Thursday, May 31, 2012

Thought for Friday June 1


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.


Mark 11: 11 – 26  Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!”


Why did Jesus get mad at the fig tree?  Do I understand his frustration?


Action:  Every time you notice you are frustrated, set aside one dollar (or any amount you want) for people who are in a situation more frustrating than your own.  Remember to actually give that money to some charity that will use it to help them.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Thought for Thursday May 31


Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
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.
Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

  

Luke 1: 39 – 56  And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;


What does my soul proclaim?  What does my lifestyle proclaim?

Action:  Make a point of proclaiming positive and loving things in the way you act.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Thought for Wednesday May 30


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.


1 Peter 1: 18 – 25  Beloved:  Realize that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious Blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished Lamb.


Do I ever feel like what I am doing is futile?  Does Jesus help me focus on what is most worthwhile?

Action:  Do something worthwhile today.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Thought for Tuesday May 29


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.


Mark 10: 28 – 31  Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.”

What did Peter give up to follow Jesus?  What have I given up?


Action:  Give thanks for the “everything” that you have.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Thought for Monday May 28


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 10: 17 – 27  As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”


What does it mean to “inherit” something?  What does it say about our relationship with God if we hope to “inherit” eternal life?


Action:  Think of one element of your faith that you have inherited, and make a plan to pass it on to as many people as you can.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Thought for Friday May 25


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.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Thought for Thursday May 24


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).

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Thought for Wednesday May 23


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.


Have I ever felt hated because of the way I lived out the Gospel?  Am I worried about fitting into this world?

                                                                  
Action:  Do what you are supposed to do and don’t worry about what others think.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Thought for Tuesday May 22


Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;
you restored the land when it languished;
Your flock settled in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.



John 17: 1 – 11  I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.

What work has God given me to do?  Do I hope doing what God wants me to do will bring me fame, fortune, pleasure or any other earthly prize?

Action:  Make a list of things God wants you to accomplish and get to work on it.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Thought for Monday May 21


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:  Try to think of 3 things (moral or spiritual) you have changed your mind about in the last 20 years.  Think of 3 things you are still open to reconsidering.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Thought for Friday May 18


God is king of all the earth.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
God is king of all the earth.


Acts 18: 9 - 18   One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision, "Do not be afraid.  Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.  No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city."


Am I strong enough to speak the truth?  Am I strong enough to keep speaking the truth even when I am being rejected?


Action:  Do not be afraid.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Thought for Ascension Thursday May 17


God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.


Mark 16: 15 – 20  Jesus said to his disciples: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”


How am I doing?  Does “proclaim the Gospel” just mean “talk about Jesus”?

Action:  Proclaim the Gospel in everything you say and do.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Thought for Wednesday May 16


Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts.
 Heaven and earth are full of your glory.


 John 16: 12 – 15  Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.”

Do I value the truth?  Is being “truthful” the same as being “factual”?

Action:  Look around at your surroundings today and state one truth they bear witness to.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Thought for Tuesday May 15


Your right hand saves me, O Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth,
you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
Your right hand saves me, O Lord.


John 16: 5 – 11  Jesus said to his disciples: "Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.”

When have I experienced grief?  Was it healthy; did it help me move on?

Action:  When you make a change in your life to more closely bear witness to Jesus, go ahead and take the time to grieve for whatever you are giving up.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Thought for Monday May 14


The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.



Acts 1: 15 – 26  Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection…So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias… Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.


How would I respond if I were the one chosen to replace Judas?  How would I respond if I had been with them the whole time and still wasn’t chosen?

Action:  Step up and do the best you can in whatever circumstance you are in.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Thought for Friday May 11


The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

John 15: 9 – 17  Jesus said to his disciples: "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”


Would Jesus exclude anyone from the “one another” in this commandment?  Do I exclude anybody from who I love as Jesus loved me?


Action:  Follow the commandment.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Thought for Thursday May 10


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.



John 15: 9 – 11  “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”



Do I have Jesus’ joy in me?  Is my joy complete?


Action:  Find something in the next couple of weeks that you can celebrate with great joy.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Thought for Wednesday May 9


Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.



John 15: 1 – 8  Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.



Is it arrogant to think that I can make a real difference without Jesus?  Is it arrogant to think that I can work with Jesus to change the world?



Action:  Look around you for the next few days and choose something you can do to make the world better with Jesus.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Thought for Tuesday May 8


Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
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.
Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.


John 14: 27 – 31  Jesus said to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.


What is peace?  How is the “peace” we are offered by society, government, etc different from the peace of Jesus?


 Action:  Live peacefully today.  When something bothers you, just smile to yourself and think, “Maybe there is something good here that I just don’t see right now.”

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Thought for Monday May 7


Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,
but the earth he has given to the children of men.
Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.





John 14: 21 – 26  The Advocate, the Holy Spirit  whom the Father will send in my name  he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.



Have I ever felt the Holy Spirit remind me of something Jesus said?  What do I do when I am reminded of Jesus while doing something I realize isn’t quite consistent with his message?



Action:  Set up reminders so you don’t forget about Jesus’ message during your day; e.g. every time you pull out your credit card, whenever you get in your car, when your phone rings…

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Thought for Thursday May 3


Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day;
and night to night imparts knowledge.
Their message goes out through all the earth.


John 14: 6 – 14  Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.

Can I name the works Jesus did?  Do I do the works Jesus did?

Action:  Look up the works of mercy and practice them.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Thought for Wednesday May 2


O God, let all the nations praise you!
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!
O God, let all the nations praise you!



John 12: 44 – 50  I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.

 Isn’t it sometimes easier to stay in the dark?  Do I pick and choose what I “shine the light on”?

  Action:  Shine the light on something in your life or community that you have been avoiding.