GOD'S DIRECTIONS
PSALM 19:8 (MSG)
The life-maps of GOD are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of GOD are plain
and easy on the eyes.
COLOSSIANS 3:16 (MSG)
Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Allow God's instructions to fill your life to the brim and you'll end up with a full life.
PRAYER
Good God, life is so complicated that we'd never be able to assemble things without your directions. Thank you for your Word, which comes to us in person through Jesus and in writing through the Bible. Forgive me for those moments when I try to assemble things on my own -- even though you've given us good instructions. You've even given us the Holy Spirit to guide us through the assembly. Help me to stay focused on the task at hand. I'm going to read the directions. 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)
