Thought for Tuesday April 30

The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.
The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

John 3: 7 – 13  Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.

When I make choices that bear witness to Jesus, but are contrary to the prevailing culture, do people sometimes treat me like I am an outcast?  Do I ever get frustrated when people don’t accept my testimony?

Action:  Keep bearing witness even though people may treat you like a nut.

Thought for Monday April 29

Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.
Why do the nations rage
and the peoples utter folly?
The kings of the earth rise up,
and the princes conspire together
against the LORD and against his anointed:
"Let us break their fetters
and cast their bonds from us!"
Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

John 3: 1 – 8 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man once grown old be born again?

Have I ever wondered if I am too old to change?  What was the last change I made in my life?

Action:  Take the first step toward changing one of your oldest “bad habits” – something you do that really isn’t consistent with Jesus’ message.

Thought for Friday April 26

The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

John 21: 1 – 14  Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.

How many times has Jesus revealed himself to me?   Do I want to “see” him often?

Action:  Enjoy your weekend.

Thought for Thursday April 25

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
O LORD, our Lord,
how glorious is your name over all the earth!
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

Luke 24: 35 – 48  Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?

What troubles me?  What questions keep me up at night?

Action:  The next time you are faced with a disturbing question, first spend some time asking why the question bothers you.  Sometimes God speaks to us by first “troubling” us.

Thought for Wednesday April 24

Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.
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.
Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.

Luke 24: 13 - 35  “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Has my heart ever burned within me?  Is the scripture real to me?

Action: Read scripture until your heart burns within you.

Thought for Tuesday April 23

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

John 20: 11 – 18 Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping.

Have I ever been afraid to allow myself to feel the real pain of loss?  Am I confident that I will always find consolation?

Action:  The next time you lose someone (or something) let yourself grieve confident that you will find consolation.

Thought for Monday April 22

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.

  

Matthew 28: 8 – 15  They gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You are to say, His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.'

Would I ever lie for money?  Does lying seem worse when I think of Jesus dying on the cross for me?

Action:  Think of Jesus’ sacrifice every time you are faced with a tough decision.

Thought for Good Friday April 19

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
Take courage and be stouthearted,
all you who hope in the LORD.
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

John 18: 1 – 19: 42  When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Does this sink in?  Can I really “be in the moment” of Jesus death?

Action:  Spend some time between noon and three today contemplating Jesus' death.

Thought for Holy Thursday April 18

Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and I will call upon the name of the LORD.

My vows to the LORD I will pay

in the presence of all his people.

Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

John 13: 1 – 15  Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.

What do I want people to say about me “at the end”?  Who do I love?

Action:  Love.

Thought for Wednesday April 17

Lord, in your great love, answer me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving:
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Matthew 26: 14 – 25  On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?"

What am I preparing for Jesus?  Do I have anything I want to do during Easter that I am still preparing for?

Action:  Plan something to celebrate Holy Week or Easter.

Thought for Tuesday April 16

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.

John 13: 21 – 38  Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, "Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me."

Have I ever been betrayed (by a friend, family member, government, Church or other respected institution)?  Does a betrayal negate forever all of the good someone does?

Action:  If you have ever been betrayed and are still upset about it, make a list of all the good your betrayer has done and try to show them as much compassion as Jesus showed Judas.

Thought for Monday April 15

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

John 12: 1 – 11  They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.  Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

Mary, Martha and Lazarus are mentioned several times in the Gospels; how important are friends when you are facing tough times?  Who do I lean on when I need help?

Action:  Make plans to spend some time with your friends soon.

Thought for Friday April 12

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

John 10: 31 – 42  The Jews answered him, "We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.”

Do I place more value on works or words?  Is it easier to misunderstand works or words?

Action:  Try doing something good without talking about it and see if your work speaks for itself.

Thought for Thursday April 11

The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
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.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

John 8: 51 – 59  Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.

Have I ever said anything that was perfectly true but still made people mad?  Have I ever gotten mad at what someone else said?

Action:  The next time you see someone get mad, do something nice for him.

Thought for Wednesday April 10

Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever.”
Glory and praise for ever!

John 8: 31 – 42  Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

  

Does telling the truth set me free?  Am I free enough to tell the truth?

  

Action:  Tell the truth and set yourself free.

Thought for Tuesday April 9

O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
O LORD, hear my prayer,
and let my cry come to you.
Hide not your face from me
in the day of my distress.
Incline your ear to me;
in the day when I call, answer me speedily.
O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.

John 8: 21 – 30  So they said to him, "Who are you?"

Who am I?  Who is Jesus for me?

Action:  Spend some time working on your relationship with Jesus.

Thought for Monday April 8

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.

John 8: 1 – 11  “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.  And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders.

How do I respond when someone points out m sin?  What can I do when I do recognize another’s sin?

Action:  The next time you notice someone else sinning, do something positive to counteract the effect of that sin.  

Thought for Friday April 5

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

John 7: 1-2, 10, 25 - 30     Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him.

If people were trying to kill me, would I avoid them?  What do I believe in enough to risk my life?

Action:  Avoid any person, habit or situation which “kills” your spirit; at least for a day or two.

Thought for Thursday April 4

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
They forgot the God who had saved them,
who had done great deeds in Egypt,
Wondrous deeds in the land of Ham,
terrible things at the Red Sea.
Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

John 5: 31 – 47  How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?

Is it important for me to get praise from other people?  What is praise from God like?

  

Action:  Praise somebody for doing something that you normally take for granted.

Thought for Wednesday April 3

The Lord is gracious and merciful.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
The Lord is gracious and merciful.

John 5: 17 – 30  “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

Whose will do I seek?  Am I good at setting aside my own will and judging fairly?

Action:  The next time you are asked to “judge” something, honestly admit to yourself what would be best for you, so that you are aware of your own potential to be unjust.

Thought for Tuesday April 2

The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.
The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

John 5: 1 – 16  One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?”

What would it be like to suddenly be well after 38 years of being sick?  Would I be grateful for the new life or resentful of all of the years I was sick?

Action:  Work to improve your life so that you can do more for the Kingdom of God.