Growth
The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
Their community will be established before me. ~ Jeremiah 30:20 (CEB)
Christ is the one who holds the building together and makes it grow into a holy temple for the Lord. ~ Ephesians 2:21 (CEV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Christ Jesus is the one who holds the church together as he grows it.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for creating communities of faith and helping them to grow. I confess that I take too much responsibility for the growth of the church on myself. It's easy to do as I get passionate about your mission. Help me to better understand my role and to relax as I trust in your growing abilities. I'm going to let YOU grow me as you grow your church. 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)
