Gifts from God
The 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
The Lord was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did. ~ Genesis 39:23 (CEV)
We don’t have the right to claim that we have done anything on our own. God gives us what it takes to do all that we do. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:5 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
The Lord is behind all that is going well for us.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for being here for me. I am too eager, though, to take credit for all that is working out in my life. Even if I don't say anything I am inclined to think that I'm very clever and wiser than the average person. I make the most of the opportunities that come my way. Yet, you are the one behind the opportunities.
You are the one who gives me the energy to respond to them. You are the one who is behind all that is successful in my life.
Grant me the humility to recognize this. I want to honor you for all that you do for me. In the name of Jesus Christ my Savior, I pray, Amen.
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)
