Thought for Thursday March 1

Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
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.
Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

 Matthew 7: 7 – 12  "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.  This is the law and the prophets."

Do I treat others the way I want to be treated?  Are there people I think don’t deserve to be treated this way? 

Action:  Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. 

Thought for Wednesday February 29

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Jonah 3: 1 – 10  The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: "Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you."

Has good ever given me a second chance (after leaving me in the belly of a whale for 3 days)?  How do I respond when I am given a second chance?

Action:  Give a stubborn idiot a second chance.  [It’s Leap Day so you only have to do this once every 4 years.]

Thought for Tuesday February 28

From all their distress God rescues the just.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
From all their distress God rescues the just.

Matthew 6: 7 – 15  Jesus said to his disciples: "In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them.”

Have I ever worried that I am not good at praying?  Is praying hard?

Action:  Pray.

Thought for Monday February 27

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Matthew 25: 31 – 46  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.

Which of these have I done in the last week?  Do I ever have that nagging feeling that I should have done more?

Action:  Do your best.

Thought for Friday February 24

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Isaiah 58: 1 – 9 This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke;  setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.

Am I doing any of these things?  What can I do this weekend?

Action:  Do one of these this weekend.

Thought for Thursday February 23

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.

Deuteronomy 20: 15 – 30  Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.  For that will mean life for you

Have I chosen to live my life under these terms?  Do I feel like I have chosen my life or that I am stuck with it?

Action:  If you feel like there is something in your life you are just stuck with, transform it into something you can rejoice in.

Thought for Ash Wednesday February 22

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Joel 2: 12 – 18  Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God.

Do I really need to be reminded to return to God every year?  Do I have a plan for this year?

Action:  Take Lent seriously.

Thought for Tuesday February 21

Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.

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.
Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.

Mark 9:30 – 37  If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.

Who do I put first?  Who has always put me first?

Action:  Do something today to honor someone who put you first.

Thought for Monday February 20

The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.
The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

Mark 9: 14 – 29  Everything is possible to one who has faith.

 Do I believe that I could have enough faith to do anything?  What am I failing to do because of a lack of faith?

Action:  The best way to grow in faith is to exercise faith.  Launch into some project you have been avoiding with faith that your faith will grow.

Thought for Friday February 17

Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.

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

Mark 8: 34 – 9: 1  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.

What would it mean to lose my life?   Am I willing to lose even part of my life?

Action:  Think of something about yourself you would like to change, and decide what you would have to “die to” in order to make that change.

Thought for Tuesday February 14

The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters,

the LORD, over vast waters.

The voice of the LORD is mighty;

the voice of the LORD is majestic.

The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Mark 8: 14 - 21 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.

What do I always take with me? What have I found that people most often need?

Action: Be somebody’s Valentine – give a gift, or a little time, a friendly ear, write a letter …

Thought for Monday February 13

Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

Let your kindness comfort me

according to your promise to your servants.

Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

James 1: 1 – 11 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Was my last trial joyful? Do I have perseverance?

Action: The next time you are challenged to do something hard. go for it with all of the joy and perseverance you can muster.

Thought for Friday February 10

I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.

"If only my people would hear me,

and Israel walk in my ways,

Quickly would I humble their enemies;

against their foes I would turn my hand."

I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.

Mark 7:31-37: People said of Jesus, "He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

Am I deaf to Christ’s words and mute in speaking them sometimes? Have I asked to be cured?

Action: Speak up for those who can’t or won’t speak for themselves.

Thought for Thursday February 9

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

Blessed are they who observe what is right,

who do always what is just.

Remember us, O LORD, as you favor your people;

visit us with your saving help.

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

Mark 7: 24 – 30 Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice.

Are there times when I don’t want to be disturbed? How do I respond when I am interrupted?

Action: The next time someone interrupts you when you want to be alone, muster all of your energy and be gracious.

Thought for Wednesday February 8

The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Commit to the LORD your way;

trust in him, and he will act.

He will make justice dawn for you like the light;

bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.

The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Mark 7: 14 – 23 Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile…. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.

What have I done in the last 3 days that might fall into Jesus’ list? Do I have to be evil to have evil thoughts?

Action: If this list reminds you of a particular weakness, come up with a positive action to do whenever you slip.

Thought for Tuesday February 7

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

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.

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

Mark 7: 1 – 13 "Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?"

Do I like traditions? Have I developed any traditions of my own?

Action: Adopt a new tradition (for Valentine’s Day, Lent, Spring, President’s Day, etc) to help others.

Thought for Monday February 6

May the Lord be glad in his works.

You send forth springs into the watercourses

that wind among the mountains.

Beside them the birds of heaven dwell;

from among the branches they send forth their song.

May the Lord be glad in his works.

Mark 6: 53 – 56 As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him [Jesus].

How do I recognize Jesus? Do I see him working in the world?

Action: Look for Jesus this week in places where you have never noticed him being.

Thought for Friday February 3

Blessed be God my salvation!

God's way is unerring,

the promise of the LORD is fire-tried;

he is a shield to all who take refuge in him.

Blessed be God my salvation!

Mark 6: 14 – 29 Others were saying, "He is Elijah"; still others, "He is a prophet like any of the prophets."

What was it like to live in a time when God sent prophets every so often to bring us closer to him? What is the advantage of knowing Jesus instead of waiting for another prophet?

Action: If you know a prophet, ask him who is going to win the Super Bowl. Enjoy the weekend.

Thought for Thursday February 2

Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Who is this king of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord, mighty in battle.

Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Luke 2: 22 – 40 “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

What is peace? Where do I find peace?

Action: Be the one peaceful person in the midst of bad situations.