Thought for Thursday August 1

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
I had rather one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!

 

Matthew 13: 47 – 53 Jesus asked the disciples, "Do you understand all these things?" They answered, "Yes."

Do I ever say, “I don’t understand” to avoid taking responsibility?  Am I willing to act on what I do understand from the Gospel?

Action:  Make a commitment to focus and act on what you do understand from the Gospels. 

Thought for Wednesday July 31

God is my refuge on the day of distress.
Rescue me from my enemies, O my God;
from my adversaries defend me.
Rescue me from evildoers;
from bloodthirsty men save me.
God is my refuge on the day of distress.

Matthew 13: 34 – 36  The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

What would I sell for the Kingdom of heaven?  What is it worth to me?

Action:  Do something worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thought for Tuesday July 30

The Lord is kind and merciful.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
The Lord is kind and merciful.

 Matthew 13: 36 – 43  Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.  His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

Is there anything Jesus said that I would like him to explain further?  What do I do when I don’t understand something in the Bible?

Action:   Pick up your Bible today, read a few verses and really try to understand what they mean.

Thought for Monday July 29

Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the LORD, our God.
Holy is the Lord our God.

Luke 10: 38 – 42  She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.  Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?  Tell her to help me.”  The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.  There is need of only one thing.  Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”  

 

Am I a Martha or a Mary?  Do I stay busy because I think I [and my work] is more important than what someone else may have to contribute?

 

Action:  Spend at least 8 hours this week [not necessarily consecutive] doing nothing constructive.  Sleeping and eating don’t count as nothing.

Thought for Friday July 26

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

 

Matthew 13: 18 – 23  The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.

 

What anxieties am I facing?  What “riches” are luring me away from the word of God?

Action:  This weekend focus on the word of God with the specific intent of making it bear fruit in your life.

Thought for Thursday July 25

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

 

Matthew 20: 20 – 28  She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.”

 

What would my Mother ask Jesus to do for me?   What would I ask Jesus to do for my children?

 

Action:  Call your parents, or someone else who has had a big influence on your spiritual life and thank them.

Thought for Wednesday July 24

I will sing of your salvation.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
 I will sing of your salvation.

Matthew 13: 1 – 9  A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up.

Do I ever feel like the good that I do just gets swallowed up and lost?  Does it frustrate me when my efforts don’t bear fruit?

Action:  Keep planting seeds even if many of them never bear fruit.

Thought for Tuesday July 23

Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
At the breath of your anger the waters piled up,
the flowing waters stood like a mound,
the flood waters congealed in the midst of the sea.
The enemy boasted, "I will pursue and overtake them;
I will divide the spoils and have my fill of them;
I will draw my sword; my hand shall despoil them!"
Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

 

Matthew 12: 46 – 50  While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. But he said in reply to the one who told him, "Who is my mother?”

How do I think Jesus’ mother responded to this?  If he were my son would I be able to accept that he was just making a point or would I be really hurt?

Action:  Call your Mother (or another important family member) today just to say hello.

Thought for Monday July 22

Lord, show us your mercy and love.
Will you not instead give us life;
and shall not your people rejoice in you?
Show us, O LORD, your kindness,
and grant us your salvation.
Lord, show us your mercy and love.

John 20: 1 – 2, 11 - 20  Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

By what name does Jesus address me?  How do I respond to being called by name?

Action:   Do something for someone today that you would normally only do for someone who calls you by your name.

Thought for Friday July 19

You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.
Those live whom the LORD protects;
yours is the life of my spirit.
You have given me health and life.
You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.

 

Matthew 12: 1 – 8  For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

How do I usually observe the Sabbath.   Is Jesus the Lord of my Sabbath?

Action:  Observe a true Sabbath this weekend.

Thought for Thursday July 18

The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

 

Matthew 11: 28 – 30  Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

What burdens am I carrying?  What could I do if I laid them down?

Action:  Lay down your burdens and open up your heart.  Trust Jesus to do the heavy lifting for a little while.

Thought for Wednesday July 17

The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
The Lord is kind and merciful.

Matthew 11: 25 – 27  At that time Jesus exclaimed:  "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…”

How often do I praise God?  What do I praise him for?

Action:  Praise God for three things today.

Thought for Tuesday July 16

Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
I am sunk in the abysmal swamp
where there is no foothold;
I have reached the watery depths;
the flood overwhelms me.
Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

Matthew 11: 20 – 24  Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented.

What things have I not repented from?  Am I getting closer?

Action:  Repent, or at least take one small step in that direction.

Thought for Monday July 15

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think you that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Matthew 10: 34 – 11: 1   Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Do the routines of my life ever keep me from changing and growing?  How willing am I to let go of my rituals?

Action:  Change some routine in your life to give you more time to pray, study the Gospel, or minister to others.

Thought for Friday July 12

My mouth will declare your praise.
Behold, you are pleased with sincerity of heart,
and in my inmost being you teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
My mouth will declare your praise.

Matthew 10: 16 – 23  You will be given at that moment what you are to say.

Have I ever found the right words when I didn’t know what to say?  Do I trust God to help me express his love?

Action:  If you have been putting off talking to someone because you don’t know what to say; go ahead and call and trust God to help you.

Thought for Thursday July 11

Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see:
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted,
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.

 

Matthew 10: 7 – 15  Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

What is most important to me, the things I have been given or the things I have earned?  Do I give without expecting a return?

Action:  Share something you have been given and accept nothing in return.

Thought for Wednesday July 10

Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
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.
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Matthew 10: 1 – 7  Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

Do I feel that Jesus has chosen me for something special?   What special gifts do I have?

Action:  Make a list of 12 things you want to do for other people and start doing them.

Thought for Tuesday July 9

 

The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.

Matthew 9: 32 - 38 At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

Who do I know that seems to be living without a shepherd?  Do I ever live like that?

Action:  Offer help and support to someone who feels abandoned.

Thought for Monday July 8

In you, my God, I place my trust.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
In you, my God, I place my trust.

Matthew 9: 18 – 26  While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, "My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live."  Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.

Do I look to Jesus for immediate help or long term help?    What should I expect from him?

Action:  If you tend to look to Jesus for mostly long term stuff, identify a situation in your life today that needs help and ask him for it.  If you look to him for mostly the immediate stuff, think about what you want him to do for you in the long run and make a plan for asking for it consistently.

Thought for Thursday July 4

I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.

Matthew 9: 1 – 8  Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,  Why do you harbor evil thoughts?

Does it bother me that Jesus knows what I am thinking?  When am I most likely to have thoughts that are less than loving?

Action:  When you are going to be in a situation that you know stirs up bad thoughts for you, make a plan for reminding yourself to ask for Jesus’ help and presence in that situation.

Thought for Wednesday July 3

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

 

Ephesians 2: 19 – 22   Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God,  built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.

Do I feel a kinship with my fellow citizens?  What does it mean to me to be a member of the household of God?

Action:  Wish a happy Feast Day to everyone you know named Thomas, Tom or Thommy.

Thought for Tuesday July 2

O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.
But I walk in integrity;
redeem me, and have mercy on me.
My foot stands on level ground;
in the assemblies I will bless the LORD.
O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.

 

Matthew 8: 23 – 27  As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.  Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep.

Staying calm is one thing, but did Jesus really need to sleep during a violent storm?  Was Jesus just tired or was he trying to make a point?

Action:  The next time you are in a chaotic or stressful situation, try to go beyond calm and be the one who sees the irrelevance of the situation in light of eternity.