Thursday, May 31, 2018

Thought for Friday June 1


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.

1 Peter 4: 7 – 13  Be hospitable to one another without complaining.

Am I generally hospitable?  Do I ever catch myself complaining and wonder if I do it too much? 

Action:  Be hospitable to someone this weekend.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Thought for Thursday May 31


Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Romans 12: 9 – 16  Brothers and sisters: Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.

Which of these things do I do best?  Which ones do I not do well?

Action:  Make sure you set aside time to do what you do best.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Thought for Wednesday May 30


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.

1 Peter 1: 18 – 25  Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another intensely from a pure heart.

What do purity, obedience, truth and love have to do with each other?  Is intense love from a pure heart different from regular old everyday love?

Action:  Be pure.  Be obedient.  Be truthful.  Love intensely.

Monday, May 28, 2018

Thought for Tuesday May 29


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.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Thought for Monday May 28


The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
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 for ever.

Mark 10: 17 – 27  As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

What does it mean to “inherit” something?  What does it say about our relationship with God if we hope to “inherit” eternal life?

Action:  Think of one element of your faith that you have inherited, and make a plan to pass it on to as many people as you can.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Thought for Friday May 25


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.
James 5: 9 – 12  But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No," that you may not incur condemnation.
Do people trust my word or do I have to offer some backup or proof?  Are there any words more powerful than “Yes” or “No”?
Action:  Stand by your word.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Thought for Thursday May 24


Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Fear not when a man grows rich,
when the wealth of his house becomes great,
For when he dies, he shall take none of it;
his wealth shall not follow him down.
Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

James 5: 1 – 6  Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.  Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire.  You have stored up treasure for the last days.

What do I expect to have “at the end”?  Does managing/worrying about my things eat away at me a little?

Action:  Store up some treasure that will last – faith, hope, love, dog biscuits.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Thought for Wednesday May 23


Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
For he can see that wise men die,
and likewise the senseless and the stupid pass away,
leaving to others their wealth.
Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

James 4: 13 – 17  Beloved: Come now, you who say,  "Today or tomorrow we shall go into such and such a town, spend a year there doing business, and make a profit"– you have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow.  You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears.

Does this passage make me a little uncomfortable?  Can I have a lasting effect on the world even if I am just a puff of smoke?

Action:  Spend a few minutes in the morning thinking about how you can use this day to make a difference.  Spend a few minutes at night reviewing how you did.

Monday, May 21, 2018

Thought for Tuesday May 22


Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.
Cast your care upon the LORD,
and he will support you;
never will he permit the just man to be disturbed. 
Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.

James 4: 1 – 10  Beloved: Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from?

Am I more likely to talk about and post online about how others differ from me or how they are similar?  Do I like the idea that I am superior to others?

Action:  Find something in common with those you disagree with the most.

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Thought for Monday May 21


Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
And of Zion they shall say:
"One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD."
Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.


Genesis 3: 9 – 20  After Adam had eaten of the tree, the LORD God called to him and asked him, "Where are you?"  He answered, "I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself."

Have I ever tried to hide from God?  What about me do I hide from others (and sometimes even from myself)?

Action:  Don’t hide your weaknesses from God – ask him for help overcoming them.

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Thought for Friday May 18


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 Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;  but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.

How has my role in the world changed during my life?  Do I waste much energy lamenting how I used to be?

Action:  Embrace the life you have and do something fun this weekend.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Thought for Thursday May 17


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, May 15, 2018

Thought for Wednesday May 16


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 (or just disliked) because of the way I live my faith and beliefs?  Am I worried about fitting into this world?

Action:  Find people you can count on to support you in those times when you feel left out.

Monday, May 14, 2018

Thought for Tuesday May 15


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.

Acts 20: 17 - 27  But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know, except that in one city after another the Holy Spirit has been warning me that imprisonment and hardships await me.

Have I ever been compelled to do something I knew wasn’t going to work out well for me?  What would my life be like now if I had always just done what was easy, fun and pleasant?

Action:  Be supportive of someone who is in the middle of doing something he or she would rather not do.

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Thought for Monday May 14


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.

Acts 1: 15 – 26  Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men  who accompanied us the whole time  the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.

Do I ever feel like an afterthought, a latecomer?  Have I ever resented someone new who was added to my group?

Action:  Try to see your community as not complete without the newcomer, whether you or someone else. Welcome any newcomers to your parish, work, or family community this week as someone chosen by God.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Thought for Friday May 11


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.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Thought for Ascension Thursday May 10


God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.


Ephesians 4: 1 – 13  Brothers and sisters, I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Do I live in a manner worthy of the call I received from God?  Does this describe the way I relate to others – humility, gentleness, peace, love, hope?

Action:  Think about how you live and see if you can do better.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Thought for Wednesday May 9


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.”

What is the status of truth in our society?  Do I value the truth? 

Action:  Tell the truth, seek the truth, respect the truth.

Monday, May 7, 2018

Thought for Tuesday May 8


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.


Sunday, May 6, 2018

Thought for Monday May 7


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 on your life.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Thought for Friday May 4


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  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

How much am I willing to give for my friends?  What did/does Jesus do for his friends?

Action:  Do something for a friend this weekend.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Thought for Thursday May 3

Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day;
and night to night imparts knowledge.
Their message goes out through all the earth.

John 14: 6 – 14  Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.

Can I name the works Jesus did?  Do I do the works Jesus did?

Action:  Look up the works of mercy and practice them

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Thought for Wednesday May 2


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 or just wrong to think that I can make a real difference without Jesus?   Can I accept that Jesus wants to work with me?

Action:  Pick something you have tried to do that did not come out well and try it again making a conscious effort to include Jesus.