Help for the problems
When I asked for your help,
you answered my prayer and gave me courage. ~ Psalm 138:3 (CEV)
But God shows undeserved kindness to everyone. That’s why he appointed Christ Jesus to choose you to share in his eternal glory. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm. ~ 1 Peter 5:10 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
Through Christ God gives his people the inner strength they need to face the challenges that come their way.
PRAYER:
Again, Lord, thank you that you give us what we need to face the problems. I confess, though,
that even when you encourage and strengthen me I am slow to accept the help. Sometimes I like to flounder about pretending that I can handle the problems on my own. Please give me the wisdom and humility to receive your help.
I'm going to see the problems as an opportunity to rely more on you. 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)
