Thought for Friday January 30

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

 

Mark 4: 26 – 34  To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.

Does this give me hope that my faith will grow?  Does it give me hope that my society can grow toward God from the smallest seeds of good?

Action:  Do something really small to help establish the Kingdom of God and believe that your action will grow.

Thought for Thursday January 29

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

 

Mark 4: 21 – 25  To the one who has, more will be given;  from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Am I a “have” or a “have not”?  Am I excited about what I may be given or worried about what might be taken away?

Action:  Thank God for what you have.

Thought for Wednesday January 28

You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.
“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”
You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Mark 4: 1 – 20  A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

What in my life “eats” the word of God before it can even begin to take root?  What can I do about it?

Action:  Identify something in your life that steals your attention from God and work to get more control over it.  For example: turn off your computer, cell phone, TV, ipad or put away your romance, spy, western or mystery novel or a little while every day.

Thought for Tuesday January 27

Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.
Your justice I kept not hid within my heart;
your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of;
I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth
in the vast assembly.

Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

 

Mark 3: 31 – 35  A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.”  But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”

 

What do I think Mary would have said in response to this?  Does my relationship with my family help me to be a more faithful, loving and spiritual person?

Action:  Write, call, text, email or visit someone in your family today.

Thought for Monday January 26

Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all you lands.
Sing to the Lord; bless his name.

Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Mark 3: 22 – 30  If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

 

Is there division in my society?  Is that division slowing progress toward establishing the Kingdom of God?

Action:  Join in with a project you believe transcends petty divisions to focus on solutions.

Thought for Friday January 23

Kindness and truth shall meet.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
Kindness and truth shall meet.

Mark 3: 13 – 19  Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.

Do I feel  like Jesus wants me?  Do I want relationship with him?

Action:  Make a list of five things about yourself that you believe would make Jesus want you.  List 5 things that might make him not want you and choose one of them to begin working to change.

Thought forThursday January 22

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you,
And may those who love your salvation
say ever, “The LORD be glorified.”
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Mark 3: 7 – 12  He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.

What have I seen Jesus do that makes me want to touch him?

Action:  Ask Jesus to cure you.

Thought for Wednesday January 21

You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.
“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”
You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.

 

Mark 3: 1 – 6  “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”

Are good and evil my only choices?  What do I do that is evil?  What do I do that is good?

Action:  Honestly examine your life and identify an evil that you do or are at least involved in and quit.

Thought for Tuesday January 20

The Lord will remember his covenant forever.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
The Lord will remember his covenant forever.

Mark 2: 23 – 28  The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.

 

What is the value of the Sabbath?  Does my society value the Sabbath?

 

Action:  Make a plan to celebrate the Sabbath in a way that honors its true value.

Thought for Monday January 19

You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”
You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Mark 2: 18 – 22  Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?

Do I experience Jesus like a groom at his wedding?  Am I celebrating with him?

Action:  Do something today to celebrate Christ’s mission?

Thought for Friday January 16

Do not forget the works of the Lord!
What we have heard and know,
and what our fathers have declared to us,
we will declare to the generation to come
The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength.
Do not forget the works of the Lord!

Mark 2: 1 – 12  They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him.

How hard do I work to bring people to Jesus?  Do I give up easily?

Action:  If you have been working to bring someone to Jesus and meeting obstacles at every turn, show that person this gospel passage and tell him or her that you intend to keep trying.

Thought for Thursday January 15

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Mark 1: 40 – 45  The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.

Do I tell people what Jesus has done for me?  Do I listen to or read about others experiences?

Action:  Share your story or listen to someone else’s the next time the situation arises.

Thought for Wednesday January 14

The Lord remembers his covenant forever.
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.
The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

Mark 1: 29 – 39  He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.  Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

If Jesus cured me, would I immediately jump up and serve him?  What excuses do I give for not serving him?

Action:  Face one of your excuses head on and try to overcome it.

Thought for Tuesday January 13

You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

 

Mark 1: 21 – 28  All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority.

Do I look for authoritative teaching?  Do I prefer teaching with relative terms like – “in some cases”, “it depends”, “usually”, “maybe”, or even “We can agree to disagree”?

Action:  Try to go for one day without using relative terms when you are talking about what you believe.

Thought for Monday January 12

Let all his angels worship him.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Let all his angels worship him.
Let all his angels worship him.

Mark 1: 14 – 20  Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him.

What would Jesus have to offer me for me to give up everything I know?  What have I already given up that I miss?

Action:   Go ahead and mourn for anything you have given up or lost that you still miss. 

Thought for Friday January 9

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

Luke 5: 12 – 16  “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”

Is there something I want Jesus to do for me?  When was the last time I asked him?

Action:   Ask Jesus to do something for you today.

Thought for Thursday January 8

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Luke 4: 14 – 22  Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region.

Do I know what it means to be “in the power if the Spirit”?   Do I really want to know?

Action:  If the “spirit is willing” try something new.

Thought for Wednesday January 7

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Mark 6: 45 – 52  But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”

What do I need courage to do?  Do I find that courage in Jesus?

Action:  Ask Jesus to give you the courage to do something you have been afraid to do and take a step toward doing it.

Thought for Tuesday January 6

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

 

Mark 6: 34 – 44  When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd;

Do I accept Jesus’ leadership or do I prefer to be my own shepherd?  How well is my choice working for me?

Action:  Pick some area of your life that you are in complete control of, and ask Jesus to take it over.  Ask him continuously to guide you through your decisions and actions in that area.

Thought for Monday January 5

I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.
Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.”
I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.

Matthew 4: 12 – 25  From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Does celebrating Christmas make me feel like the Kingdom of God is at hand?  If it is at hand, is there something of which I should repent?

Action:  Begin the new year by repenting of a sin or bad habit.