Thought for Monday June 1

Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Mark 12: 1 – 12  Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables.

In what ways are parables more useful than rules?  Am I more likely to follow the letter of the law or to try and follow the example of a parable?

Action:  Write your own parable explaining one of your personal “rules” for living.

Thought for Friday May 29

The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;

let the sea and what fills it resound;

let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!

Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.

The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Mark 11: 11 – 26  Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!”

Why did Jesus get mad at the fig tree?  Do I understand his frustration?

Action:  Every time you notice you are frustrated, set aside one dollar (or any amount you want) for people who are in a situation more frustrating than your own.  Remember to actually give that money to some charity that will use it to help them.

Thought for Thursday May 28

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

his courts with praise;

Give thanks to him;

bless his name.

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

Mark 10: 46 – 52  Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

If Jesus told me to “Go your way,” would I follow him on the way?  Is ‘my way’ different than ‘the way’?

Action:  Go a different way today.

Thought for Wednesday May 27

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.

Mark 10: 32 – 45   The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.

Am I amazed at Jesus or afraid?   Which one inspires action?

Action:  Pick one characteristic of Jesus or his teaching that scares you and find a way to move past your fear and take action.

Thought for Tuesday May 26

The Lord has made known his salvation.

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 made known his salvation.

 

Mark 10: 28 – 31  Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.”

What did Peter give up to follow Jesus?  What have I given up?

Action:  Give thanks for the “everything” that you have.

Thought for Thursday May 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.

 

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).

Thought for Wednesday May 20

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.

Have I ever felt hated because of the way I lived out the Gospel?  Am I worried about fitting into this world?

Action:  Keep working on that list from yesterday.

Thought for Tuesday May 19

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.

Thought for Monday May 18

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.

Thought for Friday May 15

God is king of all the earth.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
God is king of all the earth.

 

John 16: 20 – 23  So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

 

Am I in anguish?   Can I even begin to imagine the joy of being in the presence of God?

 

Action:  Do something joyful this weekend; or at least try to make it joyful for someone else.

Thought for Wednesday May 13

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts.
 Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

John 16: 12 – 15  Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.”

Do I value the truth?  Is being “truthful” the same as being “factual”?

Action:  Look around at your surroundings today and state one truth they bear witness to.

Thought for Tuesday May 12

Your right hand saves me, O Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth,
you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
Your right hand saves me, O Lord.

 

John 16: 5 – 11  Jesus said to his disciples: "Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.”

When have I experienced grief?  Was it healthy; did it help me move on?

Action:  When you make a change in your life to more closely bear witness to Jesus, go ahead and take the time to grieve for whatever you are giving up.

Thought for Monday May 11

The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
The Lord takes delight in his people.

John 15: 26 – 16: 4  And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Does my life and lifestyle testify to me relationship with Jesus?  What evidence does my life give about Jesus?

Action:  Do something today that could be used as proof that Jesus is having a positive influence in your life.

Thought for Friday May 8

I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.

John 15: 12 – 17  It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.

Do I feel like I was chosen?  Do I accept that I am appointed to bear fruit?

Action:  Ask the Father to help you bear fruit in a situation where your previous efforts have been fruitless and keep trying.

Thought for Thursday May 7

The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

John 15: 9 – 17  This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

Does this mean I have to love everybody?  How can I express love to others?

Action:  Find a way to express Jesus’ love to somebody you can’t stand.

Thought for Wednesday May 6

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

John 15: 1 – 8  Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.

Is it arrogant to think that I can make a real difference without Jesus?  Is it arrogant to think that I can work with Jesus to change the world?

Action:  Look around you for the next few days and choose something you can do to make the world better with Jesus.

Thought for Tuesday May 5

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

John 14: 27 – 31  Jesus said to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.

What is peace?  How is the “peace” we are offered by society, government, etc different from the peace of Jesus?

Action:  Live peacefully today.  When something bothers you, just smile to yourself and think, “Maybe there is something good here that I just don’t see right now.”

Thought for Monday May 4

Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,
but the earth he has given to the children of men.
Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

John 14: 21 – 26  The Advocate, the Holy Spirit  whom the Father will send in my name  he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.

Have I ever felt the Holy Spirit remind me of something Jesus said?  What do I do when I am reminded of Jesus while doing something I realize isn’t quite consistent with his message?

Action:  Set up reminders so you don’t forget about Jesus’ message during your day; e.g. every time you pull out your credit card, whenever you get in your car, when your phone rings…