The Lord does indeed know human thoughts,
knows that they are nothing but a puff of air. ~ Psalm 94:11 (CEB)
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. ~ Philippians 3:10a (NLT)
KEY IDEA:
Even though our knowledge capacity is limited, God graciously enables us to know the power of the resurrection.
PRAYER:
God, you are generous with what you have. Frankly, we think we know more than we do. Help me to accept the reality of my limitations and to look to your unlimited power and knowledge as the source for my life. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. Amen.
The Lord will rule forever and always. ~ Exodus 15:18 (CEB)
As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole throng of his disciples began rejoicing. They praised God with a loud voice because of all the mighty things they had seen. They said,
“Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.” ~ Luke 19:37-38 (CEB)
KEY IDEA:
In Jesus, God comes to start his new (and unique) kingdom.
PRAYER:
Jesus, you are the King of kings. Thank you for launching your new kingdom. I confess, though, that I am overly attached to the vision of an earth-based kingdom that can be the source of great justice and service. I know that these are great things but my vision is unrealistic. Help me to adjust my vision so that it fits with your kingdom and your timing. I am going to acknowledge you and your sovereignty alone. Amen.
Pentecost
So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle.
Do not correct me in anger, for I would die. ~ Jeremiah 10:24 (NLT)
The Spirit will come and show the people of this world the truth about sin and God’s justice and the judgment. ~ John 16:8 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
Corrective judgment is on the way.
PRAYER:
Lord, your word reminds me that my sin is real. I cannot hide from you. But your mercy matches your judgment and your loving Spirit finds and lifts me up. Renew and redirect me today so that I may serve you with heartfelt thanksgiving for all of Jesus' gifts. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)
The Lord God is kind and merciful, and if you turn back to him, he will no longer turn his back on you. ~ 2 Chronicles 30:9b (CEV)
So turn to God! Give up your sins, and you will be forgiven. Then that time will come when the Lord will give you fresh strength. ~ Acts 3:19-20 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
We can have a good relationship with God if we'll only turn away from the things he dislikes and back toward him.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for your kindness and mercy. I know that I am undeserving yet you see something in me that I can't see. I confess that at times I'd rather wallow in my guilt and shame than to change. I need your help so that I can make the needed changes. And I am going to trust that you'll not only show me mercy but that you'll actually help me make the transition back to you. 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)
