If you honor the Lord,
his angel will protect you. ~ Psalm 34:7 (CEV)
All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy." ~ Luke 2:9-10 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
Don't worry about the angels; they are working for God to benefit those who are open to his good news.
PRAYER:
God, you and your angels are both adorable and freightening at the same time. It is reassuring to hear that you love us and come into our lives with good news. I tend to be afraid of the unknown. Help me to get over that so I can join in the happy dance. I'm going to celebrate Christmas without fear. You and your messengers are on duty looking out for all who serve you. And that is good news. Amen!
All who take refuge in the Lord are truly happy! ~ Psalm 2:12 (CEB)
Paul writes: I’m convinced that God is powerful enough to protect what he has placed in my trust until that day. ~ 2 Timothy 1:12b (CEB)
KEY IDEA:
The Lord secures his activity so we live secure and satisfying lives as we align ourselves with him.
PRAYER:
Lord, I find that I'm the happiest when I'm busy carrying out an assignment from you. Yet I am still prone to accept the busy work that others think is important. Sometimes even I generate busyness apart from you. Help me to narrow my focus to the tasks entrusted to me by you. I'm going to live a blessed life. Amen.
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.
*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)
