Thought for Monday July 23

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  At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here.

Do I really acknowledge that I need to repent?   What things have I repented of in my life?

Action:  Challenge yourself to change.  Do something new this week.

Thought for Friday July 20

You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.
My dwelling, like a shepherd's tent,
is struck down and borne away from me;
You have folded up my life, like a weaver
who severs the last thread.
You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.

Matthew 12: 1 – 8  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him,  "See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath."

Do I often point out others “sins”?  How do I feel when someone else does it to me?

Actions:  Lighten up on others.

Thought for Thursday July 19

From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
You, O LORD, abide forever,
and your name through all generations.
You will arise and have mercy on Zion,
for it is time to pity her.
For her stones are dear to your servants,
and her dust moves them to pity.
From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.

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

Where do I find rest?  How burdened am I?

Action:  Get some rest.

Thought for Wednesday July 18

The Lord will not abandon his people.
Shall he who shaped the ear not hear?
or he who formed the eye not see?
Shall he who instructs nations not chastise,
he who teaches men knowledge?
The Lord will not abandon his people

Matthew 11: 25 – 27  At that time Jesus exclaimed:  "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

Would I rather be wise and learned or childlike?  How do I respond when someone points out something that had been hidden to me?

Action:  Seek out the childlike.

Thought for Tuesday July 17

God upholds his city forever.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
God upholds his city forever.

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 does it take for me to repent?  Do mighty deeds inspire me?

Action:  Your choice – perform a mighty deed or repent.

Thought for Monday July 16

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think you that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Matthew 10: 34 – 11: 1   Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Is it possible that I could discover some new things in my life if I were willing to give up something?  For what would I lose my life?

Action:  Lose something in your life that is really just holding you back from a better life.

Thought for Friday July 13

My mouth will declare your praise.
Behold, you are pleased with sincerity of heart,
and in my inmost being you teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
My mouth will declare your praise.

Matthew 10: 16 – 23  You will be given at that moment what you are to say.

Have I ever found the right words when I didn’t know what to say?  Do I trust God to help me express his love?

Action:  If you have been putting off talking to someone because you don’t know what to say; go ahead and call and trust God to help you.

Thought for Thursday July 12

Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see:
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted,
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.

Matthew 10: 7 – 15  Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

Do I give and receive freely or do I keep score?  How did I get the things that are most valuable to me?

Action:  Do something for someone in honor of someone who really helped you out.  

Thought for Wednesday July 11

Seek always the face of the Lord.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Seek always the face of the Lord.

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.

What has Jesus given me authority to do?   What problems am I working to cure in my community?

Action:  Exercise some authority in your community and work to make things better.

Thought for Tuesday July 10

The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.

Matthew 9: 32 – 38  At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

Have I ever felt abandoned?  Do I know anyone who feels abandoned?

Action:  Be a leader for someone who seems to be wandering aimlessly.

Thought for Monday July 9

Lord is gracious and merciful.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
The Lord is gracious and merciful.

Matthew 9: 18- 26  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."  And from that hour the woman was cured.

If her faith saved her, why wasn’t she cured until Jesus spoke to her?   What healing do I seek?

Action:  Pray for someone’s healing.

Thought for Friday July 6

One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
The way of truth I have chosen;
I have set your ordinances before me.
One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Matthew 9: 9 – 13  As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.

Is it really that easy?  When was the last time I just got up and changed my life?

Action:   Get up this weekend and do something different.

Thought for Thursday July 5

The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

Matthew 9: 1 – 8  And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,  “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”

Do I ever wonder how this man was paralyzed;  do I sometimes miss the humanity in the stories of Jesus’ miracles?  Does it take courage to rise from infirmity?

Action: Be faithful and courageous.

Thought for Wednesday July 4

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

“For mine are all the animals of the forests,

beasts by the thousand on my mountains.

I know all the birds of the air,

and whatever stirs in the plains, belongs to me.”

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Matthew 8:28 – 34  They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?”

What does the Son of God have to do with me?  Is there an appointed time for being tormented?

Action:   Be supportive of someone who is feeling tormented or at least having a bad time.

Thought for Tuesday July 3

Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
For steadfast is his kindness for us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever. 
Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

Ephesians 2: 19 – 22  Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God,  built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.

Do I feel like I am part of something big?  What does it mean to be a citizen?

Action:   Celebrate.

Thought for Monday July 2

Remember this, you who never think of God.

“Consider this, you who forget God,

lest I rend you and there be no one to rescue you.

He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;

and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”

Remember this, you who never think of God.

Matthew 8: 18 – 22  Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

What makes me feel “at home” when I am away from home?  What can I do to make others feel at home?

Action:  Do something to support the people who give their time and energy to help people who are homeless.

Thought for Friday June 29

The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Acts 12: 1 – 11  Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on his behalf.

Am I fervently praying for anything?

2 Timothy 4: 6 – 8, 17 – 18  I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.

Is it important to me to finish the race and keep the faith?

Action:  Peter and Paul kept the Church united in spite of their own conflicts.  Celebrate unity and do not rejoice in division.

Thought for Thursday June 28

For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake. 
For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

Matthew 7: 21 – 29  Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.

Is my faith built on rock or sand or some of both?  What can I do to shore up any sandy areas?

Action:  Build your life on the best rocks you can find.

Thought for Wednesday June 27

Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.

Turn away my eyes from seeing what is vain:

by your way give me life.

Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.

Matthew 7: 15 – 20  Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them.”

Have I encountered any false prophets lately?   What fruits do I look for?

Action:    Every time you hear something being spread that is having a negative effect, work to have a positive effect.

Thought for Tuesday June 26

God upholds his city forever.

Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised

in the city of our God.

His holy mountain, fairest of heights,

is the joy of all the earth.

God upholds his city forever.

Matthew 7: 6 – 14  Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many.

How often do I go through the narrow gate?  As I grow older, are the roads getting narrower of wider?

Action:  Get off one of the wide roads you are on

Thought for Monday June 25

Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us.

You have rocked the country and split it open;

repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering.

You have made your people feel hardships;

you have given us stupefying wine.

Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us.

Matthew 7: 1 – 5  You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.

Why does the splinter in my brother’s eye bother me?  Have I ever removed a beam from my own eye, i.e. faced one of my failings? 

Action:   The next time someone else’s sin really bothers you, face one of your own.

Thought for Friday June 22

The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.

For the LORD has chosen Zion;

he prefers her for his dwelling.

“Zion is my resting place forever;

in her will I dwell, for I prefer her.”

The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.

Matthew 6: 19 – 23  Jesus said to his disciples:  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.  But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

What is my treasure?  Where is my heart?  

Action:  Make a deposit to your store of treasures.

Thought for Thursday June 21

Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,

before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his justice,

and all peoples see his glory.

Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Matthew 6: 7 – 15  “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others,  neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

How good am I at forgiving?   Is there anyone I refuse to forgive?

Action:  Forgive.

Thought for Wednesday June 20

Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

How great is the goodness, O LORD,

which you have in store for those who fear you,

And which, toward those who take refuge in you,

you show in the sight of the children of men.

Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

Matthew 6: 1 – 6, 16 – 18  Jesus said to his disciples:…  When you give alms… When you pray… When you fast…

Is Jesus assuming too much saying “when” instead of “if”?  When do I give alms, pray and fast?

Action:  Give alms, pray and fast.

Thought for Tuesday June 19

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;

in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.

Thoroughly wash me from my guilt

and of my sin cleanse me.

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Matthew 5: 43 – 48  Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

 

Am I persecuted?  Do I pray for my enemies - sincerely?

Action:  Do something a little bit loving for someone who is more enemy than neighbor – even if he doesn’t know it.

Thought for Monday June 18

Lord, listen to my groaning.

At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you.

For you, O God, delight not in wickedness;

no evil man remains with you;

the arrogant may not stand in your sight.

Lord, listen to my groaning.

Matthew 5: 38 – 42  Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.”

Am I at peace with Jesus’ words here?   Do I focus more on the evil outside of me, or the evil within?

Action:  Find a way to respond to the evil in your community without getting pulled into it. 

Thought for Friday June 15

I long to see your face, O Lord.
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. 
I long to see your face, O Lord.

1 Kings 19: 9 - 16  But the word of the LORD came to him, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by."

A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD— but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake— but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire—but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, "Elijah, why are you here?"

How does God talk to me?  How would I answer God if he asked me why I was there?

Action:  Look for God in the big moments and the small ones.

Thought for Thursday June 14

It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
You have crowned the year with your bounty,
and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
The untilled meadows overflow with it,
and rejoicing clothes the hills.

It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

Matthew 5: 20 – 26  You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment,

Do I see a lot of anger in the world/people around me?   What do I get angry about?

Action: The next time you get angry or annoyed about something (politics, economy, clothing styles, music, other drivers), do something nice for someone.

Thought for Wednesday June 13

Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the LORD, our God.
Holy is the Lord our God.

Matthew 5: 17 – 19  But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

Do I have any personal rules I follow (Rule 5, Rule 11, Rule 45, Rule 51)?  How do I learn or develop new rules? 

Action:  Develop a code that you can live by on the road  of life.  It will help you become yourself.

Thought for Tuesday June 12

Lord, let your face shine on us.

Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;

the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.

Tremble, and sin not;

reflect, upon your beds, in silence.

Lord, let your face shine on us.

Matthew 5: 13 – 16  Jesus said to his disciples:  “You are the salt of the earth.  But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?

What do I do to maintain my enthusiasm?  What sometimes causes my enthusiasm for living the faith to waver? 

  

Action:  Add some flavor to the way you live your faith – do something new.

Thought for Monday June 11

The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
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 revealed to the nations his saving power.

Acts 11: 21 – 12: 3   In those days a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.

Can I imagine that I could be sent just like Barnabas?   Do I think people would say I am a good man or good woman?

Action:  Encourage people to remain faithful.

Thought for Friday June 8

You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
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.
You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Ephesians 3: 8 – 19  That he [God] may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

What do I want God to grant me?  Do I have anything to add to St. Paul’s request?

Action:  Use the power and strength God has given you to touch somebody else’s life.

Thought for Thursday June 7

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy

toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,

and his covenant, for their instruction.

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Mark 12: 28 – 34  One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”

What commandments do I actually live by?  Is there one commandment I focus on to the point of downplaying others?

Action:  Work on following those commandments that aren’t on your list of “first” commandments.

Thought for Wednesday June 6

To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.
To you I lift up my eyes
who are enthroned in heaven.
Behold, as the eyes of servants
are on the hands of their masters.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.

2 Timothy 1: 1 – 12  For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.

When have I been a coward?  Am I willing to exercise the power I have with love and self-control?

Action:   If you are feeling cowardly, remember these words: “Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage!”

Thought for Tuesday June 5

In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,

that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.

Let your work be seen by your servants

and your glory by their children.

In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Mark 12: 13 – 17  So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

  

Do I ever get confused about what is God’s?   What do I have that does not belong to God?

  

Action:    Repay (or make a payment on) a debt today – monetary or otherwise.

Thought for Monday June 4

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.

2 Peter 1: 2 – 7  Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.

Can you have faith without love, knowledge without self-control, endurance without devotion?   What do I do to grow in each of these?

Action:  Do something this week to grow in one of these.