Thought for Friday August 31

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
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.
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Matthew 25: 1 – 13  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.

Am I wise or foolish?  Am I spiritually prepared for the times when things don’t go well?

Action:  Imagine something really bad happens to you a year from now; start spiritually preparing yourself for that event.

Thought for Thursday August 30

I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Matthew 24: 41 – 53  “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time?

 

What am I in charge of?  Am I faithful and prudent?

 

Action:  Spend one whole day being prudent about everything – time, money, food, activities, work, etc. 

Thought for Wednesday August 29

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
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.
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Mark 6: 17 – 29  Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody.  When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him.

What prophets do I listen to?  Do I sometimes avoid listening to people because I am afraid they will challenge my beliefs?

Action:  Listen to a viewpoint or opinion that is different from your own and see if you can recognize any similar values. 

Thought for Tuesday August 28

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.

 

Matthew 23: 23 – 26  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.  You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,  and have neglected the weightier things of the law:  judgment and mercy and fidelity.

How often do I show mercy?  In what areas of my life is fidelity important?

 

Action:  The next time you have the chance to put someone in their place, show a little mercy.

 

Thought for Monday August 27

Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Matthew 23: 13 – 22  You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.

What responsibility do I have to lead others in living a good life?  How am I doing?

Action:  Make a point of doing something to model Christ to someone who needs a good example.

Thought for Friday August 24

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 1: 45 – 51  Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

If someone shares good news with me, am I inclined to be skeptical?   What good news would I receive most joyfully?

 

Action:  Search a newspaper or news broadcast for good news and celebrate the good things that are happening.

Thought for Thursday August 23

I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.

I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins.

Matthew 22: 1 – 14  “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.  He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.

 

Do I ever decline invitations even though the event might be fun?  Do I ever refuse the good things God offers me? 

Action:  Accept an invitation you would normally decline and try to see God in the experience.

Thought for Wednesday August 22

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness will 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.

Matthew 20: 1 – 16  Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’

Am I standing around doing less than I could be doing?  Is it too late for me to get started working for the Kingdom of God?

 Action:  Start working on something you keep putting off.

Thought for Tuesday August 21

It is I who deal death and give life.
“How could one man rout a thousand,
or two men put ten thousand to flight,
Unless it was because their Rock sold them
and the LORD delivered them up?”
It is I who deal death and give life.

Matthew 19: 23 – 30  Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven.”

Am I rich or do I want to be?  Do I see being rich as a problem?

Action:  Use some of your riches (money, talent, time, etc) to help someone who is poor.

Thought for Monday August 20

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
Many times did he rescue them,
but they embittered him with their counsels.
Yet he had regard for their affliction
when he heard their cry.
Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

Matthew 19: 16 – 22  “If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”  He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

How am I doing?  Is this simple list really that simple?

Action:  Don’t kill, cheat, steal, lie or dishonor your family and, if you have time, do something loving for your neighbor.  If you need a model – think of a Saint Bernard.

Thought for Friday August 17

You have turned from your anger.
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 have turned from your anger.

Ezekiel 16: 59 – 63  Thus says the LORD: I will deal with you according to what you have done, you who despised your oath, breaking a covenant.

Do I want God to deal with me according to what I have done?  Do I think I have done anything to deserve God’s unconditional love?

Action:  If you have broken a promise, try to make up for it.

Thought for Thursday August 16

Do not forget the works of the Lord!
And he surrendered his strength into captivity,
his glory in the hands of the foe.
He abandoned his people to the sword
and was enraged against his inheritance.
Do not forget the works of the Lord!

Matthew 18: 21 – 19: 1  At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,  ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’  Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.

Do I owe anyone; for help, friendship, compassion?  Have I ever forgiven a debt that was owed to me?

Action:  Give someone the break he needs right now.

Thought for Wednesday August 15

The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
They are borne in with gladness and joy;
they enter the palace of the king.
The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

 

1 Corinthians 15: 20 - 27   The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for "he subjected everything under his feet.”

Is death my enemy?  How do I plan to defeat death?

Action:   Defeat death today by celebrating being alive.

Thought for Tuesday August 14

How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

How sweet to my taste is your promise!

Matthew 18: 1 – 5, 10, 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?

Would I leave the 99 and go after the one?  If I found the one that had gone astray, would I be happy or mad that it had gone astray?

Action:  Leave your comfort zone of the 99, and take a risk reaching out to one who has gone astray.

Thought for Monday August 13

Heaven and earth are filled with 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 filled with your glory.

 

Matthew 17: 22 – 27  “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?”

Is there value in paying a tax?   Is the tax we owe just monetary? 

Action:  Do something today to pay your temple tax – call someone who is lonely, run an errand for someone who is overburdened, compliment someone who seems down, ...

Thought for Friday August 10

Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

John 12: 24 – 26  Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”

Is it easy to let go of something with only the promise that it will produce more?   Do I ever hold onto ideas because I don’t want to share credit?

Action:  Give up ownership of an idea you have had to make things better and see if it grows.

Thought for Thursday August 9

Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.

Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Matthew 16: 13 – 23  And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

What is Jesus promising?  How important is it to me?

 Action:  Next time you make a promise, think carefully and make sure your promise has value and that you can fulfill it.

Thought for Wednesday August 8

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
But soon they forgot his works;
they waited not for his counsel.
They gave way to craving in the desert
and tempted God in the wilderness.
Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

Matthew 15: 21 – 28  She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”

Do I have enough dignity to ask for more than scraps?  Do I have enough humility to accept scraps?

Action:  Give the best you have to offer today even if it is only scraps; and consider adopting a dog.

Thought for Tuesday August 7

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not off from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Matthew 14: 22 – 36  Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Have I ever started something with great enthusiasm and then lost confidence (or nerve, or energy) and given up?  If so, did I call out to Jesus for help or just sink?

Action:  If there is something you have given up on doing, pick it up again and ask Jesus to help you carry on.

Thought for Monday August 6

The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

Mark 9: 2 – 10  Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;  from the cloud came a voice,  “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”

What would I like a voice from the cloud to say to people about me?  Are there good things about me that people would only realize if God told them about it?

Action:  Don’t expect God to tell everybody how great you are; live in such a way that you can’t be ignored.

Thought for Friday August 3

Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Matthew 13: 54 – 58  Where did this man get all this?”

Where did Jesus’ wisdom come from?  Where does mine come from?

Action:  Share some of your wisdom with someone today or listen to the wisdom of someone you respect.

Thought for Thursday August 2

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
They go from strength to strength.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!

  

Matthew 13: 47 – 53  Jesus said to the disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind.  When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away.”

How do I feel about being one fish among many?   Would I rather swim just with my own kind?

Action:  Consider the Olympic swimmers and how hard they have worked at swimming; imagine the impact you could have on the world if you worked as hard at living the gospel.