Never abandoned
ASCENSION DAY
The Lord will continue to guide you without interruption. He will provide what you need to survive, even when you are wandering through the dryest desert. ~ Isaiah 58:11a (ABP)
Jesus says: "I won’t leave you like orphans. I will come back to you." ~ John 14:18 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
Even though we aren't always aware of God's presence, he's there and guiding is along the way.
PRAYER:
There is no end to the stories, God, of how you stick close to your people -- how you lead and guide them -- even during difficult times. But for some reason, your people fail to recognize and trust you. I admit that I'm such a person at times. I don't know why it is so easy to think that I'm on my own and that I have to come up with solutions. Maybe it's really about my ego. Whatever the reason, I need your help to stop pretending that it all rests on my shoulders. I'm going to open my eyes to your presence and trust your guidance. 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)
