Thursday, July 31, 2014

Thought for Friday August 1


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  Where did this man get all this?”


Where did Jesus’ wisdom come from?  Where does mine come from?


Action:  Share some of your wisdom with someone today or listen to the wisdom of someone you respect.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Thought for Thursday July 31


Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
Praise the LORD, O my soul;
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I live.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

 
Matthew 13: 47 – 53  Jesus said to the disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like…”

Why does Jesus want me to know what the Kingdom of heaven is like?  Why doesn’t he just say, “Be good and you will go somewhere good.”?

Action:  Notice how often people use the word heaven – “in heaven’s name”, “oh good heavens”, “heaven sent”, “heavens to Betsy”, etc. and think about how those phrases came into our language and how important the promise of heaven is to us.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Thought for Wednesday July 30


God is my refuge on the day of distress.
But I will sing of your strength
and revel at dawn in your mercy;
You have been my stronghold,
my refuge in the day of distress.
God is my refuge on the day of distress.

Matthew 13: 44 – 46  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.

Would I joyfully give up everything for the Kingdom of heaven?   Have I given up anything (time, energy, money, etc.) yet?

Action:  Give up one thing you think may keep you from heaven.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Thought for Tuesday July 29


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.

John 11: 19 – 27   Martha said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

What have I come to believe about Jesus?  What do I expect of him?

Action:  Share what you believe about Jesus with someone else (in words or in deeds).

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Thought for Monday July 28


Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Our fathers made a calf in Horeb
and adored a molten image;
They exchanged their glory
for the image of a grass-eating bullock.
 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
 
Matthew 13: 31 – 35  “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”


Am I yeast or flour?  What do I see in my community that kneads to be raised (leavened)?


Action:  Try to be the yeast in 2 situations this week and let yourself be flour in 2 others.  In other words, be a leader and allow yourself to be led.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Thought for Friday 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.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Thought for Thursday July 24


With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.
For with you is the fountain of life,
and in your light we see light.
Keep up your mercy toward your friends,
your just defense of the upright of heart.
With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.

Matthew 13: 10 – 17  Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.


What do I see that even the “prophets” of my society seem blind to?  Am I doing anything about it?


Action:  The next time you see something that doesn’t seem right, speak up even if no one else around you seems to notice the problem.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Thought for Wednesday July 23


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.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Thought for Tuesday 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.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Thought for Monday July 21


To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.


Matthew 12: 38 – 42  At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here.


Do I really acknowledge that I need to repent?   What things have I repented of in my life?


Action:  Challenge yourself to change.  Read a book by someone you don’t like, watch a news program you usually avoid, go to a church where you might hear something different preached…

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Thought for Friday July 18


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.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Thought for Thursday July 17


From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
“The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die.”
From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.

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


Do I find relief with Jesus?  Does my relationship with him add to my burdens or lighten them?


Action:  Take something you are worrying about and hand it over to Jesus.  Then go do something that your worry has been keeping you from doing.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Thought for Wednesday July 16


The Lord will not abandon his people.
Shall he who shaped the ear not hear?
or he who formed the eye not see?
Shall he who instructs nations not chastise,
he who teaches men knowledge?
The Lord will not abandon his people.


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


When was the last time I really praised (not just thanked) God for anything?  Do I do it often?


Action:  Try to find 3 things God has done that are really praise-worthy and that you have never acknowledged before.  Praise him.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Thought for Tuesday July 15


God upholds his city forever.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
God upholds his city forever.

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 does it take for me to repent?  What mighty deeds have a seen?


Action:  Look at the extraordinary things around and ask yourself if any inspire repentance.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Thought for Monday July 14


To the upright I will show the saving power 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?”
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
 
Matthew 10: 34 – 11: 1  Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward


How often do I listen to things I really don’t want to hear?  What is a prophet’s reward?

Action:  Speak up about something that bothers you even though you know it may make you unpopular.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Thought for Friday July 11


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.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Thought for Thursday July 10


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.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Thought for Wednesday July 9


Seek always the face of the Lord.
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.
Seek always the face of the Lord.

Matthew 10: 1 – 7  As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

What does that statement mean to me?  Do I live differently because of the nearness of God’s glory?

Action:   Proclaim the kingdom of God in language (or actions) that people can understand.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Thought for Tuesday July 8


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.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Thought for Monday July7


The Lord is gracious and merciful.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
The Lord is gracious and merciful.

Matthew 9: 18 – 26  But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.

Do I live as one whom Jesus touched?  In what ways have I had hands laid upon me?

Action:  Try and touch (not necessarily physically) someone in a way that shows that Jesus is present.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Thought for Friday July 4


One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
The way of truth I have chosen;
I have set your ordinances before me.
One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

 
Matthew 9: 9 – 13  Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice.


Do I know the meaning of those words?   What have I done to live them?


Action:  Show someone mercy today.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Thought for Thursday July 3


Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
 

John 20: 24 – 29  But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

What are my “conditions” for believing in Jesus?  What must I see or experience that lets me know he is real?

Action:  Tell someone that you believe in Jesus and why.  And if you know anyone named Thomas, Tom or Thommy, be sure to wish him a happy feast day.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Thought for Tuesday July 1


Lead me in your justice, Lord.
At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you.
For you, O God, delight not in wickedness;
no evil man remains with you;
the arrogant may not stand in your sight.
Lead me in your justice, Lord.

Matthew 8: 23 – 27  The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”


What sort of man is Jesus to me?  What sort of person do I want to be?


Action:  Do something to create yourself as the person you want to be.

Thought for Wednesday July 2


To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“For mine are all the animals of the forests,
beasts by the thousand on my mountains.
I know all the birds of the air,
and whatever stirs in the plains, belongs to me.”
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Matthew 8: 28 – 34  They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God?”


What does Jesus have to do with my life?  Do I wish it to be more or less than it is?


Action:  Interact with someone you would ordinarily not bother with.