Thought for Tuesday January 1

May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
   may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
   and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
May God bless us in his mercy.

Luke 2: 16 – 21  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen,  just as it had been told to them.

What did I glorify God for in the last year?  Did I glorify him enough?

Action: Resolve to glorify God for one thing each day of the new year.

Thought for Monday December 31

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
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 before the LORD.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

 

John 1: 1 – 18  What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Does the darkness ever overcome me?  Do I sometimes look for the darkness i.e. pay close attention to all of the negative stuff that is or might be happening in the world?

Action:  Resolve to pay close attention to the good going on in the world instead of obsessing about the bad.

Thought for Friday December 28

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

 

Matthew 2: 13 – 18  The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you.  Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”

 

Is “run away and hide” the advice I would expect from the God who sent plagues to Egypt, wiped out the Amalekites, and destroyed Jericho?  Does the birth of Jesus seem to usher in a new era in God’s dealings with his people?

 

Action: Make a point of doing something nice for the “innocent” people around you.

Thought forThursday December 27

Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

 

1 John 1: 1 – 4  what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.

Is my joy complete?   What have I done to make others’ joy complete?

Action:  Keep singing Joy to the World.  All of the boys and girls and all of the fishes of the deep blue sea will appreciate it. Just don’t call me at 0430 singing (you know who you are). 

Thought for Christmas Eve

Luke 2: 1 – 14

 

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Day!

Thought for Friday December 21

Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.
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.
Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

Luke 1: 39 – 45  Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.

What am I hoping for this Christmas?  What would it take to fulfill my hopes and dreams?

Action:  If the world doesn’t end before you read this, spend this weekend preparing yourself for Christmas – this may include letting yourself off the hook for not doing everything you wanted to do.   If the world does end before you get this, then I probably won’t send out any more of these.

Thought for Thursday December 20

Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
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.
Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

 

Luke 1: 26 – 38  …for nothing will be impossible for God.

 

Do I believe that nothing is impossible for God?  Do I believe he can do great things through me?

Action:  Take on something that is a little over your head and trust that God will help you.

Thought for Wednesday December 19

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

Luke 1: 5 – 25  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

Does the way I live my life  bring joy and gladness to my parents?  What could I do to make many people rejoice over my existence?

Action:  Do something today your Mom & Dad and God the Father would be proud of you for.  If it happens to be your birthday, do two great things.

Thought for Tuesday December 18

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous deeds.
And blessed forever be his glorious name;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

 

Matthew 1: 18 – 25  She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

How do my actions give my name meaning?   What do I want my name to mean?

Action:  Make a point of calling people by their names today, conscious that we are all still creating ourselves as persons.

Thought for Monday December 17

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
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.
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Matthew 1: 1 – 17  Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab.  Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab.

Who cares?  Why are people interested in genealogy?  Is it important to see ourselves as a product of a long line of people even if we don’t know who they are?

Action:  Send a Christmas card to your most distantly related, shirttail cousin or friend just to acknowledge that we are all one family in Christ.

Thought for Friday December 14

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.

 

Matthew 11: 16 – 19  But wisdom is vindicated by her works.

 

Have I ever been vindicated after some controversy?  Is this the age of wisdom?

Action:  You will have opportunities to be foolish this weekend, chose to be wise.

Thought for Thursday December 13

The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.
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.
The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.

 

Matthew 11: 11 – 15  From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.

We still have violence, but is it different than it would be if Jesus had not come?  How does Jesus help me “survive” the violence that is around me and in my own heart?

Action:  The next time you have a violent thought (like slamming into the guy who just cut you off in traffic) ask Jesus to help you resist the temptation and then do something nice for the next person you see.

Thought for Wednesday December 12

You are the highest honor of our race.
Your deed of hope will never be forgotten
by those who tell of the might of God.
You are the highest honor of our race.

  

Luke 1: 39 -  47  And Mary said:  “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;  my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

 

What does my soul proclaim?  What does my mouth proclaim?

 

Action:  Do something today to rejoice in God’s greatness.

Thought for Tuesday December 11

A voice cries out:
In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill shall be made low;
The rugged land shall be made a plain,
the rough country, a broad valley.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together;
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

 

Matthew 18: 12 – 14  If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills  and go in search of the stray?

 

Have I ever been the stray?  If so, who came looking for me?

Action:  Help out a stray even if you can’t bring him all the way home.

Thought for Monday December 10

Our God will come to save us!
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
Our God will come to save us!

Luke 5: 17 – 26  Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.”

When was the last time I was astonished?  Has God ever shown me incredible things?

 

Action:  Astonish someone with kindness.

Thought for Friday December 7

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

 

Matthew 9: 27 – 31  When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?”  “Yes, Lord,” they said to him.

 

Did Jesus really think they would say, “No”?   How important is it to proclaim your faith?

 

Action:  Tell someone you love/care about them even if you think it is so ridiculously obvious that you don’t need to say it.

Thought for Thursday December 6

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

 

Matthew 7: 21 – 27  Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.  The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.  But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.

What is my spiritual house built on?  Who among my friends, family or acquaintances has the strongest foundation?

Action:  If there are in soft/sandy spots in your foundation, make a plan for strengthening them.

Thought for Wednesday December 5

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

 

Matthew 15: 29 – 37  Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others.

 

Is Jesus so inspiring to me that I try to bring other people to him?  Do I ever make a conscious effort to be Christ to someone in need?

 

Action:  Be Christ for someone today: smile, encourage, help, give …

Thought for Tuesday December 4

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
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.
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.

 

Luke 10: 21 – 24  Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.  For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired 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 and hear that prophets and kings missed?  What have others seen that I missed?

Action:  Share something you have seen or heard with someone who has not seen or heard.

Thought for Monday December 3

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my relatives and friends
I will say, "Peace be within you!"
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

 

Isaiah 2: 1 – 5  They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.

Are we getting closer to this or farther away?  Do I accept war as necessary or can I imagine a world without it?

Action:  Do something to support the people who are training for war because we haven’t found a better way yet.

Thought for Friday November 30

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Matthew 4: 18 – 22  As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,  Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.

How do I identify myself?  What job does Jesus see me doing?

Action:  This weekend, do something you want Jesus to see you doing.

Thought for Thursday November 29

Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

 

Revelations 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9  Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb."

 

What does it mean to me to be invited to a wedding?  Do I feel like I have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb?

 

Action: The last Thursday before Advent is usually Thanksgiving in the USA and we have special readings for that day.  We rarely read this part of Revelation or today’s Gospel Luke 21: 20 – 28.  If you get the chance, read them both.

Thought for Wednesday November 28

Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!

Luke 21: 12 - 19 For I [Jesus] myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking.

Has Jesus ever helped me find just the right words when I didn’t know what to say?  Have I ever heard Jesus speak to me through someone else?

Action:  Trust Jesus to help you speak to all of the annoying relatives and acquaintances you will run into for the next month or so.

 

Thought for Tuesday November 27

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.

 

Luke 21: 5 – 11  While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

 

What do I most like or not like to see in churches (the buildings only)?   What kinds of things help me to worship and pray?

 

Action:  Decorate your house for Advent in a way that will really help you focus on the season.

Thought for Monday November 26

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 21: 1 – 4  He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

If I won the lottery, would I give a large donation to charity?  If I did, would that donation be better than what I am giving now?

Action:  Give until it hurts – make a donation that isn’t easy for you.  It doesn’t have to be money – blood is in great demand at this time of year and there are plenty of animals that need a good home.

Thought for Friday November 23

We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.
For all in heaven and on earth is yours.”
We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.

 

Luke 19: 45 – 48  The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

 

Doesn’t “put him to death” seem like a pretty extreme way of responding to someone you disagree with?  Am I violent about any issue?

 

Action:  Have a great weekend.

Thought for Tuesday November 20

The Lord upholds me.
When I lie down in sleep,
I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
I fear not the myriads of people
arrayed against me on every side.
The Lord upholds me.

 

Luke 19: 1 – 10  Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,  was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way.

 

What keeps me from seeing who Jesus really is?  What am I going to do about it?

 

Action:  Do whatever you have to do to see Jesus.

Thought for Monday November 19

Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Though the snares of the wicked are twined about me,
your law I have not forgotten.
Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

 

Luke 18: 35 – 43  He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

 Have I seen a miracle?  What miracle would I most like to see happen?

 Action:  Work to improve some situation that “would need a miracle to fix.”

Thought for Friday November 16

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Within my heart I treasure your promise,
that I may not sin against you.
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

 

Luke 17: 26 – 37  Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.

What about my life am I set on preserving?   What would I like to lose?

Action:  Examine your life for something you do frequently/consistently that bears no fruit and quit doing it.

 

Thought for Thursday November 15

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
The LORD secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

 

Luke 17: 20 – 25  Then he said to his disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.”

Do I want the Son of Man to come today?  Would it disappoint me if he showed up before I finished ___________?

Action:  Get to work on whatever you want to finish before the Son of Man.

Thought for Wednesday November 14

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

 

Titus 3: 1 – 7  Beloved: Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise. They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone.

 

 Am I gracious toward everyone?  Who is the most gracious person I know?

 

Action:  Get involved in some good enterprise.

Thought for Tuesday November 13

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 17: 1 – 6  And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

 

Would greater faith make my life easier or harder?  Do I want to grow in faith?

 

Action:  Launch in to some project that will require greater faith than you actually have.

Thought for Friday November 9

The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.
The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

 

1 Corinthians 3: 9 – 11, 16 - 17  Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Do I treat myself – my body, my words, etc – with as much respect as I show for Church buildings?  What do I do to build up and maintain my temple?

Action:  Invest some time in maintaining your temple.

Thought for Thursday November 8

Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.

 

Luke 15: 1 – 10  In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

In this big, complicated world, does the repentance of just one sinner seem like something worth celebrating?   Do I believe God is happy when I repent?

Action:  Repent of one of your sins and celebrate the great effect that repentance will have.

Thought for Wednesday November 7

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

 

Philippians 2: 12 – 18  But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.

What joy do I have to share?  Am I more likely to share joy or misery?

Action:  Share your joy with someone and be grateful for the joy others share with you.

Thought for Tuesday November 6

I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
"May your hearts be ever merry!"
I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

Luke 14: 15 - 24   One of those at table with Jesus said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God."

Doesn’t this statement seem pretty obvious?  Why would anyone refuse an invitation to dine in the Kingdom of God?

Action:  Accept a dinner invitation this week or extend one to someone.

Thought for Monday November 5

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

 

Luke 14: 12  - 14  Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;  blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.

Would the world be different if people were less focused on what they can get out of a situation?  How would I be different if I were?

Action:   Do something really special for someone anonymously.

Thought for Friday November 2

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

 

John 6: 37 – 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.

 Do I really believe the Son will raise me up on the last day?  How would I like to spend my last day?

 Action:   Do something this weekend that you would like to do on your last day.

Thought for Thursday 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.

 

1 John 3: 1 – 3  Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed.  We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.

 

What hope do I hold for the people who have gone before me?  Who have I lost that I miss the most?

 

Action:  Do a good deed for someone today in honor of someone you have lost.

Thought for Wednesday October 31

The Lord is faithful in all his words.
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.
The Lord is faithful in all his words.

 

Luke 13: 22 – 30  Someone asked Jesus, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”

 

What do I want the answer to this question to be?  Do I want everyone to be saved, or do I prefer to think of heaven as a very exclusive club?

 

Action:  Think of someone (contemporary, historical or even fictional) that you believe is not going to heaven, and imagine God forgiving him.

Thought for Tuesday October 30

The Lord has done marvels for us.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
The Lord has done marvels for us.

 

Luke 13: 18 – 21  Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like?  It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.  When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”

What strikes me most about this description of the Kingdom of God?  Do I have a role/place in this kingdom?

Action:   Do something to make someone’s day.

Thought for Monday October 29

Behave like God as his very dear children.
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.

Behave like God as his very dear children.

Ephesian 4: 32 – 5: 8   Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones, no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving.

 

How do I respond when I hear talk that is obviously unfit among holy ones?  Do I participate?

 

Action:  Use your words for talk that is fit for holy ones.

Thought for Friday October 26

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.

Ephesians 4: 1 – 6  Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace;

Am I living in a manner worthy of the call I have received?   Do I bear other people with love – all of them?

Action:   The next time you find yourself in the middle of chaos, keep calm and be the voice of peace.

Thought for Thursday October 25

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
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.
Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

 

Luke 12: 49 – 53 Jesus said,  “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?  No, I tell you, but rather division.”

So is Jesus happy that there is such division in the world?   Is he expressing a wish or a prediction or …?

 Action:  Find some common ground, no matter how trivial, with someone or some cause you disagree with.

 

Thought for Wednesday October 24

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  Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.

What has been entrusted to me?   What is demanded of me?

Action:  Decide to use one of your gifts for the good of others.

 

Thought for Tuesday October 23

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

 

Luke 12: 35 – 38  Jesus said to his disciples:  “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.”

What am I waiting for?  Do I stand ready to do the Father’s will?

Action:  Stay up 15 minutes later tonight and ask God if there is anything he wants you to do.

Thought for Monday October 22

The Lord made us, we belong to him.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise.
The Lord made us, we belong to him.

Luke 12: 13 – 21  “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

What are my most prized possessions?  Would it make any difference in my life if I lost them?

 

Action:  Give away some things you really don’t need.