The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
1 CHRONICLES 29:9 (CEV)
David and the people were very happy that so much had been given to the LORD, and they all celebrated.
2 CORINTHIANS 9:7 (MSG)
I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
God loves it when his people are eager in their generosity.
PRAYER
Gracious God, I'm energized when I see how generous you are. I wish that my own generosity was so energizing. I'm too often motivated by shame or outside pressure. Give me clarity of mind so that I can think clearly about the needs around me and respond with eager generosity. I'm going to follow your lead. Amen.
Since 2015, I've been modeling one way of using the MORAVIAN DAILY TEXTS* to maintain a daily conversation with God.
– Brad Boydston
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Saturday, January 30, 2021
CREATION
PSALM 145:10 (CEV)
All creation will thank you,
and your loyal people
will praise you.
HEBREWS 6:7 (CEB)
The ground receives a blessing from God when it drinks up the rain that regularly comes and falls on it and yields a useful crop for those people for whom it is being farmed.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
God blesses us through his creation.
PRAYER
Creator God, thank you for the rain, the soil, the plants, and the beauty of the creation which surrounds us. We are truly blessed through what you have made. But our sins against your creation are many. We are casual or even indifferent toward the air, the soil, and the water. Direct us into thoughtful regenerative actions so that the generations to come can enjoy the full measure of your creation. Amen.
All creation will thank you,
and your loyal people
will praise you.
HEBREWS 6:7 (CEB)
The ground receives a blessing from God when it drinks up the rain that regularly comes and falls on it and yields a useful crop for those people for whom it is being farmed.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
God blesses us through his creation.
PRAYER
Creator God, thank you for the rain, the soil, the plants, and the beauty of the creation which surrounds us. We are truly blessed through what you have made. But our sins against your creation are many. We are casual or even indifferent toward the air, the soil, and the water. Direct us into thoughtful regenerative actions so that the generations to come can enjoy the full measure of your creation. Amen.
Friday, January 29, 2021
ETERNAL LIFE
DANIEL 12:2 (CEV)
Many of those who lie dead in the ground will rise from death. Some of them will be given eternal life, and others will receive nothing but eternal shame and disgrace.
ROMANS 6:23 (CEV)
Sin pays off with death. But God’s gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
God’s gift of eternal life is given through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER
Thank you, forgiving Lord, that you give the free gift of eternal life even when I am asleep in the dirt of shameful failures. I am stuck in the mud and spiritually dead; gather me up, dust me off, and wash away my sin. I thank you for your life-giving-forgiveness. Help me forgive as I have been forgiven. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)
Many of those who lie dead in the ground will rise from death. Some of them will be given eternal life, and others will receive nothing but eternal shame and disgrace.
ROMANS 6:23 (CEV)
Sin pays off with death. But God’s gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
God’s gift of eternal life is given through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER
Thank you, forgiving Lord, that you give the free gift of eternal life even when I am asleep in the dirt of shameful failures. I am stuck in the mud and spiritually dead; gather me up, dust me off, and wash away my sin. I thank you for your life-giving-forgiveness. Help me forgive as I have been forgiven. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)
Thursday, January 28, 2021
UNDESERVED
GENESIS 32:10 (MSG)
Jacob prayed: "I don’t deserve all the love and loyalty you’ve shown me."
Jacob prayed: "I don’t deserve all the love and loyalty you’ve shown me."
LUKE 19:9 (CEB)
Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today, salvation has come to this household because he too is a son of Abraham..."
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Undeserved as it is, God continually pours out his affection.
PRAYER
Gracious God, I don't deserve your love and loyalty but you give it anyway -- because that's who you are. Forgive me for taking it all for granted. Stir within me a fresh appreciation for your grace. I'm going to live as someone who has been given an incredible overwhelming undeserved gift. Amen.
Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today, salvation has come to this household because he too is a son of Abraham..."
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Undeserved as it is, God continually pours out his affection.
PRAYER
Gracious God, I don't deserve your love and loyalty but you give it anyway -- because that's who you are. Forgive me for taking it all for granted. Stir within me a fresh appreciation for your grace. I'm going to live as someone who has been given an incredible overwhelming undeserved gift. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)