Thought for Monday November 26

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Luke 21: 1 – 4  He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

What have I given in the last year?   What do I plan to give in the year ahead?

Action:  Give thanks for what you have and give what you can.

Thought for Friday November 23

How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
How sweet to my taste is your promise!

Luke 19: 45 – 48  Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”

Do I shop for the love of the things I can buy (and the deals I can get)?    How much time do I spend praying for the people I buy presents for?

Action:  Shop with love for the recipients of gifts, the retail workers, the other shoppers, and all of the people who had a role in manufacturing and delivering the projects.  AND don’t be a Parking Lot jerk. 

Thought for Thursday November 22 - Thanksgiving

I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
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.
I will praise your name for ever, Lord

Sirach 50: 22 - 24  And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth;  Who fosters people's growth from their mother's womb, and fashions them according to his will!  May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you;  May his goodness toward us endure in Israel to deliver us in our days.

For what are you thankful?

Action:  Spend a few minutes today away from the TV and the kitchen and the food and write down five things you are thankful for and put it someplace where you will see it often.

Thought for Wednesday November 21

Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
Praise him with the blast of the trumpet,
praise him with lyre and harp,
Praise him with timbrel and dance,
praise him with strings and pipe.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Luke 19: 11 – 28  So he said, "A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.  He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, 'Engage in trade with these until I return.'

What has Jesus given to me to invest?  Is it my responsibility to help Jesus grow his wealth?

Action:  Give thanks for what Jesus has given you and help him share it with the rest of the world.

Thought for Tuesday November 20

I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.

Luke 19: 1 – 10  When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,   "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house."   And he came down quickly and received him with joy. 

Is my home ready for Jesus to just drop in for the night?  Do I think Jesus would like my dogs, furniture, art, etc.?

Action:  Look around your house and make any changes you think would be necessary for Jesus to be comfortable there.

Thought for Monday November 19

Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
 Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.

Luke 18: 35 – 43  Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?"  He replied, "Lord, please let me see."

What do I want Jesus to do for me?  Would I want to see the world more clearly?

Action:  Ask Jesus for what you want.

Thought for Friday November 16

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Within my heart I treasure your promise,
that I may not sin against you.
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Luke 17: 26 – 37  Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.

What about my life am I set on preserving?   What would I like to lose?

Action:  Examine your life for something you do frequently/consistently that bears no fruit and quit doing it.

Thought for Thursday November 15

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
the LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

Luke 17: 20 – 25  For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.

Do I see the Son of Man lighting up the world?  Have I ever had the experience of bringing new light to some situation?

Action:  Storm into the gloomiest situation you encounter on a frequent basis and do something to light it up, even if it only lasts for a second.

Thought for Wednesday November 14

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Luke 17: 11 – 19  And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.

How often do I say “Thank You” to people who have helped me?  Do I sometimes take help for granted?

Action:  Think back in your life and pick out something someone did for you that has had a great impact on your life, especially if you didn’t notice at the time; contact the person who helped you and thank him or her.

Thought for Tuesday November 13

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.

Luke 17: 7 – 10 When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’

Have I done what I was commanded to do?  How often do I do more than what I was obligated to do?

Action:  Go do something you were commanded to do and maybe a little bit more.

Thought for Monday November 12

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Luke 17: 1 – 6  And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

Would greater faith make my life easier or harder?  Do I want to grow in faith?

Action:  Launch in to some project that will require greater faith than you actually have.

Thought for Friday November 9

The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.
The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

1 Corinthians 3: 9 – 11, 16 - 17  Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Do I treat myself with as much respect as I show for Church buildings?  What do I do to build up and maintain my temple?

Action:  Invest some time in maintaining your temple.

Thought for Thursday November 8

Let hearts rejoice who search for 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!
Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.

  

Luke 15: 1 – 10  In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

In this big, complicated world, does the repentance of just one sinner seem like something worth celebrating?   Have I ever thought that my sin was so minor compared to what is going on in the world that I didn’t need to repent?

Action:  Repent of one of your sins and celebrate the great effect that repentance will have.

Thought for Wednesday November 7

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Luke 14: 25 – 43  Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?

Have I calculated the cost of carrying my cross with Jesus?  Do I have what it takes to complete the job?

Action:  Invest in yourself, your physical, emotional, intellectually and spiritual fitness, so you are prepared to carry your cross well when the time comes.

Thought for Tuesday November 6

I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
"May your hearts be ever merry!"
I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

Luke 14: 15 - 24   One of those at table with Jesus said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God."

Doesn’t this statement seem pretty obvious?  Why would anyone refuse an invitation to dine in the Kingdom of God?

Action:  Accept a dinner invitation this week or extend one to someone.

Thought for Monday November 5

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

Luke 14: 12  - 14  Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;  blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.

Would the world be different if people were less focused on what they can get out of a situation?  How would I be different if I were?

Action:   Do something really special for someone anonymously.

Thought for Friday November 2

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
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.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

John 6: 37 – 40  For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.

Who am I praying for today?  Who am I looking forward to seeing in heaven?

Action:  Pray for your loved ones who have already died.

Thought for Thursday November 1

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

1 John 3: 1 – 3  Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed.  We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.

What hope do I hold for the people who have gone before me?  Who have I lost that I miss the most?

Action:  Do a good deed for someone today in honor of someone you have lost.

Thought for Wednesday October 31

The Lord is faithful in all his words.
The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The Lord is faithful in all his words.

Luke 13: 22 – 30  After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’  He will say to you in reply,  ‘I do not know where you are from.’

What have I done (good or bad) that I think Jesus would remember me for?  What would I like to be remembered for?

Action:  Before you make any medium or big decisions, ask yourself if you would want Jesus to remember you for your decision.

Thought for Tuesday October 30

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Luke 13: 18 – 21  Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like?”

Why does Jesus try to describe the Kingdom of God?  Does he think we won’t want to be part of it unless he makes it sound good?

Action:  Do something to make the Kingdom of God a little more present in your own life.

Thought for Monday October 29

Behave like God as his very dear children.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
Behave like God as his very dear children.

Ephesians 4:32 – 5:8  Brothers and sisters:  Be kind to one another, compassionate,  forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.   Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones, no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving.

Do I live with this in mind?  Do I consciously treat people like this?

Action:  Write this down and reread it throughout the week to help you focus.  

Thought for Friday October 26

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Luke 12: 54 – 59  “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?”

Do I judge for myself or do I rely on someone else to tell me what is right?   Is there a danger in relying on “authorities” for moral guidance?

Action:  Judge for yourself what is right.

Thought for Thursday October 25

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
For 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.

Luke 12: 49 – 53  Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”

What did Jesus teach that would set the world on fire if it were lived out?  Am I doing my part?

Action:  Join in with some project that you believe has the potential for bringing powerful change.

Thought for Wednesday October 24

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.

Luke 12: 39 – 48  Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”

Are all of Jesus’ teachings meant for everyone?  Is there anything Jesus said that I don’t believe is meant for me?

Action:  Ignore whichever of Jesus’ teachings were not meant for you.

Thought for Tuesday October 23

The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

Luke 12: 35 – 38  Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.

Am I vigilant?  What am I supposed to be vigilantly waiting for?

Action:  Wake up and be vigilant.

Thought for Monday October 22

The Lord made us, we belong to him.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise.
The Lord made us, we belong to him.

Luke 12: 13 – 21  “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

What are my most prized possessions?  Would it make any difference in my life if I lost them?

Action:  Give away some things you really don’t need.

Thought for Friday October 19

Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten‑stringed lyre chant his praises.
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Luke 12: 1 – 7  Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.  Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.  Do not be afraid.  You are worth more than many sparrows.

What do I think God notices about me?  Do I ever question my own worth?

Action:    Do something for yourself this weekend just because you are worth more than a sparrow.

Thought for Thursday October 18

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.

Luke 10: 1 – 9  He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Am I doing my part?  What sustains me in the work that I do?

Action:  Get out there and harvest something.

Thought for Wednesday October 17

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Galatians 5: 18 – 25  Brothers and sisters: If you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Do the works of the flesh sound like things I really want to do or things that I could fall into when I am frustrated, angry, impatient, bored, scared, hopeless, etc.?  Are the fruits of the spirit things I am actively trying to grow in and exercise?

Action:  Pick the fruit you are weakest in, ask someone who is great at it how he does it, and try to get better.   

Thought for Tuesday October 16

Let your mercy come to me, O Lord.
And I will walk at liberty,
because I seek your precepts.
Let your mercy come to me, O Lord.

Luke 11: 37 – 41  After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat.

What would I expect of Jesus at dinner?   What would I want him to talk about?

Action:  Invite someone to join you for a meal this week.

Thought for Monday October 15

Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.
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.
Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.

Luke 11: 29 – 32  While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation…”

  

Am I willing to call anything evil or do I try to use less provocative language?   What are the real evils in the world today?

  

Action:  Make a list of the evils that are “close to home” and make sure you are not part of it, supporting it, or silently condoning it.

Thought for Friday October 12

The Lord will remember his covenant forever.
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD.
The Lord will remember his covenant forever.

Luke 11: 15 – 26  “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.”

What divisions am I part of?  Would I give up fighting to be “right” if it could heal a division?

Action:  Get involved in healing a division in your family, neighborhood, community or country. 

Thought for Thursday October 11

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

Luke 11: 5 – 13  Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,

Do I have a friend I can go to at midnight?   Am I the kind of friend someone would come to at midnight?

Action:  Be a good friend – go above and beyond for one of your friends this week.

Thought for Wednesday October 10

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.

Luke 11: 1 – 4  Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”

Who taught me how to pray?  Am I still learning?

Action:  Teach somebody to pray.

Thought for Tuesday October 9

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
My soul also you knew full well;
nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Luke 10: 38 – 42  Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?  Tell her to help me.”

Do I ever feel like I am not doing enough even when I am working?  How do I know when the work is finished?

Action:  Work hard when you should and rest when you can.

Thought for Monday October 8

The Lord will remember his covenant forever.
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 forever.

Luke 10: 25 – 37  "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."

How often do I stop and consider how I’m doing?  What gets in the way of doing this?

Action:  Repeat this verse a few times a day, e.g. every time you wash your hands, when you go out your door, while you are looking for your phone, when you are flipping through channels on TV realizing there is nothing on…

Thought for Friday October 5

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast.
Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Job  38: 1, 12 – 21  40: 3 - 5   The LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said:  Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place?  Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about in the depths of the abyss? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me, if you know all: Which is the way to the dwelling place of light?

Then Job answered the LORD and said:  Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you?  I put my hand over my mouth.  Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more.

Do I ever have trouble remembering that God is God and I am not?   How much reverence do I show God?

Action:  Show God some respect; go to church, pray and try not to act like an all-knowing jerk.

Thought for Thursday October 4

I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
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 believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

Luke 10: 1 – 12  Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment.

Do I deserve my payment?  When I work (at a job, around the house, volunteer, etc) am I conscientious about doing a good job?

Action:  It is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  Do something great for an animal today.

Thought for Wednesday October 3

Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
Daily I call upon you, O LORD;
to you I stretch out my hands.
Will you work wonders for the dead?
Will the shades arise to give you thanks?
Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

Luke 9: 57 – 62  Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."

Where am I most at home?  Does Jesus have a home in me?

Action:  Give others a place (literal or figurative) to be at rest even if it is just for a few minutes.

Thought for Tuesday October 2

Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
O LORD, my God, by day I cry out;
at night I clamor in your presence.
Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my call for help.
Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

Matthew 18: 1 – 5, 10  Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.

What do I miss most about being a child?  Is there anything about my younger self I would like to recapture?

  

Action:  Talk to God like a child – don’t worry about being thoughtful, deep, articulate, etc.  Just thank him for the cool people you know and ask him to give you what you really want.