The Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
Our Lord, I will sing
of your love forever.
Everyone yet to be born
will hear me praise
your faithfulness. ~ Psalm 89:1 (CEV)
We have received one ongoing blessing after another from the Son of God's ginormous tank of grace. ~ John 1:16 (ABP)
KEY IDEA:
Praise God without ceasing, for his blessings never cease.
PRAYER:
Kind Lord, I will never stop praising you because you just keep on pouring blessings out on me. I've been so incredibly blessed, yet I can be a grumpy complainer -- which makes no sense what-so-ever. Help me to break loose from this unhealthy pattern so that I can more fully give myself over to praising you forever. Amen.
“The time will come,” says the Lord, “when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine! I will bring my exiled people of Israel back from distant lands, and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again. They will plant vineyards and gardens; they will eat their crops and drink their wine." ~ Amos 9:13-14 (NLT)
John wrote: The angel showed me a river that was crystal clear, and its waters gave life. The river came from the throne where God and the Lamb were seated. Then it flowed down the middle of the city’s main street. On each side of the river are trees[a] that grow a different kind of fruit each month of the year. The fruit gives life, and the leaves are used as medicine to heal the nations. ~ Revelation 22:1-2 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
The Lord promises healing and restoration.
PRAYER:
Lord, you have made it clear that the healing and restoration of the people aligned with you is a high priority. Please forgive me for making such matters a low priority. Align my goals with your agenda. Might your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
The people of Israel will no longer say, “We are sick and helpless,” for the Lord will forgive their sins. ~ Isaiah 33:24 (NLT)
By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God. Christ has also introduced us to God’s undeserved kindness on which we take our stand. ~ Romans 5:1-2 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
The Lord freely gives forgiveness.
PRAYER:
Lord, you freely extend forgiveness and peace to all who will accept your kindness. But I am among those who still fall back on trying to prove my worthiness of your grace -- at least some of the time. Help me to trust in your faithfulness so that I can live exclusively by faith. I am going to live by what you give. Amen.
But can anyone know what they’ve accidentally done wrong? Clear me of any unknown sin... ~ Psalm 19:12 (CEB)
Jesus says, ‘I will never turn away anyone who comes to me.’ ~ John 6:37 (GW)
KEY IDEA:
Expect that Jesus is looking out for your best interests.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for looking out for me. Sometimes I let my circumstances foster doubt. And I think that I am the only person who can look out for my interests. Help me to recognize how it is that you always have my best interests in mind. I am going to trust you. 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)
