The one and only
The 12th Sunday after Pentecost
Where are the gods
you have made for yourselves?
Let’s see if they will come through for you in your time of trouble. ~ Jeremiah 2:28a (CEB)
The Messiah is your only leader. ~ Matthew 23:10b (CEV)
You, Lord, are the only God. You are the only teacher and leader. Sometimes, in my quest for quick resolution of bad situations I mistakenly turn to interlopers. Help me to stay focused on you and the rescue that you provide. In spite of the hype, there is no real hope elsewhere. Amen
CHALLENGING WORDS:
- interlopers -- people who show up in places or situations where they don't really belong. They are not really qualified or they are fakes.
- hype -- publicity, promotion -- especially with a lot of enthusiasm
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own 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)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
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)
