Monday, June 30, 2014

Thought for Monday June 30


Remember this, you who never think of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
Remember this, you who never think of God.
 

Matthew 8: 18 – 22  “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”


Have I been led to anywhere I wasn’t planning to go?  Have I resisted going somewhere Jesus was trying to lead me?


Action:  Next time you are asked to go somewhere you hadn’t planned,  go.  Ask Jesus to be with you and when it is over, ask yourself if it was really all that bad.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Thought for Friday June 27


The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
 
Matthew 11: 25 – 30  Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
 
Do I feel overburdened?  What constitutes real rest?
 
Action:  Take some time this weekend to set aside your burdens and get some rest.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Thought for Thursday June 26


For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake.
For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

Matthew 7: 21 – 29  Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.

What in my life is built on rock and what on sand?

Action:  Think of something in your life that is built on sand, and make a plan for rebuilding it on rock. 

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Thought for Wednesday June 25


Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.

Matthew 7: 15 – 20  So by their fruits you will know them.


Do I ever judge things just by their appearances and not their fruits?  Am I careful to look for the fruits of my prayer life and not just the piety of the practices?


Action:  Notice what fruit the people you know are producing and compliment them for it.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Thought for Tuesday June 24


I praise you for I am wonderfully made.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.

Luke 1: 57 – 66, 80  “What, then, will this child be?”  For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.


Do I ever look in the mirror and wonder who I will be?  If the hand of the Lord is with me, what is my potential?


Action:  No matter how old you are, take a few minutes to contemplate “what you want to be when you grow up” and write it down.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Thought for Friday June 20


The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
For the LORD has chosen Zion;
he prefers her for his dwelling.
“Zion is my resting place forever;
in her will I dwell, for I prefer her.”
The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.


Matthew 6: 19 – 23  Jesus said to his disciples:  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.  But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

What is my treasure?  Where is my heart?  

Action:  Make a deposit to your store of treasures.

Thought for Monday June 23


Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
 Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Matthew 7: 1 – 5  Jesus said to his disciples: "Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.”

Do I notice a lot of judgmental behaviors in my society?  Do I often make judgments about people or ideas based on very little information?

Action:   Pay attention to how many times you judge other people today.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Thought for Thursday June 19


Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth.
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD.
Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth.

 
Matthew 6: 7 – 15  If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.


Are there things that have been done to me that I just won’t forgive?  Have I ever done anything I think I will never be forgiven?


Action:  Forgive someone for something even if they have never apologized or shown any remorse.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Thought for Wednesday June 18


Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.


Matthew 6:1 – 18  Jesus said to his disciples: "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.”


Do I like to get a little credit for doing good things?  Does Jesus want me to hide all of my good deeds?

Action:  Secretly do something good for someone.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Thought for Tuesday June 17


Praise the Lord, my soul!
Praise the LORD, my soul!
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I live.
Praise the Lord, my soul!

 
Matthew 5: 43 – 48  Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.


How am I supposed to love an enemy?  Can I just ignore this because Jesus said it two thousand years ago and had no concept of the complexities of the modern world?


Action:  Do something loving for someone you can’t stand; for example bake your boss a pie.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Thought for Friday June 13


I long to see your face, O Lord.
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.
I long to see your face, O Lord.

1 King 19 – 16  Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the LORD came to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD — but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake —  but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire — but the LORD was not in the fire.  After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.  When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.


Do I expect God to speak to me in whispers or booms?  How do I know what to listen for (for what to listen)?


Action:  Pay attention to the whispers.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Thought for Wednesday June 11


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.

 Matthew 5: 17 – 19  But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.


How much do laws (rules, regulations, policies) affect my behavior?  Do they have a good influence on my behavior?


Action:   Be good today.

Thought for Thursday June 12


The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
 
Matthew 5: 20 – 26  You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment,
 
Do I see a lot of anger in the world/people around me?   What do I get angry about?
 
Action: The next time you get angry or annoyed about something (politics, economy, clothing styles, music, emails, etc), do something nice for someone.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Thought for Tuesday June 10


Lord, let your face shine on me.
Steady my footsteps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity rule over me.
Lord, let your face shine on me.

Matthew 5: 13 – 16  Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?

What do I bring to the table?  What would be lost if I quit doing my part?

Action:  The next time you hear someone referred to as “the salt of the earth” try and emulate something good that he or she does to earn that accolade.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Thought for Monday June 9


Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
 
Matthew 5: 1 – 12  Blessed are the poor in spirit… Blessed are they who mourn… Blessed are the meek… Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness… Blessed are the merciful… Blessed are the clean of heart… Blessed are the peacemakers… Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness…
 
Am I any of these things?  Which of these can I control?
 
Action:  Work for righteousness, show mercy, clean your heart, or make peace today.   

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Thought for Friday June 6


The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

 
John 21: 15 – 19 Simon, son of John, do you love me?"  Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."   He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

Do I love Jesus?  Am I tending his sheep?

Action:  Provide some gentle leadership to someone who seems to be wandering.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Thought for Thursday June 5


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.
 
John 17: 20 – 26 And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.

Do I see perfection in my future?  Do I like the idea of being perfect?

Action:  Show one person perfect love today (for as long as you can stand it).

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Thought for Wednesday June 4


Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the earth.
You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God,
chant praise to the Lord
who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens.
Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power:
“Confess the power of God!”
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

 
John 17: 11 – 19  I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.  I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One.

Do I belong to this world?  How does God keep me from the Evil One?

Action:  The next time you find yourself getting wrapped up in the things of this world, go the extra mile for someone who has nothing in this world.

 

Monday, June 2, 2014

Thought for Tuesday June 3


 

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;
you restored the land when it languished;
Your flock settled in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
 
John 17: 1 – 11  I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.


What work has God given me to do?  Do I hope doing what God wants me to do will bring me fame, fortune, pleasure or any other earthly prize?


Action:  Make a list of things God wants you to accomplish and get to work on it.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Thought for Monday June 2


Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

 
John 16: 29 – 33  The disciples said to Jesus, "Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you.”

Do I believe Jesus knows everything?  Does it comfort me or annoy me to think of Jesus as a know-it-all?

Action:  Think of some issue you are sure you are right about and then think about how Jesus would express his moral certitude.  If there is a difference between what you do and what he would do, make a plan to change your approach.