Thursday, August 29, 2013

Thought for Friday August 30


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.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Thought for Thursday 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. 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Thought for Wednesday August 28


Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Matthew 23: 27 – 32  You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous,  and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’

What things have my ancestors (social, cultural, or familial) done that I believe was bad?  Do I think there are things that I am doing now that some future generation will see as bad?

Action:  Think of something that was done in the past that is still having negative ramifications and do something to try and make it better.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Thought for Tuesday August 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.

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.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Thought for Monday August 26


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.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Thought for Friday August 23


Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.
They cried to the LORD in their distress;
from their straits he rescued them.
And he led them by a direct way
to reach an inhabited city.
Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.
 

Matthew 22: 34 – 40  He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”


Has trying to obey these two commandments ever affected any real decision in my life?  Do I see these commandments as true rules for living or as nice platitudes?

Action:  Do something for someone specifically to live out this second commandment.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Thought for Thursday August 22


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.   Don’t forget to RSVP if your nephew is getting married soon.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Thought for Wednesday August 21


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.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Thought for Tuesday August 20


The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

Matthew 19: 23 – 30  Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?”

What have I given up?  What do I expect in return?

Action:  Give up something, at least temporarily, so that you can follow Jesus.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Thought for Monday August 19


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.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Thought for Friday August 16


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.

 
Matthew 19: 3 – 12  So they are no longer two, but one flesh.  Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.


How do I show respect for marriage?  How can I support other people’s marriages?


Action:  Be supportive of people who are getting married soon.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Thought for Thursday 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.


Luke 1: 39 – 56  My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior


Does this proclamation move me?  Does my faith in the Lord cause me to rejoice?


Action:  Do something today to celebrate your faith.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Thought for Wednesday August 14


Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!
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!”
Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!

 
Matthew 18: 15 – 20  Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.”
 

How often do I try to resolve things privately?  Would I rather heal a relationship or be affirmed in righteous anger?
 

Action:  Resolve not to gripe about what someone else has done to you for one week.  Instead, put your energy into working out your differences or learning to live with it.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Thought for Tuesday August 13


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 barbeque it?

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

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Thought for Monday August 12


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?”

Do we owe a “temple tax” for the upkeep of the Church?   Is the tax monetary? 

Action:  Do something today to help maintain the Church – call someone who is lonely, run an errand for someone who is overburdened, compliment someone who seems down, forward this email to someone who might get something out of it.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Thought for Friday August 9


I remember the deeds of the Lord.
I remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I remember your wonders of old. 
And I meditate on your works;
your exploits I ponder.
I remember the deeds of the Lord.

Matthew 16: 24 – 28  Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”


What cross am I carrying?  What helps me get up when I stumble?


Action:  If you know someone carrying a heavy cross do something to lighten his load at least for a little while.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Thought for Thursday August 8


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.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Thought for Wednesday August 7


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:  Learn to appreciate things like a dog does and if you can, consider adopting a dog (or cat).

Monday, August 5, 2013

Thought for Tuesday August 6


The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.


Luke 9: 28 – 36  Then from the cloud came a voice that said,  “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.  They fell silent and did not at that time  tell anyone what they had seen.


What would I want to hear from a voice in the cloud to say about me?  What do I think God would really say about me? 


Action:  Pay someone a compliment today.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Thought for Friday August 2


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  Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.  Where did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him.

Were they offended at what he said or just offended because they didn’t think he should be preaching to them at all?  What offends me?

Action:  The next time something offends you, make a special effort to meet that offense with grace and love.

Thought for Monday August 5


Lord, teach me your statutes.
Take not the word of truth from my mouth,
for in your ordinances is my hope.
Lord, teach me your statutes.

Matthew 14; 13 – 21  When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.


Doesn’t it sound like Jesus wanted to be alone?  Why didn’t he just tell these people to go away?


Action:  Make an effort to put up with people who need love even when you feel like you have nothing left to give.