Thought for Thursday May 1

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.

Thought for Wednesday April 30

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.

Thought for Tuesday April 29

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.

 

John 3: 7 – 15  Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.

When I make choices that bear witness to Jesus, but are contrary to the prevailing culture, do people sometimes treat me like I am an outcast?  Do I ever get frustrated when people don’t accept my testimony?

Action:  Keep bearing witness even though people may treat you like a nut.

Thought for Monday April 28

Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.
Why do the nations rage
and the peoples utter folly?
The kings of the earth rise up,
and the princes conspire together
against the LORD and against his anointed:
"Let us break their fetters
and cast their bonds from us!"
Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

John 3: 1 – 8 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man once grown old be born again?

Have I ever wondered if I am too old to change?  Is it ever too late to begin bearing witness to Jesus?

Action:  Take the first step toward changing one of your oldest “bad habits” – something you do that really isn’t consistent with Jesus’ message.

Thought for Friday April 25

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.

Thought for Thursday April 24

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
O LORD, our Lord,
how glorious is your name over all the earth!
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

 

Luke 24: 35 – 48  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

Is my mind open?  What is the most important thing I understand from the Bible?

Action:  If you have closed your mind to anything in scripture (something you reject or avoid), try to open your mind and deal with it.

 

Thought for Wednesday April 23

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  Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people

Am I doing my part to carry on Jesus’ work as a prophet?  Do I ever go against the grain at home, school, church, work or around my friends?

Action:  If something has been bugging you, something you think isn’t really consistent with gospel values, do something to change the way you may contribute to the problem.

Thought for Tuesday April 22

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.

Thought for Monday April 21

Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

Matthew 28: 8 – 15  They gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You are to say, His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.'

Would I ever lie for money?  Does lying seem worse when I think of Jesus dying on the cross for me?

Action:  Think of Jesus’ sacrifice every time you are faced with a tough decision.

Thought for Good Friday April 18

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
Take courage and be stouthearted,
all you who hope in the LORD.
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

John 18: 1 – 19: 42  When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Does this sink in?  Can I really “be in the moment” of Jesus death?

Action:  Spend some time between noon and three today contemplating Jesus death.

Thought for Holy Thursday

Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

 

John 13: 1 – 15  He [Jesus] said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you?

 

Do I realize what Jesus has done for me?

 

Action:  Eat dinner today and try to appreciate the food (where it comes from, how it is prepared, who cooked it, etc.) and the company.   Try to picture Jesus eating the Passover with his friends.

Thought for Wednesday April 16

Lord, in your great love, answer me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving:
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
Lord, in your great love, answer me.

 

Matthew 26: 14 – 25  On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?"

What am I preparing for Jesus?  Do I have anything I want to do during Easter that I am still preparing for?

Action:  Plan something to celebrate Holy Week or Easter.

Thought for Tuesday April 15

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.

 

John 13: 21 – 38  Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, "Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me."

Have I ever been betrayed by a friend or family member?  Does a betrayal negate forever all of the good someone does?

Action:  If you have ever been betrayed and are still upset about it, make a list of all the good your betrayer has done and try to show them as much compassion as Jesus showed Judas.

Thought for Monday April 14

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

 

John 12: 1 – 11  He [Judas Iscariot] said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions.

Why would Jesus have such a low-life among his Apostles?  Doesn’t Jesus only call people who are good and holy to do his work?

Action:  Examine your conscience.  Is there anything you do that would make other people wonder why Jesus would want you around?  Work to change that and know that Jesus loves you anyway.

Thought for Friday April 11

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

 

John 10: 31 – 42  The Jews answered him, "We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.”

Do I place more value on works or words?  Is it easier to misunderstand works or words?

Action:  Try doing something good without talking about it and see if your work speaks for itself.

Thought for Thursday April 10

The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

John 8: 51 – 59  Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.'

Is “child of God” a central part of my identity?  Do I use that phrase to describe other people?

Action:  Think of the 5 people that annoy you the most and for each one say, “____________ is a child of God.”  Repeat to yourself as often as necessary.  

Thought for Wednesday April 9

Glory and praise forever!
"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages."
Glory and praise forever!

 

John 8: 31 – 42  Jesus said, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

How does the truth set me free?  Have I ever been trapped in a lie?

Action:  Look at a bad situation and see if any Gospel truths are being ignored.  Try to bring truth into the situation.

Thought for Tuesday April 8

O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
O LORD, hear my prayer,
and let my cry come to you.
Hide not your face from me
in the day of my distress.
Incline your ear to me;           
in the day when I call, answer me speedily.
O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.

John 8: 21 – 30  The one who sent me is with me.  He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him.

Do I always do what is pleasing to God?  How often do I even think about it?

Action:  Do something pleasing to God today.

Thought for Monday April 7

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
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.
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.

John 8: 1 – 11  “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.  And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders.

Do I have to be sinless to see the sins of others?  What can I do when I do recognize another’s sin?

Action:  The next time you notice someone else sinning, do something positive to counteract the effect of that sin.  

Thought for Friday April 4

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

John 7: 1-2, 10, 25 - 30     Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him.

If people were trying to kill me, would I avoid them?  What do I believe in enough to risk my life?

Action:  Avoid any person, habit or situation which “kills” your spirit; at least for a day or two.

Thought for Wednesday April 2

The Lord is gracious and merciful.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
The Lord is gracious and merciful.

John 5: 17 – 30  “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

What can I do on my own?  Whose will do I seek?

Action:  Try to do something good that you have not done before because you thought you just weren’t up to it.