Undivided attention
Epiphany
God says, "I wish my people would listen to me..." ~ Psalm 81:13 (NCV)
God has shown us how kind he is by coming to save all people. He taught us to give up our wicked ways and our worldly desires and to live decent and honest lives in this world. ~ Titus 2:11-12 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
God is the ONE to whom it is worth listening.
PRAYER:
God, you have revealed your kindness by sending your Son to save us all. But we don't give you the attention you deserve and which would benefit us. We are inclined to listen to all kinds of strange voices. It sure is good that Jesus came to save us. Grant me the gift of selective listening. I want to give him my full and undivided attention. 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)
