The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked rots. ~ Proverbs 10:7 (CEB)
But everyone who has done right will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. ~ Matthew 13:43a (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
Ultimately righteous living pays off.
PRAYER:
Holy God, thank you for allowing us to participate in your righteousness, as given to us through your Son Jesus. It is, though, tempting to think that how I live doesn't really matter. Aterall I am an insignificant and unimportant person. Nobody really cares what I do. Help me to recognize how much you care and how important my life is to you. I'm going to live right because of the way that you have treated me and those like me. Your care is clearly visible. Amen.
I will celebrate and rejoice in you;
I will sing praises to your name, Most High. ~ Psalm 9:2 (CEB)
Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. ~ Luke 1:46-47 (CEB)
KEY IDEA:
Celebration is a good indicator that we're beginning to trust God.
PRAYER:
God, you go to such amazing lengths to apply your salvation to our broken lives. You are so awesome. That's why I struggle to understand why I have such a difficult time celebrating what you do for us -- for me. Help me to join in the party. I want to trust you more and celebrate more of who you are and what you do. Amen.
The Law of the Lord is perfect;
it gives us new life.
His teachings last forever,
and they give wisdom
to ordinary people. ~ Psalm 19:7 (CEV)
The people who obey God’s commands live in God, and God lives in them. We know that God lives in us because of the Spirit God gave us. ~ 1 John 3:24 (NCV)
KEY IDEA:
Gods' life flows into us through his instructions.
PRAYER:
Thank you, God, for sharing your life and wisdom with us. I am slow to adopt your wisdom and that is why my relationship with you is stunted. Please don't give up on me. (I know that you won't.) I want to become more Christ-like even if I have to turn my back on some unhealthy ways of thinking and behaving. I know that I can count on you and your Word to move me forward. Amen.
Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord was pleased with him. ~ Genesis 15:6 (CEV)
But Abraham never doubted or questioned God’s promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God. Abraham was certain that God could do what he had promised. ~ Romans 4:20b-21 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
The people who make God happy are those who take him at this word and act accordingly.
PRAYER:
Lord God, there is no one more trustworthy than you. And all you expect of us is that we would trust you through our hearts, minds, and actions. But I can't even get that right. I am so hesitant when it comes to taking risks. I play life too safe because I enjoy the security of what is known. Help me to know you better and trust you more so that I can be as bold as Abraham. Amen.
*ABOUT THE
DAILY TEXTS
The Daily Texts have been published by the Moravian Church since 1731. In 2015 I started posting these Bible verses for my spiritual formation students at Pacific Islands University. In the process of responding to the verses, I found the rhythm of looking for a common thread and writing a prayer based on that key idea to be helpful for my own soul. The prayers are more or less modeled on the TRIP method, which is what I ask my students to do in their journaling. ~ Brad Boydston
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)
