May he rule from sea to sea,

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Mark 6: 34 – 44 When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd;


Do I accept Jesus’ leadership or do I prefer to be my own shepherd? How well is my choice working for me?

Action: If there is some aspect of your life that isn’t going well, look for a new shepherd – starting with Jesus.

Thought for Monday January 3

I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.

The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;

this day I have begotten you.

Ask of me and I will give you

the nations for an inheritance

and the ends of the earth for your possession.”

I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.

Matthew 4: 12 – 25 His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them.


What would it be like if everyone around me (including me) were cured of every illness? Who do I want to have cured?


Action: Do something nice for someone who is sick or for his/her caregiver.