Thought for Tuesday August 1

The Lord is kind and merciful.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
The Lord is kind and merciful.

 

Matthew 13: 36 – 43  Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.  His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

Could they really not figure it out or were they just too lazy to work at it?  Do I sometimes “not understand” just to avoid responsibility?

Action:   Act on what you do understand, pray about what you do not understand.

 

Thought for Monday July 31

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  He spoke to them another parable. "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."

How much does it take to inspire people to rise up and do a lot of good?  Am I helping to raise the dough?

Action:  Inspire, be inspired, and work for good.

 

Thought for Friday July 28

Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

 

Exodus 20: 1 – 17  You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain.  For the LORD will not leave unpunished  him who takes his name in vain.

 

What does it mean to ”take the Lord’s name in vain”?  In what ways do I use the Lord’s name?

 

Action:  Use your words to do some good this weekend.

 

Thought for Wednesday July 26

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.  Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.  Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.

 

Do I ever feel like the good that I do just gets swallowed up and lost?  Do the birds, rocks and thorns make me want to give up?

Action:  Get rid of a thorn in your life that chokes out the good God is calling you to do.

 

 

Thought for Tuesday 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 my Mother ask me to do for Jesus?

Action:  Do something your Mother was always telling you to do – clean your room, mow the neighbor’s grass, give blood, pray, watch your language…

 

Thought for Monday July 24

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  Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you."

Do I want a sign from Jesus?  What signs have I already seen?

Action:  Pay attention to all the signs that are already around you.

 

Thought for Friday July 21

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.

 

Thought for Thursday July 20

The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

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

What burdens am I carrying?  What could I do if I laid them down?

Action:  Lay down your burdens and open up your heart.  Trust Jesus to do the heavy lifting for a little while.

 

Thought for Wednesday July 19

The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
The Lord is kind and merciful.

Exodus 3: 1 – 12  God called out to him from the bush, "Moses! Moses!" He answered, "Here I am."

Do I answer, “Here I am.” every time  I am called?   Is there a time when I didn’t answer that I really regret?

Action:  Be there for someone who needs you.

Thought for Tuesday July 18

Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
I am sunk in the abysmal swamp
where there is no foothold;
I have reached the watery depths;
the flood overwhelms me.
Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

 

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 things have I not repented from?  Am I getting closer?

Action:  Repent, or at least take one small step in that direction.

Thought for Monday July 17

Our help is in the name of the Lord.
We were rescued like a bird
from the fowlers' snare;
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.

 

Matthew 10: 34 – 11: 1  Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man's reward.

 

Do I really want to hear what prophets have to say?   What reward do I expect for doing so?

 

Action:  Look for prophets (even if what they say bothers you) this week at work, in the news, at church, at home, and try to learn more about what they are talking about.   Challenge yourself to make one change because of what they are saying.

 

 

 

Thought for Friday July 14

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests.
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Matthew 10: 16 – 23  You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.

How important is it to me to be liked?  Will I risk being disliked [or hated] to share Jesus’ love with others?

Action:  Take a risk for Jesus today.

 

Thought for Thursday July 13

Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
When the LORD called down a famine on the land
and ruined the crop that sustained them,
He sent a man before them,
Joseph, sold as a slave.
Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

 

Matthew 10: 7 – 15  Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.

Have I ever been in this situation?  How easy is it to shake off rejection?

Action:  If there is some rejection that has been really bothering you, shake it off.  

 

 

 

Thought for Wednesday July 12

Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of  gladness.
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

 

Matthew 10: 1 – 7  Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

 

Do I feel that Jesus has chosen me for something special?   What special gifts do I have?

  

Action:  Make a list of 12 specific things you want to do for other people and start doing them.

 

 

Thought for Tuesday July 11

In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence.
In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.

Matthew 9: 32 – 38  A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.

Do I take being able to speak for granted or do I recognize it as a gift?  Do I use the power of speech as a gift from God or …?

Action:  Use your gift of speech for good today – in person, by phone, on Facebook, Twitter…

 

Thought for Monday July 10

In you, my God, I place my trust.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
In you, my God, I place my trust.

Matthew 9: 18 – 26  "My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live." Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak.  She said to herself, "If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured." Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, "Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you."

Do I hesitate to ask Jesus for help  because other people seem to need it more?  Do I have this woman’s confidence that God’s mercy is not rationed?

Action:  Ask Jesus to heal you, your kids, your friends, your parents, and anybody else you can think of.

 

Thought for Friday July 7

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Who can tell the mighty deeds of the LORD,
or proclaim all his praises?
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

 

Matthew 9: 9 – 13  The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

What profession do I look down on/joke about?  Am I being fair to the people who work hard every day?

Action:  Show respect for everyone’s work.

Thought for Thursday July 6

I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.

Matthew 9: 1 – 8  Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,  Why do you harbor evil thoughts?

Does it bother me that Jesus knows what I am thinking?  When am I most likely to have thoughts that are less than loving?

Action:  When you are going to be in a situation that you know stirs up bad thoughts for you, make a plan to remind yourself that Jesus would want you to be loving.

 

 

Thought for Wednesday July 5

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Fear the LORD, you his holy ones,
for nought is lacking to those who fear him.
The great grow poor and hungry;
but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Matthew 8: 28 – 34  Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine."  And he said to them, "Go then!" They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs.

Do I feel sorry for the pigs? Would I be willing to give up my pigs to get rid of some demons? 

Thought for Tuesday July 4

O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.
But I walk in integrity;
redeem me, and have mercy on me.
My foot stands on level ground;
in the assemblies I will bless the LORD.
O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.

Matthew 8: 23- 27  As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep.

What scares me?  What comforts me?

Action:  Celebrate being independent of many wants, fears, etc.

 

 

Thought for Monday 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  So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Do I think Thomas was justified in doubting the other disciples?   Do people I trust sometimes pass on information that is not true?

Action:   The next time one of your friends passes on good news - believe it – at least for a little while.