Thought for Wednesday August 1

God is my refuge on the day of distress.
But I will sing of your strength
and revel at dawn in your mercy;
You have been my stronghold,
my refuge in the day of distress.
God is my refuge on the day of distress.

 Matthew 13: 44 – 46  The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

 

Would I joyfully give up everything for the Kingdom of heaven? 

Action:  Give away something you think you really need.

Thought for Tuesday July 31

For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.
For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

Matthew 13: 36 – 43  Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.

Does it comfort me to know that Jesus recognized that there were times to stop preaching and expecting the people to respond?   Do I give myself a break from time to time?

Action:  Give yourself a planned break (a short one) from studying the word of God.

Thought for Monday July 30

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Our fathers made a calf in Horeb
and adored a molten image;
They exchanged their glory
for the image of a grass-eating bullock.
 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Matthew 13: 31 – 35  “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”

Am I yeast or flour?  What do I see in my community that kneads to be raised (leavened)?

 Action:  Try to be the yeast in 2 situations this week and let yourself be flour in 2 others.  In other words, be a leader and allow yourself to be led.

Thought for Thursday July 26

With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.
How precious is your mercy, O God!
The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They have their fill of the prime gifts of your house;
from your delightful stream you give them to drink.
With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.

Matthew 13: 10 – 17  To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

In what ways am I rich?  Do I rejoice in what I do have or whine about what I don’t have?

 Action:  Share what you have and don’t worry about what you lack.

Thought for Wednesday July 25

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

2 Corinthians 4: 7 – 15  We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.

Am I afflicted, perplexed, or persecuted?  Does Jesus help me rise above my own limitations?

Action:  I was perplexed when faced with coming up with an action, but don’t despair I have an idea – be supportive of someone you know who feels struck down or abandoned.

Thought for Tuesday July 24

Lord, show us your mercy and love.
Will you not instead give us life;
and shall not your people rejoice in you?
Show us, O LORD, your kindness,
and grant us your salvation.
Lord, show us your mercy and love.

John 20: 1 – 2, 11 - 20  Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

By what name does Jesus address me?  How do I respond to being called by name?

Action:   Do something for someone today that you would normally only do for someone who calls you by your name.

Thought for Monday July 23

Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
He is my God, I praise him;
the God of my father, I extol him.
Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

Matthew 12: 38 – 42  Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.

How many days would I have to spend “in the belly of the whale” before I gave up my resistance to doing what God asks of me?  Would I rather endure pain than change?

Action:  If there is some change you have been dreading or avoiding maybe now is the time to get on with it.

Thought for Friday July 20

You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.
Those live whom the LORD protects;
yours is the life of my spirit.
You have given me health and life.
You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.

Matthew 12: 1 – 8  For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

 

How do I usually observe the Sabbath.   Is Jesus the Lord of my Sabbath?

Action:  Observe a true Sabbath this weekend – turn off all of your electronic devices for at least an hour and try being alone with your thoughts.

Thought for Thursday July 19

The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Matthew 11: 28 – 30  Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

What burdens am I carrying?  What could I do if I laid them down?

Action:  Lay down your burdens and open up your heart.  Trust Jesus to do the heavy lifting for a little while.

Thought for Wednesday July 18

The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
The Lord is kind and merciful.

Matthew 11: 25 – 27  At that time Jesus exclaimed:  "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…”

How often do I praise God?  What do I praise him for?

Action:  Praise God for three things today.

Thought for Tuesday July 17

God upholds his city for ever.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
God upholds his city for ever.

Matthew 11: 20 – 24  Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented.

What does it take for me to repent?  What mighty deeds have a seen?

Action:  Look at the extraordinary things around and ask yourself if any inspire repentance.

Thought for Monday July 16

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?"
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Matthew 10: 34 – 11: 1   Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.

Am I worthy of God?  Does God require me to be worthy of him or is his presence a gift?

Action:   Do something today that is worthy of the values your father and mother taught you.

Thought for Friday July 13

My mouth will declare your praise.
Behold, you are pleased with sincerity of heart,
and in my inmost being you teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
My mouth will declare your praise.

  

Matthew 10: 16 – 23  You will be given at that moment what you are to say.

Have I ever found the right words when I didn’t know what to say?  Do I trust God to help me express his love?

Action:  If you have been putting off talking to someone because you don’t know what to say; go ahead and call and trust God to help you.

Thought for Thursday July 12

Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see:
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted,
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.

Matthew 10: 7 – 15  Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

What have I been given?  Do I give without expecting a return?

Action:  Share something you have been given and accept nothing in return.

Thought for Wednesday July 11

Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
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.
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Matthew 10: 1 – 7  Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

Do I feel that Jesus has chosen me for something special?   What special gifts do I have?

Action:  Make a list of 12 things you want to do for other people and start doing them.

Thought for Tuesday July 10

The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.

Matthew 9: 32 – 38  At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

Have I ever felt abandoned?  Do I know anyone who feels abandoned?

Action:  Be a leader for someone who seems to be wandering aimlessly.

Thought for Monday July 9

In you, my God, I place my trust.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
In you, my God, I place my trust.

Matthew 9: 18 – 26  While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, "My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live."  Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.

Do I look to Jesus for immediate help or long term help?    What should I expect from him?

Action:  If you tend to look to Jesus for mostly long term stuff, identify a situation in your life today that needs help and ask him for it.  If you look to him for mostly the immediate stuff, think about what you want him to do for you in the long run and make a plan for asking for it consistently.

Thought for Friday July 6

One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
The way of truth I have chosen;
I have set your ordinances before me.
One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Matthew 9: 9 – 13  As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.

Is it really that easy?  When was the last time I just got up and followed Jesus?

Action:   Get up and follow Jesus.

Thought for Thursday July 5

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 July 4

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"For mine are all the animals of the forests,
beasts by the thousand on my mountains.
I know all the birds of the air,
and whatever stirs in the plains, belongs to me."
 To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

 Amos 5:  14 – 15, 21 -24   Hate evil and love good, and let justice prevail at the gate;

What is the difference between bad and evil?  Should I hate everyone who does anything bad?

Action:  Celebrate justice.

Thought for Tuesday July 3

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.

 John 20: 24 – 29  So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Do I think Thomas was justified in doubting the other disciples?   Do people I trust sometimes pass on information that is not true?

Action:   The next time one of your friends passes on good news - believe it – at least for a little while.

Thought for Monday July 2

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:  Do something to support the people who give their time and energy to help people who are homeless.