Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Badness

I did learn one thing: We were completely honest when God created us, but now we have twisted minds. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:29 (CEV)

You can tell what they are by what they do. ~ Matthew 7:16a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:
We are often more depraved than we're ready to admit.
PRAYER:
God, I am grateful for the wonderful way that you created us and how you pronounced us "good" along with the rest of creation. But somewhere along the way we've really messed up. Help me to own up to my own sinfulness. Through the gallant act of Christ repair the good in me so that my life starts bearing good fruit. Amen.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Sent to tell

...by proving what I can do. I will send the survivors to Tarshish, Pul, Lud, Meshech, Tubal, Javan, and to the distant islands. I will send them to announce my wonderful glory to nations that have never heard about me. ~ Isaiah 66:19 (CEV)

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:18-20 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:
God sends people out to share his message.
PRAYER:
Thank you, God, for including me in your world and for giving me a speaking assignment. I confess, though, that I allow myself to become distracted and that I often don't get around to what's important. Help me to refocus my life so that I'm all about telling others the story of what Jesus has done. I'm going to make sure that those around me who have never heard will do so through me. Amen.

Monday, June 10, 2019

Knowing

The Lord does indeed know human thoughts, knows that they are nothing but a puff of air. ~ Psalm 94:11 (CEB)

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. ~ Philippians 3:10a (NLT)

KEY IDEA:
Even though our knowledge capacity is limited, God graciously enables us to know the power of the resurrection.
PRAYER:
God, you are generous with what you have. Frankly, we think we know more than we do. Help me to accept the reality of my limitations and to look to your unlimited power and knowledge as the source for my life. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. Amen.

Sunday, June 9, 2019

King Jesus

The Lord will rule forever and always. ~ Exodus 15:18 (CEB)

As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole throng of his disciples began rejoicing. They praised God with a loud voice because of all the mighty things they had seen. They said, “Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.” ~ Luke 19:37-38 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:
In Jesus, God comes to start his new (and unique) kingdom.
PRAYER:
Jesus, you are the King of kings. Thank you for launching your new kingdom. I confess, though, that I am overly attached to the vision of an earth-based kingdom that can be the source of great justice and service. I know that these are great things but my vision is unrealistic. Help me to adjust my vision so that it fits with your kingdom and your timing. I am going to acknowledge you and your sovereignty alone. Amen.

DAILYTEXTS.ORG

*ABOUT THE
DAILY TEXTS

The Daily Texts have been published by the Moravian Church since 1731. In 2011 I started posting these Bible verses for my spiritual formation students at Pacific Islands University. In the process of responding to the verses, I found the rhythm of looking for a common thread and writing a prayer based on that key idea to be helpful for my own soul.

The prayers are more or less modeled on the TRIP method, which is what I ask my students to do in their journaling. ~ Brad Boydston

TRANSLATIONS

ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase -- a freestyle biblical adaptation -- somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon

CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)

CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)

EEB = EasyEnglish Bible (©2015, MissionAssist)

ERV = Easy-To-Read Version (©2006, World Bible Translation Center)

GNT = Good News Translation (©1992, American Bible Society)

MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)

NCB = New Catholic Bible (©2019 by Catholic Book Publishing Corp.)

NCV = New Century Version (©2005, Thomas Nelson Inc)

NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)

NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)

NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)

NRSV = New Revised Standard Version (© 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.)

NTE = New Testament for Everyone (©2011 Nicolas Thomas Wright.)

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