Sunday, September 30, 2012

Thought for Monday October 1


The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the Lord:
“The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die.”
The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.

 

Luke 9: 46 – 50   Then John said in reply,  “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name  and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.” Jesus said to him,  “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

 
Who is for Jesus and who is against?  How do I tell the difference?

 
Action:  Show your support to someone who is trying to do good.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Thought for Friday September 28


Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 11

There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for everything under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
 

Luke 9: 18 – 22  Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.


Have I ever said or done exactly the right thing at exactly the wrong time?   What is it time for me to do right now?

Action:  Go do what it is time to do.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Thought for Thursday September 27


In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!

In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

 
Ecclesiastes 1: 2 – 11  All rivers go to the sea, yet never does the sea become full.

 
Am I pouring myself out like a river running to the sea?  Does it discourage me that the needs in my community exist despite all of the efforts to satisfy them?

 
Action:  Learn something about rivers and the people who depend on them for their lives and livelihood.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Thought for Wednesday September 26


Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
From every evil way I withhold my feet,
that I may keep your words.
Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.

 
Luke 9: 1 – 6  Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

 
Who do I believe now has this power and this responsibility?  Do I share any of the responsibility?

 
Action:  Exercise whatever power you have to make someone else’s life better.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Thought for Tuesday September 25


Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

 

Proverbs 21: 1 - 6, 10 - 13  All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the LORD who proves hearts.  He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard.

 

Do I ever let me need to be right interfere with my ability to be caring?  Which should be my priority?

 

Action:  Keep your ears open to other's needs.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Thought for Monday September 24


The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.

The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

 
Luke 8: 16 – 18  No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.

Do I sometimes hide my “light”?  Who has shared the light of God with me?

Action:  Share an insight you have had with someone you think can benefit from it.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Thought for Friday September 21


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.


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.

 
How did Jesus call me?  Have I answered?
 
Action:  If you are unclear about what Jesus is calling you to do, schedule a time to work on figuring it out.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Thought for Thursday September 20


How great are the works of the Lord!
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
sure are all his precepts,
Reliable forever and ever,
wrought in truth and equity.
How great are the works of the Lord!
 

Luke 7: 36 – 50  Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears.  Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.

 
Am I gracious enough to let people express their love?  Could I ever be passionate enough to do this for someone?

 
Action:  Do something loving for 3 people today.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Thought for Wednesday September 19


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

 
1 Corinthians 12: 31 – 13: 13  If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love,  I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.  And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Do I have love?  Is being loving my first priority?

Action:  Every time you have to make a decision, make “Is this loving?” one of the first questions you ask yourself.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Thought for Tuesday September 18


We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
We are his people: the sheep of his flock.

 
Luke 7: 11 – 17 He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”  The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
 
What would I do if Jesus raised me to a new life?  Would I go back to doing what I had always done?

Action:  Do something this week that you have never done before – go skydiving, read a different book, go to something at a church, eat different food, plan a trip, tell someone you love him/her – and rise to new possibilities in your  life.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Thought for Monday September 17


Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you
And may those who love your salvation
say ever, "The LORD be glorified."
Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.


Luke 7: 1 – 10   A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave.

Who is valuable to me?   What do I want Jesus to do for that person?

Action:   Do something to make yourself valuable to someone else.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Thought for Friday September 14


Do not forget the works of the Lord!
Hearken, my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable,
I will utter mysteries from of old.
 Do not forget the works of the Lord!

 

John 3: 13 – 17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

 

Do I spend my time working to fix [save] bad situations or just complaining [condemning] about them?   Do I see a lot of condemning in my society?

 

Action: Quit complaining about everyone else and go do something good.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Thought for Thursday September 13


Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise him with the blast of the trumpet,
praise him with lyre and harp,
Praise him with timbrel and dance,
praise him with strings and pipe.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!


Luke 6: 27 – 38  Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”


What affect does it have on me when I hate someone?  Does hate ever do anything good?

Action:  Listen for the word hate today and do something good for someone every time you hear it.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Thought for Wednesday September 12


Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
They are borne in with gladness and joy;
they enter the palace of the king.
The place of your fathers your sons shall have;
you shall make them princes through all the land.
Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

 
Luke 6: 20 – 26  Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied.  But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry.

What sounds better to me, being hungry with the promise of being satisfied or being full with the promise of being hungry?  Am I spiritually hungry or spiritually satisfied?

Action:  Fast for a little while so that you can appreciate the promise of being satisfied.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Thought for Tuesday September 11


The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
The Lord takes delight in his people.

 
Luke 6: 12 – 19  When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:

How do I think the disciples who were not chosen to be Apostles felt?   Do I want Jesus to chose me for a special assignment?

Action:  Accept the work Jesus is asking you to do.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Thought for Monday September 10


Lead me in your justice, Lord.
But let all who take refuge in you
be glad and exult forever.
Protect them, that you may be the joy
of those who love your name.
Lead me in your justice, Lord.

 
Luke 6: 6 – 11   The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.

Do I look for reasons to dislike people I disagree with?  Do I ever make a point of finding reasons to like someone I disagree with?

Action:  Think of the person with whom you most disagree and find 3 things you can appreciate in him or her.

 

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Thought for Friday September 7


The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
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.
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

 
Luke 5: 33 – 39  Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.  Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined.  Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.


Am I prepared to hear something new?  Am I so certain of things that I avoid listening to ideas that challenge my status quo?

Action:  If you have any non-negotiable beliefs, try to imagine what difference it would make if you are wrong.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Thought for Thursday September 6


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.

 
Luke 5: 1 – 11  He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
 

If I were at the end of a hard day, soaking wet, with nothing to show for my effort would I be inclined to just head back out?  Do I often feel like my faith is asking me to do just that?


Action:  Prepare yourself mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally for the long hard day.  

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Thought for Wednesday September 5


I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I, like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
Trust in the mercy of God
forever and ever.
I trust in the mercy of God for ever.

 
Luke 4: 38 – 44  At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.

 
If Jesus cured me with a touch of his hand, how would I feel the next time I got sick?  Would I really appreciate the gift of healing?

 
Action:  Do something for your health today in thanksgiving for everything Jesus does for you.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Thought for Tuesday September 4


The Lord is just in all his ways.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
The Lord is just in all his ways.


Luke 4: 31 – 37  In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon,  and he cried out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?


Why wouldn’t Jesus just destroy an unclean demon?  What evil would I like to see destroyed?

 
Action:  Try destroying a little bit of the evil that lives in you

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Thought for Monday September 3


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 4: 16 – 30  He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Am I a captive of anything [society, bad habits, addictions, insecurities, sins]?  Do I believe Jesus can liberate me?

 

Action: Support someone who is trying to free himself.