Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Thought for Wednesday May 1


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.

Can I make a real difference without Jesus?  Do I believe 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, April 29, 2013

Thought for Tuesday April 30


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, April 28, 2013

Thought for Monday April 29


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…

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Thought for Friday April 26


You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
"Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish."
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

 
John 14: 1 – 6  In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.

What do I think Jesus is preparing for me?  How am I working to prepare my own place?


Action:  Take one room, or corner, or wall, or corner in your home and make it bear witness to Christ – without using a bunch of religious objects.

 

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Thought for Thursday April 25


Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.


1 Peter 5: 5 – 14  Be sober and vigilant.

When is it OK to be careless?   Am I vigilant?

Action:  Be sober and vigilant.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Thought for Wednesday April 24


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.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Thought for Tuesday April 23


All you nations, praise the Lord.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
All you nations, praise the Lord.

 John 10: 22 – 30  "How long are you going to keep us in suspense?  If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

Do I ever wish Jesus would speak more plainly to me?  Have I ever been in suspense waiting for him to show me something I should be doing?

Action:  Quit stalling.  Do something you know Jesus wants you to do even if he hasn’t spoken “plainly.”

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Thought for Monday April 22


Athirst is my soul for the living God.
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
Athirst is my soul for the living God.

John 10: 1 – 10  But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.

Can I recognize Jesus’ voice?  Do I know when the “voice I am hearing” (temptation) is not from Jesus?

Action:  If Jesus has been trying to get you to do something, do it.  Follow his voice.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Thought for Friday April 19


Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

 John 6: 52 – 59  Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.

Do I have life within me?  Have I accepted the Flesh and Blood of Jesus?

Action:  Go to church this weekend and worship God for all he has given you.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Thought for Thursday April 18


Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Bless our God, you peoples,
loudly sound his praise;
He has given life to our souls,
and has not let our feet slip.
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.


John 6: 44 – 51  Jesus said to the crowds: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him”

How has God drawn me?  What have I done in response to God’s call to me?

Action:  Do something to thank God for drawing you to him.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Thought for Wednesday April 17


Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.


John 6: 35 – 40  Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.

Do I sometimes like to think that Jesus would reject some people?  Am I glad that he doesn’t?

Action:  The next time you see or hear about someone doing something that really bothers you, do something specific to counteract the bad effect.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Thought for Tuesday April 16


Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

John 6: 30 – 35  Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”


What do I hunger and thirst for?  Are my needs satisfied in Jesus?

Action:  Start working on something your community is really hungering for, and ask Jesus to help you.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Thought for Monday April 15


Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
I declared my ways, and you answered me;
teach me your statutes.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

John 6: 22 – 29  Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.

What am I working for? Do I expect to see the final results of all of my work in my lifetime?

Action:  Make a change in your life that you know bears witness to Christ even though you know you won’t actually be able to see the results.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Thought for Friday April 12


One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
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.
One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

John 6: 1 – 15  Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?"

Do I ever think that what I have to offer isn’t enough to make a difference?  Have I ever seen my efforts multiplied into something great?

Action:  Give whatever you can and trust in God to multiply it.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Thought for Thursday April 11


The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

John 3: 31 – 36  For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.  He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.

Is there any limit to the gifts of the spirit?  Do I ever feel like I have to ration my gifts; like I could burnout?

Action:  Examine your gifts and find one that gives you energy.  Make a plan to nourish that gift.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Thought for Wednesday April 10


The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

John 3: 16 – 21  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

How often do I hear condemnations “in the name of God”?   Am I working to save the world from things others will only condemn it for?

Action: Absolve and liberate are both opposites of condemn. Start working on ways to absolve or liberate our society from the sins other Christians condemn it for.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Thought for Tuesday April 9


The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.
The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

Acts 4: 32 – 37  There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.

What am I doing for those in need?  Has anybody ever helped me when I needed it?

Action:  Share something (money, time, energy) with someone in need.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Thought for Monday April 8


Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"
Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

Luke 1: 26 – 38  And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Would this kind of greeting make me nervous?   Would I be worried or excited about what was coming next?

Action: The next time you are called upon to perform some “special” task, respond with as much trust in the Lord as Mary showed.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Thought for Friday April 5


The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

John 21: 1 – 14  Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We also will come with you."

Do I ever do something recreational when I am trying to sort through spiritual thoughts?  Do I value recreation?

Action:   Let God run the world this weekend while you take some time off to enjoy your life.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Thought for Thursday April 4


O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
 

Luke 24: 35 – 48    While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”


Am I at peace?  Do I deal peacefully with other people?


Action:  Be peaceful with the people you encounter today.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Thought for Wednesday April 3


Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.

Luke 24: 13 – 35  “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?”


What is the best part of staying informed and being part of the conversation about important events?  What is the downside?


Action:  Help transform the conversation into action.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Thought for Tuesday April 2


The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

John 20: 11 – 18 Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping.

Have I ever been afraid to allow myself to feel the real pain of loss?  Am I confident that I will always find consolation?

Action:  The next time you lose someone (or something) let yourself grieve confident that you will find consolation.