Thought for Friday November 30

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Matthew 4: 18 – 22  As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,  Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.

How do I identify myself?  What job does Jesus see me doing?

Action:  This weekend, do something you want Jesus to see you doing.

Thought for Thursday November 29

Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

 

Revelations 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9  Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb."

 

What does it mean to me to be invited to a wedding?  Do I feel like I have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb?

 

Action: The last Thursday before Advent is usually Thanksgiving in the USA and we have special readings for that day.  We rarely read this part of Revelation or today’s Gospel Luke 21: 20 – 28.  If you get the chance, read them both.

Thought for Wednesday November 28

Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!

Luke 21: 12 - 19 For I [Jesus] myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking.

Has Jesus ever helped me find just the right words when I didn’t know what to say?  Have I ever heard Jesus speak to me through someone else?

Action:  Trust Jesus to help you speak to all of the annoying relatives and acquaintances you will run into for the next month or so.

 

Thought for Tuesday November 27

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 21: 5 – 11  While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

 

What do I most like or not like to see in churches (the buildings only)?   What kinds of things help me to worship and pray?

 

Action:  Decorate your house for Advent in a way that will really help you focus on the season.

Thought for Monday November 26

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Luke 21: 1 – 4  He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

If I won the lottery, would I give a large donation to charity?  If I did, would that donation be better than what I am giving now?

Action:  Give until it hurts – make a donation that isn’t easy for you.  It doesn’t have to be money – blood is in great demand at this time of year and there are plenty of animals that need a good home.

Thought for Friday November 23

We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.
For all in heaven and on earth is yours.”
We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.

 

Luke 19: 45 – 48  The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

 

Doesn’t “put him to death” seem like a pretty extreme way of responding to someone you disagree with?  Am I violent about any issue?

 

Action:  Have a great weekend.

Thought for Tuesday November 20

The Lord upholds me.
When I lie down in sleep,
I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
I fear not the myriads of people
arrayed against me on every side.
The Lord upholds me.

 

Luke 19: 1 – 10  Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,  was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way.

 

What keeps me from seeing who Jesus really is?  What am I going to do about it?

 

Action:  Do whatever you have to do to see Jesus.

Thought for Monday November 19

Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Though the snares of the wicked are twined about me,
your law I have not forgotten.
Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

 

Luke 18: 35 – 43  He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

 Have I seen a miracle?  What miracle would I most like to see happen?

 Action:  Work to improve some situation that “would need a miracle to fix.”

Thought for Friday November 16

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Within my heart I treasure your promise,
that I may not sin against you.
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

 

Luke 17: 26 – 37  Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.

What about my life am I set on preserving?   What would I like to lose?

Action:  Examine your life for something you do frequently/consistently that bears no fruit and quit doing it.

 

Thought for Thursday November 15

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
The LORD secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

 

Luke 17: 20 – 25  Then he said to his disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.”

Do I want the Son of Man to come today?  Would it disappoint me if he showed up before I finished ___________?

Action:  Get to work on whatever you want to finish before the Son of Man.

Thought for Wednesday November 14

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

 

Titus 3: 1 – 7  Beloved: Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise. They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone.

 

 Am I gracious toward everyone?  Who is the most gracious person I know?

 

Action:  Get involved in some good enterprise.

Thought for Tuesday November 13

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

 

Luke 17: 1 – 6  And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

 

Would greater faith make my life easier or harder?  Do I want to grow in faith?

 

Action:  Launch in to some project that will require greater faith than you actually have.

Thought for Friday November 9

The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.
The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

 

1 Corinthians 3: 9 – 11, 16 - 17  Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Do I treat myself – my body, my words, etc – with as much respect as I show for Church buildings?  What do I do to build up and maintain my temple?

Action:  Invest some time in maintaining your temple.

Thought for Thursday November 8

Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.

 

Luke 15: 1 – 10  In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

In this big, complicated world, does the repentance of just one sinner seem like something worth celebrating?   Do I believe God is happy when I repent?

Action:  Repent of one of your sins and celebrate the great effect that repentance will have.

Thought for Wednesday November 7

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

 

Philippians 2: 12 – 18  But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.

What joy do I have to share?  Am I more likely to share joy or misery?

Action:  Share your joy with someone and be grateful for the joy others share with you.

Thought for Tuesday November 6

I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
"May your hearts be ever merry!"
I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

Luke 14: 15 - 24   One of those at table with Jesus said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God."

Doesn’t this statement seem pretty obvious?  Why would anyone refuse an invitation to dine in the Kingdom of God?

Action:  Accept a dinner invitation this week or extend one to someone.

Thought for Monday November 5

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

 

Luke 14: 12  - 14  Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;  blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.

Would the world be different if people were less focused on what they can get out of a situation?  How would I be different if I were?

Action:   Do something really special for someone anonymously.

Thought for Friday November 2

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

 

John 6: 37 – 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.

 Do I really believe the Son will raise me up on the last day?  How would I like to spend my last day?

 Action:   Do something this weekend that you would like to do on your last day.