So I perceived that there was nothing better for human beings but to enjoy what they do because that’s what they’re allotted in life. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:22 (CEB)
I pray that you will be grateful to God for letting you have part in what he has promised his people in the kingdom of light. ~ Colossians l:12 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
Whatever it is, revel in the part God has given to you.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for including me. I confess, though, that I go through periods of dissatisfaction with what I'm doing. I want a better position or more control over the situation. Help me to relax and enjoy my role in your work. Amen.
I am the Lord your God, so obey me and don’t cheat anyone. ~ Leviticus 25:17 (CEV)
Jesus said: I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you. ~ John 13:15 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
Follow the example of Jesus.
PRAYER:
These words humble me as I strive to get the best deal at all costs. Forgive me, Jesus! Your commands are clear: put the best construction on the acts of others and pour love even on our enemies. Help me fulfill these commands, not by my will but by the gift and direction of your Spirit. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)
God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:14 (NLT)
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God. ~ Matthew 5:8 (NLT)
KEY IDEA:
God judges even our internal secrets that no one else knows.
PRAYER:
God, I'm so grateful that you fully know me. That frees me from feeling like I need to impress you. There's nothing to hide. Yet, it is a wake-up call to attend to aspects of my life which I treat as secret. Motivate me to pay attention so that what I do in public lines up with my private life. I am going to look forward to judgement day. Amen.
The Second Sunday of Easter
Understand this: I am the One and only. There is no other god. I can take life -- and give it. Likewise, I can hurt you -- and heal you. And if I turn against you, no one can protect you from me. ~ Deuteronomy 32:39 (ABP)
Jesus said: ‘In fact, it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God’s kingdom.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly surprised and asked, “How can anyone ever be saved?”
Jesus looked straight at them and said, “There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.” ~ Matthew 19:24-26 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
God can do anything.
PRAYER:
God, you are all powerful. We see that in the resurrection. You are unstoppable! Yet, in spite of this reality, I am amazingly passive. Save me from my immature faith and my tendency to follow bunny trails which keep me from full participation in your emerging Kingdom. I am going to follow only you -- and you alone. 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)
