My heart rejoices in the Lord! ~ 1 Samuel 2:1 (NLT)
Mary said,
"With all my heart I glorify the Lord!
In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant."
~ Luke 1:46-48 (CEB)
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Delight in the Lord, for he takes delight in using the humblest of people.
PRAYER
Gracious God, I marvel at the way you work and whom you choose to use to make it all happen. I confess to being overly ambitious at times and frustrated because I haven't risen as high as I feel that I could go. Help me to keep things in perspective and my personal ambitions in check. I'm going to delight in how you use me -- even if it is in seemingly simple ways. Amen.
Since 2015, I've been modeling one way of using the MORAVIAN DAILY TEXTS* as a way to maintain a daily conversation with God. – Brad Boydston
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Monday, August 24, 2020
Extravagance
You treat me to a feast,
while my enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest,
and you fill my cup
until it overflows.
~ Psalm 23:5 (CEV)
Jesus was at Bethany visiting the house of Simon, who had a skin disease. During dinner, a woman came in with a vase made of alabaster and containing very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke open the vase and poured the perfume on his head. Some grew angry. They said to each other, "Why waste the perfume?"
Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me." ~ Mark 14:3-4, 6 (CEB)
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Extravagant generosity happens when Jesus is present.
PRAYER
I'm thankful, God, that you are never stingy. Forgive me for being like the complainers who miss the bigger picture and pinch pennies. Create in me a generous and wasteful spirit. I'm going to pass along the blessings you pour out on me. Amen.
while my enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest,
and you fill my cup
until it overflows.
~ Psalm 23:5 (CEV)
Jesus was at Bethany visiting the house of Simon, who had a skin disease. During dinner, a woman came in with a vase made of alabaster and containing very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke open the vase and poured the perfume on his head. Some grew angry. They said to each other, "Why waste the perfume?"
Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me." ~ Mark 14:3-4, 6 (CEB)
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Extravagant generosity happens when Jesus is present.
PRAYER
I'm thankful, God, that you are never stingy. Forgive me for being like the complainers who miss the bigger picture and pinch pennies. Create in me a generous and wasteful spirit. I'm going to pass along the blessings you pour out on me. Amen.
Sunday, August 23, 2020
Ask!
The 12th Sunday after Pentecost
All you people: Trust in him at all times!
Pour out your hearts before him!
God is our refuge! ~ Psalm 62:8 (CEB)
This is the confidence that we have in our relationship with God: If we ask for anything in agreement with his will, he listens to us. ~ 1 John 5:14 (CEB)
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Ask away! God is generous and gives whatever we request that is consistent with his agenda.
PRAYER
I am thankful, God, for your generosity. I get frustrated with my asking, though, because I'm sure that I ask for stupid things that are inconsistent with your will. Give me the wisdom to see what I should be requesting and the stamina to continue to turn to you alone for solutions. In retrospect, I'm grateful that you haven't given me everything I've requested. Amen.
All you people: Trust in him at all times!
Pour out your hearts before him!
God is our refuge! ~ Psalm 62:8 (CEB)
This is the confidence that we have in our relationship with God: If we ask for anything in agreement with his will, he listens to us. ~ 1 John 5:14 (CEB)
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Ask away! God is generous and gives whatever we request that is consistent with his agenda.
PRAYER
I am thankful, God, for your generosity. I get frustrated with my asking, though, because I'm sure that I ask for stupid things that are inconsistent with your will. Give me the wisdom to see what I should be requesting and the stamina to continue to turn to you alone for solutions. In retrospect, I'm grateful that you haven't given me everything I've requested. Amen.
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Honor
The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings..." ~ Daniel 2:47 (NLT)
So at the name of Jesus
everyone will bow down,
those in heaven, on earth,
and under the earth.
~ Philippians 2:10 (CEV)
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Honor Jesus above all.
PRAYER
Jesus, you are awesome -- turning the world upside down -- dying and rising to save us -- plotting a new course for all creation. Yet, we still give too much honor to the minor powers who are desperate for our adulation. Even, I, aware of their fallacies, still get sucked into enabling their pathologies. Guide me through this difficult terrain so that it is clear that I honor you -- and you alone. I bow before you. Amen.
So at the name of Jesus
everyone will bow down,
those in heaven, on earth,
and under the earth.
~ Philippians 2:10 (CEV)
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Honor Jesus above all.
PRAYER
Jesus, you are awesome -- turning the world upside down -- dying and rising to save us -- plotting a new course for all creation. Yet, we still give too much honor to the minor powers who are desperate for our adulation. Even, I, aware of their fallacies, still get sucked into enabling their pathologies. Guide me through this difficult terrain so that it is clear that I honor you -- and you alone. I bow before you. Amen.
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