Thought for Friday July 1

The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Merciful and gracious is the LORD,

slow to anger and abounding in kindness.

Not according to our sins does he deal with us,

nor does he requite us according to our crimes.

The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Matthew 11: 25 – 30 Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Do I feel overburdened? What constitutes real rest?

Action: Take some time this weekend to set aside your burdens and get some rest.

Thought for Thursday June 30

I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.

Our God is in heaven;

whatever he wills, he does.

Their idols are silver and gold,

the handiwork of men.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.

Matthew 9: 1 – 8 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, Why do you harbor evil thoughts?

Do I ever harbor evil thoughts? When am I most likely to have thoughts that are less than loving?

Action: When you are going to be in a situation that you know stirs up bad thoughts for you, make a plan for reminding yourself to ask for Jesus’ help and presence in that situation.

Thought for Wednesday June 29

The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall be ever in my mouth.

Let my soul glory in the LORD;

the lowly will hear me and be glad.

The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Acts 12: 1 – 11 Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on his behalf.

Am I fervently praying for anything with the whole Church?

2 Timothy 4: 6 – 8, 17 – 18 I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.

Is it important to me to finish the race and keep the faith?

Action: Peter and Paul kept the Church united in spite of their own conflicts. Find a way to stay united with the people you are working with in spite of your conflicts.

Thought for Tuesday June 28

O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.

But I walk in integrity;

redeem me, and have mercy on me.

My foot stands on level ground;

in the assemblies I will bless the LORD.

O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.

Matthew 8: 23 – 27 As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

Have I ever been really scared? Is calling on Jesus the first thing I do in a bad situation or the last?

Action: Do something to help or comfort someone (human or animal) who is afraid of unemployment, homelessness, disease, violence, or anything else.

Thought for Monday June 27

Remember this, you who never think of God.

“Consider this, you who forget God,

lest I rend you and there be no one to rescue you.

He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;

and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”

Remember this, you who never think of God.

Matthew 8: 18 – 22 Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

What makes me feel “at home” when I am away from home? Do I feel at home in church or while praying?

Action: Show your appreciation for the people who have to spend extended periods of time away from home to help others.

Thought for Friday June 24

I praise you for I am wonderfully made.

Truly you have formed my inmost being;

you knit me in my mother’s womb.

I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;

wonderful are your works.

I praise you for I am wonderfully made.

Luke 1: 57 – 66, 80 “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.

What does my name mean? What do I want people to think about when they hear my name?

Action: Every time you hear your name today, stop and evaluate what you are doing and how it contributes to making you who you want to be.

Thought for Thursday June 23

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his mercy endures forever.

Who can tell the mighty deeds of the LORD,

or proclaim all his praises?

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Matthew 7: 21 – 29 Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.

Am I a fool? What is my moral/spiritual foundation?

Action: Add something solid to your foundation.

Thought for Wednesday June 22

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.

Matthew 7: 15 – 20 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. So by their fruits you will know them.

Is it really so simple to tell the good from the bad? Am I bearing good fruit?

Action: Do something to improve a situation that is full of bad fruit.

Thought for Tuesday June 21

He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

He who walks blamelessly and does justice;

who thinks the truth in his heart

and slanders not with his tongue.

He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Matthew 7: 6; 12 - 14 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many.”

Do I usually follow the well-worn path even if I don’t think it is the best way to go? Are there any narrow gates that I am afraid to go through?

Action: Name 5 things that “everybody” does that you know aren’t quite right and then stop doing one of them.

Thought for Monday June 20

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

Our soul waits for the LORD,

who is our help and our shield.

May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us

who have put our hope in you.

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

Matthew 7: 1 – 5 Jesus said to his disciples: "Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.”

Am I ever so sure I am doing the right thing that I would actually like to be judged? Does it bother me when someone I don’t like gets caught doing something good?

Action: The next time you notice you are judging someone negatively, stop and find one good thing the person is doing or has done – even if it is just that he/she showed up.

Thought for Friday June 17

From all their distress God rescues the just.

Glorify the LORD with me,

let us together extol his name.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

From all their distress God rescues the just.

Matthew 6: 19 – 23 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.”

What do I treasure? Am I holding on to anything that I should let go of?

Action: Learn to treasure something that is eternal.

Thought for Thursday June 15

Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth.

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.

Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth.

Matthew 6: 7 – 15 “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

When I pray the Our Father am I aware of making any promises or commitments? Do I forgive others and expect to be forgiven?

Action: Forgive someone for something – you don’t even need to tell him/her about, just let it go in your heart.

Thought for Wednesday June 15

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.

Matthew 6: 1 – 6, 16 – 18 Jesus said to his disciples:… When you give alms… When you pray… When you fast…

Is Jesus assuming too much saying “when” instead of “if”? When do I give alms, pray and fast?

Action: Give alms, pray and fast.

Thought for Tuesday June 14

Praise the Lord, my soul!

Praise the LORD, my soul!

I will praise the LORD all my life;

I will sing praise to my God while I live.

Praise the Lord, my soul!

Matthew 5: 38 – 42 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

What makes someone my enemy? Is it hard to love my enemies?

Action: Pray for your enemies today.

Thought for Monday June 13

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.

Matthew 5: 38 – 42 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.

Do I ever turn the other cheek or is that just a joke to me? Is it important to me that people who do bad things get punished?

Action: The next time someone does something bad to you, make a point of doing something nice for someone else.

Thought for Friday June 10

The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,

so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.

As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he put our transgressions from us.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

John 21: 15 – 19 Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

Do I love Jesus? Am I tending his sheep?

Action: Provide some gentle leadership to someone who seems to be wandering.

Thought for Thursday June 9

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

I bless the LORD who counsels me;

even in the night my heart exhorts me.

I set the LORD ever before me;

with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

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.

Do I see perfection in my future? Do I like the idea of being perfect?

Action: Show one person perfect love today (for as long as you can stand it).

Thought for Wednesday June 8

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 June 7

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 definition of eternal life satisfy my curiosity? What would be my ideal of eternal life?

Action: Do something today that will help someone else know God.

Thought for Monday June 6

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.”

Do I believe Jesus knows everything? Does it comfort me or annoy me to think of Jesus as a know-it-all?
Action: Think of some issue you are sure you are right about and then think about how Jesus would express his moral certitude. If there is a difference between what you do and what he would do, make a plan to change your approach.

Thought for Friday June 3

God is king of all the earth.

All you peoples, clap your hands,

shout to God with cries of gladness,

For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,

is the great king over all the earth.

God is king of all the earth.

John 16: 20 – 23 So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

Am I in anguish? Can I even begin to imagine the joy of being in the presence of God?

Action: Do something joyful this weekend; or at least try to make it joyful for someone else.

Thought for Thursday June 2

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

For king of all the earth is God;

sing hymns of praise.

God reigns over the nations,

God sits upon his holy throne.

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

Acts 1: 1 – 11 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When Jesus had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
How do I feel about Jesus leaving and telling me to witness for him? What does being a witness for Jesus involve?

Action: Bear witness to Jesus.